From crayon sketch to Christmas keepsake! Some of the most magical needlepoint designs begin with a little imagination and a handful of crayons! This holiday season, we’re delighted to share the heartwarming story of a special stocking inspired by a child’s very own crayon drawing. With a little creativity and a lot of love, a childhood masterpiece has been transformed into a one-of-a-kind needlepoint design—preserving those colorful details and precious memories stitch by stitch.
Our customer Monica’s child Weston, created this art especially with a needlepoint stocking in mind.
The needlepoint canvas adaptation of Weston’s drawing.
A message from our designer Gwynn — “This artwork was a pleasure to adapt for needlepoint. I create custom stockings of all types, but this one is special. When I got this project to adapt, I was thrilled. Firstly, the child’s drawing was charming and inventive, and I might add showing a lot of young talent. Secondly, this art was personal. It had a soul, so I wanted to adapt it as faithfully as possible. The result speaks for itself. The young artist made a fantastic design from which to work. The scene created was thoughtful, well executed and made for a beautiful stocking. Truly a joy to work on!”
What beautiful stitching Monica, this needlepoint stocking is absolutely stunning!
This story is a sweet reminder . . . sometimes the most extraordinary designs come from the smallest artists, and some of the most treasured holiday traditions begin with a simple drawing.
What better place for playful needlepoint stitches than Wonderland? From the White Rabbit and Cheshire Cat to the Queen of Hearts and curious potions, this enchanting Alice in Wonderland collection brings beloved storybook characters to life with a needlepoint twist. So grab your needle, follow the rabbit, and let the adventure begin!
Follow Alice on the most curious Christmas adventure of all, tumbling down the rabbit hole and straight into a Wonderland of whimsy, wonder, and holiday magic!
With a famous grin, a flair for disappearing acts, and a bit mischievous, the Cheshire Cat will always add a delightfully curious twist to Christmas morning!
Hear Ye, Hear Ye! Trumpet in hand and ready for royal business, the White Rabbit makes a grand entrance with a dash of Wonderland whimsy and Christmas cheer.
Alice says “shhhh!“ Tweedledum and Tweedledee agree — it’s officially quiet time. This charming Alice in Wonderland-inspired door hanger design brings a double dose of fun to baby’s sleeping space.
Perched upon his mushroom and ready with a little bit of wisdom, the mysterious Caterpillar makes this stocking design a playful addition to any Christmas celebration!
A most curious potion — one tiny bottle, one very curious adventure! Inspired by Alice’s famous “Drink Me” potion, this playful door hanger design will add pure Wonderland whimsy to your next cocktail hour.
Step into a storybook world of whimsical characters, topsy-turvy adventures, and just the right amount of nonsense, one stitch at a time.
Edie and Caroline outside the Wemyss School of Needlework.
This spring, I was lucky enough to join a trip to Scotland hosted by Elizabeth Bozievich and Jeremy Hamilton of Needlework Travel. My mom, Edie (my stitching guru and lifelong role model) had been on several of their tours, and I was thrilled to finally tag along for an adventure through the Scottish Highlands.
Nursery/sewing room in Crathes Castle, Banchory.
After a quick stop at Liberty in London (because priorities), we met up with my ten new best friends and headed north to the land of Nessie, Braveheart, and Jamie Fraser. We made an overnight stop in Windermere, where I listened to “The Lakes” by Taylor Swift on repeat, and then on to the Highlands, where we spent our days touring castles (including Balmoral!) and our evenings stitching.
Detail of needlework on display at Crathes Castle.
Needlework on stitching frame at Crathes Castle.
Needlework sampler (1852) on display at Crathes Castle.
Over the course of almost two weeks, we wandered through Inverness, somberly walked the moor of Culloden, cruised Loch Ness, sipped whisky at Royal Lochnager, and saw more castles and ruins than I can count. In between, we stitched.
Elizabeth Bozievich with her class project, “Highland Coo,” showing a plaid and a variety of decorative stitches.
One of my favorite things about the trip was learning from Elizabeth, whose knowledge, patience, and enthusiasm made every stitch session a joy. Whether she was teaching us how to stitch plaid or helping us tackle her Highland coo with a collection of 15 new stitches, she somehow made every lesson approachable and fun.
The classroom at the Wemyss School of Needlework.
The highlight of the trip, however, was spending two days at the Wemyss School of Needlework just outside Edinburgh. Founded in 1877 by Dora Wemyss, the Wemyss School was established to teach local girls valuable needlework skills that could provide a path to employment and financial independence. Inspired by the Royal School of Needlework in London, the school welcomed young women from the surrounding community and helped prepare them for careers as seamstresses and domestic staff. More than 140 years later, it remains a place dedicated to preserving the rich traditions of Scottish needlework.
Fiona Wemyss providing class instruction.
We were welcomed by Fiona Wemyss with tea, biscuits, and a beautiful stitching project. Fiona is a wonderful teacher and steward of the school’s history, and it was a privilege to spend time learning from her in the same sunlit classroom where generations of women stitched before us.
A sample of the work done at Wemyss School of Needlework.
What stayed with me most was the sense of connection. As modern stitchers, we often stitch for enjoyment, creativity, and community. But the techniques we use today were passed down through generations of women (and men!) who stitched not only for beauty, but also for opportunity and livelihood. Sitting in that classroom, I was reminded that we are all part of a much larger tapestry.
“Delft Pillow,” our class project designed by Fiona at the Wemyss School of Needlework.
I left Scotland feeling grateful—not only to Elizabeth, Jeremy, Fiona, and the other women on the tour for sharing their knowledge so generously, but also to my mom, who first taught me to thread a needle and love this craft. Needlepoint has given me countless hours of enjoyment, friendships I never expected, and a connection to women across generations. Being able to learn from these remarkable teachers and continue that tradition alongside my mother is something I will always treasure.
If you would like more information on unique needlepoint trips like this, please contact:
Every needlepoint design has a story, and we’re delighted to introduce Barbara Pixton, one of the many talented contributing artists behind NeedlePaint’s growing collection of needlepoint kits. In this feature, you’ll discover the inspiration, creativity, and unique perspective that shape Barbara’s beautiful designs. From the first sketch to the finished canvas, her work reflects a love of color, craftsmanship, and thoughtful details that make her designs so special.
“I’ve had an eclectic career, with a background in both music and art. My degree is in music and I taught piano for many years, but I’ve taken many art courses from some of the wonderful institutions around the Boston area. I developed a particular interest in the decorative arts, both traditional and modern. I worked for a small furniture company for some years, painting floral designs, and for several harpsichord instrument makers in the Boston area, painting the soundboards with 18th century style flowers and birds. I also worked for many years creating designs for several well-known carpet and rug companies.”
“After taking some courses in textile design, I found an agent to represent me in the fabric world. For a few years I did hand painted designs, but at some point, somewhat inevitably, switched to all digital.”
“I’ve always had a love of all things “folk”; folk art, music, dance, costume, etc. The stylized brightly colored floral designs of Eastern Europe and Scandinavia are favorites, though I have no ethnic ties to any of these places. My folk designs are inspired in particular by the traditional arts of Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Sweden, and Norway.”
Heading somewhere exciting this summer? Whether you stitch while you travel or stitch to remember where you’ve been, our travel destination ornament collection, is ready to inspire your next adventure. Browse dozens of destinations from around the world, or let our NeedlePaint designers create a custom travel round needlepoint ornament designed just for your favorite place.
From live music vibes to Lone Star pride, this Austin-inspired needlepoint ornament design captures the spirit of Texas! This design features: Congress Bridge, downtown Austin, Texas Tower, Buford Tower, Austin Hotel, and the Texas Flag.
With wanderlust and Aussie charm, this Australia-inspired needlepoint ornament design captures the beauty and spirit of the Land Down Under! This design features: a koala, wallaby, kangaroo, kookaburra, Uluru (aka Ayers Rock) and a kangaroo crossing sign.
From the iconic sails of the Opera House to sunny days by the harbour, this Sydney-inspired needlepoint ornament design will bring a touch of Aussie charm to your holiday tree. This design features: the Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.
Celebrate memories of Croatia’s “Pearl of the Adriatic” with a delightful Dubrovnik needlepoint ornament design, capturing the timeless beauty and romance of this coastal gem. This design features: Fort Lovrijenac, Jesuit Stairs, and Dubrovnik Old Town.
From elk antler arches to snowy peaks and western hospitality, this Jackson needlepoint ornament design captures the unforgettable beauty of Wyoming’s beloved mountain town. This design features: downtown with the famous cowboy sign, and the Grand Tetons.
From thermal baths to twinkling city lights, this Budapest needlepoint ornament design celebrates the beauty and romance of Hungary’s captivating capital! This design features: Parliament Building, Fisherman’s Bastion, St. Matthias Church, Budapest Castle, and Buda Hill.
From scenic highways to sandy beaches and vineyard escapes, this California needlepoint ornament design captures the laid-back spirit and endless beauty of the West Coast! This design features: the Golden Gate Bridge, a cruise ship, Disneyland, beaches, palm tree, and a surfing bear.
From coastlines to countrysides, every journey deserves a needlepoint keepsake. Please feel free to contact us at: info@needlepaint.com
Where will your next needlepoint adventure take you?
Nothing captures this exciting game quite like the world’s biggest international soccer tournament. From dramatic penalty kicks and last-minute goals to colorful flags and passionate fans, NeedlePaint’s new collection of needlepoint ornaments celebrates the energy, tradition, and global spirit of soccer’s greatest stage. Whether you’re commemorating an unforgettable match, honoring your favorite team, or simply sharing your love of the game, these handcrafted designs bring championship-worthy style to every needlepoint stitch.
Six designs, one tournament, endless stitching! Each kit is printed on 18-mesh canvas and available with or without DMC embroidery floss.
There’s just something irresistible about a vanity plate—it’s a tiny canvas with a whole lot to say. Whether it’s a clever nickname, a favorite phrase, or a wink of personality, those few characters turn an everyday drive into a rolling signature. Now imagine that same charm, reimagined in thread.
Our personalized vanity plate needlepoint collection takes the fun of the open road and parks it right on your needlepoint canvas. Each design captures the playful spirit of a custom plate—bold lettering, iconic colors, and just the right amount of attitude—while adding the warmth and craftsmanship of your hand-stitched details.
These designs are personalizable! Add your text and preview it all online. So go ahead—claim your letters, stitch your story, and give your creativity the green light.
Let the good stitches roll with this new NeedlePaint collection! Whimsy meets tradition, when playful designs and festive colors turn every needlepoint canvas into a mini Mardi Gras moment.
Our New Orleans ornament canvas includes images of: St. Louis Cathedral, the French Quarter, Mardi Gras mask and float, po’ boy sandwich and a street car.
Let us help make every celebration a special one. info@needlepaint.com
These stylish personal needlepoint pillow borders are a blank canvas just waiting for you to unleash your personality — add a name, a quote, or sassy saying; it’s your message, your masterpiece. Fully personalizable, choose a font, size, and color, to make it yours at NeedlePaint!
A flirty, frilly, fun loving edge . . add a special name, make it personal!
Clever ideas for personalization: “I live in a madhouse run by a tiny army I made.” “A clean house is a sign of a wasted life.” “I clean my house every other day. Today is the other day.”
Moody indigo blue with a twist on an ancient classic . . . add a unique monogram, make it personal!
“I may be a handful, but at least you’ll have two hands.” “I’m not aging, I’m just becoming a classic.” “My house was clean yesterday. Sorry, you missed it.”
Picture perfect! Add loving needlepoint stitches to a cherished memory — from bold to sweet, our cheerful new picture frame collection offers a variety of designs. Stitch, frame, admire, enjoy!
You’ve completed your needlepoint canvas — we’d love to help with the finishing! A finished picture frame will accommodate a 4″ x 6″ or a 5″ x 7″ opening, with a choice of a black or white backing. The backing is removable to access the photo behind plexiglass. Optional cord trim is available.
We are always here to help with your needlepoint questions, please send us an email at: info@needlepaint.com
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