Grandpa's Gift by Brianne Whittaker

Sunday, August 10, 2008
My Grandpa has been doing needlepoint for about 20 years now (at least since he was sixty). As a child he watched intently as his mother performed many different crafts. On his retirement, he asked for the supplies needed to create the needlework versions of the famous paintings "Pink Lady" and "Blue Boy". He wored tirelessly on these paintings while vacationing in Arizona for the winter. At the time, he also made several impressive petit point pieces. Many people marveled at his work and thought it unusual that a man would take up this craft. I think it is great! He has offered to make me a needlepoint picture in celebration of my wedding coming up in May 2009. I have chosen a piece from this site "Artist's Garden" by Monet. My grandpa really appreciates this piece for the wide variety of colors. I am so excited to see how it turns out when my wedding day arrives. I will try to post a picture of the two of us with the finished piece once it is finished!

We'd love to hear from you!

Saturday, July 26, 2008
We're constantly working to make Art Needlepoint a more pleasant shopping experience, and we'd like your help! We'd like to hear from those who have made our little website into a destination -- our customers!

We welcome any feedback you'd like to offer. What is it that you like about Art Needlepoint? What could you live without? Were you able to easily find the canvases you were looking for? Do you have a feature you'd like us to add?

Please feel free to leave your feedback in the comments, or send us an email at feedback@artneedlepoint.com.

Thanks, and happy stitching!

A Reflection by Beth from Boynton Beach

Friday, July 25, 2008
Beth recently purchased the Portal Rug canvas by Jim Stratton. When she received it, she wrote to us and the following is part of what she wrote and asked us to post:

"In the last three years both of my parents died. While my Dad was still alive and terminally ill I began needlepoint again after many years of not doing it. I would take whatever canvas I had with me to the hospital and stitch beside his hospital bed every night. It was a way to keep me sane.

When I called Art Needlepoint Doreen and I got into a conversation about the healing effects of stitching. We both agreed that there's a little Yoga in Needlepoint.

 As a Yoga instructor I found this insightful, though I look at it differently now that I have begun such a large canvas as a rug canvas. I see myself in my mind's eye diligently working and each night I gradually surrender the hectic day to my hands.

Though this rug will be a challenge, I find that needlepoint, more than my yoga, has taught me to treat each precious moment as if it's the most important thing. I feel Mr. Stratton's hand on my hand.

 I see my parents watching me as I stitch to complete what has become a metaphor. My dad was a boatsman. He loved the ocean, deep sea fishing and feeling the sun and salt air. We spent many happy times on his various boats over the years.

Portal is a window into this world. I meditate on life when I stitch it. Thank you so much"

To see the Canvas Beth is working on click on Portal Rug

From Over The Pond ! posted by Gillian

Thursday, June 19, 2008
Having discovered the wonderful world of Art Needlepoint in April, while "surfing the web". I have become a dedicated fan to the beautiful artwork they produce on canvas. In the United Kingdom over the past 10 years Cross Stitch has taken over all of our Needlework shops, and the only needlepoint I can find is either on line or when I visit the States, when I come home laden with the abundance of canvas available to you there. NOW I need some help ? Please can someone tell me the secret of finding the time to juggle the day to day running of a house and finding time (real time) to sit and work on this relaxing and creative hobby we all so Love to do. I need an answer soon as my "Project Cupboard" (We all have one of those...Don't we?) is beginning to overflow with the wonderful canvas's I have waiting to be stitched from Art Needlepoint . I am at present stitching "Tranquility", which takes me to shores farther afield, with the most precious thread. Thank you Doreen for your inspiration ! Gill.

Janet Perry by Franki Cramer

Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Hi Doreen, It was terrific to read the information about Janet Perry and I too encourage others to visit her website. I had two private sessions with Janet in her home in Napa, CA as a beginning needlepointer, and must partly credit her with creating yet another obsessed needlepointer. She is greatly talented. Your new look website is great by the way. Franki C PA

Thanks!

Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Hi Doreen! I just wanted to tell you that I just got the bat flower canvas, and it's really so beautiful, it turned out better than I ever imagined! And the threads are gorgeous, I can not wait to start stitching! Impossible to really thank you and everyone who helped on this, I'll send you a snapshot when I'm done! Wishing you all the very best, Jude Richardson

Heat Wave

Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Maybe its the 90 plus degrees we have been having this last week that has gotten to me. Summer in New England in June! Love it!

Dawn is a well known needlepoint designer who told us that when she started Dreamweaver Designs one of her original goals was "to move beyond the traditional florals and holiday canvases, creating a variety of unusual and whimsical artwork.  I love surrounding myself with beautiful things, and I hope that what I do for other people is to inspire them to have fun, and enjoy stitching meaningful heir looms so that they can surround themselves and their loved ones with beautiful things as well".

We hope her Beach Umbrellas and Happy Hour put everyone in a sunny mood!

 




Some Charities We Donate To

Tuesday, June 10, 2008
This list of charities includes some of the organizations we have repeatedly given money to, but is not all of the charities that have caught our attention.
You can link to their website by clicking on the organization names that interest you.

Doctors without Borders  
Living Oceans
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
Faith Farms
Women's Environment and Development Organization
Clean Ocean Foundation
American Red Cross
Animal Welfare Institute
The Frederik Meijer Gardens Foundation
Heifer International


We welcome your comments and additions of charities who you would like to see our donations go to in the months ahead.

A Day Without End

Monday, June 02, 2008
Have you ever had a day that you thought would never end? One thing after another goes wrong or there isn't enough time to finish what needs to be finished? On many of these days, I find myself envisioning beautiful beaches, sunsets in the mountains or I get going to a museum and let the artwork take me away.
Today, I found a beach chair. Paul Brent's beach chair, as it is still a bit too chilly in New England waters. Stitching this will be a delight.  I am going to try it in the Milanese stitch.

Bat Flower by J. Richardson

Wednesday, May 28, 2008
"If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change."
Buddha


Each of us at Art Needlepoint are avid gardeners.  We treasure the common flowers and shrubs as well as ornamental specimens, and some of us are under the false hope that through our vegetable gardening we might one day be self sustaining. In New England without a greenhouse, it is pretty close to impossible to be self sustaining, but the thought is therapeutic and motivating.

Recently, we received a custom order for a canvas of a flower none of us have ever heard of. We share the Bat Flower by J. Richardson with you as we find it to be a most amazing flower. Perhaps you are fortunate enough to live where you have many warm days and can grow this in your garden.

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