Sneak Peak Into 2021

The button has just been pushed: January/February files are on the way to the printer! As always, we think it’s our best issue yet. How can you go wrong with a Pippin canvas with a stitch guide by Laura Taylor? Even if you chose not to stitch the design, the stitches that Laura chose are unique in Pitcher Perfect, which is featured on the front cover. I’m looking for ways to use several of Laura’s stitches on a few of my current projects. The graphic nature of Pippin designs really lend themselves to interesting stitches!

Toni Gerdes is on our back cover with her design, Shenandoah Twist. Although Toni offers many color choices, her white on red is absolutely stunning. The piece looks simple, but don’t be fooled, you have to follow the chart and the written directions to master stitches like walneto, sprat’s head, irregular Jessica and crescents.

Susan Harrington of Dragonlady Canvaswork Designs teamed up with Lorraine at Colour Complements to design three dynamic hearts using these hand dyed threads that are available in unique color combinations. We start with Cleopatra’s Heart in this issue and will follow with the other two designs in the next two issues. All three designs use unusual stitch combinations that showcase the rich, hand-dyed threads.

Timmy Schultz wows us again with White Bargello Bell, the second in her bell series. The bells use just a few different threads and beads and they work up really fast. I’ve made a few to use as gifts or package embellishments.

Susan Jones of Finger Step Designs shares an exercise in patterns with her 3 1/2” squares that are based on a log cabin design, a single stitch and three colors of thread. You will be amazed how switching the order of the colors in a composite stitch will give the effect of using different stitches. These squares, in Pattern Surprise, would make wonderful Christmas tree ornaments or coasters. Pick your own colors and play with Susan’s designs; it is so much fun!

Cheryl Schaeffer and Annie Lee have Valentine Canvas Cookies that I think are our favorite ones yet! There is a sweet box of chocolates that is also a music box and a corset that is embellished with lace and ribbons. You may have a hard time giving these away because you will want them all to yourself.

One of my own stitch guides is also featured; Flying Bird which is a canvas by Jane Tattersfield. This piece was designed for one of our United Kingdom tours a few years ago. I tried to incorporate a few new techniques that I think you may find useful in other projects. It is a fun piece to stitch and the bright yellow bird will brighten even the dullest day.

I have to mention an article that we have about a British artist, Andy Zermanski. Andy not only is a gifted painter; he is also a fabulous needlepoint designer who has been featured in several other needlework magazines over his long career. One of his designs caught my eye and I reached out to him to find out a little more about a huge, 6’ x 8’ canvas of a Ceremonial Elephant.

Has the isolation during the pandemic gotten to you? Are you really missing your needlework buddies? See how one group came up with a solution to social distancing in our article called Pam’s Parking Lot Pals.

Of course we have all our favorite columnists, and they, once again, sharpened their pencils to bring you more words of wisdom and humor. This issue is packed with projects, articles and tips  that we hope delights and entertains you.

As we take a short break for the holidays, we wish all of you a happy holiday season from every one of us at Needlepoint Now!