This time of the year is a busy time for everyone, I know that. But it’s good to make the time to stitch (if only for twenty minutes a day) because it’s so creative. You will be surprised how it relaxes you. Once you are in this routine and the family knows that this is your time, life becomes a little less rushed and you will find it very therapeutic. The hardest thing is to start. But once your embroidery is on a frame and threads and ribbons have been chosen, leave it in a special corner and before you know your masterpiece will be finished. Try it — it really works!

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Thank you for your feedback on the four new designs which I am busy working on. Ah... I am having so much fun and have made them easy and uncomplicated – I think you will like them… and all four were popular. So that's good to know! The results: Olive: 163 votes Keep a tree in your heart: 163 votes Love what hold us up: 157 votes Red: 178 votes. I will let you know as soon as these beauties are ready for release.

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Good news!

Relaunch of two designs: I have had many requests for the popular:

• Wish You Were Here

  and

• Cadillac

  designs

  .

and I have re-licensed these for a limited time.

Wish You Were Here is on special this month

Wish you were here is the perfect project for the beginner to silk ribbon embroidery as it is available in Box Full of lessons format . Learn how to make a masterpiece, step-by-step, with detailed photography and stitch diagrams. Easy to follow and easy to learn... and it is on special this month:

• at less 10 %
• PLUS you will qualify for a 10% Bonus Hamper
• This means you will save 20% on Box Full of Lessons 1 kit.
• Is an ideal gift for someone special in your life…or for you
• To find out more about Wish You Were Here kit, click here

The Cadillac is on special this month too

I have also relaunched the much sought-after Cadillac design, especially for you, for a short time period of time...

...and this beautiful Cadillac kit is also on special this month:

• at less 10 %
• PLUS you will qualify for a 10% Bonus Hamper
• This means you will save 20% on the Cadillac kit.
• Is an ideal gift for someone special in your life…or for you
• To read more about the Cadillac kit, click here

More good news

I have added more colour pictures to the Dreamscapes designs. These will serve as a good guide for those who buy the printed panels. I would like to thank my friends who kindly shared their designs as useful guides. Click on the names below for more information:

• WHLE07 - Two Chairs
• WHLE54 - The Ballerina
• WH1999-32 - A Lady walking her little dog
• WH2007-01 - A beautiful cottage by the sea
• WH2007-02 - A dream patio
• WH2007-03 - Curtains in the wind
• WH2007-04 - A gorgeous cottage

Sadly, I have had to cancel my workshops at BATB in Australia, also in Norway for 2012. My hubby is really not well and I don’t want to leave him at this stage. I will see you in New Zealand and Brisbane at the Koala workshops in June/July 2013. My sincerest apologies to everyone who booked my workshop at BATB and I hope that you will understand.

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Renn has asked me to tell you that Perfect World book will soon be out of print.

Do contact your nearest stockist to enquire if they have a copy before it is sold out and becomes an expensive out-of-print item like the Dreamscapes book.

For more information, click here. This book teaches wonderful techniques which you are sure to use in your projects for many years to come.

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New stockists

Shaping stitches made in ribbon:

Ever wondered how to make leaves and petals look more realistic?

Essentially, you can use needle, thread and tiny stitches to ―show the ribbon what you want it to do — how you want it positioned on the design.

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• Gently lift the stitch up off your work to see the shape on the printed panel.



• Use one strand of matching thread: catch the edge of the ribbon. Insert the needle to the back of your work. This will adjust the shape so that it fits nicely on the design.



• This also secures the ribbon and it won’t pull out of shape when you make the adjoining leaves or flowers.

Here are some examples of stitches that were secured. These techniques are from my book: Flower Fairies in ribbon embroidery and stumpwork and the article can be found on my blog here.

I have added some lovely designs by talented embroiderers under the share and learn section and the silk ribbon embroidery category... enjoy :)

♫♬♪ If you would like to receive updates when I add hints and pictures to my blog, you are welcome to join me here. Looking forward to meeting you!

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I just had to show you these lovely photographs of the prize winners receiving their parcels for the silk ribbon embroidery competition — it looks like they had a lot of fun receiving them!

Marlize Meyer, Lynnwood Ridge, Pretoria, South Africa who won third prize for her gorgeous ballerina

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...and a celebration at Belsu-Crafturk in Istanbul, Turkey, to hand over the prizes to Hülya Göndür Sönmez for winning fourth prize and Beyza Ergüney for winning a special commendation prize for her beautiful blanket. Wish I could have been there :))

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African Sunshine for you....

Bruce has sent you beautiful African Sunshine to celebrate the changing of the seasons…LOVE is in the air in Africa :))

and the team in Newlands, Cape Town