House cleaning is what’s happening !! Look for some changes to the web site as Diane and Jill are “dusting and cleaning” ! The web site should be a bit more organized when they are done.

Ellen is polling for opinions on workshops for the next year. If you haven’t answered her email please do so, she needs to book these future events based on the interest that comes back to her. Cathryn will also be sending out a survey in the near future. She is looking for ideas for next years programs, keep an eye out for that in your emails.

To get back to in person meetings seems to be heading towards late in the year. The library is not open for group meetings yet and speakers are already booked for Zoom thru October. Noelle, however, has been researching what equipment would be needed to create a hybrid meeting and hopefully can take this knowledge to the library and see what they have planned.

Did you know that July 30 is World Embroidery Day? World Embroidery Day was set up in 2011 in Sweden by a passionate group of stitchers who felt that this wonderful art should be acknowledged and celebrated. Since then, people around the world have come up with all sorts of ways to celebrate on July 30th, from getting together with like-minded stitchers, to getting out and stitching in public. Just as good is taking a quiet hour out of one’s day to commune with your needle and favorite pastime. Mark your calendar for next year and clebrate with friends.

There is a new book just out “True Confessions of a Stocking Stitcher” by Maureen Guiffre. She has stitched 18 stockings over 9 years and felt she would share all of her tips based on experience. It’s 178 pages with lots of pictures and should be handy for other projects as well. https://www.thestockingstitcher.com/home/

FOMO Alert !! I just know you need another needle minder (it’s not about need !) Check this out – they are actually made for plants – yes you read that correctly !! These kooky magnets are sold to make your plants look like Audrey, your favorite desert or even a fruit but they can be used on your canvas as well. If nothing else they will make you smile ! Thank you Sue!! https://plantgoodvibes.com/collections/plant-pins

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Are you a fan of Amy Bunger? She may have closed her store but she is not sitting still. She will be teaching her “Home Study Classes” in conjunction with Needle Works in Austin TX to kit out the new Melissa Shirley Gardening Books. Though she is awaiting the canvases you can watch her web site for details. https://www.amysgoldenstrand.com/classeshomestudies.html

Kreinik Mfg Co. has brought back an optometrist’s plan for college tuition payments – 40 count pure silk gauze for stitching. Great for petit point, jewelry and doll house miniatures. It has a 1 foot to 1 inch scale. Yikes !

ThreadworX now has 272 colors in hand overdyed cotton floss. They come in 5 and 20 yard skeins. The colors are vivid in the picture – I can’t imagine in person.

One of the well known AZ needlepoint stores – Quail Run has their own designs and sends out trunk shows! Who knew !! Fireside Stitchery has a trunk show of their designs thru Aug 15th. They have a special code to order online or better yet contact the store. I never realized how varied their canvases are. http://www.firesidestitchery.com/fs/about/index.cfm

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Equal Time !! Last time I told you about a sale on the Lowery Stand – if that is not your style then maybe the “K” Stand is. The Needlepointer is having an Anniversary Special on this stand. Either way these stands make our craft so much more enjoyable to do.

Au Ver a soie puts out a multi pack of #12 braid metallic thread. Five of the colors in the pack are only available in this package. Needle in a Haystack has the set if you are having the urge to try. Needle In A Haystack – Purveyor of fine needlework supplies (needlestack.com)

This month’s meeting was so inspiring! Who knew yellow could be so complicated and happy at the same time !! Jacqui Clarkson spoke to us on “Why you need yellow in your life!” I think she made everyone think differently about that choice and what a difference it makes in your piece. Thank you Jacqui – it was inspiring!!

Next month we are all looking forward to having David McCaskill do a presentation on Overdyed Threads. I am sure we are in for an interesting lecture as David puts his spin on the subject. If you didn’t let Cathryn know that you want the accompanying booklet from David you need to hurry and let her know.

Please make sure to reply to Ellen’s survey regarding up coming programs. She needs your feed back in order to arrange everything that is of interest. The items she is asking about will not over lap in time periods so this will bring us into 2022. Some have minimums so your thoughts, suggestions and reply’s are needed.

We are now up to 51 members !! Wohoo ! Come join us and be # 52 and beyond !!!!

FOMO Alert !! If for some reason you have been on the fence about getting a Lowery stand – then here is your chance for a sale ! (Did you really need a reason?!?!?) For one week only Homestead Needle Arts in MI is having a sale. They need to have your order in by 7/31/21. The sale includes all those colors – a hard choice ! Homestead Needlearts | Your Home For Needlepoint or call the store to speak to a human 810-694-3040.

Threads – Threads – Threads

So many new threads coming on the market. I had never heard of Twinkle Thread but yes, there is such a thing. It’s made of a metallic rayon and should be used in short strands. Gone Stitching carry’s it and has just added seven new colors to their inventory giving you a choice of 54 colors to choose from. Gone Stitching

Treenway Silks has 7 new colors of Silk Eyelash. It’s great for French Knots or to use in long stitches. When you finish stitching they suggest you run the length of your needle over it and the thread will fluff up. Great for stitching fuzzy flower parts, puffs, downy feathers or use your imagination. Treenway Silks – Silk Threads and Yarns

Rainbow Gallery has some new Linen colors for summer. You gotta love the names – Pink Lady, Flamingo, Cameo Pink, Barely Blue, etc. Product Catalog – Rainbow Gallery

If you are going on vacation to Cape Cod you need to know the phrase “Call Me When You Get To The Bridge” (hopefully it’s a shorter ride for them than if your at the GWB!) Take a look at Frances Mary Needlepoint https://francesmaryneedlepoint.com/collections/all Great small pieces to stitch on vacation with beach and summer themes of New England.

All you Bargello lovers – Eye Candy is coming out with another series of “Bejeweled Bargello” in the fall. Ada says she will have 6 glittering Baubles and 6 sparkling gift boxes in 2 color schemes. Can’t wait to see what she comes up with ! She always has such eye catching color combinations.

Looking to introduce a new or “junior” stitcher to the art of needlepoint – check out Judy Tasch’s web site. There are 4 inch round sayings of I Love Nana/Grandpa/Gigi/Pop etc. They are a quick stitch on 13 mesh and would be a great fridge magnet. She is the one that had the cute and different needle minder’s on sale not that long ago. She has some new ones to look at not to mention some cute ones on sale. Judy Tasch Needlepoint

This coming week is the final class for David McCaskill’s Dolphin Topiary being taught by Marge in her own unique style !! I hear the class has been fun and this week should be no different. Come sign up for our future events and join in the fun.

Brenda has finished her project “Friendship Circles” and you have to marvel at the center, she did a wonderful job – it has to be even better in person. Great job Brenda !!

If you haven’t heard Needlefest is a go this year. Needleworker’s Delight has reserved the Embassy Suites in Berkeley Heights NJ for Saturday Aug 28th. They are still selling tickets though I am sure they will be a hot item, don’t wait. NJNA members have tickets from last year that will be honored this year. I hear the tables will be well spaced and there will be out door stitching weather permitting. It will be pure fun from 9:30 AM until 6 PM – hope to see you there !!! https://www.needleworkersdelight.com/NJNEEDLEFEST.html

All you soon to be Grandma’s need to check out Sandy Arthur’s Duo Designs web site for adorable baby mobiles to stitch with such cute items. Of course we are all so inventive that we can find a great place to put one of these in a beach house or sun room etc. Let your imagination run wild !! Duo Designs – Website for Sandy Arthur, Needlework Designer and certified Needlework teacher. (duodesignsinc.com) Checking to see if your paying attention!

Are you an Amy Bunger fan? Sad that she closed her brick and mortar store but she is still hard at work doing her Home Studies courses at The Needleworks in Austin TX. She is near the end of “Evil Queen” and about to start “Halloween Mosaic”. It’s a Kelly Clark canvas and will be taught over 3 sessions. Her web site has past Home Study classes with stitch guides you can purchase – some wonderful items including many Melissa Shirley canvases! Homestudies – Amy’s Golden Strand (amysgoldenstrand.com) For the “Halloween Mosaic” class you need to call the store. Call to sign up: (512) 451-6931 – I love the bats !!

The Meredith Collection has some new Big Buddies – I need another like a hole in the head ! But as I was reminded recently – it’s not about need !!!

If you like an all inclusive stitch kit then check out Stitch By Stitch in NY – they are having 20% off their “Grab And Go Bundles” So many choices – so little time !! https://www.stitchbystitchneedlepoint.com/special-bundles-promotions?utm_campaign=05330611-83dd-4937-8fe5-ee9740c3b308&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail&cid=c0656ae4-d347-42f2-af6e-74d780447731

The Needlepointer has something new – every Friday they have a show on “The Week’s best in Needlepoint” We would see it at 12:30 ET – see what new things they have to share.

If you drooled over the fabulous colors and designs of the 3 hearts in Needlepoint Now – like I did – they have something new – Owls and they are beyond cute !! Check out the “What a Hoot” kits. https://colourcomplements.com/product-category/what-a-hoot-kits-colour-complements?utm_source=Colour+Complements+News+%26+Updates&utm_campaign=7a3519d6e0-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2021_06_02_04_45&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_df3c6af38d-7a3519d6e0-285058737&mc_cid=7a3519d6e0&mc_eid=a82e51f2f8

June is the month of the topiary project finish. Marge will be finishing the class stitching David McCaskill’s Dolphin Topiary. I have seen a few of them in progress and they are interesting in how he creates images with his choice of stitches. If you have never done a David McCaskill project you are missing a challenge. David will be with us in August to talk about overdyed threads. Come join the chapter for a chance to meet David and hear his interesting views on needlework.

It’s that time of year !!! The Framed Image is having his annual sale. He is celebrating his 26th year in business and he is quick to say that we needlepointers are a big part of his success !! 15% off one framed item or photo restoration. His in stock artwork is 50% off and a portion of the proceeds supports Artworks – a charity that uses art to enhance the lives of children and young adults suffering from life-threatening and chronic illnesses. A good reason to go check out his stock !

Thread Thread Thread !

Rainbow Gallery has a new line of thread – Silk Lame Plus. It’s a combination of silk and metal braided together to create a flat ribbon thread. It’s made for 18 mesh and comes in 36 colors. SILK LAME PLUS FULL ASSORTMENT – Rainbow Gallery

A thread I have never heard of before – Elisa – it’s a 6 cord cordonnet that is 100% cotton and feels a bit softer. The size 10 is great for needlepoint and has 10 new colors. It’s made in Australia – check out the web site for Handy Hands for that and other interesting products. Elisa Size 10 Archives – Handy Hands (hhtatting.com)

Are you ready for Father’s Day – it’s in 2 weeks on the 20th !! If not then you can try for next year. Check out the Needlepointer’s web site for some great canvases celebrating the occasion. The Finest in Handpainted Needlepoint & Accessories – The Needlepointer

Today Only – June 5 Needlepoint.com has 20% off on select Father’s Day canvases with the code “Gift20” at checkout. https://needlepoint.com/collections/gifts-for-the-man-in-your-life

Everyone enjoys the Voila Bags with the straps that you can’t decide which one to stitch. Now there are more choices – they have 6 new bags with stripes, leather handles, horn button closure and a pocket inside. http://www.voilaneedlepoint.com/markettotes.html

Now you need a new wallet to go with the bag !! Check out Planet Earth’s new selection of leather wallets. Snap wallets in 4 colors that are self finishing – fuchsia, red, brown and aqua. They take a 2″ x 3″ canvas – a quick stitch and a great gift idea. Leather|| Self-Finishing (planetearthfiber.com)

Debbees Designs has released their June kit and it’s all about the sea !! Look close at the design the only thing not stitched is the pearl in the middle. This 8X8 aquamarine canvas has to be interesting to stitch those shells. She has a lot of things to see on her web site: DebBee’s Designs – DebBee’s Designs (debbeesdesigns.com)

Stitch By Stitch in NY is having a Painted Pony trunk show and so many caught my eye I had to share !

One of the goals of this organization is to pass along our love for this craft to people younger than us so that they too can enjoy what we find so satisfying, calming and rewarding. The Needlepoint Clubhouse in Saint Louis MO is doing just that. They are having a Needlepoint Summer Camp for kids. Near the end of July they will have a 4 day event for 3 hours each day to teach kids the basics of needlepoint. Each will complete a project and hopefully go on to enjoy this craft for many years to come as we do. Check out their web site and see their shop dog Rookie !! The Needlepoint Clubhouse — Rookie

It’s Memorial Day Weekend and with the weather we are having here in NJ it’s perfect for lots of stitching time !! The only ones enjoying this weather are the ducks ! Let’s remember all the brave military people that have given their lives for our country.

One of our members is doing something very interesting – Brenda is doing a needlepoint cruise with Sandy Arthur of Duo Designs called Tulip Time Along The Rhine in April 2022. Sandy Arthur has also created an exclusive kit that you can purchase to give you the entire experience. The kit is lovely and the pictures make you want to jump in Brenda’s suitcase though she has already lined up what she is wearing via an app so it might be a tight squeeze !Sandy’s Stitching (sandyarthur.blogspot.com)

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Our line up of programs has changed and if you are a member, we are now going to have David McCaskill as a guest speaker. He will be doing a 90 minutes presentation on Overdyed Threads in August. Come join the fun – Contact NJNA | New Jersey Needle Artists (njneedleartists.org)

For those who don’t have enough to stitch and are looking for a bargain try Chaparral Needleworks – they are having a 50% off “Sale into Summer”. They have a lot to choose from and who can pass up a bargain like that ?!?! https://ndlpt.com/collections/1-summer/summer

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DMC is also having a Storewide Sale for just this weekend – 25% off – stock up or try something you never used before !! https://www.dmc.com/us/?utm_source=Commonthread+Masterlist&utm_campaign=a3f6ef14f3-campaign_memorial_day_offer_1time_products&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_3a652561da-a3f6ef14f3-88242903&ct=t(campaign_memorial_day_offer_1time_products)&mc_cid=a3f6ef14f3&mc_eid=a7dca30f11

It’s almost June and this year it looks like graduates will be able to celebrate like they use to with all their friends and family present. To help celebrate, Burnett & Bradley have the cutest graduation caps that can be personalized. graduation caps – Needlepoint.Com

If you listen to the news on TV (after all who watches as we are all stitching at the same time) everyone is busting out and starting to travel again. Doolittle Stitchery has some new travel rounds and adorable wool hats but check out their web site for more great items: Doolittle Stitchery | Catalog

Stitch By Stitch just announced that they are having 3 trunk shows in June. Two of the designers I had not seen before and it turns out they are a “Mother and Daughter-In-Law Duo”. the first is Audrey Wu Designs Audrey Wu Needlepoint | Audrey Wu Designs – AudreyWu Designs with adorable and different designs:

The second one is Silver Stitch Needlepoint – again, new and different designs. Check out their web site. They make a great pair !! Silver Stitch Needlepoint: Hand-Painted Needlepoint Canvas Designs …

My Apologies to Stitches by the Sea, Inc.

Exciting things are coming to NJNA !!!! Come join us and get in on the fun of needlepoint ! This week, Marge K taught the first of 2 classes – David McCaskill’s Dolphin Topiary . Next month her class will finish up the project and I’m betting that they will all be winners when they are done – take that HGTV “Clipped” !!

Coming up we have a talk by Jacqui Clarkson on “Why You Need Yellow in Your Life!” and then we will have David McCaskill talking about Overdyed Threads. You need to be a member for these wonderful presentations. Our dues are $30 a year and you can contact us here: Contact NJNA | New Jersey Needle Artists (njneedleartists.org)

The new issue of Needle Pointers Magazine has an article on Kimberly Design and her design process – she creates such incredible pieces and she has a new piece being offered by Ruth Schmuff called First Flying Lesson – I see something new and interesting each time I look at it! https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2021/05/first-flying-lesson/

Rainbow Gallery is discontinuing a number of threads so be aware of the following items if you are using them for a project – stock up now before they are gone:

Needleminders – we can’t do without them (maybe hundereds of them!!) If you have not seen Oliblock magnets – you are missing a great item. They are having a sale and are strong and colorful ways to hold your needles !! https://www.etsy.com/shop/oliblock/?mc_cid=a5459193ff&mc_eid=0087025bb4

If you have not seen Aviva Canvases you are missing a treat. Gone Stitching has a large selection of them and so beautiful ! Makes you feel like your on vacation. Aviva Siddur Cover – Gone Stitching

Major FOMO Alert !!

This Past Weekend was the Needlepoint Market

So many new things – So little time – Only so many funds available – Hold on to your hats !

Kate Dickerson – everyone’s favorite has something new for Grandma’s:

Alice Petersen and Gayla Elliot – The Sports Mom has interchangeable balls !!!!

Penny Macleod – Another big favorite – so colorful !!

Other new items that I just had to put their pictures up:

And if all that is not enough – The Meredith Collection has a new Big Buddy needle minder to go with those adorable tea pots above to celebrate International Tea Day !!!

Needlepoint … Yoga For The Mind® !!

® Needlepoint … Yoga for the Mind is a registered trademark of Stitches by the Sea.

This coming week is the beginning of NJNA’s new program – the Dolphin Topiary by David McCaskill. It will go over 2 months and hopefully you have signed up for all the fun of stitching this piece.

ANG’s Virtual Seminars and Encore’s are open for registration and some have even started. Last I looked some have sold out so if your thinking about doing one of these events do not hesitate !

Congratulations to one of our good friends Vicky Witterschein – she just completed her 2nd year of her NAN teaching certification. We look forward to another one of her classes in the future.

The Needlepoint Market is this weekend and once again it’s virtual. I can’t imagine the new things we will be seeing over this next week – mind boggling and wallet busting !!

In the new issue of Needlepoint Now you need to read Elizabeth’s Musings column – she has found an APP to help decide which project to work on when you are indecisive (don’t we all have multiple projects started ?) It’s called Tiny Decisions, you should be able to find it in the app store and it’s free. It works like Wheel of Fortune but with your projects. You push the center button, the sound effects start and it lands on the project to work on – no more decisions to make !! You can use it for other things too like “Which handbag do I use today?”

Are you a Gayla Elliott fan??? According to Stitch By Stitch in NY there are a lot of you out there !! These 2 are quite sought after and understandably !! Wonder what will be new in the Market? Just an aside – if you liked those Turtle Bags Stitch By Stitch was offering that I put in the blog a short time ago you have a long wait now – Stitch By Stitch sold over 80 of them and the Turtle Bag web side is sold out until June !!! Yes, I waited to long !!

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Gayla Elliott thru Alice Petersen

Stitch By Stitch also has something else interesting – you can get a customized school jacket. Ny Needlepoint | Stitch By Stitch Larchmont, NY | United States (stitchbystitchneedlepoint.com)

The Needlepointer has the cutest new club – Sea Creatures by Melissa Prince – You just have to smile when you see them. https://www.theneedlepointer.com/product/club-abstract-sea-creatures/

If that is not cute enough then all you grandma’s need to see this !!!! The Needlepointer also has this club AND you can buy the train they are sitting on !!!! How much cuter does it get??

Eye Candy has a new canvas to add to her 5 other words canvases – this one should speak to many of us !

In reading the Chilly Hollow blog I saw a lovely limited edition ornament from Sign of the Arrow. They have been doing them for many years and you can still get some of the back years on their web site. http://signofthearrow.com/shopping/category.php?category=39

They are also having 2 trunk shows during May, one of them is for needleminders by South Beach Button Co. – very pretty! Many of them are made from mother of pearl. https://southbeachbuttons.com/pdf/needleminders.pdf – The other trunk show is for Dinky Dyes scissors. Scissors – Dinky Dyes

I saw the cutest Pippin canvas of a seagull the other day and I promised that I had something for the blog from Pippin. They released some new canvases this month and one is cuter than another. The seagulls however – they have the greatest faces to cheer anyone up !! Then there are the bears ugh – they are all great. I also noticed that they have kits for first time stitchers. https://www.pippinstudio.com/

Next week the new Needlepointers Magazine will be online to see and in your mail boxes shortly after that – the cover looks very interesting – can’t wait to see the inside.

Needlepoint – Yoga For The Mind !!

CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN ORDER FOR NJNA !! The Woodlawn Event this year had a total of 299 entries of which 27 were NJNA – BUT – NJNA had 14 pieces that won an award – how fantastic is that !!

This month our program features the beginning of David McCaskill’s Dolphin Topiary. Of course you need to be a member to join in the fun !

One of our favorite magazine’s, Needlepoint Now, has a new bi-monthly newsletter. You don’t have to be a subscriber, just submit your email. You can also get some back issues digitally and they have video’s of how to do various stitches. Really interesting is the project index. It makes it easier to find what issue the project your looking for is in. Needlepoint Now – The #1 Consumer Magazine Committed to the Fine Art of Needlepoint

Laura Perin has a new Cyber Class called Spring Fling. I know a lot of people that are realizing how much fun a counted piece can actually be. Such pretty colors and if you want to go rogue with the colors, well, have at it! Registration ends 5/31/21 and class is once a week for 4 weeks starting at the end of June. If you never did a counted piece, this looks like a great introduction. http://www.laurajperindesigns.net/ljp-cyber-classes.html

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FOMO ALERT ! I am about to continue doing a counted piece called Walking the Water’s Edge and there are several others that are going to be stitching it at the same time. Needleworker’s Delight is having the class with Diane Hermann. I took the class with her and she is lovely, great to take a class with her! Following this chart means a lot of counting and losing your place !! Someone form another guild told me about the Clover Pattern Chart Marker!! It is magnetic and you move it along your pattern so you don’t lose your place if you stop and come back !! I can’t wait to get one and try it out – ND has ordered them !! Hope they have enough to go around !!

Uh Oh – Kreinik’s Black Spools will become White for a while. They are having a problem with their supplier so you will find one of your favorite threads on these different color spools. They want to be back in black as soon as possible but I can see it now – everyone is going to think of them as collector items – LOL !!

You can tell summer is on many people’s minds at Sew Much Fun – they have new summer cocktails to stitch – just to cute !! More Fun Stuff! (sewmuchfun.ca)

I know so many people doing Kimono projects !! Truly beautiful looking colors and combinations. I have been listening to them all chatting about how they now have enough thread to open their own store. How did they come up with all those threads and combinations ??? Inquiring minds want to know !!

One of the web sites I have found is Stitch Palettes – Matching Thread Color Combinations For Embroidery Projects (stitchpalettes.com) They give weekly ideas on floss color pairings. They are actually web designers that create color combos all the time. The team leader is an embroidery enthusiast so she took her expertise and used it to help her craft. So much to see and read on this web site.

Another option is the House of Embroidery which is actually a South African Fair Trade company that sells thru Sue Spargo https://www.suespargo.com/store.php?cat=215 They have been in business since 1995 and they employ mostly disadvantaged single mothers. They hand dye in small batches and the colors and over dyes are just vibrant.

Kreinik also has combinations of silk threads including packages of just skin tones. http://www.kreinik.com/shops/Silk-Thread-Sets/?printable=Y

There is also Colour Compliments hand dyed threads. You will know their vibrant colors and combinations from the articles in Needlepoint Now over the last 3 issues with the lovely colored hearts. They also have an array of colors in Perle Cottons, Floss and Floche. https://colourcomplements.com/about

If all that is not enough there is always Etsy with threads that can be had from all over the world. I think that may be thread overload at this point !!

Needlepoint – Yoga For The Mind !