A Heart Warming Tale from Denise DeRusha

Denise at Denise DeRusha Designs remembers how all 50 of her state postcard canvases were stitched by Rita's Needlepoint in NYC as a fund raiser for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1320338886550484&set=a.785200100064368

You can get a good look at your state's postcard design on Denise's website (where your favorite shop can order for you).  By the way, the states aren't listed in alphabetical order but by order number.

https://www.denisederusha.com/postcards-us-states-national-parks-cities-and-world-countries

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 20, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Fair Exhibit Winners

Late summer and early fall is the time for the county and state fairs, with all their exhibits, including needlework.  I've collected all the photos folks have posted of their exhibited pieces.  Congratulations to all and thanks for showing off how lovely your needlepoint can be.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=24664947696422599&set=gm.24117378121246019&idorvanity=108537025890131

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=764629299281917&set=gm.24116978151286016&idorvanity=108537025890131

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=24850055354578498&set=gm.24299075856409577&idorvanity=108537025890131

Jenny's done some award winning Indiana-themed pieces for their state fair.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/24125062617144236/

The judges couldn't find an errors in Mara's counted piece!

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=766076312470549&set=gm.24131050886545409&idorvanity=108537025890131

This looks rather plain in the photo, but trust me--Jane Zimmerman pieces are stunning in person!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/24156356060681558/

Willie got a second place ribbon for her four seasonal cat designs.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/egastitchalong/permalink/2600014103684117/

Jeanne got two blue ribbons but only one was for needlepoint.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/24298949706422192/

Susan got a blue ribbon for her Pippin collage.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1417948703064096&set=a.608045704054404

Susan managed two blue ribbons at the Oregon state fair.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/24385726881077807/

Linn brought home TWO ribbons!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/24459740157009812/

This pink and white beauty got a blue ribbon.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=24561171466867184&set=a.1073057616105233

Rachel got two ribbons (and shows off other stitchers' work) on her Instagram page.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DPKIBVIkt5X/?img_index=1

Kelly's so proud of someone who got a blue ribbon for one of her designs!

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10231571068322110&set=a.1202311020230

Chronically Online Ndlpt won a blue ribbon for Mr. Frog.

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

Jennifer's mom won a blue ribbon AND a best of show at the Texas State Fair!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DPg27bqjZ97/

Finally, Brenda reminds us that no matter who won ribbons, each piece is gorgeous and introduces people to the art of needlepoint, so keep up that great stitching!

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=24578493648468299&set=a.1073057616105233

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 2, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Travel Designs UPDATED

Folks are always looking for a design to commemorate a trip or a favorite town, so I thought I'd make a list of the various designers who have lots of these destination canvases.  They are listed in alphabetical order.

Denise DeRusha has quite a few small square travel location designs.  She also has Christmas trees around the world ornaments (second link below)
https://denisederusha.com/postcards-us-states-national-parks-cities-and-world-countries

https://denisederusha.com/holidays-seasonal

https://pfos.com/products/russia-1

DJ Designs does several D.C., San Francisco, Chicago, and NYC travel designs, sized from stockings to pillows to oval ornaments.
http://www.annieandco.com/collections/dj-designs

Doolitle Stitchery has a series of ski travel squares, ovals, rounds and ski pillows plus a few European destination travel ornaments, too.
https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/2565a1_75bdfe2e0c5d4ff5901cb9cfce3c9e36.pdf

Ewe and Eye has a really charming Lithuania ornament.  I hope they have more along these lines!
https://needlepoint.com/lithuania-21335.html

In Good Company has an extensive line of printed mini sock canvases for cities, states and countries. Check their Out West squares for regional themed designs as well.
http://www.needlepointbyingoodcompany.com

Kathy Brandt does little stockings and round travel ornaments.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/KathyBrantArt/photos/?tab=album&album_id=381585001987545

Kathy Schenkel has an extensive line of travel rounds. Don't miss her Michigan Mittens series, either (second link below).
http://www.kathyschenkel.com/Gallery/Travel-Rounds-and-Other/26/Travel-Rounds/121.html

http://www.kathyschenkel.com/Gallery/Series/11/Michigan-Mittens/104.html

Kirk and Bradley has a whole series of travel ornaments as well as some regular-sized designs. They even have a few belts!
http://www.kirkandbradley.com/travel

NeedlePaint has introduced travel rounds for Paris, London, Barcelona, Rome, Thailand, and Venice.  Note that these are printed, not hand painted.

https://www.needlepaint.com/blog/2020/09/15/travel-round-needlepoint-ornament/

NeedlePaint has new designs for New York, Chicago, Las Vegas, San Francisco, and New Orleans.  They also do custom destination ornaments.

https://www.needlepaint.com/blog/2021/02/11/us-needlepoint-travel-rounds-destination-ornament-collection/

Painted Pony Designs has travel angels in their popular series of little angel canvases.
http://www.paintedponyneedlepoint.com/tangelwc.htm

Painted Pony also has round ornaments for various locations.
http://www.paintedponyneedlepoint.com/trounds.htm

Ruth Schmuff has a line of map designs that might be of interest.
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/?s=map&post_type=product&tags=1&limit=10&ixwps=1

Silver Needle has an extensive line of travel ornaments. You can see them starting on page 12 of the Colonial Needle catalogue.  Also look at the brick covers.
http://www.colonialneedle.com/files-customer/catalog/SilverNeedle_Catalog.pdf

Silver Needle has a travel ornament for all 50 states now.
https://colonialneedle.com/collections/sn-city-state-ornaments?page=1

Trubey has several lovely large travel bell pull canvases for those who want to celebrate their favorite places in a larger format.
http://www.fleurdeparis.com/products/10Browse.asp?Category=Trubey%20Designs

Trubey also has a series of travel "inserts" which are 6x7 inch rectangles. The motifs from the inserts are repeated by Trubey in round ornaments.
http://www.fleurdeparis.com/products/10Browse.asp

Poppy Monk Needlepoint has vintage designs that mix fashion with Paris, London and NYC.

https://poppymonkneedlepointkits.com/collections/handpainted

Audry Wu's passport stamp designs are great and different.  Currently available:  Paris, NYC, Florence, Tokyo, London and North Pole.

https://audreywudesigns.com/collections/new-arrival

CH Designs (represented by Painted Pony) has added state and country candy canes to their line.  An example of each is below.

https://stitchtherapyneedlepoint.com/feature.php?id=85816

https://stitchtherapyneedlepoint.com/feature.php?id=85761

NeedlePaint has designed a series of national park ornaments that are printed, making them cheaper than a hand painted design.

https://www.needlepaint.com/blog/2022/06/13/national-park-ornament-kits/

KCN now has heart-shaped travel ornaments.

https://www.facebook.com/358534837577981/photos/a.1816491061782344/5148508945247189/

Louise's Needlework has a local painter who will do custom travel rounds.

https://media.rainpos.com/530/News_Blast_September_2022_Final.pdf

Ann Kay Studio has island designs that are unique and perfect for your collection.

https://www.annkayestudio.com/shop?category=Maps

https://www.annkayestudio.com/shop?category=18+Mesh

Garden Gate Needlepoint is partnering with Cheryl Schaeffer on these three California-themed travel rounds for Anaheim, Pasadena and Santa Monica.

https://www.facebook.com/gardengateneedlepoint/posts/pfbid0289BMSEbuU2TDfzyq4HKBtxez2rvHucxr5snXekoLpDaCP8VyrW5XvJXVnXZyyGyl

Atlantic Blue Canvas has some cute small square travel canvases.  Search on the designer name at Stitchtherapyneedlepoint.com if the link doesn't work.

https://stitchtherapyneedlepoint.com/newsletter.htm

Ash and Gin has a new series of national parks designs.  Note:  these are printed canvases.

https://www.stitchbystitchneedlepoint.com/ash-and-gin?cid=68c6d8c4-6311-4db7-a6af-6c56ebef78b3&page=4&utm_campaign=c0f8963d-e0af-4143-95ed-359a2599729d&utm_medium=mail&utm_source=so

Whipstitch has started designing state stamps that feature the state bird and flower, like this one for Virginia.

https://stitchtherapyneedlepoint.com/feature.php?id=98923

The Meredith Collection introduced a series of binoculars with travel destinations reflected in the lenses Fall 2023.  New York, NYC, Paris, Italy, London and the beach are available to date.

https://stitchtherapyneedlepoint.com/feature.php?id=99565&title=Eye%20Spy%20-%20Italy&itemtype=hand%20painted%20canvases

Lucky Lotus Needlepoint has a colorful and fun take on US states and state flower rounds.

https://luckylotusneedlepoint.com/collections/50-states-rounds

Princess and Me has something unique--travel glasses cases!  Note that all Princess and Me designs come with a stitch guide.

https://mailchi.mp/stitchedupneedleworks/spring-is-coming-6427573?e=07414d94b0

Hopefully the travel design you want is among those listed above.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 16, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

First Place Ribbon at the California State Fair

The California State Fair just awarded a first place ribbon for her "Kimono Revisited" to Mary Frances Po.  Congratulations!   (Many thanks to Needle in a Haystack for letting us know of their customer's latest big win!)
https://www.facebook.com/needleinahaystackshop/photos/a.10151984852036674.1073741825.98255356673/10152206891006674/?type=1&theater

Here is a bit about John Waddell's version of the Maggie Lane/Ietje Jackovich chart.
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/SNS_Kimono/info

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 17, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Souvenir Needlepoint Canvases

When we travel, we all love finding a new needlepoint shop and picking up a little souvenir of our trip.  But sometimes that just isn't possible.  There is no shop, there is no time, there just wasn't anything in the shop that evoked the trip.  Janet Perry to the rescue!  She's written up a list of designers who do what she calls "destination" needlepoint--painted canvases of a state, a region or just icons of that section of America.  This makes it easy to find a canvas to remind you always of that trip you took, or the one you always wanted to take.
http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com/destination-needlepoint

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