I learned to embroider when I was a kid, when everyone was really into cross stitch (remember the '80s?). Eventually, I migrated to surface embroidery, teaching myself with whatever I could get my hands on...read more
Contact Mary
I learned to embroider when I was a kid, when everyone was really into cross stitch (remember the '80s?). Eventually, I migrated to surface embroidery, teaching myself with whatever I could get my hands on...read more
Contact Mary
March 19, 2016
Today, some exciting news!
I’m announcing the three winners for the Mellerstain Firescreen crewel embroidery kit give-away from last week!
Wow – there were heaps of participants, and lots of really good feedback on the questions posed. Thanks to all who participated!
Without further ado, then, let’s move on to the randomly drawn winners, followed by some Needle ‘n Thread news at the end….
March 14, 2016
Happy Monday!
I won’t start this week by grumbling about the Most Ridiculous Time Change that we call Daylight Savings Time. Some day, reason will prevail and it will be abolished altogether, don’t you think?
So, instead of bemoaning DST, I’ll start the week off sharing a tiny bit of progress on Late Harvest. I Really Like this leafy element that I stitched over the weekend.
At first, I wasn’t sure I’d like the color combo, but I love the techniques involved. The strange thing about the colors, though, is that, as the element came together, the colors seemed to morph into something rather pleasing.
March 11, 2016
For the past several months, Laura Turnbull and I have been chatting back and forth about crewel embroidery kits from The Crewel Work Company.
Not only have the kit offerings at The Crewel Work Company expanded quite a bit recently, but Phillipa and her daughter Laura are in the process of deciding on some new offerings to add to their gorgeous line of historic crewel embroidery kits. And, to that end, they want your help!
To entice you to help them make some decisions on upcoming kits, they’ve graciously offered a magnificent give-away here on Needle ‘n Thread, for three winners. The prize? Ohhhhhhhh……..
Take a look at this!
March 10, 2016
I know it’s not “officially” spring yet, but my daffodils – which have popped up abundantly all over – are telling a different story!
And so, to celebrate – and to welcome a whole bunch of newcomers who have joined our Needle ‘n Thread community over the past several months – I thought today would be a great day to offer a sale on my favorite e-books, both of which offer springy projects, techniques, and colors that sing Spring!
March 8, 2016
I was going to title today’s article “The Pessimist’s View of Reaching the Half Way Point on a Beloved Embroidery Project.”
I didn’t, for obvious reasons.
Usually, I’m a pretty optimistic sorta gal, but I’ve got seriously conflicting feelings, now that I’ve finished the whole right half of Late Harvest.
Half of me sees the embroidery project half empty; half of me sees it half full. And half of me (yes, there is enough of me to have three halves) can’t decide if it’s half empty or half full.
The only way to settle my thoughts and re-affirm my normal positive state, I’ve decided, is to talk about it. And who better to talk about it with than you?
March 5, 2016
Good morning, and a Happy Saturday all around!
Spring is springing here in Kansas – the sun is shining, the birds are singing, and out amongst the dead grassy remnants of winter, my crocuses are blooming. Now all we need is a little rain!
It’s been a while since I’ve written up any news snips. These are little collections of embroidery-related bits I’ve come across online that are either informative, inspirational, or instructive.
So I thought today would be a good day to compile a list that you can enjoy meandering through over the weekend.
Go pour yourself a cup of something and join me! Let’s explore!
March 2, 2016
I love battlement couching! If you’re not familiar with what it is, you’ll find a tutorial for it right here on Needle ‘n Thread.
While I’d used battlement couching in crewel work with wool threads, it wasn’t until I made use of it in my Lattice Jumble Sampler that I really fell in love with it. It really is a magnificent filling technique for surface embroidery of all types.
Well, needless to say, I was pretty happy that Hazel makes use of battlement couching in Late Harvest. It fills the center of the pomegranate in the middle of the piece, and it shows up on a couple other elements out on the sides of the design.
I’ll show you one of those elements today, and tell you the good (and the bad!) about my work on it.
