Amy Poore is the designer and creative force behind A Poore Girl Paints. A graduate of the University of Alabama, Amy lives in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, with her husband, Raymond, their daughter, Elizabeth (Lizzy), and their much-loved dog, Birdee. Her journey into needlepoint design began more than 12 years ago for a very simple reason—she couldn’t find the kinds of canvases she wanted to stitch. So, she picked up a paintbrush and started creating her own. What began as designs for herself soon grew into A Poore Girl Paints and a collection that has continued to evolve along with her love of the craft.

Today, Amy’s designs are carried by needlepoint shops across the country and reflect the same philosophy that inspired her very first canvas: create the things you would want to stitch yourself. Her collections combine color, personality, Southern influence, and a sense of fun, with designs meant to appeal to both longtime stitchers and those just discovering needlepoint. After more than a decade of designing, Amy still loves seeing an idea go from an her thoughts to a painted canvas—and eventually into the hands of a stitcher who makes it completely their own.