Thimbles from the Mary Rose

The Mary Rose was Henry VIII's favorite ship.  Sadly, she sank in 1545.

https://maryrose.org/

The wreck was discovered in 1971 and raised in 1982.  Guess what they found onboard?  Thimbles!

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1178680860969808&set=a.559825776188656

The thimbles were used to mend sails and perhaps clothing as well.  It's fascinating to think how much we stitchers have in common with the Tudor sailors.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 5, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Henry Grace a Dieu

Fans of reproduction embroidery (particularly the 17th Century) will be charmed by the Henry Grace a Dieu project that Embroidery for Ducks has started.   This is a kit from Bothy Threads, which specializes in reproduction embroidery (second link).
http://embroideryforducks.com/2014/08/05/henry-grace-a-dieu-new-project/

http://www.bothythreads.com

Bothy offers needlepoint kits ("tapestry") as well as counted thread and cross stitch.  You may enjoy watching the tapestry video on the home page, just to see some of their silk screened pieces and their tips on doing needlepoint.  It is a really good introduction to traditional needlepoint for those coming to our art from cross stitch.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 5, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Needlepoint Now May Preview

Needlepoint Now's newsletter preview of the May/June issue is up on the web to whet your appetite for the next edition.  It looks like the next edition will kick off a series of Henry VIII and Wives canvases plus much more!
http://www.needlepointnow.com/wp-content/uploads/NN_NWSLTR_Apr14.pdf

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 25, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Tudor Challenge UPDATED

Anne Stradal of ABS Designs has taken up the Tudor Challenge! 
http://thecapestitcher.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-tudor-challenge.html

http://thecapestitcher.blogspot.com/2014/01/anne-boleyn-part-two.html

http://thecapestitcher.blogspot.com/2014/02/anne-boleyn-part.html

http://thecapestitcher.blogspot.com/2014/02/another-wife-for-henry.html

http://thecapestitcher.blogspot.com/2014/02/not-so-plain-jane.html

http://thecapestitcher.blogspot.com/2014/02/adding-some-color.html

UPDATES:  Since the above was published, there are more Queen shots.
http://thecapestitcher.blogspot.com/2014/02/abtb.html

http://thecapestitcher.blogspot.com/2014/02/a-rose-without-thorns_17.html

http://thecapestitcher.blogspot.com/2014/02/kathryn-howard-part-two.html

http://thecapestitcher.blogspot.com/2014/02/kathryn-howard-part-three.html

http://thecapestitcher.blogspot.com/2014/02/kathryn-howard-finale.html

http://thecapestitcher.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-survivor.html

http://thecapestitcher.blogspot.com/2014/03/katherine-parr-part-two.html

http://thecapestitcher.blogspot.com/2014/03/katherine-parr-part-three.html

http://thecapestitcher.blogspot.com/2014/03/more-on-parr.html

http://thecapestitcher.blogspot.com/2014/03/katherine-parr-finale.html

http://thecapestitcher.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-german-bride.html

http://thecapestitcher.blogspot.com/2014/03/anne-of-cleves-progress-i.html

http://thecapestitcher.blogspot.com/2014/03/more-progress-on-anne-of-cleves.html

http://thecapestitcher.blogspot.com/2014/03/one-step-forward-two-steps-backward.html

http://thecapestitcher.blogspot.com/2014/04/anne-of-cleves-back-on-track.html

http://thecapestitcher.blogspot.com/2014/04/anne-of-cleves-finale.html

http://thecapestitcher.blogspot.com/2014/04/jane-seymour-finale.html

Here's a photo of her Henry VIII, in case you want to see who Anne Boleyn and all the other wives married.  Design and stitch faster, Anne.  We can't wait to see!
http://www.absdesignsonline.com/images/Cylindrical/fantasy2.jpg

I'll keep updating this as the stable of wives grow.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Another Month, Another Queen

I'm pretty sure "another month, another queen" is what Henry VIII's subjects were thinking as the queens changed with some regularity!  Luckily our new queen is being stitched by the capable hands of Lori Carter, not executed and replaced.  All the queens are from Rogue Needlepoint and the guides are available from Amy's Golden Strand.  I think this is Katherine Parr, partly stitched, courtesy of Amy's Golden Strand FB page.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=732934146717565&set=a.676354722375508.1073741830.189965167681135&type=1&theater

You can see two of the finished queens on Amy's website, last two photos on this page.  Anne of Cleves is in the red gown while Catherine of Aragon is in black.
http://www.amybunger.com/Finished_Gallery.html

The whole series is on the Rogue Needlepoint site.  Queens Mary and Elizabeth I and Edward VI are still to be designed.  Kudos to Lori for designing a setting for each queen, to Rogue Needlepoint for the original designs, and to Amy Bunger for pulling it all together for our enjoyment.
http://www.rogueneedlepoint.com/royalty.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Amy's Pearls

The September newsletter for Amy's Golden Strand is available now. In it Amy's going nuts over pearls. Big ones, little ones, ovals, pinks, creams, any sort of pearl you can imagine.  She even touches on the historic pearls that Henry VIII and his contemporaries owned.  You can even see Anne Boleyn's favorite necklace.
http://www.amybunger.com/f/0913.pdf

I have to admit I am wild over SJ Designs' beads myself (not to mention their great customer service) and own some lovely pink and peach pearls in little boxes, just waiting for the perfect canvas....
http://www.sj-designs.com/category_7/Pearls.htm

By the way, Amy talks about other things in the newsletter, mostly new products.  They are already listed on her shop website to make shopping easier.
http://www.amybunger.com/whats_new.html?utm_source=September+2013+Newsletter&utm_campaign=September+Newsletter&utm_medium=email

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tapestries

There are a lot of fans of the Bayeux Tapestry who read Blog so I thought I would post a quick article about the Apocalypse Tapestry of Angers and a film that shows off Henry VIII's tapestries.  The Apocalypse Tapestry is just that--it shows the Apocalypse arriving on Earth in unforgettable monsters and devils.  I wish I knew more about the allegories these things represent.  There is a bit of French narration but not much if you watch the video.
http://needleprint.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-apocalypse-tapestry-of-angers.html

Henry VIII's ten tapestries that tell the story of Abraham are still in Hampton Palace.  The first link is an introduction and the second link shows one being cleaned.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzp6CVZnh8c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASbcok7m_y0

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Pocket Histories of Bess and Mary

Gay Ann Rogers' husband is a retired history professor, which certainly came in handy when Gay Ann developed an interest in Queen Elizabeth I and her contemporaries and designed projects using that information.   He has written small booklets on Mary, Queen of Scots and Bess of Hardwick that stitchers interested in English history might want to purchase.
http://gayannrogers.blogspot.com/2013/07/history-for-stitchers-small-booklets-on.html

I've read his supplemental material on Queen Elizabeth I which was part of Gay Ann's Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I class and found the articles interesting, scholarly and informative.  I have not seen these so I can't comment on their value.  There is a brief introduction to the booklets on Gay Ann's website plus links to purchase if you are so inclined.  I don't know how long these will be on sale so I suggest you act sooner rather than later if you are interested.
http://www.gayannrogers.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Amy's June Newsletter

Amy Bunger's June newsletter is here, right on time.   As always, it is full of good ideas, new products and more.  One thing I believe most stitchers will enjoy is the announcement of two new canvases from Rogue Needlepoint--two of Henry VIII's wives!  I expect someone will do stitch guides for the royal wives soon but they look like a quick and fun stitch even without a guide to ease your stitching path.  Don't miss the photos of finished customer pieces.  They are stunners!
http://www.amybunger.com/f/0613.pdf

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Amy's Got a Birthday....

Amy's got a birthday---and a newsletter!  Expect to see the newest royal scissors fob/magnet set (Henry VIII, my new favorite!), a stitch of the month diagram, photos of wonderful magnets, a progress report on the Royal Pain in the Tudors Home Study, a book review, and tips on using archival quality glue to attach things to your canvas.  (Hopefully not your hair, which I have done but we'll overlook that for now.)  There are also some wonderful photos of finished pieces (don't miss the camel!) and a custom stocking that is a charmer.

http://www.amybunger.com/f/0513.pdf

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Royal Pain Starts

Session One of Amy Bunger's latest Home Study class has shipped. I thought you would like to see the first kit and all the threads, which Linda just got in the mail.  This is for the JP Designs canvas called Royal Pain in the Tudors which celebrates all the wives of Henry VIII in a fabric and jewel collage.
http://nystitchingsisters.blogspot.com/2013/04/look-at-what-ups-man-brought.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tudors Gossip

Henry VIII is still provoking gossip, 466 years after his death!   The latest news is that Amy Bunger's Home Study for this year is getting ready to start. Amy's going to do a custom commissioned piece from JP Needlepoint that celebrates all six of Henry's wives.  You can see it here--"Royal Pain in the Tudors."  Scroll down almost to the bottom of the newsletter to see the design and which royal wife is celebrated in which section.
http://www.amybunger.com/f/0413.pdf

Amy is going to set up a Facebook page called Secret Society Tudor that is open to both Home Study classes.  Watch for it if you are taking either section of the Royal Pain in the Tudors class from her.

There are also a set of scissor fobs and matching magnets celebrating each Queen.  The fobs cost $36 and the magnets are $14 but you can buy the pair for $48.  You can see them all on Amy's "What's New" page.  Which do you like best?  I'm a Katherine Howard myself....
http://www.amybunger.com/whats_new.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

And She Scores!

The Young Needlepointer has a thing for Henry VIII so she has been collecting the Petei Henry VIII and His Wives canvases for quite a while now. Celebrate her picking up the last of the series and admire all the canvases at her blog.  She even owns Queen Elizabeth 1 and Mary, Queen of Scots!
http://theyoungneedlepointer.blogspot.com/2013/03/one-big-happy-family.html

Other Henry VIII fans may enjoy looking at Amy Bunger's upcoming Home Study, which is a large canvas celebrating all Henry's Queens or want to admire the small portraits Labors of Love just released at the TNNA January Market.
http://www.amybunger.com/f/0113.pdf

http://www.laborsofloveneedlepoint.com/gallery.php?category=67

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

March Shop Newsletters

Amy Bunger's shop newsletter for March is online, full of fun new things to look at!  She shows off photos of two new sets of Victorian Kids from Melissa Shirley (Easter kids and Irish ones for St. Patty's Day) plus an Easter house, photos of new colors of various threads from Rainbow Gallery for the threadaholics (including a glow in the dark orange Neon Rays Plus), new magnet styles and buttons both with an Easter flair, and a bonus bunny Easter Egg drawing you can transfer to a piece of plain canvas and stitch according to Amy's instructions.  If you've ever wanted to try one of Amy's stitch guides, this is a good way to indulge yourself, although you will have to buy some of the newly introduced threads or substitute from your stash if you are being thrifty this month.
http://www.amybunger.com/f/0313.pdf

There is also a review of Julia Snyder's newest book, Great Layers for Needlepoint.  Plus Amy talks about the use of counting pins and does a mini review of the new ones from Puffin and Company.  There is also a sneak peek at the stitching on the Anne Cleves section of the Home Study canvas Amy is going to offer in 2013!  This is a Tudor-themed canvas for the English history buff from JP Needlepoint.  If you thought about taking this class from Amy but haven't signed up yet, read this section carefully.

Bedecked and Beadazzled's newsletter is ready for viewing as well.  Besides all the wonderful classes and the new cupcake club from Melissa Shirley, Ruth shows us how to brick stitch bead and explains how that looks compared to regular beading where you attach beads like tent stitches.  Then she shows off new canvases that are arriving daily.
http://www.bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/needlepoint/downloads/bedeckednewsmarch2013.pdf

Gosh, the newsletters are full of interesting stuff!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.