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
February 14, 2015
It’s promising to be a bright, sunny morning here in Kansas – a perfect morning for sipping a cup of tea with the window barely cracked (it’s chilly!), just so I can hear the birds. There are lots of birds out and about this morning!
So, join me with a cup of something, and let’s meander through some needlework and embroidery newsy bits and pieces, shall we?
February 13, 2015
The other day, I reviewed Trish Burr’s new book Miniature Needle Painting Embroidery, which will be available in the US next month, and today, courtesy of Trish Burr, I’m giving away a copy of it! How exciting!
So, even if the book isn’t available yet, it will be soon – and in the meantime, you might end up with your own advanced copy.
And speaking of which…there’s a thread question that came up regarding the book, so let’s chat about that, too.
February 12, 2015
A couple weeks ago, I introduced you to my embroidery carrot.
You do have embroidery carrots, don’t you? For me, my carrot is always a project I want to work on, but it’s purely for my own pleasure, my own learning experience, just for relaxation and fun. I don’t have to think about the project. Someone else has done all the thinking for me!
For example, this little miniature Cluny tapestry was an embroidery carrot for me. It was just a fun little counted petit point piece, worked on silk gauze. I used it as my “15 Minute” project and as a carrot. When I finished something I had to do, when I got a good day’s work done, or whatever – I’d spend fifteen minutes or more relaxing and stitching on it.
A carrot is a reward. If I was good, I’d reward myself with stitching time on it. And eventually, it was finished!
Well, my carrot this year is Late Harvest, an embroidery kit by Hazel Blomkamp, which I reviewed a couple weeks ago.
Late Harvest is a rather large piece (especially if you compare it to that miniature Cluny tapestry!), and so it requires a good-sized embroidery frame.
My stand-by embroidery frames that I will always love are Evertite stretcher bar frames. You can read all about Evertite stretcher bar frames here – what they are, how they work, and what makes them special.
February 11, 2015
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!
February 10, 2015
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.
February 9, 2015
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.
February 6, 2015
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!
