Hello hello, and thank you so much for stopping by!

This is my first blog post since opening my brand new website www.mindfulmantraembroidery.com, and I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to introduce myself, my business, my website, and also what I hope to achieve in this blog!

So, I’d better introduce myself. I’m Sophie Timms, a 24-year-old old-soul, born and raised in Gloucestershire UK. I am the owner of, and the face behind, Mindful Mantra Embroidery.

A bit about me..

I have always had an introverted creative spirit inside of me, having grown up in a household full of crafts and inspiration. Over the years I have passed the time by dabbling in various different types of craft, whether it’s cardmaking and scrapbooking (like my mumma), or needle felting, bullet journaling, paper cutting, crocheting (badly) or even fine art and drawing. I have always been a reader and a learner, and whilst studying for my AS Levels, BTEC qualifications and finally my Law Degree, I found that I needed that creative outlet even more.

It wasn’t until a few months after I started an extremely stressful job (that I actually secretly loathed) in June 2019, at the same time as starting my LLM Legal Practice Course part-time, that I realised that this career path was really not the one for me. I craved that creative outlet even more, and started dabbling in further crafty handiwork (including pencil sketches, journaling and more stabby-stab needle felt). That being said, nothing seemed to cure the itch, and in March 2020, when the pandemic surged the UK into its first national lockdown, I picked up a needle and thread for the first time since my primary school ‘Patchwork Club’ days. I had a dabble at embroidery, and here I am one whole year later (almost to the day) having turned it into my fully-fledged side hustle, teaching those around me and creating more and more every day.

Despite embroidery and needlepoint being around for literal centuries, modern embroidery has massively risen in popularity over the previous 2 years, particularly throughout the pandemic. The change from being outside and social to staying at home meant that many people (myself included) were looking to find ways to keep their minds and hands busy whilst the entire world shut down.

So, what is 'modern embroidery', and how do you start it?

The term ‘modern embroidery’ is very wide, and there is no limit or exact definition as to what it actually is. Essentially, it refers to the modern way of drawing, abstract shapes, florals, new styles etc. The beauty of embroidery is that there is heaps of freedom, so you can basically stitch whatever the hell you want to. During the first UK lockdown, I was (mostly) living alone, and found myself going for walks to escape from a small apartment. I found my inspiration in the florals I came across, and the nature of the British summer, and channelled this into my embroidery – it soon became my lifeline!

So, that’s me. I still classify myself as a newbie because I picked up a needle, hoop and thread for the first time in April 2021, and taught myself the different 'modern' stitches. I can’t sew, I’m not very good at drawing and yet embroidery is something that I can no longer imagine my life without. I guess what I’m saying is that anyone can do embroidery, whether you have previous crafty interests or not!

It soon became my lifeline... something I can no longer imagine my life without.

So, if you feel like embroidery isn’t for you, don’t beat yourself up, we’ve all been there. I have too! I practiced and practiced certain stitches until I learned to get them right – it is a pastime that takes time. If you feel you can’t, then instead, let’s do this together.

We're in this together

Over time I am hoping to produce blog posts on a variety of different topics, including how-to’s for different stitches and the process behind embroidery from start to finish, best buys for your supplies, helpful guides, as well as insider information on upcoming launches and sales, and maybe even lifestyle stuffs (because I’m a human too!).

I really hope that you stick around to read more over the coming months as I begin to share my not-so-secret secrets about all things modern embroidery!

If you’d like to have a go at learning embroidery, but don’t know where to start, take a look at my brand new ‘Learn to Stitch’ embroidery pattern. This includes a simple pattern where you can practice the different stitches, including lettering. It also includes a 20-page booklet explaining allll the basics, such as loading your hoop, transferring your pattern, starting your stitches, finishing off your hoop once you’re done, and photograph instructions of all the different stitches you'll need!

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Love and hugs