A little while ago Australian publisher Country Bumpkin informed me they had a stitch a long coming up of one of the projects in the current issue (issue 76) of 'Inspirations' magazine. I'm a little late in writing about it but you can still join in if you want to. It's a gorgeous appliqué/embroidery pattern called Flame Tree by Kelly Fletcher. Maybe you can't really tell from the photo but 17 different embroidery stitches were used in this pattern, including one of my favorites: the wheat ear stitch! You can join the Inspirations Stitch a long Flickr group here.
Obviously you will need the magazine to make this project. You can buy both a printed and a digital copy on the Country Bumpkin website. As I understand it 'Inspirations' is available in the UK as 'Classical Inspirations'.
So because I needed to know what it was all about Country Bumpkin sent some copies of Inspirations magazine. I hadn't come across it before and was pleasantly surprised, it's like an embroidery glossy for the 'serious' stitcher! Sure some of the motifs and projects are fairly traditional but these techniques and stitches are of all times and would certainly interest any stitcher who is curious about learning new things and taking their skills to a higher level.
The best thing in my opinion are the detailed stitch and colour guides for each project, supported with great photography and diagrams. Lots of inspiration to be found in these pages! I even found a stitch (with 'how to') I hadn't heard of before, called the Porcupine Stitch. Must try that soon. :)
And how about this really lovely blackwork pincushion?
I have two extra copies of 'Inspirations' here to give away to two lucky readers. As sending magazines to other parts of the world is really expensive I would like to send at least one of the two within Europe, I hope you understand. So if you are interested in winning a copy, please leave a comment and tell me your favourite stitch or technique and where you are in the world. Also don't forget to either leave an e-mail address or a profile that contains your e-mail address! Giveaway ends the 27th of December 12 AM Amsterdam time. Comments closed winner will be announced later today 27/12/2012
Good luck everyone!
I wasn't paid for this review (except that I received one copy) but was keen to share this fab magazine with you
