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.

A Special Mystery Class: Rebecca Wood's Halloween Cruise Mayhem

Ruth Schmuff is planning a special large mystery class for 2025 with classes in March, May, August and November.  The project is Rebecca Wood's huge--and hilarious--Halloween Cruise Mayhem.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2025/01/halloween-cruise-mayhem/

As always, I'll update this article as Ruth posts progress reports.  (For those who are interested, Amy Bunger and Lisa Kessler have both done guides for this cutie.)

Ruth is varying thread weights on the background so it doesn't get too heavy back there.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2025/03/want-to-see-what-we-did/

Next she worked on the boat and sails, plus a few of the hilarious ghosts, ghoulies and sea critters that are along for the ride.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2025/06/halloween-cruise-mayhem-lesson-two/

The octopus and the witch are done (hope he lets her breath!) and there's also a shark and a mummy.  Too much fun!

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2025/08/halloween-cruise-mayhem-lesson-three/

And the grand finale has arrived with the ocean and its critters all sparkly and beaded, the coral is floofy, and the whole thing is a barrel of laughs on the high seas.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2026/02/the-grand-finale/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 29, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Cruisin' with Her Needles UPDATED

If you love traveling on cruise ships, you'll be very envious of this story from the Washington Post.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/03/07/what-its-like-to-live-on-a-cruise-ship-for-8-years/ 

UPDATE:
Here's another video and store about Lee.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/cruise-ship-living-retiring-to-a-life-at-sea/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 7, 2016 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 Rep Made Her Laugh

I love the Needle Nicely blog. Not only does Mary Agnes know her needlepoint, as a shop owner she is always writing about how shops actually work, which fascinates me.  The recent articles have been wonderful.  In the first link below, Mary Agnes talks about the traveling reps who represent various designers and travel around to the shops, showing off their work so the busy shop owner can order goodies for your stitching pleasure.
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2013/11/laughs-provided-by-rondo.html

This one mentioned shipping costs, which are always a factor in mail order.  I just never thought that shops had to consider how much shipping would eat into their bank account, too!
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2013/11/some-new-ornament-canvases.html

The next article is serious indeed--the financial balancing act a shop has to do to figure out whether a trip to one of the big trade shows is worth the expense.
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-financial-reality-of-market-going.html

Next time you see your own shop owner, thank them for doing what they do for you!  It's not exactly an easy job.

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.