So this time, I AM GOING TO BRAG about the talented stitcher’s in NJNA. They showed their creativity and versatility at the Woodlawn Pope-Leighey House 59th Annual Needlework Show. There were many ribbons won on the entries from our guild, which will be revealed when the show goes virtual in April. However, posted on their web site is a button for “Special Award Winners” and the first one you will see is our own Barbara Levy. She won the Eleanor Curtis Lewis Award for Best In Show for her Eleanor of Aquitaine. Congratulations Barbara !!!!! We also have to give a big thanks to Linda M. for all her coordinating and delivering everything to the show for us.
A quick welcome to our new member Karen. Glad you decided to join in the fun !!!
Our next meeting is this week and is one we have been waiting for ! Come to the meeting ready to be dazzled as Cathryn is doing a presentation on “Ideas For Finishing Needlepoint”. We all fall into the same rut as to how to finish what we have labored so hard over. Cathryn will have a wide variety of interesting and unique ideas to get you out of that rut. I’ll bet none of her ideas were on that list from the last blog.
Uh Oh – next weekend starts the new market – more to buy and lots of things we never dreamed we needed ! It goes from March 19 thru 20 and we should be seeing dazzling new things shortly.
Next week is also St. Patrick’s Day when everyone is Irish.
Diversions Needlepoint is having a Limerick Contest. Your entry must be in by 3/31/22 and if chosen you will receive a $25 gift certificate.
The Needlepointer has launched their updated web site. Needlepoint Supply & Accessories Store – The Needlepointer It is still a work in progress but easier to navigate. They also just announced a new monthly club – Funky Pumpkins by EyeCandy. It runs for 7 months of fun and it starts in Sept but there are a limited number of spots. And thank you to EyeCandy for the kind words in your blog about NJNA !!
Are you a Lowrey Groupie?? It took me a while and some major enabling but I have to admit, it’s a great stand to work on, especially with the corner clamp. I was looking at the web site because mine squeaks so badly that my husband wants to throw it out the door. Turns out Lowrey has a “Care Kit” to solve that problem. It comes in a drawstring bag with their logo on it to keep everything together. In the bag is a container of their “wax polish” and a brush to apply it with along with an instruction card. You can watch the video below on how to do it.
In poking around Lowrey’s web site I found several other items that are either new or I had just never seen them before. They have a set of parts to take the base and turn it into a table stand. They also have a table clamp and an actual furniture cabinet that the stand is a part of, not to mention the storage. When you have a moment browse their web site, their story alone is interesting. Lowery Care Kit (workstands.com)
I came upon a very interesting tray to hold your stitching items. It’s by the Floss Queen who is also the owner of the store Needle In A Haystack. It looks sturdy and has slots for most everything you would need while stitching along with magnets to hold your needle or other items. https://needlestack.americommerce.com/the-floss-queen.aspx
Finishing is one of those magical things. We bring our work to the LNS and it disappears, sometimes for an eternity and then most times you get an amazingly finished piece back. BUT, I’ll bet you have some questions to help the finisher make your piece what you expect to get back. Needlepoint.com has a list of the 5 top Finishing Questions they get and the answers. “Should I add extra rows?” Which kind of ornament do you want? etc. https://needlepoint.com/blogs/needlepoint-know-how/top-5-finishing-questions
If you watch or listen to the news each day it’s a good thing stitching keeps us sane. The horror that is unfolding in Ukraine is difficult to watch so DMC is running a fund raiser for the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Ukraine Appeal (IFRC). They are offering free patterns that feature the symbols and colors of Ukraine. They will donate $1 for each skein and or hoop that is purchased with a pattern. https://www.dmc.com/us/l-broder-pour–l-ukraine-21.html?utm_source=Commonthread+Masterlist&utm_campaign=03ec3308d8-manual_weekly_ukraine_support_US_22_03_11&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_3a652561da-03ec3308d8-82805541&ct=t(manual_weekly_ukraine_support_US_22_03_11)&mc_cid=03ec3308d8&mc_eid=89bfbfe018
The 2 Handed Stitcher has also offered a pattern free for anyone to copy for a Ukrainian Egg Ornament. She used 18 ct eggshell canvas and #5 Pearl Cotton to create beautiful ornaments that are 2″ wide and 2.75″ tall. She is finishing hers as ornaments to hang in her home and remind herself of all the brave men and women that are fighting for their country.
TIPS & TRICKS: Do you love how it looks to stitch a project on black canvas?? YES! But do you want to do it???? No Way !! Until now ! Give it another try by putting a neon color place mat underneath the canvas on your lap or table. Magic !! The holes are so much easier to see. Check out Amazon for My Drap placemats. They come on a roll that you rip one off to use it. They are washable and reusable cloth. Make sure you look for either pistachio or fuchsia colors for the best effect.
The famous stitcher’s from last time were: Doris Day. When Doris Day’s estate went to auction one of the items for sale were several pieces of Laurel Burch Jewelry.
Dr. Irwin Wiliger. The doctor was a staff surgeon at Chicago’s Weiss Memorial Hospital. He was in his 50’s when he saw a woman doing needlepoint at a wake for a friend and he asked her about how it was done. He took a class and eventually joined ANG. He went on to create hundreds of canvases many of which were award winners. Several have been chosen as permanent displays at notable venues like Blair House and the United Way of America’s training center. He said that doing needlepoint relaxes him and would stitch between surgeries. He lived to be 101, read more about him, he was a fascinating man. Dr. Irwin Williger, a surgeon fascinated with needlepoint, dies at 101 – Chicago Tribune
Do You Know These 2 Famous Stitchers:
Daylight Savings time is Sunday – an extra hour to stitch !!!
NJNA is Blogging! 
You must be logged in to post a comment.