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
August 7, 2014
Ahhhh – It’s Thursday! The perfect day to introduce to you a new collection of free monograms for hand embroidery!
This is one of my favorite old alphabets – it’s so pretty, and I have a thing for daisy-looking flowers.
And there’s a lot to this alphabet, design-wise, which opens up all kinds of embroidery possibilities, from simple to complex.
August 6, 2014
Just in case you really think I’m some kind of maven of organization, some kind of neat-nik needleworker, it’s time to burst your bubble!
There are days when everything – and I mean everything – in my work space gets away from me.
When I walked away from my worktable the other day, I snapped this photo:
August 5, 2014
The last time we looked at the Secret Garden embroidery project, I had finished (for the time being) with the hummingbird’s upper body.
The Next Step: Tackle the the Top of the Tail!
August 4, 2014
Embroiderers love their scissors!
I’m no exception. I am easily infatuated by scissors, but only under certain conditions.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I am not really a collector of scissors. I don’t collect embroidery scissors just to have them. If they’re just cute or pretty, that’s not quite enough for me.
This doesn’t mean I don’t have a small collection of favorite scissors. I do. They just aren’t collectibles. They’re functional tools that I use over and over and over again, and I don’t care if they are trendy, cute, beautiful.
To me, when it comes to scissors, the beauty is in the functionality and workmanship that makes them a Good Pair of Scissors.
August 1, 2014
I’m still fiddling with embroidery stitches on the hummingbird.
Last time, we chatted about the neck band and some textured stitching there, but I was still hemming and hawing about the embroidery on the bird’s chest, where the emerald green fly stitch outlines were bugging me.
As usual, you’ve come through with lots of constructive criticism and suggestions!
Today, I’ll show you where I’ve arrived and clear up a couple issues that keep coming up.
July 31, 2014
After writing about this satin fabric the other day, using it as a ground for hand embroidery and mounting it on an embroidery frame, the inbox played host to many curious visitors who were excited to see a new project developing here on the website, with the champagne-colored satin as the ground fabric.
What’s it for?
I can’t wait to see this new project!
I love that fabric! Can’t wait to see the new project!
Are you using this for the silk version of the Secret Garden?
Where can I get that fabric? I want to stitch along with your next project!
Well, I would be excited, too, if that were the case, but … it isn’t.
To satisfy the curious out there, I’ll show you what happened with the satin fabric.
I’m afraid some of you might have to brace yourselves for a let-down, for which I apologize in advance!
July 30, 2014
You came through with tons of feedback on the question of the embroidered “scales” on the hummingbird’s chest that I showed you the other day! Thank you – I do love reading all the ideas!
At this point, I haven’t put any idea to the test yet, though. But I have worked the hummingbird’s neck, and it might terrify some of you, especially if you’re opposed to the brighter blues.
It features a bit of texture, and I’ll just admit it now… I like it!
