Breaking News: Needlepoint in Paradise Has New Owner

Exciting news!  Needlepoint in Paradise in Naples, Florida has a new owner!  It's Suzie Vallerie, whom we know as the owner of Enriched Stitch in Connecticut as well as the owner of the Amanda Lawford and VNG lines of canvases.  Congratulations, Suzie.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DOJkHTEEXfT/?img_index=1

We wish the former owner of Needlepoint in Paradise, Lynn Grace, a fun filled retirement!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 4, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Enriched Stitch Visits The Caron Collection

Enriched Stitch got to visit the Caron Collection's warehouse and posted a video to their Instagram account.   It is wonderful to peek behind the scenes at where wonderful threads are born.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DG0nI_muViI/

Caron dyes Watercolours, Impressions, Waterlilies, Rachel, Soie Cristale, Snow, and much more!  You can explore on the Caron website and of course your favorite needlepoint store.

https://www.caron-net.com/threads.html

Why is Suzie of Enriched Stitch visiting the Caron Collection?  She just bought it!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DGobkVEyrN3/?img_index=1

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 6, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

What Would Suzie Do?

Suzie Vallerie of Enriched Stitch has started a new feature on the shop's Instagram account called What Would Suzie Do?   Suzie shows off three or more canvases, outlines the main stitches she recommends in the stitch guides she's writing for them, and shows the threads she is going to recommend. Sometimes she even shows off pillow fabric and trim ideas. It's a great way to preview a stitch guide to see what stitches and threads are going to be used so you have a general idea if that is something you would want to stitch.  The What Would Suzie Do? postings appear each Wednesday and they are Instagram only.

https://www.instagram.com/enrichedstitch/

You can browse all the kits that Suzie's assembled on the Enriched Stitch WWSD page.  You can order just the canvas and guide or also pick up the thread and embellishments, too.

https://enrichedstitch.myshopify.com/collections/featured-on-instagram

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 29, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved

New Color Wheel Magnets

The latest needle magnets from Accoutrement Designs are miniature color wheels that actually work.  Kudoes to Enriched Stitch for noticing these cute muti-use tools.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ccn3YugLrUS/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 22, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Unusual Needlepoint Projects

This morning I have two unusual needlepoint projects for your viewing pleasure.  Enriched Stitch shows off baby booties.  The canvases are by Danae Designs.

https://www.facebook.com/TheEnrichedStitch/posts/5513919711973632

Elizabeth Bradley shows off a customer's finishing of their floral pillow designs made into cubes.

https://www.facebook.com/ebneedlepoint/photos/a.531300420264423/5147962401931512/

Needlepoint is a texture you can use many, many ways!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 6, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Cupcake Nutcracker Class

Suzie Vallerie of The Enriched Stitch is planning a class via Zoom for this Cupcake Nutcracker.  I think (although I'm not certain) that the designer is Susan Roberts.

https://astheneedleturns.com/cupcake-nutcracker/

Personally I find nutcracker canvases creepy (those teeth!) but this one is exceptionally interesting in all the effects Suzie has chosen to bring Mr. Cupcake to life.  You can sign up for the class on the Enriched Stitch website.

https://enrichedstitch.myshopify.com/products/cupcake-nutcracker-kit?_pos=1&_sid=819f7642b&_ss=r

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 22, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Year in Review at The Enriched Stitch

Suzy of Enriched Stitch shows off everything she stitched in 2020.

https://astheneedleturns.com/year-in-review-5/

Suzie is Vallerie Needlepoint Gallery and also owns the Amanda Lawford line, so many of these are models.  Check with her shop (The Enriched Stitch) to order the designs and see if there is a stitch guide written for these items.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 5, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Needlepoint University Registration Open

Suzie Vallerie of Enriched Stitch will hold Needlepoint University classes starting January 2021.  Early registration ends Dec. 12.

https://astheneedleturns.com/needlepoint-university/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 7, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Suzie Recommends UPDATED

Suzie Vallerie of Enriched Stitch is having fun with various canvases from Enriched Stitch, pulling threads and picking stitches for various areas.
https://astheneedleturns.com/what-would-suzie-do/

https://astheneedleturns.com/what-would-suzie-do-2/

UPDATE: More Suzie ideas.
https://astheneedleturns.com/what-would-suzie-do-3/

Of course any of the pieces from the shop will come with a free guide, but you don't have to buy them to learn from Suzie's vision for each.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 24, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Since It's June Let's Talk Santa Beards

Ok, I know Christmas is six months away BUT finishing deadlines are coming right up, so let's talk about Santa beards.  After all, I know a lot of us are stitching a Santa Claus and trying to come up with great beard ideas.  Let's start with the new Vallerie Needlepoint Gallery Santas.  Suzie has posted about them here with photos of the finished items.  Check out those beards!
http://astheneedleturns.com/the-birth-of-a-santa/

White Santa has a beard done with thin wool in long random stitches.  So does Patriotic Santa and Fifth Avenue Santa.

Courtly Santa has French knots on a Stalk for his beard.  I suspect Wisper has been used here, probably mixed with another thread.

Beach Santa has horizontal satin stitches that are offset in a zigzag effect, probably also in thin wool.

If those aren't enough ideas for you, Diana Bosworth's little booklet "Beards I Have Known" will show you more beard ideas than you could ever stitch!
https://bristlythistle.wordpress.com/2010/03/06/needlepoint-beards/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright april 30, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Ornament Exchanges are Fun

I love the idea of ornament exchanges during the holidays so I enjoyed seeing the ornaments the staff of Enriched Stitch exchanged.    Some of the ornaments are credited to their designers and some aren't but if you fall in love, the shop can help you identify the design you adore.
http://astheneedleturns.com/ornament-exchange/

Pocket Full of Stitches did an exchange, too.  Look at all those smiling faces!
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2018/12/pfos-annual-ornament-exchange.html

I think both shops had a blast.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 19, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Wrestling The Old Crow

Just in case you think professional stitchers don't have any problems stitching a painted canvas, here's Suzie Vallerie working away at Melissa Prince's "Old Crow."  She's had to rip out, use stitches she hates and more!  Just like the rest of us.  I've always liked this design and although I would not stitch it this way, it's going to be lovely.
http://astheneedleturns.com/its-been-too-long/

For other admirers of this canvas, Janeann Sleeman has also written a guide for this canvas.  Suzie's version above will be available as a guide shortly, once she wrestles all those pumpkins to the ground!
https://www.facebook.com/341998565857547/photos/a.483193291738073.108396.341998565857547/1748087868581936/?type=3&theater

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 16, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Holy Cow! It's BIG!!

Enriched Stitch showed off John's latest project on their blog. Suzie estimates it took him three years and is about 3x4 feet.  And it is beautiful!
http://astheneedleturns.com/a-massive-undertaking/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 19, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Lacquered Boxes

Remember the beautiful lacquered boxes that HP Designs used to sell? Amanda Lawford bought rights to some of the styles and now that her designs belong to Vallerie Needlepoint Gallery, the shop affiliated with VNG has managed to get more of them with a 5x5 opening for a design.  (Did you follow all that?  I might need to do a diagram.  LOL)  The boxes are fabulous and are $190 each regardless of color.   There are only a few of them so if you have a great canvas that will work ready and want a spectacular display for a birthday or Christmas gift, don't hesitate to buy.
http://astheneedleturns.com/september-newsletter/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 5, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Don't Be a Thief

Enriched Stitch is having a sale on their instant downloadable stitch guides and a warning.
http://astheneedleturns.com/stitch-guide-sale-and-more/#comment-2013

Don't copy stitch guides or book stitch diagrams and then hand them out to all your friends. It's stealing and even if you have no qualms about that, remember that the world of needlepoint is small.  If folks realize that you copy guides, the shops and stitch guide writers will warn each other of your actions and it'll get harder to buy the supplies you want.

And as one commenter mentions in the link above, I take copyright seriously on Facebook.  If I catch someone repeatedly violating copyright on the Facebook Group Needlepoint Nation, they are removed from the group permanently and also blocked from viewing the group.   Many folks don't realize that copying items from a book or guide (or taking photos of a diagram on your phone from a shop's books) is stealing.  But it is.  If you want to pay more for books and guides or want to risk banishment from Needlepoint Nation and being whispered about among the guide writers, handing out copies of something you bought is a good way to achieve that.  The stitch guide writers especially are my friends and colleagues and I will do my best to protect their businesses.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 3, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Enriched Stitch is Moving UPDATED

Enriched Stitch is moving to new and larger quarters in Wilton, Connecticut.
http://astheneedleturns.com/in-the-home-stretch/

The reopening is set for today, June 2.
http://astheneedleturns.com/in-the-home-stretch/

Here are pictures. Use the side arrows to see everything.
https://www.facebook.com/348498438515811/photos/pcb.1925041004194872/1925040044194968/?type=3&theater

Here's a map and their new address.  If you are in the area, stop by and say hello for me, ok?
http://enrichedstitch.com/contact-us/

UPDATE:  The June shop newsletter has a nice photos of the shop exterior and interior.
http://astheneedleturns.com/june-newsletter-2/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 30, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

All the Fun at the Enriched Stitch Retreat

Ever wanted to go on a needlepoint retreat but didn't know what they were like? Suzie Vallerie spills the beans on Enriched Stitches' Spring 2018 retreat!
http://astheneedleturns.com/oh-what-fun/

http://astheneedleturns.com/day-2/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 2, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Go Red with Thread (and Magnets!)

Accoutrement Designs reminds us that they have magnets that coordinate with the Go Red with Thread canvases that raise funds for heart disease.
http://fobfriends.blogspot.com/2018/02/go-red-with-thread-campaign-against.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 2, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Secret Santa Visits Enriched Stitch

You'll love seeing the ornament exchange pieces that Enriched Stitch's staff gave each other.  Each is cuter than the next and all were chosen with the recipient's interests in mind.
http://astheneedleturns.com/secret-santa-stitching/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 4, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Very Special Stocking

Enriched Stitch shows off the stocking they stitched for a special customer who died before she could work it herself.
http://astheneedleturns.com/get-the-kleenex/

Almost all Christmas stockings have special stories behind them.  It's too bad Mimi never got to finish her story.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 18, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.