To the Point

When I was young and we went to the beach, my mother and aunt (identical twins) whiled away the hours with four things: tanning, crossword puzzles, mystery books, and needlepoint. The needlepoint fascinated and repelled me: it was an achingly slow process that produced beautiful, intricate results. My mother and aunt understandably preferred nautical scenes; boats in the harbor and sand dunes and the like, and my aunt still has a couple of those needlepoint pillows at home, backed with pale green and dark blue velvet.

I own one needlepoint pillow, a gift from my mother at Christmas time; it depicts a classic Russian Santa throwing snowballs and its gorgeous. Otherwise? I don't give needlepoint much thought and I certainly don't encounter it often. That doesn't surprise me though;  it's an intricate handicraft, and is therefore rather precious.  Also, let's be honest: its a very old craft that sort-of lacks retro appeal. But why?

I saw this needlepoint pillow in an Ehrman Tapestry ad a week or so ago and I have been taken with needlepoint all over again.

A little digging around the internet led me to pieces that I think are charming, beautiful, modern, and elegant.  Here are some sweet circus-y and classic tattoo needlepoint kits available from Emily Peacock Tapestry on Etsy:



These contemporary design kits from Felicity Hall on Etsy are so vibrant and graphic:

The Charley Harper kits available at The Purl Bee are simply amazing. Of course! They are based on the work of Charley Harper!

Finally, there are some incredible Frank Llyod Wright designs available at Heartland House and a large variety of cheeky pillows available from the ever-cheeky modern darling Jonathan Adler.

If you need a new pastime, consider something that doesn't involve a glowing screen and try your hand (literally) at needlepoint.

Comments

[Laura Old]

It's not your grandmother's needlepoint anymore - like you, I thought what my mother and others of her generation did seemed slow and dull. Today, there has been a virtual revolution in terms of the many hundreds of beautiful threads, amazing hand painted canvas designs, custom Stitch Guides to help you along the way. It's great fun, soothing to stitch, and creates an heirloom piece to enjoy now and pass down later. Would love to show you some of the fabulous work being done today - bet you'll be hooked!

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Wow! Great work. I know I don't have any patience for this, that's why I salute people who makes this artwork.

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Wow! Very beautiful. I never seen this type of art work. Keep it up.
Thanks,

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I totally agree with this one. It's been a while since it has been recognized. Most of the children now grow up in a digital way and very few parents will inform them about craft before. Those samples of work were all amazingly beautiful.

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I have great respect and amazement for people who can do great things like these. Because honestly speaking, I do not have the patience to make stuffs like these. Great post, now I miss my home.


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When you see great works of art like these you marvel. What most of us don't take the time to appreciate is the kind of dedication it takes to produce beauties like these. I wish I could do stuff like these.

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