Happy New Year, <%[first name]%>!

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a wonderful 2008 filled with love, happiness and beautiful memories. I look forward to hearing your thoughts throughout the year as we invite you to be involved in the evolution of Country Bumpkin.

With this in mind, I take great pleasure in announcing the arrival of our exciting new book, Easy Stitching with Buttons, Beads and Braids.

While this book is an absolute gem for experienced stitchers who may be time poor or simply looking for some more modern designs, it was in part inspired by an email from one of our lovely subscribers, Kim:

“I consider myself a beginner, but I have started late (I’m over 40 years old). I believe there needs to be a focus on teaching young people, so that stitching skills will continue to be taught to further generations.”

Let's work together to help make the world that little bit more beautiful and invite our loved ones to join our needlework community. This book is the perfect introduction to embellishment techniques and has something for everyone, including baby gifts, clothing and home wares.

Click here to take a look through the fabulous Flash animated book preview.

Have a beautiful week,

Margie Bauer
- Publisher, Country Bumpkin Publications

Flowers have always been a rich source of inspiration for embroiderers and this issue pays tribute to the beautiful blooms that grace our gardens. The stunning projects that feature in this floral edition include a spectacular Elizabethan masterpiece by Susan O’Connor, a glorious quilt embroidered with roses, hollyhocks, daisies and lavender by Kris Richards, a needlebook and needlecase embellished with ribbons and roses by Julie Graue, plus so much more…

Front page stories include an in depth interview with leading Korean embroiderer Young Yang Chung, ‘The Story of a Lace Parasol’ by world-renowned embroiderer and author Catherine Barley. We also announce the winners of the Inspirations Flower Power competition!

Click here for your exclusive online preview.
Click here to join our subscriber family and have this issue delivered to your door.

Don’t miss your free Inspirations Collection notebook… Inspirations subscription offer ends 14th January 2008!

Subscribe to Inspirations or Australian Smocking & Embroidery today to have each beautiful issue delivered to your door before they are available in stores. You’ll save 10% off the regular price of all products featured on the Country Bumpkin website and right now when you take out a two year subscription, you'll also receive this gorgeous notebook, exclusive to the Inspirations Collection, valued at $24.95 – FREE

Spiral bound to lie flat when in use, with plenty of high quality lined pages and an elastic closure band, this hardcover notebook will make a perfect gift for you or a friend.

Click here to join our subscriber family today!

Kathy Barac from Meco Modes has crafted some stunning new patterns for you, so if you’re looking for stylish smocking patterns with a difference, look no further. Meet Michelle, Allison and Zoe, each modelling a smocked girl’s top, styled to be worn over a favourite skirt or pair of jeans or pants. Leigh wears a girl's nightgown with a smocked front and lace trimmed armhole ruffles and hem.

Each pattern includes the beaded smocking design, graph and complete instructions.

Click here too see the new range...

Click here to see more smocking patterns...

These stunning cotton print fabrics are absolutely perfect for a little girl's beautiful smocked dress, as backing for the embroidered blanket you've been working on or to start your next patchwork quilt.

Click here to see the beautiful new additions to our cotton print fabric range.

The very first addition to the Inspirations Collection product range, these gorgeous umbrellas, printed with Susan O'Connor's 'Firecracker' design from Australian Smocking & Embroidery issue 80, or 'Elizabethan Botanicals' design from Inspirations issue 52, are the must have accessories for devoted embroiderers everywhere!

- Comes complete with matching cover.
- Closed: 24.5cm x 5cm, Open 58cm x 98cm

Click here to find out more.

Whether you are new to stitching, want to try something a little different or are just looking for simple but effective gift ideas, you’ll love this latest title from Inspirations Books.

14 quick and easy projects, including baby gifts, clothing and home wares, will inspire you in a range of styles from pretty vintage to vibrant contemporary and elegant evening.

For added ease, many of the designs are worked on ready made items and make extensive use of braids, lace, ribbons, beads and buttons, as well as appliqué and folded fabric ornamentation including Suffolk puffs.