Simply Samplers: Easy Techniques for Hand Embroidery by Cheryl Fall REVIEW

I was given the wonderful opportunity by Stackpole Books to review another book!  I have reviewed two really awesome books they have published by Kristi Simpson and when I was presented with the opportunity to review a book about the first type of needlework I was introduced to I jumped on it!

Simply Sampers: Easy Techniques for Hand Embroidery by Cheryl Fall

To start the cover immediately grabs your attention.  It is emblazoned with beautiful perfect hand stitched band sampler.  It showcases all of the basic technique stitches.  It really shows off what you can do and your beautiful needlework.

The Basics:

The book is really well written and very easy to follow.  There are great photos of the different variations of needles, fabric and notions with clear descriptions so that you are prepared for your project.  The book is written well enough with enough instruction and introduction to basic stitches and supplies that I feel even an inexperienced person could get good use out of it.  I was taught very simple stitches and not very many proper techniques as I learned from my Mom and Grandma while they worked on their own projects.

There are clear instructions with graphics to show precisely how to complete the different stitches that are used in the book.  There is also an entire chapter on finishing your projects.

A preview of the book can be found on Stackpole's website here.

The Patterns:
The patterns are all situated very well on the page so that it is easy to copy them for enlarging or for tracing.  I have seen some books where the patterns are printed really close to the inside of the book and the book becomes damaged while trying to make copies.  This is definitely not the case here.  All of the patterns really showcase each of the stitches that are used very well.  The patterns really pop.  They are all very well thought out and have the perfect amount of function and whimsy.

Shamrock Pattern

I tried to decide on a favorite but I really like all of them.  I can see myself using just about each pattern.  I am currently working on the Shamrock Sampler.  I think I may spin my own thread and make another even!  After not touching my embroidery hoop in years this was a great project to jump back in with.

The Author
Cheryl Fall is a notable figure in the needlework world.  She has written over a dozen books and thousands of articles!  She designs, works up, photographs and illustrates all of her own work.  She runs and extensive website with articles, tips, and a plethora of knowledge.  If you are a fan of PBS you may have seen her on The Creative Life with Cheryl Fall.  Her bio is really impressive.  She first started as a little girl watching her mother and grandmother and now she is an entrepreneur. (She is also a crocheter!  I have to make sure I got that in here!)

Final Breakdown 
I was honestly impressed with the quality of the book, the set up of the pages and ease of use when needing to reference stitches, thread colors and brushing up on my embroidery.  I really loved how simple the book is written so that even I could jump right in to it after being on an embroidery hiatus for the last few years.  It has really reignited my love for embroidery work.  I personally started as a teenager after reading The Scarlet Letter.  I had watched my Mom and Grandmother embroider all kinds of things from pillowcases and table runners to a coveted quilt that my Grandma hand embroidered for my brother.  A queen sized one!  Each square was embroidered!  So I learned from my Mom and only picked up a few stitches and I quickly made a beautiful book cover to protect my book in my backpack and I made a matching one for my teacher.

If you are an experienced needlework artist (if you can do needlework you are indeed an artist) this is a great book to add to your library.  The book features a lot of really beautiful designs that anyone is sure to swoon over!  If you are just starting out there are a lot of projects that are extremely easy to do.  There is a good amount of basics to refresh your memory or give you some direction before you start and plenty of really great patterns that will really show off your new skill.

If you are interested in the book you can buy it here from Stackpole Books or here from Amazon.

Please stay tuned for photos of my Shamrock Sampler.  Life got really crazy these last few weeks and it is staring me down, unfinished.  I made a quick realization that my hand is a lot shakier at almost 30 than it was when I would trace patterns as a teenager for my Mom! 

We Made The News!

Our Kickstarter project, Yarn With A Purpose, made the news!  How awesome is that?

Here is the info:

We were featured on CraftLit: A Podcast for Crafters Who Love Books Here is the link it is at 16:10 and there is a link on the page: http://crafting-a-life.com/craftlit/?p=8324

 We were featured by Your Take by USA TODAY. http://www.usatoday.com/story/your-take/2014/09/10/your-take-diy-ashley-scott-hand-dyed-yarns-small-business/15344601/?csp=yourtake&sf30930589=1

 Crochet Concupiscence included us in her online blog:http://www.crochetconcupiscence.com/2014/09/link-love-for-best-crochet-patterns-ideas-and-news-32/

 The Crooked Yarn also featured us! http://paper.li/CrookedYarn/1306774035?edition_id=8098b2e0-299e-11e4-be22-002590721287

Strength In Scarves featured us in their September updates: www.strengthinscarves.org

If you are not familiar with CraftLit I highly suggest checking it out.  The website is pretty cool and the podcasts are really great.  I didn't know if I would be interested but it was really good!  I can't wait for Sherlock Holmes to start.  I really think I will start listening on nights when I am spinning or crocheting after my kids are in bed so I can listen to the whole Sherlock Holmes series! 

Where We Are: Yarn Shop News & Yarn With A Purpose Kickstarter BIG NEWS!

As you may have assumed things got crazy again.  Good crazy this time thankfully!  I have so, so, so much to share!

Let's dive right in to the crazies!

There is a NEW Yarn Shop on the Block! 
If you have not heard Kristi Simpson opened her (first) storefront!  Brick and mortar and all!  It is called In The Loop and it is located in Hartselle, AL.  Just before opening the store she gave me the amazing opportunity to have my yarns featured!  Of course I was elated and then the reality hit.  Where in the world am I going to get a significant variety of materials to create enough yarn to send?  How in the world am I going to get enough mill spun yarn to offer some variety?  We will get back to that in just a minute let's get back to the yarn store.  In The Loop is not just your average yarn shop!  Kristi has a studio in the shop so you can have awesome portraits done and she features quite a few other artisans that sell completed crochet and knit items and accessories!  (You should really see the Memory Rose stitch markers I think they are my favorite!  Or better yet custom order a pair from a special set of roses you received and you will be able to enjoy them every day!)  There are different classes that are offered so you can learn a new craft.   One of the coolest things though and one of the things I am saddest about because I live so far away is the shop's Yarn In!!  Seriously a yarn in!  Every Wednesday from 9 until the shop clears out you can just come and sit and chat and if you get around to it work on something.  With all that yarn though trying to decide on ONE project might be tough!  If I ever make it back towards Alabama I might never leave the shop!  If you stop in you might also get a sneak peek of something new that Kristi is working on! Kristi is a true inspiration.  She started off selling a hat on eBay and is now a successful author, designer, teacher, photographer and store owner!

This is Where Kickstarter Comes In 
Given such an amazing opportunity to have my yarns featured in a storefront.  My husband and I sat and talked about what would make the biggest impact.  We settled on using all American resources and wool from American farms and ranches.  My husband brought up the fact that we are always talking about conservation breeds and that we plan on raising some ourselves when he gets out of the military so we settled on specifically conservation breeds.  To be able to financially undertake such a project we turned to Kickstarter.  As a part of our project we took it a little farther.  On top of including tags for breed and ranch information on each skein we are also going to be doing demonstrations for school aged children and teaching kids about the process of making textiles from raw wool.  The Kickstarter is our kick start to raising awareness for these breeds.  Our backers get to read about the project and why it is so important and meaningful for the breeds, the ranchers and to us.  Each month the backers will also receive e-Newsletters to let them follow our progress.  There are a number of different reward options and some people chose to get yarn, some chose to get roving or tools.  I could go on and on about our Kickstarter.  It is going to be such an amazing thing!  Then it got even crazier!

 

Take 5 & Your Take by USA Today
This week I was contacted by a reporter at USA Today about featuring one of my photos in their Take 5 section.  I was very excited about the opportunity and we exchanged correspondence with each other. Today I was made aware that they are going to do a special feature on my yarns!  Seriously!  I am still in total shock right now.  My readers are the first to hear this incredible news!  So, tomorrow September 10th at 6 AM PST the feature will go live on USA Today.  Then at 8 AM EST it will be featured on Facebook and then it will be featured throughout the day on Twitter! How absolutely terrific is that?  So this is the official early update on it!  I will post more about the feature tomorrow!!