Mary Beale: How long have you been stitching?  Who taught you to stitch?

Lisa Hanley: "I have been stitching about 15 years. My mom originally taught me to cross-stitch and needlepoint."

Mary Beale: Do you mainly cross-stitch or needlepoint?

Lisa Hanley: "I do both.  I love the richness and texture of needlepoint but once in awhile I love to stitch a sampler or Christmas stocking."

Lisa Hanley: "I stitch mainly for me but I do give my work as gift sometimes (if I like the person a lot)."

Mary Beale: What is the biggest needlework project you have ever undertaken?  Did you keep it or give it away? Lisa Hanley: "Pillows are the biggest project I undertake because they take so long to stitch.  I have given several pillows away to my mother but that does not really count as giving them away.  I have given a pillow away to a good friend though - that was sort of unselfish." Mary Beale: Which Mary Beale design have you stitched?  Have you stitched more than one? Lisa Hanley: "I try to acquire EVERY Mary Beale pattern.  I only stitch her work because it is superior to all the other patterns I have seen.  She is a very talented artist.  I haven't stitched them all of course!" Mary Beale: Do you have a favorite?  Why? Lisa Hanley: "My newest favorite are the advent ornaments.  I have just finished making all of them.  This time I finished them myself. I can't quite believe I did that.  Some of the them are VERY crooked!  I love the idea of an advent calendar using the Bible instead of Santa Claus.  I have a 9 month old son and look forward to using them during the year to tell him the story of Christmas." "I also love the needlepoint stockings from Revelations.  I love the book of Revelations and enjoyed stitching them and thinking of text."

Mary Beale: Do any of your Mary Beale needlework projects have a story?

Lisa Hanley: "I made a stocking for myself and then my husband when I was married.  Now that we have a son I made one for him after he was born for this Christmas."

Lisa Hanley: "I love to go antiquing.  I collect english china usually a variation of brown and white.  I also collect pictures of Old European Cathedrals and churches.  I like to read and travel to see the cathedrals in person."

Lisa Hanley: "Yes."

 More of Lisa's works: