Hey friends,
There is just five weeks until Winter Solstice. In five weeks the days will start to get longer. Although it probably won’t feel like it in deepest, rainy January! :-D
And of course Christmas follows right on the heels of Winter Solstice so it is lucky that I have finished the Scandi Christmas Mandala pattern! If you missed the pre-launch price last week, you can get the pattern with 15% until Sunday, November 19th, using this code: SCANDIMANDALA. That code is actually valid for all patterns and bundles in the Christmas collection. 🎄
I enjoyed stitching this pattern a lot, it works up really quickly. Because of the repeating elements I get into a nice rhythm which is very relaxing. I think I’ll put the embroidery on a shelf with my Dala horse and some woven paper stars as part of our Christmas decorating this year. Maybe some candles or pinecones… :-)
So, since Christmas is getting closer I thought I'd make a little list (below) of embroidery products and independent shops I like. These are not ads or sponsored in any way, just stuff I use or have my eye on, or they are people who inspire me on Instagram.
Speaking of Instagram, I’ve added the IG links to the shops in case you want to check them out there too.
I hope you have an excellent weekend. :-)
x Carina
Indie Christmas Shopping/Inspiration
Cloud Craft sell the Nurge embroidery hoops. They have a lovely feel but the thing I especially like about them is that three of the hoops come in half sizes: 6.5", 7.5" and 8.5". Sometimes going up a full inch in size is just too much, so these hoops are great.
They also have an excellent selection of linen fabric.
Beyond Measure have a drool worthy selection of Japanese sashiko threads and different Sajou threads. Their collection of pins and needles is also worth a look.
And I'm in love with these tiny scissors but do I REALLY need more embroidery scissors?!
If I had the patience for needlepoint, my first project would be one of the Hanna Bass Needlepoint map designs. But which to choose? Copenhagen, London, Rome, Edinburgh? So many great designs.
Have you heard about Studio Flax (previously Linladan)? They sell beautiful vintage linen (and other types of) threads, mainly from Sweden. As well as kits with vintage designs from the Swedish Nordiska brand. They have a brick and mortar shop in Bristol too.
Some of the kits: Nordiska Trees. Linblomman 1960s linen threads. I have some of these and they are just lovely.
YICRAFTS has a beautiful collection of materials and templates for sashiko embroidery. As well as gorgeous indigo dyed Miao clothing, homewares and accessories.
The contemporary and colourful patterns and kits from Sublime Stitching. If only I had the time to stitch other people’s patterns, Jenny’s would be very high on my list. :-)
As well as Jenny’s own designs, there are also designs by other contemporary designers, such as Gemma Correll and Nathalie Lété.
Embroidery kits by Jen Goodwin. She is trained at the Royal School of Embroidery and the kits are traditional stitches used in contemporary designs.
Embroidery patterns (in English) by Eva Engelhardt, inspired by nature and Scandinavian heritage such as runes.
Embroidery magazine, the textile art magazine. A subscription would be a fab gift.
My favourite embroidery scissors: Prym Embroidery Scissors Professional, fine 10cm. (Do an internet search to find the cheapest price.) I love these scissors so much that I own three pairs of them and have gifted them to several people. They are just perfect: light weight, very sharp point and they can be used by both right and left handed stitchers.
And last but not least: I still have some signed copies of my books and you can take 10% off the price until November 30th using this code: BOOKS.
Unfortunately, I can not ship to EU countries because of Brexit red tape, sorry. :-(
