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Archive for the ‘Needlepoint Inspiration’ Category

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

Amazing Custom Needlepoint Belts Finished and Delivered

Wow, it has been a month since I’ve been able to post anything on our blog!  The Christmas rush this year was amazing, and we’ve had a LOT of great feedback.  (Timing was tighter than I had hoped, but it worked!)

This post features some of the custom needlepoint belts we stitch for customers this year and our customer’s reactions.  Photo’s first and below them you can read some of our customer’s reactions and find out why needlepoint belts make great gifts!

Golfing Needlepoint Belt

Golfing Needlepoint Belt

Golf Custom Needlepoint Belt

Golf Custom Needlepoint Belt

Here is some of the feedback we received over the holiday season.  We’re delighted to help create products that are unique and well loved.  We have a 100% satisfaction guarantee that you’ll love the design we help you create and the quality of the belt when it is ready.  You can see our 5 star rating on Etsy and read more reviews here.

Amazing quality belt and a pleasure working with Seth at NeedlePainters! We got the belt just in time for a trip for a big game and he got TONS of compliments! Will recommend to anyone looking for a unique gift idea. Definitely worth the wait for such detailed work.  Alyssa 2015-11-25

I love it! Thank you all so very much, turned out even better than expected! When I give it to him I will be sure to take a picture. Thanks again for everything!  Amanda 2015-12-26

Love it! For the price it can’t be beat. The belt looks great, it’s the perfect size (I measured his other belts) and the quality seems well made. I highly recommend and will be using them again. Make sure you plan ahead cause the process takes some time!  Haley 2016-1-12

Thank you so much!! My boyfriend loved his belt and all the detail put into it was so awesome!! Hope you have a Merry Christmas!   Emma 2015-12-25

I received the belt and it looks Fabulous!!  You are amazing!  Merry Christmas! Michele 2015-12-23

The belt is perfect. Thank you. I can’t wait to give it to my brother on Christmas.   Ali 2015-12-23

The belt is beautiful! I’m so excited about this and will definitely get some pictures in “the wild”. Thank you for all of your help!  Cassandra 2015-12-23

Thank you! Thank you!  The belt and key fob are exactly what I wanted.  The workmanship is beautiful.  Thanks again for the great job.   Leanne 2015-12-23

Thank you Seth! I just received the belt, and it looks great!! I will definitely send pictures 🙂  Kristen 2015-12-17

Belts were absolutely perfect – beautiful.   Thanks and on time for Christmas  Melissa 2015-12-26

Got my awesome belt today!!! Thanks so much. I will definitely be showing it off!! Thanks again  Scott 2015-11-19

Thank you Seth! I have told all my friends about needle paint and your amazing customer service! Thank you!!!!!

Americas Cup Needlepoint Belt

It has been a great year at NeedlePaint and I have much to be greatful for.

Desiging needlepoint belts for a living is truly a great job.  And, our most recent design is one of my new favorites!

The Americas Cup Winners Classic Yacht Needlepoint Belt features 7 boats that helped defend one of the longest winning sreaks in sporst.  The yacht names are America, Mischief, Magic, Enterprise, Defender, Intrepid, and Rainbow.

This design is availabe as a fully stitched needepoint belt, or as a DIY needlepoint kit.  And it can be customized!  Add a monogram, yacht club burgee, and change the background color to navy if you don’t like the light blue!

Americas Cup Needlepoint Belt

Americas Cup Winners Classic Yachts Needlepoint Belt

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 Drink and a Stitch – Custom Needlepoint Flasks

Sometimes, a momentous occasion, or the end of a long week, just simply must be celebrated with a stiff drink. Many times, we find ourselves wishing we had a quick way to add a little bit of our favorite libation to a drink when we’re relaxing on the beach, camping, or attending an event. Drinks are meant to be shared with friends and a custom needlepoint flask is the perfect way to start a conversation to go along with a drink.

custom-needlepoint-flasks

Our needlepoint flasks can be 100% custom designed by you to ensure the personality shines through. Each flask can be designed with a simple monogram, a design of your choice, or a combination of both. Some of our most popular flask designs have been nautically themed, with anchors or burgee flags, animal themed, with dogs, deer, or birds, or a combination of interests and hobbies.

One of the most popular uses for this product is custom needlepoint flasks for weddings. The flasks make great gifts for groomsmen and can be customized to have a wedding design on one side, and each man’s monogram on the other, giving the groomsmen something they’ll be able to use for years to come that will remind them of their participation in the wedding.

Flasks are also a popular gift idea for formal events, date parties, or simply for the holidays. We’ve seen many fraternity brothers gift these flasks to each other as “big-little gifts,” or for birthdays and graduations.

No matter the occasion, we at Needlepaint can provide you the perfect design for your custom needlepoint flask. Check out some of the designs we’ve made and customize your own here!

University of Kentucky UK Needlepoint Belt

Finally, the University of Kentucky campus in Lexington is captured on a belt!

Long awaited, the University of Kentucky Needlepoint Belt features some of the historical buildings, basketball stadium, and gardens.  It came out great!  (please click the link above for a rundown on the buildings)

This design is available with the Rupp Arena or commonwealth stadium and comes as a fully stitched belt or a DIY needlepoint kit.  Designs can be personalized (monogram and graduation year is included) and even customized upon request.

If you are interested in ordering from NeedlePaint.com – Please read some testemonial reviews we recieved this month. (see them below the pictures)

University of Kentucky Needlepoint Belt

University of Kentucky Needlepoint Belt

 

“I just received the belt, and I am BEYOND pleased. Thank you very much for your great customer service and product! I look forward to buying from you all again.” – Kaelyn 2015-09-29

“Thank you so much!  I received the belt today and it is beautiful.  I will definitely pass on the word about Needlepaint.  I have lots of needlepoint friends here in MA.” – Katherine 2015-09-28

“Just got my belt yesterday.  I’m thrilled with how it turned out, it looks awesome!” – Alex 2015-09-15

“I gave it to him tonight and he LOVED it (and so did I)! I think it came out absolutely perfect. Thank you so much for helping me create such a great and sentimental gift!” – Cara 2015-09-14

“Got it. I love it.  Fits great! Thank you” – Chris 2015-09-08

“We received the belt and my son surprised me coming home from West Point for the weekend!  It fit him perfectly and it was beautifully done!!”  Elizabeth 2015-09-02

Custom Needlepoint Wallet Canvases

A custom needlepoint wallet is a perfect gift for the person who seems to have everything.

Our DIY custom wallet needlepoint canvas is available now in our shop.  And coming soon will be fully stitched custom wallets!  We include a monogram on one side a a picture of your choice on the other.

Some ideas for designs would be: a favorite sport, house, car, or pet.  I even have some being stitched with initials in nautical flags.

Please contact us if you are interesed in a fully stitched wallet for this Christmas!

West Point Needlepoint Belt

A few months back, we had a few requests to design the West Point Military Academy campus which sits on high ground overlooking the Hudson River in West Point, New York.

The West Point Campus Needlepoint Belt was really fun, it features an American flag, Mitchie Stadium, the Cadet Chapel, Washington Hall, George Washington Statue, Jefferson Hall Library, Battle Monument overlooking Trophy Point on the Hudson, and a Bald Eagle.

We even have worked on a customized version that featuers a new visitors center that is being built!

West Point Needlepoint Belt

West Point Needlepoint Belt

I also am including in this post some feedback we recieved about our belts recently:

“Yesterday was —’s birthday and he LOVED the belt.  In fact, he said it was
the best gift he has received…  The image of Beezo was particularly good.  I appreciate all your help making this happen.”  Laura 2015-07-23

“the belt looks great, very happy with it.”  Mike  2015-7-11

“The belt arrived and looks FANTASTIC, of course!  Thank you for creating such a memorable gift for my husband… and for your inexhaustible patience.   :)”  Mary 2015-07-10

Quick Open-Stitched Custom Needlepoint Belt Kits

Plate 119, The Needlepoint Book

Plate 119, The Needlepoint Book

If Jo Ippolito Christensen can leave backgrounds unstitched as shown in this piece from the 3rd Edition of  The Needlepoint Book, why shouldn’t I? (Click on the image to view the detail of the background. It is only partially stitched and the printed canvas is exposed.)

I was almost there with my Four Hour Needlepoint Ornament but this is one step further. A belt would be my test piece. Many of our Needlepoint belt designs are ideal for this technique. The backgrounds are solid and the images, like the surfboards and sailboats, are colorful and sharp.

Stitching Detail

Stitching Detail

Stitching these two belts went as fast as riding the waves. The only thing one needs to pay attention to is keeping on the thread ends within the stitched areas because the background will be unstitched canvas through which the thread ends will be visible.

Looking closely at the stitched surfboard, you can see that I also look the liberty of slanting the continental in two different direction. The top slants to the left and the bottom to the right, while in the center I used a straight stitch over one canvas thread. (Note: a straight stitch over one thread needs to be worked very loosely, and only works here because it was worked after the top and bottom of the surfboard was completed.) Working the top and bottom of the surfboard with two different slants has the advantage of giving smooth edges to the circle and rounded edges of the design. I used this technique on some of the surfboards and on part of of the sailboats. I was please with my finished canvases!

Quick Stitch Needlepoint Belts

Quick Stitch Needlepoint Belts

Nantucket Needlepoint Belt

We just finished a new Nantucket needlepoint belt design this week.  The timing is perfect for the upcoming holiday!  This design features a silhoutte of Nantucket combined with the American flag.  If you live on another island or would like us to incorporate an American flag into a state silhoutte, let us know, we’d love to help!

Nantucket Needlepoint Belt

Nantucket Needlepoint Belt

The image below features the Nantucket design and 3 other American favorites from our shop.  Just in time for the 4th of July!

The other designs are the Stars and Stripes Belt, 4th of July Flag Belt, and the personalized Airforce Belt.

4th of July Needlepoint Belts

4th of July Needlepoint Belts