Freestyle Embroidered Mandalas

Go beyond the coloring book! These embroidery-ready iron-on transfers make it super-simple to jump in and start stitching beautiful meditative mandalas. Use the transfers to create embroidery-hoop pieces, or to embellish favorite bags, shirts, or pillows. Once the pattern is transferred, just take a needle and floss, and stitch along the lines to "color" the designs. The process is relaxing, and the results are gorgeous.

Six flamboyant crewel birds to stitch in popular author Hazel Blomkamp's much-loved, sumptuous style. In this fourth title in Hazel Blomkamp's series on crewel embroidery with a twist, the focus is on farm and game birds. The birds give a nod to current trends, most notably the Zentangle look with crewel-style filling-in stitches and techniques. Crewel Birds is a celebration of Hazel's signature techniques: a wide variety of surface/crewel stitches, some of which are brand new and many with a different take or different ways of combining stitches to make them more interesting. Also included are needle lace techniques as embroidery stitches, loom weaving techniques modified for embroidery, and unique combinations of both of these. The incorporation of beads and crystals adds even more dazzle to the intricate designs. There are six projects, each explained with detailed step-by-step instructions and clear photographs, with design templates and a full stitch gallery providing everything readers need to recreate them with ease. The projects comprise a phoenix, rooster, common pheasant, mallard duck, flamingo and golden pheasant. In addition to these sumptuous embroideries, Hazel explains how to hand quilt the backgrounds and finish the edges with binding to put them together in a 'rag book', as an alternative to framing. For embroiderers looking for something different and new to stitch, and for those keen to challenge themselves with more complex embroidery techniques, this book is a must-have.

Beautiful bird and animal designs, inspired by the African world, in crewel and Jacobean embroidery. Following the success of Crewel Intentions and Crewel Twists, which introduced embroiderers to using needle-lace and loom-weaving techniques, comes Crewel Creatures, the third title in this series by renowned embroiderer Hazel Blomkamp. Animals and birds are popular subjects in crewel embroidery, and here Hazel introduces needleworkers to the beautiful, exotic creatures found in the African wild. Following the Jacobean embroidery style for which Hazel is well known, and incorporating the subtle influence of the fractal designs found in zentangle art, Hazel brings beads and other three-dimensional elements into her designs, capturing the stunning and colourful art that is traditionally associated with Africa. Those new to Hazel's work will find a useful guide to the essential crewel stitches, needle-lace and needle-weaving techniques in an easy-to-follow how-to section and stitch gallery, and all embroiderers will be impressed by the wealth of design ideas and inspiration this book has to offer. With every project, step-by-step instructions and gorgeous photographs are included, along with a template of the design. All the projects are stitched and embellished on natural coloured linen, making them not only perfect for framing for display but also wonderfully economical for embroiderers to work on.

Whether you refer to it as crewel or Jacobean, this free form of surface embroidery has been around for centuries and is still popular amongst needle artists today. Because of the nature of the fanciful objects and the tradition of using a large variety of stitches in one project, it lends itself to endless creative expression. In this book Hazel Blomkamp uses a wide selection of materials to update techniques and inspire embroiderers to explore whilst working loosely within the confines of crewel work styles. She shows needle artists how to be creative with fabric, threads, beads and alternative stitches, borrowing techniques from other forms of needlework, and still producing a product that is typical of the crewel or Jacobean style of embroidery.The original designs include: Projects including beads and metal threads to add sparkle and texture to your work. Monochrome embroidery making use of a variety of threads and beads, all within the same colour range. Techniques employed in needle-made laces with designs defined by means of texture. More traditional embroidery including shading and satin stitch and the many variations of trellis couching to provide texture and interest. The completed embroideries are displayed in ways that are not only decorative, but are useful in the home.

12 large and 12 small beautiful, meditative mandalas to embroider--and only 10 stitches to learn Slip into serenity through your stitches with this collection of 24 exquisite, meditative mandalas by Polka & Bloom's Carina Envoldsen-Harris. With Carina's gentle guidance, learn to embroider 12 large and 12 small mandalas, using just 10 stitches. By following the delicate, repeating patterns in these stunning motifs, you can soothe your mind, slow down and treat yourself to much-needed me-time and tranquillity. Each beautiful mandala is accompanied by simple stitch diagrams and keys, and a corresponding transfer sheet at the back for easy stitching. Smaller mandalas fit in the gorgeous mini Dandelyne(TM) hoops, and can be transformed into gorgeous necklaces, badges and brooches. The book includes an inspiring gallery of items you can embellish with your mandalas

Keeping to a theme started in Crewel Twists, this book continues the concept of using non-traditional techniques and materials in crewel or Jacobean embroidery. It showcases four large projects, each with an accompanying small project similar in technique, and shows needle workers how to be creative with threads, alternative stitches and beads. Traditional techniques are explained but are extended with the use of bead embroidery, needle lace techniques, and stitches not normally used in crewel work. Many new needle lace and bead embroidery techniques are incorporated, and the book also explores weaving techniques used to create textures like twill and lace weaves, as well as patterns similar to tartan and houndstooth check. Every project is clearly explained with step-by-step instructions and lots of photographs, and the completed embroideries are once again displayed in ways that are both decorative and functional in the home. Templates of the original designs complete this magnificent source for creative embroidery.