This is much easier than you think!!! Simply find your inspiration, and draw it out on freezer paper to the size you want. Freezer paper is readily available, large enough, and will deal with some erasing!  If you're not the artsy type...head to the copier! Have them blow your picture up to the size you like. Now, using the picture, or you're own drawing,  get yourself a "sharpie" and trace the outlines.  Keep the lines fairly simple and bold. Try to remember that finer details translate better on finer canvas. Now, tape your tracing to a table in a nicely lit area.  Place your canvas right over it and tape that as well. If there are any major lines in the drawing try to remember to line those up with the canvas lines...makes for a neater end result.  Now using a permanent marker trace your drawing right onto the canvas.  Finish the edges of the canvas with tape or by hemming it.  You may want to paint the background if you will be using a dark color  (use good old acrylic paint and a small brush to lightly brush on the paint) Now, be creative!  Fill in the areas of the needlepoint as you would a painting. I find that I generally work in the darkest color first and then graduate up to the lightest color.  Save the background for last, and as you stitch, try to stitch things in the foreground first.  In other words...if an apple sits in front of a banana...stitch that first! It really is as simple as that!!! I find the hardest part is the wealth of inspiration out there!!!