Lynne’s Links ~ Johnson Crafts

I have just returned from holiday in the Lake District and thought it would be nice to stitch a reminder.

It is obviously an area that is very popular with needlecraft designers. There are four Long Stitch kits featuring Buttermere, Loweswater, Grasmere and Bowness.

However, I prefer cross stitch and am really spoilt for choice. So far, I have found Cumbrian Village, Ashness Bridge, Friars Crag, Grange in Borrowdale and Lakeside Village.

There are also some well known buildings, including Holker Hall, Sizergh Castle, Rydal Mount, Bridge House and Dove Cottage.

If you are a tapestry fan, there are kits of Grange in Borrowdale and Friars Crag.

Maia is a fantastic new range of kits from Coats. The brochure states “at Maia we create beautiful and artistic kits designed to inspire you down to the very last stitch”.

They have certainly succeeded. The range comprises landscapes, wild animals, fabulous floral designs, an Oriental collection including costume, boats and temples and much more.

If you are looking for a serious project which will probably take a few weeks (or months!) then have a look at Maia and stitch something to be proud of.

There are some beautiful designs in the Dimensions range. Wonderful landscape views, flowery gardens and elegant people enjoying the season. Buildings in England and America some with views to the sea. Dimensions bring these scenes to life with fine detailing and precise observation.

There are many animal portraits from the powerful Regal Tiger and carefully studied horses to the amusing Max in the Adirondacks and Maggie the Messmaker. If you love wild animals then you are spoilt for choice as Dimensions kits feature deer, wolves, lions and a bald eagle.

For lovers of Oriental tradition there are illustrations of figures in Japanese costume and detailed images of flowers and butterflies, Dragonflies and Bamboo.

Some of the kits are serious cross stitch projects, being quite large (18” x 12”) and use half stitches to provide some intricate detail. This is cross stitch like you always imagined it, vignetted portraits, rural scenes and wild seascapes.

I hope you will enjoy browsing through these lovely designs and find something to stitch which may become a family heirloom in the future.