April 20 will be forty years of marriage. An incredible accomplishment I must say.

Over these years I’ve stitched many a sampler to commemorate this special day. But forty years. I wanted something unique. As I scoured the various sites out there, nothing was grabbing me.

As anyone who has been in a committed relationship knows, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Searching for a design that speaks to 40 years of ups and downs was beginning to get frustrating. And then I came upon this one —

The designer stitched this on a custom hand-dye, 32-count Dark Tan. While I know colors can blow out in photography, there isn’t anything in the photo that looks like “dark tan.” So, I went with 32ct Silvery Moon Lugana.

The model is stitched all in Gentle Art Sampler Threads. When I started this, not all colors were available courtesy of COVID and shipping delays. So I went with a hybrid, part sampler threads, part DMC. Stitching with sampler threads is fun; however, this piece would look great in all DMC as well.

This piece is beautiful and works up fairly quickly. In just under a month, I’m here —

As the featured design ( https://threadedneedle.org/product/through-the-storms/), the fabric and threads used above are available. All DMC can also be used. Let us know if you want the same fabric, another color or a different count. So many choices!

Please post your progress here! Would love to see what you do. Can’t wait to get to know you with needlework as the foundation of our friendship! ~Alice

So glad you’re here! We’re so very excited that you clicked in!

Needlework is my passion as I bet it’s yours. I can disappear into my fabric and threads emerging with a sense of calm. I’ve lost many hours of sleep as I tell myself “one more thread” or “I’ll go to bed as soon as I finish this section.” Know what I mean?

Each time I choose something to stitch, to give it life, there is great thought that precedes it. Who is it for? Why is this design the one that gets to speak? What is the story it tells? Why does this particular one grab me?

This is what drives this site. The stories about projects we’re starting, thinking about starting, hoping to buy, in process or recently completed. Your stories about why you chose a particular design. Who is it for? Is there a specific memory? Somewhere you’ve traveled. Just love a specific something (like lighthouses, flowers, etc.)

This is what we are about. The stories behind what we stitch. Along with the stories, we’ll feature the actual chart, fabric, etc. so that others who may be inspired by the shared story can add to their stash.

By the way, the wicked cute welcome wagon is by Mill Hill. It’s actually two different designs. The first is the welcome wagon and the second is the flower basket on the frame. I haven’t stitched this one in particular, but boy do I LOVE the Mill Hill beaded designs. So this one is definitely in my stash. This welcome wagon and frame are available to purchase here as well as many of Mill Hill’s other designs. Each is complete with beads, thread, chart and needles. Frames are additional purchases, but are available here as well.

Thankful you stopped by. Come with us on this journey. Share your stories. We cannot wait to be inspired by you. ~Alice

Today begins the new journey in reopening Threaded Needle. Today am tooling around trying to get familiar with the tool.