Time to get back to blogging!

As one of my favorite customers has told me, it is time for me to get back to blogging again.  So, I am going to try to keep this up this time.


As all needlepointers know, our canvases call us at the strangest times.  My tend to call on me when I am procrastinating about something else I should be doing (like my books).  So when I feel the need to procrastinate I will stitch as it eases my anxiety about what I need to be doing.  Usually when I am very stressed, I tend to find something with basketweave so that I can watch TV and stitch without a lot of attention needed for the needlepoint.  So recently, I picked up a belt I started for my husband that is all basketweave and has the symbols for his Graduate School and favorite basketball team.  I realized when this item came to the store that it was a screen printed or computer printed canvas and not hand painted.  It was easy to tell as the canvas intersections were two different colors, not a big deal, I am an accomplished stitcher and I can manage with that.  However, much to my dismay,  the belt is printed crooked on the canvas.  I now have to figure out how to even out the belt so that I will have the same number of rows above the school letters as well as below.  It will take some work but I will see what I can do.  I do want to finish the belt but this does make the process less enjoyable and now it will be put on my procrastination list.  I did learn that I will probably not order from this particular vendor again and if I have to for a client, I will make sure that I can return the item if it is poorly done.  So for those of you who wince at the price of hand painted canvases, there is a reason they are more expensive.  You get what you pay for and you learn to appreciate the talent and time these artist put in.

Now I just have to figure out what will be the next canvas that calls me.  Remember those boring basketweave pieces though when you need to relax,  they will help.

Old Needlepoint Projects

I am desperately trying to finish a Kelly Clark belt that I bought in April at a Cash and Carry Market.  I know that many of you do not realize that Kelly has done belts but she has a line that I really like.  This belt is a classic design with navy blue, tan, vibrant green, a kelly green and some gray.  I love it but it has been put aside for class pieces, and things for my store.  I will post a picture of it when I am done.  It is so important to pull out those older pieces from time to time, some you will wonder why you started them at all and some you will want to finish, like the belt I am working on.  My next older project is a stocking that I am stitching for my youngest daughter, she is 20 and has been waiting a couple of years for this stocking so that is the next project I plan to finish.  I do not fool anyone, I needlepoint several things at one time but I will put more time into the stocking.  I have one customer who has decided that before she starts something new, she will finish an old project first.  She inspired me to get going on my belt and stocking.  Write me back and tell me about some of your older pieces.  I love to hear about everyone's needlepoint passions and stashes.

Long Armed Cross Stitch for Needlepoint

We often forget about certain stitches that we have used in the past and tend to rely on a few basics that are in the forefront of our busy minds.  While in a class taught by Joan Lohr and Ruth Diltz at the TNNA market,  we used the Long Armed Cross over 1 on a single horizontal line.  It was stitched with Treasure Ribbon and made a beautiful braid.  I will use this again and put it in my "go to" stitches.  The stitch produced a beautiful effect on an ornament.  Other ribbons besides Treasure Ribbon can be used to provide the same effect, some to consider are River Silk 4mm silk ribbon, Neon Rays, Neon Rays+,  YLI Ribbon floss and you could even use Kreinik ribbons.  Good luck using this stitch horizontally or vertically and if you need to see it you can look it up in any of your stitch books.

Market Items

The Lee items have come in from market already!  Now that is service!  We received a computer tote with 2 needlepoint inserts, a CD case, an Ebook cover as well as some beautiful canvases.  I can't wait for the rest of the market purchases to come in.  Items will be arriving through March.  I expect Lavishea bars for our hands and Sophia designs to come in soon.  Come and see all the new goods.

Louise's Needlework Welcome Blog

Welcome to Louise's Needlework's Blog.  We are an upscale needlepoint store in Powell, Ohio, just outside Columbus.  I am Jill, the owner of the store and I will try to keep you updated as to what is new with us and what we are all stitching, as well as needlepoint and stitching tips.   You can visit us on the web at www.louisesneedlework.com or on Facebook.  Our website is new and is still in the process of growing so be patient and in the end it will be beautiful and accessible with many items to purchase.www.louisesneedlework.com