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
January 2, 2023
Once upon a time, a gazillion years ago, just as the 1980’s breathed their last and I was starting the Great Adventure of Life in my first year of college, I had a memorable conversation with a friend.
We spoke about about books. She was a sci-fi fan. I was not.
One of the reasons I gave her was that my mind simply could not grasp with ease those far-flung futuristic dates like… “2023.” That was the exact example I gave her.
December 21, 2022
Well, well. Wednesday has finally arrived without too much mishap! I hope you’re hanging in there, too!
It’s a little early yet for Christmas wishes, but Anna and I are both going to take some time off until next Wednesday, December 28th so that we can do Family Things.
At first, we were planning to work through Friday afternoon, but we’re expecting a fairly unusual large winter storm and some wickedly cold temperatures starting this evening. I took the executive decision that we’re better off staying at home, where we can get other things done!
December 19, 2022
After the tour of the new studio a couple weeks ago, I received a flood of questions about our furniture – specifically about the tables in the work & classroom space.
My intention all along was to tell you about them in a little more detail because, truth be told, they are already a source of work-related joy for us. They’re probably the best investment I’ve ever made in furnishings. And they’re one of the only larger purchases I’ve ever made in my life where I have not suffered one iota of the dreaded Buyer’s Remorse.
So I’ll tell you about them, what they are, what they do, and why we got them. There’s no affiliation with anything here. I hope that some of you find the information useful, especially if you’re setting up your own sewing or craft room.
December 16, 2022
Good morning from a cold and crisp and winterly Kansas. No snow – just grey. And cold! Rumor has it the sun will make a showing today, though. Ho ho ho. I can’t wait!
Speaking of ho ho ho, today we’re going to do another pre-Christmas give-away featuring new kits that I’m bringing in from Italy, to accompany the reticello books by Giuliana Buonpadre that we started offering this year.
I’m excited about these kits! I’ve brought in just a few at this point, to test the waters. My reasoning for bringing them into the US is that we don’t really have a wide array reticello kits on the market in the US (if any). And yet, I know there are many embroiderers who love reticello and traditional Italian needlework. There are many who want to learn it or to learn it better. The kits provide a structure for learning and all the supplies necessary for a project.
So today, I’ll show you some of the kits close-up and I’ll give away one of them, along with two of Giuliana Buonpadre’s beautiful reticello books, Il Reticello and Herbarium, so that you can learn the techniques and then take them further.
December 14, 2022
For organizational purposes, and so you can easily find the instructions, here’s an index of all the articles for the Christmas Tree Ornament.
You’ll find this index listed on Needle ‘n Thread under “Tips & Techniques” in the main menu.
December 13, 2022
Well, here we are, December 13, behind schedule, but catching up! It was a recuperative weekend, but I’ll tell you what – the old rusty-not-trusty laptop from home just doesn’t cut it. I knew I should have kept up my North Pole connections!
Today, we’re going to finish up the Christmas Tree Ornament series, and I’ll also announce the give-away winners for this beautiful silk ribbon give-away from Di van Niekerk.
Without further ado – because it’s going to be a long one! – let’s go!
December 9, 2022
There is a first time for everything. Today: I am blogging from my phone.
I hope it works!
