Pages

March 15, 2013

Books: Anna Maria's Needleworks Notebook

The wonderful people involved with Anna Maria's Needleworks Notebook were sweet enough to share a copy of this book to review on Feeling Stitchy.

And it's been awhile, but I am finally giving a brief tour through my favorite elements of this book and... if you read to the end... a giveaway! This post is a combination of my first dive into one of the book's projects and a brief overview of the book.



What I Made: One Night of Crafting 
I am so strapped for time these days, that before I begin a project I wonder if I'll be able to finish it. It's a count-the-cost mentality I've been forced to adapt, to be realistic with my time constraints. Do you ever do this, too?

In all my future reviews on FS, I want to include a quick-and-dirty snapshot of everything I was able to accomplish in one night of crafting, which for me equals 6PM - 11:30 PM on a weeknight. And, here you have it, the results of 5.5 hours, or one night of crafting:

one night of stitching


As you can see, this is a detailed, cross stitch project that could safely occupy at least 3-4 additional nights of crafting. But I love the gorgeous colors and lines!

Book Overview

If you're already a fan of Anna Maria Horner, you will have plenty of reasons to love this book. I was so taken with Anna Maria's color language that I made a list of all the floss colors from my favorite projects and lined them all up, to really take in a sense of her style:

lovely colors


Pretty gorgeous, huh? By the way, all of the floss colors are listed as Anchor in her book, so I used this Floss Conversion Calculator to convert to DMC, since Anchor is not readily available in my region.

Now, on to the book! The book is divided into two sections: Grid Works and Free Works. Each section is further subdivided into helpful Common Materials and Tools, and Stitch Know-How sections with illustrated color guides to many, many stitches.

Under Grid Works, you'll find projects for Cross Stitch and Needlepoint.
Untitled


The Needlepoint section is extensive, showing 11 different stitches that can be used (as a Needlepoint newbie - I had no idea there were so many!)
Untitled


Under Free Works, you'll find projects for Embroidery and Crewel. The Embroidery section also has a 4 page illustrated color guide that shows you 13 different stitches.
Untitled


The Crewel section has a 3 page color guide that shows you 5 stitches. Again, I loved the colors in these projects:
bk5


Lastly, the book closes with a section on Finishing your projects, and the Project graphs:
Untitled


I love the graphs for their color and creativity, but they are colored blocks, without a symbol, so it can be hard to decipher if you have two very similar colors next to each other. On the other hand, it's a good springboard for the more creative stitchers out there, if you're planning to use your own colors and ideas.

Here are my favorite projects, in no particular order:
Untitled

"home" crewelwork pillow

Untitled

"menagerie at midnight" cross stitch

Untitled

"star-crossed love" needlepoint purse

The Giveaway!
Overall, I think it's a wonderful book, both for inspiration and projects, and that's why I decided to give away 1 copy here! To win, all you have to do is leave a comment here - and tell us this: if you had to pick 1 favorite out of the following: Cross Stitch, Needlepoint, Freehand Embroidery, or Crewelwork - what would it be? Please include your email address so I can contact the winner!

I'll leave the comments open until 9 PM, CST on March 17, when I'll close the comments and announce the winner soon after. Want to win your own copy of Anna Maria's Needleworks Notebook? Tell us your favorite stitching category!

111 comments:

  1. Definitely freehand embroidery! I'm not a terribly precise person, so this one works best for me! lisajean.mcneil@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. ooooh freehand embroidery for sure. I have had my eye on this book. Love AMHs work!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hola! I will pick Freehand Embroidery. My email is serranoainhoa@gmail.com. Thanks a lot. Ainhoa.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm still very much an embroidery newbie, but so far most things that have appealed to me were crewel work. Closely followed be freehand embroidery.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hello! Learning all the new stitches that I havent done! moonfairys13@yahoo.com Thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Freehand embroidery! I would love to have this book!! quiltyhabit(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Yay! I love Anna Maria Horner. My favourite embroidery is freehand too but I also love red work.

    ReplyDelete
  8. If I could have only one it would be freehand, but I do enjoy them all. The book looks stunning and I would love a copy.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Freehand embroidery! Love the look of this book. mysticflower@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Everything in this book is just gorgeous! I'd pick freehand embroidery.

    ReplyDelete
  11. My choice is Freehand Embroidery. I would love to learn some new stitches, there are so many. This would be a wonderful book to have. My email is kogrady@cableone.net

    ReplyDelete
  12. I think I'd have to pick needlepoint but I love cross stitch as well.

    ReplyDelete
  13. My choice is cross-stitch, but that's because it's the only one I know how to do. But they are all on my "one day" list.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I would choose cross stitch as my favorite. : )

    ReplyDelete
  15. Freehand Embroidery. I love Anna Maria's work.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I would love to learn how to cross stitch!
    marykolb (at) charter (dot) net

    ReplyDelete
  17. Cross stitch is my favorite!


    ankhliquide132 *at* hotmail

    ReplyDelete
  18. I am currently a freehand embroiderer but I really want to learn needlepoint. Everything Anna Maria Horner makes is magic!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Beautiful book! Thanks for the chance!
    Love Free hand embroidery
    agulhaddameri(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I really enjoy cross stitch, but looking at the Love cushion picture above I am intrigued by and would love to try crewelwork. tmayo77@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hello from Minnesota! My favorite would have to be freehand embroidery but I appreciate a good cross-stitch pattern as they turn out so exact.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I love freehand embroidery!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I love cross stitch but would love to learn whatever the Love pillow is, gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I really love freehand embroidery!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I like cross-stitch because I've been doing it since I was 10, but I really want to learn more crewel and freehand embroidery techniques.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Definitely freehand embroidery! But I'm new...so I'm still afraid to be daring!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Wish I knew how to do embroidery, I love it! The best I can do is a little cross stitch!

    ReplyDelete
  28. It's a tie between crewel and freehand - I can't decide. But I would love this book. kbmurray@gtcc.edu

    ReplyDelete
  29. It's a tie between crewel and freehand - I can't decide. But I would love to add this book to my library

    ReplyDelete
  30. I love the one you picked to start with for your review - gorgeous colors. I think for me embroidery, but I have also done some cross stitch. Looking forward to graduating so I can have some more time to craft!

    ReplyDelete
  31. I love embroidery but would love to try crewelwork and especially love to try the pillow you picked out. (craig.fraser6@bigpond.com)

    ReplyDelete
  32. I really want to try some crewel work. I have been hoarding thread for awhile now but haven't started a project yet.

    Ebbtraven(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  33. I want to try needlepoint. I already love the other three.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I would choose freehand embroidery. I just like that it's less restrictive than cross stitch (though sometimes I want nothing more to count squares and make tiny little x's, LOL). Thanks for the giveaway! I've been eyeing this book for a while.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Crewelwork definitely- I imagine beautiful old tapestries hung in stately homes... as I work on pillow covers for the IKEA sofa!

    ReplyDelete
  36. I pick freehand embroidery. But I am dying to learn how to do crewel! Rayjay0217@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. I love the "Love" pillow so I would have to say that I would extremely excited to learn how to do crewelwork!
    Thanks for the chance to win this!
    jeacousin[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  38. Looks like there are a lot of great projects in that book. If I had to choose a favourite it would be freehand embroidery because it allows me to be more creative with my work.

    ReplyDelete
  39. I love cross stitch...love the idea of freehand but always get a bit unnerved by all that freedom! Fantastic looking book, thanks for sharing with us all!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Crewelwork -- it was the first form of needlework I learned, and so my first love.

    ReplyDelete
  41. When I was in jr high I used to cross stitch. Now, I enjoy embroidery, but I'm interested in crewel work.
    aesprouse at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  42. Currently cross stitch is my favorite.
    katherine.d.mclain@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  43. Oooh, a review AND a giveaway! This is on my list but I've been conflicted about if I should get it or not (budget reasons only) so thank you for all the information on it. I prefer freehand embroidery myself, though I really want to explore crewel which I haven't yet!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Definitely Free Hand Embroidery

    ReplyDelete
  45. strawberryshortcake5491March 15, 2013 at 10:06 PM

    Oh I love this book! Such inspiring photos! hmmm, I love the look of crewelwork, though I've never tried it (maybe I will start with one of Anna Maria's projects!). I just love hand stitched projects!

    strawberryshortcake5491@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  46. Needle pt is my favorite. I can stitch and watch tv with my hubby!

    ReplyDelete
  47. I can't wait to try crewelwork! its beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Freehand embroidery is hands down my favorite. I have done cross stitch, bargello, and needlepoint but love the freehand the best.

    ReplyDelete
  49. i think overall, i find the most zen in cross stitching...and i love seeing more and more fun, modern, imaginative, creative patterns popping up for cross stitch. but i am pretty equal-opportunity to all forms of embroidery. :) thanks for the chance to win! this book looks so pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  50. If I can only pick one I guess I'd have to pick freehand embroidery, but it's such a tough choice! (I've already changed this comment twice because I can't choose just one!)

    ReplyDelete
  51. I enjoy freehand embroidery especially when I feel inspired!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Tatyana KishchinskayaMarch 16, 2013 at 12:44 AM

    This book looks wonderful! Thanks for the giveaway.
    I always preferred cross stitching :)

    Best wishes,
    Tatyana

    ReplyDelete
  53. Amanda Watson-WillMarch 16, 2013 at 2:37 AM

    Currently I'm in love with freehand embroidery, but I'm keen to try crewel and cross stitch too.
    potsrme at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  54. I would love the book. I really want to try crewel. My grandma taught me the basics of crochet, knitting and embroidering. It is buried somewhere in this 56 Year old brain. I started gardening two years ago and want to have something like embroidering or crewel to fill that void in the winter!! erin1956 {at} gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  55. Freehand. No question about it. Probably because it's the most accessible out of the lot and you can put it on almost anything ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  56. All the patterns are so nice! have to go with free embroidery
    kristynpurintun at gmail

    ReplyDelete
  57. Pupil of Léa Stansal, I'm a freehand embroiderer! But I would try the crewel embroidery of Anna Maria Horner's book ;)

    ReplyDelete
  58. Oh Wow, what a beautiful book. I am currently a cross-stitcher however planning to move into Freehand embroidery this year as with the little I have done, I have really enjoyed it and the results.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Freehand embroidery!... but you should pick me so I can brush up on my needlepoint ;)


    mail at spikeworld dot co dot uk

    ReplyDelete
  60. Наталя ПавлишMarch 16, 2013 at 5:24 AM

    This book looks so lovely! My passion is cross stitch.
    pavlysh *at* gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  61. My favorite is cross stitch, but I do enjoy all types of needle work.

    ReplyDelete
  62. I would have to go with Freehand embroidery as my favourite, you can include elements from everything else! lol

    bradleyvictor (at) yahoo (dot) ca

    ReplyDelete
  63. Typically cross stitch --but freehand offers so many new possibilities

    ReplyDelete
  64. Virginia Sattler-ReimerMarch 16, 2013 at 7:16 AM

    Cross stitch, so far, I am just stepping into the realm of embroidery!

    ReplyDelete
  65. I do some embroidery, and I'm planning on doing a little refresher course on cross stitch with a project I recently picked up. I've had this book on my amazon.com wishlist for a couple of months. Would love to win it! amber1726@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  66. I would choose crewel because I haven't done that in years and love Anna Maria's style. brownandco (at) hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  67. I have done more cross stitch in my lifetime, but there is something freeing about freehand embroidery. It's like painting with threads and I just go with it. The designs in that book look lovely! jkaty27 gmail

    ReplyDelete
  68. I like Freehand Embroidery, but also Cross stich. Interisting book.
    Birgithl*at*gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  69. This is a difficult decision for sure, but freehand embroidery leads the race in my current crafty endeavors! Thanks for offering such an extensive book!

    ReplyDelete
  70. Freehand embroidery is definitely my favorite! But cross stitching is a close second, when I need something formulaic. It's a different brain exercise. :)

    ReplyDelete
  71. embroidery is my top-although i'm currently working on a crewel project and falling in love. thanks for the great review and giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  72. freehand embroidery is what I love to do. Luckily I do it almost everyday. Thanks for the chance to win this book. I really want to do some Crewelwork and this would help.

    ReplyDelete
  73. freehand embroidery is my favorite. I am learning how to do thread painting. It is exciting for me to watch a blank canvas turning into something beautiful. I also love to learn different kinds of stitches such as crazy quilting ..... I am an avid cross-stitcher.

    ReplyDelete
  74. Cross stitch all the way for me! This book looks really great, I hadn't heard of it before, so please include me in your giveaway - thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  75. My favorite is definitely cross stitch! My dad taught me how to cross stitch when I was young, so I've always had a fondness. I also love how it takes my full attention without taking all of my concentration! Perfect for a crafting activity. ♥ Thank you for the giveaway! This book seems like such a good resource. My email is: cookiefaerie at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  76. Freehand embroidery is my favorite by far (but I've been wanting to try needlepoint for a long time now).

    ReplyDelete
  77. Ooh, I've been wanting to try crewel for ages. I love the old Jacobean patterns, but I also like modern designs. Thanks for hosting a giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  78. Corina van KriekenMarch 16, 2013 at 2:50 PM

    For me it would be crewelwork...

    ReplyDelete
  79. FreeHand Embroidery. I love learning new stitches and making my own designs. holland_lops@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  80. Freehand Embroidery is fascinating me right now, but I like all of them.
    Thank you for the giveaway!
    ofelialamejor(at)yahoo(dot)es

    ReplyDelete
  81. freehand embroidery. so much fun. it's like doodling with thread. graphicalee @ gmail . com.

    ReplyDelete
  82. Freehand Embroidery, it hides all my mistakes.

    ReplyDelete
  83. Lovely bright bold colours in this book. I think my favourite is cross stitch. Have never tried crewelwork so winning the book would give me a great chance to try! :-) email is dibblejo@hotmail.com
    P.s- couldn't figure out how to post a comment other than 'anonymously'. I'm Jo!

    ReplyDelete
  84. I love freehand embroidery! You can do the traditional shapes and styles but you can also do crazy new things and weird combinations of traditional stitches to get totally new looks

    ReplyDelete
  85. Cross-stitch for sure, though some of those patterns make me question my choice! :)

    ReplyDelete
  86. I'm new to stitching craft in general but it was Freehand embroidery that got me interested. This book looks like it would be wonderful inspiration for all sorts of projects. Thanks cassjohn@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  87. The crewel section in the free hand part is right my favourite !! I am very looking for this soft but so poetical embroidery. I am very happy to read your review as I did not get to read any.

    ReplyDelete
  88. Freehand embroidery is my favorite, but I've had an obsession with all of them at one time or other. Thanks for the giveaway! tdarlingscheer@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  89. I recently picked up needlepoint, but I think cross stitch will always be my favorite!
    Maggiejaned@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  90. Cross stitch! Was the first I learned, taught by my grandmother, and I feel it like a classic that never grows old :)
    fiorella.tosti@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  91. I love them all, but freehand embroidery seems to have more possibilities, so that is probably my favourite. Thanks for the lovely giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  92. Cross Stitch is my first love and what I always gravitate towards. I could sit and cross stitch for hours! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  93. freehand embroidery!

    ReplyDelete
  94. how about freehand crewel work?

    ReplyDelete
  95. That looks like a wonderful & inspiring book! I'd say my favorite is hand embroidery. I love all the different stitches!

    Simplydoveblog@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  96. I love every category, really!! But, crewelwork has a bit of a nostalgic warmth to it that makes it really special to my heart. I have all of my Mom's unfinished crewel kits from the 70's that I am slowly finishing off as a silent tribute to the amazing crafty talent that she had.

    ReplyDelete
  97. Hi! This is an amazing give away! My favorite is freehand embroidery, for sure, even I've been testing all of the others. My email: simone_1975@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  98. Cross stitch is my favorite and what I do most, but I dabble in all the varieties of needlework! The colors in the book look beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  99. Although I haven't done it much, I really enjoy needlepoint.

    ReplyDelete
  100. Depends on what I'm in the mood for, but I mostly do freehand embroidery. Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  101. Freehand embroidery, though cross-stitch when I don't want to think about anything. Because I am lazy. The book looks gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  102. Of course it is embroidery for sure, it offers so much possibilites.

    ReplyDelete
  103. It is embroidery for sure it offers so much possibilities.

    ReplyDelete
  104. i'm not the most experienced, but i do have more experience with embroidery. so that is my favorite.
    neoisdc(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  105. I love the look of freehand work, but I need a pattern when I embroider. This looks like a great book. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  106. I started out as a cross-stitcher, but now my favorite is absolutely freehand embroidery. You can get a range of texture out of freehand embroidery that you just can't get from cross stitch.

    ReplyDelete
  107. If it involves a needle and thread it's my favorite -- I keep cross-stitch for evenings at home, and embroidery for long conference calls at work (I pay better attention with a needle in my hand)

    ReplyDelete
  108. The book looks great - so colourful! I'm a cross stitch girl, love those little x's. Thanks for the chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
  109. Free Hand embroidery - I started out with long stitch and cross stitch when I was younger but enjoy the creativity, freedom and challenge of freehand embroidery now days.

    ReplyDelete