Oh, Stitch: A Needlepoint Podcast

What happens when you combine needlepoint, mahjong, a gorgeous destination, and a room full of women who love their hobbies? A little bit of magic—and a whole lot of new friendships.

In this episode of Oh Stitch!, we're sitting down with Elizabeth Trainor, the founder of Hobby Holiday, to talk about how she turned her love of needlepoint and mahjong into a one-of-a-kind retreat experience.

As a military spouse, mom of five, and relatively new needlepointer and mahjong player, Elizabeth saw an opportunity to bring women together around the analog hobbies they love.

We had the pleasure of attending the very first Hobby Holiday at The Greenbrier in West Virginia as vendors for Georgie and Lottie, and we experienced firsthand just how special this community is.

Elizabeth takes us behind the scenes of launching her first retreat, from selling out tickets to navigating unexpected challenges and learning the importance of surrounding herself with supportive women entrepreneurs.

We're also getting the inside scoop on the next Hobby Holiday at the historic Jekyll Island Club in Georgia, including an extra day of activities, beautiful classes, high tea, and plenty of opportunities to stitch, play mahjong, and connect. And if you've ever been nervous about attending a retreat alone or trying a new hobby, Elizabeth has some encouragement you need to hear.

Hobby Holiday Jekyll Island: Use code GLJIC for $100 off the retreat, exclusively for Oh Stitch! listeners.

Special Offer: Use code OHSTITCH10 for 10% off your first order at georgieandlottie.com.

Connect with Elizabeth:
hobby-holiday.com
instagram.com/hobby_holiday

What if your next needlepoint project didn't end up as another pillow, ornament, or bag charm? We're thinking outside the traditional finishing box, and trust us, the possibilities are so much more exciting than you might imagine.

In this episode of Oh Stitch, we're diving into one of our favorite subjects: what to actually do with your needlepoint once you've stitched it. Inspired by our travels to The Greenbrier, visits to needlepoint shops, and unexpected antique finds, we're exploring everything from needlepoint-covered furniture and luggage racks to jean pockets, jackets, trays, and beautiful decorative boxes.

We're also talking about why it's perfectly okay to stitch something simply because you love it, even when you have absolutely no idea what you'll do with it.

Special Offer: Use code OHSTITCH10 for 10% off your first order at georgieandlottie.com.

What if the needlepoint tucked away in a drawer isn’t finished with its story yet? In this episode, we’re talking with Heather Rae Doyle, founder of Heather Rae Atelier, about creativity, craftsmanship, and the magic of giving vintage needlepoint a completely new life.

We’ve been following Heather Rae's work for a while, and if you remember the Fendi-like Penelope needlepoint bag I shared back in episode three, you’ve already seen her creativity in action. Heather Rae takes vintage needlepoint tapestries—many stitched decades ago by women whose names were never recorded—and transforms them into one-of-a-kind pieces like handbags. What we love most about her work is that she isn’t simply repurposing something old. She’s honoring the time, artistry, and hands behind every stitch.

We talk about how her grandmother introduced her to sewing and needlework, why needlepoint feels more like meditation than production, and how she approaches cutting and designing around vintage stitched pieces without losing what made them special in the first place.

Heather Rae also takes us behind the scenes of one of her most ambitious projects yet: a seven-panel needlepoint ball gown skirt inspired by a Marie Antoinette exhibition in London and influenced by the bold craftsmanship she saw at a Dolce & Gabbana exhibition in Miami.

And, of course, we get practical. Heather Rae shares ideas for cleaning and reimagining old needlepoint, explains the digital tools she created to help stitchers turn canvases into finished pieces, and reminds us why handmade doesn’t need to mean perfect.

Connect with Heather Rae:
Website: heatherraeatelier.com
Instagram: instagram.com/heather.rae.atelier

Special Offer: Use code OHSTITCH10 for 10% off your first order at georgieandlottie.com.

Needlepoint has its own language—and when we first started stitching, we definitely didn’t know all of it (and may have pronounced a few things wrong along the way!).

In this episode of Oh, Stitched, we're breaking down the needlepoint lingo you’ll hear at your LNS, see all over social media, and encounter as you get deeper into stitching. From mesh counts and needle sizes to WIPs, ORTs, UFOs, frogging, blocking, and the difference between a lowercase-f finish and a capital-F Finish, we’re making sense of it all.


Mentioned in this Episode:
Jennifer Vallez/Sophie & Lili's Dolly Parton: https://www.jennifervallez.com/products/jv225-dolly-needlepoint-canvas?_pos=6&_sid=99bb0587e&_ss=r
With Love by Bug - Rather Be Stitching: https://withlovebybug.com/products/needlepoint-canvas-rather-be-stitching


Special Offer: Use code OHSTITCH10 for 10% off your first order at georgieandlottie.com.

What if the hobby you love isn’t just helping you unwind—but actually giving your brain the break it desperately needs?

In this episode, we're exploring the connection between needlepoint, creativity, and mental well-being with Kerry Hurlbut, a pediatric nurse practitioner and founder of Pointed Positivity. Kerry has experienced firsthand how needlepoint can become an important part of our personal wellness toolbox, carrying her through career changes, graduate school, relationships, health struggles, and a challenging period with her own mental health.

Her experience made her curious: Why did needlepoint help so much?

That question led Kerry to explore the research around creative hobbies and well-being—and ultimately inspired Pointed Positivity, where she brings together her clinical background, her love of needlepoint, and stories from other stitchers.

We talk about what happens when we trade constant stimulation and doom scrolling for the repetitive rhythm of working with our hands, why Kerry recommends creative hobbies to some of the patients and families she works with, and how community can make an enormous difference when we’re navigating difficult seasons.

Kerry also shares one fascinating benchmark from the research she has explored: aiming for about two hours of engagement with a hobby each week. It doesn’t have to happen all at once, and it certainly doesn’t need to become another item on the perfectionist to-do list. Instead, it can be a reminder to intentionally make room for the creative practices that make us feel better.

Check out the Decorative Stitch Playlist: georgieandlottie.com/decorative-stitch

Special Offer: Use code OHSTITCH10 for 10% off your first order at georgieandlottie.com.

Connect with the Guest:
Website: pointedpositivity.com

Instagram: instagram.com/pointedpositivity

TikTok: tiktok.com/@pointedpositivity

Fall always feels like a fresh start, and we're embracing every bit of it. Today, we're inviting you into one of our favorite kinds of conversations: an unfiltered catch-up between sisters.

We're sharing what we've been working on behind the scenes at Georgie & Lottie, including brand-new mahjong-inspired needlepoint canvases and accessories that we're preparing for our first-ever vendor experience at the Hobby Holiday Retreat at The Greenbrier.

Plus you'll hear about some of our favorite family traditions as another school year begins, what it's like moving a college student into an unfurnished apartment, and the little rituals we've carried with us even after our kids have grown.

We're also sharing a few of our current favorites, including a refreshing summer cocktail, a fantastic audiobook recommendation, a binge-worthy television series, and a skincare product that's become a staple in our summer routine.

• Our upcoming trip to The Greenbrier and the new mahjong-themed needlepoint canvases we're bringing with us.
• The family traditions we've loved most during back-to-school season and why those small rituals matter.
• Our latest favorite things, including a cocktail recipe, an audiobook, a television series, and a sun-safe beauty recommendation.

• Hillstone Martini
• The Hobby Holiday Retreat at The Greenbrier
• The Calamity Club by Katherine Stockett
• The Help by Katherine Stockett
• Imperfect Women
• Tan-Luxe Water

Special Offer: Use code OHSTITCH10 for 10% off your first order at georgieandlottie.com.

What if the secret to slowing down, finding creativity, and quieting your mind was as simple as picking up a needle and thread? This week, we're joined by actress Parker Posey for a conversation that's equal parts nostalgic, inspiring, and deeply calming.

Best known for her iconic film roles and her recent performance in The White Lotus, Parker shares how needlepoint has been a lifelong creative companion—from learning embroidery with her grandmothers to stitching on movie sets between takes.

We talk about why needlepoint feels different from other crafts, how it creates space for creativity, and why slow hobbies are making such a meaningful comeback in our fast-paced digital world. Along the way, we dive into childhood memories, DIY projects, favorite designs, and even imagine what a modern Holly Hobbie movie might look like.

Whether you're an experienced stitcher or just discovering needlepoint, this conversation is a reminder that creativity doesn't have to be rushed—and sometimes the best ideas arrive one stitch at a time.

• Why Parker considers needlepoint a form of meditation and creative self-care.
• How slow hobbies like stitching help cultivate patience, mindfulness, and imagination.
• Why handcrafted creativity is experiencing a renaissance—and why that's exactly what many of us need right now.

Mentioned in this Episode

• emilypeacock.com
• stitchly.com
• The Body Keeps the Score: amazon.com/dp/0143127748
• The White Lotus: imdb.com/title/tt13406094
• Little House on the Prairie (Original): imdb.com/title/tt0071007
• Little House on the Prairie (New): imdb.com/title/tt2431250
• Confessions of a Prairie Bitch: amazon.com/dp/0061962155
• houseofhackney.com
• calm.com
• melrobbins.com
• shopthestitchclip.com

Follow Parker Posey:

• instagram.com/itsparkerposey

Ever have a needlepoint canvas sitting in your cart for months because you just can't quite hit "buy"? You're definitely not alone. In this episode, we're sharing the dream canvases we can't stop thinking about, our current WIPs, and why we've finally stopped apologizing for investing in a hobby that brings so much joy.

From spontaneous local needlepoint shop finds to the elusive "white whale" canvases that seem to sell out in minutes, we're talking all about the projects that inspire us, the memories behind the canvases we hope to stitch one day, and how decorative stitches can make those special pieces even more meaningful.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why certain needlepoint canvases become our "white whales" and the dream projects we're still hoping to stitch.
• How decorative stitches can elevate a special canvas and make it truly one of a kind.
• An honest conversation about the cost of needlepoint, why handmade art is valuable, and why you never have to justify spending money on something that brings you peace.
  

Whether you're saving for a large heirloom project, collecting inspiration for your next stitch, or simply wondering if anyone else has a cart full of canvases they've been eyeing for months, this conversation is for you.

Special Offer: Use code OHSTITCH10 for 10% off your first order at georgieandlottie.com.

Free decorative stitch playlist: https://georgieandlottie.com/decorative-stitch

Georgie and Lottie Products Mentioned

The Americana Topiary: https://www.georgieandlottie.com/shop/p/americana-topiary-needlepoint-canvas-13-mesh-georgie-lottie

Mentioned in this Episode:

Pippa Designs - Euro Summer: https://artfulstitchesva.com/products/euro-summer-atlantic-blue-canvas

Have you felt like there are so many rules to needlepoint and you just want to break them all? Good news—you can. Needlepoint is meant to be enjoyed and if the rules are holding you back, this is your permission slip to break them!

In this episode, we're sharing the lessons we wish someone had told us when we first picked up a needle and the needlepoint myths you should let go of. From feeling guilty about having multiple projects to worrying about the back of your canvas, we're tackling the unnecessary pressure that can steal the joy from this hobby.

We believe needlepoint should be relaxing, creative, and personal—not another place where perfection takes over. Whether you're brand new to stitching or you've been needlepointing for years, this episode is your reminder that your hobby should work for you.

• Why there are no "right" rules when it comes to enjoying needlepoint.
• The beginner advice we wish we'd received before starting our first canvases.
• How to let go of perfectionism and stitch with more confidence and creativity.

Special Offer Use code OHSTITCH10 for 10% off your first order at georgieandlottie.com.

Georgie and Lottie Products Mentioned

• The Bug Coaster: georgieandlottie.com/shop/p/bug-coaster-needlepoint-kit-18-mesh

Links Mentioned

• The Stitch Clip: shopthestitchclip.com
• Free Beginner Needlepoint Video Playlist: georgieandlottie.com/playlist

What happens when your business partner is also the person who has known you your entire life? In this episode, we get personal and share what it’s really like to build Georgie & Lottie as sisters. 

From creative collaboration and honest feedback to balancing family relationships with business decisions, we pull back the curtain on how our partnership works and why we completely disagree with the idea that family and business should never mix. Along the way, we share our current stitching projects, a few favorite finishes, and a fun sister version of the Newlywed Game that reveals more about who we are behind the business.

• Why working with family has been one of the greatest joys of building this business
• How different strengths and personalities make our partnership stronger
• The importance of honest communication, trust, and giving each other room to grow

Special Offer Use code OHSTITCH10 for 10% off your first order at georgieandlottie.com.

Georgie and Lottie Products Mentioned

• The Dirty Martini: georgieandlottie.com/shop/p/the-dirty-martini-needlepoint-canvas

Links Mentioned

• Beginner Needlepoint Video Playlist: georgieandlottie.com/playlist