How and when did you begin needlepoint?:
"I worked in a needlepoint shop when I was in High School. This was during the needlepoint heyday of the mid ‘70’s.
Needlepoint was the rage!
I also painted small canvases from an original that were sold as kits, back in days when canvases were painted with oil paints and took days to dry. I preferred painting needlepoint canvases more than stitching. After high school I went away to college and gave up needlepoint."
When and why did you decide to begin needlepoint again? :
"Two and half years ago, I made some big changes in my life and was looking to do some kind of art I hadn’t done recently. I thought maybe I would needlepoint a belt for my daughter. I went to a craft shop and bought some canvas and paint pens. I designed the canvas and it felt great!
Then I needed some yarn. I’d heard there was a wonderful needlepoint shop nearby and went in to buy yarn. I couldn’t believe the changes in the world of needlepoint from the mid 1970’s! The threads were amazing!!"
When did you start designing professionally?:
"I was chatting with the owner of Wool & Willow Needlepoint Shop. Anne asked me who designed the belt. I said I did. She asked me if I would be interested in designing custom canvases for her shop. That was the beginning of my new line of needlepoint designs."
Does your work follow a particular design or theme? :
"Uncomplicated, clear colors best describe my designs.
I want the stitcher to know what color goes where. I have a graphic design style verses painterly style. This works well for my line of needlepoint canvases.
I strive for colorful, fun, functional, whimsical handpainted needlepoint. I’m all over the place with themes. One day it’s flowers and Latin names next it’s Beach Girls.
Whatever strikes my fancy!"
For which stitching level do you design? :
"I aim for all stitching levels.
Uncomplicated, clear colors are easy to stitch for the novice or creatively embellish for the veteran. A simple canvas can become a complicated finished piece by adding interesting stitches and threads. A good example is Cottage 6."
What do you feel makes your work unique?:
"I try to think about colors, threads, stitches and how the design will be finished while I am creating a new design. I carefully stitch paint each design. I want the stitcher to know what to needlepoint where.
I’m designing more and more canvases on #10 canvas so stitchers can work on larger mesh without having to choose a juvenile design."
What inspires your work?:
"Color and design inspire me most.
I’ll look at something and say that would make a great needlepoint canvas! Then I stop and say, what will it be when it is finished? Can it be easily stitched? How can it be embellished with alternative stitches? I usually pull threads and then paint with the threads in front of me. I want my designs to be colorful, fun, practical and whimsical.
I like needlepoint to look like needlepoint, functional needlepoint for everyday use. Some design ideas just don’t convert well to needlepoint."
What is your educational background?:
"I left college in 1976 and then went back to finish college and graduated with a BA in Studio Arts from Ursuline College in 2002. My emphasis was Ceramics but in my heart I was a painter."
Do you hold industry credentials or organization memberships?:
"I am a Designer Affiliate Member of TNNA, The National NeedleArts Association."
Where can you find Barbara and her work? :
Barbara's blog, Create Needlepoint!, is a great place to see her latest work with lots of project ideas, stitching techniques and tips.
Barbara's design collection can be viewed by visiting Wool and Willow Needlepoint.
