Camp Preppy at the Red Lion Inn: A Weekend of Needlepoint, Color & Creativity 🧵💕

This fall, I had the joy of being the needlepoint expert at Camp Preppy, a creative weekend retreat hosted by the talented Patricia Mae Olson, the voice behind The Preppy Podcast & owner of Piqued PR. The event took place at the historic Red Lion Inn in the Berkshires — a cozy, quintessentially New England setting filled with charm, laughter, and plenty of color.

Bringing the Canvas to Life ✨

Our collaboration started months before Camp Preppy — Patricia and I began working on the custom needlepoint canvas all the way back in May! From the initial sketches to selecting threads and finalizing the design, a lot of care (and excitement!) went into creating something truly special for the weekend.

Each camper received their own hand-painted canvas, a curated set of threads, and a detailed needlepoint guide I wrote to walk them through the process. My goal was to make needlepoint approachable and fun — especially for those picking up a needle for the first time.

Watching the group bring their canvases to life in September after so many months of planning felt incredibly rewarding!

Teaching the Basics — and Adding a Little Whimsy 🌸

During the workshop, I shared my favorite stitches and techniques for adding texture and dimension — the same process I use in my own designs. We talked about choosing fibers, creating depth with color, and most importantly, enjoying the process.

Everyone’s work looked amazing. It was such a joy seeing how each camper added their own personality and flair to their piece.

The Setting: The Red Lion Inn 🏡

The Red Lion Inn provided the dreamiest backdrop — cozy fires, beautiful fall foliage, and the kind of classic New England charm that makes you want to pick up a needle and stitch by the window. Between workshops, we shared meals, made new friends, and took in all the Berkshires beauty.

Why I Loved Being Part of Camp Preppy 💕

I’m so grateful to Patricia Mae Olson for inviting me to be part of such a thoughtful and inspiring weekend. There’s something so fulfilling about teaching needlepoint in person — connecting with people who are discovering the meditative joy of stitching for the first time.

Events like Camp Preppy remind me why I love what I do: sharing creativity, community, and a touch of whimsy through art.

Want to Stitch Along? 🪡

If you couldn’t make it to Camp Preppy, don’t worry — I’ll be sharing more opportunities like this soon! Join my email list for updates on upcoming events, new needlepoint designs, and behind-the-scenes peeks at my creative process.