speaker-0: You're listening to O Stitch, the podcast where needlepoint, creativity, and real conversation come together. I'm Natasha Sewell and

speaker-1: I'm Alansa Riddle. You don't have to be a needle pointer to be here, but you might leave as one.

speaker-0: So two, can you believe it?

speaker-1: Can't believe it. Here we go again.

speaker-0: Here we go again. We have some fun stuff today, actually, that we're gonna be talking about. ⁓ we are always gonna start with our current stitches. So I will go first this time. Our whips, that's right. I'll go first this time. So I actually have one that is finished that I need to finish desperately, like finish, finish, capital F finish. And it is this Rooney and Stitch Shih Tzu. It's Georgie, people. ⁓ it is so cute. And I did the whole thing in very velvet except for the gold. But it is such a cute thing. And it's gonna go in the top of an acrylic box that I got from gosh, where did I get it? I don't remember. Online. Sorry. And I just need to like finish, finish it. But I'm telling you, stitching with very velvet, you know, I love it. I love it big.

speaker-1: It's your favorite. It's your favorite.

speaker-0: It is. And then the other thing I've started working on, this is going to be a pillow. And it says, for those of you who are listening, it says I'd rather be needlepointing and it has a really cute lattice background that's like green and white. And then it has pink trim and the letters are green. I am a pink and green girly through and through. Like one hundred percent. And this is gonna be the cutest pillow. Right in my guest room. ⁓

speaker-1: Super fun preppy fabric. It'll be

speaker-0: Yes. And I think on my guest bed in Palm Springs in that pink room. So this has been a really fun stitch. Note that I've not rolled this canvas yet. It's working just fine without being rolled.

speaker-1: Mm-hmm. Like it. I love that lattice is really pretty. Yeah.

speaker-0: Isn't it pretty? It's really simple and it's fun to stitch. I am doing sort of a decorative stitch in the little diamonds, which is fun. I mean, it's just a long, longer stitch. It's nothing crazy. But like it. It's it's fun. But you know, good old basket weave for the background because that's my favorite. Okay, Alonzo, what are you stitching?

speaker-1: I am stitching Self-Love Club. And so this is one of our designs and we actually just got a whole bunch of these in. So this is very exciting that I didn't actually paint this canvas. I designed it, but I didn't paint it, and that is huge.

speaker-0: Yes. Is that so weird? Is it kind of weird to like be it's a d it's one of your designs but someone else painted it? Is it kinda is it strange to be stitching it or is it super fun?

speaker-1: Kind of exciting. I kind of love it because I don't know. Yeah, it's really it's it's weird but exciting. I like it. Yeah. So I'm doing a brick stitch in the background. It's a fun one to stitch. It's fun colors. Anyway, I like it. I think I'm gonna frame it when I'm done.

speaker-0: So cute. And brick stitch is such a good one for backgrounds. I think. I've used it several times and I it's one of my favorite stitches for backgrounds because it just goes super fast. But it also looks really great. And you can do brick stitch brick stitch. That's sort of a tongue twister. Horizontally or vertically. And we do have a YouTube tutorial on it on it. So there's a tutorial on YouTube and our website on how to do brick stitch. So if that's a stitch that you want to check out. That's where you should go.

speaker-1: It's also easy. Brick Stitch is a good one for background 'cause it's easy to manipulate to go around the design that's in the pattern. So

speaker-0: Totally. You're not doing a lot of compensation. I always try get a little industrious and try a background stitch that I then end up frogging and taking completely out because I get to whatever the letters are or whatever and I'm like, this is a nightmare. Yeah. So yeah. Yeah. I get that. Yep. I love it. I love it. So that's what you are working on. Terrific. Okay. So here's a little segment called, ⁓ did we say that? Where this might be a little bit of a hot take and we're not sorry about it. We're gonna talk a little bit about the needlepoint boom. So if you are new to needlepoint, you might be part of this boom, to be totally honest. There are a lot of new designers, which is amazing. There are so many new LNSs, local needlepoint shops that have opened up all over the country. Which is so fun to see. Alonsa and I are just like in awe of some of these shops that have opened up. They're stunning. So beautiful and so well thought out, right? Like in and just like they've really maximized all the spaces so that they can really build community and teach classes and all of the things, which is amazing.

speaker-1: Inspiring.

speaker-0: But there are also parts of the needlepoint industry that are stuck in nineteen eighty seven, quite literally. Maybe

speaker-1: even nineteen sixty. Like if yeah.

speaker-0: Little little old school, which is because it is like an old school craft, let's say, right?

speaker-1: I will say this hobby is probably until recently was the majority of the people who needlepointed were older women.

speaker-0: Grandmas. It's a grandma hobby. Yeah. Yeah.

speaker-1: And I will say the part of this boom is that this younger generation, I don't know whether it's they want to get off their phones and they need to find something to do with their hands or I don't know what it is. They're all creative, but they are really embracing needlepoint. So there's a a huge young population that is needlepointing now.

speaker-0: Which is amazing. And we love to see it. And I love to see all of the innovative designs that are out there and the the fun that people are having with it. With it's it's really fun. There's one in particular young needle pointer that does a whip Wednesday every week and she brings out an actual whip when she starts it. Have you seen her before, Alonsa? ⁓ my goodness. I'm gonna ha I will need to share you because she is literally my favorite.

speaker-1: No. Yes.

speaker-0: favorite favorite person. I think her name's Michelle Hall. I think. I could be messing up her first name. Her last name is definitely Hall. But like it people are just having fun with it. And I am 100% here for it. Just here for it. But there is so much growth that we have had trouble expanding at the rate that we wanted to expand because we have hit some road roadblocks around along the way, haven't we? We

speaker-1: Certainly have. ⁓ it's definitely a process with some of the companies we've been dealing with.

speaker-0: It's slow. It's slow. The things that were supposed to take, let's say five weeks or even three months, are now taking five months, six months, seven months. Even with the companies that we order threads through, it it's just inconsistent. Sometimes it'll say stuff is in stock on their website and then I place the order. And they arrive and there's none of three colors because they were completely up. So it's just the infrastructure with some of this is ⁓ hard. Also, I do think because of the boom and there's so many more people ordering and so many more people using painting houses and all of those things, that has obviously contributed to the backlog of of the way it works. But

speaker-1: Think there's a lot of growing pains right now.

speaker-0: The shortage of canvas. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Canvas shortage has been a big one. ⁓ because obviously the painting houses can't keep up with the orders if they actually don't have the canvas to paint on, correct? So we have dealt with that. But we have gotten one order, which is very exciting, from our painting house, which was fun, self-love club being being in that order. And we are just trying to Stay on top of it and Alonsa's amazing, but she's a one woman show. She cannot paint.

speaker-1: three kids and another job. So I wish I could just paint all the time because I would. I love it. I just there's not enough hours in the day.

speaker-0: There is not. And I have tried painting and it was a disaster. Disaster. So I mean, it was so bad. It was bad. Yeah. It was bad. It's not my strong suit. It's okay. I have other things I do, but that is not my strong suit. So as much as I would like to assist with the painting, not the case. Not possible. Can't do it.

speaker-1: No. No. She does a lot of other things though. I will say though, I do think this industry is a very supportive, welcoming industry to be in. ⁓

speaker-0: My goodness, 100%. One of the first things we did was we ordered the tape that goes around your canvas. Can you show our our Georgie and Lottie tape? Because we really wanted things to be branded. And we had a lot of trouble finding where to order this branded tape. Because you can't just use regular masking tape for it. So people were so helpful. I would DM people on Instagram and they would get back to me. And these are big companies, ⁓ big needle companies.

speaker-1: So

speaker-0: They were all so helpful and so lovely. One of the companies which we did not so supportive that we did not order tape from and the reason we and a couple people suggested them and I'm sure they're excellent, it's because they take checks. Checks. Only checks in twenty this was twenty this was fall of twenty twenty five. They only took checks. And I first of all, we don't have business checks because we don't need them.

speaker-1: Only checks everybody.

speaker-0: Because everyone else didn't I needed them. Right. Exactly. So it's that sort of thing that you're coming up against. Another fiber company had to actually get on the phone with me. Now I had filled out multiple documents for them to prove that we were a legit company. I had shared what other companies we were working with and had accounts with, but they actually needed to get on the phone with me to make sure I guess I was a real person. I don't really know, but anyway, it was fine. It was a lovely conversation. I enjoyed it. But those are just some of the things that we deal with that are a little bit backwards. But again, on the flip side, everyone is so helpful, so kind, so supportive, and we truly feel blessed to be part of this community, wouldn't you say?

speaker-1: Definitely. It's really fun been fun too. Yeah.

speaker-0: Yeah. So we are, you know, working hard to get stock up to where it needs to be to be able to provide canvases to our wait list and all of that thing, all of those things, but just be aware that this boom has impacted us. So we will keep trying and keep working as fast as we can, but w there are limitations, right?

speaker-1: Yes, we're doing our best.

speaker-0: For sure, for sure, for sure. And finishing, we didn't even talk about finishing. I have used two different amazing finishers who are phenomenal, but they are backlogged because there are so many people now in needlepoint and needing finishing that I'll tell you, if you if you wanna break into something, learn how to self finish and then maybe finish for other people.

speaker-1: Yeah. And I will say that is where probably right now the accessories that are self finishing have had a big boom too, because then people can do it themselves and not have to wait. But there's certain things, pillows especially.

speaker-0: Especially if you want a certain fabric. I mean there's just or a certain type of pillow.

speaker-1: really hard t to do on your own unless you're a really great s stitch sewer, but I'm not seamstress. I'm not can't do that. But I can I did I will say I have sort of taught myself how to do like an ornament or a bag charm that

speaker-0: And you've done an excellent job. An excellent, excellent job. But like here, this is a Georgian Lottie design that is coming. And it is an eyeglass case and it is needlepoint on both sides. And I stitched it and then I sent this away to a finisher because this takes you were putting two needlepoint canvases together. There's inside there's a lining and there's also ⁓ cording. The cording. So she did Kara did such an amazing job with it. So beautiful.

speaker-1: I couldn't I mean yeah. Beautiful you guys. ⁓ it's so pretty.

speaker-0: It's so beautiful. And again, Canvas coming to our website as soon as we get them from our painting house. So there you go. But yeah, just just bear with the needlepoint. Boom. We embrace it. We love it. We love this community. But there are definitely growing pains and we're just trying to weather the storm, right? Yep. There are. So off the frame today, we're gonna really change things up a little and we are gonna talk about our favorite restaurants. Because

speaker-1: Be sure?

speaker-0: We are foodies through and through. We love a good restaurant. And there are certain places that we just love going to time and time and time again. So we're gonna talk about our favorite restaurants in specific the places where we live. I split my time between Palm Springs and DC. And so and Alansa lives in Richmond, Virginia, which is really the headquarters for Georgie and Lottie. I spend some time there as well. And so we are gonna discuss kind of what our favorite restaurants are. So Alonsa, why don't you go first with your Richmond pick?

speaker-1: Okay. ⁓ there I will say Richmond has a ton of amazing restaurants. I am definitely

speaker-0: It's a good food scene in Richmond, for sure. ⁓

speaker-1: Pretty good foodie city. And I am definitely one who does not love a chain restaurant. I like more of a local ⁓ run restaurant. And we have a really great Greek restaurant called Stella's in Richmond that is delicious. Far from my house, I have never had a bad meal there ever. It is very consistent.

speaker-0: It is the best

speaker-1: It's reasonable. It's a really fun atmosphere. They have great drinks. And the other thing that's super fun about Stellas is they also have little markets throughout the city, all over Richmond actually, where you can go in and grab prepared stuff. Salads. You can get spana copata that you just stick in your oven. Anyway, it's they're they're great little markets too. So

speaker-0: Portions, portions, okay.

speaker-1: I am a huge fan of Stellas. They actually have one also in Charleston, which yeah. So

speaker-0: Charleston one's really fun. I've been to both the Richmond and the Charleston locations. The Charleston location has a sunken bar in the middle, which is kind of a fair It's cool. It's very cool. But their Moussaka, mm. Mm-hmm. I think I have dreams about it. I order Moussaka at other Greek restaurants thinking that I'm gonna like it. Guess what? I never do. It doesn't compare. There's some

speaker-1: Aganaki is also really good. It's like a flaming cheese and it's so good. Anyway, everything there is delicious. So highly recommend if you're in Richmond or Charleston to try Stella's.

speaker-0: Yeah. Yes. Highly, highly recommend. So I'm gonna do DC first and I am gonna do sort of it's on our street, so it's feels like a neighborhood place. It's French. It's you cannot make a reservation. It's a drop-in kind of only. It usually has a long line outside. But it is delicious and it's a newer restaurant. It is La Bon Vache and their burgers are the perfect Perfect size burger. They have a Brie burger that is delicious. They also have a yummy artichoke that I love getting. Their soups are to die for. But it is just like a neighborhood place. If you are visiting DC and happen to be in Georgetown, I highly recommend checking out La Bonvash. You will not regret it. Truly will not regret it. Also, the owners are just gems. They are lovely humans, and that always is a great thing. Also, they do have a bar that you can sit at. So sometimes Mark and I go and just sit at the bar, which is great. So La Bon Bosh in Georgetown in Washington, DC. Highly recommend. ⁓ and now I'm gonna do prom springs. Alonsa has been here and it is Bar Cecil, which is delicious. I have never had a bad meal there. I've probably eaten almost everything on the meal, on the menu, rather. It's not a massive menu, but

speaker-1: Good.

speaker-0: Holy cow is it good.

speaker-1: gonna say what I like even more is just the whole experience. Like the vibe inside the restaurant, the vibe at the bar. I think we sat at the bar when I went.

speaker-0: We did, 'cause we didn't have a reservation, so hot

speaker-1: Bartender was great. I in general was amazing.

speaker-0: Yeah. If you can't get a reservation at Bar Cecil, you are going to Palm Springs. You cannot get a reservation because it is hard to get a reservation there. If you show up at four PM and put your name in, you will be able to s be seated at the bar at five. So you're gonna have an hour of time to kill. I understand. And thankfully there is a really cute, like vintage shop close by that you can walk to, market, and you can go kill an hour. But that is my hot tip to you to do that because it is well worth it. It is Delicious and they now have a bar that they've opened up also, Beatons, and that is just I mean, an insanely fun vibe with the best drinks. And they do have some food. So if you're heading to Palm Springs.

speaker-1: Brings has some great restaurants. You guys that has some really, really good restaurants I think.

speaker-0: I mean, I know it's a problem. I live in two places with good restaurants, which is the real problem. So we will make sure to drop these restaurant recommendations in our show notes so you know where we recommend going. And if you have any questions about traveling to any of the places that we live, please reach out to us. We'd love to share some tips that we have. Before we let you go, we do have two things that we want to remind you about. One is Our beginner video playlist, which you can grab at geogieandlottie.myflowdesk.com backslash video dash playlist, again in the show notes. And it will help you start needlepointing if that is something that you want to do. And even if you are a needle pointer but newer to needlepoint and are a visual learner, which I am, these videos are super helpful. So go ahead and grab those. Yeah.

speaker-1: Also helpful for some if you wanna learn some decorative stitches.

speaker-0: Yeah, we do have decorative stitches on YouTube and our website that are not part of this video playlist, but they are accessible. So go check ⁓ out.

speaker-1: Yes. And second, since you're here and you're new and we appreciate you showing up for episode two, use our code OSTitch ten at checkout and you'll get ten percent off your first order. That's O H S T I T C H one zero. It'll also be in the show notes.

speaker-0: Okay, thank you guys so much. Episode two done. Thanks so much for listening to O Stitch, the podcast where needlepoint meets real life.

speaker-1: This podcast is brought to you by Georgie and Lottie. Whether you're looking for your next canvas, stitching, inspiration, or a community that loves Needlepoint as much as we do, we'd love to have you join us.

speaker-0: You can explore canvases, products, and more at Georgie and Lottie.com.

speaker-1: Until next time, happy stitching!