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Mary Corbet

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I learned to embroider when I was a kid, when everyone was really into cross stitch (remember the '80s?). Eventually, I migrated to surface embroidery, teaching myself with whatever I could get my hands on...read more

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Give-Away #5: Tree of Life Crewel Work Kit – for two!

 

Amazon Books

Time for the next episode in A Stitcher’s Christmas 2017, a series of pre-Christmas give-aways here on Needle ‘n Thread featuring some of the finest embroidery supplies, tools, kits, designs, and goodies available on the market.

Are you ready? Are you excited? I am, because today, it’s all about crewel work!

I’ll announce the winner of A Stitcher’s Christmas #4 (the slate frame and needle minder), and I’ll tell you all about a beautiful new Tree of Life authentic crewel embroidery kit from The Crewel Work Company!

Crewel Work Company Tree of Life Kit

First, winner business!

The randomly drawn winner of the slate frame and needle minder beautifully hand-crafted by Mark Harris of Mythic Crafts is Annamarie in Idaho.

Congratulations, Annamarie! I’ll drop you an email today to get the process going, so that you can enjoy using your new slate frame soon!

A huge thank you to Mark Harris at Mythic Crafts, where you can find exquisite hand-crafted slate frames with customizable options, as well meticulously designed and finished wooden boxes for mounting embroidery, and a wide array of wooden needle minders that feature just about any type of design you want!

New Tree of Life Kits from The Crewel Work Company!

This morning’s give-away comes to you courtesy of The Crewel Work Company, the world’s best source for authentic crewel work embroidery kits.

Crewel Work Company Tree of Life Kit

Philippa Turnbull has recently released a new – and stunning – Tree of Life design, which you can see featured in the photo above. You can get an even better look at it here, on the Crewel Work Company’s website.

The design features a stately dog and all the glorious attractions of a classic Tree of Life design. It’s a fantastic piece, perfect for lover’s of crewel embroidery and Jacobean designs!

The kit includes the design printed on The Crewel Work Company’s historically accurate z-twist linen twill specially woven for them in the Highlands of Scotland, all the required wool threads, a stitch chart, needles, step-by-step instructions for completing the Tree of Life, the beginner’s booklet The Essential Guide for Newcomers to Crewel Work, and a sturdy box to keep everything together in!

And on top of all that, today’s give-away is for two winners, each of whom will receive their very own Tree of Life kit (which increases your chance of winning significantly!).

Give-Away Guidelines

This give-away is now closed! Thanks to all who participated!

If you would like to participate in A Stitcher’s Christmas #5, please adhere to the following guidelines:

1. Leave a comment on this article on Needle ‘n Thread. You can follow this link directly to the comment form, if you’re unsure of where to go.

Please do not leave your comment as a reply to someone else’s comment. Comments submitted via email or left on any other page or social media page are not eligible. The comment must be left on Needle ‘n Thread, at the end of this article.

2. Please fill out the comment form correctly. Here’s what you need to know about filling out the comment form:

Use a recognizable name in the “name” line (this can be first and last name, first name with last initial, a nickname, your first name and where you’re from, etc.); use a valid email address; leave the website line blank if you do not own and operate your own website; do not put any personal contact information in the comment area itself.

3. Answer the following in your comment:

If you had to pick one needlework-related dream destination vacation, where would it be and why?

4. Leave your comment before 5:00 am Central Time (that’s Kansas, USA time), Monday, December 18th. The winners will be randomly drawn that morning and announced here on Needle ‘n Thread.

5. Only one comment per person, please. The give-away is open to everyone.

And that is it!

So, if you’d like a chance to create a crewel masterpiece in 2018, leave your comment today join in the fun!

See you on Friday, with another collection of monumental prizes in A Stitcher’s Christmas, 2017!

If your comment does not appear on the website immediately (it will read “awaiting moderation” or something to that effect), don’t panic and please don’t resubmit it. The comments are queued until I approve them. This prevents spam on my website. It will show up eventually. Thanks!

 
 

(1,104) Comments

  1. I’d scoop up my projects and head to the beach, if I could. Such a carefree atmosphere always inspires me to be creative and relax. 🙂

    What wonderful contests! Thank you so much and merry Christmas!

    2
  2. Dear Mary
    I’ll take my chance again
    If you had to pick one needlework-related dream destination vacation, where would it be and why : I’ll will go either to Australia for Alison Cole and to meet with all these artits that work for Inspiration Magazin or to London at RSN for taking summer training at the RSN school.
    Hope I can winn one these two marvellous give away from the crewel work company !
    Thanks for this opportunity .
    regards
    Anne-Marie

    3
  3. 1 – UK – Royal School of Needlework short course or
    – a workshop or retreat from Crewel Company
    2 – Italy – anywhere in Italy

    Dreaming does cost nothing at all, isn’t it?
    Tanks Mary and Phillipa from Crewel Company – a great and nice business
    Merry Holidays and Peace, Love and Joy for New Year to you both and all Mary’s readers
    Happy stitching

    4
  4. Oh golly oh golly- seeing this really makes me miss doing crewl work. I hope I am one of the lucky ones. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone. Here’s to another year of beautiful creativity and stitcher.

    6
  5. Just gorgeous. I would love to take a stab (with a needle, of course) at it. What a wonderful project. Merry Christmas

    8
  6. I have a list! But, my first dream stitching vacation would be to Hungary to the major embroidery regions and into small villages. My dream!

    9
  7. I think my dream vacation would be going to the RSN and traveling through the British Isles and learn the historical techniques since that is where my family is from.

    12
  8. I really enjoy your emails. I love to do needlework but arthritic hands only allow the simple pest techniques.

    13
  9. My dream needlework vacation would be to Japan for some embroidery classes! Or maybe to the Royal School of Needlework for a summer of study in their classes!! Or maybe……..

    14
  10. Hands down, my dream needlework destination would be England to study at the Royal School of Needlework.

    15
  11. I’d love to go to a needlework seminar in Germany. I’ve seen several advertised. My son is living in Austria and it would be so much fun to combine both loves.

    18
  12. I would visit London, and the V&A’s Clothworkers Centre for the Study and Conservation of Textiles and Fashion. The inspiration from handling real historical garments is unbeatable for me. I might pop in to Liberty’s while I’m there too!

    19
  13. I would love to visit the Harrogate stitching show in the UK. For many years
    I have heard from those who live in the UK, how wonderful it is.

    21
  14. Definitely England – New Zealand was an English Colony when I was growing up so we followed everything royal. I would love to visit England to see any embroidery related to the royal family – present and past.

    22
  15. I’d love to do an embroidery course at Denman College, the Women’s Institute’s own college, they have a course on Crewelwork

    23
  16. i would love to go in England with some friends and take lessons of different techniques including crewel. I like this kind of embroideries because it gave the possibility to make different kind of techniques.

    24
  17. I love what I call the Victorian like look of this design. It’d fit perfectly in my 1895 George Barber home! I have a space waiting for it. My dream stitching vacation would be Vermont during fall or winter. I haven’t been to Vermont, but how dreamy to sit by a fire and look through a window at a scenic view while stitching! Merry Christmas, everyone!

    26
  18. I would love to attend “Beating around the Bush” in Australia. The seminars seem interesting and varied, and the location is also marvelous

    27
  19. My favourite stitching destination would be Australia. Embroidery of all types seem to be huge there and the shops specialising in needlework are fabulous.

    28
  20. That is a beautiful tree of life design. Thank you for the opportunity to win this prize
    I’m not sure what you mean by a dream needle work destination but I would love to go to the Ireland. I can imagine sitting in the country stitching under shade trees overlooking rolling hills dotted with fluffy sheep.
    Merry Christmas & Happy New year.

    29
  21. I would love to go to the Royal School of Needlework and take a course on any type of needlework. I would be enthralled by the whole experience.

    30
  22. I would go to the Royal Albert Museum so I could stare for hours at their beautiful Victorian items.

    31
  23. I have always enjoyed the tree of life pattern and how everyone’s interpretation is different. I have not done a lot of crewel work but would like to do more.

    33
  24. Australia! Without a doubt. I would love to go to Beat Around The Bush.2018! It’s just a dream,but maybe one day.

    34
  25. Oh Mary! How beautiful is that kit?! I have been wanting to try Crewel for a long time and haven’t done it yet. I have been following Phillipa Turnbull and her tours for a few years and just to go on one of her tours would be fantastic. To see all of the historic works and all of the sites and experience her expertice would be a dream vacation for me.

    36
  26. My needlework related dream vacation would be a trip to England to take a course at the Royal School of Needlework and unlimited access to the Victoria and Albert needlework and costume collection.

    37
  27. If I could pick a dream destination for needlework, it would be to the Canadian Embroiderers’ Association’s summer seminar in PEI! I’ve always found workshops and conferences to be invaluable in terms of inspiration found, contacts made, lessons learned.
    Thank you Mary – your blog is like a conference on the web!

    38
  28. This question was easy…. My dream stitching destination is Japan! The ability to study those techniques and have easy access to the exquisite threads…. a girl can dream.

    39
  29. It would certainly be France so I could tour around the shops in Paris and then to a week or two at Begonia D’Or studios in Rochefort to learn goldwork from the masters teacher there!

    40
  30. My dream needlework vacation would be a trip to check out all the lovely museums in the UK. Between the clothing, embroidery, and lacemaking, there are far too many to list, but the Victoria and Albert museum, and the RSN would be on the top of my list!

    41
  31. At this moment, I am absolutely wanting to visit Hampton Court Palace! Not only to visit/study with the RSN, but to see all the centuries of history that have happened there!

    42
  32. I would love to go to Norway. There are so many beautiful hand embroidered traditional costumes worn by men and women. I would love to learn the skills needed to make one. My family is Norwegian and I am very proud of my heritage.

    43
  33. My dream destination would have to be Australia ‘beating around the bush’ to meet and learn from all the wonderfully talented needleworkers who contribute to Inspirations magazine. I’d love to win one of the crewel work kits as it would be a challenge.

    44
  34. I’d love to spend a summer in the U.K., visiting historic castles and museums to see original crewel work, and if I were very lucky, I’d like to take a course at the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court.

    45
  35. Spent Thanksgiving weekend in a restored, over a 100-year old forest service cabin in a wilderness area.

    Ah! Peace. Solitude. Beauty. Happy dogs and happy mom!

    Dreaming of stitching away…in lovely solitude.

    46
  36. My dream embroidery destination would be Hawaii because the weather is always near perfect. I could embroider outside without concerns over heat, humidity or on the other side cold and wind.

    47
  37. I would love to travel to London, UK to attend some of the needle work classes that are taught by the Royal School of Needlework.

    48
  38. If I were to pick a dream destination it would have to be a week at the RSN. My first love is cross stitch, but every book I invest in is about embroidery, white work etc. I can lose an entire afternoon in a magazine or book, fascinated by the beauty of the stitches.

    49
  39. I would love to win this great package. If I could go to a dream destination spot it would be to London to attend the RSN school. That would be an experience of a lifetime. Thanks for letting me participate.

    Nancy

    50
  40. Ever since I discovered the Embroidery and Crossstitch magazine in a needlework shop during a romantic vacation with my husband, I have wanted to go to Australia! I would love to go to some of there classes and comb through their embroidery shops. That would be just so wonderful.

    51
  41. My one needlework-related dream destination vacation would be to England!

    I would visit the William Morris sites and most especially the May Morris exhibition. In addition, I would take a tour of the RSN and perhaps take a class or two, and purchase a few kits in their shop. I would enjoy it so.

    52
  42. I love anything Jacobean, and this design is a beautiful example of the textiles of that era.
    This drawing is especially exciting to me, as it’s been years (probably about 45) since I have done any crewel work. At that time, crewel embroidery on cashmere sweaters was popular, and I did some work for an artist who designed patterns especially for these projects. It was great fun, but marriage and children took precedence. But now, I have the time to explore embroidery of all types (which I have been doing) and would love to try my hand at crewel work again.
    Thanks for all the information and encouragement you give.
    Martha

    53
  43. Travel around Europe to be able to see all the beautiful needlework and art from centuries ago.

    54
  44. My dream destination would be a needlework festival where my friend and I could take classes, gather inspirations, and stock up on supplies.

    This is a lovely gift pack today. I’ve always been attracted to Tree of Life designs.

    Merry Christmas Mary 🙂

    55
  45. A dream needlework vacation would have to be Australia. Needlework is definitely in the forefront there and I’d love to visit the InspirationStudio.

    56
  46. Definitely a pilgrimage to the Royal School of Needlework, with a side trip to the Victoria and Albert Museum. Sounds like England to me!

    57
  47. I know exactly where I’d go — I’d take a leave of absence and attend a semester at the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court! Of course that is assuming I suddenly had more time and money 😉 I’d love to learn in such an immersive experience.

    58
  48. My dream needlework vacation destination would be England- all over the country to see the different museums and the RSN.

    Thank you.
    Jean B.
    Kent WA

    60
  49. What a beautiful Crewel piece to stitch! I hope you will consider my entry even though I do not have a particular special place that I would like to visit to do some stitching. I have started stitching again (after several years) and am enjoying everything that I have tried in the last couple of years. I would love to go anywhere that I could learn a new technique or improve on one I have tried. I have done crewel work years ago but never something as exquisite as the Tree of Life.

    61
  50. No contest here. I would take one of Judith Baker Montano’s crazy quilt classes at her studio in Colorado. This is the last year she will be teaching at her studio. I have been lobbying for this as a Christmas gift.

    63
  51. I love trees. I would love to go to England for the history and museum with rich embroidery (William Morrisetc)
    Wishing you a Merry Christmas

    64
  52. My dream stitching vacation would take me to Hampton Court Castle in London. Stitching a Crewel Tree Of Life from start to finish. Of course, my dream comes with lodging and gourmet meals

    66
  53. My dream vacation would take me to Australia where I could meet and learn from folks at Inspirations.

    67
  54. Oh my goodness that is not even a question! The Royal School of Needlework. I feel like they have so much to teach, and I have so much I want to learn.

    70
  55. My ideal place is a little caravan site that we visit in Dumfries and Galloway, where I can sit in comfort and have the sea as a back drop, listening to the seabirds. I still enjoy it in the rain with the sound of rain on the caravan roof. Its warm, dry and stunning views. I never get bored of it even in the rain. Just totally relaxing!!

    71
  56. My grandmother taught me how to embroider about 60 years ago. One of her favorite types of embroidery was crewel work.
    I have done some crewel work, and enjoy it immensely. I have begun to get back into embroidery now that I am retired.

    72
  57. My needle work dream destination would be…Merry Olde England, of course! Just think of the possibilities! The castles with their incredible stitch work and tapestries! The elegant clothing once worn by Kings and Queens! And, of course, the museums that house hundreds of years of stitchery!

    73
  58. The place I would like to visit is Bayeux, Normandy, France tonsee the Bayeux Tapestry. I have only seen photos but my daughter, who does beautiful stitchers, has visited Bayeux and was enthralled.

    Maybe someday?

    Becky Hill

    74
  59. I’ve read about the Lady Anne Needlework retreats. I’d love to go to one of those in England!

    75
  60. My dream destination would be a mountain top chalet! It would be spring/summer time with green shades of the mountains either emerging or just coming into full blossom with blue skies. And it would be in the US. There’s no place like our country!

    76
  61. My needlework-related dream destination would be Kansas, your place, so I could learn to embroider one-on-one!

    77
  62. My dream needlework vacation would be to London to attend the RSN! That would be fabulous. Thanks for the great giveaway, Mary!

    78
  63. If you had to pick one needlework-related dream destination vacation, where would it be and why?
    The museums in England and scotland because of the needlework that they have. A second choice would be a course at the Royal School of Needlework

    79
  64. Dear Mary,
    I have been following your site since taking up embroidery after retiring. Thank you for all your help and inspiration. I have not ventured into crewel work as yet, I’m still exploring all stitchery, I belong to an embroidery association, very exciting, I look forward to more of your work on the newsletters I receive every week. Fidele

    80
  65. I think I would pick the U.K. There are so many textile treasure there to see. I’d love to visit the Victoria & Albert museum and the Mountmellick museum in Ireland and so many other great places to see historic pieces.

    81
  66. My dream destination – aside from some personal classes from Mary Corbett which would be AWESOME- would be to take a trip to Colonial Williamsburg and take some of the classes from the Williamsburg School of Needlework. Sometimes they partner with the RSN. The prices for instruction seem reasonable and I’ve always wanted to visit Williamsburg.
    I would love to win this prize – it is a lovely sampler.

    82
  67. This is a tough one, because I don’t know that much about needle work destinations. But i guess a place where I can sit outdoors in a beautiful setting and stitch all day.

    84
  68. Scotland! My family came from Scotland and it is a place I have always wanted to go. I can just imagine enjoying the beautiful peaceful scenery while stitching something beautiful.

    88
  69. Dream vacation? There’s a hand embroidery retreat in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, offered next spring. I would absolutely jump at the chance to attend. I would go because in addition to the workshops, the package offers guided tours of the area’s culture. I think it would be a wonderful way to visit the place, to be immersed in learning about the culture.

    89
  70. Oh how I would love to win this! Need to work on a Crewel linen twill piece for further hand and finger therapy and have been wanting to do a larger tree of life design for a while now.
    Needlework related destination would be China, specifically for Suzhou embroidery.

    90
  71. My dream stitching themed vacation would be to go to London and take a short course of study with the RSN over the summer. Thanks for sponsoring another great holiday giveaway Mary!

    91
  72. What a gorgeous design. I particularly love the dog and the little rabbits at the base of the tree.

    A dream needlework vacation would be attending the yearly national seminar of the Embroiderers Guild of America.

    92
  73. This one I didn’t even have to think about! London to spend hours in the V&A and hopefully to take a class with the RSN

    93
  74. My needlework related dream location would be anywhere near the sea. The idea of stitching, in the sunshine, listening to the lapping of the waves as well would be Bliss!
    Julie

    94
  75. My dream needlework trip would beto England and Scotland to see the magnificent royal and ecclesiastical embroidery. I would love to take a class at the Royal School.

    95
  76. Oh, my needlework dream destination vacation! My problem is not taking enough time for needlework or sewing which I have always loved. My dream destination would be to just spend time with people who share my love and spend time with those who would inspire me. When I am around people who embroidery or quilt I find peace, happiness and joy. I’ve learned much by my mistakes and look back at the progress I’ve made through the years and think of all the wonderful people I’ve met along my journey. But I still have so much more to learn! I love your website Mary, that you personally take your time to share with me and others. A special thank you and I wish you a blessed holiday this season. Barbara

    96
  77. I have not been stitching crewel work for very long, but it has become my favorite. This is such a beautiful piece, and I would love to have the opportunity to stitch it. Happy holidays!

    97
  78. I would love to spend time browsing the embroidery collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

    (Close runner up would be classes from the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court, but I don’t have that much vacation time.)

    98
  79. My dream is to visit Australia, home to
    beautiful needlework by exquisitely talented individuals. I would love to have instruction from there.

    99
  80. Venice Italy , hands down a dream vacation for many reasons, including the textiles of all sorts.

    100
  81. The dream destination for needlework for me would be the UK. I love many types of needlework, and in addition to beautiful surface embroidery I would be able to see extant examples of bobbin lace, blackwork, and maybe even some early tablet weaving. There are spinning and knitting traditions in the Shetland Isles I’d love to see as well A visit to the V & A museum would be so wonderful!

    101
  82. My needlework dream vacation is a stay in London that includes classes at the Royal School of Needlework.

    102
  83. My dream place is home with my family – I get my two favorite things stitching and my family!
    England would be my second choice because of all the museums, schools, and history encompassing a variety of stitching techniques.

    104
  84. That is a very difficult question because the Chinese and Japanese have made incredible embroideries throughout history. But, my heart does go out to England so that would be my pick. To narrow it down further is really, really hard and would require a great deal of research.

    105
  85. Ooooo! I always wanted to try one of those crewel kits and that design is gorgeous! Thank you for the opportunity.

    I think I would want to go to Australia. They seem to have all the cool classes, kits and so many awesome materials. I love history (history major here) but when it comes to needlework I like doing more than examining. So I would want a trip to take classes and meet designers etc.

    106
  86. My dream needlework destination, not a specific place, but it would need to be on the coast with the waves crashing on the rocky shore. Sandy rock pools dot the shore line and forest on the other side of the flower filled meadows behind me. Lots of wildlife with the birds serenading all day long. The temperatures would be constant and range from 68 to 75 degrees. Nice and warm but not too warm. Why, because here my spirit would be comforted, allowing my creative dreams and endeavors free reign to be completed.

    108
  87. I would love to go to Lady Anne’s retreat. Combining travel and historical homes and needlework just couldn’t get any better.

    109
  88. Thanks so much for the opportunity! I would love to travel the U.S. in an RV and visit every imaginable needlework shop. There always seems to be something in their shops that is specific to their area and customers. You would then have to hit the skies and visit other countries to see their different techniques and styles. So much fun!

    111
  89. If you had to pick one needlework-related dream destination vacation, where would it be and why? Scotland.
    I would like to learn Ayrshire embroidery. Along with all the other great techniques that come from the land of the Picts and Celts.
    I ran across several beautiful christening gowns from 1870 while volunteering at the local museum. Naturally the words formed in my brain, I can do that! So the quest is on to find all I can regarding this beautiful form of embroidery.

    Thank you for all these contests!
    Barabal D.

    113
  90. If I had to pick a needlework dream destination it would be the UK and a Lady Ann’s retreat. Not sure that’s in the cards….

    114
  91. That is a really difficult one. I have been to most places in the British Isles and do not know much about places abroad. I would love o be able to go to Beating around the bush in Australia but now at my age it is unlikely ever to happen.

    115
  92. My needlework dream destination would be England because I’d love to visit the Royal School of Needlework and take some of their courses.

    116
  93. My dream destination for needlework would be to attend the School of Needlework in San Francisco, and take some classes there. It would also be a great opportunity to see my son, daughter and one year old granddaughter who live nearby in Santa Clara. Seeing my family and becoming a better stitcher- this is what I would love to do.

    117
  94. The Crewel Work Company does needlework study tours. I would love to attend the Scottish Highlands & Islands Tour in Aug 2019. I didn’t know these types of tours were available, so thanks for introducing the Crewel Work Company to me – so much to explore!

    118
  95. My dream destination for a stitching holiday would be Scotland. But then, my dream destination for any holiday would be Scotland.

    119
  96. I would go to England to take one of those tours that combine a stitching class with seeing historical textiles. The thought is such a happy place in my mind during these worrisome times.

    120
  97. My one needlework-related dream destination vacation would be to Ireland. Not only for the beautiful needlework, but the inspiration of the landscape, the history (like the book of kells) and the people.

    121
  98. I would love to go to England to view the needlework in the Victoria and Albert Museum and to take a class at the Royal School of Needlework.

    123
  99. My dream destination is the Sequoia mountains a little town at the base is three rivers. The air is crisp and cool the scenery is breath taking. It’s a artists town miss it just thinking about it.

    124
  100. my dream of destination….i would love to take a trip through the UK or Germany
    it is hard to decide between those …i have been to both, i was stationed in Germany and went to England when my son was stationed there…each has short memories of needlework shops, i would love to make a trip where it is “long” memories of needlework shops ….
    Thank you for the chance!

    Take Care…You Matter…..
    mary

    125
  101. I would go to England to view the historical embroideries and all the textiles at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

    126
  102. Well, that would be either Great Britain where I would like to see more of 16th and 17th century embroidery on sweetbags, embroidered bookbindings and caskets or Hungary where I would like to learn all the different kind of peasant embroidery before it disappeares and nobody knows how to make it anymore. Don’t make me choose.

    127
  103. O wow this is so very nice too look at.this is really my cup off tea.
    When i see this i want to sit by the fireplace and do some crewelwork.

    128
  104. I would go to the Halsingland region of Sweden. They have what is called “Landscape embroidery” which means there are at least 5 stitching techniques named after towns in that region. Museums display the remaining examples of these techniques. Count me gone for a couple of weeks researching and stitching!

    129
  105. I would love to go to Australia to attend the Beating Around the Bush stitching retreat to meet new people, learn new things and then have an opportunity to check off the “bucket list” a tour of the country.

    131
  106. I would like have a stitching holiday in Great Britain. Tours to see the great house with historic embroideries, museums, and visits to designers studios. Along the way some gardens and small towns known for other fiber crafts, knitting, weaving, spinning as well as others. Can I go for a month please?

    133
  107. I would love to take a crewel class and visit the Royal School of Needlework. Their work is just so beautiful. I have always loved crewel. Especially the Jacobean style.

    134
  108. If you had to pick one needlework-related dream destination vacation, where would it be and why?

    I would love to be one of the winners of the Philippa Turnbull Tree of Life crewel embroidery kit and the “dream” needle-work related vacation. My vacation choice would be to attend a class at the Royal School of Needlework in Hampton Court. From what I have read, the teachers are wonderful and the Tree of Life theme is a long-time personal favorite

    135
  109. A snowy chalet would by my dream place to take a handwork project. My stitching is mostly done in the colder months.

    136
  110. I’ve looked at the Tree of Life a number of times so I’m hoping.

    If I had to pick one needlework-related dream destination vacation, it would be England. I would love to take a course from the Royal School of Needlework and be able to actually look at some of the gorgeous items on display in the school.

    138
  111. I would go to Beating Around the Bush in Australia to take classes from master instructors and to visit an amazing country.

    139
  112. A destination? I would choose London to see all their lovely needlework in their museums. This tree of life crewel piece is beautiful and is true to the fine work of yesteryear. Thanks for the opportunity. joan c

    140
  113. My dream Needlework destination would be London to attend the Royal School of Needlework. I would also spend a whole day at the Victoria and Albert Museum. It is a trip definitely on my bucket list.

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  114. I think I would love to go to England to see their Royal School of Needlework. How’s that for an imagination.

    143
  115. My dream needlework destination would be in Europe visiting the linen weaving companies. Thank you.

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  116. Be still my heart!!!!! Wow!!! What a beautiful crewel project from Philippa Turnball to soothe my soul and keep me out of trouble in 2018. My dream vacation would be a tour of England’s ancestral homes that have crewel collections and of course, a visit to the Royal School of Embroidery at Hampton Court!
    Carolyn

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  117. My dream destination vacation would be to stay at an old castle in Scotland or Ireland with a great big needlework canvas to work on. I love old castles with their amazing rugs and tapestries. Wouldn’t matter what type of needlework because I love them all. As long as there is a needle and some sort of thread/yarn, I am a happy happy gal.

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  118. If I could choose one place for my dream needlework vacation, I would lose my mind for a little bit because there are many good choices. But then I would settle on (because I have already settled on) Glasgow, Scotland for these reasons: a) the Royal School of Needlework has a satellite campus in Glasgow; b) Glasgow has a strong tradition of surface embroidery going, especially the embroidery of the Glasgow girls; c) Charles Rennie Mackintosh; d) it’s cheaper to fly to Glasgow than to London; e) the Glasgow School of Art; e) Glasgow is the setting for many mystery stories by Denise Mina whom I love; f) in general, it looks like a cool place to visit–a bit off the beaten path.

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  119. I would go to the Victoria and Albert museum in London to see their collections of embroidery because I love the V&A and I love London!

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  120. That’s so easy! I would pick the Crewel Work Company 4 Nations Tour! I might as well dream big! What an absolute luxury that would be. I would be happy to settle down and stitch this lovely give away too. Thanks to Phillipa and Mary both for the chance to win.

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  121. I would like to visit Needlework and Design in San Francisco, CA. Their website has many of the patterns I would like to do. I am getting back into needlework again ad their website seems to have a lot of my taste. Their patterns are very colorful and pretty. I’m teaching myself a lot of new techniques and enjoy browsing the web for new ideas.

    151
  122. I would go to Japan – there are so many different types of embroidery there and the examples I have seen would require very careful study. The silk embroidery is magnificent and I just love the Sashiko patterns.

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  123. I would really love to take a course from the RSN in Hampton Court Palace. What an experience that would be!
    I am blown away by this tree of life design. I haven’t done crewel work in many years, but this would be worth starting up again!

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  124. I’d run off to Puzzlewood in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England. It is a rich, dark, mossy fairyland full of inspiration and mystery!

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  125. On my dream vacation (for needle work) I’d go back to the Cook Islands. It’s a total rest vacation. There is almost no shopping, no place to go when you get there. You just eat, sleep, snorkel, and stitch! It’s where I let my mind go when I need a beautiful calm, quiet place to be.

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  126. I would do a tour of Italy, taking months, going from top to bottom to take in all of the different types of ethnic embroidery. My grandparents were born in Italy so I want to touch my roots.

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  127. Thank you so much for this opportunity! I would love to go to the U.K. on a needlework tour, I would love to see the needlework there and learn more of it’s history. Thank you again, and Merry Christmas!

    157
  128. I would LOVE to go to the Victoria and Albert Museum. I can only imagine all the embroidered items they have on display as well as in their archives. It would be a dream come true.

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  129. This is a tough question as I dont know where the dream destinations are! My dream would be to travel Britain to every place that has antique Crewel work, study, photograph, and embroider! I cannot travel so this will only be a dream…I read books and teach myself, and think of all those who came before me, embroidering the same stitches, and what their lives were like. Sigh.

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  130. Thanks for the amazing giveaways! I’ve never tried Crewel work and this would be the PERFECT chance to! I’m guessing my answer will the similar to most, The Royal School of Needlework would be a puuurfect dream vacation! It would combine stitching in an absolutely amazing setting with getting to go “across the pond” 🙂 Thanks for the chance to win!

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  131. I’d love to go to RSN for a course!! And tour around Europe seeing different needle arts and taking classes as we go!

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  132. I would love to go on one of Philippa Turnbull’s trips in the UK that mingles the historic embrodery works and the crewel work lesson.

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  133. my wish for a needlework destination vacation would be the opportunity to attend “Beating around the Bush” conference in Australia and then on to a class with Alison Cole and a visit over to Perth to visit (and maybe take a class) with Dale Rollerson of the Thread Studio.

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  134. I would love to go to England and visit the Royal School of Needlework. If it was truly my dream vacation I would have the opportunity to take a class or workshop,

    164
  135. My perfect needlepoint vacation would be in the foothills of Sierras in Northern California, where I could sit by the hills, stitch in the peaceful natural beauty with my only living brother while he plays guitar and we sing together. What a gift that would be…

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  136. My pick would be Scotland, my ancesters came from there and I am very attracted to things Scottish. I have always wanted to see Scotland and even tho I am 80 and have been doing crewel work for years, would love to see some of the original. Thanks for this opportunity.

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  137. I’d pack up some needlework and head to a mountain chateau (because obviously I have access to one of those) and work in front of a fireplace, uninterrupted. 🙂

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  138. I would love to go to Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court. No better place for a History buff and stitching lover!

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  139. I have never done crewel work, although my Mom did some. I must have inherited my love of needlework, sewing, crochet and general crafting from her. I recently retired and have almost completed my first goldwork piece. If I could pick a needle work related dream destination, it would be a visit to the Royal School of Needlework because I don’t know of anyplace comparable in the United States.

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  140. I would go to the Royal School of Needlework because I’m a huge Anglophile and they are the best.

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  141. The United Kingdom. I’m fascinated by creep work and it’s use throughout the ages. I would love to travel through England, Scotland, Ireland learning new techniques from different regions…

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  142. Dream destination is to see the May Morris exhibition in Walthamstow. My planned trip has been cancelled, twice unfortunately. However I’m determined to get there before it closes at the end of January.
    Christmas Greetings and Best Wishes to you Mary and to all followers of this inspirational embroidery site.
    Mary x

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  143. I have a lot of choices, so I will narrow it down to three:
    1. Alpine Experience in France – classes taught by well know embroiderers, lace makers etc. (I just checked and the classes are filling up)
    2. RSN in London
    3. A class with Phillipa Turnbull.
    There are many others that are on my bucket list.

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  144. The crewel project is beautiful!
    I’ve never thought of having a needlework destination vacation, so I really have no idea what a dream one would look like. Maybe visit and take lessons at the Royal Needlework School in GB? If it’s a dream, might as make select the best!

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  145. I would choose to go to Kansas to meet none other than Mary Corbet. She has been my hero for as long as I can remember. I know she is a private person (so am I) but to sit with her for an hour sipping tea and looking at all that she has created would be my dream vacation.

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  146. I would go to England to take a class at RSN and also tour V and A Museum to see their needlework exhibits.

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  147. My needlework dream vacation would be to go on a month long retreat with only books to readand stitching supplies. I would have electricity and plumbing. I’d bring soups and the bread machine with me for simple meals. No electronic gadgets. No TV. I would have my acid player for music and some books on tape.

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  148. This makes my heart go flipity flip. I worked several crewel kits when I was young and pregnant and would love to get back to it. (Not pregnancy).

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  149. I would really love to travel to the UK for a dream destination needlework trip. I’ve been there in the past but my love of needlework started after my trip and so I missed so many sights!

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  150. My dream stitching destination is anywhere that has Needlework stores. And did I mention by cruise ship! Lol!

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  151. I would love to visit Lyon, France, where I would spend hours at the Museum of Textiles drooling over works of textile art for inspiration.
    Needle n Thread dreams!
    Merry Christmas

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  152. That’s a tough question…I’ve visited many of my dream places in the U.K. thanks to friends who live there. And there are so very many wonderful ethnic embroideries around the world. Every destination I think of, it’s more about time than place….the time to really explore the needlework of an area, take classes,, meet the embroiderers. I think my destination would be Italy from one end to the other…there are so many lovely embroidery techniques done there. Thanks for the opportunity, this was a really interesting question to contemplate.

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  153. My dream needlework vacation would be to the UK to visit the archives of the V&A and Fitzwilliam museums. In fact you’d have to drag me home!

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  154. Oh well, this is an easy question!
    My absolute number one needlework vacation destination would be the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court!
    History, needlework, beautiful surroundings!
    Yes!

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  155. My dream destination would be to a Queen Anne Retreat to learn how to do stitches correctly instead of just doing an approximation of what they look like

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  156. Dream destination? A cabin in the mountains with a great room (with a great fireplace too) to stitch in, view the lovely little lake out front and share with some stitching gals. It would be staffed for fireplace filling, meals and laundry- but we could stitch, swim, enjoy meals and watch the stars. Wishing that wishing made it so. If you know of such a place please let me know!

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  157. I’d love to visit England and visit the royal school of needlework, study samplers in museums, and so on. Thanks for the chance! Teal

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  158. This piece is so fabulous… It’s on my Christmas wish list!!!

    My needlework vacation would be a trip to London to take a course at the RSN, with a visit to the V&A, and a side trip to see the Bayeux Tapestry! I love historic needlework. The V&A has a fabulous selection, and the Bayeux Tapestry has been on my must-see list for years.

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  159. Let’s see so many choices….my dream needlework vacation would be a visit to the London RSN. To observe, possibly learn, techniques would be truly memorable. I so appreciate needlework craftsmanship in clothing, home decor, and military uniforms.

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  160. Dream needlework trip? A class from the Royal School of Needlework in Hampton Court Palace. Hands down. I would just plotz.

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  161. My dream destination would be a week or two or three at RSN. My bags would be packed so fast it would make your head spin! I would love to stitch anything from the Crewel Work Company but the cost is prohibitive for me. 🙁

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  162. My dream stitching destination would be Italy. There are so many different techniques of needlework done in the many old towns that a lifetime could be spent looking at and trying to understand them! What fun.

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  163. My dream location would be London. Why, The Victoria and Albert museum and the Royal Needlework Academy.

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  164. I would go to London to visit the museums, such as the V&A Museum, that hold some of the very oldest samplers! <3

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  165. I would fly to London and see the May Morris exhibition at the William Morris Gallery. While I am there, I would eat up all the views of William Morris tapestry possible. Why? Because their embroidery is the best. I am sure that I would want to touch it too. (No, NO!)

    Mary

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  166. I’d love to go to Beating around the Bush in Australia . I am always drooling over the images I see of the courses and the show…and a chance to learn a new or better technique .

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  167. My dream vacation is the island of Tenerif in Spain to be able to warch the lacemkers for tips. And enjoy a bit of the island!

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  168. I would love to be able to visit the needlework collections hidden away in our English country houses with someone who could teach me how it was done. Failing that, India-so full of incredible colours and designs

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  169. I want to spend a week in the storage collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. I’d want a different curator each day as a resource and guide. I’d spend a day looking at Turkish and Central Asian embroidery, another day with Moroccan embroidery, another with English samplers, another with samplers from Europe (especially Holland), and a last day flitting from one thing to another trying to absorb it all. And I know I’d come away frustrated that I hadn’t seen enough.

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  170. Don’t get me wrong as there is so many places I would love to go to, but my ultimate destination would be the Royal School of Needlework. I really do long to go and take a tour or the school, maybe even take a class or two.

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  171. The Royal School of Needlework in England. I fell in love with what they do in the 1980’s when I discovered they existed. I’ve been back once and found invaluable help when I visited their store and bought lots of books which we then had to get home! Great teachers, a hugh store of knowledge and my kind of weather (I am originally from Seattle).

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  172. I would choose to spend time at the Royal School of Needlework housed in Hampton Palace. There is probably nowhere else in the world that better trains people in the finer points of embroidery. I would especially like to have the opportunity to work on designing and stitching a clerical stole using multiple embroidery techniques (pulled/drawn thread, hardanger, counted thread, “crewel”-style embroidery, even appliqued items. Worked on linen with silk, linen and metallic threads, it would be an heirloom piece to pass down from generation to generation.

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  173. My dream needlework destination would be the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, preferably with a personal tour guide! I love historical needlework and a visit to this museum would fulfill a lifelong dream.

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  174. So many places I would like to travel for needlework, but number one has to be a week (or more!) at the V and A museum in England. So many wonderful textile treasures in one place! Sigh.

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  175. My dream destination would be to stay in the British Isles. I would love to create a tour where I could visit and learn more about our needlework history including stitches, threads, and techniques. It would be marvellous.

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  176. Good morning, Mary from snowy central New York. A good day for stitching! I love crewel, it’s one of my favorite techniques. My dream destination would be Europe – not very specific, I know, but there is such a wealth of history in needlework there, I would be hard pressed to pick a specific town, region or country. Of course, I would love to visit the Royal School of Needlework!

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  177. Oh yes, yes! I just bought the custom fire screen from Mark and the Tree of Life would be PERFECT!

    My perfect stitching destination would be a month at the Royal School of Needlework
    Taking two certificate classes. How heavenly to spend time among such experts. And to stitch and stitch!

    Darcy

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  178. MY needlework destination would have to be England. It would be to visit one of the many museums or the best of all would be a needlework school.

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  179. If I could have a needlework dream come true, I would go straight to England to study with the Royal Needlework Society. My fingers are crossed.

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  180. I really live your newsletter. The Tree of Life is so beautiful. I am new to your website and have enjoyed every newsletter.
    Brook Dove

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  181. Similar to other folks, I am torn between England for RSN and the Victoria & Albert Museum and Australia for Beating Around the Bush & visiting The Bobbin Tree (Jenny McWhinney’s store). If I win the lottery, both can happy 🙂

    Phillipa’s kits are wonderful; I am so happy that she is participating and that you are sharing all these goodies with us. Thank you, Mary!

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  182. I think it would have to be Beating About the Bush convention in Adelaide. I’ve never been to Australia, I understand Adelaide is lovely, and there are all those wonderful tutors and workshops.

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  183. How could one every tire of London, whether for needlework or anything else? The Royal School of Needlework would be my dream destination, ideally to take one of their crewel courses. Steeped in the history of the Hampton Court Palace, the school must be awe-inspiring in both geography and opportunity to study needle art.

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  184. Hi Mary, my dream needlework destination would most likely be in Kansas!! Yep, I would love to have the pleasure of meeting and being instructed by you….

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  185. I’d go to London to see needlework in museums and historic sites and to take a course at the Royal School of Needlework.

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  186. My dream needlework vacation would be Africa! I’d get inspiration from all the wild animals and stunning sunrises and sunsets !

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  187. I would love to visit the DMC facility in France. I am always amazed at the breadth of the colors and the consistency of the colors. I would also like to revisit the Bayeaux tapestry. It was amazing and I could identify many of the stitches.

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  188. Mary–it’s such a testament to you and your great website that so many suppliers and artists from around the world are giving away treasures here, more every year. I know it helps their businesses, but like you, their goal is to keep needlework in all its forms alive!
    Hard to pick just one destination, so I’ll pick two–UK and Australia because each has a long tradition in the needle arts and so many current world renowned teachers. Also because I’ve never been to Australia and there are so many great needlework museums in UK.

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  189. Hi Mary,
    I hope you and yours are well.

    My dream embroidery destination would be being able to stay close to the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace for long enough to be able to attend class every day until I had finished all of the modules (10) needed to gain both their Certificate and Diploma in Hand Embroidery.

    I am currently working on my piece for the Crewel work module, but can only attend periodically.

    All good wishes for you and my fellow embroiders as a New Year approaches.

    Regards,
    Allison

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  190. I would love to go to Beating Around the Bush in Australia. My mouth just waters looking at the Inspirations Magazine with all the classes. It would be such a treat to learn from some of their teachers.

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  191. A dream come true would be a visit to London with a copious amount of time to enjoy the needlework at the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Royal School of Needlework. Meeting Philippa Turnbull would be an extra bonus.

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  192. My dream vacation would include a long long time in the Victoria and Albert Museum with (since we’re dreaming) special tours of the needlework. Perhaps a side trip involving studying crewel at the Royal School could be fit in.

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  193. London, to attend classes at RSN. I would also include visiting museums to see the historic gems of Europe.

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  194. Hi Mary! My dream location would be Hawaii – what a wonderful place to stitch!
    Merry Christmas, and thanks so much for all these chances to win a Holiday gift!

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  195. I LOVE her crewel work! If I had a chance to go anywhere in the world for a needle retreat I would choose England and the Lady Anne Needlework Retreats.

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  196. My dream destination would probably be the UK. There are so many options for things to do that are needlework related – classes to take at the RSN and places to shop. And it’s one of my favorite places to travel anyway!
    Mary in MN

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  197. I would love to go to the Royal School of Needlework in the U.K. I can’t imagine anything better than taking classes there to hone my skills & broaden my horizons.

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  198. My dream needlework destination would be to visit you. I would love to just sit and stitch with you, sharing stories of our shared love of needlework.

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  199. If I went somewhere fantastic I would be out exploring instead of stitching. Give me a comfy chair Ann assortment of old movies and I would be happy.
    Thanks for all the giveaways

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  200. I’m living my dream this Christmas
    6 adorable puppies to snuggle and play
    Husband home for the holidays
    Nestle in by the fire and relax
    All I need is a project a warm chai and I’m in the zone
    Thank you for the opportunity
    Have a very merry Christmas to you and family
    Nancy

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  201. My needlework dream destination vacation would be Denmark to see EvaRosenstand I see it many years ago on holiday but it was closed that day and also see lacemaking there.

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  202. This is a gorgeous gift Mary! Thank you to Phillipa! I find today’s question nearly impossible to answer. Gosh Williamsburg or the RSA? Phillipa s tour, or one of the gatherings with Tricia and the casketeers? San Francisco s needlework school? Just one.? Really? Because I dream about all of the ones I read about! As well as the Bath Costume Institute and their collections. Okay, a two month tour of Britain, including Scotland and Wales and the European Continent to tour and study in museums, churches and historic home collections!

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  203. I would choose Scotland and preferably for a RSN satalitte class there. I would love to see the Scottish needlework because it is the land of my heritage

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    1. I want to study this Masterpiece in detail as I have reproduced a part but never had the chance to see it in reality

  204. If I had to pick a needlework-related dream vacation, it would be to Nepal. Nepal has a long history and an amazing contemporary body of work in weavings and tapestries, with outstanding colors, patterns, and subject matters. Just yesterday I was admiring a full silk hand made rug that used traditional Nepalese color schemes alongside modern impressionism to recreate a horse scene — just breathtaking.

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  205. I would love to go to Mexico. I have recently watched a fascinating tv programme about Zapotec women and their fabulous embroidery for Tehuana dresses and for huipil. The programme followed one embroiderer from design to completion but it has only served to whet my appetite for more, more, more.

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  206. My dream stitching trip would be to Beating Around the Bush in Australia. Some years ago I heard a fellow guild member share about her experience at this event and they have such wonderful classes and tutors!

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  207. I want to go to England. There is so much needlecraft history there. I would like to look at finished work as well as shop in some of their wonderful stores. What a dream trip!

    Linda

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  208. Your studio! I would love to watch you work.
    Have you ever thought of having a needlework workshop or retreat? For all I know it would entail a prohibitively high price point to make it worth your time, but maybe not?

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  209. My dream needlework vacation is to go on one of the tours sponsored by Philippa Turnbull. Although I have been to the UK, her tours provide access to venues and to needlework displays that are simply not available to the average tourist/traveler. Saving my dollars in hopes of being able to go on one of her tours in the not-too-distant future.

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  210. My dream destination would be England. I love all needlework and history of the country as well as well as knowing my roots are from there. Perhaps that,s why I am drawn to the history and needlework from there

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  211. What a beautiful crewel design. My favorite needlework vacation destination would be one of the tours and classes in England, especially the Royal School of Needlework.

    Crewel embroidery is my first love and I am planning to finish a long ago started bell pull during 2018 as part of a guild program. There is something about the wool threads, linen, and completing a design in crewel that makes me happy!
    Thank you again Mary for this opportunity and to the many contributors of these wonderful gifts.

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  212. My stitching dream destination is to attend classes at the Royal School of Needlework. Oh my, what a joy it would be to go there! Thank you for the lovely giveaway – this is just my style. Merry Christmas!

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  213. This one is easy – a dream needlework destination vacation would be to Australia to attend one of the Beating around the Bush weekends. Secondly would be some sort of stitching type cruise up and down a river somewhere – anywhere. Enjoy working with wools, so enjoy crewel work and would love a Jacobean inspired Tree of Life. Thanks Mary for doing these for us out here in your Netherlands…

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  214. This design reminds me of my favorite genre of books–Victorian England. I would love to work it up and display it in my home.

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  215. My dream needlework vacation would be to attend the RSN and hone my skills in surface embroidery. It would be a challenge me and I would love to test my abilities.

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  216. Any of the RSN courses/tours. More likely though will be a trip to Williamsburg VA for a class there.

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  217. My destination would be England. Not only because I was born there and lived there until I was seven, but also because of the rich history of needlework.

    I dream of attending classes at the Royal School of Needlework, going to a workshop with Phillipa Turnbull at The Crewel Work Company or even talking with Elizabeth Almond about Blackwork.

    But that’s not all, I want to see the fine embroidery in the old castles and museums. I want to understand up close and personal what was done in the past so I can recreate it and show what people with so few electronics and machines did with there hands. And of course visit my old neighborhood!

    Sorry got lost in my dream there a minute LOL!

    Gillian

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  218. Id like to take a course at the RSN in London on vacation and visit the V and A museum while Im there!

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  219. Hi Mary,
    I’d love you to do one of those needlework tours in the UK.
    Thanks so much for the giveaway.
    Have a wonderful holiday, Mary.

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  220. If you had to pick one needlework-related dream destination vacation, where would it be and why?
    London, England for a class or two and visiting an exhibition at the royal school of needlework!
    There are so many ideas that could be gleaned and techniques learned.

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  221. My dream destination is England. There is so much to see there in the way of needlework and there’s the Royal School of Needlework too. I have lots of relatives there so I wouldn’t need accommodation either!

    Cheers

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  222. My dream needlework vacation would be spent attending a course at the Royal School of Needlework, in Hampton Court Palace.

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  223. I would love to attend a retreat or, better still, a Scotland tour with the Crewel Work Company. Or a class at the Royal School of Needlework.

    Angela from the Ore Mountains

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  224. If I understood the question, you mean a place to vacation and spend time doing needlework, right? I would love to go to Scotland because it is such a beautiful place and they have a history of all kinds of work such as weaving, knitting, sewing, and embroidery that fascinates me.

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  225. My dream destination would be the Highlands of Scotland where I could look at all the beautiful scenery and get lots of inspiration to stitch!x

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  226. A cabin in the woods during the winter with snow on the ground and a roaring fire. All I would want to do and could do was to do needlework.

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  227. Ever since I have become more and more interested in hand needlework, I have dreamed of a trip to the British Isles (England, Ireland, Wales) to get a good look at the real needlework in person. I have living relatives there and have not visited them – yet. Only my folks have and they have many pictures of the castles. My grandparents on my dad’s side came here from there, so I feel a close connection, especially since I probably inherited much of my hand skills from that Grandma.

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  228. it would be Sardinia – each village/town on the island has its own embroidery history and the hand embroidery is stunningly beautiful and exquisitely made.

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  229. My needlework related dream vacation would be a trip to the British Isles. I’d love to visit the Royal School of Needlework, the V&A and as many other sites with historic needlework as possible.

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  230. Dreaming of a trip to France to attend the annual Quiltmania show — I’m interested in the needlework on quilts.

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  231. Oh, I have a destination for my needlework vacation, and it is tinged with a minor regret. We visited London two years ago, right when I was thinking of beginning to learn to embroider (yes, I’m a relative newbie). We visited Hampton Court, and I noticed the Royal School of Needlework location within. My family was interested in many other things at Hampton Court (as was I), and I decided to save RSN for near the end. And then it closed early! I want to go back to London, back to Hampton Court, and march over to RSN first thing. Also, I recently read that Hampton Court has museum overnights, and that would definitely be part of the plan.

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  232. My dream would be to go to England and tour the old castles and learn how to make those amazing tapestries and whatever else they have to offer. thank you

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  233. I would dearly love to have a stitching holiday in England, learning from Phillippa Turnbull, Jenny Aden-Christie and other wonderful tutors who teach the correct ways to stitch. To me England is where the best embroidery in the world has been done, and to learn surrounded by this history would be amazing.

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  234. If I had to pick one Needlework vacation, it would be England filled with the rich history of Opus Anglicanum, Goldwork, Stumpwork and Crewelwork!!!

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  235. Where would I go? I think it’s still Great Britain, particularly London. There is the V&A including all the buttons and lace as well as the RSN with its fabulous collection and store. I would also consider China because of the country’s history but because it is not my culture I don’t always appreciate at what I am looking. Then there is Paris with its garment history as well as haute couture. I’ve never visited the City of Light, but I’m thinking it should have some fabulous embroidery. But in the end, my heart belong in London….

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  236. Australia. I am a subscriber of Inspirations & it truly has inspired me over the years. A dream would be to take some of their classes.

    295
  237. My stitching vacation would be a cabin in Northern Georgia – during January or February…..To be snowed in would be even better – as long as I was stocked with all the essentials and had plenty of needlework projects and supplies…..

    296
  238. Thank you ever so much for the opportunity to win the Tree of Life Crewel work Mary.

    Although I could never, ever surpass the beautiful work you do I would love to give my all as I journey to Wales for an embroidery vacation.

    My paternal family’s roots are in Wales& it would beeper so nicety travel there.

    297
  239. My dream destination for a stitching holiday would be the San Francisco School of Needlework and Design. Lucy Barter and her partners have put together a wonderfully intimate, exciting school with a library of resources, collections of needlework samples that inspire and inform, and best of all–professionally trained instructors to bring out your best talents. While there may be more glamorous destinations, we have a true gem stateside just waiting for everyone who loves needle craft to explore!

    298
  240. Choosing a needlework related dream destination is tricky as there are so many beautiful places to see and be inspired by. I’m happy to let you choose Mary and I’ll see you there x

    300
  241. A hop, skip and jump across the pond to ‘Beating around the Bush’ in Australia would be my Christmas wish….Wishing you lots of these Mary!

    301
  242. I would choose to go to BATB (Beating Around The Bush). It’s the needlework seminar held in Australia. The country hold such an allure for me with all it’s natural beauty. It’s also where “inspirations” is published, so there must be a large needlework community there.

    302
  243. Ah! Dream vacation! Well, if I’m just stitching, it would have to be the mountains! Always, the mountains!!

    But, if it’s a vacation to learn about stitching, that’s much harder! Europe? Asia? South America? The possibilities are endless! May I vote for a round the World tour????

    303
  244. My dream needlework vacation would be to Australia to the Beating Around the Bush retreat. The offerings of teachers & classes is incredible! I would love to take any of them, but especially the stumpwork classes from the likes of Jane Nicholas & embroidery classes from Hazel Blomkamp would be the best!
    The crewelwork kit offered in this give away is a stunner. I would love to be the lucky winner of such a wonderful prize.
    Julie

    304
  245. Thank you for running this giveaway. I have been following your website for years and deeply appreciate all the tips and techniques you so generously share.
    Crewel embroidery is fascinating: the history, the intricate work, the extensive array of stitches, the colors and the naive way the subjects are depicted and of course the fabric used by yesteryear embroiders are beautiful.
    I’ve tried my hand at a few and enjoyed the challenging stitches.

    The destination I would pick is Sri Lanka. It has beautiful beaches on the coast and cool, tea-covered mountain areas in the middle of the country, all great for creative needlework.

    thank you

    305
  246. I think Needlework Tours & Cruises sounds interesting. Visiting a few destinations like France, Italy, England and, while traveling from one spot to another, working on embroidery overlooking scenic views of the water and simultaneously being pampered aboard the ship. That sounds like a relaxing dream vacation to me!!

    306
  247. My dream needlework vacation would have to be England. Following your blog I know there are so many places to visit to see and learn needlework all across England.

    307
  248. I would like to go many places but at the top of the list would be Beating around the Bush in Australia because I would love to see Australia and New Zealand and there are many wonderful needlework teachers there. I also receive the Inspirations Magazine so I am inspired to go. The Royal School of Needlework would be great to take a course. Thanks for the wonderful gifts to share with your readers.

    I loved the post about the Valley Quail EGA. I belong to the Valley Oak EGA so we are nearby. Beautiful gift.

    Merry Christmas

    308
  249. I’d love to go to Germany to see some of the embroidery work in person. A wonderful tour of Craftsman shops and museums for that solid mideval technique and blackwork. But also England with some classes at the Royal institute!! Would be amazing.

    309
  250. I would love to do a historic needlepoint tour of the British Isles, and explore all the gorgeous castles, villages, and priceless historic needlework in between!

    310
  251. What an amazing design. I just love it!

    I have always been fascinated by embroidery from the Far East and Central Asia, so my holiday of a life time would be a tour of Japan, India, China and the section of the silk route that runs through Central Asia.

    Thanks for this opportunity to win such a wonderful give away.

    311
  252. Those are exquisite kits! Tree of life is so traditional for crewel, and I’ve always wanted to do one.
    To answer the question, I thing this time I’d say Belgium, in particular Ghent. I’ve been there once before, and it is a lovely ancient city with many many bobbin lace workers. I have experimented with bobbbin lace dice visiting, but I would love to take a class there, since I’m dreaming, for two weeks!
    I am so impressed by the generosity of your donors.

    313
  253. A needlework dream vacation for me would be a scenic landscape with inspiring views from my window, but a chill to the air, so I’m inclined to stay inside. So when I look up from my project, I can become re-inspired by my surroundings. Ideally, this would be the hills or coast of the UK in the cooler months. Happy holidays!

    314
  254. I would love a cruise. The destination doesn’t matter. I love the idea of seeing places and stitching…a lovely combination

    315
  255. I would love to go to Beating Around the Bush. Being able to improve my stitching and see Australia would be amazing.

    316
  256. I too would love the ‘stars to align’ so that I could manage a trip to Oz for Beating Around the Bush! : )

    Happy Christmas everyone!

    317
  257. Hello Mary,

    Wow! That is another great giveaway. I have one wish and that is to go to England to the Royal School of Needlework. If I were rich I would sign up for a full education program with them.

    The giveaway today is beautiful. Since I love this kind of needlework this would be a dream come true for me. I have purchased Hazel Bloomkanp’s book for crewel embroidery. I just love it, but I have a hard time transfering the designs I would like to make. But I will get there with a bit more work.

    So have a great day and take care.

    Louise

    318
  258. Ooh! be still, my heart! I’m currently working on the Mellerstain firescreen and having a blast.

    My dream needlework vacation would be a trip to Hampton Court to the RSN, take a course in either crewelwork or blackwork, and then spend several days looking at the handcrafts in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Sigh.

    (I can’t complain, though, I got to go see the Bayeux Tapestry last year and spent quite a while in Broderie Bayeux — right across the street, check it out if you go! the proprietor is extremely knowledgeable and has great kits…)

    these contests are fabulous, and I am always so excited for new blog posts and new topics, Mary. Thank you!

    319
  259. Top of my list is a trip to the Royal School of Needlework where I would immerse myself in all things embroidery for as long as possible.

    Thank you!

    320
  260. My dream is to visit the Royal School of Needlework plus take a tour of the many historical sites in Britain to see the fabulous embroideries they house. I absolutely love the Tree of Life and would be thrilled to win one of these two Crewel kits.

    321
  261. That is so beautiful, Mary. (like you … beautiful … not wooly). I would love to go to Britain and visit the V&A textile section, and sit and stitch in an English garden, maybe in a public garden with flowers and birds and if lucky, a dog.

    Merry Christmas.

    322
  262. My dream vacation would be to go to England to the Institute of Needlework. not exactly sure what the name of the Institute is but I know I would LOVE to go. I love all kinds of needlework and would love to know more.

    324
  263. Lovely giveaway Mary.
    I would love to go to Hampton Court Palace, to visit the RSN. As I live in the UK, that one should actually be ‘doable’, so my absolute dream would be a needlework cruise. Lots of time to indulge in stitching and tuition, coupled with lovely food and drink, like minded people, and sightseeing.
    Dream on!

    325
  264. My dream needlework destination would have to be Hampton Court Palace and the Royal School of Needlework for a lifetime supply of classess and tutorials. I might even have to move in and travel around with the ghost of Henry VIII (or not since he tended to get rid of the women around him in nasty ways).

    326
  265. Oooooo! I have been drooling over this piece ow needlework. Simply can’t afford it. Imwould love to win it. My dream vacation would be to Britain tomstudy at the RSN. I am self taught and would love to learn from the masters.

    328
  266. Mary, thank you for these Stitcher’s Christmas giveaways. They are incredible. I’m excited about the chance to win TCWC tree of life kit because my stitcher’s dream vacation would be to take one of Philippa Turnbull’s castle tours of old tapestries and crewel work. I’ve stitched several of her pieces and would love to see the originals in their own environment. Have a very happy holiday season!

    329
  267. I would love to go to Australia to one of the beating around the bush events. I love inspirations magazine, the designs are so inspiring.

    330
  268. Thanks for another great opportunity. My destination would be somewhere on the water because it’s such a relaxing and inspiring environment for creative needlework.

    332
  269. France, to take the tour offered by The French Needle. I have talked with Lisa at The French Needle about the trip. Not only does it sound amazing but she is delightful. What a great experience that would be.

    333
  270. My dream needlework vacation would be a trip to Europe to see famous needlework like the Bayeux Tapestry and also to see handmade lace in the Mediterranean area. This would be a tour of at least 2 weeks to a month! Oh my gosh what fun. And to have several other needlework enthusiasts with me, naturally. And why? Because I have seen so many photos of these things and books, but would like to see the real items and their surroundings. Oh my! Thanks.

    334
  271. I am really torn about my answer for this question! Consequently, I will have to answer as follows for my dream destination! #1 would be Guatemala where I could work with women there who have started and sustained their coops that produce embroidery, rug hooking and beaded products, resulting in sales/proceeds which have improved local communities immensely.
    Second destination would be Britain, the Royal Embroidery Society! My love of vintage textiles, sewing and this place would be something I would remember forever!
    Thanks for the chance to win, Mary!

    335
  272. My dream needlework destination would be London — with luck, to take a class at Royal School of Needlework! Not sure my skills would improve dramatically, but it would a job to immerse myself in all that glorious needlework atmosphere!!

    337
  273. My dream embroidery related vacation would be either South Africa or Australia. Whichever place Hazel Blomkamp happened to be teaching a seminar. I find her crewel work extraordinary. Her attention to detail is superb. I have both of her books. She has been an inspiration, and I was fortunate to read about her when her first book was reviewed here. Thank you so much for that. I value your emails for their information and resources as well as your beautiful embroidery.
    I wish for you a happy Holiday season and a healthy and happy New Year.

    338
  274. You know what? At 84 and with everything I want right here in my city, in my neighborhood and with my cats and all the neighborhood cats I feed, I’d stay right here and sew to my heart’s content.

    339
  275. Ooooh too many choices…but the top of my list would have to be a course at the RSN in London . So much history and stitching to take in while there…..V & A museum for starters. One can always dream.

    341
  276. A needlework dream vacation? England, of course – home of the Royal School of Needlework and so much more. Thank you, Mary for giving us a chance at these lovely give-always

    342
  277. My dream destination would be to go to London so I could take a class as RSN, and visit the V&A museum to view the needlework! That would be a dream!

    343
  278. My dream textile vacation would be to the V&A Museum in London. A previous visit there was far too short. Their textile collection is incredible.

    345
  279. I would love to go to England. There are several great needlework people from England that I admire and I have some of their books. Would be wonderful to shop some of the needlework shops over there. That is my dream destination.

    346
  280. I’d love to learn how to do Crewel work with this Marvelous instruction Kit and a trip to the Caribbean on a Luxury Ship sounds like a perfect getaway place to spend time away from the darkness of our Alaskan Winter.

    347
  281. ummm… The Scottish Highlands and Islands Needlework Tour, of course!!! I’ve been drooling over that for a while now!

    348
  282. My needlework-related dream destination is in my own backyard! On the shores of Lake Superior with all of Mother Nature’s glorious forces uninterrupted by man-made distractions. The sun is shining the waves are lapping and there is peace and serenity. Needlework Nirvana.

    350
  283. Mary, your torturing me. All this work to do and now I’m in the rabbit hole of dream vacations. Well, I think I’d join Lady Anne and go to the Cotswolds. I did a week in SF at the Needlework School doing crewel, and I’d love to see what Ms. Turnbull does. I’ve enjoyed her videos. All that Scottish Twill, I’d be filling my suitcase.

    Now if her class is full, I’m going to Italy. Fashion, embroidery (oh so many kinds), food, and a stop at Sotema to fill my suitcase with linen. I’ll send you some when I get back! On second thought, let’s go together!

    351
  284. The book looks very promising for all avenues of creativity. Many uses for so many different types of stitching.

    352
  285. My dream needlework vacation would be to the Royal School of Needlework either in England or the one in San Francisco. I would like to work on a new technique and learn it thoroughly.

    353
  286. Tree of Life is my faorite traditional crewel pattern. This version os simply lovely. I would love to stitch it!

    354
  287. Ih, the Crewelwork is just beautiful. I would be thankful for this gift! I’ve been crazy quilting a lot lately, need a different project for 2018.. Thank you for the opportunity, Carol

    355
    1. woops, forgot where I’d love to go… Australia, Victoria, Sydney, or where their next big needlework show is..

  288. Needlework destination. Probably England to see all the Jacobean and Elizabethan embroideries and tapestries. I am sure there are plenty of samplers created by young and old as well. I don’t expect pioneer women had much time for such detailed efforts and decorations, instead devoting their time to functional things like quilts.

    356
  289. My Dream vacation would be Either The RSN summer school in London Or The San Francisco School of Needlework and Design.Also Thank you for the opportunity to win this lovely Crewel kit. And Merry
    Christmas to one and All

    358
  290. Needlework destination, ooooo! How about Hampton Court or anyplace the Royal School of Needlework is offering classes!

    359
  291. I think my needlework vacation would be in a cabin on a snow covered mountain, with all necessities provided and just a few days of uninterrupted stitching.

    360
  292. I would love to go to London and tour and take a class or two at the Royal School of Needlework.

    361
  293. As indicated by my “name”, I love stitching crewel. My dream vacation would be an extended visit to England and Scotland to study crewel in the museums, stately homes, and other sites. An extended course at the Royal School and time to stitch in the Cotswolds would also be on the agenda. Many thanks for the opportunity to won this wonderful kit and also to dream about a visit to the UK.

    362
  294. I would visit the Royal School of Needlework in England because I’ve heard so much about it and value many of the teachers who have had the opportunity to study there.

    363
  295. Crewelwork was probably my first favorite embroidery. I have moved on to other types of needlework but crewel pieces are scattered in my stash of UFOs and S2Ds projects.

    364
  296. Oh so hard to choose! Either RSN in London, or a beach trip with plenty of supplies! How fun to enjoy thinking about a dream vacation! Thank you for the encouragement to dream a little and for the chance to win!

    365
  297. I would love to go to Beating Around the Bush in Australia or to the Royal School of Needlework in England. Thank you for doing these fun give aways!

    367
  298. Crewelwork was probably my first favorite embroidery. I have moved on to other types of needlework but crewel pieces are scattered in my stash of UFOs and S2Ds projects. I dream of a nice sunny beach house to sit and stitch.

    368
  299. Tree of Life is my faorite traditional crewel pattern. This version os simply lovely. I would love to stitch it! My dream meedlework vaction would be to England, where see so much for myself!!

    369
  300. Stitchers Dream Destination – Australia hands down. For years after seeing the great machine embroidery designs, sewing, quilting and hand embroidery magazines (Inspirations) that I have wanted to go to Australia and sit at the feet of the ‘master’s’. I have loved every copy of Inspirations that I could get ahold of and I have kept every issue that came my way of anything from Australia. It seems like everyone in that country is talented in the needle arts. Why can’t someone here in the US put together a magazine on par with Inspirations?

    370
  301. That is an easy question to answer. My location is the British Isles, there is so much history and Needlework to do in amazing venues.

    371
  302. What a beautiful design. Crewel work is one of my favourite types of embroidery but I am still mastering the techniques needed. My all time embroidery destination would be the castles of England and Scotland to see some of the historic embroideries including Jacobean crewel work. I tour with Philippa Turnbull would be amazing

    372
  303. I would love, love, love to visit England to do needlework – why? Because there are sooo many resources there compared to here, starting with the RSN.

    373
  304. I am fascinated by the English embroideries. They are unique and so beautiful. If I were lucky enough to be able to take a class definitely would be at the RSN in England. There is so much to learn from these experts, so it is my favorite place.

    374
  305. Wow–if I could pick a Needlework Dream Destination, no holds barred, it would probably be Beating Around the Bush! I have only recently become familiar with Inspirations Magazine, through you actually, and I am awed and indeed inspired by everything I have seen through them, the weekly email newsletter is awesome. Plus, I have always wanted to visit Australia!

    375
  306. Tuscany. It’s my dream destination for anything and certainly has fabulous sunny balconies where one could enjoy one’s needlework. Merry Christmas to you Mary!

    376
  307. My dream needlework vacation is to spend time at Cober Hill, a Victorian Mansion near Scarborough, North Yorkshire, with the sewing ladies from the Wigginton group.

    377
  308. Hi Mary, what a lovely giveaway!
    My needlework-related dream vacation would be to tour the estates in England and Scotland to see examples of the beautiful work that this design references.

    378
  309. Thanks to visits to our family stationed in England, I have had a chance to see some splendid needlework all over the U.K. My choice for a lesson is now to attend a session at The Royal School. Now, there’s a wonderful dream.

    379
  310. My favorite place in this world, for whatever excuse to go there, is Gotland–an island off of Sweden. I can imagine doing any of my needlework in peace and quiet, either the pastoral parts of the island, or in the ancient city of Visby.

    381
  311. You said “dream” so here goes. Let’s go on a cruise and have you as our teacher. The cruise would be through the Norwegian River areas. It would be a two-week tour and we would stop and visit castles with tapestries, works of art, etc.

    382
  312. The United Kingdom would be my dream destination because of the opportunity to see so many historic needleworks.

    383
  313. I would travel to England with my niece and take a course with the Royal Academy of Needlework.
    My niece and I are passionate about embroidery and it would be a memorable experience to share with her.

    384
  314. At this point in my life, I would like a whole day of interrupted stitching as a dream vacation. No internet, all the supplies I need right there next to me, phooey on the daily chores and the ability to work any stitch magnificently.

    Wendi

    385
  315. My dream stitcher vacation would be to go to England & Scotland- they have such great tapestries and other hand stitch items on display at museums and castle tours!

    386
  316. I would love to go to the Royal School of Needlework. I am not sure I would be qualified to take a class, but I would love to see samples of their work!

    387
  317. This Tree of Life design is beautiful! My dream needlework vacation is 2 months in London taking the Certificate program offered by the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace.

    388
  318. I would love to go back and stitch in my Grandmother living room. It was a magical place, I started my first sampler there when I was 5. There was a very big and long couch that I could use the Ottoman to get up on. Then the magic happen, there was a picture window as long as the room. It look over the lake and woods. I sat there and stitch, and watch the world unfold in front on me. My Grandmother would come in every now then and check my stitches. She would smile and tell how good I was doing. That is my dream

    389
  319. A 2 week cruise would give me the option of trying a variety of embroidery techniques on board, as well as visiting a number of ports. There is a good one that travels from Sydney, Australia up to Vietnam that could be a very intetesting destination for fabrics and unusual embroidery techniques.

    391
  320. My dream destination is Japan, mostly for temari and yubinuki, and for all the amazing techniques that can be found in this country.

    392
  321. I would love to go to St Petersburg, to visit the Hermitage museum, surely here me at be textiles there. But if not then just to visit the big country houses and museums of the British Isles because I know they have so many treasures on show and tucked away!

    393
  322. I think my dream vacation, if I had to only choose one, would be Scotland. I love all the designs that reflect that local. And besides kilts. Need I say more? ☺️

    395
  323. My needlework dream vacation is to take the needlework trip to Scotland that the Crewel Work Company has advertised. It would be so much fun.

    397
  324. My needlepoint dream destination would be England. Specifically to take classes at Hampton Court Palace with the Royal School of Needlework. In addition, I have admired some of the needlework classes that travel the country and stay in various castles learning about antique needlework creations.

    398
  325. I think I would choose the Royal School of Needlework in London! I work all my needlework by myself and would really appreciate instruction to improve my skills!

    399
  326. England! Either to a Lady Anne retreat or to the Royal School of Needlework. I would love to win the crewel kit, it’s beautiful!

    400
  327. Have always wanted to visit Ireland to see all the wonderful traditional whitework and the UK. The embroidery school would be amazing. Bit more realistic ticking Wanaka (NZ) Embroidery School off my bucket list next year

    402
  328. I would love to participate in a course that allowed me to ‘go behind the scenes’ at the Victoria and Albert Museum. They have such a stunning collection of fabrics and embroideries – how wonderful it would be to learn more about part of it.

    403
  329. My dream embroidery related vacation… It would have to be the Royal School of Needlework in Hampton Court, London. I worked love to attend another Summer course there. It is a magnificent setting and the tutors are the finest embroiderers in the world.

    404
  330. Bayeux , France to see the Bayeux Tapestry. It is the most recognizable embroidered work in the world. Having survived over nine centuries is amazing and the story it tells as well as the craftsmanship is extraordinary. I would love to see it.

    405
  331. My dream vacation would be to go no a river cruise and drift down a river with needle work in hand. I think the gentle movement on a river boat would be so restful and inspirational.

    406
  332. Probably several days at the Victoria and Albert museum in London. I’ve only been there once, and a few hours was not enough. There are so many beautiful needlework creations, caskets, clothing and tapestries – I could easily get lost in them.

    407
  333. My dream has always been to go to Great Britain, and I’d probably be glad to stay there. One spot in particular that I would be sure to include is the Victoria and Albert Museum, to see the textile exhibits of all sorts. Lots of needlework there. Then there’s also the Royal School of Needlework. Couldn’t pass that up either.

    408
  334. I have always dreamed about going to England, Scotland and Wales. My mother’s family was from Scotland. I love the handwork and beautiful dark colors of green from that region of the world. That’s why I love this Tree of Life piece and I would love to win it!

    410
  335. Destination: Highlands of Scotland
    Why: Steeped in my ancestral history…really love to embroider more of the designs from Scottish Heritage.

    411
  336. I want to to go to Scotland! They have such a rich history, not only in needlework, but also culturally. I’d love to be able to experience all of it!

    412
  337. My dream stitcher’s holiday would be Italy. Many of our fine needleworking & stitching threads come from Italy. The quality and design are superior which aid in having our hand or machine work last longer.

    413
  338. I’d go to South Africa where some marvellous embroidery occurs. The kit designers, thread dyers and classes available are wonderful.

    416
  339. These questions keep getting harder. I have never done needlework related travel. While I dream of the Royal School of Needlework courses at Hampton Court Palace, in the meantime I can enjoy trips twenty minutes down the road for the occasional quilting retreat with good friends at the Hampton Inn.

    417
  340. My dream destination would definitely be to the UK to visit the Royal School of Needlework. I would love to be able to take a class or two there!!

    419
  341. My dream is to travel from rural Shropshire in England to the bright lights of New York. The MET museum houses some of the best examples of historic English needlework.

    420
  342. I just ordered my very own Needlework System 4 floor stand. What a perfect project to use it with!

    421
  343. Although I’m not normally a sun bather, but a dream destination for stitching would be someplace warm & sunny where I could sit outside, enjoy a light breeze, and make use of copious natural sunlight. So probably a tropical island somewhere. 🙂

    422
  344. I have been a crewel addict since 1994! I was pregnant, had pneumonia and had to take it easy. I bought a small crewel kit and so my journey began. I have enjoyed other forms of needle work but crewel will always be my first love!

    423
  345. My dream needlework destination is the Totally Crewel Work with Phillipa Turnbull in England because I’m in love with England and crewelwork is my favorite style of needlework.

    424
  346. My dream stitcher’s destination would be to visit the Royal School of Needlework in Great Britain. They do such lovely, interesting things with needlework. Just to be there would be a thrill. Crewel is my absolute favorite form of needlework. To win this prize would be a dream.

    426
  347. I just finished my first crewel piece this summer and I would love to do another one. This one looks beautiful.

    427
  348. I am most interested in traveling to see production of some of the tools. Factories that make threads, linens, wooden tools, goldwork supplies. I think that would make for an amazing trip.

    429
  349. Crewel embroidery, I love discovering the many different stitches and the feel as well as the look of each finished piece of work.

    430
  350. I would like to go to The Royal Needlework School in England. As a beginner I am teaching myself and don’t want to get into bad habits. I probably won’t make it there. Maybe Williamsburg, Virginia. That would be exciting too.

    432
  351. My dream needlework vacation: so many possibilities, England to see all the Jacobean work, France for the couture embroidery, Italy for fabulous whitework – but right now I would choose Romania and the Peasant Museum in Bucharest and the Transylvanian Museum of Ethnography in Cluj for the amazing traditional costume embroideries. This was one of my first interests in embroidery, dating back to when I was 12 years old. I would love to go and study the pieces closely for both design and technique.

    433
  352. Hi, Mary, to climb the tree, I must start at the root, so my dream of holiday with embroidery, would be anywhere in the USA, a workshop of any type of embroidery, learn, look and buy materials for embroidery. Why? . Because I’ve never been in one. Greetings and blessings, have a nice day.

    434
  353. I would jump on a plane and go to England to see all things connected with William Morris. …that would be heaven on earth!

    435
  354. Mary, I have always read your newsletter but have never requested a gift from you. However, when I saw the crewel work I fell in love. Please consider me I did crewel work for several years and loved it.
    Thanks for considering me, Billie Stooksbury

    436
  355. My destination would be to The Royal School of Needlework and then visit my grandmother’s home in Scotland. Perfect for fulfilling a dream.

    437
  356. I just love the stylized nature of crewel work! As for an needlework-themed vacation, I would love to go to Japan. I just love the prominence of birds in Japanese arts–and some of the color pallets!

    438
  357. My absolutely most desired needlework destination to visit would have to be the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. I was supposed to visit it on my one and only trip to the UK but ended up with food poisoning while in London. I was utterly miserable so missed out on that dream visit.

    439
  358. I would like to go to Switzerland. Such a beautiful, inspirational place. And in summer it’s warm and so much green, and the lakes… wonderful. And in winter, snuggling up warm, doing a bit of embroidery by the fire, hot chocolate and fondue, breathtaking snowcapped scenery. It would be wonderful to do some kind of embroidery workshop, whilst relaxing, taking everything in and exploring.
    (Starts digging out the passport for renewal!)

    441
  359. I would love to go to Australia to Beating Around the Bush. I love the creations of Gary Wright and Alison Cole. I love crewel work Have done numerous pieces., the last one I did was one from the Crewel Work Company and it was so much fun to stitch and the materials were the finest. I loved doing it. When I was finished stitching it I gave it to my sister. I would just love to do the tree of life. That is something I have always hoped to do. I am crossing my fingers that I will win this one!

    442
  360. I would choose to vacation in Hungary because the floral embroidery is so colorful and graphic. It just makes me happy!

    443
  361. It would have to be a tour of the British Isles. I would love to see the places where so many needle work styles, such as Crewelwork, Blackwork, and Or Nue, have been practices for hundreds of years. My ethnic background is Irish and English, so seeing where my ancestors came from would be a wonderful bonus!

    444
  362. Hello,
    What a beautiful gift that has been donated. How I would love to work on Phillipa’s design. I have a long bucket list of places that I often dream about going to see the historical needlework they have in their museums. If I had to pick just one it would be Scottland. If I am lucky to live a long life I would also like to see England, Wales and Australia. I used to work for Elsa Williams and my favorite design of hers was also a Tree of Life. My frame is ready and willing should I be the lucky winner!
    Thank you,
    Debbie

    445
  363. Well, recently, I would have said the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, because people kept telling me about all the wonderful needlework there. But I was there two months ago, and it turns out that they have moved all the needlework off site, one has to make a special appointment to see it, and I got the impression is was stored away rather than on display, so one would have to ask for specific items.

    SO….Now my needlework destination trip would be one of the ones that takes people around England/Scotland/Ireland to see beautiful needlework pieces and sometimes to take classes for working such pieces. (Having figured that out, I’m actually going to look into some of them!)

    448
  364. Such a beautiful kit! I love it. Just love your blog. Thank you for everything you post and share.

    450
  365. Another fabulous giveaway, Mary. I love that tree of life. I’ve never worked in wool but would like to try. A destination I would love to go to? I would like to go back to England and explore all the 17th century stumpwork that I could find. Especially the caskets. I’d love to make one one day.

    Heather M. in Vancouver

    451
  366. Oh my gosh! I thought this was an easy question to answer, but the more I think about it, the more answers come to mind! Should my answer be London to take a course at the RSN? Or to do One of the glorious tours around the UK, Europe, or even Vietnam? Or to China or Japan to really learn silk shading?
    But, on second and third contemplation I will stick to my initial answer of going to Australia for a Beating Around the Bush conference… that way I can have it all!

    452
  367. My dream destination would be the UK…specifically, one of those historic homes needlework tours…but of course while I was there, I would have to visit the RSN and try and do a class by Jenny Aiden-Christie!!

    453
  368. Thank you for this opportunity to enter the Tree of Life kit giveaway. If I had my choice of all places in the world to enjoy some time to stitch and peruse the view from my window, it would be from a cottage overlooking the Blasket Islands in Ireland. Of course, there would be a peat fire going and soup simmering on the hearth with fresh bread cooling on the table!

    454
  369. Italy would be my dream destination to see all the exquisite regional types of embroidery – and hopefully to include some classes

    455
  370. A Cruise ship art and craft voyage. Then I could have all my supplies with me and be constantly seeing different sights. I’d be able at the same time to meet interesting people. Or a Nature Reserve where I can work outside in stunning Nature.

    456
  371. Tough choices but my dream vacation for needlework would be either to the Soviet Union- a country of mystery and a part of my heritage since learning the embroidery techniques from when I was but a little girl or a trip through the UK where so many needlework treasures have survived and are available to see at great exhibits throughout the country.

    457
  372. My dream needlework vacation would be either London or Colonial Williamsburg for a RSN class on adavanced crewel work. It might actually come true in the next couple of years.

    458
  373. A needlework-related dream vacation. Hmm. Well, the pennant banner you received from the group in the Bay Area is the only needlework-related location I know of. I’m so new to this I’m practically disabled when it comes to talking about needlework. But, I absolutely LOVE the Bay Area, and I would love to take my embroidery box and sit with a needle in my hand in the park, in summer.
    Thank you so much for these great opportunities at wonderful gifts!

    459
  374. I have always wanted to do a crewel piece like this one. This has great potential to be a personal masterpiece.

    460
  375. My dream destination would be a warm desert island where there would be no distractions which would give me time to sew and just eat at meal times a lovely meal where i dont have to take time to cook. The light would be great for sewing as well.

    461
  376. I think the best “dream vacation” would be to attend a class or classes at The Royal School of Needlework” The quality of the teachers must be at the top of the list! A needlework tour of England would be a wonderful vacation, too.

    462
  377. If you had to pick one needlework-related dream destination vacation, where would it be and why?

    I think I would like to stitch in Hawaii. Some of my reasons why are the weather, sight and the inspiration one would get from such a beautiful place

    463
  378. The perfect needlework destination would be Laos, for me. To stitch the Buddhist/French architecture in the misty mountains, a dream!

    464
  379. My dream stitching destination would be to take a week course with Alison Cole – wherever she is at the time.

    465
  380. Being here in England where it’s long dark by four, right now I have to say anywhere with long daylight hours would be my ideal stitcher’s destination! I miss sitting stitching through the evenings without struggling to get my lighting right… Which is actually why I’m currently doing another crewelwork piece, rather than the tiny counted thread projects I’d previously been working on!

    466
  381. My dream needlework-related dream destination vacation would be at he Royal School of Neeedlework, so I can learn all kind,types of needlework, to see what is new, to chat with the masters, to visit everything, etc.

    467
  382. Hi Mary,
    What a fantastic give-away. I have always enjoyed crewel embroidery and this would be a dream project. If I had to pick one destination it would be England to attend courses at the Royal School of Needlework and to visit the many collections of historic needlework and textiles that are housed in the museums, castles and manner-houses throughout the country.

    468
  383. Italy for a month or so, anywhere in Italy. I have the thread addiction also. Maybe northern Italy so I can make a short trip by train to France to the DMC Warehouse?!? And while traveling on the train I could bring out my embroidery and take in the scenery while plying my needle. Oh to dream and dream big.

    469
  384. I am new to embroidery and crewel work has stolen my heart. I don’t have many frames or hoops and am slowly building my “stash”. I love your work and follow your projects closely, tho not brave enough to tackle any yet.

    471
  385. My dream destination would be to the Bristish Isles. I would visit all the needlework shops. I would then like to explore the Victoria and Albert Museum to see the needlwork there then to the country side to see the sheep because I am a spinner too.

    473
  386. My dream stitching destination would be to travel to the UK and see the historical embroideries in the palaces and museums.

    474
  387. My dream destination would be Ireland. All of the lush greens in the country with the old style cottages. I think it would be so beautiful and peaceful and so fun to try and catch all of that in a design to cherish forever.

    475
  388. I would LOVe to win the Tree of Life crewel kit!
    Of course, wouldn’t we all Love to win it!
    BUT….I would even more than some Love to win it. hehe. 😉

    476
  389. My dream needlework vacation would be in Lexington, Kentucky, where in 2018, the Royal School of Needlework is featuring it’s first Summer School ever in the USA! Learning needlework from such a renowned school, and to share in both their history and knowledge will be amazing! Thank you, Susan

    477
  390. I would go back to Levens Hall in Cumbria because I loved that house and the stitching I saw there was stunning!

    478
  391. I have often thought the Royal Academy of needlework would be a great vacation, learning experience. I am sure I would be horrified when my needlework would be seen by such experts. But a dose of humility would be ok just for the experience of being there.

    479
  392. I would go to Australia because I love the books and magazines that show the beautiful stitchery produced there.

    481
  393. I work very cheap!! My favourite destination is my own backyard!! I love being with nature and I get inspired by my own garden, so to be able to indulge in sitting outside (where the light is good) and enjoying the peace, quiet and beauty is a dream come true.

    482
  394. There is one place that I would love to visit and that is the Royal School of Needlework. My husband wants to go to London but cannot understand why I would want to spend a day taking a class there. Sigh. It would be a dream come true.

    483
  395. I think a ski lodge, but I’d have to research the exact location. Beautiful views, bright light reflecting off the snow, a warm fire, and great exercise after sitting too long.

    484
  396. I would love to visit the textile workers in India as the work produced there is so intricate and also we need to ensure that they are working under the fair trade rules.

    485
  397. I’d love to be able to go to Australia for stitching workshops. So many great stitches are from Australia and there are so many very talented designers there that I could spend months just trying out the numerous stitching techniques offered by these artists.

    486
  398. Oh so beautiful. Ive dream to some day do something like that. Keep the beautiful needle art alive. Keep needling. Lol. Barbara

    488
  399. My needlework related dream vacation would be a cruise with international teachers on board, and stops in various places to go through fabric and fiber manufacturers. I can’t be more specific unless I do research on “where” offers “what” – but it’s a dream so it would all just fall into place, right !

    489
  400. My dream vacation would be to time travel back to where all the gorgeous
    Embrodered clothing and ecclesiastical embroidery was being done in England
    And Europe, and just WATCH! Seasons greetings and thanks for the chance
    To win a kit. It is just beautiful.

    490
  401. Beautifully executed, lovely design. Would like to go to England to search out historical embroidery

    492
  402. I would love to go to the Royal School of Needlework in London, see their wonderful collections and take a class.
    This Tree of Life design is stunning. Congratulations to whoever wins it.

    493
  403. My needlework dream vacation would be to London , England to go to the Victoria and Albert museum. I think it would be the most informative and breath taking trip of a lifetime.

    Thank you so much for all your fantastic gifts and your wonderful e-mail that are so delightful and informative.

    Merry Christmas, Mary

    Tanis

    494
  404. I’d love to spend quiet time with you, Mary, learning how to crewel first hand! Not buttering up. Just if it is a needlework vacation, why not learn from an expert while on that vacation? Second alternative would be to learn from a good instructional book like this one. Thanks and have a wonderful day.

    495
  405. I would love to go on a needlework cruise, like from Needlework Tours & Cruises. They have one that goes through England, Scotland, Ireland, France and Italy for Embroidery. Or there is a Stitcher’s Escape that travels from the UK, to Germany, Norway, and Belgium on Royal Caribbean’s and before they start out the cruise you get to explore London and take classes at the Royal School of Needlework. I think it would be a blast to be on a trip with other people who enjoy and understand what you love about stitching. I am the only person I know who stitches and there are not any groups near me to meet people and have friends who enjoy stitching like I do.

    496
  406. My dream vacation would be to go to Florida and spend time visiting all the cross stitch shops and also spend some time stitching in between of corse-LOL.

    497
  407. My dream needlework vacation would be to Australia. To make it really special would be a class with Jane Nicholas.

    498
  408. I would love to take a class in Montisi, Italy. Three years ago, I stayed there, and took a one week knitting course. It was quaint and lovely.

    499
  409. My dream needlework vacation would be to Beating Around the Bush in Australia. What a treat that would be!!! I would also love to go to the Royal School of Needlework in England!!!

    501
  410. My needlework dream vacation would be to take classes at RSN. Besides you Mary, they are the best tutors.

    502
  411. A dream needlework vacation would let me tour the Royal School of Needlework in England, with an ample allowance to buy thread and little doodads to bring home! Ever since I heard of this school, I wished I had known about it when I was younger, so I could have gone to it. So a tour and workshop class would satisfy me now.

    503
  412. My dream destination would be a log cabin with a beautiful lake setting.listening to what nature has to offer.

    504
  413. My dream destination would be a Lady Anne’s Needlework Retreat – the upcoming one to the Scottish Highlands and Islands sounds wonderful. The combination of history, scenery and stitching would be a terrific experience.

    505
  414. Dear Mary, thank you for sharing your projects and experiences. i learn so much from your articles and instruction.

    An ideal dream destination vacation would be to England to see old crewel pieces, perhaps with Phillipa herself.

    all the best,
    k.a.

    506
  415. My dream needlework destination would be the Alpine Experience because it combines many of the things I love, embroidery, the European Alps and great food. My father came from Switzerland and I’ve spent a couple of years living there; I would love to spend some more time in the mountains and what better way than learning some embroidery too.

    507
  416. My dream needlepoint destination would be Paris. I love browsing (and buying) in the wonderful needlepoint shops I saw when I was there. Paris can’t be beat for the sights, the food and the wine!

    508
  417. I am one of the very few people who do not dream of an elaborate vacation spot! I would rather be home than on vacation, so I would have to say “Home Sweet Home”. Cozy by the fire with hot chocolate and stitching the beautiful crewel Tree of Life would be ideal!!!

    509
  418. The place I would most like to go for a needlework vacation is London. I would love to attend RSN classes in historic places, and experience the level of teaching firsthand.
    The Tree of Life is a important symbol for me, both religiously and personally.

    510
  419. Wow ONE dream destination – normally I would say England, however, today is my 70th birthday and years to fulfill my bucket list are dwindling. So I will choose Australia. It is cold here today in Boston 25F – but it is summer down under. I want to visit all the shops I see listed in “Inspirations” magazine.

    511
  420. Oh, gosh. I’d feel funny showing up on your doorstep for tea, stitching, and chatting, but my next choice would be a really long vacation: touring all the locations where the RSN offers classes and taking a class at each one.

    512
  421. Picking one Needlework related dream vacation is easy – one of Phillippa Turnbull’s Lady Anne’s Retreats (and I’m not just saying that to win the prize). A friend of mine has been on some of these retreats and has brought back the most wonderful stories about places she’s visited and things she’s seen, as well as stitching projects, that it has become my dream for when I win the lottery! The other plus is the friendships she’s made with other stit hers – they’re a great bunch of people!

    514
  422. My needlework-related dream destination is the Royal School of Needlework in London. Imagine taking classes there… Of course, this vacation would have to last years and years, but I’m game!

    515
  423. I’d probably pick India. They have such a wide range of styles and techniques, and all of them are interesting and beautiful in their own way.

    516
  424. I would like to do an historic homes embroidery tour of GreatBritain because you get to examine traditional embroideries in the original settings and also to try out different types of embroidery each day.

    517
  425. I would love to go to the Beating Around the Bush convention in Australia sponsored by Inspirations! I think it would be great fun to take a bunch of workshops from the masters & to visit Australia! I would hope while I’m there that I would be able to extend my visit to include some serious sightseeing. What an adventure that would be!!

    518
  426. Oh a very difficult deciscion but I would say England and any of the needlework tours especially if it includes the Royal School of Needlework and manor houses and churches and….. you get the idea!

    519
  427. Hi Mary – what a gorgeous giveaway today! My dream needlework destination is Scotland, particularly the highlands and islands. (In fact, I daydream about the Crewel Work Company’s retreat.) I was fortunate enough visit Scotland some years ago and I can still smell the gorse. It’s a magical, beautiful place that makes you believe all the myths and legends.

    522
  428. I would love to go to the Royal School of Needlework or Ireland to learn more about their Irish linen. I have one of my Grandmothers crewel work that would hang well with the Tree of Life kit. Have a wonderful Christmas!!

    523
  429. My dream needlework related vacation would be to visit Australia and New Zealand to visit some of the amazing shops I read about in Inspirations magazine! In addition, I would love to take a class with Trish Burr, Allison Cole, and or Hazel Brokamp. There work is so amazing, a class would take my stitching to a new level.

    524
  430. My needlework dream destination is London. I want freedom to explore all the needlework related items at the V & A Museum and to enroll in classes at Hampton Court Palace. It would be fabulous to be immersed in needlework techniques like needle lace and stumpwork.

    526
  431. I don’t have an interest in traveling outside the US. I would do some research and find some interesting shops and get a room in a local bed and breakfast. Buying some new kits and relaxing on a comfortable porch working on my new purchases. Now that’s a vacation! So many local companies are going out of business but I’m sure I could find some interesting ones.

    527
  432. Staying at home and having my girlfriends over to stitch together. There are 9 of us who stitch together
    one Saturday a month. We all have so much fun and we learn from each other.

    529
  433. My dream stitching vacation would be Beating Around the Bush in Australia. I wouldn’t mind going almost anywhere in the world to learn local forms of needlework. We are so blessed here in the US to have so many options that it would be wonderful to be able to explore new horizons elsewhere.

    530
  434. I would choose Scotland as my needlework dream destination. What could be better than to view the beautiful landscape while doing something you love?

    531
  435. To see the Bayeaux tapestry is a long time dream of mine. My mother went last year and took a million pictures of the photographable parts of the exhibit for me.

    533
  436. England and Scotland would be my number one choice, preferably one of Phillipa’s tours. But with so much embroidery history there, one trip would never be enough.

    534
  437. Answer the following in your comment:

    If you had to pick one needlework-related dream destination vacation, where would it be and why?

    • My needlwork-related dream destination vacation would be the UK. With so many historical pieces on display in museums and a rich needlework history, I would enjoy being able to admire and interact with those who share my passion for needlework (especially historical motifs).

    535
  438. Since I live in the city that hosts Beating Around The Bush, I would like to go to the V&A in London to see the textile collection. When I was there last year, the staff of the V&A told me that it many are housed separately and appointments are necessary to view.

    536
  439. I think the needlework cruises I see advertised would be an awesome vacation – time to stitch, learn new techniques and still see interesting towns, castles, etc. along the way.

    537
  440. Oh wow, I would love this kit. I’ve never tried crewel work before, and the design is just lovely. It doesn’t hurt that I’m rather partial to greyhounds.

    A dream needlework vacation…..that’s hard, so many potential choices…. I think I’d start with a summer in England during which I’d take classes at the RSN followed by a tour of museums and other institutions with displays of interest to stitchers. I’m assuming it can be a long vacation as this is a fantasy trip for the moment!

    538
  441. I would travel to Stirling Castle, Scotland and sit in the Queen’s Room, surrounded by the ‘Hunt of the Unicorn’ tapestries and stitch crewel embroideries, imagining myself as a great lady with hours of stitching time ahead of me. Such inspiration!

    539
  442. I’m not sure. My fantasy trip would be to go to a warm pacific island (like Hawaii) in mid winter to explore local needle crafts and have a needlework retreat!

    540
  443. Adelaide, for sure. So many wonderful stitchers in the vicinity. October would be nice, to beat about the bush. And in between, visit family seen so rarely.

    541
  444. My stitching dream is to spend an undetermined time in East Wemyss, Scotland at the Wemyss School of Needlework. A bit of its history was written (dated November 18, 1877 by visitor. The school was started following a suggestion at the opening of the Royal School of Needlework. I have spent the past 20 years living my personal and semi-professional life, stitching, designing and teaching needlework. To visit the school started by my ancestor would be a life dream fulfilled.
    Elaine WemyssEvans

    543
  445. Thank you Mary, for a wonderful place to visit and see such beautiful embroidery.
    I hope to start creating some of my own soon. You are certainly an inspiration.
    Best wishes. Anne

    544
  446. My Dream vacation to a needle-work related destination would be the town of Colmar in France. This beautiful village was the home of a historic textile mill that was at the center of the textile industry of the Alsace region. The museum is a designers dream come true. There are printed textiles examples from the entire life of this mill. A wonderful and unique source for anyone interested in embroidery. This town also hosts Textile/needlework related trade fairs during the year. This village is also know as a Little Venice it is worth a visit any time!

    546
  447. If I were to win I would go to Rochester NY to visit my youngest daughter. I would love to share crewel embroidery with her. She would love it. (and I miss her so very much.

    548
  448. Ooooh…this would be a twofer of joy for me: crewel AND tree of life…both are loves loves loves. My biggest dream for a needlework vacation would be to Beating Around the Bush in Australia…and I wouldn’t mind a side trip to enjoy some roos! Thank you Mary and Philippa for this delightful opportunity. And Merry Christmas to the whole Needle ‘n Thread community!
    Linda

    549
  449. My dream needlework vacation would be a lake or oceanside lodge with a good restaurant, comfortable common area chairs overlooking the water, lots of daylight and quiet. I would sit and stitch all day, breaking to eat, walk along the water and perhaps a little reading. No bus tours or museums, just peacefully stitching while being waited on in style.

    550
  450. Royal School of Needlework in London…..just for a change. I live in Italy and there is so much inspiration here.

    552
  451. What a beautiful give-away prize! I would LOVE to win it! I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed till the drawing.

    553
  452. My dream destination would be Australia. The needlework produced in that country is exceptional and there seems to be wide appreciation of the art form. There are unique shops, designers and fiber producers. I think I would spend the entire time there just soaking up the eye candy.

    554
  453. My needlework dream destination vacation would be England. I’m interested in and stitch many types of needlework (thank you, Mary, for your online lessons) especially crewel, have finished one of Phillipa Turnbull’s designs, and have another one in progress. Phillipa’s kits are certainly the “gold standard” of crewelwork kits. England has such a rich history of crewelwork and has many historical pieces to study where they were originally stitched. Actually, I’m having a “milestone” birthday next year and have been looking into just such a trip!

    555
  454. My dream needlework vacation destination! Wow! So many choices, but I would choose Hampton Court Palace and the Royal School of Needlework for classes. And of course, side trips to museums with textile/sampler collections.

    556
  455. Well, just the other day I saw an ad featured here for a tour around part of the UK, needlework instruction, and access to historical collections. So I vote for THAT! Ideally, it would include a visit to St. Paul’s embroiderers and a good look at some opus anglicanum….

    558
  456. I have 2 dream destinations – First, I think that a trip to Great Britain for one of Phillipa Turnbull’s historical embroidery tours would make me the happiest girl in the world! I want to study crewel and what better place to start?
    Second – If I was really rich, I would go to Australia for Inspiration’s Beating Around the Bush event. Every class always looks amazing and what a great way to visit the country and learn from the best! Someday…………….

    559
  457. You did say dream needlework destination right. Can’t afford it but if I could choose one it would be Phillipa’s 4 nation tour. Second would be Scotland. This is a wonderful gift and I thank you even if I am not the lucky winner. I have been drooling over this project since it was recently posted.

    560
  458. I would love a trip to England and Scotland and hope to visit The Crewel Work Company as well as the whole English history and culture. I am in love with crewel work and have been a fan of their company for many years. I would die and go to heaven to win one of these kits!

    Marysue C

    561
  459. There could be only one destination for me, a course at The Royal School of Needlework at the glorious Hampton Palace in England (perhaps followed by a tour of some of the finest tapestries in England’s Historic Buildings including William Morris’ houses)

    562
  460. Would love to go to UK and take some needlework classes there!
    Love to do crewel and appreciate the opportunity to win!

    563
  461. If I could go on a stitches dream vacation, it would be to to RAN in Durham in the UK. I would love to continue my embroidery studies there and have a chance to visit some of the private collections in some of the museum’s in the UK.

    564
  462. Oh this is so fun! Congrats to all winners so far! My dream destination would be to Croatia to learn some Zlatni Vez (slavonian goldwork), do the summer school for making folk costumes and maybe a side trip to Pag to watch that lace being made.

    566
  463. If I had to choose one destination for a needlework vacation/exploration it would be England. There is so much historically relevant to my needlework interests in the UK: crewel work, Opus Anglican, the Victoria & Albert Museum (its collection and research sources), and a chance to buy outstanding supplies!

    567
  464. I would choose the Victoria and Albert Museum because of its huge collection of costumes (Queen Elizabeth I, etc.) and lace and embroidery from all different time periods.

    568
  465. If I could go anyplace to look and study needle work, samplers, crewel work and clothng, that place would have to be London Englnd, more specific the Albert & Victoria museum. They seem to have some of the worlds best and oldest samplers dating further back than the 1500’s. The samplers and clothing they have shared online are breath taking! The A & V museums staff are always happy to answer questions and help in any way they can.

    569
  466. My dreamsite will always be first and foremost, Hampton Court in England. I’ve been there (before the Royal School of Embroidery was there) so I know how beautiful the buildings and grounds are. Having a chance to attend a class- even just sit in on a class would be fantastic. Even the train ride from London was wonderful.

    570
  467. I would love to visit The Royal School of Needlework in London to learn first hand and see all the exquisite Needlework.

    573
  468. Hi Mary
    I would love to visit England and take a needlework tour. I would love to visit the museums and old castles and estates.
    Would love to win as I am hoping to attend Philippa’s class when she visits NZ for our embroidery conference in 2018.

    574
  469. My dream destination would be England on one of Lady Annes needlework tours!!I would love to see some of the historical work in the castles and histori homes.

    575
  470. Wow! What a great giveaway!! My dream destination for a needlework-related vacation would be anywhere in the British Isles. How about a few days each in Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and England? Wouldn’t that be great?

    576
  471. That’s easy, The Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace, England. To my way of thinking it is the home of fine needlework tuition and there is so much there on offer.
    I’ve never tried crewel work, my only experience with wool ’embroidery’ was a printed ‘tapestry canvas’ many years ago. I discovered I far preferred to work from a chart, so do counted cross stitch with stranded cotton now. It would be a very nice introduction to crewel work to win that prize, could set me off in a whole new direction.

    577
  472. England on an Embroidery Tour for me. Being a history buff, I would love to visit the V & A collection and see all the historical pieces, plus a stately homes tour. Or two or three.

    579
  473. Dear Mary,
    What an amazingly generous embroidery community we are part of.
    Such a wonderful giveaway!
    If I could go anywhere it would be to see the Bayeaux tapestry in Normandy, France. Heritage handwork is a constant source of inspiration and pleasure, as is your site!
    Thank you
    Helen

    580
  474. My dream needle-work destination would be to the UK to stitch with the Royal School of Needlework tutors. The standard of tuition is outstanding – my first point of call would be a class with Tracey Franklin.

    581
  475. I would absolutley go to the Royal College of Needlework in SE London. I have dreamed to taking a course there since I was a teenager. Do you think there is anyway I can convince my family to migrate for three years, so I can do the degree?

    582
  476. This is not terribly specific, but I’d go for an extended trip to England and visit the castles to view the beautiful tapestries, bed covers, and clothing on display.

    583
  477. I would love to attend one of The Crewel Work Company’s needlework retreats; doing so is on my bucket list. Philippa finds such amazing destinations in the UK, and from what I hear the entire event is just wonderful no matter the location.

    584
  478. My dream needlework vacation would be to go to England and learn at
    the Royal Academy of needle work. It’s always been a dream to go there and learn from some of the best needleworker in the world .and the setting to be at Hampton court palace be still my heart

    586
  479. Dream related destination, would have to be a Queen Annes Needlework tour with Phillipa. A dream come true, but then I have just won Christmas Give away no3 and that was also an unbelievably fabulous fantasy that has come true, which makes me think I have had my share of super surprises this Christmas. Thanks Mary, you make my day!

    587
  480. I would love to go to the RSN in London to take some embroidery courses. What an experience that would be. Oh, to be so lucky to win a kit from Crewel Work Company. Their kits are absolutely beautiful.

    588
  481. My dream needlework vacation would be a week in London at the Royal School of Needlework during their intensive course to learn as much as possible in relation to hand embroidery

    589
  482. My dream needlework destination would be anywhere in Great Britain. Such a rich heritage of absolutely beautiful needlework!

    590
  483. My dream needlework vacation would be one of the needlework tours of Great Britain – interesting projects and lessons plus visits to needlework collections not generally available to the public – the best of both worlds

    591
  484. My dream destination is London – specifically the Victoria and Albert Museum, the British Library and the Embroiderer’s Guild at Hampton Court Palace – for starters!

    592
  485. Needlework destination? It would have to be England. While a fairly general response, here is why. I would like a chance to go to museums where I can see historic needlework such as bed hangings and 17th century caskets. I would like an opportunity to see the Royal School of Needlework. And I would love the opportunity to purchase some of beautiful fire screens – lovely wood and antique needlework.

    593
  486. Oh, boy! If I could choose one place as a needlework destination it would have to be Merry Old England. Thanks for the giveaway and Merry Christmas, Mary!

    594
  487. I would love to go to London and take a class at the Royal School of Needlework, visit the V and A and the British Museum. My stitching could use some improvement. The RSN is my dream academy!

    595
  488. Christmas at Williamsburg. The samplers always look amazing, plus I have only seen snow once in my life and the thought of embroidering in the cold at Christmas has always been a dream vacation. One day.

    596
  489. I would love to be able to go to England – especially London.

    I study historic needlework and there are so many museums that have wonderful exhibitions of same in England and I would love to see them in person rather than through websites and books. Unfortunately for a variety of reasons this will never be possible. I demonstrate 18th century embroidery at reenactment events and historic needlework – from any period – reinforces my information that I can share with the public.

    597
  490. Christmas Giveaway #5
    Oh my goodness! I would love to attend one of the workshop retreats with Phillipa Turnbull of The Crewel Work Company in the Scottish Highlands. What an experience to learn from a master needle artist in such a majestic location.

    598
  491. I would love to visit Belgrade. My father was Serbian and it would be fascinating to see embroidery being done in his country of birth.

    599
  492. My dream needlework vacation would be to go on one of one of Philippa Turnbull’s All England Tours of The West Country and the Cotswolds. To quote her brochure “visit Elizabethan Houses, wonderful embroidery collections, pretty market towns and rolling English countryside…exclusive access to the beautiful 17th Century embroidery…visit museums, antiques shops…enjoy 30+ hours of tuition in 17th Century silk and gold using conservation silk and metal threads and base fabric, and crewel work.” Heaven on earth!

    600
  493. Choosing only one place is really hard but I enjoy what I see in the Inspirations magazine so much that I would love to visit Australia. Their shops must be filled with beautiful threads, fabrics and kits. I would enjoy studying with the instructors there.

    601
  494. Another fabulous giveaway, and another excellent question! My dream is to complete the BA (Hons) Hand Embroidery for Fashion, Interiors, Textile Art, at the Royal School of Needlework, in London – my favourite overseas city. At this point, I am registered for the first class – Jacobean! – for the Certificate and Diploma, for June/July next year! I am flying all of the way from New Zealand for my holiday, and the course.
    This would be the perfect prize for me, and then I could shop for a slate frame!
    Thanks again Mary, for all that you do!
    Melissa

    602
  495. I would go back to Toodyay, where there is a fabulous purposeful craft retreat built in the bush with beautiful views! Peace and quiet ,massive craft rooms. All meals cooked and served. Only one thing to think about and that is to stitch 24/7 !!
    Pure bliss!!

    603
  496. I’ve been lucky enough to visit many of my needlework dream destinations already (including many places in England relating to 17th century embroidery and samplers), so I think what I’d like to do is one of those needlework cruises-combining gorgeous workshop/stitching fun with relaxation and a holiday!

    604
  497. Ah – so many places to go – but if I have to pick only one it would be Adelaide, South Australia, to attend Inspiration’s Beating Around the Bush needlework convention. The opportunity to take classes with such gifted stitchers is irresistible!

    I’m working on The Crewel Work Company’s Jacobean Idyll right now – it’s a joy to stitch.

    608
  498. My dream place would be up in the boarders doing one of Philippa’s courses
    Thank you Mary. I hope to be doing a lot more embroidery in the new year.

    610
  499. Oh Mary, my dream would be one of the historical needlework and stately home workshop tours in England, so much history and eye candy and the bonus of learning new skills.

    611
  500. My needlework related dream vacation destination would be the All England Needlework Retreat this coming May. I would be visiting the Cotswalds and meeting Philippa herself! Thank you and God Bless.

    612
  501. I would love to attend classes at the Royal School of Needlework in England. I have an aunt from England who started needlework at age 4, and now is 91. She was my first inspiration for beautiful handcrafted items, and could do any kind of needlework.

    613
  502. My dream destination would be ‘Beating Around the Bush’ being held in South Australia in 2018 and as my bags were already packed I would continue on to London to complete a Diploma at the RSN.

    614
  503. Would love to go to RSN or somewhere similar for classes. Sometimes I think I would love going to one of the major museums that allow hands-on or close-up viewing, by appt, of their historical pieces even more.

    615
  504. My dream needlework vacation would be London, for two reasons. First, needlework has a long tradition in England and seems to be highly valued there. Secondly, it’s the location of the Victoria and Albert Museum which contains many textiles which would provide tons of inspiration.

    616
  505. My dream vacation would be Maui. I went there with my aunt and uncle years ago. It was so warm and wonderfully friendly people. It is a vacation place.

    617
  506. My dream destination vacation is Australia especially Adelaide where the Inspirations Studios’ Beating Around the Bush needlework convention will take place in Oct. 2018!

    618
  507. No problem with that question…..definitely the RSN at Hampton Court: excellent tuition in beautiful surroundings, busting with lovely needlework and so many accomplished stitchers working there too ( it would be so interesting to be able to see work in progress ).

    619
  508. My needlework dream destination is the Victoria and Albert Museum. I love historic textiles and would truly enjoy a few days to explore the collections at the V & A.

    620
  509. Latvia or Norway because I love their traditional patterns, and it’s different from what we usually see in English or French embroidery.

    622
  510. Droga Mario
    To wspaniale móc wziąć udział w losowaniu
    Moim marzeniem jest wyjazd do Paryża. Chcialabym zobaczyć i nauczyć się haftu szydlem luneville.
    Pokochałam haft cieniowany, poznaję technikę haftów historycznych. Pora na naukę haftów haute coture.

    Pozdrawiam Cię Mario i życzę Ci cudownych, rodzinnych świąt
    Izabela Brańska-Oleksy

    623
  511. I would pick Paris because I have always wanted to go there and I am sure their fabric is fabulous.

    624
  512. If I had to make one choice of needle-work related destination it would be France. I love French embroidery, lace, and weaving. It would be a wonderful place to explore.

    625
  513. Dream embroidery vacation for me would be The Royal School of Needlework. I love crewel work, any embroidery work really but crewel is my favorite. To be able to see authentic work done would be beyond words, couldn’t contain my excitement. Thank you Mary for this opportunity.

    Gail S.

    626
  514. I love the colors and style of this embroidery. Though I am new to embroidery, I come from a long line of family members who do handwork. It must be in our genes! My dream needlework vacation is anywhere with a deck and a beautiful view!

    628
  515. My dream embroidery vacation would be Australia/New Zealand. They have such an amazing variety of embroidery designers to learn from. The country is beautiful – scenery and embroidery – what could be better! Love this crewel kit so even not winning it looks like it may be a project for 2018.

    629
  516. The past couple years I have been drooling over Lorna Bateman’s beautiful work, however I have yet to start one of her kits. She offers an Alpine Experience Workshop in France that sounds absolutely wonderful. I don’t travel outside this United States, but for this experience I would definitely make an exception to learn new techniques while enjoying the French country side.

    Thank you for this opportunity to hopefully win a beautiful crewel work kit.
    Jan in California.

    630
  517. My needlework related dream vacation would be one of Lady Anne’s Needlework Retreats in the UK. Each year I read the itinerary & wish I could go. Not only do you get to go to great needlework related destinations, you also get to take classes from some of the top instructors in the country.

    632
  518. This is easy! Dream destination is England to take the RSN sponsored behind the scenes tour I saw publicized some time ago.

    633
  519. Hi Mary my dream destination for needlework holiday would be my conservatory, in my favourite chair looking over my garden. No packing, no fuss just time to do what all us needle workers long to be able to do, stitching and dreaming oh boy! That would be so good ❤️

    634
  520. My dream needlework destination is the Bayeaux Tapestry in Normandy, France. I’ve been there before but I wasn’t an embroiderer then and so we drove on by. So I have that wrong to right! I’ve been working on a replica of the tapestry lately and so I’m itching to see it in the real world.

    635
  521. Hello Mary! Thank you again this opportunity! My dream destination would be Ireland! Known for its wonderful wool, surely it would be a stitchers paradise!

    636
  522. If you had to pick one needlework-related dream destination vacation, where would it be and why?

    My needlework dream destination vacation would be to travel to England. I would love to spend a month or two in England going to the needlework displays at various museums and at private estate homes. I would also love to visit the Royal School of Needlework and possibly take a class or two.

    637
  523. Hi Mary,

    This is soooo easy… Britain’s stately homes that feature embroideries and textiles and the Royal School of Needlework and possibly take a class or two. This has been a dream of mine for many years. Why… the chance to see such precious textiles up close and personal and the chance to learn from the best. Oh wow! I’m floating away on a cloud just thinking about it.
    Thank you Mary for organizing this and thanks to The Crewel Work Company for supplying such lovely kits.
    Cheers Judy
    South East Queensland
    Australia

    639
  524. Tree of Life crewel kit! O my what a lovely gift to try for. There are many places in the world that I would love to go to to learn different techniques in needlework. But I think that Australia would be a treasure trove of needlework-I’m speaking of the birthplace of the magazine “Inspirations”. They have such lovely materials, ideas, accessories and kits that I would love to spend my money on and it’s all in one place. So that’s where I would like to go.

    640
  525. Hi Mary.
    I would love to go to Suzhou, China, the “Venice” of China to visit its renowned embroidery schools. They are especially famous for the technique of two-sided embroidery where they create two different pictures simultaneously I find it intriguing and totally awesome. If I could attend some classes I’m sure I’d be seated with the four-year olds!
    Merry Christmas and a healthy, happy New Year!
    Francine

    641
  526. I love Crewelwork, and have done many. Two hang on my workroom right now, done about 50 years ago when I moved into my present house. They were matted in green to go with the livingroom at the time, but now I feel I can hang them anywhere

    If I had my “druthers” I’d go to Scotland and see where so many of the designers live and work.

    642
  527. I would love to go to England to the Royal School of Needlework. It’s not far from downtown London so I could see the sights and shop at the infamous schools shop and maybe gets some tips and tricks to improve my needlework skills.

    643
  528. My dream
    Needlework
    Vacation would be somewhere away from the distractions of daily life– including cell phone–where I, maybe with some needlework friends –could stitch to our hearts’ intent!

    645
  529. As I live remotely in New Zealand, I would be in seventh heaven in the United Kingdom. There is so much history there for the avid embroider, and as this is also is my ancestry background.
    I have on my bucket list, at the top, to try and achieve as many types of embroidery as possible. I have had the privilege of being in the USA, and Australia. However I really want to visit the museums and study their style of embroidery first hand in the United Kingdom.

    Merry Christmas and a Happy new Year to all.

    Happy stitching

    Sue Howe

    646
  530. My dream destination has always been to visit and attend a class at the Royal School of Needlework in Hampton Court, England. Just to admire some of those old pieces and absorb all that wonderful knowledge that is around you. All embroidery. How magnificent!

    647
  531. Hello Mary,

    I would like so much to go to UK and more specifically in England (but not only) to take a RSN course. Till I
    read blogs and magazines, I am astonished by what exists over there that we can discover. Sure that Internet is interesting, but to see personally the treasures in all their museums and castles should be great !

    Diane from Montréal in Québec

    648
  532. I would love to go to India or the Middle East. Not only are their textiles brightly colored, but their embroidery traditions are different from what I know. It would be great to learn about different designs and techniques from a different culture.

    649
  533. I would love to go to the museums in London and look at historical needlework. Maybe France and Italy next.

    650
  534. I can think of no better dream needlework vacation than to visit the Royal School of Needlework in Surrey, UK. I once attended a quilt exhibit at the V&A in London that was absolutely stunning.

    651
  535. I would visit wherever the Bayeaux Tapestry is located. I love needlework and I love history. What a wonderful way to combine the two!

    652
  536. I would love to go to Paris, specifically as part of the French Needle’s week-long tour. A structured tour like this takes the guesswork and planning out of my hands, and I’m sure I could never arrange such wonderful classes and such on my own! Definitely something to dream about…

    653
  537. I would love to head to Ireland for the inspiration of the landscape there and the woolen goods…fabric and yarn for stitching.

    654
  538. I would love to take some courses with the Royal School of Needlework in Glasgow. I’ve always wanted to visit Scotland to research my roots and being an RSN student would be a dream come true.

    655
  539. What a beautiful piece from Phillipa Turnbull – she never disappoints, and her youtube videos are addictive.
    There are several countries I would love to visit and to enroll in an embroidery class; England would be first on my list, with an Australian embroidery cruise a very close second. Since traveling to a foreign country is not a possibility at this time, working on a design by Phillipa Tunbull would be a dream come true.

    656
  540. My dream would be to vacation in Hampton Court, to meet all the embroiderers there. See all the displays & take some classes at the embroidery school.

    657
  541. I would love to go to Beating Around the Bush in Australia. Coming from a small Island off the northern coast of British Columbia it is always interesting to see other islands. The courses always sound so interesting and I have always wanted to do one with Trish Burr. That would be my dream 🙂

    658
  542. My dream stitching destination would be Beat Around the Bush in Australia. I’ve seen some of the items that were on display there and read of some of the classes. It seems like a really wonderful event full of people who love needlework.

    659
  543. These are beautiful! I would love to go to Paris, a few friends of mine went to Paris recently and there were some really great needlework shops there!

    660
  544. I would love to spend a semester taking courses by the RSN in London. Another delight would be to attend the needlework conference in Adelaide this year. Thanks Mary and Merry Christmas to you!

    661
  545. I would pick taking a course at the RSN as a dream vacation. A friend just did that and her photos were AMAZING.

    662
  546. Dear Mary, My dream needlework vacation would be to go to Adelaide in Australia as I would love to attend the “Beating around the Bush” needlework seminar.

    663
  547. Dream Destination: to visit the V&A, but not a short visit. A long, leisurely one, say about a month, where I could visit the important textiles I have seen photographed but would like to see “in person.” Lots of Jacobean and Elizabethan work, including clothing. I would need a sketchbook, pens and pencils, and a small basket with crewel wool, some medium weight silks, and needles and little stork scissors to try out some of the stitches in these exquisite exhibitions. Then, still armed with my sketchbook, pencils and pens, off to the EG Headquarters to view more pieces in their collection. Did I say only a month? No, two months of embroidery study . . .

    664
  548. My dream needlework vacation would be a month at the RSN, working to improve my skills and touring England and Scotland.

    665
  549. My dream vacation would be to Australia. I heard of the wonderful needlework shops there and hope would run into Sharon B.

    666
  550. If I had to choose, I would visit the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. I think I could spend a whole week there. OH and the Royal School of Needlework as well! and the Birmingham Quilt Show – OK lets just say I’ll go to England!

    668
  551. I would love to be able to see some of the beautiful Chinese silk embroidered items that I have seen in museum collections being made. I guess that would involve both time travel as well as well as passage to China.

    I love the crewel embroideries that were used as hangings around the beds of the 17th & 18th centuries that in some cases have been recycled in to quilts, after that trend went out of vogue. Beautiful shapes of the elements & such rich colours.

    669
  552. Take me out to London so I can visit the Royal School of Embroidery and while there take a class!!

    670
  553. My dream destination, thank you asking, is the Royal School of Needlework (RSN) at Hampton Court Palace, near London, UK.
    Now, I live in England (Yorkshire, with my husband Martin), only about 200+ miles away from London, but currently I’m staying in Liverpool where I’m caring full time, for my Mum who suffers from Alzheimer’s Disease, so I’ve no chance Going go to the RSN which, apart from selling embroidery kits and other goodies, also runs courses on embroidery.
    These courses range from day courses for beginners and advanced stitchers, to degree and diploma courses for the serious needleworker or the plainly addicted among us. I’d like to work my way through all their courses until I have a degree on the wall of my, one day wonderful, sewing room. And if that wasn’t enough, there’s Hampton Court Palace itself; mainly by Cardinal Wolsey in the early 1500s and later given to King Henry VIII. The RNS is the custodian of many historical pieces of embroidery and clothing from the Tudor and other eras and are definately worth seeing. After all, many crewel work pieces look to this era for inspiration and some of the fantastical beasts found in such work come from Elizabethan Palace wall decorations. I could stay for 6 months and not be finished with the embroidery courses, the RSN shop, which is apparently fantastic or Hampton Court Palace itself. With a hotel across the road, plus I don’t even need a passport this is certainly my dream destination.

    671
  554. I would go to Ireland as my stitcher’s dream. It is my ancestry and I love the images and mysticism that come out of Ireland!

    673
  555. Hi , my dream location would be To take a class at Hampton Crt at the Royal School of Needlwork . A dream come true !

    674
  556. I would love to go the England and take classes from the RSN. I have loved everything I’ve seen from the school and love their books as well.

    675
  557. For my dream needlework vacation I would go to the Royal Academy in San Francisco, CA
    to learn new techniques in our wonderful craft. If not San Francisco, I would love to attend the national conference of EGA as my vacation.

    I am excited about the #5 give away. What a wonderful opportunity to create, and to learn of another needlework resource. I look forward to winning.

    679
  558. My dream? To spend time at Hampton Court and take a class at the Royal School of Needlework. That would be perfect, absolutely perfect.

    681
  559. I think for my dream needlework vacation I would like to go around Europe and see things like the Bayeux tapestry and the embroidery done by Mary Stuart.

    683
  560. My dream needlework destination would be attending ‘Beating Around the Bush in Australia’. Couldn’t think of a better way to start my retirement !!

    684
  561. My dream stitching vacation would be a stitching cruise, with free stitching time, classes, and social activities!

    685
  562. Thank you Mary and Philippa for a beautiful giveaway. I love crewel.

    Australia seems to be a happening place right now – Beating Around the Bush, Allison Cole, and Yvette Stanton.

    686
  563. I would choose to visit Linen and Threads in Australia so that I could thank Karen and Bren in person for the 2017 SAL that has been such a big part of my free time this past year.

    687
  564. I love this work and pattern. I had hoped to do a class here in NZ at ANZEG conference next year but I’ve missed out, boo hoo.

    688
  565. I think I would like to visit Attic Needlework in Arizona. I like stitching more than just samplers, but that shop looks amazing! I don’t have an LNS, so basically any shop is a fun destination for me.

    689
  566. I have not done crewel in a very long time. This piece is so pretty and nothing like I did in the past!

    690
  567. If I could go anywhere for a dream stitching vacation I would love to go to England and visit the museums and great houses that all have glorious needlework in their premises. And of course that would need to include lunches and dinners and possibly high tea to appreciate the the whole ambiance of how beautiful embroidery is used. Sigh!!

    691
  568. My dream destination would be Hawaii. I would love to see the sand, sea and the flowers of the islands not to mention the birds. (I have never flown in my life, only in my dreams) I have a quilt pattern of the Island to use the colors of the islands and to have an embroidery work done on pillowcases would be awesome. To learn from the awesome people who put out the designs and stitches would be a dream of a lifetime. I keep telling my husband I want to go to Hawaii for our 50th wedding anniversary, but he just looks at me and smiles. The love of my life for 47 years.

    693
  569. Wow, easy one. My dream would be to go to England – view the Victoria and Albert Museum’s collection of needlework and clothing; go to the Royal School of Needlework and just immerse myself in the creativity.

    694
  570. If I could take a needlework vacation it would be to the British Isles-there are so many wonderful museums that feature historical textiles such as the Victoria and Albert Museum. The Royal School of Needlework in London, Blairs Castle in Scotland South Wales Lace Makers and Needlework Fair in Wales and so many others it could take a life time to cover them all–But what a life time! I am drooling just thinking of it!

    695
  571. The one destination I would love to go to is Australia. They have so many shops and most of my favourite designers there. They also have some incredible workshops and conferences. What a thrill it would be to see some of the shops I drool over in person.
    Thanks,
    Brenda from Grande Prairie

    696
  572. Beautiful Tree of Life project! I love Phillipa’s kits. I just received her Hoop frames and really love using them. I would love to go to one of Phillipa’s classes or RSN for an entire summer! :)! Wouldn’t hat be awesome. I just finished my first piece with lots and lots of mistakes but i love it anyway! Thank you and Phillipa for a fantastic giftaway!

    698
  573. My dream embroidery vacation would be to the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Palace to attend embroidery classes.

    699
  574. I would love to go to London, England to the Royal School of Needlework. I would love to see the history of London, and learn a new technic for my needle work.

    700
  575. A dream destination would be England to attend classes given by the Royal School of Needlework…thanks for this giveaway!

    702
  576. I have been looking at this wonderful piece for some time now. Unfortunatly is is beyond my budget, so is just a dream piece. Winning it would surely be a dream come true.

    703
  577. I have been looking at this wonderful piece for some time now. Unfortunatly is is beyond my budget, so is just a dream piece. Winning it would surely be a dream come true. My dream destination is easy, it’s to the Royal school of needlework in Bath England.

    704
  578. The place I would like to visit and stitch would be the Alps in Switzerland.
    The reason I chose the alpine area of Switzerland is because of the inspiring beauty and majesty of the Alps, the way people have adapted to the Alps, and the beauty of the Alps would inspire me to create a crewel work.

    705
  579. I would like to take a stitching retreat with other stitchers hopefully way more experienced than I am so I can learn from them. Somewhere on the Gulf of Mexico would be great.

    706
  580. My dream destination would be to be on an embroidery cruise that took in all the beautiful places in the world that have excellent places with embroidery displayed so that I could feast my eyes and heart out on them all. That way I would have the best of both dreams, cruising whilst embroidering, and visiting beautiful displayed embroidery places.

    708
  581. I would go somewhere that had great architecture & wonderful sweeping landscapes. I love to take photographs & can just imagine incorporating that into a design all my own.

    710
  582. Oooo, a chance to win one of these awesome crewelwork kit! Well, my dream needle-work destination vacation would be to the Royal School of Needlework because I would love the experience of learning at such a renowned establishment. Merry Christmas!

    711
  583. My Needlework dream destination would be to go on one of the beautiful Needlework cruises. A relaxing cruise holiday, visiting interesting places, making new friends, stitching in the comfort of a luxury cruise ship or river boat and not needing to worry about what to cook for dinner. Bliss!

    712
  584. My dream vacation would be to go on one of Phillipa’s fantastic tours – any of them would be incredible.

    713
  585. What a beautiful pattern! I have always loved the Tree of life theme.
    I have been sharing with some embroidery/quilting friends your website. I know that they ordered your Christmas Trees pattern and are enjoying your website.

    A dream vacation spot would be Europe. It seems like they have a deeply rooted tradition in handwork. Another option is Australia – I have seen some beautiful things come from there.

    714
  586. I would love to go on any of The Crewel Work Company’s needlework tours… stitching and visiting castles and seeing gorgeous scenery sounds like heaven. It is one item of many on my bucket list!
    Thank you to you and all the sponsors for these amazing giveaways 🙂

    715
  587. My needlework dream vacation would be course with elements of crewel and goldwork at Hampton Court with the Royal School of Needlework! This is a lovely tree of life design.

    716
  588. I would love to take a course (or more) at the RSN. It is exciting to be able to learn from the best.

    717
  589. Because I love the exuberant color and design of the wool-on-wool embroidery, my dream vacation destination is Sweden.

    718