The Head Stitch in Charge: Kara Plumb
#RatherBeNeedlepointing - GIVEAWAY & my first ornament exchange partner
Shortly after I began needlepointing, my dear friend Carly told me about a holiday ornament exchange she was participating in - something I had no idea existed until she told me. “What a fabulous idea!?” I thought to myself.
A few months later, after the start of the new year, Carly sent me the Instagram post announcing the 2022 ornament exchange and information for how to sign up. I signed up as fast as I could and was paired up to stitch with Kara - the incredibly talented stitcher behind the Instagram account “Rather Be Needlepointing”.
After months of chatting via DM and getting to know one another a friendship was forged - there was something so genuine and kind about Kara that emulated through her messages (not to mention her incredible stitch knowledge).
In the blink of an eye, the holidays were upon us and the most beautiful package from Omaha showed up at our door from Kara. She sent the sweetest board book for our girls along with artisanal chocolates and notepads for me (lists are my love language) in addition to the most beautiful needlepoint ornament (sold out but restocking soon). I was so touched. I think when you understand the time and thought that go into stitching someone an ornament, you appreciate it even more so when you are the one on the receiving end. Every year since, when Kara’s ornament goes on the tree, I am reminded of just that.
For Kara, I stitched The Salty Stitcher’s Holiday Kissing Ball Ornament which I purchased at Greystone Needlepoint (and liked it so much I purchased one for myself as well #toxictrait). I stuck to what I knew best #basketweaveorbust and was so excited to send Kara’s Christmas parcel off to her!
Kara later told me that she keeps the ornament out year round since the colors are befitting of her home’s aesthetic. Kara has her ornaments displayed on a Ballard Designs Ornament Holder and actually submitted a photo to Ballard Designs which features the canvas I stitched for her, on their website
I am so thankful to have randomly been paired with Kara and hope you enjoy reading her story just as much as we enjoyed telling it.
P.S. Kara and I teamed up and are doing a giveaway on Instagram running 11/4 - 11/6. Please see the bottom of this post for more details.
P.P.S. As soon as more details are released for 2025’s ornament exchange I will share on my Instagram page so that more stitchers can participate
How and when did you learn to needlepoint? It was a combination of things that prompted me to learn how to needlepoint. First, I had decided I was going to learn something new every year. Our LNS (Village Needleworks) is located right across the street from where I did school drop off and pick up everyday, and I was always intrigued by the shop. So, I decided I would check it out, and needlepoint became the first of my “new year new things”.
Mary de Souza, the owner of our shop, Village Needleworks, taught me how to stitch. I was also at the point of my parenting life where my kids went to bed early, and then my husband I would hang out and watch TV together, but I could never stay awake! So, needlepointing gave me something to do during that time. I was immediately hooked!
What was your first official needlepoint project?
My first project was a DeElda heart. I now work at Village Needleworks and I understand why it was a perfect first project: it is 13 mesh, only a few colors, no shading, and a large single-color area where I could really practice the tent stitch. These are all factors I recommend to brand new stitchers when they are choosing their first project.
What are you working on now?
What am I NOT working on now! I am a serial starter, so I often have many projects going at the same time. Plus, I like to move between large projects and small projects. I mostly stitch in basketweave, so even when I’m stitching a canvas I love, it is sometimes hard to see progress on a large canvas. So, moving to a smaller canvas can help re-motivate me, because you can see the progress much more quickly. A few of the things I am working on right now: This fantastic Turkey canvas from SCT Designs. Blue is my favorite color, so I knew I had to do this one as soon as I saw it (available here and through your LNS)
I am also stitching this Krissy Johnson Nebraska sign (since that is where I live), and this Whimsy and Grace Bee Purse.
What's one project you have in your stash that you have lost steam on #WIPLash? This bird canvas from DJ Designs is one that I often put aside. I’m not sure why, other than maybe because it is not my regular color palette, or there are so many different small areas to stitch. I think it is beautiful, but for some reason I just can’t stick with it. But someday it will be finished!
What's one piece of advice you wish you could go back and tell your beginner needlepoint self? One thing I wish I could tell my beginner needlepoint self is to not be too intimidated to ask questions!! As someone who works in a needlepoint shop, we LOVE to help new stitchers and share our passion for this hobby. I would have saved myself a lot of time trying to figure out things on my own if I would have just asked more questions.
*wreath canvas available here and through your LNS (local needlepoint shop)
#SuperSideNote:
Kara stitched the most amazing tartan plaid belt and finished it HERSELF using grosgrain ribbon. It is a show-stopper and so many of us now want to stitch belts for ourselves this same way!
Linking a similar belt here. During our chat Kara mentioned she is going to film a tutorial on how to finish belts with ribbons so stat tuned. I will make sure to share with my readership here and on Instagram.
You can watch our full conversation and Instagram LIVE by clicking below ⬇️! We really did have the *best* time.
A special thanks again to Kara @RatherBeNeedlepointing for being such a wonderful (virtual) needlepointing friend and to The Salty Stitcher & Stitch Style Needlepoint for making our 2022 ornament exchange so fun (as well as this giveaway) ❣️
Make sure to check out our giveaway by clicking the Giveaway post below, where we are giving one lucky stitcher the canvases we stitched for one another PLUS a bonus canvas graciously gifted by The Salty Stitcher Needlepoint.
Questions or comments? We would love to hear from you! You can reach out here on Substack and can of course find us on Instagram: TheFinishingSchoolBlog and RatherBeNeedlepointing
