Another day, another needlepoint project!

As you know, my favorite hobby is to needlepoint. (If you are new to needlepoint - find my guide to needlepoint and how to get started as a beginner here.)

During Covid, countless people have been needlepointing up a storm (and I certainly fall into that category.) While I have known how to needlepoint for countless years (my mom taught me when I was a young girl) and I always had project in the works - my love for needlepoint has reached new heights in the last year or two.

I am constantly stitching and wrapping up one project and sending it off to get finished.

Needlepoint takes a lot of patience. First you stitch your canvas but then to send your canvas back out to be ‘finished’ into your final product (aka made into the pillow or ornament, etc.) The lead time for having a needlepoint project finished has always been around 6 weeks - 3 months but during Covid that time has increased (understandably) to sometimes taking 6 months or longer. Some people might find this frustrating, but for me I just consider it part of the process. And really part of the charm!

There is nothing quick about needlepoint. Nothing immediate. Needlepoint is almost the exact opposite of the ‘need it now’ / Amazon prime world we currently live in. A good reminder that it is okay to slow down and take a breather. To take our time. In reality - do we really need that much RIGHT AWAY anyway? Sure it is convenient but is it necessary?

Anyway, I will step off my little soapbox and continue to the heart of this blog post - a round up of my recent needlepoint projects. Below you will find nine of my recent needlepoint projects that have returned from various finishers in the last month. I love the joy of opening up a box and seeing the final needlepoint product - a keepsake I know I will have for years to come!

Curious what I am stitching now? Shannon, of the online needlepoint shop Greystone Needlepoint, kindly featured me in her interview series and asked me just that. Head on over to the Greystone blog to find out what I am stitching and read more of the 20 questions interview!

elephant needlepoint pillow

Canvas design by Loop. DMC threads sold as a kit with the canvas via Loop.

Pillow finishing by What’s The Point.

Rooster Sign

Canvas design by Linda Rango for Cooper Oaks Designs. (*note, I added the ‘Welcome’ text myself.)

Canvas and threads purchased at In Stitches Fine Needlepoint in Dorset, VT.

Finishing by FussyGussies (on Etsy.)

Chicken Ornament

Canvas design by Pip & Roo. DMC thread.

Yellow Lab Dog Ornament

Canvas design by Kathy Schenkel. DMC thread. Purchased via KC Needlepoint.

Both needlepoint ornaments were finished by FussyGussies (on Etsy.)

It’s Fine, I’m Fine Needlepoint Pillow

Pillow design by Dana Mahnke for The Plum Stitchery. Silk & Ivory threads. Purchased via Needlepoint.com.

Finished by The Wellesley Needlepoint Collection.

Lobster Ornament

Canvas design by Ann Kaye Studio. DMC threads. Purchased via Ann Kaye Studio.

Ginger Jar Ornament

Canvas design by Julia Morgan. DMC threads. Purchased via KC Needlepoint.

Both needlepoint ornaments were finished by FussyGussies (on Etsy.)

Hugs & Kisses Sign

Canvas Design by me - just a little custom project I did for fun to learn how to paint needlepoint canvases.

Silk & Ivory Thread.

Finished by The Wellesley Needlepoint Collection.

My quick thoughts on painting my own needlepoint design:

Let me tell you, I quickly learned that painting needlepoint canvases is HARD, it takes a lot of patience and lots of counting. It certainly made me appreciate all the hard work that goes into the needlepoint designs we purchase and the justification of their price - honestly, I feel like they should cost even more than what we pay for them! So most likely, from now on, i will stick to leaving the needlepoint designing and painting to the professionals unless there is a small custom project I want to do for fun!

Leopard Needlepoint Clutch

Canvas design by Hello Tess. Silk & Ivory Threads. Purchased from Needlepoint.com.

Finished into a clutch with a leather back by Pinnell Custom Leather.

And there you have it, nine needlepoint projects that have recently returned from the finishers.

Interested in more needlepoint inspiration? See more needlepoint canvases here as well as some finished projects here. And of course if you are new to the world of needlepoint - I always suggest you read my Beginner’s Guide to Needlepoint for tips and tricks on how to start this fun hobby.