cherry cushion

My oldest UFO, my first ever needlepoint tapestry, is starting its new life as a cushion.

This was a very good exercise, because this was the first time I stretched a finished needlepoint tapestry, and I realised how important it is to do this job right. I have not done it as well as it should be. My corners are not quite square, so the tapestry is a bit wonky and as a result it was not easy to fit the embroidery into a square piece of fabric. I will know better next time....

my oldest UFO, finished and stretching

I have bravely changed my header, as snowdrops are coming up all around in our part of the world. It is probably a long way to spring yet, but there is hope.....

My oldest UFO.

Many, many, many years ago I bought my first needlepoint tapestry kit. I wasn't doing much of any stitching at the time and I had no particular interest in needlepoint, I just fell in love with the design.

And so I brought my kit home and started stitching. From the top. First BIG mistake, as I learnt later.

My stitching looked terrible, and I lost heart. My new and exiting project wasn't so exiting any more. It got pushed around various corners, in the end it ended up in a wooden trunk.

Now, to end up in the wooden trunk is the ultimate in our house. It means "unwanted, uncared for, unloved". The trunk gets very rarely inspected, after the trunk it is usually a jumble sale.

Then one day, in the middle of the Somerset countryside, I came across Jolly Red, a shop owned my Kelly Fletcher, a needlepoint heaven. I wrote about Jolly Red in my 31. December post, so I will not repeat.

I rescued my kit from the trunk and in one of Kelly's workshops I learnt how to stitch needlepoint tapestry. Unfortunately, during my initial attempts I wasted some of the cream Anchor wool, used for the background and that shade was no longer in production. I had to use the nearest shade to it, but of course, it does show. Still, it took a long time before the tapestry was finished, as there were new and more exiting projects around, and even after I did finish it, it was stored, rolled up, in my workroom. Until today.

My oldest UFO, my first ever needlepoint embroidery, finished, washed and stretching, waiting to dry.

Cherries

It will probably live out its life as a part of a cushion cover, I have not decided yet, but I will let you know when I'll do!

Have a good weekend!

Jolly Red

For a long time I wished for one of  Jolly Red larger needlepoint tapestry kits. The price tag has always stopped me from getting one for myself, so I asked Father Christmas this year. And he obliged!
I received one of their latest designs, the Arts & Crafts Tiles.
Jolly Red is a local company, based here in Somerset.
Kelly Fletcher (mrs jollyred, as she calls herself) used to have a shop on a small trading estate in Hambridge. It was there where I met Kelly for the first time, on one of the courses she used to run from time to time. It was a wonderful day spent learning
"how to", I still have very fond memories of it, and of the lovely lunch next door, in the restaurant of the smokery at Brown & Forrest, which was included in the price of the one day course.
Kelly since closed the shop and moved down the road, where she now concentrates on designing her lovely kits, and promoting her business. Although a small company on the surface, I have seen Jolly Red kits in many shops, including large stores and there is the on-line shop of course. The kits vary in sizes, so there is something for everyone. Do check out the Christmas Stocking selection, a project for next year perhaps?
The kits are well made, clearly printed on a good canvas and include enough Anchor tapestry wool. They also run a making up service, should you need it.

As you can see, despite a busy week socially, I have started stitching already. I find this an ideal winter project, in the front of the fire. I even manage to watch the TV at the same time!

I did listen, Kelly, I am staring from the middle :)

Kelly also has a blog Jollyredstitches.