Holiday Mantle Archives - NeedlePoint Kits and Canvas Designs

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Archive for the ‘Holiday Mantle’ Category

NeedlePaint’s Nutcracker Suite Collection

NeedlePaint would like to introduce a series of needlepoint ornament canvases that coordinate with our Nutcracker Suite Stocking canvases. Now you can stitch the beauty of this beautiful ballet, and add some magic to your holiday decor!

One of Tchaikovsky’s most famous compositions, and perhaps one of the most famous ballets in the world; the Nutcracker Suite is a holiday classic. Many families have a holiday tradition that begins with a visit to the local ballet to see the Nutcracker Suite. Of course everyone has their favorite character, and with this collection, you can choose to stitch one canvas or the entire group.

**Nutcracker Suite Clara Needlepoint Ornament Canvas**

Our Nutcracker Suite Clara ornament canvas (above) and stocking canvas (below) features the main character Clara, dancing with the Nutcracker that she has received as a Christmas gift from her grandfather.

**Nutcracker Suite Clara Needlepoint Stocking Canvas**

https://www.needlepaint.com/needlepoint-kits/nutcracker-prince-needlepoint-ornament-canvas--2016 — **Nutcracker Prince Needlepoint Ornament Canvas**

Our Nutcracker Suite Nutcracker Prince ornament canvas (above) and stocking canvas (below), The Nutcracker Prince begins as a young man (prince) named “Hans”, who is transformed into a nutcracker by an army of mice. The only way to break that spell is for the Nutcracker to slay the Mouse King. A battle pursues among the Nutcracker and the Mouse King, but quickly comes to a halt when Clara hits the Mouse King square in the head with her slipper. Ending the conflict, the transformation is made back from Nutcracker to Prince.

**Nutcracker Prince Needlepoint Stocking Canvas**

**Herr Drosselmeyer Needlepoint Ornament Canvas**

Our Nutcracker Suite Herr Drosselmeyer ornament canvas (above) and stocking canvas (below), continues with this magician-like figure, with cape and eye patch. A character of great mystery and intrigue. In the Nutcracker Suite story, Herr Drosselmeyer is known as Clara’s grandfather (depending on which version of the story you are familiar with, he is sometimes known as Clara’s uncle or godfather). He arrives at the family holiday party with gifts for all, and for Clara he brings a wooden nutcracker in the shape of a little man.

**Herr Drosselmeyer Needlepoint Stocking Canvas**

**Nutcracker Mouse King Needlepoint Ornament Canvas**

Our Nutcracker Suite Mouse King ornament canvas (above) and stocking canvas (below), has what every great story needs — a villain! In Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, the Mouse King plays this part perfectly. When the clock strikes midnight things become alive. The Mouse King corners the beloved Nutcracker and battle pursues. Things quickly come to a halt when Clara throws her slipper at the Mouse King, hitting him square in the head. The Mouse King is taken away by his army of mice thus ending the conflict.

**Nutcracke**r Mouse King Needlepoint Stocking Canvas

**Sugar Plum Fairy Needlepoint Ornament Canvas**

Our Nutcracker Suite Sugar Plum Fairy ornament canvas (above) and stocking canvas (below), story continues as the Nutcracker turns into a prince and escorts Clara to the Land of Sweets. They are promptly greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy. After she learns about their daring battle with the Mouse King and his mice, the Sugar Plum Fairy rewards Clara and the Prince with a celebration of dances.

**Sugar Plum Fairy Needlepoint Stocking Canvas**

These strong and complex characters, have been portrayed on our Nutcracker Suite needlepoint ornament and stocking canvases. Wonderful pieces to stitch and be displayed on your fireplace and Christmas tree, as a stand alone or the entire collection.

We would love to help with your needlepoint holiday decorations. Please contact us with any questions that you may have at: info@needlepaint.com

Happy Stitching!

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Christmas Ornaments, Christmas Stockings, Holiday Mantle, Holiday Stockings, NeedlePaint Collections, Needlepoint Stockings, Uncategorized

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Nine Ladies Dancing and Ten Lords A-Leaping Christmas Needlepoint

By: Peggy Bond

Day 9, Nine Ladies Dancing

The Dancing Lady is stitched with 9 traditional stitches, none of which require explanation.

Nine Ladies Dancing Christmas Needlepoint

Let her smile keep you happy while stitching.

Day 10, Ten Lords A-Leaping

The leaping lord has a few different twists. His hair is done in French knots with 3 twists per stitch. It took me a couple of tries to get them correctly placed to give him a full head of hair. Not noted on the diagram is that the flower and leaves are done in Continental and the center of the flower is another French knot.

Ten Lords A-Leaping Christmas Needlepoint

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Christmas Decorations, Christmas Gifts, Christmas Mantle, Holiday Mantle, Needlepoint

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Seven Swans Swimming and Eight Maids Milking Christmas Needlepoint

By: Peggy Bond

We’re continuing our 12 days of Christmas Needlepoint Projects! (See other posts for all 12 projects!)

Day 7, Seven Swans a-Swimming

The swan is the last of the birds. The only fancy feathering here is on the wings.

Seven Swans o-Laying Christmas Needlepoint Kit

Seven Swans a-Laying Christmas Needlepoint Kit

The pink “L”s in the wing are done with two Cashmere 2×4 stitches – one worked horizontally and the other vertically. The “L”s are surrounded by brown “L”s where space permits and then the remainder of the wing is done in Continental as shown below.

The main portion of the wave is the Double Parisian with the peaks done with left and right slanting Continental.

And, the background Slanted Straight stitch is done over three canvas threads working right to left. It is quick and easy.

Day 8, Eight Maids a-Milking

Our Maid is done with her work and is carrying her milk home from a job well done.

Eight Maids a-Milking Christmas Needlepoint

Eight Maids Christmas Stitch Chart

Her vest and pocket of flowers require some explanation.

The center of the vest of worked in Slanted Gobelin 3×3 working left to right and right to left to form the lower points of the vest. The edges are Continental and button French knots.

The pocket is done in a manner similar to the heart of the Day 2 and the flowers are a satin stitch.

The Milanese stitch, like the Medieval Mosaic stitch, is quick and easy to do after getting it established.

Now on to Dancing Ladies and Leaping Lads…

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Christmas Decorations, Christmas Gifts, Christmas Mantle, Holiday Mantle, Holiday Stockings, How to NeedlePoint, NeedlePaint Inspiration, Needlepoint Inspiration

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12 Days of Christmas Days 5 and 6 Needlepoint Kits

We’re back! I’ve been short on time because our lead designer is away on Maternity Leave. Also note, our other designer is going away for 3 weeks in August to help her mom move, so we’re taking a break on custom work from Aug.1 – 22. We can still do simple custom projects and Karen is here to do production on photo designs and stock designs, so feel free to email and check if you are in a rush.

And onto Peggy’s next two stitch guides!!!

DAY 5, Five Golden Rings

Five Golden Rings Needlepoint

The Five Golden Rings needlepoint kit is a diversion from all the feathers, and also a challenge to get the correct placement of stitches for the interlocking of the rings. The center of each ring is done in Continental and each ring is done in a different stitch as noted on the diagram.

The interlockings of the rings are number and a detail below shows how the stitches overlap. I am not a fan of metallic threads, but if I were, this block would be an ideal one for them. (Using different stiches for each ring does complicate the block but it gives the finished block more depth. Some depth can be achieved by using the Mosaic or Brick stitch for all the rings.)

The Medieval Mosaic background stitch is a pattern found in mosaic ancient floors. Once the first rows are done, working top to bottom, and the patterns established, the stitch is easy and it covers canvas quickly.

Day 6, Six Geese A-Laying

Six Geese A-Laying Needlepoint

It’s back to the birds with one of the Laying Geese. I doubt that the geese of the original song were Canadian geese, but I couldn’t resist making make one for Day 6. The Six laying geese needlepoint kit is on our website here.

Nor could I resist giving my goose colored eggs. The blue and pink eggs are done in standard stitches as shown above, but the lavender egg has horizontally symmetric stitching as shown in the detail below.

The center is a vertical straight stitch over 3 canvas threads and the top and bottom are Continental and Slanted Gobelin 2×2, done left to right for the top and right to left for the bottom.

The Shingle stitch for the background is my favorite of the background stitches used in this project and is the only one that I repeated. It will be seen again on Day 11.

This is the half way mark… only one more feathered friend to go!

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Christmas Decorations, Christmas Gifts, Christmas Mantle, Holiday Mantle, How to NeedlePoint, Needle Point Kits, NeedlePaint Inspiration, Needlepoint

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Four Calling Birds and Three French Hens Needlepoint Guides

Stitched and written By: Peggy Bond

Day 3, Three French Hens Needlepoint Kit

The French hens were just too plump to put all three on the block so we only have one, sitting fat and happy on her flowering nest. No eggs in view!

All but one of the stitches for this and the next block can be found in The Needlepoint Book by Jo Ippolito Christensen. However, some are worked in different directions than shown in the book.

The head of our lonesome hen is stitched in Continental as are her comb and beak. Her eye is a French Knot. Her breast and tail are Kennan and the wing tips are alternation rows of Slanted Gobelin 2 x 2 and Continetal worked slanted from top left to right.

Flowers are Continental with their centers done is varying numbers of French Knots to fill the canvas. The branches are Continental as well, and the leaves are done in variations of the leaf stitch.

French Hen Needlepoint Stitch Guide

V and A Herringbone

The hen’s wing is done in Victoria and Albert Herringbone, show below. It is a variation of the standard Herringbone was adapted from a Victory and Albert Museum Handbook of embroidery stitches by Sherlee Lanz.

Background is Woven Plait which is similar to and simpler than the Victoria Albert Herringbone. The Woven Plait is a quick background stitch that has texture.

Day 4, Four Calling Birds Needlepoint

Four Calling Birds Needlepoint Canvas fully Stitched

Four Calling Birds Needlepoint Kit

The Four Calling Birds block is the other symmetrically designed block.

The yellow of the birds is done in Lazy Knitting, worked left to right on the left half and right to left on the right. The same is true for the Slanted Gobelin 2×2 of the tails and the green Slanted Gobelin 2×2 of the wing. Lazy Knitting is one of the more tedious stitches, but contrasting texture to the Slanted Gobelin makes it worth the effort.

Four Calling Birds Needlepoint Guide

The flower is done with 4 Scotch squares on each petal. It is edged in Satin to round out each petal. The flower center can be stitched in white Continental, or yellow French Knots or maybe some beads? There are possibilities on all or the blocks to add some flare with beads and/or sequins. Flower centers and eyes are obvious choices for these types of embellishments.

The leaves are variations of the Leaf stitch and branches are vertical or horizontal Gobelin. (The traditional Gobelin is a straight stitch over 2 threads of the canvas. It can be stitched horizontally or vertically. And, as used for the birds, it can be stitch on diagonally, i.e. over 2 strands horizontally and vertically making it twice the size one of the Tent stitches – Continental, Half Cross, or Basketweave.)

The background is the Diagonal Mosaic, not to be confused with the Mosaic stitched diagonally. Unlike the background of the Two Turtle symmetrical block, this background is worked continuously across the entire block. That is not stitched in opposite directions on each half.

Coming up a break from birds…. Five Golden Rings, the most complex of the 12 blocks!

Category:

Christmas Decorations, Christmas Gifts, Christmas Mantle, Holiday Mantle, How to NeedlePoint, NeedlePaint Inspiration, Needlepoint, Needlepoint Inspiration, Quilt Inspired

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Celebrating the 12 Days of Christmas in Needlepoint

Needlepaint’s 12 Days of Christmas needlepoint canvases were inspired a quilt my mother made 25 years ago. Use the 3-inch circular, 18-point ornaments to decorate a tree or the 6 x 6-inch 18-point blocks to hang as a bunting (8 x 8 inch on 14 mesh). They are an ideal size to be done while traveling, waiting in a doctor’s office, or babysitting a sleeping grandchild. Or, in the tradition of a quilting bee, canvases can be done by several different needle-pointers.

I stitched and finished the bunting…….

12 Days of Christmas Needlepoint Kits

The blocks can be stitched with the continental stitch However, I used a variety of stitches using DMC 6-strand floss.Quick-cover stitches for the backgrounds sped up completion and others I chose to provide texture. (Stitches will be described in subsequent blogs.) Beads, sequins, and/or ribbons could also be added for textures and highlights.

Finishing and display options are numerous… If one has a large wall space or fireplace, a 12-block bunting would be cool, but it is easier to find a place for a shorter 4-block 3 string display. Also, consider a 2-block 6-string or 3 strings of 3 blocks, 4 blocks, and 5 blocks.

In the photo above, the blocks are framed and backed with red felt, hand-stitched together with 3 strands of red DMC floss to match, and strung on a ¾-inch strip of felt. If you are not into buntings, the blocks could be used to decorate a table or sewn together for wall hanging or table runner. Each could be framed in the Mill Hill Wooden 6 x 6-inch frames which are designed for needlework and available online from several vendors, including JoAnn or Amazon.

Detailed directions and alternatives for finishing will be addressed in a later blog.

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Christmas Decorations, Christmas Gifts, Christmas Mantle, Holiday Gifts, Holiday Mantle, How to NeedlePoint, NeedlePaint Inspiration, Needlepoint, Needlepoint Inspiration

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A Very Needlepoint Christmas to All

Christmas and Hanukkah are almost here! Our little workshop has shipped over a hundred belts this past week and almost as many needlepoint kits. We hope they all arrive and bring smiles to families across the country.

We have a lot to be thankful for this year, and are looking forwards to 2017. We’ll be offering some new services for our needlepointers and for our customers who are looking for fully stitched products.

Those of you thinking of taking up a new hobby, please check out what an art needlepoint really is. You’re in for a treat, we have a Customer Spotlight at the bottom of this post.

Needlepoint Christmas Belt

Our first Big announcement for 2017 is that we’re now selling fully stitched custom needlepoint stocking! We’ve sold some over the years, but finally have put a listing online in our Etsy shop. Our designers are here to work with you, whether you’re trying to match an heirloom needlepoint stocking, or looking for an updated needlepoint design, needlepoint stockings truly are timeless.

Personalized Nutcracker Needlepoint Christmas Stocking

Our Fully Stitched Nutcracker Needlepoint Stockings in wool with velvet backing.

What better to give than a gift of personal memories! These custom needlepoint pillows are going to a fishing lodge, but I had to sneak some pictures under the tree.

Needlepoint Fishing Pillows

And those of you who made it this far are in for a treat. Lisa, in New York just finished her second project ever. She stitched this amazing Clara Nutcracker Stocking! It is the same design as above (we did customize the background a bit), but you can see her talent in selecting her own colors and especially choosing fun stitches and embellishments that add even more depth and texture to the stocking. Nice work Lisa!

Needlepoint is Fun and amazing. I hope you share these images with your friends and help inspire them to learn to needlepoint in 2017!

Fun Stitch Needlepoint Christmas Stocking

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Christmas Decorations, Christmas Gifts, Christmas Mantle, Christmas Stockings, Holiday Gifts, Holiday Mantle, Holiday Stockings, How to NeedlePoint, NeedlePaint Inspiration, Needlepoint, Needlepoint Belts, Needlepoint Inspiration, Needlepoint Pillows, Personalized Needlepoint, Personalized Stockings

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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

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 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

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

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Merry Christmas, Isaac and Alex – Needlepoint Stockings!

The stocking are ready for Santa with time to spare. The finishing touches on Alex’s stocking were:

Silver buttons, blue eyes, and a read nose for the snowman
A red glass bead nose for Rodolf and bead eyes for all the reindeer
A blue glass bead eye for little penguin.

On Isaac’s stocking I added:

Glass bead eyes for the penguin
A mouth for the ginger bread man out red glass beads stung together
Glass bead eyes for Santa
Large red beads for the holly berries on the Santa’s airplane

Each needlpoint piece is with light-weight cotton cut on the bias and then the back of each is wool, also cut on the bias. Both are trimmed with gold braid.

To see more about the stitches I chose, click here, here, and here

And click here to see more personalized needlepoint stocking designs!

Category:

Christmas Gifts, Christmas Mantle, Christmas Stockings, Holiday Gifts, Holiday Mantle, Holiday Stockings, Needlepoint, Needlepoint Stockings, Personalized Needlepoint, Personalized Stockings

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Shaded Backgrounds – Needlepoint Stitches

Thinking that it might be nice to have snow falling behind the penguins of the Alexander and Issac stockings, I tried a blue and white mosaic strip as diagrammed below in blue and grey.

This was a “NO, NO!” The penguins got lost with the business of the background. I was back to the drawing board. And time to remove the unwanted stitches. (It is good to remember that removing stitches should be done in the reverse of LIFO (last in first out). Unless absolutely necessary, you don’t want to reuse thread, particularly when working with wool. )

I really liked the stitch. It covered the canvas well and was quick to do. And the added bonus was that the white was easy to take out.

By changing the white in the photo, to a slightly lighter blue on the Isaac stocking’s large penguin, I got a background that gave some depths and movement.

For the Alexander’s little penguin, I reversed the direction of the stitches (i.e., rotated the diagram 90 degrees) and used a darker blue for the grey stitches.

My fingers were flying and ready of Isaac’s Santa. Santa got a variegated blue sky, the puffy snow for his airplane’s exhaust, and a shiny propeller (more about metallic threads in my next blog).

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Christmas Stockings, Holiday Mantle, Holiday Stockings, NeedlePaint Inspiration, Needlepoint, Needlepoint Inspiration

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NeedlePoint Kits and Canvas Designs | Design your own Needlepoint Kit!

Archive for the ‘Holiday Mantle’ Category

NeedlePaint’s Nutcracker Suite Collection

Nine Ladies Dancing and Ten Lords A-Leaping Christmas Needlepoint

Seven Swans Swimming and Eight Maids Milking Christmas Needlepoint

12 Days of Christmas Days 5 and 6 Needlepoint Kits

Four Calling Birds and Three French Hens Needlepoint Guides

Celebrating the 12 Days of Christmas in Needlepoint

A Very Needlepoint Christmas to All

Christmas Needlepoint Ideas

Merry Christmas, Isaac and Alex – Needlepoint Stockings!

Shaded Backgrounds – Needlepoint Stitches

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