From The Editor

ONE OF MY FAVORITE parts of being the editor of Creative Machine Embroidery is coming up with new ideas for stories. I never know when or where an idea might unfold. For example, several months ago I attended a huge trade show for the craft and sewing industry that featured every imaginable type of company from embroidery designs to paints to scrapbook supplies. I ran into one of my writers at the show and when we stopped to chat it happened to be in front of a paint company booth. The elegant and upscale look of the paints and mediums caught my eye, and before we both new it we were brainstorming the story “Old World Elegance” featuring beautiful Tuscan-inspired embroidered tiles.

We usher in the new-year with many exciting techniques. Learn how to use stencils in exciting ways (see “Stencil Style”); combine foiling and embroidery for a multitude of looks (see “Foiled!”); or add depth and dimension to your embroidered with trapunto (see “Totally Techniques”).

If you like to make gifts, then take a look at our soft frames for Valentine’s Day (see “Great Frame-ups”) or our bud vase with embroidered lace (see “Simple Chic”) either of which could easily translate to any holiday or theme. Make embroidered gifts for different stages in any woman’s life (see “Life Stage Gifts”); use ready-made bases with inserts for embroidered test-samples (see “Practice to Project”); or make a luxurious fur neck wrap (see “Fur Sophisticate”).

Once you’ve read through the issue, be sure to drop me a line at [email protected] and let me know what you liked. Don’t forget to send jpg images to me for our e-Update Reader Gallery section, too. You can inspire other CME readers by sharing the highlights of your own embroidery projects.