Framing your finished needlepoint is one of the most rewarding steps in the entire stitching journey. Whether it’s a 4×4 coastal ornament, a Nantucket-style eyeglass case insert, or a statement pillow front you want preserved forever — proper framing protects your work and turns it into art.

But framing under glass must be done correctly.

Let’s walk through it the BeeBee way.

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Step 1: Block Your Needlepoint First

Before anything touches a frame, your piece must be properly blocked.

Needlepoint can shift while stitching — especially on 13 or 14 mesh — and blocking ensures your design is perfectly square and crisp. A professional finisher can do this, or you can lightly dampen and pin it to blocking boards yourself.

Never frame a warped canvas. Ever.

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Step 2: Use Spacers (This Is Critical)

If you remember one thing from this post, let it be this:

Your needlepoint should NEVER touch the glass.

When fabric rests directly against glass, condensation can form — even in climate-controlled homes. Over time, this trapped moisture can cause:

• Mildew
• Yellowing threads
• Fiber breakdown
• Permanent staining

Spacers create a small air gap between the needlepoint and the glass. They are usually thin strips hidden inside the frame under the mat. Some framers automatically include them — some do not.

Always ask.

This small detail protects your piece for decades.

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Step 3: Choose the Right Glass

Not all glass is created equal.

For heirloom pieces, consider:

• UV-protective glass (prevents fading)
• Museum glass (low glare + UV protection)
• Conservation glass (filters light damage)

If your needlepoint includes silk threads, specialty fibers, or hand-painted details, UV protection is especially important.

Sunlight is beautiful. It is also ruthless.

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Step 4: Protect Against Dampness & Mildew

Humidity is the quiet villain of textile art.

Needlepoint is made from natural fibers — cotton, wool, silk — which absorb moisture. In high humidity environments, this can lead to mildew growth.

To prevent issues:

• Avoid hanging framed needlepoint in bathrooms.
• Avoid kitchens where steam builds.
• Keep away from exterior walls prone to condensation.
• Use silica packets behind the backing (optional but helpful in humid climates).
• Maintain stable indoor humidity (around 40–50%).

If you live in coastal or humid areas, this is especially important.

Moisture damage is preventable. Once mildew sets in, it’s heartbreaking.

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Step 5: Proper Backing & Sealing

The back of your framed needlepoint matters too.

Use acid-free backing materials and dust covers. This prevents:

• Insect intrusion
• Dust buildup
• Acid transfer from cardboard

A properly sealed frame keeps your piece clean and stable long term.

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How to Store Needlepoint (Framed or Unframed)

Sometimes you rotate decor seasonally. Or maybe you’ve stitched faster than you can frame (we’ve all been there 😉).

Here’s how to store safely:

For Unframed Needlepoint:

• Store flat, not folded.
• Use acid-free tissue between layers.
• Keep in breathable cotton bags (not plastic).
• Avoid attics and basements.
• Add cedar blocks for pest protection (never directly touching fibers).

For Framed Needlepoint:

• Store upright, not stacked flat.
• Keep in climate-controlled spaces.
• Avoid garages.
• Wrap loosely in cotton or muslin (not bubble wrap directly against frame long-term).

Textiles need airflow. Plastic traps moisture.

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Final Thoughts from BeeBee Designs

Your needlepoint isn’t just decor.

It’s hours of stitching.
It’s quiet mornings.
It’s thread pulled through canvas one stitch at a time.

Framing it correctly ensures your work lasts for generations.

Take the extra step. Ask for spacers. Protect against moisture. Use conservation materials.

Because beautiful things deserve to stay beautiful.

This year I’ve been busy creating designs, both digital and printable. What funMs BeeBee Designs.Please check it out   

The serving shells are available at 

The Chic Oyster

 

 

Food safe oyster shell serving dish for butter and cocktail sauce. Salt and pepper.

Packaged boxed with salt and pepper bottles plus serving spoons. Great homewarming, wedding,unique gift.

Each set is ready is packaged and ready for gifting.  The oyster shells are from North Carolina. While you are enjoying the beauty of oyster shells, take time to read alittle history about North Carolina Oysters

 

 

Fishing  was and is  a way of life for the islanders, deeply rooted in their history and traditions.

As as the demand for oysters grew, so did the number of outsiders looking to exploit the precious resource. The government survey was just the beginning, a seemingly innocent act that quickly turned sour. The off-islanders saw an opportunity to seize control of the oyster beds, ignoring the long-established rights of the Ocracokers.

Faced with this threat, the islanders banded together, a small but determined force ready to defend their livelihood and way of life. The conflict escalated rapidly, with acts of piracy and attempted murder shocking the quiet streets of New Bern. The stakes were high, not just for the Ocracokers, but for the preservation of an entire fishery and the delicate balance of the ecosystem.

As news of the conflict spread, it drew attention from all corners. Concerned citizens, environmentalists, and even some sympathetic government officials joined forces with the Ocracokers, recognizing the importance of protecting this endangered fishery. The battle for control of the oyster beds became a symbol of the fight against greed and exploitation.

In the end, the conflict was resolved through diplomacy and legal means, rather than through bloodshed. The Ocracokers’ rights were upheld, and stricter regulations were put in place to protect the oyster beds from overharvesting. It was a victory not just for the islanders, but for the future of sustainable fishing practices.

Today, the oyster beds of Ocracoke Island stand as a testament to the resilience and determination of a small community. Visitors come from far and wide to savor the taste of those crisp and briny eastern oysters, knowing that each bite represents a triumph over adversity. The story of the oyster wars may be a footnote in history, but its significance echoes through the generations, reminding us of the importance of preserving our natural resources and standing up for what we believe in.

For more indepth information about the North Carolina Oyster War, please visit  North Carolina Oyster War

 

Visiting the Island of Okinawa, Japan for the first time…I first heard of sea glass. I searched the Internet and discovered all about it and how addicting it can be searching for it! I spent five days on the beach and began a new hobby! I lost count how many hours and times I went to several different beaches. I soon had a good start on my collection! I discovered that there are a lot of brown pieces, probably beer bottles. I also discovered lots of white or clear frosted pieces as well. I found emerald green and lime green pieces, but they were mostly tiny pieces. I also found a couple pieces of cobalt blue….my greatest finds were one purple, and one yellow piece. It’s hard to believe how excited one gets during their search and find! One important note…I quickly discovered the difference between an unseasoned and seasoned piece of sea glass! I actually felt like I was saving pieces for future sea glass hunters by throwing the unseasoned pieces back into the sea! Both of the beaches I mentioned are safe park beaches with lots of shells, corral, and sea glass…although Torii Beach is on an Army Military Base…you would have to have access to visiting this beach. These are both located on the Southern West Coast of Okinawa….otherwise known as the East China Sea. Happy hunting!

In the nineteenth century the system was rediscovered by a man called Dr Mikao Usui.

Reiki roots come from India having passed through Tibet and China to Japan where Dr Mikao Usui rediscovered it. He was a Christian headmaster and minister at Doshisha University in Kyoto, Japan.

One Sunday morning some of his students asked him whether he really believed the stories about Jesus’ miracles and especially his healings. Usui answered that yes, he did believe that Jesus performed miracles and healed people. The students said that they were too young to believe, they needed proof. Usui took his students literally and left his post at the university in search of the answers to these questions. Dr Usui wanted to explore his religion and went to the United States where he studied the Bible and Christian scriptures, but could not find the formula for how Jesus performed his healings. So he studied Buddhism as he knew the Buddha also healed the sick. Seven years later Usui returned to Kyoto in Japan where he learned Sanskrit, the sacred and ancient language of India where Buddha was born. Only then did he come across some symbols that described how Buddha did his healing. To achieve a healing power from inside, Usui decided to meditate and fast on the sacred mountain. Kurayama, seventeen miles from Kyoto.

Having climbed the mountain, Dr Usui settled down to meditate and fast for 21 days in the hope he would accomplish his task. It was on the last morning just before dawn that he saw a flickering light on the horizon that came closer and closer. Dr Usui became quite frightened, but he was brave and faced up to this bright light which as it got close it turned into a white beam that hit him between the eyes. It was so powerful that Dr Usui fell down, unconscious. When he came round, he looked up at the sky full of all the colours of the rainbow dancing in front of his eyes. Then the sky turned into what looked like a huge white screen showing the symbols that he had seen in the Sanskrit scriptures written in gold letters. As they vibrated in front of him, their use and meaning were transmitted to him and they seemed to say Remember, remember, remember!

When Dr Usui came to, he was filled with light and energy even though he had fasted for 3 weeks. This was the first sign for Dr Usui that he had received something on the mountain. He was so excited that in his haste coming down the mountain, he stubbed his toe so badly that it was bleeding. Automatically he put his hand over his toe and the bleeding and pain went away. For Usui this was the second miracle of the healing energy of Reiki.

Further down the mountain, Usui came across an outside snack bar so he ordered a traditional Japenese breakfast. The owner advised him to just have something simple to break the fast gently, but Dr Usui insisted on a full meal. When the old mans grand daughter came with his breakfast, he could see the girl had been crying and that her face was swollen. She told him she had toothache from an infected tooth, and when he placed his hand over the aching tooth the pain went away almost immediately. This was the third proof of the Reiki energy and the fourth miracle for Dr Usui was the fact that he could digest his whole breakfast without getting indigestion!

This description is from the book and quoted.

While in the states, I became interested in Reiki and pursued investigating. I was open to learning if this healing technique was valid in modern medicine. I was surprised to learn that many doctors and medical staff perform reiki prior to surgeries and follow ups in healing.

I have been busy traveling and not able to post as often as before.  I just have to tell you about my latest adventure. Traveling took me to Japan. I experienced from a local’s view. I stayed in a small fishing village called Taiza. It is right on the coast of the Sea of Japan and at night you heard the waves hitting on the rocks. The sunrises are spectacular. The weather was a perfect 72 degrees with sunshine. Memories of this trip are Japanese drink a lot of saki. And they love their raw foods. Luckily for me, they have 7/11 stores in every town, even the little towns and I was able to find chicken nuggets.

The highlight of my trip was Mt. Kurama. I developed an interest the study of Reiki. More, reiki was sent to me. A friend of mine, who is a retired NASA researcher, who now is earning his degree in transpersonal studies, to add to his bachelors in Foreign Service introduce it to me. He had traveled extensively to Japan during his career with NASA and at dinner, we were discussing beliefs and faith and the subject of reiki came up.

What is reiki ? The word reiki means light and energy. In a nutshell, it is the energy of the cosmos and the energy of ourselves. It is healing practice that is passed down from one master to another. I became interested.

Now why would I want to go to Mt Kumara ? The master of Reiki, Dr Mikao Usui , climbed Mt. Kurama and found a spot to meditate for 21 days. He went to find spiritual guidance and enlightenment. He was disappointed as he felt nothing life altering . On the 21st day, he decides he would leave the mountain and while going down the mountain, he stumped his toe. As he was checking the wound and touching it, it started to heal. He felt energy through his hands. He did not understand and was in disbelief, but yet, he saw the healing.
Please follow this link to know more about Dr. Mikao Usui . It is an extraordinary story . The history of reiki along with the healing properties and even how it is used today is astounding.

So with my love of reiki and being in Japan, I was set to climb to the site where Master Usui sat for 21 days.  The mountain is 1918 ft .  The trek to the top was winding and shrines dotted the way all the way to the top. It took me three hours to reach the shrine of Master Usui.  The roots of the majestic cedars are still there and the cedars are gorgeous. The wind blowing through them gives you feel of other worldliness. It is peaceful. Very peaceful.   I meditated and gave prayers and the symbols of reiki to receive the energy of the universe.

The experience is another post in its self and maybe one day , I will share it.  However this post is about the trek up the mountain. You know while climbing it is sacred. You sense the light and you sense the presence of the masters and monks before you, that have traveled this path for guidance.  Once climbing it and coming back down, I am sure you will be changed. You will feel the vastness of our world and the power, ki ,  of the universe

There are days for cake, and days for ice cream and cookies. But every now and then, you crave a different kind of finish to a satisfying meal. Enter Atlantic Beach Pie, a salty and citrusy staple of the North Carolina coast.

Katie Workman is the author of The Mom 100 Cookbook: 100 Recipes Every Mom Needs in Her Back Pocket. She says the Atlantic Beach Pie from Crook’s Corner restaurant in Chapel Hill, N.C., is the best pie she’s ever had. She shared a recipe for the dish for All Things Considered‘s Found Recipe series.

Workman describes Crook’s Corner as a “shrimp and grits, fried oysters and hush puppies kind of Southern food restaurant.” She fondly remembers enjoying a particularly large spread on one visit.

“We were having this amazing dinner, eating more than I think I’ve ever eaten in my entire life,” she says. “I had no intention of eating dessert, and then he sent out this pie.”

Atlantic Beach Pie has a filling similar to those in key lime and lemon meringue pies, but Workman says the crust is what makes it special.

The appeal is in the pie’s simplicity. It takes all of four seconds to make. In reality, it’s just 18 minutes to bake the crust and 16 minutes to cook the filling.

You don’t have to wait for the crust to cool. The only thing that takes any time is it has to cool enough when you’re done so you can cut it without making a mess. But it couldn’t be faster. Nothing hits the spot after a good meal of seafood and slaw than to top it off with a slice of Atlantic Beach Pie.

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Not all dreams are big. Not everyone wants to climb Mount Everest or become a billionaire. Or leap over buildings with a single bound and save the world with a cape. Truth is, some dreams are smaller. But that doesn’t make them less than. That doesn’t make them insignificant. That doesn’t make them unimportant. To the dreamer, it is the hurdle and inspiration of accomplishing to perfection. It is the mountains to climb and storms to weather to realize the dream.Whatever your dream is, remember if you think it, feel it, you can make it happen. Keep steady, focused and enjoy the journey while reaching your dream. .

I have been busy traveling and not able to post as often as before.  I just have to tell you about my latest adventure. Traveling took me to Japan. I experienced from a local’s view. I stayed in a small fishing village called Taiza. It is right on the coast of the Sea of Japan and at night you heard the waves hitting on the rocks. The sunrises are spectacular. The weather was a perfect 72 degrees with sunshine. Memories of this trip are Japanese drink a lot of saki. And they love their raw foods. Luckily for me, they have 7/11 stores in every town, even the little towns and I was able to find chicken nuggets.

The highlight of my trip was Mt. Kurama. I developed an interest the study of Reiki. More, reiki was sent to me. A friend of mine, who is a retired NASA researcher, who now is earning his degree in transpersonal studies, to add to his bachelors in Foreign Service introduce it to me. He had traveled extensively to Japan during his career with NASA and at dinner, we were discussing beliefs and faith and the subject of reiki came up.

What is reiki ? The word reiki means light and energy. In a nutshell, it is the energy of the cosmos and the energy of ourselves. It is healing practice that is passed down from one master to another. I became interested.

Now why would I want to go to Mt Kumara ? The master of Reiki, Dr Mikao Usui , climbed Mt. Kurama and found a spot to meditate for 21 days. He went to find spiritual guidance and enlightenment. He was disappointed as he felt nothing life altering . On the 21st day, he decides he would leave the mountain and while going down the mountain, he stumped his toe. As he was checking the wound and touching it, it started to heal. He felt energy through his hands. He did not understand and was in disbelief, but yet, he saw the healing.
Please follow this link to know more about Dr. Mikao Usui . It is an extraordinary story . The history of reiki along with the healing properties and even how it is used today is astounding.

So with my love of reiki and being in Japan, I was set to climb to the site where Master Usui sat for 21 days.  The mountain is 1918 ft .  The trek to the top was winding and shrines dotted the way all the way to the top. It took me three hours to reach the shrine of Master Usui.  The roots of the majestic cedars are still there and the cedars are gorgeous. The wind blowing through them gives you feel of other worldliness. It is peaceful. Very peaceful.   I meditated and gave prayers and the symbols of reiki to receive the energy of the universe.

The experience is another post in its self and maybe one day , I will share it.  However this post is about the trek up the mountain. You know while climbing it is sacred. You sense the light and you sense the presence of the masters and monks before you, that have traveled this path for guidance.  Once climbing it and coming back down, I am sure you will be changed. You will feel the vastness of our world and the power, ki ,  of the universe.