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When it comes to painterly needlepoint, few artists capture the magic quite like Emily Garces. Her designs are soft, luminous, and full of life. Once stitched, they transform into little jewel boxes—shimmering with thread, sparkle, and just the right hint of beads.

Here’s how I think about stitching her canvases.  This isn’t a stitch guide—it’s more of a friendly nudge to get you started. Think of it as a jumping-off point for your own creative journey with Emily’s art.

Make the Background Sparkle
Emily’s backgrounds often glow with painterly washes of color. Lean into that by reaching for threads with shimmer—Sparkle Braid or Radiance Mini are both beautiful choices. You can use one shade across the whole area, or switch colors to follow the painted design.

For stitches, keep it small and open so the canvas shines through. T Stitch is always a favorite here. If your background has a medallion or other detail, try overstitching it with long stitches laid right over the painted lines. It’s an easy way to add depth and drama.

Bring the Character to Life
Whether your design features a bunny, a bird, or even a whimsical badger, Tent Stitch and Long Stitches are your best friends.

• Use Long Stitches for features that should come forward—like noses, beaks, or muzzles—always following the direction of fur or feathers.

• Fill larger areas with Tent Stitch for solid coverage, and consider softening other sections with lighter Tent or T Stitch for texture.

• A simple trick: adjusting the number of plies of silk can make stitches pop forward or recede.

Finally, accent the animal with a few Long Stitches over the Tent to add natural movement. A little goes a long way.

Add the Finishing Touches
Now for the sparkle and play! Beads and Lazy Daisy Stitches are the perfect accents. Brick Beading works especially well, giving just enough texture without overpowering the design. I tend to use size 14/15 seed beads, but you can size up to 11s if you want fuller coverage. For even more dimension, layer extra beads right on top.

The Bottom Line

The beauty of Emily Garces’ canvases is that they don’t demand complicated stitches—they invite you to let the art lead. A few sparkles in the background, thoughtful stitches in the character, and delicate beads in the details can make your canvas sing.

Trust your instincts, play a little, and let the painting guide your choices. The result will be uniquely yours—and utterly magical.

Ready to start your own jewel box of a canvas? You’ll find our collection of Emily Garces canvases here. Some are paired with full stitch guides—written by me or by the ever-talented Whimsical Stitch—while others are waiting for you to explore with the ideas above. Whichever path you take, you’re in for a treat.

Mystery Class News

My New Skull by Sharon Hendy-Moman starts September 7th.  Class is filling up quickly.  You aren’t going to want to miss this one!  Sign up Here!  There are three classes planned for this Mystery with the second and third lessons scheduled for September 28 and October 19th.  Just in time for Spooky-season!

Our current mystery class is Robotic Uprising by David Galchutt.  We are five classes in.  The sixth class will be as soon as threads arrive.  Stay tuned for that date.  All classes are on zoom! We have canvases available.  I promise this is a fun stitch.  Here’s the link to join the Uprising.

Not to be left out, we have a fabulous Zecca canvas, Window of Opportunity starting as a mystery in May.  This one won’t be on zoom — it’s a series of kits mailed straight to your door. Each panel of this triptych fits on 12×15 bars—easy to hold, but when framed? A total showstopper.  Here’s the link for this one. 

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