Behind the Canvas - Stitches by Blair
Hi! I'm Blair Lykins and I live in Lexington, KY
GENERAL NEEDLEPOINT
How did you learn to needlepoint? What was your first needlepoint project?
I learned to needlepoint when I came to college. I had never heard of needlepoint, but it seemed like all of the boys were wearing needlepoint belts! My first project was a belt for my boyfriend, now my husband. I think I’ve done 20+ for him at this point!
What is your favorite stitch? What stitch are you hoping to learn/do next?
I’m traditional and generally use the basic tent stitch. However, I’m currently working on an insert for my wicker bag using the leaf stitch.
What are your favorite threads to use?
I tend to use pearl cotton because of all of the color availability. I also love to add some pops of shine or texture, like velvet and silk lame.
ABOUT YOUR DESIGNS
What made you want to paint your own pieces?
I started by just tweaking canvases that I bought to be more “me.” At first I would just swap colors, then modify whole areas, and then it became doing my own thing!
Describe your canvases in three words:
Classic, playful, thoughtful
What inspires you most when creating new designs?
The people in my life! My love language is giving gifts, so I love needlepointing something that I know someone would cherish.
What has been your favorite canvas to paint?
The SEC mascot belt! So many bright colors, and each little mascot came out so cute!
What has been your favorite canvas to stitch?
A belt for my three year-old son. Felt like a full-circle moment!
What is one piece of advice for painting your own canvas?
Don’t be intimidated- just go for it!
ABOUT YOU
Where is your favorite place to stitch?
I love to stitch when I travel! I love that I can just throw my project bags in my purse and take wherever I go.
If you're not needlepointing you're…
Most likely playing cars with my son! But I also try to sneak in as much time to try new recipes and play tennis as I can!
What three items do you always have in your project bag?
Scissors, needle minder, clip on light
What shows are you currently watching?
Nothing new right now, but my feel-good shows that I can watch on repeat are Friends, New Girl, and Ted Lasso.
What is your favorite podcast?
My favorite podcast is Smartless. I want to be best friends with Will, Sean and Jason. In one episode, Sean says he wants to learn to needlepoint one day and I’m seriously considering dreaming up a canvas and mailing it to him.
Who is your favorite needlepoint or non-needlepoint follow on Instagram right now?
@bigtimeadulting makes me laugh every day.
If time and money were no issue, what type of needlepoint project would you want to do?
A whole village of gingerbread houses! I always made gingerbread houses with my Granny growing up. I’ve carried on the tradition with my son and his little buddies. Gingerbread houses give me that feel of holiday nostalgia and one day I’ll make time to stitch one. Or twenty.
FOLLOW UP:
Where can people find your designs? (website, LNS)
Penny Linn Designs and your LNS!
Where can people follow you on social?
I’m just getting started, but would love to have you follow along at @stitchesbyblair
Hello
So can you make a belt and if I tell you like what I want on it you can design that so if I put an order in like how long does it take to make and water your prices so he wears a 32 around the waist and I would want it for Seth like his college Kentucky Westin colors and their Panthers in there purple and white and black and then I’d like I’d like one of baseball on it and stuff and maybe his initials or something do you have any designs that I could look at?
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