About
Kristine Kingston Designs in a Nutshell
Hi there! Kristine Kingston Designs creates distinctive hand-painted needlepoint canvases that expertly blend classic elements with a contemporary aesthetic. While drawing on timeless motifs, I'm known for using vibrant, sometimes unexpected, and modern color combinations – think bright pinks, lively greens, and bold blues – to give my designs a distinctly fresh and lively feel, appealing to both traditional and modern stitchers. I often hear my designs are fun to stitch!
My Needlepoint Roots
Creativity runs deep in my family. My great-great-grandmother owned a dress shop in Baltimore in the early 1900s, crafting beautiful gowns for local women. My great-grandmother crocheted exquisite Afghans (one still graces a chair in my bedroom!), and my grandmother was a talented crewel embroiderer, needlepointer, and seamstress – she even made my prom dresses! My mom taught me cross-stitch as a teenager, and I made the leap to needlepoint in my 20s after a memorable visit to Erica Wilson on Nantucket.
The Art of Creation & Where Inspiration Blooms
My design process can be a bit messy, with ideas jotted down in my phone's notes app and various little notebooks. I still sketch on graph paper, whether it's 18 or 13 count. There’s something magical about seeing my ideas take shape and become real canvases. My favorite part of the process is truly seeing the paint hit the canvas and bringing those initial concepts to life. Inspiration comes from everyday life and spending time outdoors. I'm naturally drawn to patterns, textiles, nature, and, of course, color. I often think about the canvases I'd love to have in my own home or stitch myself. While I design with specific stitches in mind, I always ensure the piece will look just as lovely if stitched entirely in basketweave, making them accessible for all skill levels.​​