Get a head-start on your March needlepoint projects by stitching the Four-Leaf Clover project. This project includes two pattern variations, so you can work a single clover or a quartet of lucky clover (shown).

The sample is stitched in traditional greens, and tan highlighted with a wee hint of a leprechaun's gold.

This project is perfect for experimenting with textured or decorative stitches. The sample project in the main project photo was worked in Long Stitch, Continental Stitch, Woven Stitch , Cross Stitch, Continental Stitch, Rice Stitch and Alternating Basketweave stitch.

All of these stitches are also available as Stitch Journal entries.

This week's new Journal Pages include the super easy Double Parisian Stitch, the popular Nobuko Stitch, the Diagonal Hexagonal Stitch and Milanese Stitch.

Each of these stitches can be worked in a single color, or in rows of multiple colors.

Check the Stitch Journal List for more journal pages.

Happy Journaling!

I've spent a lot of time this week going through past postings on the Needlepoint Forum, and noticed that several people have asked about transforming a photograph into a needlepoint canvas.

Software is available including PatternMaker by Hobbyware, PC Stitch and WinStitch 2010 that you can use with your home scanner to create your full-color graphed chart from your photograph. Many are marketed for Cross Stitch, but since the result is a charted design, they can also be used for Needlepoint.

Another alternative is to utilize an online service such as Needle Paint. With this handy site you simply upload a JPG, GIF, or PNG file. NeedlePaint can print from 4"x4" to 16"x16."

It's a bit expensive (not any more so than purchasing a painted canvas at a needlework shop), but if you don't want to purchase software and spend hours with the learning curve, it's a smart way to go.

The fun starts after uploading your image. From the Stitch Preview page you can select canvas mesh size (14 or 18 count), and enlarge or reduce the number of thread colors by using the sliding button to the right of the image. The fewer thread colors you select, the simpler the resulting design, and the more threads colors you select, the more detailed the resulting design. Select the Printed Canvas Preview to get a sneak peek of the finished canvas. After approving the design, you can opt to have the finished design produced as a kit, or just order the canvas. The finished material takes 5-10 days to produce, and is shipped to you.

TIP: The trick to making any method effective is to choose a photo that is not too complicated or busy - the simpler the subject, the better the finished design. I uploaded a simple photograph of my pooch, Buster, and loved the quality of resulting preview.

The About.com Needlepoint Newsletter has a NEW LOOK debuting this week! The format has been completely updated, making it easier to share news, content and photos with newsletter subscribers.

The Needlepoint Newsletter is delivered to your email in-box every Monday, and by signing up you won't miss a single new update, project or posting.

Speaking of postings... have you participated in the Project Planning Poll? Sharing your answers to the poll is a terrific way to let me know what types of projects you are interested in seeing on this site, and as always, your input is appreciated and encouraged.

Happy Stitching!