Welcome to Helen M. Stevens' Embroiderer's Year. A textile artist with an international following, Helen has made a name for herself by achieving the seemingly impossible: she captures the ethereal beauty of the natural world with fabric, needle and thread. In this new collection of her work, the exquisite embroideries have been inspired by each month of the year. Taking as her theme such celebrations as Easter, Thanksgiving or Christmas or simply the changing of the seasons, she has worked her own special magic to create over 80 embroidered masterpieces. With an artist's eye Helen observes the details, colours and patterns of the natural world around her. Whether it is the discovery of the first snowdrop in spring, the delicate wings of summer butterflies, the jewel-like colours of autumn fruits, or the sparkling frosts of winter - the notes and sketches collected in her workbooks are used as an inspiration to create her beautiful embroideries. The unique quality of Helen's work is evident in the delicacy of the stitches, her inspired use of threads and her choice of colours. She uses both traditional and modern techniques to create special effects. Sharing her secrets with the reader, Helen gives detailed instructions for each of the finished pieces. Full colour photographs show the detail of every stitch and her colourful sketches decorate the pages. This evocative collection is sure to inspire you to create your own embroidered celebrations of the year's most meaningful moments for you.