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Posts tagged ‘custom needlepoint’

Stitch a NeedlePaint Custom Canvas!

The possibilities are limitless when creating a custom needlepoint canvas! NeedlePaint would love to help translate your ideas and create a special canvas to stitch.

Where to begin: We often recommend our custom needlepoint photo program on the NeedlePaint website. For some photos this works great. For other photos, your editing options may be a bit limited, so we have another solution for you. 

Another Solution: Our designers can draw and create a custom canvas for you to stitch. Simply send us a photo, sketch, graphic, a quote, or any idea that you may have in mind. We can add an artistic touch to your image and control some of the elements, such as: adjusting the composition; adding or removing items; changing the background or colors; emphasize certain features; and adding personality to bring something special out in the subject. The possibilities are limitless, our designers are very talented!

9F6E2EC7-EA85-4A8F-A35A-BA0099C1AD64This custom canvas appears very similar to what the original photo looks like. The black pillows were changed to blue, and the dog has an artistic touch. The overall image is much like that of a portrait, an artist would paint on canvas.

 

Sleepy Pup Needlepoint Pillow Canvas

Sleepy Pup Needlepoint Pillow Canvas

fullsizeoutput_39b8On this canvas, we drew the cat into the computer, much like an artist would draw with a pencil and paper. The ordinary background was removed, and replaced with a subtle colorful texture. We thought it would be fun to change the color of the eyes and make them match the background.

Timid Tabby Cat Needlepoint Pillow Canvas

Timid Tabby Cat Needlepoint Pillow Canvas

Perfect Day Needlepoint Pillow Canvas

Perfect Day Needlepoint Pillow Canvas

We can create a custom graphic with a favorite quote or saying that may be special to you. This quote was created with classic typography, and then a special patterned background was added. The results: a fun and colorful needlepoint canvas to stitch!

A custom “designer” drawn portrait or graphic canvas, captures a moment in time. Once stitched, it will become a special keepsake for your family. We would be happy to help create a custom canvas for you, simply contact us at: info@needlepaint.com

Happy Stitching!

New Self-Finishing Products For Your NeedlePaint Canvases!

It’s a great time of year to start some new needlepoint projects! NeedlePaint.com is excited to offer new self-finishing kits which are the perfect size for traveling with; to stitch while waiting (let’s face it, we are always waiting for someone), or to get a jump start on those Christmas gifts for everyone on your list. Here are just two examples of our new self-finishing kits among the many that we offer.

NeedlePaint self finishing card wallet

NeedlePaint Loon card wallet

Self finishing card wallet kit!

Stitch your own needlepoint card wallet canvas, for your credit cards, license, or business cards. This is a complete, self finishing do-it-yourself kit, including: a needlepoint canvas for you to stitch, DMC thread (optional) and a colorful leather wallet. (Color choices: black, brown, red, blue, lime)

NeedlePaint self finishing card wallet colorsSimply insert your stitched canvas into the card wallet and your ready to go.

Two design options to choose from when planning your card wallet canvas insert:

Choose a monogram, initials, or we’ll create a custom design just for you:

Great gift idea!

NeedlePaint self finishing luggage tag 1

NeedlePaint luggage tag canvasesNeedlePaint self finishing luggage tag colors

Self finishing luggage tag kit!

Stitch your own needlepoint luggage tag canvas, and create a finished luggage tag for yourself or the traveler in your family.

This is a complete, self finishing do-it-yourself kit, including: a needlepoint canvas for you to stitch, DMC thread (optional) and a colorful leather luggage tag. (Color choices: blue, lime, black, red, light blue or pink)

Two design options to choose from when planning your luggage tag canvas insert:

Choose a monogram, initials, or we’ll create a custom design just for you:

Great for the traveler!

Check out all of our self-finishing kits on our Etsy shop. Card wallets, luggage tags, checkbook covers, iPad covers, purses of all sizes, Christmas ornaments, coin purses, and more!

Remember we are here to help with all of your needlepointing needs. Feel free to contact us with any of your questions at info@needlepaint.com

Happy Stitching!

“There’s No Place Like Home” With NeedlePaint’s New Compass Rose Needlepoint Pillow

Ah, the places you’ll visit, the places you’ll see . . . . but when the trips over, where will you be?  

You like to travel, explore new places, and see new things. You also love returning to the place, where you can hang your hat, when the adventure is over. When back at home, the dust has settled and your bags are unpacked. Now it’s time to cozy in and stitch NeedlePaint‘s new Compass Rose needlepoint pillow canvas. This design is available as a needlepoint canvas for you to stitch, or as a fully finished needlepoint pillow.

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This compass rose design, represents the place you call “Home Sweet Home”. Personalize it with your family name and city, along with your latitude and longitude location. We can also change the colors to match any decor. 

There is comfort in where you live, a special spot you can call your own. A place where you can stop the hustle and bustle of everyday life: do “nothing” (if that’s an option), carve out some time to think, regroup, recharge, dream about plans for the next adventure, and do a little needlepointing.  

“There’s no place like home” . . . . happy stitching!

Finishing a Needlepoint Yarmulke

By Peggy Bond:

How to finish off a needlepoint kippah.

As an example the mosaic needlepoint yarlmuke has been made with four blank triangular areas. These are the “darts” which will be sewn together to give the yarmulke its shape.

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After your yarmulke canvas has been stitched and blocked, trim the canvas leaving a ¼ boarder beyond the stitching. Save this extra canvas and use it as a pattern for the lining. I recommend using 100% quilting-weight cotton for the lining.

Mark darts on the lining to match those of the yarmulke.

Yarmulke with darts sewn

Sew the dart on the canvas together. Steam press the edges of the darts to one side, so they lay flat and form a smooth rounded shape on the top of the yarmulke. Repeat for the lining, pressing the dart in the opposite direction of the direction that you pressed the canvas. 

With wrong sides together, stitch the lining and canvas together at the edge of the needlepointing. Trim as needed so that the ¼ inch bias tape can be attached to the outside edge, covering the unstitched canvas.

Finished yarmulke

The materials I used were:

1 black fat quarter of cotton quilting-weight fabric
1 package Wrights’ ¼ inch double fold bias tape.

I stitched the yarmulke, lining, and bias tape on my home sewing machine, but it can also be hand stitched, which will take just a little bit longer.

At NeedlePaint, let us create a custom yarmulke canvas for you to stitch!

Family Heirloom Custom Needlepoint Projects

It is spring time again! Over the winter we’ve collected some wonderful photos that our customers that emailed to us after finishing their projects.  We’ve also collected a lot of reviews from customers and continue to maintain a 5 star rating online!

The fun stuff!  This purple princess crown serving tray was stitched by a wonderful customer in TX.  She goes by Weezie, and is one of those people that when you talk to them, you can feel the warmth coming from their hart.

Princess Crown Custom Needlepoint Serving Tray

She used Kreinik gold #002HL for the crown, and boy does it sparkle!  The purple jewels are needlepointed in Kreinik purple.  The border is Mosaic and Gobelin.  You can see the serving tray in the upper right corner of this image.

Next is another fun custom needlepoint project by Weezie, she must have some lucky recipients!  She emailed us a crest of Argentina and we turned it into a custom needlepoint canvas, she took care of the rest!

Argentina Crest Pillow Custom Needlepoint Kit

Another family heirloom needlepoint to share with you all is from Mary Ann, in PA.  She uploaded her design on NeedlePaint and emailed us the family crest.  We helped make sure the canvas had the needed details, including increasing the size of the family name on the bottom, and voila!  A piece that will be passed on to the next generation of the Price family.

Price Family Crest Custom Needlepoint CanvasIf you’ve been following our blog, you may be able to guess what is coming next.  Some more testimonial reviews from customers we’ve worked with recently.

-I just wanted to let you know that I got the needlepoint kit today.  It looks great! Thanks so much for your help!  Mary – 2017-03-23

-Belt (kit) arrived and it looks great!!!!   Many thanks.   Susan – 2017-03-20

-Needlepoints arrived and they are fantastic!  Started on the squid. The fish will a winter project.  Thanks for all your help. Pennie – 2017-03-16

-Just received my needle pointe.  It looks great… I’ll send pictures when I’m done.  Thanks so much. Carole – 2017-03-08

Looks GREAT!!!  Thanks again, you are the BEST!!!  Denise 2017-03-20

-I received my needlepoint and it is just beautiful.  Marie – 2017-03-02

Christmas Needlepoint Ideas

Are you looking for that special gift that will be cherished for generations to come?

We’ve got a LOT of ideas here that are sure to not only show off your talent as a needlepointer, but that are all sure to be loved by the younger generations who often seem to be too busy to learn the art of needlepoint.

For the beginner stitcher.  We’ve recently added some great Christmas Needlepoint ideas that are smaller and simple, but for the experienced stitcher, leave plenty of space for fancy stitches to spice up.

Needlepoint Ornaments are small and quick.  Our custom needlepoint ornament listing lets you decide what to stitch!  Think of a favorite photo, pet, old home, sport, or cherished memory.

Christmas Needlepoint Ornament Ideas

Christmas Needlepoint Ornament Ideas

A Custom Needlepoint Belt will be a huge hit under the tree.  We offer custom designed needlepoint belt kits, or fully stitched needlepoint belts.

Custom Needlepoint Golf Belt

Custom Needlepoint Golf Course Belt

Needlepoint Wallets and needlepoint Flasks are both easy projects for beginners and we now offer leather finishing as optional extra.

And the my personal FAVORITE, a Custom Needlepoint Stocking!  We’re now happy to offer fully stitched and custom needlepoint stocking kits.  We’ve got dozens of designs under our Christmas Needlepoint theme that are made to be personalized, and of course we’d love to design something custom for you!

Custom Christmas Needlepoint Stockings

Custom Christmas Needlepoint Stockings

Last but not least, for the more experienced stitcher, you can Needlepoint your own Photo!  Most popular are dogs and cats.  We’ve also done hundreds of homes, landscapes, and art needlepoint projects.  These can be turned into a pillow or hung up on a wall.  We now offer Pillow Finishing and if you don’t needlepoint, even offer fully stitched custom needlepoint pillows.

***Custom needlepoint kits available with standard shipping until Dec. 12th.  Our order deadline for fully stitched products in 2016 was Nov. 1st.  But we do offer custom designed Gift Cards that show your design that is being stitched, so you would not be empty handed if you decide to give the gift of needlepoint but don’t have the time to stitch it yourself.

Also, a special thanks to Jen in VA, who stitched the two custom needlepoint projects below!  Thanks and happy holidays to all!

Custom Needlepoint House and Cats

Custom Needlepoint House and Cats

Custom Needlepoint College Bell Pull

We designed an amazing project for Hallie in VA recently and I am excited to share the story!

She wanted to stitch a needlepoint bell pull that is 38 inches long x 8.5 inches wide, on 18 count canvas.

This is something special for two Oberlin College grads that are married.  It will be a cherished decoration to go in their home and features some campus highlights and sports memories.  If you are interested in how we create a really unique custom needlepoint canvas like this, please read more details about how this design was created below.  First, the photo of the custom needlepoint bell pull canvas!

Custom Needlepoint College Bell Pull Oberlin College

Custom Needlepoint College Bell Pull

Hallie emailed us the names of some buildings, and a lot of very specific details about how to layout the design and where to place the images, (including the drawing below).

Then we reviewed what would work best, including straightening out the photos, so the buildings will look better in needlepoint, and some design ideas for the sports.

Next I found some images online of the buildings she requested, which she picked her favorites and then we got started!  You can see the building images we used for reference below the template, and then the digital preview we sent to her of the design for her approval.

We emailed the preview to her and made a few minor revisions (made the trees in fall colors and adjusted the spacing of the college name so the top can be rolled over a pole).

And Voila!  An amazing project that she loves:  “The bell pull arrived today in perfect condition. It is truly lovely. I will take it with me to my local yarn shop tomorrow to pick my yarns. I will send you a photo when it is done.  Thanks again!!!!”  Hallie – 2016-03-14

I can’t wait to see this when it is complete!

Bell Pull Template

Customer’s Bell Pull Template

 

Wilder Hall

Wilder Hall Photo

Tappan Square 2

Tappan Square 2

Oberlin Tappan Square

Oberlin Tappan Square

 

Phys Ed Building

Phys Ed Building

Oberlin College Bell Pull Needlepoint Canvas Preview

Oberlin College Bell Pull Needlepoint Canvas Preview

Needlepointing Health Benefits Projects are Fun!

The New York Times this week had a great article on the health benefits of knitting, in case you missed it.  And in it, it says this applies to most types of needlework and creative hobbies (such as needlepoint!)

The main thing that seems to come up again and again, is that if you are engaged in creative hobbies and using your hands and mind, that it helps keep your mind sharp, happier, and reduce stress.  I find the second point to be quite true.

I feel lucky to work with customers who truly are almost always nice and patient people.  They are often creating projects not for themselves but giving them to others and thinking about others first.  This makes our work more rewarding, and also enjoyable, so to our customers, a big THANK YOU!

Onto the fun stuff, below are some amazing custom needlepoint projects recently stitched, and below that are some more customer reviews…

American Gothic Needlepoint Pillow next to a Custom Dog Needlepoint Pillow that we stitched

American Gothic Needlepoint Pillow next to a Custom Dog Needlepoint Pillow that we stitched

We stitched this custom needlepoint dog pillow for as a gift for Casey!

Denison Field Hockey and Lacrosse Needlepoint Stool

Denison Field Hockey and Lacrosse Needlepoint Stool stitched by Susan in CT

diagonol giant scotch stitch

She did the background using the Diagonal Giant Scotch stitch.

Custom Needlepoint Christmas Stocking

Custom Needlepoint Christmas Stocking by Mary in California

I love the background stitches on the last two projects.  They give extra detail and also make the projects quicker to stitch!

Custom Cat Needlepoint by Erica in Canada

Custom Cat Needlepoint by Erica in Canada

We love to help create new designs, so if you are looking to needlepoint something that does not exist anywhere but your mind, please get in touch with us!

Here are some recent reviews from our customers that came in over the holiday season:

“We received the canvas yesterday. All my husband could say was ‘Oh my! Oh my!!  She’s going to cry. You nailed the gift of the year!!’…

I appreciate you taking the time and special care with such a special gift. Your customer service has been uncommon in these low-personal interaction digital age.”  Tina  2015-12-01

“It arrived and looks great!  Thanks.”  Janet  1-25-2016

“It arrived today!  Looks great.  Will send a picture of the final product.” Colleen  1-13-2016

“Just to let you know the needlepoint arrived, they are great and I can’t wait to get started!”  Laurie  12-15-2015

“It came yesterday!  I love it.  Thanks so much.”  Kippy  12-21-2015

“Canvas has arrived and it lovely.  Can’t wait to start (after the holidays!)”  Joanne  2015-12-10

“Just wanted to let you know that I received the belt canvas yesterday and it looks great! Already started on it! Thanks for all of your help!” – Annie  12-8-2015

“Received!—looks GREAT if a little daunting. Gulp.”  Libby  12-9-2015

“This was perfect! Better than I even imagined!!’  Carly  1-3-2016

“Seth was very responsive! Help me create a custom design for my son! He is so excited about his new belt that his mom is making for him! Will order more for sure!”  12-18-2015

“I cannot wait to start stitching my new belt. It is perfect and exactly what I hoped to receive when I ordered it. Thank you!”  Allison  12-15-2015

“Needlepoint was so easy to work with and accommodated my custom request quickly. Thank you! Beautiful work!”  Jennifer  12-15-2015

“Seth was wonderful! New to needlepoint, wanted to make a belt for my son, just told him ideas and he put it all together! Sent the color chart along with the thread. Looking forward to working with him again! Thank you!”  11-16-2015

 

Paying in Style – Custom Needlepoint Wallets

It’s important to have a few statement pieces in your wardrobe that show off your personality and spark up conversations. One of our most popular products, our custom needlepoint belts, is a great way to break away from the average dress belt and into something a little bit more fun. We decided to take that same idea and put create customized needlepoint wallets to add some color to an accessory you use every single day.

custom-monogram-needlepoint-wallet

A spotlight on our custom monogram needlepoint wallets!

There are few accessories as perfect for needlepoint customization as wallets. The healthy surface area on the outside of the leather allows for big, colorful, and detailed designs showcasing whatever the owner’s favorite hobbies are, giving plenty of room for you to customize 100% of the wallet. One of our most popular styles is a custom needlepoint monogram wallet. Some choose to have a dual-sided monogram, while others go for a classic design like nautical flags or golf clubs.

Whether you’re looking for a way to spoil yourself, or the perfect way to spoil a loved one, our custom needlepoint wallets should do the trick. As always, our products are stitched by hand, just for you. If you prefer to stitch your own, we also provide custom wallet needlepoint canvas kits that make for a great project.

 

A DIY Crafty Family

I guess you could say that I come from a DIY family. There has always been someone doing some project or another. As a teenager, my father had me grouting tile and my mother had me making all of my own clothes. My siblings were likewise involved, as were my aunts and uncles.

The DIY nature of the family was brought to my attention when I showed my daughter-in-law this picture of the Pansy quilt and rug.

DIY Needlepoint Tapestry

Hand Made by Family Members includes the Pansey Quilt, Pansey Needlepoint Rug, Wood Furniture, Tiffany Lamp, and Bird Embroidery

As I mentioned in my previous post, my sister Mary Sue Suit (https://marysuequiltgallery.wordpress.com/) designed and pieced the quilt, Judy Woodworth (http://www.judywoodworth.com/index.html) did the quilting, and I made the needlepoint rug using our website www.NeedlePaint.com. The furniture was made by my father at the end of World War II. My Uncle Frank took up leaded glass after he retired in the ‘70s and the Tiffany lamp is one of his.

The embroidered bird hangings were stitched by my great-aunt Mrs. Jo. Mrs. Jo was a nurse who served in France during WWI. She took her lace tatting everywhere with her on the coal-puffing trains of Europe. She complained that all her lace was grey and needed to be washed several time before it could be used. When she retired, nothing pleased her more than a needlepoint or embroidery project. When my mother would take her a new project, Mrs. Jo often would say to her, “Don’t you need to be somewhere else?” The signal that she was ready to be stitching….