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
July 8, 2014
Last week, I reviewed Di van Niekerk’s new silk ribbon embroidery book, Little Flowers in Silk & Organza Ribbon. It’s a gorgeous book, accessible to beginners and beyond, with beautiful ribbon embroidery projects within!
July 7, 2014
After seeing (and sharing with you) Jacqueline’s lovely little embroidered E, I find myself more in love than ever with this particular monogram alphabet!
I’m looking forward to taking some time to work some of the letters in the near(ish) future. Monogrammed items make perfect gifts, and I’d like to monogram some gifts for Christmas this year. That’s the plan, anyway.
And that’s one of the reasons I’m pummeling you with a set of three letters each week – when I do get to the point of working some of the monograms, I want you to have access to all the letters, too.
Today, the next set of three letters: the M, N, and O.
July 5, 2014
Over the past several weeks, I’ve been sharing a monogram alphabet for hand embroidery with you. I’ve dubbed it the “Delicate Spray” alphabet, and you can find the other letters in the alphabet listed on this page of free monogram patterns here on Needle ‘n Thread.
Today, I’d like to show you a reader’s interpretation of this alphabet, to give you a good idea of how you can use traditional monogramming techniques to embroider the individual letters in the Delicate Spray alphabet.
July 4, 2014
There are embroidery projects, and then there are Embroidery Projects.
And Janice Gail’s embroidered casket is definitely the latter – an Embroidery Project Extraordinaire!
Today, I’d like to share some photos of her masterpiece with you so that you have something enchanting to explore over the weekend.
You can click on any of the photos below to make them larger.
July 3, 2014
Today, because it’s Thursday (which really has nothing to do with anything)…
…and because it’s the day before a glorious three-day weekend (which has everything to do with everything!)…
…and because it’s a cool and beautiful 50 degrees in Kansas this morning (which is enough to put anyone in a good mood in mid-summer!), I’m giving away a copy of Little Flowers in Silk & Organza Ribbon by Di van Niekerk, which I reviewed the other day.
If you’d like a chance to add this title to your needlework library, complements of yours truly, read on…
July 2, 2014
Ever since returning from a little road trip almost two weeks ago, I’ve been in a bit of a slump, and my embroidery on the Secret Garden project is suffering for it.
A Slump? you say. Yes. A Slump.
Well, it’s a strange slump – but I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s ever experienced a slump like this. It’s like facing the kitchen after a huge Thanksgiving dinner for forty people. You look at the dishes heaped hither and yon, the pots, the pans – there’s a lot to do, and unless you work out some organized process, it’s going to take a lot of time to clean up the mess! Flitting from one little dish to another, from one section of the kitchen to another, isn’t really going to help things.
Sometimes, it’s just hard to know where to start.
Sometimes, the best option is burying your head in a pillow and waiting to see if elves really do exist.
But when it comes to embroidery – or to anything creative – sometimes, the best thing to do is to step away from a project for a little bit. Sometimes, it’s just helpful to take a break and tackle other things that need to be tackled.
July 1, 2014
Oh my goodness. The words that come to mind! Lavish, Lovely, Luscious – Di van Niekerk and Marina Zherdeva’s new silk ribbon embroidery book, Little Flowers in Silk & Organza Ribbon is all of the above!
For silk ribbon embroidery enthusiasts, I’m pretty certain all of Di’s books are a must for your bookshelves. But silk ribbon embroidery – and the techniques found in this book that I’m reviewing today – goes beyond just the SRE enthusiast.
If you are a crazy quilter, if you love stumpwork and three-dimensional embroidery techniques, if you are a flower enthusiast, if you just like pretty things – this book will draw you in and teach you much!
