Needlepoint - A Home Decor Staple Making Appearances on the Runway

Elle magazine cover, July 2012, top by Balmain

Detail of top by Balmain from the Fall/Winter 2012/13 collection. 

Needlepoint is a classic handicraft in the embroidery family which traditionally would use thread to cover a stiff woven canvas; often for framed art and durable furniture accents.

Inspired by the gorgeous (multi-thousand dollar) tunic by Balmain featured on the cover of the July 2012 Elle, I grabbed my camera and tried to capture as many of the eye catching needlepoint pieces I could track down in The Local Joint today.  

The offerings range from throw pillows to framed art, to brooches (a YazBerry Vintage find) and furniture! There are several of us pickers that have an eye for amazing needlepoint. We bring a delicious variety into the store and it sells quickly and changes often. 

YazBerry Vintage has already seen several of my needlepoint finds fly off the shelves into the homes of fashionable people. 

I've assembled this photo essay to share with you some needlepoint options that are more attainable and practical than the gorgeous Balmain tunic I wish would show up in my closet ;)...

Shop on dear friends. Come visit The Local Joint in Northfield, MN to get your hands on some of these amazing needlepoint pieces!

Needlepoint throw pillow bouquet in dark green and oranges. 

Floral spray seat cushion.

Sweet daisies.

Delightful footstool in pale blue and rose.

God Bless our Home in gilded frame.

Sweet children with dog, duck and umbrella. 

Small pin cushion, black background and bright greens.

Pair of dusty pink runners with fruit and flowers.

Framed black background with bright pink roses.

Petit point brooch with tiny roses. 

Unframed needlepoint lilies with needle and thread still attached

*Images from Balmain & Elle magazine are copyright their owners. 

Current Read: Creative Girl

I love the Northfield Public Library. I find good books without even searching their catalog. Since I am sans full time employment at the moment, I was browsing the job hunting and business section. Picked up a fabulous book to help rewrite my office job resume and my fingers tripped over this book: Creative Girl, by Katherine Sise.

Katherine Sise may ring a bell, she is a successful Jewelry Designer whose collections have been featured in Lucky Magazine and Elle amongst others. She has designed for GAP and Keds and currently has a collection available at Target (Tar-jay boutique ;) ). You may also recognize her from her early career with a show on the Home Shopping Network.

I'm only 20 or so pages in but have a few pearls of wisdom, true gems to share with you. I am really looking forward to digging into this book. Since it was in the business and job hunting section, the content is very practical and very realistic with the objective of lucrative employment and income. I like this perspective.

"Creativity breeds creativity and your success is like a snowball; almost always, achievement in one creative field feeds into another...Each creative talent is a continually evolving business and it's exciting to push your artistic limits and find unlikely avenues that stem from your original pursuit. When you're strategic about your achievements, you'll cohesively build a career." (page 17)

"Often, when one aspect of your career is lagging, the other is flying high. This keeps you feeling productive and successful...The ability to shift gears and expand will serve you, so experiment and push yourself further than you thought you could go." (page 18)

"Be mindful, aware, and open to the fact that you are exactly where you're meant to be in this moment." (page 21)

I feel these notions can be applied to any job hunt, be it creative, office or whatnot. They make a lot of sense to me and with this sense I embark on the rest of my read.

Available on Amazon.com.

NOTE: Cover image Copyright 2010, Kristine A. Lombardi, artist.
Quotes from: Creative Girl: the Ultimate Guide for Turning Talent and Creativity Into a Real Career, by Katherine Sise.