Katherine Petty

‘I wanted to share with you my latest Christmas project inspired by two Inspirations projects combined. I thought the walnut shell used in Nuts & Berries was so cute and when a local squirrel left a walnut in one of my garden pots I managed to steal and open it mainly intact and it scrubbed up well. I then thought the Mistletoe & Holly ornaments were lovely, so I combined the two ideas and winged it to produce my own.’

‘It was a nice break from a cross-stitch piece I’d just finished. I agree with your other stitchers on how mindful the process is, how it keeps me sane and gives a feeling of accomplishment that I can achieve something even when I’m housebound.’

‘I also enjoy taking part in our local parish show in Deddington UK and achieved a few first prizes for my entries last year. Thanks so much for all the inspiration.’

Firstly Katherine, congratulations on your first-place ribbons last year! We love the variety in both technique and design across your collection of projects, with each one being impressive and well-deserving of recognition. Your combination of the two designs in one Christmas project is a wonderful idea, and your ‘winging it’ clearly worked as the result is stunning! Keep up the excellent work.

Wendy Mairs

‘I live in Northern Ontario where we have an abundance of indigenous plants. I usually work in coloured pencil first to work out my design and colour palette.’

‘Once I have that all figured out I then work on creating a thread painting with DMC thread on cotton. I work with one strand to get a cohesive colour change and detail.’

What a beautiful place to live and take inspiration from, Wendy, and your stitching certainly does it justice. Your process for finding the best design and colour palette is clearly effective, as your work is vibrant, well balanced and harmonious. Thank you for sharing the beauty of your local flora with us.

Ellie Eagle-Skinner

‘I’ve been trying out Blackwork for the first time using this kit I bought at the Royal School of Needlework by Happy Stitch Panda Embroidery.

Although it wasn’t in the instructions, I have tried to line each section of the pattern up with each of the others of its kind as if it were a continuous piece with a cut out over it.

I’ve really enjoyed the quietness of stitching and watching Joan Hickson as Miss Marple!’

This is a beautiful piece, Ellie, with neat and precise stitches; we never would’ve guessed this is your first time venturing into the world of Blackwork. Your modification of the pattern was a great idea, creating an intriguing mandala-like effect. We hope you’re very pleased with your efforts.

Have you combined elements from a few different projects to create your own design? Do you enjoy taking inspiration from the native plants near where you live? Or have you recently tried a new technique for the first time?

Whatever you are stitching, we’d love to see it! Email photos of what you’ve created with needle and thread along with a few details about your stitching journey to news@inspirationsstudios.com