Cross Stitch kits, charts, designs and leaflets; original paintings for sale.

Cross Stitch Kits, Cross Stitch Patterns and lots more ...

We supply cross stitch kits, cross stitch patterns, embroidery charts, books, and needlecraft supplies and accessories at discount prices to stitchers all over the world.

Why choose Arts and Designs?

Visit our main sections ...

For assistance or information ...

  • phone
    US: 360-382-2172
    UK: 0207-100-3509
  • or contact us via our contact page!

Rose Swalwell - Four Seasons

Spring, Summer, Autumn/Fall, Winter - if you love the outdoors you can't help but notice the seasons' constant change and renewal. How much more interesting the world is because of them!

These 4 seasons kits in cross stitch, tapestry and long stitch are specially for you to enjoy, one at a time or all together.

(click image for details)
Woodland Spring - cross-stitch kit by Rose Swalwell

Woodland Spring

Woodland Summer - cross-stitch kit by Rose Swalwell

Woodland Summer

Woodland Autumn - cross-stitch kit by Rose Swalwell

Woodland Autumn

Woodland Winter - cross-stitch kit by Rose Swalwell

Woodland Winter

Hedgerow - Spring - cross-stitch kit by Rose Swalwell

Hedgerow - Spring

Hedgerow - Summer - cross-stitch kit by Rose Swalwell

Hedgerow - Summer

Hedgerow - Autumn - cross-stitch kit by Rose Swalwell

Hedgerow - Autumn

Hedgerow - Winter - cross-stitch kit by Rose Swalwell

Hedgerow - Winter

more Rose Swalwell - Four Seasons ...

Thread a Little Happiness!

best cross stitch sites on the web

"Got it today brilliant thank you!!" - RH, United Kingdom

"Hi, the patterns arrived earlier this week, amazingly quick! Thanks so much! " - EP, NSW, Australia

"Just a quick note to say we have received the lamp and it is fabulous. I had a number of Easter Cards to make and a big plus point was that it arrived fully charged!!! Brilliant. Thank you:)" - LS, Bucks., United Kingdom

"Thank you for sorting out my confusion over the website details as to whether this kit contained linen or evenweave fabric. My kit arrived this morning (next day) and is exactly what I hoped for. Also the additional information about the English character names was useful - it's many years since I read the books and I'm rather rusty!" - SG, Cheshire, United Kingdom

"... Many thanks for your help and efficent service. I shall certainly use your company again in the future." - GT, United Kingdom

See more testimonials here ...

News

The Four Seasons in Cross Stitch, Long Stitch and Tapestry

Spring, Summer, Autumn/Fall, Winter - if you love the outdoors you can't help but notice the seasons' constant flux. How much duller life would be without them!
Spring in Scotland
Rose Swalwell has designed eight sets of Four Seasons kits and each set has its own special style inspired by nature.

In cross stitch, choose from Woodland and Hedgerow which come in 18 count or 14 count Aida and the popular Four Seasons designs in 16 count which each have a border of the seasons' names in different languages.

There are four themes in the long stitch collection: Mountains, Coast, Cottages and Evening. These are all the same size and can be mixed and matched to include your own personal favourites. Or why not do a set of a single season?

The very delicate tapestry designs Spring Orchard, Summer Meadow, Autumn Oaks and Winter Evergreens are a good opportunity to try a few different stitches which add texture and interest.

For more information visit the Four Seasons gallery!

Derwentwater designs is a family company based in the lovely English Lake District and designer Rose Swalwell takes much of her inspiration from the surrounding countryside.

Art and Craft Events

Through the Eye of a Needle (Craft Exhibitions) - Derby, United Kingdom

This collection of handmade treats is produced by individual members of Derbyshire Embroiderers' Guild and the Derbyshire Young Embroiderers. On display will be an inspiring and varied selection of work, which includes hand and machine embroideries, beadwork, felt work and much more.
more ...

Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival XXI (Craft Fairs) - Hampton, United States

Join us as we celebrate our 21st year!. Explore an American art that has developed and grown with the nation.
more ...

So much choice ... You have hundreds of cross stitch designers and suppliers to choose from, so here is a little more detailed information on some of them, their products and our opinions ...

Lanarte

Lanarte
The Dutch company Lanarte have produced many and varied designs. They produce quality large scale charts in black and white with detailed instructions in several languages.

In 1934, Augustinus (Guus) Vergnes opened a shop in Leeuwarden selling yarn and knitting wool. The range was gradually extended to include other needlecrafts, such as simple cross-stitch kits. Over the years, Guus managed to open numerous shops throughout the country under the name Naaldkunst (Needlecraft). As the range of needlecraft kits was not very broad at that time, Guus felt the need to design his own.

Lanarte, now grown into a family business was set up in 1973 and new business premises were built on the newly developed Schenkenschans industrial area in Leeuwarden, Holland.

Lanarte's collections consist of :-

  • Art Nouveau - Stylish images from the golden age of art
  • Home and Garden - beautiful flower pictures, individually, in bouquets and vases or in garden setting;
  • Romance - delicate colours and subtle shades in pictures of beautiful women, children and flowers;
  • Marjolein Bastin - designs of flowers, birds and samplers from the well known Dutch illustrator;
  • Classic - from paintings, posters and Dutch tiles;
  • Animals - styled, realistic and cartoons;
  • Culture - Egyptian collages, oriental ladies, dark African beauties are all in this group;
  • Holiday - lighthouses and seaside views and the country with fields of flowers;
  • Just for Kids - cute teddies, toys and contemporary birth samplers;
  • Maria van Scharrenburg - beautiful fantasy figures, romantic baby pictures and a cute nursery range.

Green Apple

Green Apple Inc. has been a leader in the cross stitch industry for many years and has become known for having designs of sophistication and artistic quality - designs truly worthy of becoming heirlooms.

Among their most popular are the adorable Beatrix Potter and Cicely Mary Barker's Flower Fairies, as well as Southern Roots and French Country Designs. These come mainly in booklet form with a large number of pictures in each, clearly illustrated on black and white charts. Some booklets have colour illustrations of the finished works.

Many of the individual designs are small and would therefore be suitable for all abilities. Larger pieces would be for those with more experience.

Ever popular is their Beatrix Potter collection with converted illustrations of birds and animals from her books which are suitable for children and the nursery. With many different formats and uses these are excellent value.

Beatrix Potter was born in 1866 into an upper class Victorian family in London. While her brother was sent away to school she was educated at home in art and music. She became interested in nature and the environment in family holidays spent in Scotland and the Lake District and became a skilled artist at an early age. As well as the famous illustrations for her books, she painted landscapes, flowers and fossils.

Her first book The Tale of Peter Rabbit was published in 1902 and a large number of small books followed up until around 1920, featuring her much loved characters Jemima Puddle-duck, Mrs Tiggy Winkle, Tom Kitten and many more.

She retired to the Lake District where she bought a sheep farm and with the steady stream of income from her books she bought more land in the area which on her death was left to the National Trust to ensure that the beauty of the area would remain unspoiled. Her legacy is now part of the Lake District National Park.

Her most famous books have been published by Frederick Warne & Company since 1902.

Rose Swalwell

Rose Swalwell is the founder of Derwentwater Designs, named after the lake in the beautiful English Lake District where she lives and where her business is situated.

The company has been designing and manufacturing embroidery kits since the mid 1980s and Rose still designs most of the kits although there is also a team of designers each specialising in a different range.

maia

maia is an exclusive range of beautiful and artistic embroidery kits designed to inspire you down to the very last stitch.

Maia is the goddess of spring, growth, life, rebirth and love – all fitting qualities for you and your stitching.

Produced by Coats Crafts, maia kits include carefully sorted Anchor thread, quality fabric and easy to follow charts and instructions. The designs are all inspired by the artwork of various artists - Karl Bang, Thomas Kinkade, Keith Mallett, Erte, Nel and Kawase Hasui.

Quality cross stitch kits, inspirational design.


Please wait ...