Embroidery Made Easy: Beautiful Birds Review & GIVEAWAY

New Release! Embroidery Made Easy: Beautiful Birds: Easy techniques for learning to embroider a variety of colorful birds, including a cardinal, a barn owl, and a puffin by Beth Hoyes. She is a UK embroidery artist and art therapist based in Denver, Colorado. Her book is about the newest embroidery trend - thread painting. Thread Painting is a hand embroidery technique that uses a combination of short and long stitches and a variety of colors to create designs that look like paintings. Learn how to embroider twelve gorgeous birds - a few stitches at a time. They include a Blue Bird, Calliope Hummingbird, and American Flamingo. Their life-like features, colors, and details are remarkable. Ordinary embroidery supplies are required - needle (size 1), floss (2 strands of 6), fabric (8"), hoop (6"), and scissors. Once you've assembled your supplies, review how to transfer the pattern and set up the embroidery hoop with fabric. There are twelve full-size pattern templates at the back of the book. The 'painting' technique is not complicated. Begin by learning how to blend colors. Review the following embroidery stitches - straight, running, French knot, and satin. Learn about staged and scattered stitching. There are tips for stitching bird eye rings, feathers, and wings. Tidy up the back of your hoop with a few finishing touches. All twelve patterns come complete with the name of the bird species, a general description, a DMC thread color guide, stitch flow directions, and a template. In addition, detailed step-by-step instructions with large, full-color photos, diagrams, and text show (and explain) what to do. The birds showcased in this book are impressive. I enjoyed poring over the thread-painting-in-progress photos as well as the finished masterpieces. The instructions gave me a good idea of how to recreate them. I am an intermediate-level embroiderer and have no experience with thread painting. See excerpts and the complete table of contents below. Walter Foster Publishing released this 128-page paperback on May 31, 2022. Get your copy below!

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

Tools & Materials

Stitching Techniques

Finishing Touches

STEP-BY-STEP PROJECTS

Calliope Hummingbird

Cardinal

Keen-Billed Toucan

Wood Duck

American Flamingo

Kingfisher

Atlantic Puffin

Swallow

Barn Owl

Hoopoe

Raven

Eastern Bluebird

Pattern Templates

About the Author

Stitching Techniques - Blending Colors.

The Calliope Hummingbird pattern. Note the Thread Color Guide and the Stitching Flow Directions.

The hummingbird pattern continued. Note the first color guide.

The hummingbird pattern continued. Note the second and third color guides. The fourth (tail and feet) is found in the book on page 24.

Nine of the twelve projects.

Shared from Beth's Instagram. The hummingbird, owl and blue bird.

Embroidery Made Easy: Beautiful Birds is available worldwide at The Quarto Group. They have generously offered to giveaway a copy! One winner will be selected at random. Open until October 1, 2022. Canadian and USA addresses only. Good luck!

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Transfer & Stitch Review & GIVEAWAY

Hand embroidery made easy! Transfer & Stitch by Carina Envoldsen-Harris and Sally McCollin features 140 beautiful designs to embroider. This attractive hardcover folder contains 2 full-size softcover books - a 48 page Stitch Guide and a 128 page collection of Reusable Iron-on Transfers. The transfer book has 140 embroidery outlines - a charming mix of flowers, borders, insects, hearts and more. Sizes and styles vary. To use simply cut out and iron-on. Create your own look with your choice of thread colors and stitches. None are assigned. For inspirational purposes an embroidered sample of each motif is shown. Use, reuse and mix and match transfers to make patterns, matching sets and one-of-a-kind embroidery pieces. All of the practical information you need is in the beginner friendly embroidery guide. This includes how to transfer a design and use a hoop. Instructions for starting and finishing stitches, as well as 15 essential embroidery stitches, are clearly demonstrated. A pretty elastic band closure keeps everything in place. This gorgeous folder edition is suitable for new and experienced sewers. It's ideal for adding a handmade touch to all kinds of fabric items such as clothing, accessories and home decor items. An amended table of contents is shown below. I have individually listed every topic. You won't find this anywhere else. Publisher Search Press will release this set on August 10, 2021. It is available now for pre-order. Get your copy below!

Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 22.86 x 2.18 x 28.73 cm (9 x 0.86 x 11.31 inches).

STITCHING GUIDE 

How to use this book

What you need

Equipment

Fabric

Thread

Transferring the designs

Using an embroidery hoop

Stitch Dictionary

Starting to stitch

Fastening off the working thread

Running Stitch

Backstitch

Straight Stitch

Chain Stitch

Lazy-Daisy Stitch

Seed Stitch

Long and Short Stitch

Satin Stitch

Couching

Stem Stitch

Blanket Stitch

Cross Stitch

Fly Stitch

French Knot

Pistil Stitch

Inspirational Samplers

Lavender bags

Toddler denim set

Framed picture

Placemats

Tabard

Tote bag

Patchwork pillow

Notepad cover

Desk tidy

Pashmina

Pillow cover

Babygrow 

Tablecloth

Gardening tool belt

Notebook & keyring

Apron

Paperweight

Transfer # 63 cherry blossoms shown stitched 2 ways. 

Transfer # 8.

 Stitched example - tablecloth.

Transfer # 16.

 

Stitched example - Heart.

Stitched example - Placemats.

Transfers # 22 and # 55 insects.

Transfer & Stitch ISBN-13 : 978-1782218920 is available worldwide at Search Press. Search Press is an independent, multi award-winning, family owned art and craft book publisher. Check out their unique catalog at Search Press. Search Press has generously offered to giveaway a copy! One winner will be selected at random. Open until August 18, 2021. Canada & USA only. Good luck!

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Plant Lady Embroidery Review & GIVEWAY

Stitch from the garden season-to-season with Plant Lady Embroidery: 300 Botanical Embroidery Motifs & Designs to Stitch by Applemints. Browse through a charming selection of hand embroidery designs and project ideas in this very pretty book. Each motif comes with an easy to read diagram pattern and full-size template. Patterns include the motif number, stitch name, number of strands, color number and other relevant information. How to transfer a design, prepare the floss, thread a needle and knot is clearly reviewed for those new to embroidery. Fifteen basic stitches are used in this book. Each of these embroidery stitches is illustrated step-by-step so anyone can follow along. All of the designs were created with No. 25 Olympus brand embroidery floss. A thread conversion chart for Olympus to DMC brand floss is supplied. Standard size 3 - 7 embroidery needles and a 4 - 6 inch (10 - 15 cm) hoop will work for most of the patterns. These are original designs created by a group of talented Japanese artists! It is a well-organized and thorough reference. See the complete table of contents below. Quarry Books released this 120 page paperback on April 28, 2020. Get your copy below!

Contents

Roses 

Chrysanthemums 

Spring Flowers 

Summer flowers 

Autumn & Winter Flowers 

Flower Branches 

Fruit Tree Flowers 

Herbs 

Wild Flowers & Mushrooms 

Tropical Plants 

Foliage Plants 

Aquatic Plants 

English Garden 

Project Inspiration Gallery 

Tools & Materials 

Getting Started 

Embroidery Stitch Guide 

How to Use This Book 

Thread Conversion Chart 

Motifs & Templates 

Flower Branches

Herbs

Foliage Plants

Stitch Guide and Full-Size Templates

Back of my copy. Product dimensions: 21.2 x 26.2 cm (8.4 x 10.3 inch).

Plant Lady Embroidery is available worldwide at Quarry Books, a division of the Quarto Publishing Group USA. Check out their unique catalog at Quarry Books. Quarto has generously offered to giveaway a copy! One winner will be selected at random. Open until August 9, 2020. Canada & the USA only. Good luck!

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Also in series Cat Lady Embroidery!

Love Grows Here Embroidery KIT Review

Modern hand embroidery takes a fresh approach to stitching! This attractive boxed kit contains everything you need to begin stitching right away - Love Grows Here Embroidery: Modern Patterns for Home and Family by Kathryn C. Dalby. It includes an 80 page instruction book, 6-inch embroidery hoop, 2 pieces of fabric, 2 needles, 10 skeins of embroidery floss and iron-on transfer sheets. First learn and practice 11 popular embroidery stitches - the straight, running, backstitch, split, stem, satin, surface satin, long and short stitch, fishbone, French knot and fly stitches. Each stitch is clearly demonstrated with large, step-by-step diagram and text instructions. Next make your own unique pieces of stitched art! Choose from 10 charming home and family themed patterns (listed below). Just iron on the design and start stitching. The iron-on transfer sheets may be re-used. The stitching is broken down into small, manageable sections. Tips for personalizing patterns are included. There are so many creative ways to use embroidery. You may also use your new skills to customize clothing and accessories. It's deceptively simple! Thunder Bay Press released the 80 page paperback on September 3, 2019. Get your copy below!

Contents

Introduction

Getting started

How to use this kit

Stitches

PROJECTS

Home sweet home

Like birds of a feather

Love grows here

Gather

Home

Home is where the hearth is

Tropical leaves wreath

Floral wreath

Family tree

Hand prints

About the author

Page 10-11 How to Use This Kit.

Five of the patterns in this beginner friendly kit.

Love Grows Here Embroidery is available worldwide at Thunder Bay Press. Thunder Bay Press is an imprint of Printers Row Publishing Group. Check out their catalog at Thunder Bay Press.

Some of the quality items from my kit and my first ever fly stitches from the instructions on page 42.

Embroidery Designs Modern Monogram KIT Review & GIVEAWAY

Adding a monogram to something makes it look and feel special. With this new all-in-one craft kit from becker&mayer! doing it is as simple as picking up a needle and thread. Embroidery Designs Modern Monogram: Everything You Need to Stitch 12 Elegant Lettering Patterns by Kelly Fletcher. Kelly is an expert needlework designer and author. Her kit has a variety of monogram and motif options for you to customize clothing and decor with hand embroidery. It comes complete with a booklet, 3 iron-on transfer sheets, 2 pieces of white fabric, 10 skeins of colorful embroidery thread, 2 needles and a 6-inch embroidery hoop. The 64-page booklet has step-by-step instructions with full-color photographs for 12 embroidery stitches and 12 patterns. The monogram patterns shown on the box are among the ones inside. Ten thread colors include - gray, blue, green, light green, yellow, orange, light pink, pink, purple and white. I'm a beginner and wanted to see if I could follow the instructions and complete the embroidery stitches. I opened up the book, threaded a needle and began. I was very pleased to master the first 3 embroidery stitches I tried - the Cross-Stitch, Detached Chain Stitch and Fly Stitch. This kit is beautifully packaged. It would make a lovely gift. Get your kit below!

CONTENTS

Introduction

Monogram Etiquette

How to Use This Kit

Stitching: Step-by-Step

Straight Stitch

Backstitch

Chain Stitch & Whipped Chain Stitch

Cross-Stitch

Detached Chain Stitch & Lazy Daisy Stitch

Fly Stitch

French Knot

Granitos Stitch

Satin Stitch

Stem Stitch

Cable Stem Stitch

Twisted Chain Stitch

Projects

Stylish Monogram

Grand Monogram

Fun Monogram

Rustic Monogram

Bold Monogram

Elegant Monogram

Laurel Monogram

Dotty Monogram

Romantic Monogram

Intricate Monogram

Arrow Monogram

Floral Monogram

About the Author

Photos of  kit. Embroidery hoop, white fabric, needle and thread. Booklet and second needle. My own beginner cross-stitches and embroidery floss.

Embroidery Designs Modern Monogram is published by becker&mayer! a division of the Quarto Publishing Group USA. Check out their unique catalog at becker&mayer! Quarto has generously offered to giveaway a kit! One winner will be selected at random. Open until December 3, 2017. Canada & the USA only. Good luck!

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Embroidery Designs Boho-Chic KIT Review & GIVEAWAY

From traditional to on trend embroidery is making a comeback. With this all-in-one craft kit, just released from becker&mayer! you can make gorgeous, beginner-friendly embroidery designs. Embroidery Designs Boho-Chic: Everything You Need to Stitch 12 Nature-Inspired Patterns by expert needlework designer Kelly Fletcher. This beautifully packaged kit opens to reveal the instructions, tools and materials needed to decorate fabric using a needle and thread. A booklet, 3 iron-on transfer sheets, 2 pieces of white fabric, 10 skeins of colorful embroidery thread, 2 needles and a 6-inch embroidery hoop are all neatly housed in a book-style box. The 64-page booklet has step-by-step instructions with full-color photographs for 12 embroidery stitches and 12 patterns. The striking patterns shown on the box are among the ones inside. Ten thread colors include - green, light green, orange, yellow, blue, light blue, raspberry, light raspberry, rust and white. I'm a beginner and wanted to see if I could follow the instructions and complete the embroidery stitches. I opened up the book, threaded a needle and began. To my delight I mastered the first 4 embroidery stitches I tried  - the Straight Stitch, Backstitch, Blanket Stitch and Chain Stitch. This kit would make a lovely gift. Get your kit below!

CONTENTS

Introduction

How To Use this kit

STITCHING STEP-BY-STEP

How to Start and End Threads

Straight Stitch

Backstitch

Blanket Stitch

Bullion Dnot

Chain Stitch

Detached Chain Stitch

Fly Stitch

Four-Legged Knot

French Knot

Granitos Stitch

Satin Stitch

Stem Stitch

PROJECTS: HOW-TO INSTRUCTIONS

Raspberry Border

Light-Blue Flower Border

Tulip Border

Blue Diamond Border

Diamond

Feathers

Folk Birds

Folk Flowers

Pocket Leaf Motif

Circular Motif

Foliage Motif

Blue Neckline Design

About the Author

Photos of  kit. Embroidery hoop, white fabric, needle and thread. Floss colors. My own beginner stitches and pin cushion.

Embroidery Designs Boho-Chic is published by becker&mayer! a division of the Quarto Publishing Group USA. Check out their unique catalog at becker&mayer! Quarto has generously offered to giveaway a kit! One winner will be selected at random. Open until November 19, 2017. Canada & the USA only. Good luck!


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The Hand-Stitched Flower Garden Review & Giveaway

The Hand-Stitched Flower Garden: Over 45 Beautiful Floral Designs to Embroider, Plus 20 Great Project Ideas by Yuki Sugashima– Hardcover released November 2, 2015 by Kodansha USA. Japanese blogger Yuki from Y*Handmade shares her original designs for hand embroidery and practical projects featuring those motifs. The combination results in lovely handmade items you can use or gift. Her style is quiet and uncomplicated. Sew your way through the seasons with over 45 garden embroidery motifs ranging from only a few stitches to the addition of wire, bead and ribbon. Twenty tasteful project ideas introduce a variety of creative techniques. For even more possibilities mix and match. Or simply add a few extra stitches to your favorite accessories giving them a whole new look. Projects include thorough text, diagram and photographic instruction. Generally geared to the novice/intermediate level, patterns vary in difficulty. It's projects like these that build your skill and boost your confidence. Get your copy below!

CONTENTS

A Year in Stitches: Spring

Violet sewing machine cover

Butterfly pincushion

Spring snowflake scissors case

Daffodil hanger cover

Red clover cushion cover

A Year in Stitches: Summer

Dayflower drawstring bag

Strawberry key chain

Cosmos compact mirror

Ranunculus phone cover

 Fern leaf shirt

A Year in Stitches: Fall

Bittersweet oven mitt

Rudbeckia apron

Aster napkin ring

Acorn egg cozy

Fall leaves coaster set

A Year in Stitches: Winter

Snowberry brooch

Barrette with yew sprig

Flowering-kale necklace

Camellia scarf

Plum-branch pouch

Tools

Materials

Getting started

Techniques

Stitch directory

Templates

Index

Credits

A true novice, I'm making a leaf pincushion (Spring project). First I'll embroider a simple Chinese tallow leaf (page 57) onto a piece of fabric and then sew by machine. A collage of the materials I've chosen is above. All instructions are in the book, though I'm mixing and matching to suit my ability.

 A Year in Stitches: Summer

Cosmos Compact Mirror

Ranunculus Phone Cover

The Hand-Stitched Flower Garden is available worldwide at Kodansha USA. Check out their unique catalog at Kodansha USA. Kodansha USA has generously offered to giveaway a copy of The Hand-Stitched Flower Garden! One winner will be selected at random. Open until July 26, 2016. Canadian and USA addresses only. Good luck!

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501 Enchanting Embroidery Designs Review & Giveaway

501 Enchanting Embroidery Designs: Irresistible Stitchables to Brighten Up Your Life Paperback by Boutique-Sha (Author) – released February 9, 2016 by Tuttle Publishing. The sweet designs in this book tempted me to try the art of hand embroidery. Following the instructions in Part 5   Embroidery Techniques I got out a needle, some embroidery thread and a little burlap pouch to practice on. I tried a few of the embroidery stitches on Page 47 the Backstitch, Outline stitch, Running stitch and Satin stitch. Some of my first stitches are photographed below. Next I'll be choosing a design, transferring it onto fabric and stitching! I'll need an embroidery hoop and a method for transferring the designs, either a dressmakers pencil or carbon paper. Instructions give floss color and stitch for each design. Already I'm looking at everything around me, from apparel to home decor, to see what I can add a decorative embroidery accent to. Want to add a simple charm and homemade aesthetic to your favorite items? Get your copy below!

CONTENTS 

Part One  Little Scandinavian Sketches 

A Scandinavian Cityscape

Cute Cups

A Cosy Room

A Tidy Kitchen

A Visit to the Flea Market

Scandinavian Forest Designs

Adorable items from Eastern Europe

Part Two  Sweet Little Sketches

The Music's Playing

I Love Fruit!

Sweet Things for Girls

Stripes and Polka Dots

Japanese Celebrations

Birds & Flowers

Tasty Tea Time

Lace Patterns

Part Three  Cross Stitch Motifs

Scandinavian Style Cross Stitch

A Cross Stitch Alphabet

Cross Stitch Dogs and Cats

Continuous Cross Stitch Patterns

Part Four  Let's Embroider

Stylish Pouches

Sewing Items

Signature Stitching on Camisoles

Travel Companions

Apple Motif Tea Cozy and Teapot Mat

Dishcloth and Apron

Pot Holder for a Budding Chef

Napkins for Adults and Kids

Butterfly Shaped Pot Holders

Holders Basket Cloth

Part Five  Embroidery Techniques

Transferring Designs

Using No. 25 Embroidery Thread

Threading the Needle

Starting to Embroider

Finishing Off

Removing the Design

Embroidering a Line

Embroidering to Conceal a Surface

How to Embroider

Cross Stitch

When Using Fabric Other Than That Meant for Cross Stitch

Diagrams and Instructions

Some of my first stitches.

Backstitch, Split stitch, Outline stitch and Running stitch.

501 Enchanting Embroidery Designs is available worldwide at Tuttle Publishing. Check out their unique catalog, rooted in Asian culture, language and history at Tuttle Publishing.

TUTTLE Publishing has generously offered to giveaway a copy of 501 Enchanting Embroidery Designs. One winner will be selected at random. Good luck! Canadian and USA addresses. Until May 30, 2016.

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