A Walk Down Memory Lane with Laura Ashley

Hands Across the Sea Samplers has a brief biography of Laura Ashley today that shows one of her needlepoint kits.  These were very popular in the late 1980s-early 1990s.
https://hands-across-the-sea-samplers.com/laura-ashley/

Here's a rose wreath apparently called "Country Rose."
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/410601691003840058/

This is a very lovely needlepoint floral.
http://picclick.com.au/LAURA-ASHLEY-CHEVELEY-FLORAL-TAPESTRY-NEEDLEPOINT-KIT-42cms-x-162206030007.html

I found another pillow design in this not very good photo from eBay.
http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/8kcAAOSwvzRX0c4u/s-l300.jpg

Another pretty floral.
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/LAURA-ASHLEY-TAPESTRY-CANVAS-AND-WOOLS-FOR-YOU-TO-SEW-SCARBOROUGH-FAIR-/192010785436?hash=item2cb4bc129c:g:AwoAAOSwLnBX4UTF

This is a pansy design stitched with wool.
http://swimtwobirds.com/gallery/

All the kits I saw from Laura Ashley in the early 1990s were screen printed and kitted with tapestry wool.  I stitched a small rosebuds piece myself that was probably intended to be a pin cushion.  I gave it as a gift so I don't have a photograph but I think this is it.  It may have come in a blue floral version as well.
http://geb.ebay.com/g/ImportHubViewItem?itemid=122045003229

This is allegedly a Laura Ashley needlepoint but I can't see the logo at the top of the page.
https://img1.etsystatic.com/000/0/6756680/il_570xN.319834931.jpg

These seem to turn up on eBay regularly.  If you love English style tapestry, keep an eye open for some of these beauties.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 3, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

"Embroidery Thread to the Stars"

Fans of Game of Thrones will love to read about how Kreinik thread is used on the amazing costumes created by Michele Carragher.
http://kreinikthread.blogspot.com/2016/11/kreinik-embroidery-thread-to-stars.html

There's more information and videos on Michele's website.
http://www.michelecarragherembroidery.com/Queen-of-the-Desert-Gallery(3035276).htm

The costumes are astoundingly beautiful.  Have fun exploring, whether you watch Game of Thrones or not.
http://www.michelecarragherembroidery.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 1, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sale!

I don't do listings of sales and truck shows any more as I don't like training folks to go for the best price instead of developing a relationship with a shop that can help them with all sorts of things.  Customer service rules, after all!  But today I'm breaking that rule to tell you about the sale at Thistle Threads.  Thistle Threads, in cooperation with British thread manufacturers and Access Commodities, has developed and introduced reproduction threads, trims and other materials that mimic those available to our stitching ancestors in the 17th Century.  You can't find this stuff easily anywhere else and some of these things will soon go out of production as the one person who knows how to make it retires.  Therefore, this is a sale worth browsing if you are looking for something really different to put away in your stash for a special project.  Have fun browsing!
http://thistle-threads.myshopify.com/collections/special-deals

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 15, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

How to Lace Needlepoint Canvas

Kay Stanis of The Gilded Edge shows how to frame up and then lace needlepoint canvas on frames to keep them very taut. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7QR9iPeSKU

There are more videos on Kay's website in case you are curious about laying flat silk or adding fabric backing to your fabric in Japanese embroidery.
http://www.the-gilded-edge.com/techniques/

Many thanks to Helen for alerting me to the video.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 1, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Stitching for Beginners: A Mini Review

Hidden among all the wonderful Halloween stitch diagrams on her blog last week, Sheena mentioned a new stitching magazine she found at Books-A-Million--"Stitching for Beginners."
http://www.sheenasstitches.com/happy-halloween-candy-corn-pumpkins/#comment-1079

It appears to cover the basics for beading, smocking, embroidery and needlepoint.  If you have friends who want to learn a bit about any of these hand crafts, this might be a wonderful Christmas gift to get them started.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 1, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.