How to Make a Needlepoint Belt, Part One

Over the past year or so, I’ve found myself really interested in needlepoint. It’s a hobby I’ve picked up time and again for well over 20 years, since my undergrad days at Transylvania. I absolutely love making needlepoint belts. They're such a fun project to undertake, and they make incredible gifts!

Over on Instagram, I’ve posted some photos of belts I’ve made or works in progress, and have had a lot of questions about how to get started. Today, I’ve teamed up with NeedlePaint, a custom needlepoint company, to give you a step-by-step guide!

Step 1: Determine your project!

Are you making a belt, dog collar, key chain, or sunglass strap? These questions weigh heavily into how much time and money you’ll spend on the project. It might be best to start with something small like a dog collar, or a pattern that doesn’t involve a lot of tiny detail. You’ll probably find that you get the hang of it in a hurry and are ready to move on to a more complex project fairly quickly!

What materials are used in your belt kit? I can’t stress this enough. If it’s your first belt, then you’ll want to purchase a kit that has all of your materials together! As a general rule, the folks who sell the canvas are going to be better at selecting the appropriate threads and needles than you are. Let them kit your thread so that you have the correct colors, and the appropriate thread and needle sizes. Here are a few things you’ll need to know about the materials:

The canvas comes pre-painted on a mesh canvas. Mesh is graded into different sizes. The number on the mesh is determined by the number of holes per inch. So, an 18 mesh canvas has more holes per inch than a 14 mesh or a 12 mesh. This, in turn, determines the type of thread you’ll use. You may use DMC brand thread in Pearl Cotton sizes 3, 5, or embroidery floss size 25. These threads are also denoted by a color number. It’s a lot to learn, and it’s way easier to let the professionals choose the threads for you. If you have an option to choose the mesh (Needlepaint has a great blog about this here!), you should consider that a very small canvas (i.e., an 18 mesh) is going to take a longer time to complete and may be more difficult for someone who is very far-sighted or has a history of tendonitis or carpal tunnel in their dominant wrist. (I learned the hard way that I need to wear a wrist brace if I’m going to do a lot of needlepointing!) Don't be shy about asking your needlepoint shop for specific details. You can contact NeedlePaint here to ask more questions about your project, and you can rest assured that their products have a 100% satisfaction guarantee!

Step 2: Choose Your Pattern!

This is the fun part! You’ll want to pick out a pattern that really speaks to your recipient’s personality. This is a keepsake, so you probably want to go with an interest or hobby that is important to the person who’ll be wearing the belt. Some folks love to go with the customized hobby/ memory belt that commemorates several of the wearer’s hobbies; I’ve made one like that for my dad.

As for this project, I’ve made UK logo belts for Bob in the past, as well as a Bourbon Trail theme. This time, I went with a lovely, intricate pattern that depicts UK’s campus. Since both Bob’s law degree and his MBA are from the University of Kentucky, it seemed like both a fun commemoration and a clever way to show team spirit. I love that they combined images of older buildings like Bowman Hall and Memorial Hall with the sports stadiums — both Rupp Arena and Kroger Field! — as well as newer buildings like the WT Young Library and landmarks like the Arboretum. It really is a great design for someone who loves UK’s campus!

Now that you and your needlepoint store are on the same page about everything — the pattern, the colors, the initials, etc., there’s just one more thing to do before checkout: Measure Again!!! You’ll want to make sure you’re working with the vendor to ensure a properly fitting belt. NeedlePaint does a great job explaining their sizing system here.

Step 3: Start Stitching!

You basically are just going to do a single, diagonal stitch in correspondence with the painted design on your belt canvas. The only stitch you have to know is the continental stitch (This guide from DMC explains it way better than I ever could!), but I often add in a basketweave for stability. You can find a lot of great information on the internet, and the NeedlePaint blog has a wealth of information. I love that my NeedlePaint canvas not only has the design painted on the canvas, but also includes a full pattern that lets you know which color of thread to use on every single hole. As you can imagine, the UK campus belt utilizes several shades of blue. The pattern guarantees that I select the right thread for every stitch!!

I’ll post Part Two, How to Finish and Leather Your Belt, soon! Thanks so much to NeedlePaint for partnering with me on this project!

Let me know in the comments if you’ve ever made a needlepoint belt!

BHO-CBD Oil Massage at Griffin Gate Spa

{Please note that this review makes no claims of medical expertise; as a longtime suffer of chronic pain, I’m simply detailing my experiences!}

I recently had the opportunity to visit The Spa at Griffin Gate for a special massage incorporating Bluegrass Hemp Oil, a CBD extract. While I knew that CBD products are gaining popularity across the country, I didn’t know much about the product until my spa day at Lexington’s Griffin Gate Marriott. I was so pleasantly surprised by what I learned.

Bluegrass Hemp Oil was developed by a Lexington-area couple who wanted to find a safe way to control their son’s seizure disorder. CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of over a hundred cannabinoids found in cannabis plants. This is not a psychoactive or intoxicating substance, and it is grown legally in Kentucky in the hemp plant. Many studies have shown that CBD oils and supplements have shown long-term improvement for pediatric treatment-resistant epilepsy and seizure disorders as well as anxiety, movement disorders, and pain.

I was certainly intrigued to learn more. I’ve been battling a pretty severe flareup of my cervical disk injury (hello, 10 hours a day at the computer or iPhone!) and TMJ, as well as a larger-than-usually degree of stress, and this seemed like an interesting way to test a Kentucky-produced product for my pain. I have to say, I was a little skeptical going in. but this was an incredible experience. The massage therapist soon allayed my fears — she was initially quite concerned about the level of inflammation visible around my damaged disk and we literally watched and felt that inflammation subside as she worked the CBD oil into my neck. Bob noted that he could see the difference later that evening, as well. There is some evidence pointing to cannabinoids as substitutes for typical anti-inflammatory drugs, and I am cautiously optimistic about using BHO’s CBD oil as a topical treatment for some of my joint inflammation, as I am restricted from taking aspirin and other NSAID drugs due to a stomach issue. I am so looking forward to another CBD oil massage from Griffin Gate to help me better control pain chronic pain!

Thank you so much to Bluegrass Hemp Oil and Griffin Gate for the amazing tool they’ve provided me on my journey toward pain-free living. I can’t recommend the oil or the massage services at Griffin Gate highly enough! Y’all, this is a game-changer!

{I was provided a complimentary massage in exchange for an honest assessment of the service and products used. No additional financial compensation was provided; all opinions are my own.}

What Would Dolly Do Tee

Y’all, Draper James redesigned the What Would Dolly Do? line, and it’s cuter than ever. Of course, I had to get the tee straight away, and the tote is on my wish list! I never miss an opportunity to tell the world how much I love Miss Dolly. (Click the photos below to shop the entire new collection!)

Shop the Dolly line and the rest of the Spring Collection with me at the Lexington Draper James store on Tuesday, February 26th from 6-8 pm and 15% of your purchase will graciously be donated to Dress for Success! I hope to see y’all there!

How I Shop Black Friday

{This blog post contains affiliate links. HerKentucky will receive a small, per-purchase commission at no additional cause to the reader.}

Black Friday — love it or hate it, it’s the biggest shopping day of the year. While I’m not one for braving crowds, there are definitely some online sales I like to check out, both for myself for Christmas presents. Here’s a roundup of the sales I like to check out, and a few of my favorite items!

Favorite Stores

Draper James

Y’all know Draper James is one of my very favorite lines and they’re offering a rare 25% off sitewide and in-store through Monday the 26th. It’s a great time to stock up on fun holiday pieces, and I may finally pull the trigger on the Dolly tote!

Vineyard Vines

Everything is 25% off in-store and online with code HOLIDAY18! It’s a great time to stock up on fun holiday pieces and my favorites, the Louisville Stoneware mug and Cookies for Santa set!

Kendra Scott

Kendra Scott is offering a tiered Yellow Friday special — 20% off everything; 25% off purchases of $100 or more; 30% off purchases of $300 or more.

LL Bean

Take 20% off everything, and get a $10 gift card back when you spend $50. I may have already pulled the trigger on my favorite pajamas! Even better, Bean Boots are 25% off with code Boot25!

Ann Taylor

Ann Taylor is always a great spot for workwear and dressy event clothing! Everything is half price with code BLACKFRIDAY!

Talbots

Talbots always has great classic pieces that wear so well. They’re offering 50% off one item through noon Friday and 40% off everything until midnight Friday.

Macy’s

I LOVE the Charter Club cashmere sweaters from Macy’s! I wore a crewneck sweater and wrap set to Churchill Downs last week, and I swear, people couldn’t stop touching the wrap. It’s just so soft!! The long-sleeved crewneck sweater is my everyday go-to in the fall and winter. It’s so simple that you can pair it with anything from a fancy skirt to jeans. Best of all, it’s $39 right now. That’s not a typo. Stock up on these, give them a little care, and they’lll last for years!

Local Favorites

Two of my very favorite local stores have some GREAT Black Friday sales you can’t miss!

Logan’s of Lexington

Y’all know I love Logan’s of Lexington, and they have 25% off everything in store! My True Grit Pullover is down to $98!

Stoneware & Company

Stoneware is offering 10% off your entire purchase, with 15% off purchases of $250 or more. It’s a great time to stock up on serving pieces and place settings!

Happy Shopping, y’all!!!

Logan's of Lexington Holiday Gift Guide

Have y’all been to the new Logan’s of Lexington in Lexington Green?

Of course, longtime Lexingtonians know that Logan’s is the best place for men’s suiting. It’s also a great place for preppy gifts for everyone on your holiday list! I’ve teamed up with Logan’s to show y’all some of my very favorite gift ideas. There’s something for your husband, dad, son — and maybe even yourself! The best part? Use code HERKENTUCKY on your online order, and you’ll get 20% off! (This includes Barbour, y’all! I’m pretty excited!)

Clockwise from top left: True Grit Half Zip | Vineyard Vines Basketball Tee | Barbour Scarf | Barbour Fair Isle Sweater | Vineyard Vines Kentucky Tee | Smathers & Branson Kroger Field Needlepoint Wallet | Smathers & Branson Rupp Arena Wallet | Smathers & Branson UK Cufflinks | Barbour Bedale Jacket | SEC Baseball Cap | Barbour Flask

I’ve picked out some great pieces that I know HerKentucky readers will love — needlepoint, UK, Barbour, Vineyard Vines, and more! My personal favorite is this True Grit pullover. I wore it to the UK football game on Saturday, and it was so snuggly and warm! Y’all will love it!

 

The 20% off code lasts through the end of November and is online only. Happy shopping, y’all!

{Thanks so much to Logan’s for sponsoring this post and extending this discount to HerKentucky readers! All opinions are my own!}

Make-a-Wish Day at Keeneland

Today is my very favorite day at the racetrack, y’all. It’s Make-a-Wish Day at Keeneland, which celebrates a special group of Wish Kids and raises funds for an additional Wish. (Click here to donate!)

The day’s festivities are sponsored by local thoroughbred horse farms. As guests of honor, 10 wish kids and their families spend the morning touring their sponsor’s property, enjoy a VIP lunch in the Phoenix Room, meet the Keeneland jockeys in the paddock, watch their sponsor’s race from the winner’s circle, and, at the end of each race, the wish kids present the trophy for the race named after their sponsor. Y’all, this gives you such an amazing perspective to see these kids and their families enjoy a day of fun at the track. I’ve had the opportunity to work with Make-a-Wish several times now, and it’s really reinforced how important some days of normalcy and relaxation are for families impacted by life-altering childhood illness. The kids are so cute enjoying the track!

The jockeys are so sweet with the kids. Here’s my sweet friend Mindy Lynn, who’s the attorney for the Jockey Guild, joining in on the fun in the paddock.

Last year, I attended the event with a group of girlfriends!

Please follow along on HerKentucky’s Instagram and Facebook. If you’ll be at the track today, please visit the Wishing Well at the Paddock to donate toward a kid’s wish; if you can’t make it, please consider donating toward a wish.

What to Wear to Keeneland's 2018 Fall Meet

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Keeneland’s Fall Meet lasts only 17 days, but there’s certainly a lot of racing fun to be had during those Wednesday-Sunday October stretches. Over the 7 year history of HerKentucky, I find that folks really, really want to know what to wear to the track. In fact, some variant of “What to Wear to Keeneland” is consistently the search that brings the most folks to this site.

When folks ask me in person what they should wear to the track, I tend to ask two questions in response: Where will you be sitting, and what day will you be attending?

At the racetrack, as with most things, location and timing are everything. Wednesdays and Thursdays tend to be a little more casual than weekend race days. The nearer the track you sit, the more casual you should dress.

If you're going to stay near the Paddock --General Admission, Grandstand, or Equestrian Room-- there's no need to dress up very much.  Guys often opt for khakis and polo shirts, and women can wear slacks. You're actually dressing for a horse race in these sections.  These are the areas nearest the track itself, and people are truly there to watch (and bet on) the horses. With that said, don't be surprised to see a lot of dresses and sport coats in the lower-levels. The second floor (General Admission) Sports Bar, for example, often resembles a campus bar or fraternity semi-formal.  While the dress code says "casual", there's plenty of Vineyard Vines ties and Lilly Pulitzer dresses to be seen.

If you'll be dining in the upper-level, enclosed dining rooms-- The Lexington, Kentucky, or Phoenix Rooms-- then expect to dress for a business event.  The Lexington and Kentucky rooms -- dining rooms often reserved for business and social gatherings-- have a "business formal" dress code; these areas require men to don a coat and tie, and skirts/dresses/dressy slacks for ladies.   The Phoenix Room-- another reserved dining room-- is "business casual", requiring collared shirts and slacks for men and dresses/pantsuits for ladies. 

If you find yourself invited to the members-only Clubhouse, you’ll soon find out that it requires coat and tie for men and dressy pants/skirts for ladies.  I find that a skirt suit or a dress paired with a pretty cardigan or wrap is always appropriate for the upper levels.  In general, if you'd wear it to church or a business meeting, you're fine.

This fall, I have two navy dresses on repeat; both are cute Keeneland dresses, depending on your racetrack plans. This navy ponte Draper James dress could work for any section of the track — just dress it up or down with necklaces or scarves, boots or heels — while this Target denim dress is great for a low-key day in the lower levels. (Denim is a huge faux pas for the upper levels, and isn’t allowed in the Clubhouse!)

Of course, it goes without saying that dressing for the elements is just as important as dressing for your seats. Nothing looks more ridiculous than the poor girl who’s freezing in a sundress or melting in wool. You’ll be on the move a lot — sitting and standing, inside and out — so make sure your shoes fit well, your bag isn’t so large that it causes problems, and your outfit matches the temperature and conditions.

Most of all, look good and have fun!!

Shop these great Keeneland styles!