NeedleDeeva is the creation of Judee Wilson Karchmer Norgaard.

Welcome to the latest episode of a long career in handpainted needlepoint design (OK, I've been busy doing other things as well...). The Deeva - which refers to the company, certainly not its participant, is an exciting explosion of color and design in contemporary and traditional needlepoint canvases. The designs, available on a variety of mesh sizes, are all stitch painted for easy interpretation. Each appeals to a variety of skill levels for stitchers, and enables a large number of decorative stitching techniques and creative fibers. The goal being to entertain consumers with designs and subject matter that will embellish their lives, as well as bring on the "ah ha" moment when their own creative minds take over their hands.

The passion for needlepoint started for me, as a small child sitting with my grandmother and her friends while they stitched  beautiful and fun things that they had purchased all over the world. In the 1970's, with small children in tow, I decided that a law degree was not in my future, and started designing needlepoint canvases to sell to my customers at my yarn store in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.  In this business the demand changes daily, and quite frankly, in those days, there were not many designers out there. One of those wonderful show loving customers took her canvas home to a friend who had a store in California, and I was off and running. The store in Steamboat Springs turned into a store in Denver, named after my wonderful Arabian mare - Grass Hopper - and became the laboratory where all of my skills developed. I painted, designed, and taught classes to wonderful customers who, filled my head with ideas and suggestions, and color palettes.  All of this, in the neighborhood I grew up in from the age of 2. Real life happens close to home!

In the winter of 1975, Pumpkin Patch Originals did its first national show in New York City and I became an honest-to-goodness wholesale business owner. I have to admit that it was intimidating, exciting and very scary - but also, fun and rewarding. I could become a mom and a business owner - it was the 70's, after all, and having it all was the grand reward. Pumpkin Patch sold hand painted canvases to stores worldwide. In 1986, the market for mass production cross stitch kits took over my interest, and The  Sugarplum Express was born; a stock-line for chain stores and mass markets all over the world.

In 1999, "The Plum" as it was known in our life became a brand of our good friends of the Janlynn Corp. Sadly, I had become a widow, and producing such a volume of little kits takes its toll on anyone's life - my wonderful crew and I needed a change. Hand painted creations were calling my name. So with my trusty (don't you love that thought...) computer, I sat down to start a new line of intense color and some humor.

The excitement and suspense of creating that next design (or series of designs) is still something I enjoy, every time I see paper and pencil. So, what will appear next? Stay tuned... check in often and you will definitely like what's going on here! And don't forget to patronize the wonderful Retail Needlepoint Shops listed on the website. I promise they will make a difference in your day!

Life is Good!

Judee