Echoes of Elizabeth Needle Case

Donna's finished her Gay Ann Rogers' needle case.  This is called "Echoes of Elizabeth" and uses some of the motifs from Gay Ann's Elizabeth 1 designs.

http://majtravaux.blogspot.com/2024/08/took-unintentional-break.html

It is beautiful!  Lovely work, Donna.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 15, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Gay Ann Rogers' Sale October 24, 2024

Gay Ann Rogers has announced her fall sale will start October 24, 2024.  That's a Thursday; the sale normally runs through the next Sunday.  Be an early bird, though.  She has a lot of fans for her counted canvaswork designs and will run out of most things before the sale ends.

https://www.gayannrogers.com/index.html

The sale this October will focus on Tudor themes, as you can see from her home page where she is highlighting what will be in the sale.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 22, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Queens Court: Winter Mystery at Bedecked and Beadazzled

Ruth Schmuff just announced the new mystery class for Winter 2024--Lane Tree and Lily's "Queen's Court."

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2023/12/january-2024-mystery/

As always, I'll update this article as Ruth posts reports on each of the three classes in this mystery project.  First, Ruth worked the background in an open pattern and gave the dog a trellis patterned coat.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2024/01/this-is-going-to-be-fun/

As a bonus, Ruth explains how to count out the trellis pattern around the flowers and leaves on the dog's body here--

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2024/02/counting-tip/

Now the crow and the bunny are stitched along with the dog's and the crow's crowns.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2024/02/a-bunny-and-a-crow/

And we finish up with silk ribbons on the dog!

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2024/03/i-do-love-roses/

Here is Jan's which is finished but not framed yet.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10229215764611096&set=gm.7485793348164425&idorvanity=108537025890131

And here are three that are finished and framed, but all differently.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2025/03/its-a-courtly-finish/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 10, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Jubilee Pillow

Ehrman's latest newsletter showed off the Jubilee Celebration pillow kit that Candace Bahouth created to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's fifty years ruling the United Kingdom.  

https://www.ehrmantapestry.com/queen-elizabeth-ii/

It's not a brand new design but it's a lovely one and I thought today you might enjoy seeing it.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 16, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tudor Embroidery

A Facebook page has posted photos of Tudor embroidery which they say is all the work of Mary, Queen of Scots.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063553719614&sk=photos

I'm pretty sure historians think these were not done by Her Royal Highness but it's still very interesting to see these slips.  They are certainly in the style she stitched.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 25, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Celebrate the Platinum Jubilee with Needlepoint UPDATED

Are you celebrating the 70th year of Queen Elizabeth II's reign?  If so, and you needlepoint, Moore Stitching's celebration of Queen Elizabeth II's 70th year on the throne is lovely.

https://moorestitching.com/products/jubilee 

She's got a great Queen Elizabeth silhouette, too.

https://moorestitching.com/products/queen-elizabeth

We wish Her Majesty good health and good luck in the coming year.

UPDATES:  Kate Dickerson has added a portrait of HRH to her line, and...

https://stitchtherapyneedlepoint.com/feature.php?id=87163

...Kirkland Design Studio has new England-themed needle minders.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/5145513962192387/

Raymond Crawford has some wonderful British themes, too.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CeaIg7EtMH0/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 26, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Queen Mary's Carpet

Queen Mary's carpet has been the subject of discussion on Needlepoint Nation recently, so I did a little searching to find this information about Queen Mary herself and her famous needlepoint rug.  Queen Mary is the grandmother of the current Queen Elizabeth II.  The rug itself was sold to raise money to pay off Britain's national debt after World War II.  It is currently in Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau but I can't find it on their website.  (Thanks for that, Christine!)

Ann Bernard's blog has a great factual article about the rug itself.
https://annbernard.com/embroideries-that-record-historyqueen-marys-carpet/?fbclid=IwAR3pk6rWxahuj9FzJpwiePmN8dwO9oz0-Vnlz7U1TS5ODKk7Th3g1HLETTg

This news reel footage shows off the rug nicely.  It took eight years and was started during World War II.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZL8ICT-V2E&fbclid=IwAR1OAIXH4LIkmN5VPf96jP9A9hYZiDXCA0JNNv1mpnGlyKQyXEKmR7FsRp4

More news reel footage.
https://www.britishpathe.com/video/queen-mary-makes-a-carpet-for-dollars

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 21, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Prison Embroideries of Mary, Queen of Scots

The Victoria and Albert Museum has a wonderful article about the needlepoint stitched by Mary, Queen of Scots and her household, while she was under house arrest in England.  
https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/prison-embroideries-mary-queen-of-scots?fbclid=IwAR2nvnv7ekaum7UtxKJiy76IRo2SzrOU1Ykvitd2G6MzGPsKcGJrXC0WiuY

Many thanks to the designer Anna Pearson who mentioned this article on Facebook.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 10, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Queen Margrethe Stitches

Denmark's Queen Margrethe II apparently does a lot of ecclesiastical needlepoint.  The Loudoun Sampler Guild has a brief article with photos of her latest antependium, which is a textile hanging for the front of an altar or lectern.  Queen Margrethe apparently does quite a bit of needlepoint for various Danish churches and also paints.
https://loudounsamplerguild.wordpress.com/2018/08/01/a-queenly-embroidery/

Nice to know the first reigning female monarch in Denmark since the 14th Century is a needlepointer like us.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 2, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Queen Mary's Needlepoint Rug

Thanks to David I have a link to an interesting article on Queen Mary's stitching (and a bit about the Duke of Windsor's needlepoint).
https://hands-across-the-sea-samplers.com/the-queen-stitched/

Here's the URL for the black and white video of the huge rug.
http://streaming.britishpathe.com/hls-vod/flash/00000000/00047000/00047404.mp4.m3u8

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 17, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Fourth Queen UPDATED

Gay Ann Rogers' next sale is today! And it's going to include The Fourth Queen.
http://www.gayannrogers.com

The fourth queen, you say?  Gay Ann has created portraits of three queens so far.  That's Elizabeth I on the left, Catherine the Great in the middle, and Eleanor of Aquitaine on the right.
https://www.facebook.com/860462527326471/photos/a.860475930658464.1073741827.860462527326471/1815049158534465/?type=3&theater

These are all sold as kits with the canvas, beads and threads, so they are rather pricey and Gay Ann is not planning to sell any of these Queens ever again.  Gay Ann says the sale will end August 24 or when she runs out of kits.  So if you are a fan, don't tarry.

By the way, Fiber Talk will interview Gay Ann Rogers on Sunday, August 12 about the Last Queen (who is Queen Victoria) and more.
http://wetalkfiber.com/2018/08/12/fiber-talk-with-gay-ann-rogers-ii/

UPDATE:  Shining Needle Society is going to do a stitch-along with Gay Ann for those who buy the Fourth Queen kit.  Details will be in the kit if you purchase one.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 21, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Insight into Eleanor of Aquitaine

Kreinik has interviewed Gay Ann Rogers about her latest design, Eleanor of Aquitaine, for their blog.   It's an interesting read as Gay Ann talks about faces, her use of Kreinik to build up layers around gems, and more.
http://kreinikthread.blogspot.com/2017/05/new-eleanor-of-aquitaine-needlepoint.html

This kit is on sale until Gay Ann runs out of supplies, so if you are interested, visit her website.  You may also enjoy clicking on the Eleanor tab to read a bit about the inspiration behind this design.
http://www.gayannrogers.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 2, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Eleanor of Aquitaine Arrives Tomorrow UPDATED

Gay Ann Rogers' sale of her counted canvaswork kits for the portrait of Eleanor of Aquitaine starts tomorrow, May 1, at 8 a.m. California time.  Currently her portrait of Queen Elizabeth I is on her website.  Don't miss the sale if you are at all interested.  Gay Ann only sells kits and the supplies for them.  When these run out, the sale is over, perhaps for the year, perhaps forever.  Gay Ann has no plans to bring back her kits for Elizabeth, Catherine the Great. Bess of Harwick or Mary, Queen of Scots.  In other words, don't tarry if you want this kit.
http://www.gayannrogers.com

UPDATE:  Kreinik interviews Gay Ann about Eleanor of Aquitaine and her use of Kreinik threads to create this queenly portrait.
http://kreinikthread.blogspot.com/2017/05/new-eleanor-of-aquitaine-needlepoint.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 22, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

When Needlepoint Chairs Were the Height of Fashion

Hands Across the Sea tells us stories of a time when needlepoint chairs were the most fashionable thing.
https://hands-across-the-sea-samplers.com/narrative-embroidery/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 17, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Royal Carpet

This article Jenny found and mentioned on Facebook talks in detail (with fascinating link to a black and white video showing Queen Mary and her rug) about Queen Mary's needlepoint and her carpet.
https://hands-across-the-sea-samplers.com/the-queen-stitched/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 13, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Needlepoint Portrait

Melissa Shirley's Red Geisha

I've been thinking about needlepoint portraits a bit lately, spurred by this counted canvaswork image of Catherine the Great from Gay Ann Rogers. Gay Ann's been posting finished versions of her design on her website home page. She also has photos of her Queen Elizabeth I, as well as Bess of Hardwick and Mary, Queen of Scots still on her website, too.  Click on "Elizabethean" to see them.
http://www.gayannrogers.com

It's interesting how each portrait is a tad different, even though they were all stitched from the same counted canvaswork set of instructions.  Each has a bit of their own personality added by their stitcher.  In needlepoint faces, one stitch can make a huge difference.  You can see this in Penny MacLeod's painted canvas portraits, too.  Look at all the women on The Collection's website (The Collection is Penny's distributor).  Each has a different expression--wary, inquisitive, bold, puzzled, friendly.
http://www.thecollectiondesigns.com/penny-macleod.html

Even stylized faces of geishas can have their expression changed with just one stitch.  Above is Melissa Shirley's Red Geisha which I stitched for her.  Look at her lips.  The expression could be very different if I hadn't left the tiny red stitch between her parted lips visible.  Now to me she looks like she is about to speak.

Maybe we'll talk about faces later this week.

By the way, Red Geisha is being discontinued so if you fall in love, act before Melissa runs out of stock.
http://melissashirleydesigns.com/galcol/?col=171

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 12, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Mr. X Stitch Interviews Gay Ann Rogers

Dena from Kreinik occasionally writes a column for Mr. X Stitch. Her latest is an interview with Gay Ann Rogers which I think you'll enjoy.
http://www.mrxstitch.com/needlepoint-extraordinaire/

If you fall in love with her Catherine the Great, act now.  The sale of the kit will end Sunday, May 17th, 2015.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 11, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Dressing Wonderland (Sandra Arthur and Sandra Vargas)

Sandy Arthur was just at Bedecked and Beaddazzled, teaching two Sandra Vagas Alice in Wonderland designs. Check out what she did for hair and clothes!   Easy hair, easy sleeves, but unique looks.  That's why we take classes from fabulous teachers like Sandy.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2015/04/sandra-in-wonderland.html

Thanks for sharing, Ruth!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 22, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Catherine the Great Arrives UPDATED

Gay Ann Roger's long-awaited portrait of Catherine the Great is on sale now.  This is a counted design that comes with the instructions, congress cloth and the threads and jewels needed.  This page of the website describes the kit.
http://www.gayannrogers.com/catherine.html

The home page currently has a count of how many kits Gay Ann has unsold.  She will probably do a second round of kits but you can't count on that or her ever selling this again as so much depends on her being able to find the real pearls necessary for the design.  So if you are interested, you probably should buy if at all possible.  Otherwise this will only be available from someone who buys it now and then never gets around to stitching it.

UPDATE:  Gay Ann estimates the sale will end May 17.  Act now.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 2, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Limited (Labors of Love)

Each year Labors of Love combines a love of porcelain with a love of pattern and color to produce a limited edition canvas that comes with china attachments to create a dimensional doll of sorts that rises from a needlepoint background and wears needlepoint outfits.   Each year all ten-fifteen canvases sell out.   Nimble Needle talks a bit about Madame Pompadour, the subject of this year's edition, on their blog.  Click on each photograph to see it better.  This year's china pieces are the head and two arms, one holding an amazing fan.
http://www.nimbleneedlenj.com/introducing-madame-pompadour/

Most of the series are historical royal figures, kings and queens, although a couple of years ago JP Sligh did an amazing geisha figure.  You can see them all here.  I think my favorite is Anne Boleyn.  Can't wait to see her stitched!
http://www.laborsofloveneedlepoint.com/limited-editions.html

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