The Royal Wedding Limited Edition Kit

 

I am so excited for Saturday! My limited edition Royal Wedding kit will be available soon and you can preorder yours by contacting me at jenny@jennyhenrydesigns.com.

 

Buffalo Plaid Christmas Ornament

 

Here is a quick fun ornament project that would be great for Christmas gifts. Personalize with a monogram or just use it as a mini frame. Click on chart below to get the pattern.

 

ornamentchart

The Revolution

Jamie Chalmers aka Mr. X Stitch has put together an amazing magazine for the modern stitching world. Copies can be preordered and are in limited supply. You can get 10 % off your copy using code ISSUE1STAR .  http://xstitchmag.com/shop/issue-1-pre-order

The Handmade Fair at Hampton Court Palace 2016

I vow to be a better blogger this year when I attend my second Handmade Fair at Hampton Court Palace this September. It is just that once I arrive in the UK, I get so caught up in everything that I forget to take pictures. So, we will see how I do this time.

If you have never been or heard of the Handmade Fair it is quite possibly the best maker event ever. Their are inspiring talks and makes held throughout the event by maker greats like Annie Sloan and Cath Kidston. Drop in maker sessions hosted by the likes of Mr X Stitch and contestants from  the Great British Sewing Bee coach students through quick and fun skill building makes. Elegant food and booze up stalls  are scattered about to keep you merry. And my favorite part, shopping villages brimming with some of the best maker talent I have ever seen.

Why do I go all the way across the Atlantic for this? Well, aside from all the inspiration and friendships I have made, there is just something unique and forward thinking about the UK craft scene. Forward thinking, but at the same time built upon an appreciation for classic craftsmanship and asthetics. I have had the joy of meeting kindred spirits in thread and look forward to visiting with friends. Then, of course it is on the grounds of Hampton Court Palace. An absolute maker fairy tale. But don’t lose your head.

So if you have never been, it is definitely worth centering a holiday around. If  you are feeling decadent stay on until October’s Knitting and Stitching Show at Ally Pally. Trust me, if you love fiber, you will not be disappointed. Meanwhile, Mrs Crafty  B has put together a series of meet the maker interviews of this year’s HMF exhibitors to get us all geared up for the event. Mine is here. Yippy!

Has Stitching Gone Mainstream?

Last week I spotted the above “embroidery” kit at Target. At first I was excited because finding a kit like this in Target suggests that the love for needlework had gone mainstream.

Now, a week later I have reservations. I do love Target and shop there regularly. Clearly there is a hunger for crafting growing in our communities as the craft isle at Target is ever growing with these modern spins on the age old crafts of cross stitch, needlepoint, embroidery and knitting.

It looks like Target partnered with Seedling to create this kit.I love the fact that they partnered with an independent designer on this, I guess I just wish it was with someone who more specifically represented cross stitch or needlepoint.

The above kit is a bargain at $9.99, but I am willing to wager that the quality of the contents are not great. Quality materials are so important for your stitching! I know that when I and my peers design kits we work hard to make sure that the stitcher has an incredible experience. Everything is thought through with great care. So before you drop $10 at Target, don’t forget about the Indie designers that paved the way for this modern movement. We will be here long after that kit has hit clearance.

For some quality stitching projects check out:

Floss and Mischief, Hannah Bass Contemporary Tapestry, Pompom Design, Emily Peacock, Red Gate Stitchery, Modern Needleworks, and me.

 

New Website with Pattern by Etsy

 

Today I used Etsy’s new Pattern  to design a new website for  myself. So easy and fun! I am still playing around with it a bit but here it is after only a few hours and my hubby helping me repoint my thingies and all that techie stuff.

 

New site

More Vintage Needlepoint!

I am adding some wonderful vintage goodies to my Etsy shop .

New Needlepoint Kits!

I have been working hard to put together my latest line of needlepoint kits. These limited edition handmade stitchable porcelain ornaments are a tribute to my clay background. The series of DIY needlepoint cuffs in wide and skinny versions are a step out of the box and a fun project. Lastly a series of 10 needlepoint cushion kits rounds out the new collection. You can see them here on my etsy shop. Hope you like them!

New Tapestry Cuff Kits

I am so excited to share that my new tapestry/ needlepoint cuff kits are coming out this Fall at long last! Just in time for The Knitting and Stitching Show. Here is a sneak peek. More coming soon.

Getting Ready for My First Knitting and Stitching Show

This year’s Knitting and Stitching Show starts October 7th at Alexandra Palace in London. You can find me at stand TGB3 and if you use promo code EX15 when buying your tickets at http://www.theknitingandstitchingshow.com, you can get a discounted ticket.

I have been working really hard to have loads of great tapestry kits to offer. Here are some pictures of what I have been up to. There are pillow kits, cuff kits and some limited edition stitchable porcelain ornaments in the works. You can expect to see my new kits to hit my Etsy shop this Fall. A special thanks to those of you who have been patiently waiting. I hope it will be worth the wait.