February 11, 2015

Have a Heart…Embroidered with Flowers & Goldwork

Valentine’s Day is coming up. It’s that time of year when people pay special attention to their True Loves.

Ah, me! *Sigh*

Don’t worry, I’m most certainly not going mushy on you.

But I am going to get a bit gooey over some goldwork.

Goldwork! Now there’s something to sigh over. Doesn’t it just make you weak in the knees?

Ok, seriously, several years ago, I shared this embroidery pattern for a heart filled with flowers, and Barbara McNabb, a reader down in New Zealand, embroidered a lovely version of it. Her guild – a group of about 35 at the time – was doing a display with a theme of hearts, and the pattern was shared in their newsletter for inspiration.

I just love what she did with the embroidery!

Embroidered Heart with Flowers and Goldwork

Hand Embroidery Books

February 10, 2015

Miniature Needle Painting Embroidery – Book Review

If you’re a fan of needle painting, you are most likely familiar with Trish Burr’s exquisite embroidery, where she uses needle and thread to “paint” embroidered vignettes – primarily, flowers and birds.

Trish has a substantial list of published books available for the embroiderer, books that are a combination of instruction and projects. If you’ve ever wanted to learn needle painting, her books are a great place to start!

My two favorites, which I’ve reviewed already here on Needle ‘n Thread, are Needle Painting Embroidery: Fresh Ideas for Beginners and Colour Confidence, which is devoted to teaching embroiderers how to use color, especially when needle painting.

Well, this year, Trish is adding yet another book to her published repertoire: Miniature Needle Painting Embroidery. This particular book is devoted to the embroidery of small needle painted projects, including vintage portraits, flowers, and birds.

Miniature Needle Painting Embroidery by Trish Burr

Hand Embroidery Tutorials

February 9, 2015

Throw it in the Wash! Redwork Runner – the Next Step

Moving towards the finish here with the Hungarian Redwork Runner!

I hope I’m not going to shock you, but after finishing all the embroidery (even the last couple bits I mentioned the last time we visited the project), I tossed the runner in the washing machine.

Yes, red embroidery, white linen, and the washing machine. Oh, and a bit of detergent.

I didn’t really pause to wonder if it was a bad idea.

Uncategorized

February 6, 2015

Crewel Intentions x 2 & Beginner Blackwork & Thanks!

Today, due to a little glitch in scheduling, I’m announcing winners for two embroidery-related give-aways – Hazel Blomkamp’s Crewel Intentions and a spot in Tanja Berlin’s online class for blackwork, with a kit and all the necessities to take the class.

Some happy news – I’m going to choose two winners for Crewel Intentions, thanks to Barbara, a reader who had two new copies of the book and only needs one. She generously sent it along, so that I could pass it on to another stitcher. So I’ll be randomly drawing two names for that book. Thanks, Barbara!

Uncategorized

February 5, 2015

Who are You?

Earlier this week, I received an email from a reader currently involved in a needlework retreat. (Hi, folks! I hope you’re all enjoying the retreat!)

It was one of those emails that made me chortle on the one hand, and on the other hand, it made…not chortle.

In her email (the subject of which was Who is Mary?), my friendly correspondent said:

Someone said Mary Corbett (sic) is not a real person but the articles are a collaboration of several writers.

Admittedly, I felt a little bit like Alice in Wonderland, meeting the caterpillar. Whooooo are you?

Hand Embroidery Tutorials

February 4, 2015

Scalloped Beaded Buttonhole Edging, Version 2

Last week, as part of the Stitch Fun series, we saw how to embroider a simple scalloped edging using buttonhole stitch and beads.

Today, I’m going to show you a different version of a scalloped edging. It also uses buttonhole stitch, but instead of the larger beads we used last week, worked over slightly looser scallops, this tutorial will show you version 2 of a beaded and scalloped buttonhole edging, using tiny seed beads.

Scalloped & beaded buttonhole stitch edging using seed beads

Uncategorized

February 3, 2015

Tanja Berlin Online Blackwork Class – a Give-Away!

Have you ever pondered complex blackwork embroidery designs and thought, Gosh, I’d like to learn how to do that!

Well, here’s your opportunity! Tanja Berlin is hosting an online blackwork class for beginners, and she’s just opened up registration for it.

Better yet, she’s offering one of you the chance to take her online blackwork class for free, along with the materials kit, stretcher bar frame, and tacks – everything you need to work the class project.

Beginner Blackwork Embroidery - Online Class

Connect with Mary

How-To
Videos

Embroidery Tips & Techniques

Connect with Mary

Have a Heart…Embroidered with Flowers & Goldwork

Miniature Needle Painting Embroidery – Book Review

Throw it in the Wash! Redwork Runner – the Next Step

Crewel Intentions x 2 & Beginner Blackwork & Thanks!

Who are You?

Scalloped Beaded Buttonhole Edging, Version 2

Tanja Berlin Online Blackwork Class – a Give-Away!

Connect with Mary

How-To Videos

Embroidery Tips & Techniques

Connect with Mary

How-To
Videos