Artist Wayne Banaszak
Proud retailer of Images stitchery design products
Doodlin’ Around Design, a small design firm located in Wisconsin, is dedicated to the production of fine needlework frames and accessories along with Bargello patterns and Cross Stitch charts for the needleworker. Wayne Banaszak, the designer and inventor of a family of Lap-Stitch needlework frames and charts, creates under Doodlin’ Around Design (acronym DAD), the creative side of Images stitchery design, a manufacturer of fine wooden needlework accessories.
Wayne Banaszak and his wife Paula have been involved in the needlework industry as shop owners, teachers and designers since 1976. Their mission is to provide the stitcher with quality designs and accessories to make their leisure time activities enjoyable.
Wayne Banaszak started his needlework designing career as a co-owner of Needles and Stitches needlework shop in Waldo, Wisconsin. At that time clients would come into the shop looking for a variety of things that they would like to stitch. Having an art background, Wayne was called upon to create the graphs. It did not take long for him to realize that he would have to know how to stitch. He learned a variety of needlework techniques that have become invaluable in his designing through classes taught by nationally recognized teachers. His approach to designing is to treat the technique as an art form.
Wayne’s interest in architecture led him to specialize in creating designs of historical landmarks. He has branched out into samplers, occasionally a whimsical design and Bargello. His method of designing the landmarks starts with looking at a photo or sketch of the subject and then freehand stitching. Proportions and colors have been the hallmark of these designs. As the design is being stitched he manually inputs the stitches into the computer to record what he has done. When the stitchery is complete the chart is ready to be published.
Wayne’s love of wood and his passion for creativity led to the invention of the Lap-Stitch family of needlework frames. He wanted a frame that was lightweight, comfortable to use and he did not want to hold anything other than the needle. The end result was a frame that sits on your lap or table leaving both hands free to stitch which can be used for cross stitch, quilting and all other forms of needlearts. Since its inception in 1990 the family of frames has grown to meet a variety of needs for the needleworker. Starting in 2007, Wayne has expanded the wood line into fine accessories using a variety of exotic woods.
To all our loyal customers, new and old we say thank you!
Wayne Banaszak
Owner, Doodlin’ Around Design