Antique needlepoint is found in Mary’s home.
She brings up her findings to Angie Curtis and her friends at the Mainely Needlepointers, who convince her to appraise the pieces thought to be made by Mary, Queen of Scots. Though tucked safely in the hands of her lawyer, Mary must unearth who murdered him, and who took off with the needlework.
Patterns with intricate nature scenes were very popular in the 16th century, and samplers categorized different flower species, teaching young women more than a craft. Needlepoint broke beyond lace cuffs on a noble’s collar, and stitches brought Christian stories and mythology to canvas.
Try your take on an antique sample, made with cross stitches. Be creative, and include a modern design to complement. http://www.antiquesamplers.org/items/show/40
Could Mary and Angie confirm the maker and thief of the needlepoints? Loosen this tight puzzle in Lea Wait’s next mystery, THREAD AND GONE.
DOWNLOAD YOUR PATTERN FOR THREAD AND GONE
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Angie Curtis and her fellow Mainely Needlepointers know how to enjoy their holidays. But nothing grabs their attention like tying up loose threads. So when Mary Clough drops in on the group’s Fourth of July supper with a question about antique needlepoint she’s discovered in her family Colonial-era home, Angie and her ravelers are happy to look into the matter.
Their best guess is that the mystery piece may have been stitched by Mary, Queen of Scots, famous not just for losing her head, but also for her needlepointing. If they’re right, the piece would be extremely valuable. For safekeeping, Angie turns the piece over to her family lawyer, who places it in her office safe. But when the lawyer is found dead with the safe open and ransacked, the real mystery begins…
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lea Wait lives on the coast of Maine. A fourth generation antique dealer, and author of the Agatha-nominated Shadows Antique Print mystery series, she loves all things antiques and Maine, and she’s learning to do needlepoint. She also writes historical novels for young people set in (where else?) nineteenth-century Maine. Lea adopted her four daughters when she was single; she’s now the grandmother of eight, and married to artist Bob Thomas. Find her at Facebook, Goodreads, and at leawait.com.