Behind the Canvas: The Grand Millennial

Call me basic, but there is nothing better than basketweave on 13 mesh in my opinion. I just love the clean, classic look and durability of the stitch. As for a new stitch, send me all your tips for turkey work! I have Pip & Roo’s Santa Skier canvas in my stash and want to add some flair to the trim of Santa’s suit, but am quite intimidated!

Silk & Ivory whenever possible! (Slate Blue, Begonia, Kiwi, and Lobster are a few of my favorites)

For small 18 mesh projects, I love to use DMC cotton. The color options are truly endless and it’s a very affordable fiber option if you like stitching ornaments as much as I do!

I started painting my own pieces when I couldn’t find designs I was looking for, which were more contemporary, Nantucket/New England themed, small designs. As someone who tends to take an idea and run fast, it took me about an hour to place an order with all of the supplies needed to paint my own. From there, it took much longer to get the hang of designing and translating my designs to canvas.

Classic, coastal, and fun

I’m inspired by ordinary, everyday things like the beautiful quarter board signs around Nantucket, a mudslide at the Gazebo, and a freshly decorated Main Street fountain.. I’m inspired to design when I don’t see my ideas already in the marketplace.

I love painting my Love + Tennis canvas. “Love means nothing to a tennis player” was printed on my high school tennis team’s shirts and it makes me laugh every time I see it. How hardcore we were!

My Daffy Fountain. I actually designed most of this canvas by stitching it freehand, so seeing it come to life as it was stitched was pretty special. It’s now one of my favorite designs!

One thing that really helps me is to use colored pencils to map out my design on canvas before I paint. It’s erasable and gives you a little preview of what your design will look like before you commit to painting.

Ok this is very specific but… the couch, in the evening, with a bowl of ice cream nearby ;)

Walking, cuddling, and/or obsessing over my sweet puppy, Chowder.

Foldable scissors, a needle threader & extra needles

Stranger Things Season 4 and slowly rewatching Downton Abbey for fun. British period dramas forever!

Non-needlepoint, but I have been adoring @jennaisfeeling (no relation!)

I would go big or go home and tackle a large rug for my imaginary ladies sitting room, where we would enjoy cocktails and exchange all the hot gossip ;)

pennylinndesigns.com of course and your LNS!

@the_grandmillennial - you’ll see my own designs plus all the other projects I’m working on :)