I have hydrangeas planted in front of my home. I really like them, but in the years my husband and I have owned the home I feel like they aren't... reaching their full potential. This is definitely our fault, but this year I am serious about their growth.
I write all that to say that I have some news you might be able to use. I am trying to figure out what fertilizer I'll need, but that depends on the PH balance of the soil. Well, I don't know that. I was all set to buy a soil tester, but then I learned that all counties in the U.S. have an extension office that will test your soil–oftentimes for free or cheap.
In King County, WA (where I live), you can get up to 5 soil tests for free through the King Conservation District. So... yeah. I know what I'm doing this weekend. Digging up 3 pounds of dirt to mail on Monday.
👉 ICYMI: This incredible detailed embroidery was the most clicked link in the last 5/5.
✨ 5 creatively inspiring things
1️⃣ Jenell Flynn of Spurce and Linen uses needle felting to add a bird atop her weaving. I’ve not thought of needle felting on top of a woven wall hanging, but it’s a nice contrast—the bulkier weft and warp threads with an exquisite felt portrait.
2️⃣ Jack Buckley creates detailed pen-and-ink illustrations of nature and enhances them with equally detailed embroideries. The colorful stitching seems to burst from the black pen drawing—as if it’s coming to life before our eyes.
3️⃣ I often think of trompe l’oeil in terms of drawing or painting, but Tessa Perlow has done it with embroidery. She stitched a lace doily onto repurposed linen. It looks like a real doily sitting atop the hoop—until you look at the details and realize it’s stitched.
4️⃣ This is a fun way to use needle lace! Amanda of Crewel Ghoul Embroidery experimented with the technique to create a netted market bag filled with fruit.
5️⃣ Lora Avedian created a beautiful bathroom curtain using embroidery. The design features florals created with vintage braids and ribbons Lora had collected over the years.
🪡 5 ways to DIY
1️⃣ This super cute flower-shaped scrunchie doubles as a scrap-buster project! Check out the video tutorial here.
2️⃣ Here’s an idea for when you find that fun bag at a thrift store or antique shop: add some paint for a one-of-a-kind look. Illustrator Molly Egan shared her process and design.
3️⃣ Not just quilting! Missouri Star Quilt Co. has created hand embroidery kits. Ingrid’s Wildflower features 20 wildflower preprinted wash-away embroidery sheets, 10 balls perele cotton, and more.
4️⃣ Emillie Ferris has a new book out next month. Titled Paint with Thread: In the Garden, it has nine exclusive patterns inspired by the garden—all done with thread painting. This book is a follow-up to Emillie's first book, Paint with Thread.
5️⃣ One DIY project I've recently seen popping up is a beaded potted plant, where you create strings of beads and place them in a pot. They're meant to evoke the look of a plant with trailing leaves. The results are cute and easy to do.
What I've been up to:
I've got two workshops happening SOON! One is next week. If you're local to the Seattle area, join me at Make Apothecary in Bothell.
- Turn Your Pet into an Embroidery Pattern on April 5 from 4 PM to 6 PM — Learn to transform your furry (or scaly!) friend into an embroidery pattern using your iPad. I’ll go over how to break down a photo so that it’s suitable for stitching. Then, we’ll print it on stick-and-stitch stabilizer and get to stitching!
- Embroider a Menagerie on Clothing on April 12 from 2 PM to 4 PM — Could that cozy shirt use a little animal energy? Transform your clothing into a wearable zoo with my help! I’ll provide a variety of animal patterns that adhere to fabric—in addition to thread, a needle, and a hoop. You’ll just need to bring your garment!
Try all the crafts this summer!
Tickets are now on sale for Camp Craftaway, the three-day adult craft camp I co-host with Melissa of MCreativeJ! We'll have 30 different workshops throughout the weekend. Join us August 1 - 3 in Des Moines, WA.
Talk to you next week,
|
|
Sara Barnes
Embroidery illustrator and writer
|
