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Archive for the ‘Needlepoint Inspiration’ Category

New Garden Fairy Birth month Needlepoint Kits Are Blooming With Fun!

Playful garden fairies daintily dance amongst the blooms, choosing the one perfect flower which is as unique as the month it represents. Much like a birthstone, floral blossoms are a wonderful new way to celebrate a special occasion or event, especially a birthday! Each NeedlePaint canvas from our Garden Fairy Collection is 4″ x 5.5″ on 18 mesh canvas, and can be personalized instead of using the flower name.

January Garden Fairy Needlepoint Kit

Confident curious carnations!

February Garden Fairy Needlepoint Kit

Vibrant vivid violets! 

March Garden Fairy Needlepoint Kit

Delicate demure daffodils!

April Garden Fairy Needlepoint Kit

Delightful dreamy daisies!

May Garden Fairy Needlepoint Kit

Lovely little lily of the valley!

June Garden Fairy Needlepoint Kit

Rich romantic roses! 

July Garden Fairy Needlepoint Kit

Lovely lighthearted larkspur! 

August Garden Fairy Needlepoint Kit

Glorious gorgeous gladiolas! 

September Garden Fairy Needlepoint Kit

Awesome autumn asters!

October Garden Fairy Needlepoint Kit

Very gold, marigolds!

November Garden Fairy Needlepoint Kit

Merry magnificent mums! 

December Garden Fairy Needlepoint Kit

Heavenly heartwarming holly! 

Please feel free to contact with any questions
you may have at: info@needlepaint.com

Stitch the gift of a needlepoint bouquet!

Pulled Yarn Stitches with a Silver Lining

Written by Peggy Bond

After my first foray into pulled yarn stitching, I was anxious to try one with color. Using the combination of the pulled yarn star and traditional reversed scotch stitches, I created a two-colored background that lets the silver lining of the I Love Mom ornament shine through.

I stitched the heart, “I Mom”, and background between the letters and image with the continental stitch before starting the pulled yarn star/reversed scotch background. 

Stitched Canvas

Each reversed scotch block and pulled yarn star is 8 horizontal by 8 vertical threads. The reversed scotch blocks should be completed before the pulled yarn stars, particularly if the canvas is not on a stretcher.

By starting the reserved scotch blocks at the center top of the canvas and working diagonally downward as shown above the location of a diagonal row of stars is created. For this ornament, the stars alternate with the scotch blocks, but they can also be randomly positioned. It is important that the stars be worked from the center outward. Since the stars are a different color than the scotch block, each was work independently and ends tied off and hidden so that they are not seen.

Reversed scotch block

So now the background lining! The ornament has only three colors. I did not like the idea of using black. Nether white nor red would show off the holes for the pulled yarn stars. Maybe gold or silver? I tested a silver lining of aluminum foil. I liked how it looked. I went looking for fabric and found stretch satin silver fabric at my local fabric store.

Satin Silver Fabric

To finish the ornament, I used red felt for the backing, quilt batting for padding, a cardboard stiffener, and silver braid for trim and hanger.

Ornament elements

My two pulled yard projects have been done on 18-point canvases and now I am ready for something bigger and maybe better….

Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have at: info@needlepaint.com

Happy Stitching!

New Winnie the Pooh Needlepoint Collection!

Enjoy stitching one of our new kids NeedlePaint kits! Featuring designs inspired by the adorable insights and amusing thoughts of Winnie the Pooh and his friends, from the classic storybook author A.A. Milne. Our Winnie the Pooh needlepoint kits feature: holiday ornaments, stockings, pillows, and even door hangers for your sleeping baby’s room!

Pooh’s Honey Pot Needlepoint Door Hanger Kit

Winnie the Pooh quietly sits with his honey pot, and wants to
remind your household that Shhh . . . . there is a baby sleeping!

Winnie The Pooh Blue Needlepoint Pillow Kit

“A little consideration, a little thought for others, makes all the difference.” 

Winnie The Pooh Pink Needlepoint Pillow Kit

“As soon as I saw you, I knew a grand adventure was about to happen.” 

Winnie The Pooh Blue Needlepoint Door Hanger Kit

“I am short, fat, and proud of that.”

Winnie The Pooh’s Taste Needlepoint Ornament Kit

“I wasn’t going to eat it, I was just going to taste it.” 

Pooh’s Christmas Needlepoint Ornament Kit

“Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.”

Oh Bother Needlepoint Ornament Kit

“Oh Bother. Think it over, think it under!”

Butterfly Friend Needlepoint Ornament Kit

“It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn’t use long, difficult words
but rather short, easy words like  — what about lunch?”

Friends Forever Needlepoint Ornament Kit

“We will be friends until forever, just you wait and see.”

Silly Old Bear Needlepoint Ornament Kit

“Silly old bear, we didn’t realize we were making memories, we just knew we were having fun.”

Winnie The Pooh’s Honey Needlepoint Ornament Kit

“I did mean a little larger small helping.” 

Winter Hush Needlepoint Ornament Kit

“The things that make me different are the things that make me, me.”

Balloon Friends Needlepoint Ornament Kit

“Nobody can be un-cheered with a balloon.” 

Christmas Joy Needlepoint Ornament Kit

“A day without laughter is a day wasted.” 

Winnie The Pooh Pink Needlepoint Door Hanger Kit

“I wonder how many wishes a star can give.”

Pooh’s Holiday Mini Stocking Needlepoint Kit

“Some people care too much. I think it’s called love.” 

Pooh’s Adventure Mini Stocking Needlepoint Kit

“Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved.”  

Winnie The Pooh Joy Needlepoint Stocking Kit

“Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.”

Pooh’s Journey Needlepoint Stocking Kit

“Any day spent with you is my favorite day.” 

Pooh’s Butterfly Needlepoint Door Hanger Kit

“The most important thing is, even when we’re apart . . . I’ll always be with you.”

A needlepoint collection that reflects the personality within all of us:
silly, creative, humble, wise, cautious and full of life!

We would love to help with any of your needlepoint needs,
feel free to contact us at: info@needlepaint.com

Stitch a childhood favorite!

Give Pulled Yarn Stitching a Try

Written by Peggy Bond

Pulled yarn stitches are often overlooked for needlepointing canvases because they do not fully cover the canvas. However, they can be used with conventional stitches and have some advantages as backgrounds. Firstly, they can be worked up quickly and secondly, they are lacy allowing a differently colored backing to show through.   

This Be Mine Valentine needlepoint ornament kit finished as a door hanger, has a pink felt backing that gives the background behind the heart, the look of checked gingham.
Up close, this is not the case.

When working pulled yarn, it is important to keep consistent tension or pull. This is what creates the pattern. The best pulled yarn stitches have equilateral pull which minimizes distortion.

The 4-sided over 3 pattern shown here is a good example. Notice the direction of the stitches:

1 – left to right

2 – bottom left to top

3 – bottom right to top

4 – bottom left to right

The back will show a large cross stitch (X) as shown above.

My original idea for this project was to back the canvas the same felt as used for the frame. The red felt did not show through. However, the bright pink felt showed well and tied the red and pink of the heart together. Below is a photo of the four layers that used for the hanger.

This project was stitched with white thread on white canvas and had a hot pink backing. Alternatively, it could be done with red thread on the white canvas and a white or sparkling backing. There are many options, and the only caution would be not to try pulled yarn stitches on a printed background. Pulling the stitches will expose the white of the unprinted canvas.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have at: info@needlepaint.com

Happy Stitching!

Fabergé Egg Inspired Needlepoint Kits

Welcome in the spring season this Easter by stitching a Fabergé inspired decorative egg from NeedlePaint’s Easter Collection, and start your own tradition of gifting a needlepoint egg ornament every year. These needlepoint designs are perfect for special stitches, extra embellishment and small delicate details.

Imperial Daisy Easter Egg Needlepoint Kit
These dainty daisies express sunshine, new beginnings and purity. 

It all began when Tsar Alexander III of Russia commissioned Peter Carl Fabergé to create a jeweled egg as an easter gift for his wife, Empress Maria Feodorovna. What started out as a one time order, began an annual tradition that his son Tsar Nicolas II, would continue until the end of the House of Romanovs’ at the outbreak of the Russian revolution in 1917. 

Imperial Tulip Easter Egg Needlepoint Kit
These dainty daisies express sunshine, new beginnings and purity. 

Fabergé completed a total of 50 eggs for the royal family, 43 of which are accounted for today. 

Imperial Ruby Easter Egg Needlepoint Kit
The inherent beauty of these red luscious rubies express power and wisdom.

After the first egg was created, Fabergé was given complete creative control for each design, with the details kept secret, even from the Tsar, until the unveiling. Faberge oversaw the production of each egg, as they were crafted by teams of jewelers, metalsmiths, designers, and other specialists.

Imperial Renaissance Easter Egg Needlepoint Kit
Inspired by the last Fabergé egg which was gifted to Empress Maria Feodorovna from Alexander III, this design resembles an oval agate casket which was created by the Dutch Master Le Roy.

Although the eggs were made of precious materials, their value lay not in the cost of the particular jewels or metals used but in the inventiveness and skills the artists brought to each one. Many of the eggs, contained a hidden treasure, a small piece of art as detailed and intricate as the egg itself. 

Imperial Sapphire Easter Egg Needlepoint Kit
These serene sapphires express nobility and honesty.

When the Bolsheviks took St. Petersburg, they seized the eggs selling some of them and holding onto others. Each egg has gone on its own journey. 

Imperial Lily Easter Egg Needlepoint Kit
This design was inspired by the Lilies of the Valley Fabergé egg which was gifted to Empress Alexandra. The Art Nouveau egg contained a surprise inside featuring a portrait of her husband, Tsar Nicolas II and their two oldest daughters.

Stitch a special egg ornament canvas from our Easter Collection, or if we can design something special just for you, please let us know, at: info@needlepaint.com

Wishing you a spring full of new beginnings — and many colorful skeins of thread!

Treasure A National Park Needlepoint Ornament Kit!

Rest, relax, explore, and needlepoint!

Create a keepsake NeedlePaint National Parks ornament kit, which will be as unique as the national treasure your family has explored together. We have designed a National Parks Needlepoint Ornament Collection just for you. Stitch one or stitch them all, this year’s Christmas tree will look fabulous!

Yellowstone National Park Needlepoint Ornament Kit

Our nation’s first national park — Yellowstone National Park, is home to bison, grizzly bears, wolves and many endangered species. With plenty of fragile geysers such as Old Faithful, hot springs, mudpots and travertine terraces. This park is truly a national treasure! 

Grand Teton National Park Needlepoint Ornament Kit

Wyomings most notable landmark features the prominent peaks of Grand Teton National Park. Visible from many miles away, this mountain range may be one of the youngest in North America, but the rocks of this national treasure are some of the oldest in the continent.

Grand Canyon National Park Needlepoint Ornament Kit

One of our most well known national parks, the Grand Canyon was the ancestral homeland to eleven American tribes, and is also one of the seven natural wonders of the world. The scenic beauty of these steep sided canyons, are one of the most extraordinary examples of erosion anywhere in the world.

Zion National Park Needlepoint Ornament Kit

Utah’s Zion National Park, has massive redstone cliffs in a spectacular array of colors, offering incredible views, plenty of outdoor adventure, and guests can follow the paths where native people and pioneers once walked.

Yosemite National Park Needlepoint Ornament Kit

Giant sequoias, deep valleys, soaring cliffs, cascading waterfalls and abundant wildlife are the pride and joy of California’s Yosemite National Park. This national treasure is a popular favorite travel destination. 

Everglades National Park Needlepoint Ornament Kit

Florida’s Everglades National Park, is the largest tropical wilderness in the US, and a habitat for numerous and endangered species including: the manatee, American crocodile, Florida panther, numerous bird and fish species. This was one of the first national parks that was created to protect a fragile ecosystem. 

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Needlepoint Ornament Kit

With beautiful ancient mountains and a magical smoky haze, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in southeastern United States with areas in Tennessee and North Carolina. The most visited of all the national parks, one can see why with all the canopies of old growth forest, abundant wildflowers, wildlife and 70 miles of the well known Appalachian Trail.

Acadia National Park Needlepoint Ornament Kit

Located along the mid-section of the Maine coast, you will find the crown jewel — Acadia National Park! With expansive views of the ocean, pine forests and island lakes; this area features an abundance of wildlife, historic motor and carriage roads, hiking trails and plenty of cultural heritage.

If you have a favorite travel destination,
our designers would love to create a
custom vacation needlepoint ornament kit just for you!
We are here to help with any question that you may have at:
info@needlepaint.com

Create treasured memories, one stitch at a time!

Egg-cellent Self-Finishing Needlepoint for Spring!

Explore our Chinoiserie Inspired Egg Canvases and an Easy Self-Finishing Technique

This Spring we are loving the combination of the classic Easter egg with blue and white chinoiserie!

We have several options from which to choose.  These needlepoint egg canvases are beautiful by themselves or stitched as a collection.

One of our favorite quick needlepoint self-finishing options is framing.  This is such a simple process.

First we stitch the main portion of our design.  Then we purchased a frame with a pre-cut mat at our local hobby shop. Open the back of the frame and remove the mat.  Place it on top of your stitched ornament upside down so you don’t accidentally put a mark on the front.

Carefully mark all four corners of the inside of the mat board on the canvas. Remove the mat board and now you can see the area you will need to fill with your background stitch.  Select a color and stitch you like and complete your project. We used Nobuko stitch and DMC Perle Cotton 5 in 906 for a grass-like look.

If you did not stitch on stretcher bars you might need to block your canvas to get it straight before framing.  Cut a piece of art board or mat board to fit inside the frame.  If you don’t want to measure you can pop out the glass and trace it.  Trim your completed canvas with an inch border around the stitched area.  Using acid free art tape, affix the canvas to the art board by taping the unstitched border of the canvas to the art board.  Use a little tension to make sure the canvas will lay flat. Reassemble your frame with the mat and now you have a beautiful framed piece of needlepoint art for your home!


Happy Spring and Happy Stitching!

Welcome to the NeedlePaint Family!

NeedlePaint would like to introduce, an experienced and knowledgable stitcher who joined our family last summer! She helps us out in so many ways: coordinating new projects, patiently answering all of your questions, and still has time in her day to stitch and create some amazing needlepoint projects.

W e l c o m e   C a r o l i n e !

By Caroline Dicken

My mom taught me to needlepoint when I was about 8 years old. She has been stitching since she was a young adult. My paternal grandfather also learned to needlepoint so he had something to do while his wife, my grandmother, was convalescing during her chronic terminal illness in the 1950s. Needless to say, there was a lot of needlepoint in our house growing up! I didn’t really appreciate it until my grandfather passed away—now we have all these handmade pieces to remember him by.

My first canvas was a butterfly… and then I am pretty sure I didn’t stitch again until high school! I was an art major in undergrad but as an adult who is not a professional artist, I have found that needlepoint is just the creative outlet I need to scratch that artistic itch.

Santa's X Mask Needlepoint Ornament Canvas

Santa’s X Mask Needlepoint Ornament Canvas

I love making ornaments to commemorate major life events, and what was more major than the crazy year we just had? I love the idea of the masked Santa as a nod to the weirdness that was 2020.

NeedlePaint Santa's X Mask Ornament.1

Ornaments are the perfect projects to play with stitches and fibers. Since they are not really touched and used like a pillow or a belt, the stitches can be longer and don’t need to be quite as durable. Plus, if you end up trying a stitch that you don’t love, it is not a huge area to stitch (or rip out)!

NeedlePaint Santa's X Mask Ornament.2

One of my favorite parts of this design was the shading that our designer Gwynn, included on Santa’s bag, as well as the numerous opportunities to incorporate fun fibers and stitches. On an area with great shading in the printed canvas, I love using an open stitch that allows that to show through. Alternating skip tent is one of my favorite open stitches that also gives a section of canvas texture.

NeedlePaint Santa's X Mask Ornament.3

For Santa’s beard, I wanted to give the field dimension but in a more controlled stitch than the turkey work on the hat’s pompom. By alternating every row with a stitch over a small bamboo skewer, I was able to achieve a fluffy beard worthy of the big guy.

NeedlePaint Santa's X Mask Ornament 4 copy

When doing decorative stitches (especially anything involving French knots), I always stitch on a frame. I have tried several different kinds, but my favorites are the mini stretcher bars (see first photo) from FA Edmunds https://faedmunds.com/needlepoint/.

NeedlePaint Santa's X Mask ornament.5

All finished stitching!

Stitches and fibers I used on this ornament canvas:

Background: Diagonal mosaic stitch in DMC Perle Cotton #5

Santa’s Bag: Alternating skip tent stitch in DMC Perle Cotton #5

Santa’s Glove, Face and Mask: Basketweave in DMC Perle Cotton #5

Presents: Basketweave in DMC Perle Cotton #5 and RG Petite Very Velvet

Bow on Present: Long stitch in Kreinik Gold Braid

Santa’s Suit: Basketweave in Petite Very Velvet

Santa’s Beard: Basketweave alternating stick in Planet Earth Wool

Santa’s Fur Trim: Alternating French knots and basketweave in Vineyard Merino Wool

Pompom: Turkey work (unclipped) in Planet Earth Wool

St. Nick's Delivery Needlepoint Ornament Canvas

Fingers crossed, Santa won’t need a mask next Christmas!
St. Nick’s Delivery Needlepoint Ornament Canvas

We’ll be checking in occasionally with Caroline to see what she’s been working on. If you have any questions: on this canvas, about our ornament finishing service, or any project that you may be working on, don’t hesitate to send her an email: info@needlepaint.com.

H a p p y  S t i t c h i n g !

Explore A Scuba Diving NeedlePaint Project!

NeedlePaint has been inspired by one of the fastest growing extreme sports in the world today — scuba diving! With our insatiable attraction to the undersea world, we have designed a selection of scuba themed canvases for you to explore. In addition, sharks remain the object of our fascination and fears, we think you will enjoy these canvases too.


Scuba Diving Flag Needlepoint Belt Canvas
Scuba Flag Needlepoint Belt Canvas

This flag is easily recognized with its bold color and simplistic graphic design.
The scuba diving flag, or diver down flag, is flown from a dive boat
warning other surface watercraft that a diver is in the water.

 

Scuba Diving Needlepoint Key Fob Canvas

Scuba Flag Needlepoint Key Fob Canvas

Similar to our Scuba Flag belt canvas, the diver down flag also looks great on a key fob canvas.
Feel free to personalize this canvas with your monogram or initials.

 

Mako Shark Needlepoint Key Fob Canvas

Mako Shark Needlepoint Key Fob Canvas

The Mako shark is viewed by the Maori people of New Zealand as a guardian spirit, and appropriately named Mako; the Maori word for shark. A fun key fob design featuring
a combination of the Mako shark and the scuba diving flag.

 

Personalized Scuba Diving Needlepoint Belt Canvas

Personalized Scuba Diving Needlepoint Belt

A gallery of underwater adventure is depicted on this scuba diving needlepoint belt design. Images include: a Spotted Eagle Ray, the Scuba Flag, a Hawksbill Sea Turtle,
a Scuba Diver, and a Black Tip Reef Shark.

 

Shark Needlepoint Belt Canvas

Shark Needlepoint Belt Canvas

The streamlined proportion of this needlepoint belt is a perfect backdrop for the beautiful lines of the shark. On a background color of rich ocean blue, you will see a variety of sharks including: Hammerhead, Black Tip Reef, Great White, Mako and a Tiger Shark.

 

Great White Shark Needlepoint Dog Collar Canvas

Great White Shark Needlepoint Dog Collar Canvas

A whimsical twist on a traditional dog collar! Our Great White Shark needlepoint dog collar is sure to make your dog feel like a tough guy, even though we all know he’s a real sweetheart.

 

On our NeedlePaint website, we do offer finishing services for your completed belt, key fob and dog collar needlepoint canvas, as well as other canvas types.

Explore a new NeedlePaint project and try something new: a new stitch, new type of thread, new mesh count, or a new theme. We have a variety of needlepoint canvases and would be happy to help you with any questions you may have at info@needlepaint.com.

Happy Stitching!

 

 

NeedlePaint Mask Version 2

Written by Peggy BondEscher Mask

The new NeedlePaint mask, inspired by M.C. Escher, is designed for quick stitching and assembly. It is slightly lighter weight with fabric for the nose and chin portions, but the central needlepoint band retains its form to allow freedom of air flow.

Since the band is a 9-1/4” x 2-3/4” rectangle, it can be stitched in about one half of the time of our full NeedlePaint masks. The mask is a little less formal.

The materials needed are:

  • Cotton fabric for liner and strap trim
  • Cotton fabric for filter pocket (optional)
  • Ear strap material
  • Nose clip material (optional)

Step 1. After blocking the finished canvas, trim away excess canvas leaving no more than 1/4” of blank canvas. Cut two 10 “ x  3” strips of cotton fabric which will serve for the nose and chin portions of the mask. (One could go two tone and make the nose and chin portions of different colors.)

With right sides together sew strips to the top and bottom of your needlepoint canvas. Press fabric away from canvas. Do not press seam open. Top stitch the fabric side of each seam.

Position the mask pattern so that the needlepoint band is centered between the nose and chin darts and cut out the mask. The shaped pattern is similar to our Geometric Face Mask shown below. Using the same pattern cut one liner or two if making the optional filter pocket.

Top Sticch

Step 2. Fold the canvas along center line with right-sides together, matching the two upper nose points and the two lower chin points. Stitch 3/8” seam and press open. Repeat for liners and optional filter pocket.

If using the filter pocket, sew a ½” hem on each cheek edge.

Nose Clip

Step 3. Cut a piece of fabric 1” by ½” longer than the selected nose clip. Sew a ¼” hem on each short edge of this fabric nose sleeve. Place the nose sleeve on the liner or filter pocket centered ½” below the nose seam. Sew in place. Press so long edge lines up with top of liner or pocket.

The nose clip will be inserted after the rest of the assembly is completed.

Step 4. Place right sides together, carefully aligning the seams of the nose and chin darts on all pieces. If using the optional filter pocket, it will be the closest to needlepoint mask.

Sew the ¼” seam along the top and bottom of the mask and turn the mask inside out. Be careful not to pull on the edge of the needlepoint canvas as it can separate easily. Press the seamed edges and top stitch.

IMG_2595

Step 5. For the ear strap sleeves, cut two 1-1/2” strip of liner fabric that are ½” longer than the ear edges of the mask. Sew to each ear edge with ¼” seam. Press top and bottom edges down. Then press a ¼’ fold on free edge and fold to back aligning the folded edges with the ear edge stitches. This will leave a ½” sleeve for the ear strap.

The straps can be tucked under the fold before stitching the sleeve in place or can be threaded through with a safety pin after stitching.

Check out these two new designs we have created for you!

201214212828956

Mosaic Face Mask Panel Needlepoint Canvas

2016142165470554

Geometric Face Mask Needlepoint Canvas