While exploring Edinburgh on a recent trip to Scotland, I came across an incredible local artisan market on the Royal Mile called Tron Kirk Market.
Inside this renovated church building, we discovered a world of makers and crafters from all over Scotland selling everything from candles to Scottish tweed doggie bowties to screen printed tote bags. You can image my delight when I came across a booth filled with embroidery and cross stitch kits.
I love picking up stitch work kits as mementos of my travels. So, I picked up a Highland Cow embroidery kit and Nessie needle minder - both perfect mementos of our trip exploring the Scottish highlands, staying near Loch Ness and meeting an adorable herd of Highland Coos.
I started working on my Highland Cow sampler that very evening and I knew Paraffle kits would be a perfect fit for Snuggly Monkey. The designs were unlike anything else I currently stocked in the shop and I loved everything about the kits from the eco-friendly packaging to the detailed stitch guide.
Paraffle means "embroidery" and "ostentatious display" in Old Scots. Owner-Designer Sammy Bishop felt this was the perfect name for her Edinburgh based embroidery kit business. Paraffle is a creative business committed to sustainability and community. Sammy wanted to use the highest quality supplies available for her kits, so she partnered with a family run business in India that grows organic cotton, and then weaves and dyes it to make the fabric used in Paraffle kits. I loved stitching on the fabric included in the kit. It was thick enough that I did not need to use backing fabric to stabilize my stitches. It was soft to the touch and the perfect weave for easy stitching.
In addition to the complete embroidery kits, Paraffle also offers "Customize" kits of stick & stitch patterns that you can use to embroider clothing, shoes, bags or create your own unique hoop art. Each customize kit includes stick & stitch patterns along with embroidery floss and a needle, so you can start personalizing your wardrobe straight out of the envelope!
From the full sized kits to the minis, I have quickly become a huge fan of Paraffle and I am excited to offer a wide range of their designs in the shop. Scotland is one of the most beautiful places I've had the privilege of exploring and adding Paraffle kits to the shop feels like bring a small piece of Scotland back home with me.
Explore the world of Paraffle Embroidery! I look forward to seeing what you create!
Leave a comment