WELCOME TO MY NOVEMBER BLOG

October ended on a high note doing the EGA National Seminar's bookstore and November began on another high note with my attending the Lacey Ladies event at the Irish Cultural Center here in Phoenix.  This will take more than one blog to walk through so I will continue this report in my December blog.  But for now come on in and visit awhile.

EGA SEMINAR 14 WELCOMED FOUR DEDICATED NEEDLE ARTISANS FROM ITALY

Lucky for me these incredible artisans were set up next to me and I got to enjoy their stitching through the entire seminar.  They spoke Italian and little or no English but who needs language when you can watch the entire stitching process?

Assisi embroidery has a strong history in the ancient Italian past. The traditional designs come from the 13th and 14th centuries monastic embroideries where designs and motifs were on fine linen cloth with the outlines and background embroidered in color silk. The motifs used were traditional designs of bird or animal pairs surrounded by elaborate scrollwork and used on altar cloths and chasubles. During the 16th century a wider range of motifs were used including Renaissance imagery of satyrs, demons and ancient mythical creatures with threads of red, blue, green or gold for the background and black or brown for outlines. Assisi embroidery is called a voided technique where cross-stitch fills the background while the motif is blank. The Holbein stitch is used to outline and emphasize the motif and create the surrounding decorative scrollwork.  It is so pleasing to the eye.

Fortunately they brought some books and a great DVD on

Punto Assissi.  The first book,  Academia Punto Assisi, is a largeinside spiralbound design book that is wonderfully graphed and includes large fold out designs as well as full page ones.  Yes the introduction is in Italian but the great designs speak for themselves.  $39.95

This second book,  Punto Assisi is also full of great Assissi designs and yes, it is in Italian but the instructions on doing the stitch for this
embroidery is in English.  This too has some fold out designs.  $39.95  







Best of all is the DVD, Il Ricamo l' arte dell'infinito, is in English as well as Italian and French.  This 35 minute color film contains technical instructions and the history of Punto Assissi and Punto Madama Caterina de Medici.   $39.95

 

Back home these ladies teach Italian hand embroidery with the emphasis on Punto Assisi. 

Who wouldn't want to learn Punto Assisi in this historic setting? If you want to see more about this embroidery and the Accademia Punto Assisi simple visit the web site: www.accademiapuntoassisi.com.


BEST SELLERS AT SEMINARS   

Needle artisans are definitely book people and know what they like to read especially needlework books.  I'd like to share what books were at the top at seminars 2014. 

Painted Canvas Embellishment: An Idea Book - Carole Lake and Michael Borne - This book took off in February and has kept going all year.  $35.00. 

Home Sweet Home: An Embroidered Workbox - Carolyn Pearce - This unique workbox complete with a crafted liftout tray and nine superb matching accessories has stayed at near the top for over two years.  $34.95

Got Stitches?  Multi-layered Stitches for Needlepoint- from Gone Stitching has come on the scene recently and quickly rose to be a best seller.  $30.00 (see my October 14 blog for more info.

Stitches a la Carte - Lynda Richardson - Another sudden best-seller.  As they say word of mouth is the best way to discover a new needlepoint stitching book.  $30.00 (see my October 14 blog for more details.) 

Crewel Intentions: Fresh Ideas for Jacobean Embroidery -Hazel Blomkamp - this is her second book on this subject.  Crewel Twists was her earlier and bestselling book.  $29.95 (See my review in July 14 blog).

Distinctive Presentations in Needle Art: A Complete Guide to Professional Finishing for Your Needlework - Marcia S. Brown - This surprised me.  The book is excellent as is the author's credentials but the price is high: $59.95 but worth it! (See my review in my Oct 14 blog).

The Midas Touch and All That Glitter - Alison Cole - Meeting Alison at the EGA National seminar was a highlight for me.  Her students loved her and her books sold off the map and not just to her students.  She's a brilliant teacher and a wonderful author.  (see my review in my October 14 blog.) 

Little Flowers in Silk and Organza ribbon - Di Van Niekerk and Marina Zherdeva - I was very happy to see a book on ribbon book published that covers using a combination of thread, ribbon embroidery and stumpwork and other techniques and so were the seminar attendees.  $24.95 ( See my review in my June 14 blog.)

Beadwork was taught at many seminars and two book stayed at the top:

Bead Embroidery Stitch Samples - Yasuko Endo - This book that combines beads and embroidery has been at the top since last year.  $17.95  (See my review in my August 14 blog.)  

Bead Embroidery Stitch Sample: Motifs - Yasuko Endo - This book flew out the door this year and continues to be highly popular.  $17.95 (See my review in my August 14 blog.)




Zentangle books were very popular at the EGA Seminar 14.  Classes on this mediative art is now being taught at seminars.  And it has caught on in a big way.  (See my article on zentangling in my July 14 blog.)

Jean Hilton Books are as popular now as they were when she was still with us.  Her Needlepoint Stitches, Stimulating Stitches, Borderlines are always sellers.  Why? Because Jean was one of the greatest needlepoint artisan's that we had.  Thank goodness her books are still available.  One of her needlepoint patterns, Teals of Laughter was very popular at the seminars.  $16.00 


NEW NEEDLEWORK BOOKS   

Yvette Stanton Has A New Embroidery Book

Yvette is a prolific needlework writer.  Her three books are classics and now she has added a fourth: Sardinian Knotted
Embroidery. This beautiful embroidery comes from the town of Teulada in Sardinia, Italy. A simple knotted stitch creates the pattern and textures of this embroidery.  She includes 11 projects and step-by-step left and right-handed instructions. She includes a pattern insert covering projects.  $30.00

As you see from her new book and two of her earlier books she has a great interest in whitework, especially historical whitework.  She's a left-handed embroiderer and took it upon herself to make embroidering for all left-handers much easier to master.  She hails from New South Wales and has taught widely the art she is passionate about.  On her website she tells us she is mainly self taught and tries to teach others how she would want to be taught.  She strives to make sure each student understands before moving on to the next step. 

Her other books are:

Mountmellick Embroidery: Inspired by Nature - Yvette includes detailed instructions, history, patterns and the technique for knitting the characteristic edge fringes and this traditional whitework embroidery of Ireland.  $30.00






Portuguese Whitework Embroidery - In this fine book Yvetteintroduces us to bullion embroidery from Guimaraes in northern Portugal. Drawn thread work and bullion embroidery combine to create needlework this unique style. She includes pattern insert covering projects.   $30.00





Ukrainian Drawn Thread Embroidery (written with Merezhka Poltavsha) -  Both authors introduce a unique counted thread technique detailed through historic perspective and include step-by-step drawings and photos and sampler projects.  $20.00





MORE NEEDLEWORK BOOKS

Bosbach, Silke - Modern Sashiko - Our author shows us how to create 15 stunning embroidery designs which blend modern techniques with the simple and traditional Japanese method of Sashiko. Traditional Sashiko is a simple folk technique originally used for darning. While the conventional craft uses only a basic running stitch to create intricate patterned backgrounds, our author shows how to adapt this basic style by applying modern surface finishes on numerous textiles and combining it with a variety of other techniques.  $14.95

Ralui, Gioja - Sardinian Knot Stitch - Based on personal experience, the author presents a book for those who approach this traditional Sardinian embroidery for the first time. Every aspect of this embroidery is clearly illustrated with the aid of diagrams, photographs and instructions. In addition to the preface which outlines the origins and traditional uses of this stitch, the principal motifs and borders used on stitched pieces are also detailed with their names in both Sardinian and English. A few "non-traditional" projects are proposed which are simple to implement and complete with instructions and diagrams that will help to perfect the execution of the work.   $39.95

Halvorsen, Nancy - Table Please: Art to Heart - This book tickles me because if I'm celebrating something I like to have a great table look. Nancy includes wonderful projects including Boo table runner, spider web table topper, trick or treat table runner, mummy chair cover, autumn table runner, merry table runner, santa hat chair cover, peppermint garland table runner, snow much fun table runner, snowball men, winter birds table topper , and a thankful table runner.  She includes all instructions for embroidery stitches used, fusible applique, and patterns.  Have fun!   $15.00

Pedersen, Carol - More Hardanger Tips, Tricks and Fix-its PLUS Care and Feeding - This book is an addendum to the previous book, "Hardanger Tips, Tricks and Fix-its". In this book you will find additional tips regarding: Scissors, Managing stitching threads, Eyelets, tension, plus fix-its of open-work, on Hardanger fabric, plus providing inofrmation on protecting textiles, cleaning, displaying and storing.  This book was a best seller at the EGA National Seminar.  $25.95

INTO  BEADING?

Lippert, Sabine - Sabine Lippert's Beadwork Evolution: New Techniques Using Peyote Stitch and Right Angle Weave - If you are familiar with her other books you will be eager for this one.  This is a gorgeous collection that not only includes 24 wonderful projects, but also provides breathtaking variations on popular stitches to build beaders' skill.  From a peyote-stitched crocodile bracelet to right-angle-woven Marrakech earrings to the embellished shapes of a Helena ring, Sabine's savvy techiniques take beading to a whole new level. Sabine Lippert was a physican who transformed her passion for beading into a full-time profession as an internationally  popular teacher and designer all over Europe and United States while living in Bonn.  $27.95

 

For those of you who have been missing the A to Z needlework books since they've gone out of print I've discovered they are coming back in print not with Country Bumpkin but with Search Press, a wonderful needlework publisher.   Search Press is releasing them a few at a time and are calling them "Classics".  I agree these books are definitely that. Due out now:

A-Z of of Embroidery Stitches - This book is designed to help you try new embroidery techniques so you can experiment as you wish.  This comprehensive guide contains all the information you know to work dozens of stitches and includes how to chose material, beginning and ending a thread and using hoops to working as a left-handed stitcher as well as learning how to paint threads.  Step-by-step photos and clear instructions make the techniques available for the beginner and great information for the advanced needleworker.  $20.00

A-Z of Embroidered Motifs - This book features over 120 bullion designs, 146 step-by-step photos, hints, experts articles and patterns and revamped design of a great book.  $20.00





A-Z of Stumpwork - With its beginning in 17th century England this embroidery technique is still popular today. There are over 400 clear step-by-step instructions presented in five easy-to-use sections and 20 stunning designs from around the world.   $20.00




Another "classic" Search Press is bringing back is The Beginner's Guide to Silk Ribbon Embroidery by Ann Cox.  I assume they will bring back her second volume of her silk ribbon set.  In this first book you learn how to create foxgloves, roses, hydrangeas, delphiniums, primroses, geraniums, irises, poppies, and more. All the techniques are explained and only a few stitches are needed to create great designs. There are also instructions on how to paint and stencil fabric backgrounds. Both for beginners and more advanced embroiderers.  $19.95

SOME INTERESTING FASHION BOOKS

Downey, Sarah Jane - Fashion in the Time of William Shakespeare - This neat little book reflects the time when clothing identified the social status of the wearer.  $13.00








Malle, Chloe, editor - Vogue and The Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute - Costume without bounds in this extraordinary look at the history of the Metropolitian's Costume Institute exhibitions and galas celebrating the past with the threatrical mutations of today's icons.  $50.00



Thunder, Moira - Embroidery Designs for Fashion and Furnishings - This beautiful book illustrates the highlights of the fine collection of designs for embroidery of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Focusing on designs for fashion, accessories, and furnishings, it includes gowns, jackets, bags, collars, children's clothing, saddle pouches and designs for home furnishing as well as poignant embroidery.  Featuring exquisite designs from the Italian Renaissance to the embroiderypatterns of Morris & Company and 20th C. Russian creations, this book provides a wealth of practical information and inspiration for designers and embroiderers.  $34.95

MYSTERY CORNER 

As I was scanning the new mystery books I saw a common theme - Christmas mysteries.  This flashed me back to the (code: thxs 14) Victorian Era in England and the British passion for ghost stories especially at Christmas.  Some of the greatest writers of all time have written ghost stories: Charles Dickens, Charlotte Bronte, George Eliot, Willa Cather, Elizabeth Gaskell, Henry James, Edith Wharton and many, many more.  These literary ghost stories are not a cheap thrill with lots of blood and gore but carefully constructed psychological tales that tell us about a person experiencing an otherworldly experience.  Who hasn't read or seen a movie version of Charles Dicken's, A Christmas Carol?

Today it seems to be a tradition to write a Christmas mystery.
I noticed this a number of years back but now seems even more popular.  See if any of these mysteries is your cup of tea.

Andrews, Donna - Duck the Halls: A Meg Langslow Christmas Mystery - The residents of Caerphilly,Virginia must struggle to maintain their Christmas cheer in Andrew's lighthearted 16th mystery. Andrews leavens the actions with her trademark humor, including dueling Christmas dinners and an extravagant live nativity scene.  $7.99





Bryan, Mollie Cox - A Crafty Christmas: A Cumberland Creek Mystery - The ladies of the Cumberland Creek Scrapbook Cropper are thrilled when Sheila wins a 10-day scrapbook-themed Caribbean cruise. Vera and Paige tag along to rest up before the chaos of Christmas. After Sheila finds a famous crafter dead, the luxury cruise veers toward disaster when she's named the prime suspect. Can the Croppers find the real killer?  $7.99



Crawford, Isis - A Catered Christmas Cookie Exchange: A Mystery with Recipes! - Bernie and Libby Simmons, caterers extraordinaire, are hosting a televised cookie contest just in time for Christmas, but unfriendly rivalries cook up a cutthroat competition.  Includes original recipes.  $7.99





Hollis, Lee - Death of a Christmas Caterer: A Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery - A caterer for the Island Times'Christmas party, food and wine columnist Hayley Powell's quest for a cook turns into the pursuit of a killer who caters to no one.  Includes recipes.  $7.99






Meirer, Leslie - Christmas Carol Murder: A Lucy Stone mystery - It's Christmas, but Tinker Cove has fallen on hard times. Lucy Stone is excited, however, to be a part of the town's production of A Christmas Carol. but a real-life Scrooge has everyone feeling frosty. When the miserly man is murdered, the mourners are few and the suspects are many.  $7.99



More Mysteries

Brandon, Ali - Literally Murder: A Black Cat Bookshop  Mystery - From her Brooklyn bookstore, Darla Pettistone not only sells mysteries, but solves them, aided by her big-boned black cat, Hamlet. Invited as guests of honor at a championship cat show in Fort Lauderdale, Darla and Hamlet are soon investigating a murder.  $7.99




Connolly, Sheila - Picked to Die: An Orchard Mystery - It's harvest time in Granford, Massachusetts, and orchard owner Meg Corey and her fiancé, Seth, are both racing to beat the New England winter. Seth's restoration of an old building in town is halted after the discovery of a skeleton. Then a relative of one of Meg's former apple pickers is found dead. Is there something rotten in Granford? Includes recipes.  $7.99




Gerber, Daryl Wood - Stirring the Plot: A Cookbook Nook Mystery - Jenna Hart has packed The Cookbook Nook chock full of everything from ghostly texts to witchy potions in anticipation of the annual Halloween fund-raiser luncheon held by the Winsome Witches. But there's one unexpected addition to the menu: murder.  Includes recipes.  $7.99



James, Miranda - Bless Her Dead Little Heart: A Southern Sisters Mystery - The New York Times-bestselling author of the Cat in the Stacks Mysteries, returns to Ahtena, Mississippi, with the first in a spin-off series featuring snoopy sisters Miss An'gel and Miss Dickoe Ducote. When a stressed socialite beings murder right to their doorstep, even they have trouble maintaining their Southern hospitality.   $7.99

Martin, Carol Ann - Weave of Absence: A Weaving Mystery - It's a joyous time at Della Wright's studio in Briar Hollow, North Carolina as part-time employee Marnie Potter prepares for her wedding. At the engagement party, Della notices Marnie's suave fiance engaged in a heated argument with one her students. After the student turns up dead the next day, Della must weave together the clues to find the killer.  $7.99 



Reed, Hannah - Off Kilter: A Scottish Highlands Mystery - National bestselling author Reed delivers the first in a brand-new cozy mystery series, in which a young writer finds herself swept up in a murder amidst the glens and lochs of the Scottish Highlands.  $7.99 





Washburn, Livia J. - The Fatal Funnel Cake: A Fresh-Baked Mystery - It's time for the Texas State Fair - and cooking contests galore! Fryers are heating up, and stomachs are growling. Phyllis Newsom has entered the contest for the best funnel cake, but she'd better watch out. Someone's brought an appetite for murder. Includes recipes.  $7.99




DON"T FORGET TO LOOK FOR THE DISCOUNT CODE FOR 20% OFF! 

ORDERING IS EASY!  Call us at 1-800-429-5075 and use your MC, Visa, Discover, or AMX card. If you prefer to send a check: Ruth Kern Books  7235 N. 9th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85021.

QUESTIONS?  Call us Monday through Saturday between 9:30 to 6 pm.  If I happen not to be here - I'll call you back as soon as possible.  Now that we are on standard time the time difference is 2 hours earlier than the east coast and 1 hour ahead of the west coast.  You know us stubborn Arizonians - we
don't change our time.  Look forward to hearing from you. I always have time for book lovers.  Or e-mail me at: rkernbooks3@gmail.com  or rkern3@mindspring.com

Enjoy autumn, I will see you in December!

 

 

 

 

THE  NOVEMBER BLOG WILL BE POSTED ON NOVEMBER 10th.  MY TIME AT THE EGA NATIONAL SEMINAR DOING THEIR BOOKSTORE MEANT I WAS GONE FOR NINE DAYS BUT I LEARNED LOTS OF STUFF I WILL BE SHARING WITH YOU.



DON"T FORGET TO FIND THE DISCOUNT CODE TO GET A 20% DISCOUNT ON ANY NEW BOOK YOU ORDER.

                        


OCTOBER BLOG - WELCOME

I'm late!  I'm late!  I'm late for an important date.  No time to say hello, goodbye. I'm late! I'm late! I'm late.   The white rabbit - Alice in Wonderland.

I know how that white rabbit felt for I'm experiencing that right now.  But it is all good.

This is a very busy month for me because the Embroidery Guild of America National Seminar 14 is coming to Phoenix and I'm doing the bookstore.  I've done the bookstores for the past twenty plus years but never near home.  I'm thrilled that over 600 enthusiastic needleworkers will be visiting Phoenix and stitching. 

There will teachers flying in from other parts of the world - Jane Nicholas, the Mistress of Stumpwork and Alison Cole, the Mistress of Goldwork.  I've met Jane at a number of past seminars but I'm thrilled to be meeting Alison for the first time.  Her two books; The Midas Touch and All That Glitters are classics in goldwork embroidery.  At present distributors are no longer carrying these great titles but she is bringing a number of books to the seminar along with her talent.  I'm having her sign them.   Jane will be signing books too - a selection of her titles her latest is her Stumpwork Butterflies and Moths noted below .  $32.95

All That Glitters - The book covers both stumpwork and goldwork and features stitches, techniques, and projects ranging from dimensional framed pieces to functional items all with clear easy-to-read instructions, illustrations, and color photos.  I'm not quite sure what the price is now but the price should be in the $30.00 range.




The Midas Touch - This book is 142 pages of 11 projects, with clear instructions and color photos, techniques and supplies needed.  Her work is exquisite.  This was in the $50 range so I'm guessing it should be near the same. 






I will have lots to report about the seminar in my November Blog.  Meanwhile, I have lots more to share with you in this blog.  Welcome to my world of books and needlework friends or perhaps it is welcome back.

Friends come first so I'd like to bring Michelle Hufford of Come to the Point back for encore.

I look forward to Michelle's short, informative newsletters and I glean more than a bit of wisdom from teach of them.  I hope you enjoy, as I did, the following two pieces I "borrowed" (with permission) from her.

THINK IT THROUGH - Michelle Hufford

"When starting a new project, there are three vital questions to ask.  Although they appear independent, they are actually interdependent. Looking at the triumvirate in tandem before merrily setting off with your needle will save a lot of money, time and thread. It might be what prevents a WIP from becoming another UFO.  (1)  The first query in a new project brings up concerns color. What's my palette?  (2) The second revolves around thread.  What do I want to use? (3) The third question you should ask yourself pertains to the project's final purpose.  How is the finished piece going to be displayed?  A firm answer to that query early in the stitching has a domino effect. Many finishing choices will impact the type of fiber that will work best. Can I raid my floss stash, or do I need to stitch with perles? The fiber chosen wil often narrow the color options.

 Unfortunately, what turns out to be the million-dollar question is often neglected until far enough along in the stitching that probles arise. I have encountered many a customer who finds herself having to frog a large portion of her work because she "finally figured out what this is supposted to be." Yes, I do believe pieces "talk" to the stitcher. That's why some of mine take years before they're completed. "

 

Thanks Michelle.   I think that philosophy could be referred to simply as, "Look before you leap."  Simple but not always followed.  Michelle made think that I could apply three simple rules to my own work - my business and writing.  Each day I should ask myself: Rule 1 - What is my priority today?  Rule 2 - What information do I need to accomplish that priority?  Rule 3 - What is my deadline and what must I do to finish on time? 

Once I had a very successful businessman tell me, "Deadlines are one of God's greatest gifts.  Without a deadline, I doubt anything would get accomplished."  I;'m sure he most certainly looked before he leaped.

CONTROLLED CHAOS - Michelle Hufford

She writes in a December issue of her newletter, " I found this article on page 85 of the December 2013 issue of Good Housekeeping. It is terrific food for thought. This is a crazy time of year. For those of us who would rather make something than buy it, things are that much more chaotic. Will I have everything finished on time?

Embrace Your Messy Side: Cleanliness may be a virtue, but clutter may inspire your next great idea. When researchers at the University of Minnesota had people solve problems in either a clean room or a messy one, they found that those in the untidy space came up with more creative solutions.

"An orderly room encourages people to do what is expected. But a messy room can do the opposite, leading you to brainstorm more innovative ideas," says Kathleen Vohs, PhD. So the next time books and papers begin to pile up, cut yourself some slack. The mess could encourage a light bulb moment.

I think this may be true.  I live in the middle of papers and books and many ideas have evolved out of the mess.  When I finally put them in order, I discover so many interesting things I nearly get lost in the reading.  I think my semi-controlled litter keeps me from ever running out of ideas.  I'm sure you've found yourself leafing through books and coming upon something that hit a creative nerve inspiring you to undertake a great needlework project.  So our personal spaces should be what Michelle calls creative chaos.  But, all in all, our minds need to be open to plucking ideas from the ethers while our minds must be orderly enough to think them through into a reality.  I've included three books that gets into creativity and how this mysterious and amazing process  works.

Cameron, Julie - The Artist's Way (10th edition) - I don't have to tell you that 10 editions of the same book means this book is a seminal book on the subject of creativity and has been an international best-seller. Millions of readers have found it to be an invaluable guide to living the artist's life.  I love to be inspired - gets me doing!   $16.99




Clair, Maxine - Imagine This: Creating the Work You Love -
This book will be released on November 1st 2014.  The critics gave it two thumbs up and call it part memoir and part guide to the craft of plying creativity and say it is inspiring, informative and engrossing whether you are an artist or not.  I can't wait for my copy to arrive. $16.00



Goldberg, Natalie - Living Color: Painting, Writing and the Bones of Seeing - Natalie has been around inspiring writers and artists for a long time and I have a number of her books on my shelves.  This book came out in the spring of this year and on my list for winter reading.  This is called her memoir of "living the paint".  I'm not an artist but she is creative in paint and writing so I'm anxious to draw advice from such a creative brain.  She includes twenty-two specific assignments for readers who are seeking to expand their creativity, be it writing, painting, drawing or any other creative medium.  $24.95

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING AT?

We humans have walked this marvelous and mysterious planet long before language and writing were invented and cities stood glittering on the hillsides.  Thousands of years ago humans hunted and then learned to raise crops.  But even that early in our history our ancestors were attempting to explain this strange and scary world and used art and stories to pass this information along.  The average life expectancy was about 20 years.  Death was common and shocking.  Rituals were set

up to explain this phenomena and help them get through their short, harsh life.  Hunting had to go well or they starved to death.  If you've ever seen pictures of the ancient cave paintings drawn by prehistoric man you come to the realization that even that long ago humans came inbued with artistic ability. The animals drawn on cave walls are so powerfully drawn and real it is hard to imagine calling the painters primitive.  Perhaps they were calling those animals to the hunt. Some hunting rituals were definitely being performed. Meat was everything. Because the art was done deep inside caves each artist had to carry that animal in his brain and paint it from memory with only torch light. What is fascinating, symbols were already in play. 

 Our art is full of symbols.  Every artist is telling us a story in a painting and we must know the language of his paint to fully appreciate his art work. When small children draw a picture of their family a trained eye can see what the child feels his place in the family is, who is most important, and if it is a happy home.  In the middle ages religious paintings were center stage.  Religion and state were one.  There were no elections.  Royal families ruled. Whoever managed to survive to be crowned then had to worry about plots on his or her life.  The ruler had to be seen as the ultimate power so any portrait had to reflect invincibility.  Take a look at this painting of Queen Elizabeth I.  She is surrounded and covered with symbols of her position. Her clothes speak to her power and wealth since clothing, such as her magnificent outfit, was worth a king's ransom. Pearls were used to present Elizabeth as the goddess of the moon and her purity.  Her right hand is on a globe, possibly to show she rules the world.  I could not find out what all the ribbon bows on her clothes meant.  Does anyone know?  I'd love to hear from you.  (code: Rock14)

We don't have to look any further than our dollar bill for strange and interesting symbols.  Do you know what the Great Seal means?  Why the "all seeing eye" or the pyramid?  Take time to study the back of the dollar bill.  Shouldn't we understand what's been put on the dollar bill?  Our flag is also symbolic - thirteen stripes for the original colonies and the stars - one for each state.  The stars are set on a rectangle of blue that represents the union.

Many embroideries are full of symbols.  American samplers, for example, are full of hidden meanings.  I find I've enjoyed samplers even more after I read Patricia and Leslie's book I've listed below. They have broken the "code" of the hidden language embroidered there.

\\

Andele, Patricia and Lesley Rudnicki - Sampler Motifs and

Symbolism - This is a wonderful dictionary of the symbolic meanings behind old sampler motifs and the reproduction of a Scottish sampler, plus four new traditional samplers with complete graphs and instructions for each.  Each motif is nicely graphed for easy use. $34.95

Mary Kelly

Kelly, Mary - Embroidering the Goddesses of Ukraine; Embridering the Goddesses of Russia; Embroidering the Goddesses of Slovakia; Embroidering the Goddesses of the Greek Isles -  $10.00 each.  Mary's life long work has been the symbol of the goddess embroidered in cloths of many cultures. 

Why the goddess?  

She explains it all and charts out important goddess symbols for us to embroider. 

Two recent books on Chinese embroidery delve into the traditional meaning of the flowers, fish and birds and plants used in this exquisite art form. In The Art of Chinese  Embroidery by Margaret Lee we learn the cymbidium orchid is significant of position in Chinese culture and is also associated with principled, moral gentlemen of talent and integrity as well as friendship and loyalty.  In the book she includes one of her embroidery pieces called, The Three Sisters using three of these delicate orchids in honor of her three daughters who embrace these principles.  She also reveals the meaning of butterflies, the dragonfly, Koi fish, lotus blossoms and bamboo.  I was interested to learn that when embroidering birds you must understand the type of bird to select the correct stitch techniques. $45.95 

In Chinese Embroidery: An Illustrated Stitch Guide by Shao Xiaocheng she not only shares her wonderful embroidery techniques but the ancient symbols of the images embroidered.  The chrysanthemum was beloved by ancient scholars not only for its proud blossom in defiance of the autumn cold.  She explains the Calabash Pattern, a beloved pattern among common folk expressing the longing of people for happy lives.  $27.95

For extra help in decoding symbols:

Barbe-Gall, Francoise - How to Look at a Painting - Have you ever stood in front of a great painting that just drew you in emotionally but seemed to evade your understanding?  Our author takes her readers on a wonderful journey teaching us through using 36 fascinating paintings from those paintings that distort the real world, old masters, to realistic works and covers artist from Raphael to Rothko, Breughel to Bacon.  Questions of history, style, iconography and composition are dealt with in context to the paintings she discusses.  $27.99

Jung, Carl - Man and His Symbols - Illustrated throughout with revealing images, this is the first and only work in which the world-famous Swiss psychologist explains to the layperson, his enormously influential theory of symbolism in our life and dreams.  Originally done in 1964 this classic is still in print both as a hardback at $30.00 and mass paper at $7.99. 

Maybe in our own needlework we should include symbols that have meaning to us, our family and community. 

Traditional blackwork  pattern  embroidered in black.

BLACKWORK: WELL AT LEAST MOST OF THE TIME - Just Ask Laura Perin.

Blaskwork  pattern embroidered in  color.

 I love blackwork embroidery.  This embroidery makes a statement with its delicate and eye-catching stitching done in wonderful patterns.  Of course blackwork is traditionally done in black. with maybe a touch of metallic thread for accent. BUT blackwork embroidery expert Laura Perin confesses she has never done blackwork in black - she uses one, two, three or four colors and even beads.     

Blackwork has an interesting history. Did it come from Spain? Marion Scoular tells us that while Catherine of Aragon made it popular in 1501 in  England it was already documented in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales in the late 1390's.  Marion calls blackwork "the most creative, restricted embroidery." Restricted, she adds, only by the count of the ground fabric. The designs seem limitless. 

Laura created her pattern book as a reference book for all the  different stitch patterns she had used in her designs.  I love how she included a Blackwork Gallery of her designs. I call it Inspiration Alley.  Gives you a great idea of how color compliments blackwork.  If blackwork inspires you to stitch take a look at the list of  books below.

 Blackwork Patterns - This is Laura's classic blackwork book.  It is full of many different patterns using the basic blackwork stitches, using detailed instructions and beautiful examples of traditional and contemporary embroideries.  Her book is a wonderful reference collection of over 600 patterns showing one-color, two-color, and three-color variations intended specifically for blackwork designs.  The book is spiral-bound for easy use. $40.00

OTHER GREAT BOOKS ON BLACKWORK

Scoular, Marion - Why Call it Blackwork? - Over the years, I've mentioned this book many times.  It's a classic book by a great needlework teacher to get you started in this beautiful stitching.  Clear instructions and clear graphs take you on a wonderful journey and when you reach the end of this journey you will be doing blackwork.  $8.50

Marion  has done a neat design in blackwork using color.  Since tea plays an important part in my daily life her tea cup and saucer pattern caught my eye. Her pattern stitch guide and graphs and directions are so easy to use.  $12.00

Wilkins, Lesley - Blackwork Made Easy: Techniques, Patterns and Samplers - This experienced stitcher shows how to create traditional blackwork embroideries using simple stitches on evenweave fabric. Step-by-step photos and lots of charts illustrate how traditional motifs, patterns and borders can be combined to create stunning designs. The author also shows how to create band samplers inspired by those on which sixteenth century embroiderers collected their favorite designs, including figures, flowers, plants, birds and animals. Lesley combines a deep knowledge of and appreciation for historical embroideries with her own flair for design and practical teaching skill.  All color.  $19.95

 

Hogg, Becky - Blackwork: Essential Stitch Guides - Graduate Apprentice and tutor of the Royal School of Needlework, Becky Hogg,  teaches us about blackwork and includes patterns and lots of stitch information, This hardcover (laminated) spiralbound book is $21.95. 

 

Gostelow, Mary - Blackwork (revised) - This is a fascinating history of a beautiful and distinctive craft, accompanied by clear, concise descriptions, suggestions for innovative patterns, and more.  I'm happy to see this old classic is still available.  $19.95

 

 

 

Geddes, Elizabeth and Moyra McNeill - Blackwork Embroidery - Again, this is another classic on blackwork.  This excellent guide has been in print since 1976 and covers history, contemporary practice, plus stitches, needles, transferring designs and creating orginal patterns. More than 200 adaptable motifs feature birds, animals, fruit, architectural forms, and other images.  $11.95

MORE GREAT NEEDLEWORK BOOKS

Just as I was finishing up on this blog I got word of two new needlepoint books. I had to get acquainted with the two authors so I could include these titles in this blog.  This would set my schedule for the blog back a few day but after I talked to both Renee Seidman from Gone Stitching and Lynda Richardson from Dream House Ventures I knew the delay would be worth it.

GET STITCHES by the great team at Gone Stitching includes

multi-leveled stitches for needlepoint in a neat spiral-bound 6x9 format with wonderful thick paper for long term use. This small but important book features multi-layered stitches according to how many threads are used. Sections include 2-thread, 3 threads, and more for designs. There are also trame and trellis stitches for more adventurous types. In the back are stitched samples in alphabetical order. And as Renee said, "the best part everything is in color". $29.95.  You'll love visiting their website with a great selection of canvases and their TWINKLE threads. You can't miss it! Just look for the green frog with the large threaded needle slung over his shoulder.  How can you resist his call to be Gone Stitching!  www.gonestitching.net.

Our next author is Lynda Richardson, owner of Dream House Ventures.  This inventive needleworker in her book, Stitches Ala Carte, focuses on the tent stitch and long stitches to create over 60 wonderfully inventive patterns with original names such as: "all hemmed in" and "tribal motif". She does most of the patterns in one color, some in two colors, all of them using open canvas. These patterns can fill in the canvas in great effect for backgrounds but you can use them for areas in the focal point too.  You will definitely get acquainted with Lynda as she includes short pieces on herself, family and more.  You'll get to write on yourself, your needlework, family or ideas for creating your own patterns in this neat, sought after book.  $29.95   Lynda is not only a dreamer but a doer!  Nice combo!  Visit her on the web at:



 ON TO SOME OTHER INTERESTING NEEDLEWORK BOOKS









Brown, Marcia S. - Distinctive Presentation in Needle Art: A Complete Guide to Professional Finishing for Your Needlework

- This book was released earlier this year and was very popular at the ANG 2014 Seminar. Since 1979 Marcia has provided finishing services for retailers, private clients, students, and designers throughout the United States and internationally. With an average of 500 - 700 canvas and linen needle art pieces, she has developed finishing techniques that easily offer professional result. She has also been a special editor for major needlework publications and has been a teacher on the national level for a variety of mainstream needlework venues since 1991. She has lectured and exhibited for needlework seminars, museums and guilds nationwide and has run The Binding Stitch, a successful finishing business for 35 years.  $59.95

Clouston, Jennifer - Foolproof Crazy Quilting - This book contains complete instructions for over 100 embroidery, beading, and embellishment stitches, full-size patterns for 9 hexagonal crazy quilt blocks, and 25 stitch keys showing proper stitch placement and thread and needle selection for 25 different blocks.  $27.95




Doh, Jenny - Stitch Along: 10 Stitchers: 30 projects: 100 Embroidery Motifs - Thread your needle and stitch along with

ten talented artists as they share how-to instructions for creating 30 whimsical, clever, an sweet embroidery projects. With an illustrated stitch library and a step-by-step primer explaining embroidery from floss to finish and 100 embroidery motifs to tease your creativity.  $16.95



Lippert, Sabine - Sabine Lippert's Beadwork Evolution: New Techniques Using Peyote Stitch and Right Angle Weave - Our author's unique, sophisticated jewelry designs have won her legions of fans worldwide. Now she has created a collection that not only includes 25 gorgeous projects, but also provides breathtaking variations on popular stitches to build beaders skills. From a Peyote-stitched Crocodile Bracelet to right-angle-woven Marrakech Earrings to the embellished shapes of a Helena ring, her savvy techniques take beading to a whole new level.  $26.95.

Simpson, Sophie - Stitch the Halls: 12 Decorations to Make for Christmas - Sophie Simpson is of What Delilah Did.  She promises whatever your holiday style, you'll find something that's just right in these three themed collecions. Merry and Bright offers colorful, modernist geometric gems and a mini-sampler stocking. Stylish and Chic items, like Polar Parade Bunting, will delight sophisticates. Traditionalists will opt for Classic and Cosy projects, including a Tiny highland Village Garland. So join Delilah in celebrating her favorite time of the year with stitched decorations that are, quite simply, heirlooms in the making.  $14.95.

Triston, Julia and Rachel Lombard - Contemporary Applique - Professional textile artists show how traditional techniques can be adapted and expanded to create original and modern textile pieces. Transform mola work, broderie Perse, cutaway applique and many more traditional techniques into beautiful and innovative textile art with a modern twist on fabrics, materials, stitch and embellishment.  $29.95


SOME CLASSIC NEEDLEWORK BOOKS

Bosworth, Diana and Kathee Cumbie - Beards I Have Known - I love this title!  If you ever needed to pick a beard this book of forty seven beards shown in color is the place to go.  The authors include all stitches (with a diagram for each stitch) and each beard it is used for.  Have fun!  $21.95



Menz, Deb - Color Works: the Crafter's Guide to Color - If you are reluctant about selecting colors this is the place to begin. This book includes practical, hands-on tools for using color for many craft areas including needlework and beading. Color theory pronciples are demystified with clear explanations, examples, and more than 270 hand-crafted swatches tht bring color platettes to life. A 32-page interactive section features: A pull-out color wheel, two color value scales and a hue card for taking with you shopping.  $24.95

Waddell, John - Kimono Revisited - John got the rights to reprint this wonderful project booklet as he has taught this as a class many times. He includes many helpful notes so a student  can take this project on easily.  All 90 stitches are included and graphed as is the project.  $25.95




In Memory of Beth Robertson

I learn yesterday that Beth Robertson had left us.  I'm sure most of you are familiar with Beth, the needlework teacher, designer, and of course her wonderful needlepoint books co-authored by Suzanne Howren: Stitches for Effect, More Stitches for Effect, Even More Stitches for Effect, Stitches To Go and the out-of-print Thread Thesaurus. She was also the graphic artist for the magazine Needlepoint Now.  She succumbed to a short fight with cancer at the young age of sixty.  You will not be forgotten.

 

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