Mountain Oak by Anna Scott

Anna Scott is a needlework artisan who has been part of the Inspirations family for many years. She has been creating beautiful designs in a wonderful variety of techniques since the early days of the magazine.

Many of you will remember that Anna also edited the magazine for a while, whilst still regularly designing, teaching and stitching. How this incredible lady achieved it all, and continues to achieve it is beyond us, but we can happily say, we’re glad she does.

Anna likes to say that she didn’t choose to embroider – embroidery chose her.

She started her career studying garment design and construction in Denmark. The course included a module on hand embroidery and that was enough to get Anna hooked. She immediately transferred her major to hand embroidery and hasn’t looked back. Since then, she’s explored a huge range of styles and techniques, often pushing the boundaries of tradition and creating something wonderfully new.

Although she’s skilled in a range of needlework styles, Anna’s favourites are stumpwork, goldwork and crewel embroidery. Her crewel designs are bursting with detail and often include a stunning colour palette and a dizzying array of different stitches. She is well versed in traditional motifs and designs but likes to add her own touch. This means that every project she produces blends the traditional with the modern in delightfully surprising ways.

Mountain Oak is Anna’s latest crewel design from Inspirations issue #113. The design is a historic tree of life, complete with oversized foliage, stylised flowers and a tiny goat standing on the hillocks, its head lifted as it reaches to take a bite out of one of the sumptuously large berries.

Although the design itself follows a fine Jacobean crewel tradition, the stitches themselves are unique. Even if you are an experienced crewel stitcher, you’re guaranteed to discover something in Mountain Oak to delight and challenge you.

Each of the five hillocks are filled with a fascinating number of stitches. Anna loves to experiment, combining different shades and stitches so that each hillock offers up a unique texture. The five large leaves on the tree all bring different pleasures. No two are alike.

If ever there was a project which would allow you to try out stitches in ways you might never have thought of, then Mountain Oak is it.

After you have had the pleasure of stitching this wonderful design, the piece is made up into a plump cushion edged with a multicoloured blanket stitch flange and finished off at each corner with a colourful tassel. It will look magnificent on a sofa or a bed, where you’ll be able to enjoy looking at all the fine details and relive the joy you experienced in stitching it.

We love how Anna’s work continues to bring joy and delight to so many. We know that Mountain Oak will become a favourite among stitchers who have enjoyed her work for years, as well as those who have just had the pleasure of discovering her beautiful, unique style.

Make Your Own Mountain Oak

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Mountain Oak by Anna Scott is a stunning crewel cushion with a tree of life set among mountain peaks, worked in alpine colours.

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Mountain Oak includes everything* you need to re-create this stunning cushion: Fabrics (unprinted), zip, sewing thread, embroidery threads and needles.

NOTE: Kit does not include cushion insert

*Please Note: To cater for flexibility of purchase, instructions are not included with our kits. For step-by-step directions on how to create this project, please refer to the magazine/digital pattern.