NEXT BLOG IS DUE OUT ON DECEMBER 22ND 2019. 



SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 BLOG

             WELCOME!  WELCOME!
                               

We are now enjoying autumn with the leaves turning to bright colors of reds, golds, yellows, and oranges. I live in Phoenix so not so many colors but luckily in my neighborhood we do. Lots of Phoenicians travel north to Flagstaff to enjoy the colors.  The leaves remind me that as a little girl (back on Long Island) piling leaves together with friends and jumping into them.  Such simple fun!

In my book world I love fall because many new books appear in my searches. I've listed those near the end of this blog. But first I wanted to share three new sampler book available. I love samplers and I know so many of my needlework book lover friends also do as well. Every fall we wait expectantly for the new Witney Antiques embroidery catalog to appear. And now it has!

The Educated Stitch is now available for all sampler enthusiasts. This year the catalogue covers 72 color illustrated samplers. The focus is on the types of schools that produced the samplers during the 18th and 19th centuries. I love how the personal history of the girls (when known) is included. That makes reading sampler books so up close and personal - you almost feel you know these young students.  $34.95  (Don't forget your 20% discount on this title.)  Sorry, no picture of cover at this time.

Because Witney Antique catalogues are so luscious and asked for all the time, I've included those that are still available. Take a peek!  Yes, 20% discount on these!

Now Whilst My Hands Are Thus Employed. Three Centuries of Historic Samplers - The samplers illustrated in this catalogue cut across all levels of society embracing both the affluent and the poor and stands as a testament to the skill and perseverance of the young and their talented teachers. Whether worked with a view to future employment, for pleasure or in order to be the mistress of a large household, they illuminate the lives of girls and young women going back over 300 years.  $29.00


What's in a Name? People and Places - This selection of samplers looks into the legacy left by now forgotten school girls and their teachers in attempting to peel back time, finding perhaps how they lived. The samplers cut across all levels of society embracing the affluent and the poor, sometimes leading us into unexpected places.  $29.00






For Pleasure and Ornament. Art Treasures of English Domestic Embroidery 1580 - 1835 - This catalogue depicts some rare and iconic examples of the embroiderers art. We have included some embroideries from well-known collections, some unrecorded samplers which range from a superb group of three remarkable architectural samplers worked at Stickney School in Leicestershire to a delightful small orphanage pocket sampler of the finest workmanship.  $29.00


Wrought with the Needle: Art Treasures of English Embroidery: Elizabeth I to George II - This catalogue depicts some of the finest Elizabethan needlework which in fine condition is extremely rare, it includes an embroidered gentleman's cap, a rare bodice panel and, of particular interest, an exquisite folio cover embroidered in silk, metallic threads and spangles on an ivory silk ground with beautifully worked images of small animals, insects and flowers, typical of the Elizabethan period. From the mid 17th Century features a mirror decorated with Royal figures, Charles II wearing a cloak composed of hundreds of minute feathers. The Wilby House Casket is also featured and is one of the finest and most colourful to have come on the market in recent years. And, of exceptional rarity, is a beadwork layette basket.  $32.00


Tis Education Forms the Common Mind: Schools, Scholars and Seminaries - A vital part of a young girl's education was sewing and, through the needle, feminine virtues were impresses on the young mind. Where possible, we have tried to link groups of samplers together. In some cases we have added to groups which are already known and have illustrated in this catalogue newly discovered and previously unrecorded samplers.  $25.00



Friends. A Common Thread. Samplers with a Quaker Connection - This catalogue is intended as a guide based on a group of samplers tracing the influence of Quaker practices and religious beliefs on the education of our forebears, Quaker or otherwise. Charting both family histories and the relationships between the wider family of Quakers and society in general, the study of needlework can act as a primary source as well as an important historical social record.  $34.00



Changing Styles: The Eighteenth Century. One Hundred Years of Sampler Making - The style of English samplers evolved slowly throughout the 18th century. This catalogue charts this development from emerging importance of women's literacy, the moral influence of moral excellence on young minds, the period of pastoral sampler making and the growth in needle arts practiced in fashionable boarding school for young ladies. This catalogue also includes a very rare group of eight Scottish family samplers spanning a period of some forty years.  $29.00


Stitched in Adversity - This catalogue illustrates some of the finest work produced by the poorest girls in adverse conditions. Examples illustrated come from orphanages, asylums, charity schools, and schools of industry. Four examples of rare pocket samplers are shown both front and back.  $35.95






Samplers Mapped and Charted - This sampler focuses on map samplers from, we believe, the first such exhibition to have been held. There are illustrations of the more frequently seen embroidered maps of England and Wales, as well of rare county maps. Maps of Spain, Ireland, Palestine, France and Europe are illustrated and also double globe World maps of the Northern and Southern hemispheres and others including an unusual farm map and a war map.  $32.00



On This Fair Sampler Does My Needle Write - Featuring the inclusion of a number of samplers from the Emma-Henriette Schiff von Suvero during the early years of the last century. This unique collection was acquired by the German government and then given to the Staatlich Kunstgewerbemuseum, Vienna. These were carefully stored until spring of 2003, when restitution was made by the Austrian Government and the collection dispersed.  Both English and Continental samplers are illustrated including rare examples dating from the 17th Century to the early 19th Century.
$32.00



An Exceptional Endeavour - This catalogue reflects the long tradition of both professional and domestic embroidery in Scotland. Some samplers name the town in which they were worked. Other samplers are identified as Scottish through elements in their design or text influenced by popular literature. To form a comparison to their Scottish counterparts some interesting English samplers from the 18th and 19th centuries have also been included. To form a comparison to their Scottish counterparts some interesting English samplers from the 18th and 19th centuries have also been included.  $32.00

Diligence, Industry and Virtue - This catalogue delves into three hundred years of social history reflecting the perceived feminine ideals taught from early childhood. Many of the verses recorded on samplers are designed to inculcate these ideals. The earliest samplers date from the 17th century, and span over two hundred years of sampler making. Including rare punishment needleworks and a series of three samplers with "The Golden Verses of Pythagoras.  $32.00




When This You See Remember Me - The needlework featured in this catalogue were intended to be given as gifts, to record friendships or commemorate family events. The catalogue features many needleworks including a rare embroidered letter, collections of needlework specimens, miniature dresses and a hair sampler presented to a Prison Governor by an inmate as well as many others evocative and poignant pieces.  $32.00




Paradise Revisited - There must surely be no earlier craft than that of needlework, for in Genesis we read that Adam and Eve sewed fig leaves together and made aprons. This catalogue explores the Garden of Delights with all manner of plants and creatures as well as the arcadian lifestyle to which 18th century English society aspired and features forty one colourful samplers and embroideries. $45.00




Upstairs Downstairs, Plain and Fancy - This catalogue of British and Historic Embroideries from 1590 - 1880 features needleworks made at all levels of society, from grand houses to orphanages. Fifty-three examples of plain and decorative work illustrated in colour.  $32.00








How Fragrant the Rose - This catalogue of samplers and embroideries from 1650 - 1850 that shows off the English love of flowers in this outstanding embroideries which featured in this exhibit of forty-five needleworks illustrated in colour.  $20.00










Samplers, Town and Country - This catalogue is a collection of fine antique needlework samplers naming the cities, town and villages in which they were worked. It includes a group of rare map samplers for a total of forty-seven samplers illustrated in colour.  $20.00








All Creatures Great and Small - This catalogue features thirty - eight samplers dating from 1625 to 1889 depicting animals, birds, and insects. The title comes from a traditional hymn reflecting the strong influence of religion in needlework throughout this period. However, as illustrated, there are very many other aesthetic and symbolic uses for which animal imagery serves.  $35.00



Samplers, House and Garden - Invite a child to pick up a pen and paper and they may well depict their home. Houses and garden have always been a rich source of creative inspiration and were an important subject for antique samplers. This catalogue features thirty-two fine examples all illustrated in colour.  This is out of print but I'm making a list for it. 



ANOTHER NEAT BOOK ON THE IMPORTANCE OF EMBROIDERY IN CAROGRAPHY

Stitching the World: Embroidered Maps and Women's Geographical Education by Judith A. Tyner - Judith wrote an article about this in the March 19999 NeedleArts Magazine and that got me impatiently waiting for her book to be published and now it's been out a while. I never realized until I saw the above Witney catalogue on Samplers Mapped and Charted how amazing these maps and globes actually are.  She tells us that from the late 18th century until about 1840, schoolgirls in the British Isles and the United States created embroidered map samplers and even silk globes. Descriptions of these samplers stated that they were designed to teach needlework and geography. This book doesn't focus on stitches and techniques used in 'drafting' maps, but rather why they were developed and why they were made for such a brief time. Why is simple.  The events of the late 18th and early 19th

century stimulated an explosion of interest in geography. These embroidered maps and globes is an example of the transition in women's educations from 'accomplishments' to challenging geographic education.

Judith's book is a serious attempt to bring these wonderful embroidered maps and globes into the field of cartography. Unfortunately children's maps had not been studied, although they might have much to offer about geographical teachings and perceptions of a period, and map samplers have been dismissed because they are the work of schoolgirls. Needlework historians, likewise, have not done in-depth studies until recently.

In the late 18th century, The Lady's Book did publish patterns for embroidering maps as samplers or for fire screens.  I'd love to see this embroidering maps and globes come back around and a book on designing these and the stitches used, for today's stitchers. Meanwhile we have Judith's book and Witney's catalogue to drool over and study.  $49.95


ANOTHER MARVELOUS NEW SAMPLER BOOK

Delaware Discoveries: Girlhood Embroidery 1750 - 1850 by Gloria Seaman Allen and Cynthia Shank Steinhoff -  With more than 250 photographs, this gorgeous book examines sampler styles unique to a particular area, teacher, or school, including schools out-of-state. Before the authors and a team of researchers began their investigation in 2012, few samplers from Delaware were known. Through contacts with needlework guilds, museums, and historical societies, and communication via newer digital media, researchers documented dozens of samplers owned by private collectors, families of sampler makers, and organizations displayed at "ID Days" held at museums and historical societies in all three counties. I can't wait to read it from cover to cover.  $75.00  (Discount code: Hall19)


TWO OUT-OF-PRINT SAMPLER BOOKS

Allen, Gloria Seaman - A Maryland Sampling: Girlhood Embroidery 1738-1860 - This was our author's wonderful sampler book on Maryland samplers published in 2007. With more than 150 color photographs of samplers and pictorial embroideries - most never published. This is a fantastic in-depth study of regional, religious, and racial diversity and showcases the most skillful, unusual, interesting and less well-known aspects of Maryland girlhood embroidery. Also information on the schools, and teachers, as well as all students known to have worked silk pictorial embroideries. Also unique to Maryland are the antebellum samplers and needlework pictures worked by African American girls primarily the daughters of free black families in Baltimore. $47.00
  I only have two books left. Sorry, but no discount on out-of-print books.


Tarrant, Naomi E A - Remember Now Thy Creator: Scottish Girls' Samplers, 1700-1892 -  Before they could make an embroidered sampler, all girls had to learn how to sew a fine seam and other elements needed for making their own clothes. Girls in Scotland made samplers within a general British tradition, but some designs appear to have developed that are specifically Scottish, such as the use of red and green alphabets. Another Scottish feature was the use of family initials, including the mother's maiden name, which makes it easier to trace the makers in records. Verses used on samplers show a wide variety of sources and these have been identified where possible.  Published in 2014.  $32.00.
  I have only one copy left.

Next blog will have many more out-of-print books for you!

POTPOURRI OF NEW BOOKS   


Blythe, Mary A. - Wool Applique Heirloom: 15 Antique-Inspired Projects and Techniques - Sewing in the popular folk-art style, you'll stitch fifteen projects, including thirteen heirloom-worthy table mats and two versions of an Advent calendar, on a cotton or wool base. Learn how reverse applique brings depth and color to your handwork without the bulk of additional layers. This guide offers advice on choosing and using wool (even scraps!), plus valuable techniques and tips for wool hand stitchers.  $26.95



Gelder, Claire - Mabel Bunny and Co.: 15 loveable animals to crochet using chunky yarn - As well as fifteen different animals to crochet and love, including a dragon, a polar bear, a red panda and a pig, you can make a mini Mabel, octopus and koala, which are 30-40cm tall. The projects are pitched at beginners to improvers and are suitable for someone who has mastered the basics of crochet. So get inspired, choose a pattern to start and be prepared to fall in love with this collection of adorable toys.  $19.95


Giordano, Chloe - The Embroidered Art of Chloe Giordano - Take a walk through the stunning stitched world of renowned embroiderer Chloe Giordano, and discover ;not only her unique way of working with sewing thread but also a collection of her exquisite textile art, inspired by her love of the natural world. Taking one project from conception through to completion, see how Chloe plans her designs, chooses colours, selects threads, blends colours and finally stitches her designs in order to create her beautifully detailed embroideries. She guides you through hooping and framing. In the second part of the book you'll find a beautiful gallery of Chloe's work showcasing her popular, intricate embroideries offering the back story of her inspiration behind each piece, offering a fascinating look into her creative process.  $35.00


Goldsmith, Becky - The Ultimate Thread Guide: Everything you need to know to choose the perfect thread for every project - This amazing reference guide features a handy thread use key (organized by thread manufacturer) that shows the most common uses for each and every thread, helping you determine which one is right for your project. Get the inside scoop on thread types and fibers, thread weight, choosing the correct sewing machine needle, and how thread is made.  $14.95


Gunn, Sarah and Julie Starr - A Stylish Guide to Classic Sewing: Explore 30 timeless garments with history, styling and tips for ready-to-wear results - Discover the secrets to sewing a stylish wardrobe with staying power! This guide walks you through thirty timeless garments to create, including a must-have button-up shirt, a flattering A-line dress, and a modern classic pencil skirt (pattern included). The authors have created an engaging, informative guide to sewing by tracing the garments' origins, offering styling and sewing tips, and sharing a modeled photo gallery and charming fashion illustrations by Beth Briggs. $29.95



Haggard, Brian - Heirloom Embroidery from Brian Haggard: 225+ Iron-on Designs - Over two-hundred and twenty-five embroidery designs from the best-selling author Brian Haggard are now available as iron-on transfers, to make applying and using his designs a breeze. Transfer and embroider beautiful designs from his popular books, Embroidered Memories and Crazy-Quilted Memories. From floral banners to birds and bees, this book has elegant images of all kinds (and in all sizes, too!).  $19.95

Holmes, Cas - The Found Object in Textile Art - Cas Holmes is renowned for her use of the found object, and her many-layered atmospheric pieces have been exhibited internationally. She explains how to obtain these items, how to work with them, and how to create surfaces. See how to do mark-making with non-traditional coloring media, such as beetroot; knead paper, in a process known as momigami, stitch fabric to form three-diamensional shapes; turn mundane items like bottle caps into brooches; and add meaning to your art by incorporating personal memorabilia. Suggested projects range from simple journals to unusual frames, and you'll find a wealth of techinques and more. $29.95


Kim, Minki - Zakka from the Heart: Sew 16 Charming Projects to Warm Any Home - Add peace to your busy life with a cozy afternoon of zakka sewing. The author brings us sixteen crafts for your must-sew list. With a number of techniques, from quilting and wool applique to embroidery. Advance your skills by installing a variety of zipper styles, bag handles, and hardware. From purses to pouches, these useful handmade gifts are ideal for gifting or keeping.  $24.95



Lacy, Erin - Beginner's Guide to Screen Printing: 12 Beautiful Printing Projects with Templates - This author shows us how to make our own screen using an embroidery hoop and silk fabric, and demonstrates how easy it is to screen print. Discover how to print onto different surfaces such as wood, cork, fabric, and create twelve stunning, botanical and coastal-themed projects through great photography by Belgian talent Virginia De Man, is taken on location at Erin's own studio in St. Ives, Cornwall. We are also shown how to make templates and how to design your own templates and motifs.  $15.95


Mein, Annemieke - The Art of Annemieke Mein: Wildlife Artist in Textiles - I'm so happy this fabulous book has been brought back in print. It's one of my all time favorites. This talented artist was born in Holland. Her textile works are a rare standard of artistry. She has explored beyond the bounds of craft and developed new techniques in her uses of textiles and fabric paints. She uses an amazing variety of materials -silk, wool, fur, cotton, synthetics, carefully chosen for their colour, texture,  credibility and aesthetic appeal. These fabrics are then meticulously painted and stitched to faithfully reproduce her chosen subjects and enhance the tactile quality unique to textiles. Numerous techniques are used in limitless combinations: hand and machine embroidery, dyeing, appliqe, trapunto, quilting, pleating, felting, beading, weaving and plying.  Her work leaves me in awe and appreciating our natural world on a higher level.  $35.00



Morgan, Betsy - Willing Hands: The Counted Thread Embroidery - Stitch these enchanted etuis and accessories for holding cherished needlework tools with this stunning collection of projects by Betsy Morgan. Worked in counted thread techniques using hand-dyed silk threads, each etui is adorned with exquisite motifs based on themes including antique toys, Elizabethan caskets, pioneer samplers and beloved fruits and flowers. She has designed a charming selection of small projects to match each etui including scissor sheaths and fobs, thread winders, needlebooks, pincushions and thimble cases. There are colorful charts to guide each stitch and detailed instructions for every step from stitching to construction.  $36.95  (don't forget your 20% discount!).


Otsuka, Ayako - Whitework Embroidery: Learn the Stitches Plus 30 Step-By-Step Projects - Whether you are into whitework or just need a refresher, this book will show you how to make variety thread work, Hebebo, count work, and Schwalm, step-by-step instructions make stitches easy to learn, and two sampler patterns give you the perfect canvas on which to practice making a
wall-hanging at the same time. Full-photo illustrated instructions and all the necessary patterns for each of 30 projects are included. Design items for tea time, and designs for baby including an heirloom christening gown, bonnet, bib, and booties. Delicate pouches and a ring bearer pillow will add a personal touch to a specific pieces to make them family heirlooms.  $24.95

Parrott, Helen - Mark-Making Through the Seasons: Textile Art inspiration and techniques - Drawing on the Slow Stitch movement, Helen explains how mark-making - using stitches to make marks on fabric as you develop your design - can be used meditatively through the year to record variations in color, energy, and light. She encourages you to connect your own locality and create a personal cycle of textile art that captures everything from summer's sunny brightness to winter snow. Each seasonal section begins with an observational walk, followed by an exploratory paper, working samples and completed art.  This book also showcases finished works from Helen's exhibitions and from the Bradford Textile Archive, to reveal a range of creative possibilities. $29.95



Smith, Annie - The Ultimate Applique Reference Tool: Hand and machine techniques; step-by-step instructions; choosing supplies; options for embellishments - This experienced author teaches us everything we need to know to sew the quilt of your dreams! This colorful guide to hand and machine applique includes step-by-step techniques, plus advice on fabric selection, choosing supplies, and working with templates. Use the included patterns to practice - then start designing your own applique blocks and quilts.  $19.95



Spitz, Helga - Classic Kicks for Little Feet - From ballerina slippers and moon boots to basketball sneakers and espadrille, this adorable collection features 16 booties that mimic actual adult styles. Created for babies from 0 to 9 months, every pattern is quick and easy - especially since they all use the same basic sole construction. Also has a sampling of fun embellishments like shoelaces, beads, and zippers, these tiny shoes will leave everyone delighted.  $14.95

THANKS FOR VISITING US

If this was your first visit I'd like to introduce you to our book business of over 26 years. During this time we've set up many bookshops for the ANG and EGA seminars and a variety of other needlework organizations as well as doing this blog.

Can't find a certain book? Please give us a call and we'll go to work to find it for you whether it is in-print or out-of-print.

Call us Monday thru Saturday at: 602-943-0738. If you get the dreaded message machine please don't be shy about leaving a message. I'll get back to you ASAP.  Or you can e-mail me at: rkern3@mindspring.com. Or mail your order to: Ruth Kern Books 7235 N. 9th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85021.

MOST IMPORTANT! Remember to look for the discount code hidden somewhere in this blog that gives you a 20% discount on any new books you order from this blog or the previous ones.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOU VISITING US AGAIN!

New blog will come out late in October (about Halloween) since my husband's health has deteriorated some, and I've also had a number of funerals to attend. Unfortunately, the entire Blog I wrote just disappeared. I apparently hit a wrong key so I'm rewriting it. But I'm back on track!  Even with this event this business is still my saving grace! 





                          JULY/AUGUST BLOG 2019

    WE ARE CHARTING A NEW COURSE

                                   

The world is changing very rapidly. It always has and always will. The internet has changed the way we do business: shopping centers are closing, main anchor stores like Sears, Kmart, and many others are teetering on extinction.  The book business is changing too. With Amazon on-line, book stores have closed also. Jeff Bezos offers deep discounts to book buyers that stores and myself can't compete with.  Publishing Houses are competing with many self-published authors published with the help of Amazon and others. Even a number printed magazines are failing.  That's reality.

Change is change. And we have to change with it.  I've been in the book business for over 28 years and seen these changes arriving one after another.  So I have had to change too.  I love books and this business. What I once did on paper I now do on this blog; bringing books and news to my wonderful book friends (I hate the word customers!). It has surprised me how many followers follow this blog - thousands - yet the sales of new needlework books has steadily declined over the last two years while the reader level has risen. Why? The books are being bought on Amazon at a deep discount. I offer 20% but I can't do more and make a living.  I have made a decision to focus on out-of-print books which I are doing fine. 

I am not closing my business - I am moving with the changes in retail. I will happily still take orders for any new needlework book you want at the usual 20% discount and locate any book you want but this blog will change. I spend countless hours, researching new books, planning this blog out, finding photos of the book covers, etc. and doing articles.  I love the whole process but unfortunately I need to earn a living and so I must change the direction of this business once again. This breaks my heart but I could not figure another way to make it.  I hope you all will understand.

Starting with the next blog I will feature new books but the blog will concentrate on out-of-print books (this includes older, classic needlepoint book authors such as Jean Hilton, Michele Roberts, Carole Lake, Jane Zimmerman, Alison Cole and many others) instead and I will include articles on these authors and other interesting information about the art of needlework. 

But for now enjoy this blog (as before ) and please stay tuned for more on our new direction. 

AND DON'T FORGET TO USE YOUR 20% DISCOUNT ON ANY NEW BOOK IN THIS ISSUE OR PAST ISSUES!



PERCEPTION: We Create Our Own World In the Midst of Everyone Else's  or "Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder"
        
 "What is behind your eyes holds more power than what is in front of them."  -  Gary Zukav -


Yes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and, after reading a number of books on the subject, I'd like to add, "Life, too, is in the eye of the beholder, and each of us is the architect of our own life. You know, the old question: is the glass half full or half empty. It seems our perceptions of what's around us color everything for the good or the bad. We get a taste of someone else's perception of this world when we look at a painting, listen to music, read a book, and of course, our needlework. If you design your own patterns or pick out your own colors - what pleases you, what you see as delicious colors is your perception of beautiful. Someone might wrinkle a nose at what you've done and another might love it. But go for your own perception. Whoever thought that paint splashed on large canvases would be considered "art"? Yet, Pollack did something he wanted to do and took the art world by storm. And think of Andy Warhol. Who could imagine painted giant soup cans would be bought for millions? And think of

 
inventors. Edison had visions of lighting the entire world at night and after many, many failures and lots of nay sayers, Edison trudged stubbornly on and did it. We now live in his world. So trust your instincts and perceptions. 
     I read this about Jim Lowell, one of our adventurous astronauts. He said, "The lunar flights give you a correct perception of our existence. You look back at earth from the moon, and you can put your thumb up to the window and hide the earth beneath your thumb. Everything you've ever known is behind your thumb, and that blue-and-white ball is orbiting a rather ordinary star, tucked away on the outer edge of a galaxy." He is so right. But we less adventurous souls here on earth with that in mind need to learn how our perception works here on earth.





Our eyes are cameras that allow us to see the world and our brain interprets all the eyes are focused on. That creates our perception. Other people will see the same thing entirely differently. That is why five witnesses at an accident scene will see different things, making "eye" witnesses not the most reliable sources. Why? Think about optical illusions. They mess with our brains. What you think you know and what you perceive is split. As Al Seckel says in his wonderful book, Optical Illusions: The Science of Visual Perception, listed below, when there is not enough information, or the information seems in conflict with what you see, our brains can't sort it out correctly, the brain fails us. Psychologists know that it is a fact that a person's perception can be "primed" in a particular direction. What is priming? That happens

Do you see figures or objects or both?

when you engage in a familiar activity that is so familiar when you are asked to do a variation (ever so slight) an error will occur. May I mention driving and using a cell phone? We get so used to driving (or bored) we think (in error) that we can do other things at the same time. I've even seen a lady knitting as she drove. She really perceived she could do that! What was she thinking (or not thinking)?  Her perception and those who drive and use cellphones can bring tragedy to themselves or others.

But creativity is another world. Think of a piece of paper or fabric. Whether we're an artist or needleworker, the main idea is to transform something three-dimensional to that two-dimensional flat material and make it LOOK three-dimensional so we have the illusion of being real flowers, a scene, animal or person. We know in our heads how it should look but how do we transfer that to a flat surface? That takes, as my grandmother would say, "patience and perseverance." A great example of how to stop thinking incorrectly and start really seeing is to use your visual brain. Carl Purcell, in his book, Drawing with Your Artist's Brain, says, enjoy the scenery, view the world in terms of shapes and edges, tie everything together with unifying value patterns." He also says, "see values correctly, search for relationships of angle, size and position, define form with line and explore the relationship between objects and space, tie everything together with value and patterns."Molly Ban, in Picture This: How Pictures Work, takes a picture to the basics of shapes and is able to make us feel the emotion she wants us to feel. In pictures and words she shows us how shapes make us perceive things in a certain way.

Isn't all this necessary for designing needlework too? The Needlework Book by Jo Ippolito Christensen ($35.00) has a short chapter on design and briefly goes into perception and gives us a peek into what needs to be done to get the design right. She lists questions to ask ourselves, questions to help us put what we want to accomplish with a design in good order so we don't give up and thrown it into the UFO (unfinished objects) drawer. Such questions as: What is the subject matter? What is the shape of the piece to be? What is the focal point? Do you like realistic or decorative? Do you want shadows? She even gets into the language of the line. Her book introduces us to how getting a three-dimensional feel out of a design on a flat fabric.




Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn, great teachers, and authors of many wonderful needlework books are masters of perception. In their book, Location, Location: Sources of Design, they include a chapter on Learning to Look. They remind us to: look up, look ahead, look to the right and then the left, look down, look through, look closely. They say, "Harnessing passion and discipline in order to focus your looking takes time and practice." Then you can truly sketch the wonderful design you have in your head.

I confess, my own world and creativity is always developing. I love what I do (books, needlework, writing) and I don't want to lose this in my life. Whenever I reach a wall I can't seem to climb over or knock down because something has changed, I stop and write down how I want something to turn out. I've found putting my thoughts on paper makes what I am doing real. Of course, I make to-do lists (when I don't -ohh-ohh - things go haywire!). I also ask myself a load of questions: Do I need an attitude adjustment? Is my work reflecting what I feel about it? Or am I using bits and pieces of advice from people or books that are good for them but wrong for me? For me, it's really important to have what I call, "thinking time". I clear part of my day or evening to take apart something in my business, my writing, or even my life. The scariest question I ask me is: Am I afraid to express my real self because I might get criticized? We all hate criticism and such things as, "THEY are more knowledgeable than I am, pass through our brains. But do they? Hmm. They have only THEIR perceptions to go by. Boy, fear can stop us right in our tracks from trying something new.  Don't give up on creating. I confess. I did that once. The only thing that accomplished was that I stopped doing what I loved to do best.


In needlework we worry over whether we've used the "correct" stitches. Fear of that can make us put the project aside. Jean Hilton applauded her own mistakes and her students'.  She says in her book, Stimulating Stitches, a classic needlepoint book ($29.95), "Please note I have put quotes around the word "mistake", to stress that when errors happen you can often make something new and different out of that error that can lead to a new combination of colors and fibers, to a new pattern of stitches or to a new way of thinking." That's the power of perception: it is not written in stone, it opens our minds as we search for what we want to create. As a child, Jean said she was often told, "stop and think" which created an analytical personality. Her philosophy "what if" she goes on to say, "the thrust of this long introduction is to get you to open up your mind to see new possibilities with your stitching." Let us remember to, like Jean, have a flexible attitude about something different, try it out and see if it works for you. Her "stop and think" is very similar to my "thinking time" so I relate strongly to Jean's encouraging us to enlarge our perceptions of what works and doesn't work. When I get really stuck or make "mistake" in my writing I pull out Jean's introduction and reread it and other books that break what I call my "stinky" thinking.  (Discount code: 19AUG).

Yes, beauty IS in the eye of the beholder (or creator). I've included a list of books that help us to see the world clearer, our work clearer and our needlework clearer.


Arnheim, Rudolf - Visual Thinking -35th Anniversary Edition - Since this book made its appearance it has been the gold standard for art educators, psychologist, and general readers alike. Arnheim asserts that all thinking (not just thinking related to art) is basically perceptual, a dichotomy between seeing and thinking, between between perceiving and reasoning, is false and misleading. $29.95







Bang, Molly - Picture This: How Pictures Work - This author's brilliant, insightful, and accessible treatise is now revised and expanded for its 25th anniversary. Bang's powerful ideas - about how the visual composition of images used in elements of an artwork can give it the power to tell a story - remains unparalleled in their simplicity and genius. Why are diagonals dramatic? Why are curves calming? This book has changed the way artists, illustrators, reviewers, critics, and readers look at and understand art. $28.99 




Herman, Amy - Visual Intelligence: Sharpen Your Perception, Change Your Life - This book by Amy Herman, a well-known art historian has trained experts from many fields to perceive and communicate better. By showing people how to improve their "visual intelligence", a set of skills we all possess but few of us know how to use effectively. She has spent more than a decade teaching doctors to observe patients instead of just listening to symptoms, investigators separate facts from opinions when investigating a crime, and training professionals from the FBI, the State Department, Fortune 500 companies, and more. She teaches you how to recognize the talents, opportunities, and dangers that surround you every day.  Sherlock Holmes has nothing on Amy! Fascinating!  $15.99



Purcell, Carl - Your Artist's Brain: Use the Right Side of Your Brain to Draw and Paint What You See - Not What You Think You See - Carl Purcell teaches us to overcome dependency on the "intellectual brain" and listen carefully to the more observant "artist's brain to become a better artist, no matter what your medium. He includes 22 step-by-step demonstrations on key

relationships between shapes, spaces, subjects, backgrounds, angles, sizes, values and more. Easy examples and fun exercises teaches you how to "see" and design great compositions, "Points to Remember" sidebars that allow you to quickly grasp each concept.  Have fun!  $26.99

Secket, Al - Optical Illusions: The Science of Visual Perception - This book is mind-bending, fun, and eye-opening and shows how our perceptions can be tricked. There is a good combination of photographs, paintings, a drawings - 275 in all that give our brains a run for their money.  All images are individually explained and includes notes about the science of visual perception.  $24.95

POTPOURRI OF NEW BOOKS

Bothell, Valerie - Embroidery Combinations Perpetual Calendar - Enjoy the largest collection of embroidery seams inspiration ever published in a perpetual calendar that includes 365 crazy-quilting designs from best-selling author Valerie Bothell.

Each inspirational photo is labeled with the embroidery stitches used, so you can easily recreate the designs. This sturdy, spiral-bound calendar is built to last for years and the handy easel design stands upright on your work surface.  $19.95


Eaton, Jan - Mary Thomas's Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches: The Classic Guide Revised - Hello there! A classic brought back. This is the new, redesigned edition includes the internationally renowned embroiderer Jan Eaton's revisions to the original text, and includes a preface by embroiderer Mary Corbet. Over 400 stitches explained and illustrated with diagrams and photos. 14 stitch categories, including outline stitches, filling stitches, canvas stitches, and insertion stitches shown in 800 color photos. You can't go wrong with having this stitch reference book on your book shelf.  $29.95



Hislop, Amanda - Seascapes - This is a wonderful reference tool for all textile artists, whatever their skill level. Featuring original projects, practical and enjoyable design exercises, and extensive sections on composition and mark-making, this instructional guide is full of great ideas for a stunning selection of fabric and stitch scenes that culminate in four incredible step-by-step projects.  Full instruction for all the techniques used. How great to see inside a textile artist's head and see how she thinks designing through.  $24.95


Kapitanski, Jessica Sallie - Create with Cork Fabric: Sew 17 Upscale Projects: Bags, Accessories and Home Décor - Elevate your sewing with a bagmaker's secret - cork fabric! Learn how easy it is to work with cork from the innovative designer behind Sallie Tomato patterns. Sew seventeen projects from purses and pouches to gorgeous accessories and home décor. Using only regular sewing tools, you'll love adding cork fabric accents to everything. Cork comes in a rainbow of colors, and it's eco-friendly, maintenance-free, pliable, and hypoallergenic - making it the irresistible choice for all sorts of handmade gifts. $24.95





Lyne, Sonia - Mini Hoop Embroidery: Over 60 Little Masterpieces to Stitch and Wear - With this author's previous experience in the fashion industry, working as a pattern-maker, assistant stylist, buyer, Sonia had the eye and creativity to not only start designing her own embroideries but to create teeny tiny embroidery hoops so we could create our own small-scale embroidery projects. In this book she brings us 20 tiny masterpieces in a wide range of embroidery styles from classic embroidered flowers and applique animals, to abstract stitch 'n' paint shapes and tasseled stitch art and turn it into wearable jewellery, necklaces, brooches and more.  $15.95




Schaefer, Sylvia - The Quilter's Negative Space Handbook: Step-by-Step Design Instruction and 8 Modern Projects - Break down the process of modern quilt design with a scientific approach to design principles. Applying the concept of negative space in 8 key ways, you'll be able to transform them into modern masterpieces, step-by-step. Each chapter teaches skills, such as removing elements or disintegration, with a quilt project and tips on piecing, choosing fabrics, and machine quilting for an artistic finish.


This next book has nothing to do with needlework but is so beautiful I had to include it and is something I wish I had time to do.


Brown, Cassie - The Kew Book of Sugar Flowers - Just look at this book's cover and you will see why I had to include it. What do they say? A picture is worth a 1000 words. In this gorgeous book, sugarcraft specialist Cassie Brown, teaches you how to craft stunning, authentic-looking flowers and foliage using sugar to create beautiful bouquets and stunning sprays, from the early stages of germinating your ideas - taking inspiration from nature and making molds from real flowers into decorations with an exotic or wild flower theme for a special occasion.  $24.95

Now Back to Business!!

Smith, Rebekah L. and Kelsey Anilee Smith - Exploring Folk Art with Wool Applique and More - Elevate your wool applique! Stitch sixteen projects in the American folk-art style, from heartfelt home décor to handy sewing accessories. They include heartfelt home décor to handy sewing accessories. Each project combines wool applique with a traditional handwork skill: embroidery, rug hooking, punch needle, yarn sewing, quilting, cross-stitch, or dimensional mohair. Learn from the authors and their fellow folk artist friends as they collaborate on these creative projects and share expert tips and tricks.  Enjoy the gorgeous gallery of fiber folk art.  $24.95



Thompson, Meghan - Whimsical Felt Embroidery - Meghan Thompson is the founder of Olive and Fox (an on-line Etsy shop).  With step-by-step instructions and photos to guide you, it is easy to create colorful llamas, elephants and other animal projects that you'll want to display on your walls. She also includes such fun foodie sayings as: "Donut Worry" or "Love You a Latte" as well as floral-inspired designs. Templates are included for her felt embroidery, incorporating fun fabrics that add dimension and texture to hoop art and bring projects to life.  $21.99




              A FEW WORDS ABOUT PINCUSHIONS 




 

IS THIS CUTE OR WHAT!

       I love pincushions especially when they are very clever designs like the mouse above but I can't imagine living without my two old, battered pincushions for sentimental reasons. They were my grandmother's and I remember her using them when I was a little girl. Back then I loved to pull all the pins and needles out of each one, line the pins out on her dining room table and count them. I have no idea why that fascinated me. When I shared a friend, he laughed and shared that when he was about eight years old he took his mother's pincushion apart to see what was inside. To his disappointment it was full of sand. What he was expecting to find I don't know and he doesn't have a clue either, but little boys are a curious lot and love to see how things work or our made. His mother kindly explained the sand inside was used to keep the pins and needles sharp. When I asked him he couldn't really recall what the pincushion looked like other than it was small and round. Maybe it was a standard tomato and strawberry-style pincushion like I have, except mine, after years of use is missing the tomato

stem. My other pincushion I still have was personally made by my grandmother. It is a small dome-shaped affair with a metal trim around the base that is covered with a narrow decorative trim. Not exciting but a perfectly good pincushion.

     Most pincushions are strictly functional but during my research I discovered there was a time when some pincushions were purely decorative. Someone had the idea of taking straight pins of varying sizes and push them all the way into the cushion and arrange the pins in decorative patterns to mimic fine silver embroidery. I used to make my initials with pins in my pincushions. Some clear cushions were decorated the same way and these pin cushion-bottom seats had their moment of fame. I couldn't uncover and proof that these chair seats are still being made or that pincushions are still decorated like that. Does anybody reading this know?

Queen Eliz I Pincushion

     In Queen Elizabeth I day, pincushion, like all royalty clothing and accessories, were beautifully embroidered, sometimes tasseled and mounted in silver and gold and hung at the waist, a style that was proudly worn until the reign of Queen Victoria. These particular pincushions were square or rectangular in shape and could be thick or thin according to taste. They were highly prized for the gorgeous embroidery covering them. Pins were very, very important. We mustn't forget clothes were pinned for many centuries - the button not yet invented - so pins were so important...Ouch!

     In the sixteenth and seventeenth century pincushions were known as "pyn-pyllows to stycke pynnes." Were these the first pincushions as we now know them? Or had this handy accessory been invented much earlier. There is no information at this time as to the actual date of their invention but I can't imagine not having some sort of a gizmo at my side to keep pins handy and safe.

Pincushions have been made of all types of fabric imaginable. I even found examples of knitted and crocheted ones. Now we are back to the nagging question of what's inside a pincushion other 

WOW! THESE PINCUSHIONS ARE GORGEOUS! 

than sand. In earlier times pincushions were stuffed with small bits of rags, pieces of flannel, bran, and yes, sometimes sand. Today foam is most popular. As I reached this point of this article I looked at my grandmother's handmade pincushion with new and curious eyes. After a few minutes fight with myself I decided to very carefully take it apart. See females are curious too! The cardboard bottom popped out. That was easy. Carefully, I moved the flat round piece of metal that held the fabric-covered foam in place. It fell with a clatter. I picked it up. On it was printed: Ball. My grandmother had made the pincushion out of a Mason jar lid! I'd been using her pincushion all these years and hadn't realized what she had used to create it. A piece of ribbon covered the metal ring with a cute hand-made bow covering it so my eyes had never seen a Mason jar lid. How cute! How inventive! I will never know if she thought of this herself or discovered it in some craft book. Doesn't really matter. I put the pincushion carefully back together. It no longer has a home in my sewing box but now has a place of honor on my writing desk, a personal reminder to look more carefully at what is around me and think outside the box.

I've included some neat books on making pincushions so have fun perusing them and possibly making a pincushion of your own.

Annie's - Pincushions and More - Annie's is part of the third-generation Muselman family business, founded in 1925 and long known for original craft designs including crochet, knitting, card making, and paper crafts. In this book discover the joy of making small useful projects from your stash and gifting them to others who share your love of sewing and quilting. Lots of inspiration here to create 13 unique pincushions and three needlebooks. Templates are given on a 30x21inch insert.  $9.99

C and T - Make Pincushions: 12 Darling Projects to Sew - Upgrade from the basic tomato with a pincushion that's sure to put a smile on your face! Sew 10 playful patterns from top designers, from 3D shapes to techniques-like applique, embroidery, and piecing- in this value packed booklet. You can adapt these ideas and make more pincushions. For example, the cupcake could be adapted into dozens of pincushions. Each pincushion is designed by a different designer. The instructions are clear and the book includes wonderful photographs.  $12.95


Czepuryk, Kristyne - Perfectly Pretty Patchwork: Classic Quilts, Pillows, Pincushions and More - When it comes to classic quilt blocks, think beyond the quilt! Sew timeless blocks into beautiful quilts; then feature the same block into accessories. Eight quilts include a sunny mini-quilt, a decorative throw, a Dresden-inspired wall quilt, and a Flying Geese baby quilt. Eight sewing projects include: pincushions, a circular purse, and a petite pouch. Packed with tips for quiltmakers who are new to sewing dimensional items.  Have fun!  $25.99


Hoey, Aneela - Stitched Sewing Organizers: Pretty cases, Boxes, Pouches, Pincushions and More - Celebrate and use your sewing skills with this author's 15 stylish yet functional patterns for a wide variety of sewing organizers. The patterns are designed to work together, so small projects fit into larger ones. There is information on installing zippers, alternative fastenings, dewing with vinyl, making three-dimensional shapes, and the different types of interfacings that can be used. The basic techniques section is comprehensive, so there's no need to be daunted by the detailed finishes on the projects.   $26.95



THANKS FOR VISITING US

If this was your first visit I'd like to introduce you to our book business of over 26 years. During this time we've set up many bookshops for the ANG and EGA seminars and a variety of other needlework organizations as well as doing this blog.

Can't find a certain book? Please give us a call and we'll go to work to find it for you whether it is in-print or out-of- print.

Call us Monday thru Saturday; at: 602-943-0738. If you get the dreaded message machine please don't be shy about leaving a message. I'll get back to you ASAP. Or you can e-mail me at: rkern3@mindspring.com. Or mail your order to: Ruth Kern Books 7235 N. 9th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85021.

MOST IMPORTANT! Remember to look for the discount code hidden somewhere in this blog that gives you a 20% discount on any new book you order from this blog or the previous ones.

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