If this past meeting wasn’t reason enough to join NJNA I don’t know what is ! Four of our members spoke about participating in the Tale of 2 Stitchers column in Needle Pointers magazine. Not only was it beyond interesting, another chapter has asked them to do it again for their chapter – it doesn’t get much better than that. Just fascinating how each one approached doing their canvas. The detail they presented was wonderful along with the stress and how they made their choices, etc. Everyone enjoyed the program immensely.

If you look at the new issue of Needlepointers they have 4 lovely hearts on the cover. Not that NJNA is bragging or anything but our member Melita, who participated in Tale of 2 Stitchers, did the diagrams of 2 of the hearts for the magazine. In case you don’t know she also has a blog you can follow: Melitastitches4fun’s Blog | A place to share my needlepoint and connect with other stitchers. Melita is also not the only member with a needlepoint blog !! Brenda’s blog is always interesting to follow along with her stitching progress. Brenda’s Needlepoint Studio (brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com)

Jan/Feb 2022 Issue

The ANG Auction is coming to a close this weekend. Put in your bids before it’s too late !! https://ang.afrogs.org/#/index

A friend sent me something that will make you giggle for days. She was cleaning and found a book from 1973 called “The Crewel Needlepoint World”. The book has a list of potential needlepoint projects:

I can’t imagine what they were thinking when they made this list ! On the other hand – next month Cathryn will be doing a program, “Ideas for Finishing Needlepoint”. I am sure we will all be treated to more interesting ideas on how to use our favorite craft than what is on this list !!

The following month starts the chapter project – a Bargello of your choice. Many of us are doing an Ice Cream Cone that was in a 2003 edition of Needle Pointers magazine. This will mean that we have to transfer the pattern given in the magazine on to the canvas. Probably the easiest way to accomplish this is with a light box. This will be my first time using one (Thank You Amazon) and as I think about it there are other times when this item will come in handy. I am thinking of using it to put my initial on canvas for a needlepoint key chain. It’s an easy way to create your own canvases. It is also good under your canvas when your stitching with black thread (I dread that thought!) Can’t wait to try it.

Stores are changing left and right. There is a new shop in Winston-Salem called Time to Stitch. Wellesley Needlepoint in MA was sold to Stitch Boutiques. Cabbage Row was bought by Needlepoint.Com. Wool and Grace in Summit NJ is celebrating 9 years in business but the interesting one to watch is The Needle Pointer! They are about to change their web site and it’s scheduled to go live on 3/1. They also do a “shop walk” video and their new one shows their newest club called Lanterns up close. To see it stitched is quite different from just looking at the canvas, worth a look. https://vimeo.com/681395882?goal=0_3621358244-9f2e6f5dfd-69343533&mc_cid=9f2e6f5dfd&mc_eid=2e6039e84f

So many new things are also coming as there is a new market taking place in April. Sneak peaks are showing up – like we don’t have enough to stitch !!!

New kits and clubs – KC Needlepoint has an adorable Halloween witches hat – https://www.kcneedlepoint.com/collections/kits-under-200

Ridgewood Needlepoint has a Fall Hearts Club with canvases by Melissa Shirley.

Eye Candy has a free chart you can download – so pretty when finished. http://www.eyecandyneedleart.com/downloads/Sparkle%20Tree.pdf

The Needlepoint Club House in MO is doing a beautiful class with Laura Taylor – Hydrangea Path – her hair alone makes me want to sign up !! https://www.needlepointclubhouse.com/products/laura-taylor-hydrangea-girl-class?utm_campaign=emailmarketing_117515583621&utm_medium=email&utm_source=shopify_email

Snow bird’s are in the right place for some of the new Needle Minders at Absolutely Needlepoint !! absolutelyneedlepoint.com

BAD NEWS – Silk & Ivory White is MIA !! GOOD NEWS – Kreinik is working on using only one size spool with better labeling. This should help get the backlog of fiber from them back on the shelves in your LNS.

Tips N Tricks: Do you know how much thread you need for a project?? Of course it depends on your tension but if you basketweave, it will be between a yard and a half to 2 yards per inch on 13 count and approximately a yard and a quarter per inch on 18 count. Now do the math!

The Famous Stitchers from last time were: Mary Martin (Larry Hagman’s mom AKA J R Ewing) and Taylor Swift.

Do you know these 2 Famous Stitchers?

Come join the fun, become a member of NJNA and be a part of our fun needlepoint adventure. https://rosielunde.files.wordpress.com/2020/11/2020-njna-enrollment-v.-3.pdf

This coming week is going to be so interesting. We have 3 of our members that are going to discuss being a part of “A Tale of 2 Stitcher’s”. They each have been included in that monthly column in the ANG Needlepointer’s magazine. I am sure they have stories to tell about the decision to make the commitment and the process to come up with the stitches and threads used to complete the project.

I was stitching and listening to the TV. I had the HGTV series “Home Town” on since I have so little experience with construction – lol! The couple were redoing a home that a previous owner, for what ever reason, decided to make a large needlepoint and use it as a back splash behind her stove. I am still shaking my head at that one. Erin being the kind person she is, carefully took the piece, had it cleaned and had it made into a pillow for the woman that grew up in the house. I would never suggest using your needlepoint for a back splash BUT next month Cathryn C will be talking about numerous ways to use your projects besides pillows and framing.

The holiday representing all things related to love is this Monday. The ladies in the San Diego chapter call it “Galentine’s Day” – how ever you celebrate there are all sorts of sales and freebies for the occasion. A name new to me is Tanja Berlin and she has free patterns in blackwork on her web site – very pretty!! https://berlinembroidery.com/product/blackwork-hearts-free-instructions/

The Flying Needles shop in FL for the month of Feb will include with your purchase of $100 or more a free heart magnet. theflyingneedles.com

The Point Of It All has Eye Candy as the Trunk Show with all those bright colors The Point of It All (thepointofitallonline.com)

February is also National Embroidery Month – read about the history of the holiday along with other interesting facts on the web site. NATIONAL EMBROIDERY MONTH -February 2022 – National Today You can also go to the DMC web site where they are celebrating with free patterns and 15% off on Floche. https://www.dmc.com/us/floche-9010585.html

I just discovered that the store Gone Stitching has their own line of thread – Twinkle Gems. Twinkling Gems Thread Kit – Gone Stitching DebBee’s Designs has created a counted canvas just to showcase this thread.

Another interesting thread is the Legacy Collection by Threadworx. It’s a hand overdyed hairy thread. Great for hair, animals etc. Welcome to ThreadworX –

New from System 4 – the Travel Mate Carry Bag (thank you Jane!) Not only does it look well made to stand up to abuse but it has a separate pouch for the clamp. Needlework System4 Stands and Holders

Before you know it Needlefest will be here, ANG’s seminar will be in Tuscon and EGA’s seminar will be in Manhattan – among other events. Not that we are getting old but congress cloth can be a challenge at any age. Check out this magnifier with LED lights in 2 strengths and 5 interchangeable lenses. Light weight, no batteries and we can all look like something out of a Spielberg movie !! 5 Lens Loupe Eyewear Magnifier With Led Lights Lamp Interchangeable Lens – Walmart.com

On an historical note I am sure we would all have had FOMO for the Louise’s All In One Sewing Stand. The attached article just goes to show how inventive women have been all along even if they had many extra hurdles to deal with. https://pieceworkmagazine.com/the-history-of-the-louise-all-in-one-sewing-aid/?utm_source=drip&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=The+History+of+the+Louise+All-In-One+Sewing+Aid&utm_content=PW+10.06.21+Newsletter

Tips and Tricks Have you ever had a thread come lose on the back of your project or used your thread down to the inch and needed to secure it ??? Try using Floss Threaders – thanks to Michelle Parlier on Needlepoint Nation and Cathryn C for sending me this tip.

The Famous Stitchers from last time were – Ann B. Davis & Julie Nixon Eisenhower

Do you know these 2 stitchers?