If you haven't seen them already, there is a comprehensive set of videos on my 'How to' page covering nine different goldwork techniques! Starting from padding techniques, these detailed videos take you through couching, pearl purl, chips and many more. To see, just click here!

There are lots of new classes now on the classes page, so stop by and have a look at what's coming up! There is a whole embroidery series on at the lovely new Heritage Skills Centre in the grounds of Lincoln Castle and classes include ribbon work, decorative hand sewn boxes, Jacobean crewelwork, silk shading, goldwork and stumpwork:

So the events are all just about over and it's been very exciting! I was commissioned to make a replica of the 105th Napoleonic standard for the 200th anniversary commemorations of the battle of Waterloo. Teaming up with my sister, and talented embroiderer, Caroline Homfray, we recreated this standard captured from Napoleon on 18th June 1815. Caroline was lucky enough to see the original and take some notes! This was then carried, along with a replica of the 45th, by post chaise from the battle field at Waterloo and presented to HRH Princess Anne at the East India Club in London (the place it was brought to back in 1815) by two superb re-enactors playing Majoy Henry Percy and Commander James White. The standards have travelled to 19 events over three countires and will be permanently placed in the Waterloo room of the East India Club.

Well the seasonal festivities are coming to a close and it's time to think about getting those decorations down and get going on all those new projects you have been planning! I enjoyed some time to work on some personal projects over the Christmas period; the ones that there is never time for in the working week! You can see some of these on my facebook page here but there is a preview of my Spellbound beaded dragon necklace below.They all seem to involve beads!

Booking for the new classes at Rufford Abbey will open this month. Two for you beginners out there this season: a beginners embroidery class and a half day workshop where you can have a go at goldwork embroidery. So if you have always wanted to have a go this is the perfect opportunity. The classes are very informal, and I'll guide you every step of the way so if you have never even picked up a needle there is no need to worry, I will be right by your side!

Classes continue at Lincoln castle, where there are still a few places available. For more information and booking on all my classes, just click here

We are excited to be starting the distance learning classes with earnest this month so keep up with the progress on the dedicated distance learning class page here. We hope to release more details and booking information very soon.

Well it's that time of year again and crikey does it come around fast; we have been in our 'new' house for almost a year! The studio is up and running well and is a lovely place to work. What this all means for you is that we are more efficient, more focused and are back on track to bring you the distance learning courses we promised last year. News on this to come but look out also for more free 'how to' videos, new embroidery kits (the stumpwork bee below is the next one and will be with you soon!) and new items in our specialist embroidery shop. 

If you haven't seen them yet, there are new goldwork videos up on the 'how to' page (you can also view these on my YouTube channel) completing the goldwork daisy design. There is also a materials pack available for this so you can now stitch along to the videos! Let me know what you think of the videos through my guestbook page.

There are more classes to look forward to, and you can see these on my classes page here. The first class in Lincoln Castle went very well; there are still some places on the next one so why not come and join me in the beautiful city of Lincoln for a workshop in Elizabethan embroidery? Booking for the new Rufford Abbey classes will be up on the website in the new year where I will be catering for those of you taking your first steps in the embroidery with a beginners workshop then a morning introduction to goldwork. These will be very relaxed and informal so I hope to see some of you there.

The shop will remain open throughout the festive period; as long as the postal services are open so are we! So pop along to the shop and see what we have; this is a great time to get those Christmas presents for your stitching friends! Visit the Christmas shop here.

All that remains is for us to wish you the happiest of festive seasons and we look forward to seeing you next year for more stitching fun!

Sarah and Jonathan