Book excerpt: * Helen M. Stevens' Masterclass Embroidery Series books have sold over 50,000 copies to date* Beautiful illustrations and gorgeous projects will inspire novice and advanced embroiderersDrawing inspiration from different cultures and countries, Helen M. Stevens presents a collection of simply stunning embroidery projects that celebrate the beauty of nature around the world. From the polar caps to the tropics, through flora, fauna, birds, and insects, this guide shows readers how to translate images in nature into finished projects, and inspires them to blend traditional and modern techniques--such as using real gold and silver, and incorporating materials gathered from nature--for surprisingly lifelike results.