Japanese artist Takashi Iwasaki paints, draws, and does collage--but it's his embroideries I'm nuts for. Iwasaki hand-embroiders each piece, which feature a visually arresting blend of bright candy-pop colors, geometric patterns, and free-form organic shapes you just can't tear your eyes away from. See more at Takashi Iwasaki online.

Early Bird Special shares the geeky-cute cross-stitch she made for her pop on Father's Day--it spells "DAD" in binary code! Extra nerd points for the computer ram frame.

Craftster user Sewphie has posted some pix of a fun totebag she just stitched up featuring a mermaid motif she embroidered, inspired by vintage tattoo flash. The swirly detail in the hair is lovely, and the metallic green thread she used to embroider the fin was a perfect choice!

Jenny Hart has been posting some sneak previews of upcoming Sublime Stitching transfer patterns--the heart and hypodermic needle are amazing, and is that a brain I see over to the left? Can't wait until these are available!

Craftster user Benjibot cross-stitched the sad symbol we all hope we never see: the dead iPod icon.

Jenny Hart posts at Feeling Stitchy about these clever and beautiful embroidered fabric sugar skulls by Alicia Policia.

If you want to embroider on something teeny-tiny, but the fabric won't fit in even the smallest hoop, the gals at A Collaboration will show you how to deal. [via WhipUp]

Today I've unexpectedly come across not one, but two blogs talking about Chicken Scratch Embroidery, also called Depression Lace. Above is a pic of Kerri Made's beautiful handiwork (created from her own pattern!), which she cooked up after reading a how-to PDF posted online courtesy of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service.

And Amy Karol just posted about the new Tie One On apron-making theme, which is "Gingham Summer"--she encourages the participants to give Chicken Scratch a go, with this vintage apron from her collection serving as a great example.

It's been a while since I checked in on the "Tools and Kits" section of Superbuzzy, and I was pleasantly surprised to see these adorable imported Japanese cross-stitch kits. Check out the full array here.

The Purl Bee has a great tutorial on making these simple, stylish monogrammed cufflinks. Perfect for Father's Day--or, as the author points out, a wedding.

Related:
• HOW TO - Make Cufflinks from Coins
• @ MAKE: Transit Token Cufflinks
• HOW TO - Make Your Own Cufflinks

I stumbled across Kate O'Connor's embroidery whilst perusing Flickr, and I've found a new fave. She's got a great series where she embroiders funny Craigslist ads, which I love--but this Sheryl Crow kerchief has a special place in my heart too. Check out more of her embroidered work here.

Get a load of this amazing jacket made by Resurrection Fern!

Victoria Day is the traditional beginning of summer in Canada and although the weather was anything but summer like this weekend I decided it was a great opportunity to launch my new ship jacket. The inspiration for this jacket was a famous ship from Nova Scotia , the bluenose...

This is a very inexpensive white linen jacket that I stripped of buttons , shortened the sleeves and removed the epaulets ( never liked these things) . I drew an outline of the ship on the linen, and then started cutting and sewing the ship and its sails using only vintage fabrics from my stash. The only new fabric in this is some small pieces of felt. I added vintage trim, lace, ric rac and buttons. Vintage buttons, how I love thee!!!. The last step and the one that takes the longest is to embroider all the details of the masts and ropes, waves in the water, etc.

Check out the Resurrection Fern blog for many more detail photos and information on the process.

Oh, Fransson! created these adorable embroidered whale buttons for a swap, and teaches you how to do the same with her helpful tutorial.