Canvas Conversation: Kate Stewart of Bauble Stockings

Kate Stewart is the founder of Bauble Stockings. Bauble Stockings are ornament-sized needlepoint stockings meant to contain, or hold a clue to, each family member's final gift of Christmas. Not the most expensive gift, but the most thoughtful. The stockings are hand-stitched for fairtrade in Jacmel, Haiti, by Good Threads Needlepoint, a certified BCorp. Painted canvases and kits are also available at Greystone! 

We love mini needlepoint stockings here at Greystone Needlepoint! This year I plan to purchase a set of Bauble Stocking to use as a placesetting at my Christmas morning table. Each of my children will find a surprise in there stocking once we sit down for breaktfast. Now I need to decide which designs to use - shop Bauble Stockings here. 

You can follow Kate and Bauble Stockings on Instagram here.

We sat down with Kate and asked her 20 questions:

Favorite needlepoint project. My mom makes my children ornaments every year for Christmas as adds their initials and the year.  My mom also stitched the original Bauble Stocking that my family has always used!

On your needlepoint Wishlist. I wish I stitched more! I took lessons this year at my LNS, The Nimble Needle. Alas, my “stash” is pretty big for someone who is still working on her sampler! 

13 or 18 Mesh Canvas. Well… Our Bauble Stockings are 18 Mesh and our full-size stockings are 13, so for little projects I love the detail that 18 gives, but recognize 13 works great for the big ones!

Last book you read and liked. A Gentleman in Moscow

Favorite flower. Hydrangeas 

Guilty pleasure. Working to Christmas music year round

On your nightstand. Southern Living, Victoria, and Southern Lady magazines, my Kindle, and my glasses

Currently listening to. Kygo and Holiday Favorites on Amazon Music

Currently watching. You on Netflix

If there were more hours in the day I would. Be shipping orders faster

Favorite places to shop. Lucy’s Market, Lilli Dokken (online), Baby Braithwaite although I’m running out of babies, Marguerite’s on Dresden, Grammercy Home, Waiting on Martha… Come to think of it, local stores that carry Bauble Stockings keep me spending my paychecks there, they are all so cute!  

Favorite Instagram follows. Oh gosh, here’s another guilty pleasure!! @NickyHilton and @KathyHilton, @Pizzazzerie, @MeganAnn (formerly HungryGirlsDoItBetter), @KellyMasonBrookesDesigns, @SarahGTucker, @AmyHavins, @ElementStyle, @TheBrokeBrooke, @Mycah_Hunter, @TheSouthernGrandmillennial, @PaigeMinear, @KateyMcFarlan, @BornonFifth, @KimberlyWhitman, @GreystoneNeedlepoint, @HollyCHollon, @TheNatNote, @VeronaBrit, @TheGlamPad, @DoSayGive, @ShopTheAvenue, @StuffyMuffy, @ThornAlexander… There are so many favorites who post great information.

Can’t leave the house without: I just had to drive home from the grocery store while checking out as I forgot my wallet so that’s what I need to work on hahaha 

Coffee or tea. Coffee with milk

Favorite holiday to celebrate:. Christmas and half birthdays

Wardrobe staples. Running tights although I don’t run much anymore! Jeans and a white fitted tee from Double R Brand.

Creative inspiration. Working with Sarah Watson! I come up with ideas for Bauble Stockings motifs just from scenes I love and Sarah brings them to life for us. 

Best piece of advice:. Polly at KCN Designers, whose team manages our canvas painting and wholesale distribution, once told me she used to be a Pediatric ICU nurse and different from nursing, needlepoint is not stressful or a "life and death" situation.  I think that all the time when I get hung up on something- I sell miniature stockings and if anyone wants to take it too seriously or raise a fuss towards me, it’s just not the most important thing in the world! 

Life mantra. Choose Joy.