While in Adelaide, I had the opportunity to launch Portuguese Whitework: Bullion Embroidery from Guimarães. Months before, I had talked with Fiona from Country Bumpkin about the possibility of doing this, but I wasn’t sure that it was going to be possible until I knew that the books were here in Australia in my possession, and that I would therefore be able to ship a good number of them to Adelaide in time!
So finally in the week before Beating Around the Bush, I was able to confirm with Fiona and Sally (the event organiser) that I would indeed like to launch Portuguese Whitework.
On the Market Day, Fiona launched the new issue of Inspirations, and CB’s exciting new product range of Margaret Lee’s Chinese embroidery kits. Then it was my turn.

Launching time at Beating Around the Bush market day. (Photo courtesy of Country Bumpkin Publications)
I stood on the stage in front of the crowd and told them about the process of the book being published, how it had gone from me being amazed by a photo of some obscure Portuguese embroidery in a old book, to going to Portugal to research the embroidery, to many hours of hard slog, to being a fully formed book in my hands.
I came down off the stage and was crowded by people telling how much they love my left-handed stitch dictionary. It was quite lovely. Eventually I got away, back to my stand and found Sally there, “holding fort” until I could come back and serve the throngs!
It was a really successful launch, and I was very pleased with how many people were interested in the book. While signing each copy I sold slowed things down a bit, it did make it more special for each of those who purchased the book.
It is not often that I actually get the opportunity to “launch” a book, but it was great that I did on this occasion!
For those who haven’t yet see the book’s video yet, why not pop on over to watch it on the Vetty Creations website? Please share it with your friends!
I just ordered the book! I am looking forward to learn this type of embroidery.
Thanks Antonia, I hope you love it! It will be going in the mail to you today.