The Royal School of Needlework produces a line of instructional books for needlework called Essential Stitch Guides, and I’ve reviewed most of them here on Needle ‘n Thread.

So far in the series, you can find Essential Stitch Guides for Beadwork, Goldwork, Canvas Work (I haven’t reviewed this one yet), Crewelwork, Stumpwork, Blackwork, and Whitework.

All the books are excellent little reference books to have in your needlework library, and so far, they’re building into a nice little Library Collection. I’m eager to see what topic is next in the series!

Just in time to add to your wish list for Christmas, I thought I’d review their latest book today – the RSN Essential Stitch Guide for Bead Embroidery, by Shelley Cox.

One question that surfaced several times in our recent discussion of tambour embroidery here on Needle ‘n Thread is whether or not you can combine tambour embroidery with other types of surface embroidery stitches in one project.

I’d say the point to remember whenever you’re pursuing any type of adventure in surface embroidery is that you aren’t bound by definite rules that say you can or can’t combine this technique or that technique. While tambour embroidery may be a specific technique that’s most often seen used in particular ways, there’s no reason why it can’t be combined with other techniques and used in any way you want to use it.

That’s the real fun of surface embroidery! There are so many variables, it never gets boring!

On that note, here’s the beginning of a little project that I’m using for further practice in tambour work.

It’s very satisfying indeed to know that the free embroidery resources here on Needle ‘n Thread are used! And I love it when readers send photos of their own embroidery work, using the embroidery patterns or needlework tutorials available on the website.

So I was thrilled when Jane sent a photo of her rendition of my blackwork tree design that she’s making up into ornaments this year.

Tricia Nguyen of Thistle Threads sent along this really fun little freebie for distribution to embroidery fanatics everywhere.

If you’re a fan of 17th century embroidery, and especially a fan of embroidered caskets, you’ll love this little gift box that you can make with just scissors and a good glue stick!

I love it – it’s so cute!

I’ve written about Trish Burr’s needle painting kits here on Needle ‘n Thread many, many times. And there’s a reason for that – her needle painting projects are so finally detailed, so charming, so pretty. Her flowers, her birds, her little miniatures – they appeal, you know!

But most of all, what I think I love best about Trish’s embroidery projects is her sense of color and color blending. No one else does it quite like she does.

Here are four of Trish’s recent kits, up close. To see them is to love them!

Perhaps it’s the time of year. Things are very Sparkly this time of year, aren’t they?

I like Sparkly! I love rich jewel tones, and I especially love them when they are combined with gold.

So when a reader asked about the possibility of doing shisha with beetle wings, a lightbulb went off. Why not? Shisha embroidery can hold practically any-shaped, flat-ish anything onto fabric. And beetle wings! Well, they are magnificently rich in color, and they can be trimmed to practically any shape.

If you’ve never heard of beetle wings being used with embroidery, you’ll find some magnificent images online. I’ve worked a beetle wing and goldwork project and written a few articles on beetle wing embroidery here on Needle ‘n Thread, including tips on preparing beetle wings for embroidery.