Whenever I’m working on a super detailed project, like the Kirk & Bradley Nativity I’ll be teaching at Needlepoint.Com’s A La Carte Retreat, I like to also have a simpler project going simultaneously. Having something mindless like this really helps me relax and just enjoy stitching, without having to worry about keeping track of all of my threads and writing up a stitch guide as I go along. For the last few weeks I’ve had this cute little shark belt in progress. I just finished up the last few remaining stitches the other night.

The canvas itself is by Voila Needlepoint. They have a ton of fun belt designs to choose from. I’ve been working the canvas in Basketweave using Vineyard Merino Wool- a personal favorite of mine for belts because it is so durable! The background color isn’t quite as bright as it looks in my pictures- it’s called “Tomato”- for anyone who is interested. I definitely want the belt to be used when it’s finished, and not have to worry about wear and tear.

I ended up having to stitch a whole lot more of it than I intended, because of a dye lot issue! Moral of the story… buy more thread than you think you need for big open areas of background. Who knows where the three extra skeins I originally bought went (Charlie?!) but when I got to the point I needed them, they were nowhere to be found! I asked the finisher to send back the extra stitched canvas, so at least I could have it made into a keychain if I wanted.

I added a simple monogram to personalize the project which will be right by the buckle when it’s finished.

This Shark Belt Canvas can be found online here!