Behind the Canvas - Marie & Maxwell

Tags:

Meet Ellen

Meet Ellen Shelnutt from Good Hope, GA!

General Needlepoint
About Your Designs
About You
Follow Up

General Needlepoint

I first discovered needlepoint on TikTok. While mindlessly scrolling, I came across a video of Calder Clark’s Hidden Valley Ranch bottle ornament and was instantly intrigued. For my very first project, I dove right in with a design of my own. I knew I wanted to make something for my children, so I created a four-inch round featuring a hammerhead shark for my son. I stitched it and finished it myself. Safe to say, when I take on a hobby, I go all in.

I like to keep things simple. Basketweave is my go-to stitch, though every now and then I’ll branch out and try a decorative one. Criss Cross Hungarian is at the top of my list to learn next!

Pepper Pot will always be my first love, closely followed by Vineyard Silk, Vineyard Merino Wool, and Silk & Ivory.

About Your Designs

I started my needlepoint journey with my own designs, and the more I practiced, the better I got. I’ve always needed a creative outlet, but other hobbies never quite stuck. When I discovered needlepoint, it felt like I’d found five creative outlets in one—designing, painting, kitting projects, stitching, and finishing. It finally felt like I’d found my thing. I genuinely enjoy every part of the design process and am constantly finding inspiration for new ideas. Of all the pieces that make up the craft, designing is definitely my favorite.

Whimsical, Preppy, Timeless

I draw a lot of inspiration from my childhood, my Southern roots, and honestly, the random ideas that come to me while I’m driving. Some of my favorite designs have started as a passing thought on my morning commute.

All of my Vibrant State Squares—they’re so colorful and fun. I never get bored painting them!

My favorite canvases to stitch are definitely the State Squares. I love that each one is filled with lots of little elements and uses 15 to 20 colors. The stitching goes by quickly because you're always finishing one section and moving on to the next.

Don’t listen to the naysayers! Use the acrylic paint pens, they make everything so much easier.

About You

Oddly enough, I get most of my stitching done in the car, though not while driving, of course. I have two toddlers, so the only time I get uninterrupted time to stitch is when I’m riding as the passenger princess.

wrangling two little ones, traveling somewhere fun, or teaching high school English.

The Penny Linn all-in-one keychain is at the top of my list, along with my clip-on reading light and ort catcher.

I just finished Sirens on Netflix, so good!

I don’t listen to many podcasts—I prefer quiet, especially after a full day of teaching and parenting two toddlers. I did enjoy Serial, though. I even taught a unit on it for a few years before COVID.

My favorite needlepoint follow on Instagram is Cara Rowland from Waste Knot Want Knot Finishing. Her work is absolutely beautiful, and I love scrolling through her posts to see how she brings each piece to life.

Four custom coordinating stockings for my family, that’s the dream!

My needlepoint line launching with Penny Linn!