Mopsey and the Giant Safety Pin

The title of this article sounds like it belongs to a work of fiction, but it's really Mopsey using a big safety pin to organize her thread cards.  Clever!

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

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

Book-Themed Canvas Finishing Ideas

The Book Canvas shows off finishing ideas for book-themed canvases.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DFOE14SytIP/

By the way, The Book Canvas designs are distributed by Mopsey, just in case you want to stitch for a reader....

https://mopseydesigns.com/collections/the-book-canvas

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 25, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tightening Stretcher Bars the Easy Way (Mopsey Designs)

This short video explains how to tighten canvases on stretcher bars without having to take the design off the bars.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DC2P_qdP5rX/

Clever!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright November 27, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Design Steps

If you thought coming up with a needlepoint design was quick, here's how Mopsey does it--

https://www.instagram.com/p/C92qLcjpet9/

For those who don't have an Instagram account, here is the process in Mopsey's own words:

🎨I first doodle in my sketchbook, which may sit there for an hour or may sit for up to a year. 
🖥️Once I am ready to tackle the design, I roughly draft it on the computer in a charting software. 
🌀From there, I paint the canvas to make sure it will work when stitched, then tweak it on the computer, then back to painting, then back to the computer... you get the deal. 
🌈Once I'm set on the design, I work through color theory to make sure I'm bringing the design to life. I finalize a painted master and *voila* a new needlepoint design is born!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright July 26, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Mopsey Designs Kids' Mobile (Hardware and Designs)

Mopsey Designs has something unusual--sets of canvases with hardware to make the set into a mobile to put over a child's bed.  There are five designs:  space, woodland, ocean, bees, and rain or shine.  You can see a photo of a finished mobile here with the other four designs at the bottom of the page.  I can't tell how the ornaments are attached to the bottom of the hardware but Stitch by Stitch Larchmont can help answer questions if you don't have a favorite shop to inquire for you.

https://stitchbystitchneedlepoint.com/products/mopsey-designs-md-46-mobile-space-with-grey-hardware?_pos=31&_sid=1a9d6fa27&_ss=r

How cute would these be with a little bell attached to the bottom of each ornament to make gentle music as it turns in the wind?

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 7, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Books, Books, and More Books

Melissa of the Wool and the Floss says butterfly canvases were everywhere at the Spring 2024 trade show.  I'm sure she's right but what I noticed were canvases for the book lover.

My absolute favorite is Thorn Alexander's "Read the Room." Cormoran Strike lovers, this is for you.

https://www.kcneedlepoint.com/products/read-the-room-canvas?_pos=1&_sid=17aabf696&_ss=r

The Gingham Stitchery has books to charm you.  (Note that Winnie the Pooh is mostly out of copyright now so anything A.A. Milne is ok to buy.)

https://www.instagram.com/p/C23EFKqvMhy/

Jenny Henry has the Cozy Bookshop (on 13 count).

https://www.jennyhenrydesigns.com/collections/pillows/products/preorder-the-cosy-bookshop-13-mesh-needlepoint-canvas?variant=42649339035825

Mopsey Designs has three pages of book themed ornaments.

https://mopseydesigns.com/collections/the-book-cavnas

The Book Canvas, distributed by Mopsey, has a new Jane Austen book stack ornament.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C6HfXU1vVfS/

Plum Designs has a series based on The Secret Garden.  I love the little garden glimpsed through a keyhole.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C5CJJ0rrVOG/

Mopsey also has a Secret Garden ornament.

https://www.oldworlddesigns.com/shop/Canvases/Category/2024-Spring-Market/p/Secret-Garden-Book-from-Mopsey-Designs-x81110500.htm

Plum also has the Ex Libris Bookplate which you can customize with your name or initials.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C4goykwrcA2/

Wake Robin has one, too.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1409944012/from-the-library-of-personalized-hand?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=needlepoint+painted+canvas+book+cover&ref=sr_gallery-1-4&sts=1&content_source=e7f825ca1ca84bcdb413cb4a48c1ac00aa649680%253A1409944012&search_preloaded_img=1&organic_search_click=1

Blue Ridge Stitchery has immortalized the NY Public Library in needlepoint form.

https://stitchtherapyneedlepoint.com/feature.php?id=104176

"Stars Hollow Books" is for fans of Gilmore Girls from NDLPT Designs.

https://stitchbystitchneedlepoint.com/products/ndlpt-designs-stars-hollow-books

Saturnalia Stitching has gone all out with their Bookish collection.

https://www.saturnaliastitching.com/shop-all/bookish

Froopy knows "The Book is Always Better Than the Movie."

https://froopyneedlepoint.com/products/copy-of-wwbfcd-11-5-x-2-5-on-18-mesh

And on a more specialized note, Saturnalia also has a darling Snow Cat Mobile Library design.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C3deIpWrHlk/

Gingham Stitchery has the "I'd Marry the Beast for that Library" piece.  Truer words were never spoken!

https://www.needlepointclubhouse.com/products/id-marry-the-beast?_pos=12&_sid=623786fc8&_ss=r

Walker has several book canvases:

https://poppypointe.com/collections/spring-market-2024/products/beach-read

https://poppypointe.com/collections/spring-market-2024/products/book-of-fairytales

If you browse Etsy, you'll find all sorts of interesting designs, including this fun triangle bookmark.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1562133431/turn-on-the-light?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=needlepoint+painted+canvas+book+cover&ref=sr_gallery-1-8&frs=1&cns=1&sts=1&content_source=3aafedb243d3654644d3e7ecad9a40bd15182f5b%253A1562133431&organic_search_click=1

Three Thimbles reminds us there are so many books and so little time.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1479887572/im-booked-handpainted-needlepoint-canvas?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=needlepoint+painted+canvas+book+cover&ref=sr_gallery-1-3&content_source=e96607417bdcb61a295749fa8fb39a7f82d5dd9d%253A1479887572&organic_search_click=1

And Crude Canvases lives up to its name.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1042015191/time-to-read-hand-painted-needlepoint?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=needlepoint+painted+canvas+book+cover&ref=sc_gallery-1-3&frs=1&cns=1&sts=1&plkey=df0696c571d84aa50f8da96166be93a79cd74203%3A1042015191

I just found Heidi the Book Lover on Instagram. She's one of Mopsey's Designers but I love how she Instas books and needlepoint.

https://www.instagram.com/thebookcanvas/?g=5

(Here are explanations of the symbols on her book canvases.)

https://www.instagram.com/p/C9Kn_aEp7Sl/?g=5&img_index=1

https://www.instagram.com/p/C9Px3ajp4OQ/?g=5&img_index=2

We have two book stacks, one with a Christmas tree and one without.

https://woolfloss.com/products/book-stack-tree?_pos=4&_sid=3def25d7b&_ss=r

https://woolfloss.com/products/gift-of-knowledge-book-stack?_pos=7&_sid=3def25d7b&_ss=r

There's a third stack of Harry Potter book titles.

https://woolfloss.com/products/harry-potter-books-bear?_pos=2&_sid=3def25d7b&_ss=r

I don't know who created the "Dear Reader" canvas but it would make a cute bookmark.

https://goodpointneedlepoint.com/collections/needlepoint-canvases/products/dear-reader-canvas?omnisendContactID=66080898ab4e8bdd0a8ac5bb&utm_campaign=campaign%3A+%F0%9F%92%9C+Dearest+Gentle+Reader...+%28664291d0c4077c62bad4e509%29&utm_medium=email&utm_source=omnisend

"The Plot Thickens" is a shop exclusive from The Wool and The Floss.  The designer is Saturnalia Stitching.

https://woolfloss.com/products/liz-s-mantra?_pos=1&_sid=e28210fcc&_ss=r

I don't know the designer for "Happily Ever After" but it sure is cute with its fairytale castle on the pages of a book.

https://goodpointneedlepoint.com/collections/shop/products/happily-ever-after-canvas

Kyra Cotter Designs has lots of new book-themed small designs for Penny Linn.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C8uj9vdJNFo/?g=5&img_index=1

Need a stack of books key fob?

https://woolfloss.com/products/books-key-fob-2268?_pos=56&_sid=3def25d7b&_ss=r

The Meredith Collection's reading mouse is adorable.

https://woolfloss.com/products/xo-307-mouse-house-bookworm?_pos=84&_sid=3def25d7b&_ss=r

Happy reading to all those bookworms out there!

https://woolfloss.com/products/bookworm?_pos=81&_sid=3def25d7b&_ss=r

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 1, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

December is for Giving

December is the time for giving and in that spirit, three designers have announced their Charts for Charity for 2023:

The Wool and the Floss is sponsoring My Pink Sugar Life's design, sales of which will go toward Parkinson's Disease research.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C0dG3ORNX3K/?g=5&img_index=4

Mopsey Designs is donating toward Maine Needs with this three Christmas tree design.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C0U2Ch-r2JD/

Fire and Iris is donating to COVER, which does urgent home repairs, with this hilarious Rocky Raccoons Family Holiday Party.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C0T7dc_rLyX/

Saturnalia Stitching's "Peppermint Butterfly" supports Bags to Butterflies, which supports women re-entering society from prison.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C0U7p81rV6G/

The Gingham Stitchery's "Go Taylor's Boyfriend" benefits the Burundi Miracle Project and the two book charts (use the right side arrows to view) benefit Scholarship America.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C0XDaSqLaUb/?g=5&img_index=1

These can be purchased from The Needlepoint Clubhouse.  Just choose the one (or ones) you want.

https://www.needlepointclubhouse.com/products/charts-for-charity-2023?variant=40386294284421

Rachel Barri's "Shalom Dove" benefits ADL National, which fights anti-Semitism.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C0UwpKNvhWT/

Alice and Blue's "Let It Snow" ornament benefits Protect Our Winters, a climate change organization.

https://aliceandblue.com/collections/canvases-for-a-cause/chart

This isn't part of the Charts for Charity program, but Ridgewood Needlepoint is promoting Vanessa's Gift of Giving Holiday Fund Raiser, to promote cancer research which killed the former owner of Ridgewood.

https://ridgewoodneedlepoint.com/vanessas-gift-of-giving-holiday-fundraiser/

Here's to a better holiday for all!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 5, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Stitching Mopsey's Mandalas

Stitch by Stitch Larchmont interviewed Mopsey Designs and got a tip on how to stitch their mandala canvases.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CyY4vfKruHp/

Here is Mopsey's new Instagram mandala tutorial.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C7pLQnovqk8/

Part Two of the tutorial.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C72Vhk6PgOR/

If you aren't familiar with the Mandala series by Mopsey, here they are.

https://mopseydesigns.com/collections/mandalas

As you can see, each quadrant of the canvas repeats.  Mopsey suggests you mentally divide each canvas into four equal corners, stitch the upper right corner, then rotate a quarter turn to stitch the new unstitched section that is now in the upper right corner position.  This will work with any canvas that has four corner repeats like these Mopsey mandalas.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright October 26, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Meeting Lucy of Mopsey Designs

Megan of the Pointing It Out podcast interviews Lucy of Mopsey Designs.  You'll learn Lucy's background, her needlepoint heritage, and the rambling path she took to become a needlepoint designer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jibrz1xcpWc

Here's Mopsey's website so you can explore.

https://mopseydesigns.com/

Here's her "High Class Place" sign.

https://mopseydesigns.com/products/high-class-place-hand-painted-needlepoint-canvas?_pos=1&_psq=high%20c&_ss=e&_v=1.0

Here is The Louisa sign.

https://mopseydesigns.com/collections/frontpage/products/the-louisa

This is the Bargello piece that was actually created by her grandmother.

https://mopseydesigns.com/collections/beginner-projects/products/you-do-you-boo-needlepoint-kit

This is the "I Told My Therapist About You" design.

https://mopseydesigns.com/collections/frontpage/products/the-ali

Here are the mandala pieces.

https://mopseydesigns.com/search?q=mandalas&options%5Bprefix%5D=last

This is the poppies glasses case.

https://mopseydesigns.com/products/poppies-glasses-case?_pos=2&_psq=poppy&_ss=e&_v=1.0

Here are the colorful mini stockings.

https://mopseydesigns.com/search?q=mini+stockings&options%5Bprefix%5D=last

Here are the charity charts.

https://mopseydesigns.com/collections/charts

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 12, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Candle from Mopsey Designs

Mopsey Designs sells candles! The scent is 13 Mesh and Chill.  

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=581651503978321&set=a.570863735057098

This one is Leave Me to Stitch.

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=580992967377508&set=a.570863735057098

There is also Safe Stitching Space.

https://mopseydesigns.com/search?q=candle&options%5Bprefix%5D=last

I'm not a candle lover but I admit, I'm tempted.

(By the way, Mopsey also sells rainbow unicorn scissors.)

https://mopseydesigns.com/collections/new-arrivals/products/unicorn-scissors

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 10, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Stitching Harry Potter

There must be thousands of Harry Potter fans in the world of needlepoint.  Recently I stumbled across a rare pair of crochet and embroidery kits which appear to have been properly licensed.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1394349885/2-harry-potter-needlework-kits-harry?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=needlepoint+harry+potter&ref=sr_gallery-1-12&sts=1&organic_search_click=1

This knitting kit is licensed, too.

https://needlepointjoint.com/products/harry-potter-knitting-magic-the-official-harry-potter-knitting-pattern-book

That got me thinking.  Are there needlepoint designs with Harry Potter themes?  The answer is yes, although some are barely legal due to copyright and some are obvious ripoffs.  Alice Peterson has several painted canvases.

https://needlepoint-for-fun.com/collections/in-stock-now/products/harry-potter-books-by-alice-peterson?ml_subscriber=2134865493108987762&ml_subscriber_hash=s6v6&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=mid_century_modern_flowers_sayings_christmas_more_what_else_could_you_want&utm_term=2023-01-24

https://needlepoint.com/products/harry-potter-love

Elm Tree Designs has a bookmark sized design.

https://theeyeoftheneedle.com/product/bookmarks/harry-potter-3/

Rogue Needlepoint has a Platform 9 3/4 round.

https://nimbleneedlenj.com/rogue-needlepoint-harry-dr-who/

The Studio Midwest has a little topper that is a wizard robe.

https://myneedlepoint.com/harry-potter-topper.html

Mopsey Designs has a fun round celebrating the books.

https://bestitchedneedlepointshop.com/products/hogwarts

The aptly named Back Alley Transactions seller on Etsy has plenty of small items that may skirt the restrictions.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/BackAlleyTransaction?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=1283402470

The romantic Always deer is only one of several designs sold by ChloJo Needlepoint, also on Etsy.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChloJoNDLPT?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=1390811733

OTH Needlepoint has a nice quidditch design but many of their non-Harry pieces are clear copyright violations.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/916754165/harry-potter-golden-snitch-quidditch?click_key=11f4445f4469a3b8516fdea7329e517b0491a0dd%3A916754165&click_sum=18eb32f2&ref=shop_home_recs_1&frs=1&sca=1&sts=1

This Harry Potter world is a nice mashup of items you encounter in the books.  There is space to add your favorite books titles, too.

https://whatsthepoint.biz/shop/ols/products/harry-potter-world

Snarky Crafter Designs' enameled metal ones are particularly nice.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/754753055/my-wand-chose-me-wizard-needle-minders?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=harry+potter+needle+minders&ref=sr_gallery-1-4&sts=1&organic_search_click=1

Piney Stitch (also on Etsy) has miniature book needle minders, including this beauty.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/201027815/needle-minder-miniature-book-magic?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=harry+potter+needle+minders&ref=sr_gallery-1-7&frs=1&cns=1&organic_search_click=1

My personal favorite is this needle minder but check the seller for other Hogwarts-themed castles in a different style.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1046083675/wizarding-school-and-messenger-owl?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=potter+needlepoint&ref=sr_gallery-1-25&bes=1&organic_search_click=1

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1046089263/wizarding-castle-needle-minder?click_key=b902a2c7b841fe677515a2403a80e472070fcc46%3A1046089263&click_sum=616f78b2&ref=shop_home_active_3&crt=1

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 24, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

New Designers

There have been new shops opening and new designers painted canvases for us these days, perhaps encouraged by the explosion of folks looking for needlepoint to keep themselves busy.  

I found three new designers this morning.  If you live in New England, the Cape Cod themed "Call Me When You Get to the Bridge" from Frances Mary Needlepoint will charm you.  If not, her beach and summer designs are fresh and funny.

https://francesmaryneedlepoint.com/collections/all

Mopsey Designs' "I Told My Mom About You" cracks me up, but she has a lot to admire.

https://mopseydesigns.com/collections/frontpage?page=1

Then there is Abby at Le Point Studio.  I love her little flower basket and that Holiday Lamb is exquisite!

https://www.lepointstudio.com/about

Like most new designers, you can buy directly from their websites.  Go explore!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 1, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.