About

Mary Corbet

writer and founder

 

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

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Embroidering Fabulously Felted Easter Eggs!

 

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When things get complicated here in the studio and in life in general, I find it helpful to turn to a project that is just for fun, that I’ve been yearning to do but haven’t taken the time, and that gives me time to think.

I do a lot of thinking when I’m stitching – especially if I’m stitching on something that has no real obligation attached to it (yet). As long as it’s relatively uncomplicated (although sometimes, a challenge can kick me into gear on other things), I tend to get in some good contemplation that can lead to workable solutions for the Inevitable Problems of Life and of Work.

(It’s hard to call my job work, but it is work – it’s work I love, but it’s still work!)

This is a project whose parts have been hanging about in the studio for a long time. I’ve been wanting to play with it, I’ve been waiting to play with it, I’ve been willing to play with it… but Everything Else kept intervening.

Embroidered felted eggs
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Appliqué Explorations & Trim

 

Last week, I introduced you to my misadventures in appliqué, wherein I asked for your input because I just wasn’t finding a solution that I liked for this appliqué project that’s in the works.

Thank you all so much for your input! I was flooded with great ideas and suggestions, as well as some things to heed in the process. I appreciate that you took the time to help a poor gal in a quandary out.

I’ve been testing some of your suggestions and exploring a few ideas of my own. While I’m not in a Huge Hurry on this project, I’m trying to narrow down my approach as quickly as possible. Admittedly, I’d like to get this particular job done and off my plate for good!

Applique project tests
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Handpicked Collection vol 4 Up Close!

 

Last year, we looked at the first three books in a new series called The Handpicked Collection from Inspirations Studios – I reviewed those here – and today, I’m going to show you volume 4, which just recently came out.

Of course, it’s beautiful. It’s packed with a bunch of gorgeous embroidery projects covering a wide range of techniques and levels of skill, so it’s a book that’s suitable for beginners and beyond.

I’ll show you the projects in the book while we chat about it…

Hand Picked Collection, vol 4
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Testing Some Ideas for Appliqué – Two Problems

 

Cloth of gold is an interesting “misnomer” today. When cloth of gold was really cloth of gold, it was… well. Cloth of gold!

Today, cloth of gold is more like “cloth of metallic with no gold in it” – or cloth of gold-colored metallic.”

I’m not really complaining, because if cloth of gold were Cloth of Gold, it would be entirely unaffordable. As it is, cloth of gold-colored metallic is already pretty pricy.

In any case, I’m playing around with some fabrics to figure out how I want to appliqué some gold lettering for another “vesperale” or altar cover – similar to the one I made here, but not as complicated, and not featuring heavy goldwork.

Gold applique lettering for altar cover
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A Touch of Whimsy for Monday Morning

 

Welcome to Monday. This is one of Those Mondays. I’m not as prepared for it as I should be.

I knew it was coming, but I’m just not ready for it.

Mondays are so inevitable, sometimes.

This morning, I’ll share a touch of whimsy with you. This is a design set we’ve been working on because we’ve gotten multiple requests for something gnome-themed for our ready-to-stitch towel sets over the last few years.

Gnomes for All Seasons
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French Sampler Style Stamped Cross Stitch & that Blue

 

Remember Wednesday (I don’t know about you, but on Friday, I’m lucky if I can remember Wednesday!), when we talked about this table top needlework stand?

I’ve received much feedback and enthusiasm – thanks so much! – and I’ll be in touch as stock rolls in.

But that’s not what we’re chatting about today.

I’m always surprised what catches people’s eyes in my blog post photos! Sometimes, I don’t pay much attention to the details of the “extras” in the photos. Sometimes, we really are just using props – they aren’t things we’re actually working on at that very moment. So sometimes, I have to go back to look at the article, to find out what folks are enquiring about.

French Sampler Style Stamped Cross Stitch Design in Blue
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