Today begins a series of articles here on Needle ‘n Thread about your embroidery.

Last week, I asked for photo contributions from the Needle ‘n Thread community, highlighting your own embroidery projects that were influenced in some way by the content provided on Needle ‘n Thread.

Well, I received a glorious influx of email – much too much to include in one article – with fabulous photos of all kinds of embroidery projects.

Oh, happy day! I knew I could count on you!

Since I’m taking some time off to do a little necessary traveling (as in, unavoidable), it’s a perfect time to share some embroidery from other people with you. Over the next couple weeks, intertwined with regular articles, we’ll be looking at embroidery projects from all over the world, which I hope will further inspire you in your own needlework pursuits.

To start, I want to share embroidery from two gals who, learning various stitches through tutorials here on Needle ‘n Thread, have been able to start or advance their own small businesses with embroidery-related offerings.

Theresa is a tea-lover! Residing in Seattle (or Coffee-Central USA), she has a hard time finding a really good cup of tea, like the kind that can be had in her native Britain.

So, with tea on her mind and a determination to try out some new stitches, she worked up this adorable tea cup sampler. I’m not sure if it helped quell the cravings, but it’s definitely cheery enough to chase the blues away on overcast days!

Theresa used a whole slew stitches from various stitch tutorials here on Needle ‘n Thread.

There’s shisha, basque stitch, chain stitch, whipped backstitch, buttonhole stitch, guilloche stitch, fly stitch, French knots, daisy stitch, Palestrina stitch, satin stitch – a colorful variety in a little cup (with the dangling tea bag, too).

I think it’s just darling, and a sunny, cheery way to start the day!

Theresa sells her embroidered goods in her Etsy shop, The Monster’s Lounge.

Michelle at Kiriki Press sent this picture of one of her kits – a doll kit for an embroidered barn owl. She wrote:

I love your website and will be eternally grateful for your tutorials – they taught me how to embroider and I’ve gone on to build a really great little business for myself! The scallops on my Barn Owl were directly inspired by your crewel rooster. He’s one of my most popular kits.

Both of these contributions are heartening! They demonstrate that needlework is very much alive today.

They also illustrate how, with a little bit of creativity and gumption, you can make an income doing what you love!

Now, I’m going to go hug my barn owl and drink my tea. It’s the only way to start the day…