Relax. Breathe. Stitch.

Brenda Stofft

Most of us view our needlepoint as relaxing but you can over do it, you know.  Barbara has a lovely stretching exercise for our hands.
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2011/04/reduce-needlepoint-hand-stress.html

UPDATE:  The above has been so popular that Barbara talked her yoga instructor into doing a series of articles for needlepointers on Barbara's blog.  Here is the first lesson.
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2011/04/needlepoint-yoga.html


Seeing Barbara's posting reminded me of the lovely Buddha and mandala themed painted canvases available. I thought I'd find some for you to enjoy.  The image above is Brenda Stofft's Buddha Cat.
http://www.brendastofftdesigns.com/Cats%20and%20Dogs.htm


Lani has Buddhas in many sizes and styles, and also Zen symbol canvases.
http://www.lanisneedlepoint.com/buddahs.aspx


http://www.lanisneedlepoint.com/art.aspx


http://www.lanisneedlepoint.com/zensymbols.aspx

http://www.bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/details.php?pid=11811&pname=Buddha


Melissa Shirley has a jolly Buddha canvas in two different sizes.  Kaffe Fasset has a somewhat similar Buddha in bright yellow and pastels charted in his Glorious Needlepoint.
http://melissashirleydesigns.com/gallery/?cat=27

http://www.infostitch.com/search/search.php?op=details&pid=160

HP Designs has several serene Buddhas in various sizes and styles.
http://annieandco.com/products/hp-designs-b141-13

http://www.hpneedlepoint.com/ASIAN6X6.html

Rosalyn has created a wonderful mandala design.  Read all about it here.
http://www.stitchamaze.com/gallery-orchestral/mandala.aspx

Counted thread fans can use charted mandalas on needlepoint canvas.  There are painted canvas mandalas, too.  The second link has them on 10 count canvas for those of us who want a large count.
https://www.cross-stitch-art.com/crossstitch3/SubjectListingsMandalas.htm

http://www.needlepointdesigningwoman.com/gallery.php

There's also a Shining Needle Society class on a mandala pattern but I am not sure if this class is for this year or was last year's.
http://www.stitchelegance.com/Stitch_Elegance/Stitch_Elegance.html

I've found a website that apparently will have spiritual needlepoint designs but it is under construction.
http://www.spiritualneedlepoint.com/

Relax.  Breathe.  Stretch.  Walk around and enjoy the day before you pick up a needle to meditate again.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com