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Welcome to Magic City Needlepoint, Birmingham’s exclusive needlepoint store. Our boutique is filled with the latest hand-painted canvases, a wide selection of fibers and threads, accessories and lots of inspiration. We are 5 stitchers who banded together to form Magic City Needlepoint in 2019. We each brought different backgrounds and talents to the table, and after many months of planning, shopping and setting up our store, we are excited to welcome you to Magic City Needlepoint!

Please let us introduce ourselves to you. Ty Howell and her daughter-in-law, Katie Howell are avid stitchers and residents of Vestavia Hills. Ty learned to stitch from her mother and started out making stockings for all of her family and then Christmas ornaments. Now Ty enjoys different projects such as brick covers, framed quotes, and napkin holders/bracelets. Ty’s organization and Katie’s style are felt the minute you walk in our beautiful store. You won’t want to leave, so please come, stay and stitch.

Mary Elizabeth Mays is an experienced stitcher, who is Past President of the Cahaba Lily Chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild, and travels the globe to attend seminars and stitch-ins. She has visited hundreds of needlepoint stores across the nation, and she has stitched four rugs, twelve chandelier shades, and over 40 needlepoint belts, among countless other projects. She also made many pieces that are displayed within the shop. 

Leah Scalise has a passion for doing fun stitch projects that include Bargello and geometric patterns. Leah also leads Beginning Needlepoint classes and is in the shop on Wednesday afternoons.

Karen Carroll has always loved the needle arts, learning embroidery and cross-stitch as a child and was taught needlepoint by Leah Scalise (many decades ago). Since then, Karen has enjoyed taking classes at national conferences of the American Needlepoint Guild to learn advanced needlepoint stitches and techniques. Karen handles inventory needs for the shop and welcomes suggestions for new products to order for the shop. 

We also have 6 extraordinary staff members - Nancy Barton, Diane Orso, Crissy Fairly, Ellen Tucker, Ginny Johnston and Angela Norman. 

Nancy Barton's love of needlepoint began when she was a nursing student and continues today. Her interests and expertise are working with customers to select canvases and threads in the shop and coordinating finishing.

Diane Orso has been doing hand stitching since she was a teenager. She also enjoys knitting, French hand sewing, and especially needlepoint. Diane ha worked in needlepoint retail for 20 years. As a grandmother of eight, she especially likes stitching ornaments each year for each grandchild.

Crissy Fairly's love for needlepoint began right after graduating from Auburn University, when her mom gave her a gift of a canvas and threads. She has been hooked since, stitching for 30+ years!  Crissy loves creating beauty for her home, and her husband and son love all the needlepoint belts they have that have come from her hobby. Crissy helps with sales, trunk shows and content for social media for our shop.

We are a full-service needlepoint shop that includes finishing services for every project. Need to order a canvas? Our shop can order that special canvas you have been wanting. We also offer an array of classes to choose from including the 12 Days of Christmas Candy Cane Club. "Stitch Days" are every Monday (except holidays) from 10:00-3:00 pm. Stay tuned for events at the store that will make Magic City Needlepoint your next destination. Please come in and stay awhile.