Stitch Guides without Photos of Finished Piece

Often stitch guides don't have photos of the finished example.  Ruth Schmuff answers the question of how a stitch guide can be written without the author having stitched the piece.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2026/05/what-do-i-see/

Basically, with experience you have a good idea of what will work and what won't.  And Ruth's had a LOT of experience!  She's also right, once you start seeing stitches and texture, there is no returning from that.

Mountain Summer (Pippa Designs)

Pippa Designs has announced the digital download stitch guide for their "Mountain Summer" piece is ready for purchase.

https://pippafraumeni.com/products/mountain-summer-stitch-guide?se_activity_id=160032293052&syclid=d8hbc1isatbc73b5f760&utm_campaign=Mountain+Summer+Stitch+Guide_160032293052&utm_medium=email&utm_source=shopify_email

You can see the entire canvas on their website.  It's part of their popular Seasonal series ("Euro Summer," "New England Summer," "Palm Beach Winter."  Note that "New England Summer" has a stitch guide available, too.

https://pippafraumeni.com/products/mountain-summer-pillow

Too Fluffy to Hide (Heather Gauthier and Ruth Schmuff)

Ruth Schmuff's latest stitch guide is for Heather Gauthier's "Too Fluffy to Hide," a parrot portrait with flowers and vases-and a fun party hat!

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2026/06/too-fluffy-to-hide/

The Guard Nutcracker (Damarj and Susan Portra)

Joanne's nutcracker is a classic from Damarj, stitched using Susan Portra's stitch guide.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10163541208607968&set=pcb.26948102841506852

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1564867507/nutcracker-needlepoint-the-guard-damarj?show_sold_out_detail=1&ref=nla_listing_details

Arctic Animals (Rebecca Wood and Fancy Stitches)

Shannon's stocking cuff is Rebecca Wood's "Arctic Animals," stitched using a guide from Fancy Stitches, which also designed a coordinating name tag to match.  Great work, everyone!

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10241810914148182&set=gm.26935412749442528&idorvanity=108537025890131

Purple Bird (Zecca and Laura Taylor)

This cheerful bird is a Zecca design, happily stitched by Linda using a Laura Taylor guide.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10235443203555427&set=gm.26932567039727099&idorvanity=108537025890131

Happy Halloween Witch (Painted Pony and Sandy Sluneka)

Stephanie's witch is finished AND fabulous!  This is a Mary Engelbreit design, available from Painted Pony.  Stephanie used Sandy Slunecka's stitch guide.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10239632336681824&set=gm.26935627946087675&idorvanity=108537025890131