Behind the Canvas - What Morgan's Making
Hi! I’m Morgan and I currently live in Charleston, SC.
GENERAL NEEDLEPOINT
How did you learn to needlepoint? What was your first needlepoint project?
I remember stitching a belt for my then boyfriend (now husband!) in the basement of my residence hall freshman year at Clemson while doing laundry! It was totally random that I started needlepointing- none of my friends or family needlepointed and this was way before the 2020 needlepoint obsession started. The boyfriend belt curse (thankfully) didn’t strike this time- we’ve been together for 12 years and married for 5! The ladies at Two’s Company Needlepoint (my LNS near my hometown) were so sweet to teach me how to stitch!
What is your favorite stitch? What stitch are you hoping to learn/do next?
I’m a basketweave girlie through and through! Needlepoint is like yoga for me- I want it to be relaxing and not stressful, and right now decorative stitches are a little overwhelming for me!
What are your favorite threads to use?
I absolutely love Silk and Ivory! I love how soft it is to use when stitching and also how it lays on a canvas.
ABOUT YOUR DESIGNS
What made you want to paint your own pieces?
When I was in my orthodontic residency, I was craving a hobby to help me de-stress and unwind after long days! I started needlepointing again after a 5ish year hiatus, and was rolling through so many projects. I couldn’t afford to keep up with my stitching habits, so I started designing canvases for myself. A few friends reached out to purchase canvases I was painting, and that’s what made me realize that it would be amazing to be able to share my canvas designs with the world!
When I was in my orthodontic residency, I was craving a hobby to help me de-stress and unwind after long days! I started needlepointing again after a 5ish year hiatus, and was rolling through so many projects. I couldn’t afford to keep up with my stitching habits, so I started designing canvases for myself. A few friends reached out to purchase canvases I was painting, and that’s what made me realize that it would be amazing to be able to share my canvas designs with the world!
Describe your canvases in three words: girly, timeless, and fun
What inspires you most when creating new designs?
I design canvases I want to stitch for my home or for my family and friends! I’m constantly being influenced by Charleston’s architectural bright colors, interior design photos I see online, my Pinterest feed, etc! My canvases are colorful and fun, but also typically symmetrical because that’s how my brain works, haha!
I design canvases I want to stitch for my home or for my family and friends! I’m constantly being influenced by Charleston’s architectural bright colors, interior design photos I see online, my Pinterest feed, etc! My canvases are colorful and fun, but also typically symmetrical because that’s how my brain works, haha!
What has been your favorite canvas to paint?
I loved designing my pink bows canvas! It’s such a girly and fun canvas that brings me so much joy!
I loved designing my pink bows canvas! It’s such a girly and fun canvas that brings me so much joy!
What has been your favorite canvas to stitch?
I loved stitching my basketweaving basketweave. It’s just a palate cleansing type of canvas that is mindless and easy to stitch with a few color changes so it’s not overly boring or overwhelming, either!
I loved stitching my basketweaving basketweave. It’s just a palate cleansing type of canvas that is mindless and easy to stitch with a few color changes so it’s not overly boring or overwhelming, either!
What is one piece of advice for painting your own canvas?
Count, recount, and count again! Oh, and have white paint on hand, haha! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve messed up, but it’s okay! Just paint some white over it and try again!
Count, recount, and count again! Oh, and have white paint on hand, haha! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve messed up, but it’s okay! Just paint some white over it and try again!
ABOUT YOU
Where is your favorite place to stitch?
Anywhere outdoors because it feels like such a luxury! I love stitching on the beach or on the boat!
Anywhere outdoors because it feels like such a luxury! I love stitching on the beach or on the boat!
If you're not needlepointing you're… boating, cycling, embroidering, or straightening teeth (I’m an orthodontist by day and stitcher by night!)
What three items do you always have in your project bag?
More projects (I always have a few on hand in case I get tired of one!), extra needles and threads, and my favorite pair of bamboo scissors!
More projects (I always have a few on hand in case I get tired of one!), extra needles and threads, and my favorite pair of bamboo scissors!
What shows are you currently watching?
I’m not a *huge* TV watcher so you’ll probably find me watching re-runs of my old favorite shows- The Office, New Girl, or Parks and Rec!
I’m not a *huge* TV watcher so you’ll probably find me watching re-runs of my old favorite shows- The Office, New Girl, or Parks and Rec!
What is your favorite podcast?
I drive about an hour each day to and from work and I listen to a lot of podcasts! Right now I’m obsessed with “The Toast” and Caro Chamber’s podcast “So Into That”!
I drive about an hour each day to and from work and I listen to a lot of podcasts! Right now I’m obsessed with “The Toast” and Caro Chamber’s podcast “So Into That”!
Who is your favorite needlepoint or non-needlepoint follow on Instagram right now?
I love @CaroChambers for recipes, @bluehydrangeastitcher for NDLPT inspo, @mollyboyd for style/tablescapes, @lizadams for everyday life, giggles, and style!
I love @CaroChambers for recipes, @bluehydrangeastitcher for NDLPT inspo, @mollyboyd for style/tablescapes, @lizadams for everyday life, giggles, and style!
If time and money were no issue, what type of needlepoint project would you want to do?
I really want to stitch stockings for everyone in my family! We are big Christmas people, and I feel like they are such a beautiful heirloom that I would love to make for everyone in my life!
I really want to stitch stockings for everyone in my family! We are big Christmas people, and I feel like they are such a beautiful heirloom that I would love to make for everyone in my life!
Where can people find your designs? (website, LNS)
pennylinndesigns.com and your LNS
pennylinndesigns.com and your LNS
Where can people follow you on social? @whatmorgansmaking
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