Ann's Hero (or Should It Be Heroine?)

Ann shares her visit to Hardwick Hall, home of the amazing Bess of Hardwick, in her blog.   Besides being Mary, Queen of Scots' co-jailer with her fourth husband, Bess also was Mary's fellow embroiderer, the second richest woman in England after Queen Elizabeth I herself, and a shrewd businesswoman.  You know, she is a very impressive woman.  I think perhaps she should be one of my heroes, too!
https://dreaminginstitches.wordpress.com/2015/06/17/pilgrimage/

You can see more of Bess's tapestries and embroideries here.
https://viewfrommyattic.wordpress.com/2015/06/12/textile-heaven/

Here is a video about four of Bess's large female virtue hangings which will be conserved and returned to Hardwick Hall.
https://nttextileconservationstudio.wordpress.com/2013/12/04/after-a-lot-of-patience-and-perseverance/

Written by Jane/Chilly
Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 17, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Two Squirrels, One Pillow and One Box

I am fascinated by finishing and how a different finisher or a different end result changes a design. So I found Ruth Schmuff's latest blog posting about two pieces from her mystery class particularly interesting.  This is Sandra Vargas's "Playful Squirrel" which was one of Ruth's mystery classes last year.  Two of her students have finished their versions and sent them to Ruth's shop for finishing.  It's amazing how different they look even though the designs themselves are nearly identical.  I can see the boxed standup on my mantel piece in the living room while its twin is a cushion for the tall leather chair in the library.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2015/06/finishing-options.html

Great job on Ruth's part, the finishers' and of course her students!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 10, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.