Stitching: a passion through the generations

Two sisters, Diane Orsolini and Ginger Glockner, née Alfs, growing up in SF post-WW II, have been passionate needlepoint artists since childhood. Shown here are sets of Christmas stockings they have stitched for their family members over the last 30 years. The stockings are on display in the store until Thanksgiving.

Their grandmother, Mary Belle Billingsley, did crochet, knitting, and needlepoint. Their mother, Ora Alfs, was a passionate knitter. She even knitted the dress she wore for Diane’s wedding.

Ginger’s two daughters Ellen and Whitney have inherited the stitching passion and do needlepoint. Diane’s son is our very own Dale Lenci, needlepoint designer, stitcher, and store owner.

And the passion continues with Ginger’s granddaughter Hannah.

Christmas standup by Debbie Sklarin

Here’s a fine example of classic needlepoint stitchery. This lovely Christmas standup is stitched by Debbie Sklarin, canvas design is by Raymond Crawford, finishing is by Michele Harris, and stitch guide from Needlepoint Now.

Luv2Stitch in Silicon Valley magazine

Check out our page in the April/May 2019 edition of Modern Luxury’s Silicon Valley magazine! https://www.modernluxury.com/silicon-valley/digital-edition

Spring Needlepoint Show in Orlando

Rhonda and Dale went to the Spring Needlepoint Show in Orlando in March, and came back with all kinds of interesting new canvases, threads, accessories, and more! Come visit us to check out their finds.

Dale’s design featured in Needlepoint Now

Dale’s amazing Giraffe canvas is featured in the July/August 2018 issue of Needlepoint Now! This superb 3-page article includes an interview with Dale plus a stitch guide by Laura Taylor. Read the full article here.

Laura Taylor is an amazing stitcher and a top needlepoint instructor. We’re proud to offer classes with Laura in our store. Check our Events Calendar for upcoming opportunities to work with Laura.

Needlepoint Now is the only commercial magazine dedicated solely to the art of needlepoint. Find out how to subscribe here.

The Four Seasons by Penny Chu

Check out this inspiring needlepoint project!

Nine years in the making, this project was stitched by Penny Chu, a Luv2Stitch customer. She showed amazing artistry and dedication in creating this project. Penny worked with Susan Portra on the stitch guide through Luv2Stitch. When Penny began working with Susan, Penny requested “the more complicated the stitch guide, the better!” With her dedication to this challenging needlepoint project, Penny immersed herself in art and creativity, providing much-needed counterbalance to her demanding high-tech day job.

There are many advanced techniques used in this project. To highlight just a few:

– The subtle shaded tones of Kreinik threads
– How the clear beads in the roses appear to change shade due to the use of different thread colors to attach them
– The persimmon leaf was beaded as a separate canvas and then appliqued onto the main canvas

Vonna at Dark Horse Framing worked with Penny to create the perfect frame to showcase her project. There is incredible attention to detail on the matting, which has a beveled edge with a filet to match the Kreinik gold thread. The matting was also hand-wrapped in linen and has no visible mitred corners.

Stitcher: Penny Chu
Canvas: “The Four Seasons” by the late Kathryn Molineux of Shorebird Designs
Stitch guide: Susan Portra
Framing: Dark Horse Framing

Luv2Stitch is proud to have supported Penny’s artistic journey on this piece. You too can bring your stitching to the next level in private sessions with Susan Portra, who will be back periodically to Luv2Stitch.

Check our event calendar for opportunities when you too can work with Susan.

TNNA Winter 2018

Rhonda and Dale are back from the 2018 Winter TNNA Needlearts Trade Show, and we have brought home some great products for you!

We’ve got new canvases from Penny Macleod, Melissa Shirley, Danji Designs and many others.

We also have brought home a great collection of needle magnets, many new colors of Entice, Glisten, Neon Rays — the list goes on.

Looking forward to having you stop by to check out our terrific finds.

Giraffe by Herta Hense

Look at this absolutely gorgeous stitching by Herta Hense, a Luv2Stitch customer.

Notice how this piece exemplifies the dimensional stitching that is enhanced here. There is a lightly stitched background with a more densely stitched design. This, combined with the thread and color choices, brings the giraffe forward and a creates a wonderful sense of depth. Notice also the three-dimensional eyes.

Luv2Stitch is proud to have supported Herta’s artistic journey on this piece. You too can bring your stitching to the next level in private sessions with Susan Portra who will be back periodically to Luv2Stitch.

Check our calendar for opportunities where you too can work with Susan.

Wall hanging by Jane Shroyer

Check out this absolutely beautiful stitching!

This wall hanging canvas design is by Tapestry Fair. It is stitched by Jane Shroyer with the stitch guide by Dale Lenci.

We’re always thrilled to spotlight the fabulous needlepoint artistry of our customers.

Witch by Donna Collins

Check out this fabulous stitching by Donna Collins – just in time for Halloween. Canvas is designed by Mary Engelbreit and finished by Deborah Castro.

Website by PureLynx
Serving Northern California needlepoint enthusiasts in the Peninsula, North Bay, and Greater San Francisco Bay Area including Alameda, Atherton, Belmont, Berkeley, Burlingame, Cupertino, Foster City, Half Moon Bay, Hillsborough, Los Altos, Los Gatos, Marin, Menlo Park, Milpitas, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Pleasanton, Portola Valley, Redwood City, San Carlos, San Jose, San Mateo, San Rafael, Santa Clara, Santa Rosa, Sunnyvale, Walnut Creek, and Woodside.