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
September 7, 2010
Monica Wright of the Royal School of Needlework sent out an e-mail earlier this week with some exciting news from the RSN. The first point is that they have a new website, which is great. It’s a lot easier to get around on than the old one was!
September 6, 2010
When the school year starts and life gets hectic, it’s time for me to kick into “15 Minute Mode” with needlework, or I’d never get anything done. If I want to make any progress on needlework, I have to snatch time here and there. And, believe it or not, snatching 15 minutes here and 15 minutes there makes all the difference in progress! I’ll show you what I mean…
September 4, 2010
A repeated topic that comes up when I’ve spoken about my high school Needle Arts class is the students’ Embroidery Stitch Journals. Several readers have asked about the stitch journals, so I thought I’d show you what they are.
September 3, 2010
If you’re looking for goldwork threads, or interested in getting into goldwork and you don’t quite know what real metal threads are what, you’ll want to check out the Products List on the Access Commodities website. There, you’ll find a list of goldwork threads distributed by Access Commodities, and – better yet – you’ll find photos of the individual types of real metal threads.
September 2, 2010
It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten to these monograms, but I really need to finish this alphabet! So here’s the L in the Fan Flower alphabet. If you’re looking for stitching suggestions, check out the “A” in this same series of monograms – I’ve included just a few loose ideas. I’m sure you can come up with some great ones on your own!
I’ve included below a small version, a large version, and a PDF with both:
September 1, 2010
Rarely do I plan my embroidery projects super far ahead, and frankly, I rarely plan my life this far ahead… but Beating Around the Bush, 2012, is right around the corner, really, when you consider all the planning that has to go into putting on a needlework convention, or even going to one!
Beating Around the Bush is a needlework convention in Australia sponsored by Country Bumpkin, in April of 2012. It consists of five days of fantastic classes taught by some of my greatest needlework heros. There’s not a lot out about it yet, except that it is going to happen and … it’s going to be a great event.
But you might wonder why I’m bringing it up…
August 31, 2010
The other day when I wrote about favorite stitch dictionaries, a friend commented about a fantastic book called Samplers and Stitches by Mrs. Archibald Christie. Ironically, the book was on my list for blog posts this week! It’s a book I’m using for my needle arts class, and since it’s free online, I wanted to point it out to readers.
True to form, Mrs. Christie’s book is excellent! I love her books! And this one happens to be perfect for my current situation!
