60 Glorious Years

February 6th, 2012

Today we pause to remember that it is 60 years since the accession of Queen Elizabeth II.

Some of us will remember vividly that cold February day in 1952 when the young Queen returned as Monarch, from  Kenya.  She had arrived there just days earlier as the first stop in a Commonwealth tour with her husband, Prince Philip and it was there that she received the news that her father, King George VI, had died and that she had therefore acceded to the throne.

It was one of those days when people remember exactly what they were doing. Pat Hallam was in a cookery lesson when the caretaker, holding his cap across his chest in respect, entered and informed the teacher that the King had died. It was moment that has  remained vividly in her memory and all around the country, similar memories would establish themselves in personal memories.

It had been some five years earlier, in a broadcast on her 21st birthday that the then Princess Elizabeth had said, movingly and firmly,  ’I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong’. This is a promise that she has certainly kept since and today, fittingly, she has renewed that pledge of service.

Those of us who have lived through these 60 years of her reign have found that our lives have changed beyond all imagination – but, one constant has always been there, our Queen has simply continued to serve the Country and the Commonwealth.  Her Majesty has, of course, also needed to respond to the changes we have all experienced, but this has always been in a careful and measured way. Long may she reign !

In celebration of the Diamond Jubilee , Roseground has produced a commemorative bobbin – designed by our popular painter, Amanda D – which many will wish to have on their pillow. It is available now, in a choice of wood or bone, and may be seen and ordered here.

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New Tatters, New Tatting Materials

November 11th, 2011

It’s good to see that tatting is growing in popularity. At every event we speak to people who are keen to get started and to join those who have been tatting for many years.

Roseground has always made sure that it serves the needs of the tatter. We stock the largest range of specialist tatting books in the UK and a wide range of shuttles and accessories to suit every taste and need.  Recently too, we have brought several exciting new products which have been welcomed by tatters – from the beginner to the most experienced .

Lizbeth thread, specially developed for crochet and tatting has been exceptionally well received by tatters all around the world. Quite simply, they have fallen in love with it ! And, it’s easy to see why – it has the texture and qualities that tatters look for, a wide and ever-growing range of solid and variegated shades and is available from Roseground in both size 20 and 40.   If you haven’t already done so,  give it a try – we think you won’t look back

Traditionally, the skill of tatting was often passed from mother to daughter and many tatters treasure their mother’s or grandmother’s shuttle – but, of course, there is always room for a new addition. This year has seen some of the old favourites reappear with a makeover and at modest prices. Check out the new ‘Aero’ Style bobbin shuttle, the Lacis Shuttle, and arriving any day now, the Starlite Shuttle with a long pick end. And, they all come in a range of bright colours – check them out !

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What Can We Do ?

October 21st, 2011

As the world knows, northeastern Japan was hit by a devastating earthquake and tsunami on the 11^th March 2011. Now, seven months later, it is known that nearly 20,000 are confirmed dead or are still missing. More than 60,000 are living in temporary shelters and over 250 children are orphaned.

Rieko Tamura, a Japanese lacemaker, and her students live in western Japan which was undamaged but they were, of course, deeply shocked by the tragedy and were determined to do what they could for the victims.  They thought, “What can we do as lacemakers ?”.  Now, after approaching the Lace Guild and obtaining permission, Rieko has redrawn the patterns from the CD of the Rose Family Sample Book and 25 of her students have worked the samples and produced this well presented booklet of 30 Bedfordshire edging and insertion patterns. They are donating all their profits to the Japanese Red Cross Society which is working with the victims.

This is an excellent opportunity for lacemakers to obtain an excellent collection of  patterns  - and to support this very worthy cause at the same time.

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Christmas Bobbins Are Here

September 15th, 2011

Painted bobbins are a feature of the lacemaker’s Christmas and that’s why Roseground always does its very best to bring you designs which would be welcome on any pillow.

It is now over three years since we invited Amanda D to paint lace bobbins for Roseground and in that time her work – sometimes quirky, often more formal, but always interesting and stylish – has become a firm favorite with lacemakers around the world.  So,  for Christmas 2011,  we simply asked her to continue the good work – and we think you will like what she has produced.

Our Snowman , a  happy character, with traditional carrot nose and warm red scarf , is the ideal shape to decorate the body of the bobbin .  And too,  this design can be supplied on ebony (centre right) – as an alternative to the universally available  lemonwood (centre left) and bone (centre) options – which some will find contrasts well with the snowy scene.

Equally attractive – perhaps to those who prefer a more subtle decoration –  are the traditional Christmas Pudding design (far left), complete with sprigs of holly and mistletoe,  and the Pine Cones design (far right), featuring cones, a sprig of holly in a snowy setting.

Amanda D bobbins are supplied with a matching spangle which feature a painted bottom bead which, for this Christmas range, adds to the festive feel of these attractive commemoratives.

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Lizbeth Thread Has it All

June 15th, 2011

Every tatter knows the importance of their choice of thread. Of course, the first consideration will be size – and many will choose size 20 – and they will want a wide range of colourfast shades to choose from – as well as a smooth thread that is easy to work and which will hold its appearance into the future.

We believe that Lizbeth tatting thread meets all these requirements and more – and we know that more and more tatters are agreeing with that. They just love the way it works – its super-combed, gas-singed qualities mean that it works smoothly and  is  much less likely to tangle and the inherent strength of the six-cord cordonnet mean  that the work will have a lovely lustre which will continue to look good, even after repeated washings.

And, with over 125 colours, including both solid and hand-dyed variegated shades –  and the range continues to grow – there are endless combinations to choose  and, with the matching guide that is provided, planning a project is so easy. You’ll really enjoy mixing the colours  and you’ll just love the finished result.

Roseground stocks the full range of Lizbeth shades in size 20 and a growing number of shades in Lizbeth size 40. Of course, its great for tatting but also for crochet and other crafts too !

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Good News for Book Lovers

May 19th, 2011

We have been used to a steady stream of lacemaking books over the last few years and Roseground has brought you most of them as they have appeared. Last year though, saw something of a pause for breath – although Ulrike Voelcker’s Rib & Roll book was amongst some notable exceptions and was deservedly well-received as a result.  But now, in the last couple of months, we have seen the pace hot up.

It probably started with Jane Atkinson’s beautiful book on modern lace, Contemporary Lace For You – a book packed with ideas and supported by superb photography, taken on location in Dorset.  Anyone with even the slightest inclination towards experimenting with modern designs is sure to be inspired with this one.

Then came Invisible, mentioned in an earlier post, in which Martina Wolter-Kampmann describes in excellent detail, her techniques for achieving invisible starts and finishes – even supplying a DVD to support the very thorough text.

We have been used to – and in awe of –  major works from Ulrike Voelcker which seem to appear almost annually. This year,  however, there is no large hardback but her many fans should not despair, as they can settle perhaps  - just this time ! – for her latest booklet,  Jewelry with Beads which is packed with patterns for earrings, hair clips and brooches – enjoy !

Hinojosa Lace, a Spanish braid lace, was developed in the early part of the last century in a small village of that name, in south-west Spain. For several decades it provided work and an income for most of the women there but, as demand declined, the skills within the population were soon also in decline. For some time now there has been a renewed interest  in the lace techniques and now, after years of research, Marina Regueiro has produced Hinojosa Lace – History & Technique (shown above), an impressive and attractive work that is sure to be popular.

And, don’t let us forget the tatters !  For several years now we have seen a stream of immaculately produced books from Japan which have provided new inspiration to tatters around the world. Although we have sometimes been confused by the use of the same title –  ’Tatting Lace’ – for all of the different books in the series, we have only too happy to live with the confusion to have the pleasure of these wonderful books – yes, they are written in the Japanese language but the illustrations and diagrams are superb and most experienced tatters  soon find themselves happily working the patterns. The latest is by Sumi Fujishige and its available from Roseground now.

So plenty of interest already and, we hear, more in the pipeline. One thing for sure, you will find all that is new at Roseground !

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Welcome to Our New Look Site

May 5th, 2011

Today we have launched our updated site which, as well as all the features you have been used to, includes many more – including our ‘Whats New’ blog – where we intend to keep to informed of both new products and what’s happening in the lacemaking and tatting worlds – and customer account access which includes viewing your order history – including the progress of any current orders you have.

And, we think you will like the bolder, clear-cut screens, guidance about related products, and pointers to what’s popular right now.

We do hope you like it and look forward to hearing from you if you have a few moments to let us know what you think.

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Royal Wedding Bobbin is a Big Hit

April 28th, 2011

As I write, the final preparations are under way for Catherine and William’s Big Day and here at Roseground we are busy too – and have been for several weeks now – sending out the commemorative bobbin, which has been exclusively designed for us by our popular new painter, Amanda D.

Its attractive design in both wood and bone and with a matching spangle, has found favour all around the world.

And, if you have not ordered yours yet, don’t worry. For the moment, sit back and enjoy the occasion – we will still be accepting orders for some time yet !

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Invisible – But Here Now !

April 26th, 2011

All of us want to make neat starts and finishes – even avoiding those annoying knots on the back of the lace – and this latest book from Martina Wolter-Kampmann explains how to do it in all the detail you will need.

Here, you can learn to use the ‘lazy loop’ to work finishes – in many situations – that are not only invisible on the front of the lace, but also invisible on the back!   The book is packed with 700 diagrams and photographs which explain every step – and, so that you can look over her shoulder while she works the techniques, Martina has included a DVD in the back of the book.

Martina Wolter-Kampmann is an established and respected lace teacher and designer, based in Germany.  Her early training included studying  textile design at the University of Dormund and a thorough grounding in bobbin lace at Le Puy and at the Kant Centrum in Brugge.

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