Meet The Designers
Meet the Designers of Blue Waters Needlepoint
At Blue Waters Needlepoint, every stitch tells a story, and behind each design is a talented artist bringing creativity and craftsmanship to life. Our designers pour their passion into every canvas, creating unique and inspiring pieces for stitchers of all skill levels.
From timeless classics to fresh, modern patterns, our collection is a reflection of the artistry and dedication of our team. Get to know the designers who make Blue Waters Needlepoint special—each with their own style, inspiration, and love for the craft.
Dean and Laura Davis
Founded in 2013 as an Etsy shop, Needlepoint by Laura began with Dean and Laura designing custom belts for friends. As demand grew, Dean retired in 2019 to manage the business full-time while Laura continued her career as a CPA.
Their styles reflect their passions Laura’s designs are bright and preppy, while Dean focuses on sports. With over 30 NCAA licenses, NBL’s Signature Series found its perfect home at Blue Waters, where they continue to create under the Blue Waters name.
Sally C. Evans
Sally holds a BFA in Graphic Design and Fine Art from the University of South Carolina. After starting her career as a graphic artist, she became a full-time painter in the early ’90s. Known for her bold designs and expressive use of color, she works in pastels, acrylics, and mixed media, focusing on subjects from plein air landscapes to animals.
Her work has been featured in the US Airways Club at Tampa International Airport and was exhibited at the American Embassy in Rome through the Art and Embassies Program. She has been the featured artist at multiple Florida art festivals, including Winter Park Autumn Art Festival, and her paintings have appeared in Tampa Bay Magazine and The New Barker.
Sally’s work has been exhibited in prestigious shows like Elements of Expression, the National Society of Casein and Acrylic Painters, and the Pastel Society of America. Her lithographs have appeared in Nip/Tuck, American Dreamz, and Rob Reiner’s Shock and Awe. She is a signature member of several national painting societies.
Website: www.sallyevans.com
E-mail: sally@sallyevans.com
Facebook: Contemporary Art and Pet Portraits by Sally Evans
Samy Halim
Born in Ferdjioua, Petite Kabylie, to an Algerian father and French mother, I’ve always moved between two cultures. My childhood in Biskra, on the edge of the Sahara, shaped my palette—limited to the seven colors of the rainbow, with occasional ventures into a black and gold series.
A vivid memory of a glass ultramarine sphere in my father's workplace sparked a lifelong fascination with blue, a hue that continues to appear in my work, from royal to indigo. My early creative spark came from designing cassette covers, later shaped by influences like Leyendecker, Nagel, Art Deco, and Bauhaus.
Forced to flee Algeria during the civil war, I resettled in France, working factory jobs while continuing to draw. After leading a graphic design office during military service, I quickly mastered design tools and rose through Parisian studios as an illustrator and 3D artist, eventually going freelance in 2011.
In 2015, I gained recognition for geometric bird illustrations, but portraiture remained my true focus. By 2021, I refined my style with Simon, a portrait blending crisp graphics with soft texture. In 2022, I expanded into acrylic on canvas, creating 23 pieces that reflect my journey, identity, and evolving craft.
Shop Sammy
Emma Walls
Donna Krenicki
“I’ve been creating art for most of my life including receiving at BFA from UConn. I love
bright, full, and playful color. I work with oil and acrylic paints and recently I’ve been exploring the digital world. I “paint” with my finger on my iPad. The result when printed is strong, bold layers of color and form.” Donna is local to both Cape Cod and Longboat Key, Florida. She has shown her art in the Berkshires and Orleans, MA, and Longboat Key, FL.
Karl Schill
Born into a family of artists and musicians in Newark, NJ, Karl Schill discovered a love for detail early on, painting model cars as a child. After retiring from a 36-year career with Harrisburg’s Engineering Department, he found a new passion—needlepoint design—through his wife, Cheryl.
A chance encounter with needlepoint expert Jo Ippolito Christensen inspired Karl to turn his hobby into a business. In 2020, he began selling canvases on Facebook and Instagram, later partnering with NPJ Designs and painting for well-known artists. Today, he collaborates with Blue Waters Needlepoint, creating unique designs and custom pieces for stitchers nationwide.
Now living in Elizabethtown, PA, Karl enjoys playing cello, traveling, helping with tech issues, and spending time with his family—including his two orange cats, Tedward and Alex.