Stitch, stitch and more stitch

Hi everyone, hapy monday! It's me again, the guest writer who can't create a mosaic no matter how hard she tries! Yes, Karen from Contemporary Embroidery and Contemporary Stitches. Last week I promised you stitch and here it is, some of my favourite embroidered pieces from the world wide web.
I am passionate about hand stitch and the pieces I have chosen here really get me, deep inside, I get all churned up. Those of you with the same passion will know exactly what I am talking about. Needle Chanting by One By Jude captures everything I associate with the origins of hand embroidery, utility stitches, borne from necessity yet beautiful in their execution.
Whilst Test Stitching on a Small Quilt by kotkarankki evidences the lovingly created domestic textiles which have been created by women, for their families, since time began.

Mended by Enhabiten, delicately enhanced with repairing stitch, demonstrates how the functional can also remain beautiful.

and finally, Cloth of Gold 2 by Threadspider proves that our love of embroidery, borne from necessity through the ages, has brought us to a time where we challenge tradition and push boundaries.

These pieces, I hope, will touch you as they have touched me and if embroidery has never been 'your thing', I hope they have at least led to a curiosity within you.