Hello everyone
Happy New Year, I hope you had a wonderful festive season? It is 2021, and although the challenges of 2020 have transformed the ways we live, work, socialise, and move around the world, our common love of embroidery remains and sustains us as we adapt to our new normal.
In 2020 we successfully adapted to digital patterns and online distance classes. Hundreds of people participated in the mini journal projects which kept us motivated during isolation and provided much needed distraction.
My new book, The Kew Book Of Embroidered Flowers finally made its way onto the shelves after being delayed for several weeks by the closure of ports in Hong Kong. In June, Fedex was able to resume its courier services so I could start shipping again. We experienced a worldwide shortage of embroidery thread and materials as manufacturers went into lockdown but these precious commodities are now starting to trickle back in and should be more readily available in 2021.
Let’s talk shop.
The shop has been given a fresh new look and you will find all the products that were there before. If you are looking for information on anything related to embroidery – materials, preparation, tools, thread substitutes, etc you can find it in the DISCOVER & LEARN section. There are also some videos which show you how to stitch the techniques and a new gallery.
Whats new in 2021.
I have some exciting plans for 2021:
- I will be commencing work on a new book for publication in 2022. At this stage I can’t divulge much but it is once again in association with Kew Gardens and Search Press. As I need time to work on the stitching and manuscript, you will understand if I go a bit quiet for a while!
2. I have been working on a new series of original paintings for embroidery. The artwork portrays scenes from our beautiful Cape town and surrounds, in South Africa. Some of the pictures may resemble scenes in your own or other parts of the world. They are based on the Naive style of art with vibrant colours that are sure to make you smile!
This is a new approach to Needlepainting designs in that they have a full colour print on the fabric, so you need only fill in aspects of the design. I am still working on the stitching, prints etc and hope to release the first kits by end of January 2021.
3. I will be introducing a collection of prints and notecards, illustrating some of my favorite designs and there is a collection of original artworks for sale, which will be added to as they become available.
Till next time, wherever you are in the world, I am here for you. Keep smiling and happy stitching!
Trish
Bought your new book, just love it, thankyou 🥇
Happy New Year Trish. I am delighted to say I received your new book for Christmas. It’s a beautiful and I’m looking forward to stitching some of the beautiful flowers.
Stay safe and keep well
Best wishes
Debby
Happy New Year from the UK.
Many new embroidery projects planned for this year which still continues to be very much “abnormal” and will continue to be so until we regain our freedoms, and “normal” resumes once more.
Hello Carole lovely to hear that you have been working on Tannenbaum over Christmas and would love to send a photo. x
Some lovely news, Trish. Looking forward to new designs. Have a wonderful, productive 2021🥰
lovely to hear from your Liandre hope you go lots of stitching done over Christmas! xx
I love the landscapes, the colours are so gorgeous and vibrant, looking forward to seeing more of them!
My plan this year is to order a new close work contact lens soon – my initial post surgery lens was meh at distance vision but fantastic close up and while I appreciate a proper distance one for driving (and just seeing, in general, is brilliant) I haven’t been able to embroider since they were swapped out. At $350 it’s an indulgence, but reading glasses and magnifying lamps don’t work. I’ll have to do a lot of embroidery to make the cost worth while, how terrible 🙂
I will finally be able to use my book of flowers though! It arrived only a few weeks after the switch and I was incredibly disappointed to discover the fine work was now impossible. So many choices just waiting.
Hope your surgery goes well, and yes think it is going to be a life changer for you and sure it is worth it to be able to do embroidery again. Go well x
Hi Trish – I love the idea of your original paintings for embroidery, featuring Cape scenes; the Franschhoek example in this newsletter is definitely cause for an attack of heimwee (I left South Africa 27 years ago). Now I know what’s on my list for stitching in 2021! Thank you for all the gorgeous inspiration you provide, and all the very best for this year.
Hi Jan so pleased you like them and they conjure memories from your time in SA. I am enjoying creating them and hope to be able to show them to you soon. x
Dear Trish,
I thank you for your wishes. Please excuse me my english is really basic. I also wish you and for your family a happy new year.
I thank you for your posts and your work during the lockdown. It was a pleasure to read you and to learn the needlepainting with you. I’m always excited to read your mail and to browse at your site.
Have a lovely new year.
Cécile
from France
Bonjour Cecile and a very happy new year to you also. Thank you as always for your kind comments, it is a pleasure to help x
Hello Trish,
Wishing you a Happy and Healthy New Year. I have been working on Tannenbaum for my Christmas project which is very nearly finished will send a photo when finished
Carole