Meet The Artist Behind Our Afternoon Tea Cross Stitch Kit

One of my favourite parts of creating new cross stitch kits for our Artists Collection is collaborating with talented artists and transforming their beautiful illustrations into designs that can be enjoyed one stitch at a time.

When I first came across Lee Henry's work at Ounce Of Style (he was my stall neighbour at a market!), I immediately fell in love with his bold colours, playful typography and wonderfully nostalgic take on iconic British food and drink. His cheerful illustrations felt like the perfect match for a cross stitch collection, and I was absolutely delighted when he agreed to collaborate on what would become our You, Me & Afternoon Tea Cross Stitch Kit. Inspired by the timeless tradition of afternoon tea, the design captures everything we love about this classic British pastime.

I caught up with Lee to chat about his journey as an illustrator, the inspiration behind the design, his love of British food culture, and what it was like seeing his artwork transformed into a cross stitch kit. So, pop the kettle on, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy getting to know the artist behind the stitches.

Tell us a bit about yourself!

I’m Lee, an illustrator and graphic designer who specialises in food and drink content. After working for many years in newspapers and magazines, I founded my brand and studio, Ounce Of Style, in 2012. You can find me selling art prints and tea towels at craft fairs and markets in the North East and throughout the country. I also work with small food and drink companies on branding, packaging, signage and illustration, and I’m the Graphic Designer for The Chocolate Smiths, based in North Shields.

Lee at market (Photo Credit: Wilfred Magnusson)

What influences have shaped your artistic style over the years?

Hand-drawn illustration has always been at the core of what I do. As a child I was obsessed with drawing cartoons and would spend hours copying things that I found in newspapers. I still do everything by hand with pencil and fine-liner pens. I’m also inspired by midcentury designers like Reid Miles and Edward McKnight Kauffer. Their bold use of colour and typography has always appealed to me. 

how does specifically british food inspire and feature in your work?

I travel a lot to do markets and enjoy finding local food stories to feature in my designs. I find it helps you to connect with potential customers and also provides a challenge for me as a designer. A good example of this is my ‘Rhubarb Triangle’ print. This was originally produced as a limited edition risograph for The Hepworth in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. It has gone on to sell really well for a number of years now. We have a wealth of history and interest throughout the UK, and this is something that continues to inspire me as a designer. 

can you tell the story behind the artwork that inspired the 'you, me and afternoon tea' cross stitch design?

I’ve been keen to do an afternoon tea print for a while. So when the chance to collab came up I thought it would be the perfect fit. My designs often feature puns or wordplay in the typography, which comes from many years of working in newspapers and magazines. My designs are intended to create a sense of cosiness and nostalgia and I think this one definitely does that.

tell me about your perfect afternoon tea?

I would go with my partner Ella and it would have to be a classic Mayfair hotel like Claridge’s or The Connaught. A place where you can feel like you’ve stepped into another era completely. Everything would be vegetarian, as I haven’t eaten meat for 14 years. I also want an actual tea menu. I’m not really a fan of traditional breakfast tea so I like it when there are alternatives available. I’d go for a smoky Earl Grey or maybe a green tea with a hint of ginger. And of course I would also have a glass of fizz!

have you ever tried cross stitch yourself?

I haven’t, but I’m definitely keen to give it a go.

What was it like collaborating on a design that would become a cross stitch kit?

I found the process quite fascinating. Sometimes as a designer the best results come when you have restrictions or rules that you need to follow. I’m a good problem solver and having to adapt my usual style to something that would work as a cross stitch kit was a rewarding experience. 

If you could design another cross stitch piece featuring a classic british food, what would it feature?

Maybe something that celebrates the diversity we have in British food culture. I’ve spent many years working with street food vendors and market traders from all over the World. I think it’s vital that we continue to showcase the variety of cuisines and cultures that are present in the UK.

One of my favourite of Lee's designs featuring the iconic Craster Kippers

A huge thank you to Lee for trusting me with his beautiful design and for sharing the story of Ounce Of Style.

If you’re ready to bring a bit of iconic British delight to your cross stitch, the

You, Me & Afternoon Tea Cross Stitch Kit is available now!

J xx

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