A happy Saturday to you all!

This is a pre-published article on Needle ‘n Thread, and just a reminder that I’m not available for email or for comment moderation on the website until next week some time. (Details here, if you want them.)

Here in the Northern Hemisphere, winter is steadily approaching. And what could be better on a nippy-cold morning, than to fix your favorite hot beverage – ahhhhh, like a nice steamy cup of cocoa! – and go for a bit of a browse?

To help you indulge in a leisurely morning, here’s a list of embroidery-related articles I’ve come across lately, that are either inspiring, informative, fun, or … enticing!

Tokens & Trifles

First up, some sad news: Tokens & Trifles is closing. Tokens & Trifles was a business started by Tricia Nguyen (of Thistle Threads) and some friends, focusing on the creation of perforated paper cards for embroidery.

Tricia’s article explains how the company came about, the troubles they faced in getting started, and the decision to close things down. It’s an interesting exposure on what it takes to go from concept to reality in bringing a needlework product to the market. Not an easy task!

They’re currently liquidating stock of their lovely perforated stitching cards at very deep discounts. You’ll find many lovely shapes and styles, including Christmas ornaments, so if you want to stock up, now’s the time to do it!

Lovely Pocket for the History Buffs!

Over on Two Nerdy History Girls, you’ll find a really fun example of an 18th century embroidered pocket, worked as a sampler. The pocket itself is intriguing and the article unfolds some neat things about it.

More Snowflakes – Sardinian Snowflakes, no less

Is it just me, or is it sort of hard to imagine snow in Sardinia?

But, if you like Sardinian knot stitch, you’ll appreciate this lovely snowflake design (with some extra snowflake patterns in the article) over on Italian Needlework.

Once Upon a Time…

I’m a sucker for kid’s literature, and I love traditional fairy tales.

So these little ornament tutorials over on Telling Stories through the Needle’s Eye caught my eye! You’ll find a Little Red Riding Hood ornament and a Cinderella’s Slipper ornament in the series so far. What fun additions to the tree!

Want to be a Teacher?

Hazel Blomkamp poses the question, So you want to be an embroidery teacher?, and then highlights – in only the way Hazel can! – some important things to think about, if you want to pursue the teaching of embroidery. Her article, while written in Hazel’s unique, fun style, is thought-provoking. She makes many good points, based on years and years of experience.

Personal Stitcher?

Janet Brandt, over on her blog of the same name, writes about acquiring a Personal Stitcher.

I’ve decided to put Personal Stitcher on my Christmas Wish List. I’m not exactly sure what they look like, how much they cost, or even where to buy them, but I’m pretty sure I want one.

Pretty, Pretty Flower!

You can call me Flower is ya want to! (Surely you can name that movie!)

You’ll find a lovely embroidered flower and a completely tutorial for it in this article about a Kamal Kadai Work Flower, on Feeling Stitchy. It’s a nice tutorial, and a fun technique!

Lavender’s Blue…Lavender’s White…

Luzine Happel wrote two very nice blog posts recently about making a lavender sachet out of a small Schwalm whitework doily. You’ll find instructions for finishing a pretty little Schwalm doily here, and instructions for finishing it into a lavender sachet here.

Inspiration Abounds…

If you’re not familiar with Inspirations Magazine, but you love surface embroidery, you really should explore the possibilities of subscribing to this magazine. Put it on your Christmas list!

The latest issue, Inspirations #88, is available now, and it has some lovely holiday projects in it, along with some stumpwork, beautiful Hedebo whitework, and even a bug! You can buy the magazines individually now, and you can even buy a digital copy, if you’d rather go that route, for a lot less (and get it immediately). You can check out the projects in Issue 88 here. There are some real keepers in the bunch!

Whitework Exhibition

The Royal School of Needlework has a whitework exhibit going on through December this year, so if you’re in the London area in the next month and a half, pop in!

Incidentally, if you’re a Christmas Card Sender, they have a gorgeous embroidered angel Christmas card this year. Purchasing cards through the RSN is a great way to support the institute, and it’s a really good way to let your correspondents know that you Might Just Be Obsessed with needlework.

Have a terrific weekend – hope you can get some quality time in with your needle and thread!