Anna Pearson's Needlepoint Blog

While the days are getting longer, evenings lighter and the Government giving us a list of possible dates for easing our isolation and mixing with friends and relations I fear we still have some way to go.   A friend said that we shall have to ‘relearn normal’ I wonder how long that will take?   Not just a single visit to the hairdresser though I am sure that will help a great deal! Every order, every email and every telephone call, your interest and kind words encourage me to suggest and design needlepoint projects that I hope will appeal to you in this difficult time. The February zoom joined by many of you ‘making up and finishing needlepoint’ demonstrated just what a wonderful range of beautiful (and useful) items could be made. In my last Blog we talked about colour and how, we all have shown a strong preference for happy, cheerful shades and on the other hands' designs that can be purchased without threads so as to use one’s own left-over stash.  One of the saddest thought

Dear Everyone I've come to the conclusion that only bright, joyful colours can lift me from the winter gloom; as a result, I have designed a new canvas 'Custom Initial' in two vibrant schemes, Persian Fiesta and Oranges & Lemons both on 14 mesh canvas, crewel wools with a highlight of over-dyed cotton,  I hope just seeing them will lift your spirits as mine were while stitching them. There is a special introductory offer till the end of January of £59.00 plus free P&P within the UK;  after that, it will be £67.00. The best stretcher bar frame (if you don't have a suitable one) is the 14 inch one at £7.00 which if you let me know I shall be happy to include. 'Scallops' is, at last ready to order for you the more experienced stitcher;  the delay enabled me to add a third colourway, so 'Wedgewood Blue', 'Sage Green & Coral' and now 'Apple blossom Pink': again the introductory price, till the end of January is £49.00, normally £ 5

Our lives have changed dramatically and indeed continue to change almost daily. I have just read the November Blog I posted - while we had come to accept that the pandemic was going to last far longer than originally thought we didn't dream that second lockdown would be imposed and then back into areas of increased vigilance. As with all things, there have been some really interesting and worthwhile outcomes;  in the summer it was our little garden, being able to meet up with friends in the outdoors and even hold some small classes. Now in the Winter the rules are strict, meeting in homes or even private gardens are not allowed but we are all getting used to the new forms of communication and the telephone for friends who aren't confident with Zoom, FaceTime and the like. In the last Blog, I mentioned the first of the Needlepoint Forum planned;  each one had a general catch up followed by a particular theme - they were 'Christmas', 'Borders & Backgrounds' an

Since writing my last blog in July many things have changed.  I think we all hoped that the contagion rates would continue to fall and hopefully, September or early October would begin to show some normality in our lives . Sadly that was not to be, in fact, it is unlikely to be normal by Christmas or even further away;  other countries are similarly affected and the prospect of a lockdown in a British winter is not good! However, for us who enjoy stitching or indeed any craft making beautiful things, many aspects are positive, we are very lucky.  My plan to keep a record of stitching during lockdown is progressing;  the exhibition to share these pieces will have to be postponed but it is not forgotten - so please continue to send me details and photos of anything you are doing.  I love to hear from you and will add your information to my records. So far the projects you are stitching range from one American friend finishing more than ten pieces plus two fresh cushions for new grandchil

Each family has its own traditions linked to the festive season and even more so the many countries around the World. Australian, New Zealand and South America are enjoying high summer; in the Northern hemisphere it is winter and often dark and icy nights. Some countries celebrate Christmas Eve with a festive dinner and the opening of presents at midnight; others go to their church at midnight and keep the presents and the big meal till Christmas Day itself.   In the UK the preferred meal for a big family is Turkey with roast potatoes and sprouts followed by Christmas pudding with brandy butter or cream. Other countries enjoy oysters (France) or Carp (Germany). Houses are decorated, children make garlands, a Tree is popul   Having been on the East Coast immediately before Christmas it is fun to take a ride around the areas to see the amazing displays erected. ar in many countries and in particular Americans decorate their garden and outside of their house lavishly. Needl

YouTube tutorials are wonderful, featuring a mass of things you had thought of and even lots one didn’t even think existed.   The beauty of being actually able to see the process rather than trying to work out with diagrams from a printed source is particularly good with a craft such as Needlepoint/Tapestry.    My daughter in fact learnt to knit from watching a number of tutorials, they encouraged her to try something for the first time and something, and I confess, her Mother had not taught her!     Having enjoyed my needlepoint for almost 50 years, first as a relaxation from full time interior decorator, then as a designer, author and in particular a teacher, I realised that showing students exactly how to stitch something was of considerable help.   So much so that more than 30 years ago I started ‘Needlepoint Network’ a group of trained people who taught my designs on class in their own area. Imogen and Anna Recently needing more help in the studio, particularly w

  Just returned from yet another lovely trip to Calabria in Southern Italy.    This was our 12 th annual trip, many of the group have been on all occasions as trips like this are popular; we   share an interest/passion for needlepoint; enjoy the unique opportunity to stitch in attractive surroundings and as far as possible have an all-in price.    All of them, besides being enthusiastic stitchers are great photographers.    I have been the recipient of many, many beautiful memories of the trip and it will be difficult job to select those that I include in this blog. Calabria is still a relatively unknown area of Italy, Pirapora the Agro tourism family run place we go is on the West coast looking out across the beautiful turquoise sea to Stromboli and the island of Sicily.     This year both the weather and the visibility were perfect, the sunsets over Stromboli – were picture perfect;   Each year during the winter months when there are no guests lovely improvements are mad

Painting by Hugh Barnden ‘It is how you feel about your home rather than the way it looks’ an interesting comment read recently – when I got to think about it, it makes a great deal of sense.    It is the personal things, the items you have collected on holidays or trips to the country or treasures handed down from your family - and of course things like your needlepoint either made by you or your children or friends given as special gifts. Certain colours in rooms give me a thrill, in a previous home we inherited a deep blue bath (having always said there was only one colour for vanity wear – white) it was tempting to replace it but I decided to work with it, so pleased I did, teaming it with Moroccan tiles and this painting. Our present bedroom is shades of soft blue, the reason for many of my needlepoint designs being shades of the same colour.    Calm, peaceful but full of stitching memories that give me pleasure every time I go in.   Besides two of my recent designs, t

First of all, what is needlepoint?   It is counted thread embroidery mostly covering the ground material – even weave canvas.   However my web site shows many different lacy designs and incorporating different coloured canvases into the design. Sometimes it is called tapestry erroneously but that is a different story! Girls Stitching in Tuscany There are three main types of needlepoint, Tent stitch from charts or on printed or hand-painted canvases; Florentine/Bargello traditional upright stitches worked in curves and spires and Stitchery on geometric designs and for adding interest to painted canvases. This blog covers equipment for all types of needlepoint that I have found useful though the years. One of the most attractive aspects of learning needlepoint right from the start is the fact that initially very little equipment is needed to get one going in the right direction. Later on as you become more hooked, possibly see fellow stitches either at class or in ‘stitc