Mastering the Art of Embroidery - Part 2 (pop those corks)

Look what just landed on my doorstep!

* T A D A *

This book is HUGE.  I had no idea it would be this big.  Inside nearly 300 pages are instructions and gorgeous photos from stitchers around the world.

I'm there!  : )

The book is by Sophie Long.  Sophie is a graduate of the Royal School of Needlework in the U.K. and was one of the chosen embroiderers to work of the royal wedding gown of Kate Middleton.  Today is her big book launch in England.  I'm so proud of her!  I feel so honored to have been included in this book.  (I must say I have NO regrets with posting images of my work on Flickr - that's how I was found by her book scouts.)

Sophie told me there were a couple of images of mine that were used but she didn't say which ones.  OH THE SUSPENSE!  Then a friend of mine here in Saskatoon emailed to say she bought this book at McNally Robinson's last month and saw three photos of my work in it.  !?  Clearly - I was the last to know.  I flipped backwards through the book and found two little images of my work.  (Thank you Sophie for spelling my name correctly!)

Spring Greens, sold last year at Gardenscape

Spring on the Prairie, 2010 - my first piece of art!  I have this one in my studio.

Both of those little images are in Chapter 7 - Free Motion Embroidery.  Sweet.  There are 2 sections to the book - hand embroidery and machine embroidery.  From goldwork to digitized images... this book is COMPREHENSIVE!  That is something to celebrate.  Way to go Sophie!

I found a third image of mine in the pages on Beading.  Look!  Do you recognize it?  It was a commission from two years ago where a mom had me make a wall hanging out of her children's cloth carriers, booties. and other important items of hers.

the middle image is mine of Mandy's Tree!  (Mandy is going to flip!)

That is only half of it.  As it turns out, there are not 2 photos... or even 3.  In fact there are SIX images of my work in this book!  I think the one above was missed because people wouldn't recognize it as my current embroidery work.  I hope my quilt guild is proud of this!  Three images of my quilts were used in Sophie's book.  The wall hanging above, and look below!  There are two more.  Both are mine - and both were quite a surprise.  On the left is my Dresden sampler with my first quilting stitches after taking Debbie Bauman's class on Hand Quilting.  On the right is my second attempt at thread sketching from three years ago.  It's my boy Liam, fishing at the Forestry Farm Park & Zoo.  It's an 8x10 mini quilt.  Liam is terribly excited about this!  ; )

2 images of mine in Chapter 6 - Three Dimensional Embroidery

You knowing I'm saving the best for last?  Check this out.  Right at the beginning of the book you will find a 3x3" close up of my trademark canola field blown up to spread over two pages!  It is one of the larges images in the book.  Goodness me, that is like being under a microscope.  I was floored.  After all the excitement of perusing this book I had to lie down hand have nap!  I am not even kidding.  : )

Image of My Sweet Prairie, 2012 - art has sold and is currently residing in Calgary.

Of course, I'm over the moon!

* I think I'm over Jupiter too.*

You really need to see the other images too.  There are incredible works of stitched pieces by Japanese artists.  There are things with steampunk flare from the UK & USA.  There are simple, tasteful embroidered sketches.  There are the most incredible beaded cuffs I have ever seen.  There's an entire section on traditional whitework.  The stumpwork is fabulous - traditional and contemporary art.  I just think Sophie and her crew did such a great job.  It is beyond any expectations I had for this book.

the back cover of Sophie Long's Mastering the Art of Embroidery

You can find them at McNally Robinson's for just over $30CAD before tax.  I ensured that Winnipeg will have extra copies for when I'm there in May.  ChaptersIndigo does not have them on the shelves here in Saskatoon, but you can special order.  I ordered a large amount of these books for gifts - one for mom, 2 for some very noteable collectors of my art, and three for the libraries of the guilds I belong to.  Buying in bulk means that I got them for a good price.  If you live near me and can't get your hands on one, let me know.  If you are interested in a hardcopy signed by Sophie, go HERE to her webpage.  It will be about $70CAN with shipping. 

* * I have one softcover book in my hands that just might have your name on it.  * *

DID SOMEONE SAY BLOG GIVE-AWAY?

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED>  CONGRATULATIONS MOLLY!

Yes!  Let's do this!  You know the drill:

Leave one comment with your email as one entry.  Please, only one entry per person.  However, if you follow my blog you can leave a second comment as a second entry.  Sound good?  I'll make a random draw by Tuesday midnight, and announce a winner on Wednesday March 14th.  I'm only giving one book away though - and I'll sign it on my section page if you like!  Good luck!