It’s time to think Spring and chase away the gray. What better way to do that than to start putting out happy Spring-like needlepoint? Here’s ellen giggenbach’s Blue Bird back from the framer. I framed it simply without a mat but with a super fun clear lucite frame. The color of the wall shows through! […]
Archives for 2019
The Longs!
Zecca has done it again. I love the way her mind works. Five new canvases with so many fun possibilities. Finish as a long pillow or bolster, frame for above a door or as part of a grouping or consider turning into a super fun bucket bag. Each is sillier than the next. Long Dog […]
What a girl!
You have to see this. LOL. I can’t stop playing with it. This is Momentary Distraction by David Galchutt and stitched by Carol. I wrote this guide for one of our embellishment classes and Carol’s fingers flew through stitching it. She had so much fun. The beaded fringe on the dress shimmies just like a […]
Pumpkin Lane with Mary Legallet
Oh what fun is this going to be? Mary Legallet of WhimsicalStitch.com has stitched this oh-so-cute Melissa Shirley canvas and is going to teach it for us April 11-14! It’s packed full of fun stitches and gorgeous threads. Each little pumpkin is cuter than the next. Join us for four days of stitching and fun. […]
Variations
Lesson two of our current mystery class, Sudden Realization by David Galchutt was this past weekend. There were so many fun details that it had to be two blog posts! My favorite detail of the class is the stitch we used for the cape around her shoulders. I love this stitch and how we can change […]
Details – Outlines
I have so many details to share! I’m in love with this canvas. You know I love tiny details and this canvas has lots of them. There’s a logic to the stitches, threads and techniques I choose. The more details, the more I can share the inner workings of my mind. It’s a scary place […]
Kelly Clark Tree Bases
OMG! You know I love these trees. These are the Coastal and the Tropical Trees from Kelly Clark. They are still available as a club or individually. But, wait for it….now there are custom Kelly Clark bases to match the trees! Swoon! Yes, matching bases for the trees. How cool is that? If you are […]
The Books
Just a quick hello to say books are in-stock should anyone need a volume or five. LOL. Yes, to date there are five volumes of my stitches books. Each book has anywhere from 250 – 300 stitches diagramed one per page for easy peasy reading. With each guide I write, new stitches are born and […]
Kimberly Magic
Kimberly not only paints beautiful canvases and stitches them like no other but she has her own very special way of finishing them! She graciously shared this info on her blog and I’m sharing it here to. It’s super cool and totally doable! Here’s her technique for a beaded edge to finish off your beautiful […]
The face tells the story
My oh my, what a face. Sudden Realization by David Galchutt is our current mystery class and it is a stunner. Such a beautiful painting. I’m excited to be stitching her and adding even more detail to her, all while staying true to the art. She’s very different for me. I know, I usually start […]
Flamingo Fun!
Check your calendar for March 22-24. Do you need some summer vibes to cope with the cold winter weather? Join me as we stitch this fabulously fun, colorful, happy canvas by lulu mypinkturtle! Who doesn’t love a flamingo wearing pearls? I see lots of sparkle and fun open stitches in the background so that the flamingo […]
Let’s do the Twist!
Woo Hoo! I made another video! Some techniques lend themselves to videos. On the tree skirt of Eleanor Grosch’s Nutcracker I made a tiny twisted cord using the Corkscrew technique. Here’s my how to video. Hope it helps. Let me know what you think. My goal for this year is more videos. My goal is […]
Say Yes to the Dress
I became obsessed with Clara’s dress on the nutcracker. Three layers of stitches to create the pattern just weren’t enough. LOL. I added beads and the most adorable scattering of buttons across the bottom hem. So cute. This was the final lesson of Eleanor Grosch’s Nutcracker Mystery Class It was all about the finishing touches. […]
It’s Bead Embroidery Time!
We love bead embroidery. It’s super fun and forgiving, no rules just beads attached to foundation and beautiful jewelry created. These are also techniques that can be used to create embellishments for needlepoint. Think outside the box. Once you learn the techniques you can make it your own. Join us March 1 – 3 for […]
Christmas Blocks has a Guide!
You are probably expecting this post to be about the last lesson of the Nutcracker. Well, the snow gods had a different plan. LOL. I’ll take photos today and we’ll be back on track. Until then, I have breaking news! Mary Legallet has written a stitchguide for Diane Dirks Christmas Blocks! This has been a […]
Look What We Did!
Last weekend was our first embellishment extravaganza of 2019! We had so much fun. Canvases, stitches, good friends, good food. The friendships really are the highlight of the weekend. I wrote guides for 14 different canvases. Did I say different? There was something for everyone. The three days were spent stitching and trying new techniques. […]
The First Embellishment Extravaganza of 2019!
We’re 4 days into 2019 and it’s time to celebrate the first embellishment extravaganza of 2019. And by Extravaganza, I do mean EXTRAVAGANZA! So many different canvases. So much fun. Class starts today. Follow us on IG or facebook for pictures of the canvases getting started! It’s going to be fun! Abstract Bears by Melissa […]
Ring in the New Year! It’s 2019
Max, Richie, Callie, Quinn, Harley and Johnny would like to join me in wishing you and yours a happy healthy sparkling 2019. Max is Max, such a good boy. Richie’s favorite place is the sink. Whatever Richie wants, Richie gets. Callie is my tomboy. That’s very confusing to me. LOL. Quinn is so sweet and […]
