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?

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HM Queen Elizabeth II`s Diamond Jubilee, London landmarks and sport

Celebrate this summer in Cross Stitch - London landmarks, pageantry and sport!

(click image for details)
Big Ben - cross-stitch kit by John Clayton

Big Ben

I Love England - cross-stitch kit by Bothy Threads

I Love England

Lambeth Bridge - cross-stitch kit by Bothy Threads

Lambeth Bridge

Diamond Jubilee - cross-stitch kit by Bothy Threads

Diamond Jubilee

London - cross-stitch kit by Thomas Kinkade

London

Forever Friends - Union Jack - cross-stitch kit by Anchor

Forever Friends - Union Jack

Westminster - cross-stitch kit by John Clayton

Westminster

Mr. Men and Little Miss : London Bus - cross-stitch kit by Bothy Threads

Mr. Men and Little Miss : London Bus

More HM Queen Elizabeth II`s Diamond Jubilee, London landmarks and sport ...

Thread a Little Happiness!

best cross stitch sites on the web

"Just received my order of a kit. 10 working days to Australia and exactly as described. Ref ... Thank you so much, I am really looking forward to making it and giving it to my godsons new brother or sister :-) " - FBW, Victoria, Australia

"Thanks for your quick service" - KMcM, TX, United States

"Thank you for sending my cross stitch so promptly. It arrived to-day." - VS, CA, United States

"Hello, I recieved my order this morning! I was so shocked and pleased! I will definately use you again!" - LC, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

"Dear Sir/Madam, I am amazed, astounded and gob-smacked over your quick service. I ordered only 5 days ago and today my pattern arrived here in Australia. Wow! Thanks, " - KG, Victoria, Australia

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News

The Month that May be Named

Did you remember to wash your face in the morning dew on 1st May? Thought not. The prospect of being able to see fairies or the face of your next husband seems somehow less appealing than it used to. At least here in southern Scotland we have been able to see the face of the sun - which is nearly as remarkable as seeing fairies.
Medieval Castle, Tapestry/Needlepoint Kit by Glorafilia
Glorafilia traditional needlepoint tapestries make wonderful decorative touches and we now have a few small pictures - all 'Medieval' - for those who enjoy the style but would rather not tackle a large project.

The delicate art of hardanger is becoming increasingly popular and we are always on the lookout for new designs and kits. Emie Bishop of Cross 'N' Patch specialises in traditional band samplers usually with sprays of roses. She has a new design booklet - Pieces of my Heart - which is a tribute to vintage lace and comes with a tutorial sampler. This would be a suitable introduction for intermediate to advanced stitchers who don't have a great deal of experience of hardanger.

We now have all (well almost all) of the Weeks Dye Works floss. New shades are being added all the time and older ones removed from the range. These feature in many of our pattern booklets, usually only one or two per design to be used as highlights.

Finally, there's lots to look forward to this summer in the UK - an extra holiday and celebrations for Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee. Oh, and there's also an international sporting event which few are allowed to name as it's trademarked. Let's just call it the sporting-event-that-must-not-be-named. This month we are featuring some kits related to these special events.

Enjoy your stitching!

Art and Craft Events

Miss Heart of the USA (Craft Fairs) - Florida, United States

Register today to represent your state at the Miss Heart of the USA National!

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South Carolina's Miss Heart of the USA (Craft Fairs) - Columbia, United States

Join the Miss Heart of the USA Pageant for the very 1st annual South Carolina's Miss Heart of the USA Pageant!

This is a pageant you don't want to miss!

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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.

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.

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.

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