Howdy everyone! It's a gorgeous day out there and I have power again - after a very hot yesterday with no fans and no running water. Luckily I didn't need power to clean my studio from top to bottom. So I'm starting the day with a clean studio, an empty worktable, AND the new issue of &Stitches in my inbox! A very good day indeed. :-)
You guys know about &Stitches already, right? It's a lovely embroidery e-zine that always has great stuff in it. This month one of those great things is a pattern from me. ;-)
You can make a koi banner! When my family and I want to Japan a couple of years ago we saw these everywhere. Families hang them up in the spring for Children's Day and they celebrate the boys in the family. We don't have a boy, but of course we bought one anyway and hang it in the garden. When I designed this smaller stitched version I had an image of someone making one and hanging it over a baby's crib.
You can find out more about koi banners in the magazine in the interview with moi.
You'll also learn how to do sashiko stitching (I love sashiko!). . .
. . . how to stitch a Pekinese stitch (very fun and fancy) and shisha stitching (so pretty!). There are embroidery and cross stitch patterns - all with an Asian theme.
I think Jo's going to be eager to stitch this Lucky Cat. She loves those cats!
There are also book reviews, a fun stitchy wish list, and an interview with Jenny Hart of Sublime Stitching.
Carina and Nicole are very generously offering a free download of the e-zine to one Shiny Happy World reader - and a discount for everyone else. No jumping through hoops necessary to enter for the free copy (though I encourage you to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and/or their blog - I do). Just comment here for a chance to win. That's it! I'll draw a winner first thing Thursday morning - that's 7/5.
Want to just go ahead and get your magazine now? Do it! You'll find it here. Use the discount code KIMONO to get 10% off. Discount code is only good through July 5. So what are you waiting for? Go get it!
Happy stitching!
Best,
Wendi
Ooh, I'd love a copy. But I was already clicking over to comment on what a good attitude you have about the lack of power. Glad it's back on again!
ReplyDeleteI would love a copy!
ReplyDeleteI would love a copy of this please! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI just recently found out about &Stitches and I'm so glad it was pointed out to me! I'd love to win a copy to try it out.
ReplyDeleteI love ezines like this, they always have the best ideas you can't find anywhere else. Thanks for sharing this one!
ReplyDeleteI've had my eye on this for awhile now! Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteYou're the winner! I'll send your info to Carina and Nicole right now. Congratulations! And enjoy! :-)
DeleteWait - I can't send your info because your Blogger profile is empty. Please send your email address to me at blockhead@wendigratz.com and I'll pass it along. Thanks!
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ReplyDeleteI would love to stitch the koi banner. I sure hope to win.
ReplyDeleteIt would be great to win a copy of this! Thanks for the opportunity!
ReplyDeleteWendi,
ReplyDeleteThank you for teaching me to embroider with your videos. I LOVE it and have made tons of embroidered gifts as a result. I would love to win another great resource. Thanks for the opportunity.
My friend is moving to Japan as we speak. Id love to stitch her up something special
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is big into anything Asian. Maybe this would get her to start stitching. Otherwise, the other daughter and I will have at it. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThat ezine is right up my alley! I'd love a copy. Awesome giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI would love to win a copy. Thanks for the giveaway :)
ReplyDeleteI'd like to win a copy - i'd like to try shashiko...
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win a copy. my gran daughters are very into ashian art
ReplyDeleteand I might even get them interested in stitchery. the fish is so
cute and they love the lucky cat.
Lovely! I absolutlely want to stitch up each of the projects
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Glad you've got power back - mine came on again Monday night. Good thing, too, because it's 105 here!!! (Ohio)
ReplyDeleteI know that the kids I teach hand embroidery to in the summer would love to stitch up a project like this, so I hope I get picked.
ReplyDeleteSERIOUSLY awesome issue. Your interview is really nice, and your pattern is just fantastic. I have kind of a fascination for Japan and their fascination for cute, which I'm not ashamed to admit I love too. My friend was just there recently while Children's week was going on, and we had been talking about these and how pretty they were, so imagine my delight when BAM...there was this lovely pattern to make them!! The whole issue REALLY really struck a cord of awesome with me. It just touched on so many things that I really dig...it gets at least 2 thumbs up from me!! <3 <3 <3
ReplyDeleteHow exciting! Our family would love to visit Japan and this will serve as some further inspiration. I can't wait to explore their site a bit - LOVE that koi banner, too!
ReplyDeleteCongrats! I usually read and don't post (sorry), but I just had to come out of hiding for this one. The Koi is truly inspired. What an ADORABLE idea and beautiful pattern!
ReplyDeleteI like that design with the robot and the flower. Looks cute.
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