Everyone at NJNA can’t be more excited and thrilled at hearing that Mally Becker’s book “The Turncoat’s Widow” was put on the Chanticleer 2021 short list for the Mystery & Mayhem book awards. This award is to recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the fiction genre. Congratulations Mally !!! Good Luck, we are all routing for you to win ! Here is the entire list up for the awards: The 2021 Mystery & Mayhem Long List | Chanticleer Book Reviews (chantireviews.com)

We have another 2 new members of NJNA – Robin and Patricia – Welcome to the fun !!

Stitch Palettes is no longer offering their photo converter service for free as of 8/1. You can pay for the service once a month or annually. Their web site still had plenty to take advantage of if you chose not to be a member. https://stitchpalettes.com/about/

New Shops Opening !!! In case your in the area Creative Needle Arts is in Gulf Shores Alabama, Forest Acres is in Columbia SC and if your going to the EGA 2021 seminar, just outside of north Chicago is the Little Stitch Shop in Libertyville IL. and in Chicago is Third Coast Stitches. Let us all know how they are if you have time to pop in.

Treenway Silks has some limited edition ribbon colors for sale – their 65 Roses collection. Each 5 yard skein of 3.5 mm ribbon is $9.95 and at least 10% of that is donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to help find a cure. The reason the collection is called 65 Roses is because young children use this term to remember easily how to pronounce the disease they have.

Have you seen the new club at the Needlepointer?? A box of chocolates and no calories !!! Each piece is just to pretty and when you put them in the heart shape box (that comes with the class) it’s just stunning to look at. It’s no wonder as it’s a Melissa Shirley design. It doesn’t start until February 2022 – how appropriate !! https://www.theneedlepointer.com/product/club-a-box-of-chocolates/?goal=0_3621358244-b0adce5d43-69343533&mc_cid=b0adce5d43&mc_eid=2e6039e84f

Poppypointe has an interesting new service in their store that they are trying out. With the thread shortage going on they are creating a “Thread Bank” If you need a thread, take one and leave one. All threads need to be from a smoke free environment and in individual zip lock bags labeled with all the information about what you are leaving. they are looking at it as good karma to the next stitcher !

Did you catch the crazy hair on the LEE woman’s face canvas on Needlepoint Nation? She used Haute Fur knitting yarn from Yarn Bee for the spiky hair ! It looks great !! You also have to love the canvas and everyone knows someone that looks similar to it – right !! She did a great job !!

It may be steamy and hot enough to melt your shoes on the pavement but when you see that the store “The West” in Tucson AZ is giving a class to stitch “Larry The Turkey” – you know fall is around the corner !! Of course their class on Larry doesn’t start until Jan 2022 but summer is flying by and the urge to stitch a fall item is going to be calling very soon!!

Ugh – Too early for Fall – let’s get back to summer !! Painted Pony Designs has a new Retro Girls design by Lori Seibert in her Ice Cream Girls series – this is #10 !! So much you can do with this canvas and it makes your mouth water for a cone or a spiffy hat !!

New Gadget FOMO !!! Dritz has an all in one tool that covers many bases. It’s a seam ripper, and an awl (for those pesky knots) plus the top is rubbery so it can help get out those tiny threads that stick in the canvas when you have to rip out a section. It seems to do everything but make a cup of coffee !!

If your floor frame has a tendency to slid on non carpeted flooring – try Gorilla Pads by Slipstick. They are made for furniture and have 2 layers of rubber to keep anything from slipping and sliding as you work. The package has plenty in it to share with friends and they come in several sizes. Look in your hardware stores for it.

Have you seen the interesting way to hold your stitching items ?? The Needlepointer has 2 fashionable options – First is a crystal bangle. You can hang any number of items at your wrist for those times you only have one hand available !!

The 2nd one is for all you seamstress wannabe’s – This wrist needleminder looks convenient and it comes in 5 colors. If you wear the “I Watch” I think there would be no completion – the watch will win out every time.