A warm hello, and a very Happy New Year from all of us at Jolly Red. While we are in lockdown, our small team is very fortunate to be able to continue to work in our spacious and airy Somerset HQ.

We are packing and posting kits, and our sewing ladies are once again whirring away on their machines after the Christmas break.

Well, 2021 and another lockdown. On the plus side, more time at home provides the perfect opportunity to start work on a tapestry and get a head start on this year’s stitching. Perhaps a Christmas stocking looks tempting, or maybe you’d like to stitch a special birthday gift for a friend or relative you haven’t seen for a while?

Today we have inspiration for you as we look at a small selection of tapestries that were given their finishing touches by our skilled Making up Service ladies.

Here is Sue M’s gorgeous quintet (clockwise, from top left): Chick Chick Chicken teacosy, Jolly Campervans, Teatime teacosy, Blossom Birds and Jumpin’ Jack Cats.

2020 was a year of wedding postponements, creating dilemmas for stitchers who had already stitched – and added the date – to a surprise wedding tapestry.

Sue C stitched her Arts and Crafts Tiles for her nephew’s planned wedding on the 18th April. At that point we were looking forward to meeting Sue as she planned to pop into our workshop en route to the wedding celebration.

Sadly, it wasn’t to be. Travel restrictions prevented Sue from coming to Somerset, and the wedding date was altered to 5th of May. Sue stitched away at a second tapestry, so Sam and his bride are now the proud recipients of an Arts and Crafts Tiles tapestry and an Arts and Crafts Owls too, each with their own dates.

Last year our Christmas stockings were extremely popular projects. Knowing that a beloved nephew, niece or grandchild would be enjoying having his or her very own Christmas stocking was some consolation for many people who were unable to meet up with loved ones.

As it was such a busy year for tapestry we often found it difficult to keep up with social media. There simply weren’t enough hours in the day!

We do try to keep up to date on Facebook so please check in to Jolly Red’s Facebook page for regular updates from our workshop. A favourite album is called Stitchers’ Pets, and Kelly S’s poodle Winston could almost have an album to himself as he is so photogenic and very happy in front of the camera!

Here is is, happily posing with Kelly’s Coffee with Friends and Jolly Hearts tapestries, each made up in the bright colours that Kelly is fond of.

Do call if you need us on 01460 281111, or send an email to kelly@jollyred.co.uk.

Best wishes as always. Happy stitching and this year more than ever we wish you a happy and healthy New Year,

Kelly and team x

PS If you’ve finished a Jolly Red tapestry over the Christmas period, now is a great time to send it to us for making up. Call us on 01460 281111 and we’ll help you to decide on the fabric that would best suit it.