Our meeting this week was full of information !!!! We caught up on the chapter Bargello projects and some came a long way and hit the finish line. Others are WIP’s but I am sure they will get to the end soon. All are beautiful and so well stitched. Next month is not to be missed – we will have a talk by a judge associated with Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House. She will be speaking about how they go about judging a piece of needlework and what they look for. Should be interesting – we will know what to fix and how !
Welcome to our 2 new members, Donna F. and Karen C. !! We actually got to see some of their show and tell – you go ladies ! Hope you have as much fun as we do.
It’s official we are in the “Autumnal Equinox” – the year is flying by ! This also means NJNA will be doing the Festival of Trees again this year. It’s held at the Environmental Center in Basking Ridge during the month of December. We need to borrow ornaments for the tree we decorate. If you can check your vast array of ornaments and lend us a few we would be grateful. The theme this year is Places and Seasons so they don’t have to be Xmas related.
More exciting news – our own Mally Becker has had the 2nd in her series of books published – “The Counterfeit Wife”. Her first was “The Turncoat’s Widow” which got great reviews and yes – you can buy it on Amazon! We all wish Mally another hit with this new book.
It was discussed at the meeting that the 2023 SOTM for NJNA is going to be the ANG SOTM. ANG chose our own Melita Glavin’s creation Crescent Journey – how could we not stitch it?? Besides – it’s stunning ! She has 5 colorways – become a member and join us for the fun !!!
It seems that many of you at the meeting were not aware of classes going on at The Edwardian Needle. Well, while I was there this week I got all the information and will try to put in Pam’s future events as well. Here is the current class schedule:
1.Back To Basics with Tony Minieri – If you were in the class almost 3 years ago you only had half of the class. Covid hit and finally he has scheduled the 2nd half for Thurs and Fri Oct 6 and 7. Class is from 9:30 to 4:00
2. Shibori Ribbon Butterfly – Luis Nunez will be teaching this class with those beautiful ribbons we all saw in Noelle’s Owl piece in the Tale of Two Stitcher’s article. This class is on Sat Oct 8th from 10 to 4. The body is beads and the ribbon looks so luxurious – I can’t wait.
3. Studio Time with Tony – Got questions? He has answers ! He will be at the store from noon to 5 PM on Sat Oct 8th.
4. Chicago Patch II with Tony – No problem if you didn’t do Chicago Patch I This class is on Sunday Oct 9th from 9:30 to 4. There are at least 2 colorways to choose from.
Since class size is limited for these 2 and Tony has only a limited amount of time – please call the store at 973-743-9833 ASAP to get a seat.
The other upcoming class is by our own Vicky Witterschein. She is doing an original design called “Shining Sea”. If you widen the picture you will see how many different effects she has put into this piece, from stump work to ribbons to many other forms of texture and don’t forget that big pearl in the shell. Her class will be done over 3 Sundays in the store. Nov 13th, Dec 11th and Jan 22nd.
FOMO ALERT !!!! The needlepoint store Beyond Knits and Needles is moving !! How many hated walking up those stairs????? They are not moving far away either. Their new location is 450 Bloomfield Ave in Verona and thankfully they are in suite #101 !!! The Grand Opening 10/8. There is parking in the back of the building or meters on Bloomfield Ave. They are just past the split in the road for Claremont Ave. Good luck in the new location to Anne Marie and Alaina. Beyond Knits And Needles – Welcome
Chaparral Needlework is also moving it’s store. Presently they are in Houston and are taking a big ride to relocate in Dallas TX. This should be happening sometime in the middle to late October. Chaparral Needleworks – NDLPT.com
It’s coming to that time of year – The Texas Needlepoint trade show which is called Autumn Needlepoint Reunion. The LNS’s will be getting all the new canvases and gadgets for us to go crazy over soon. The list of who will be there is a Who’s Who in the needlepoint world. From A Stitch in Time – CA all the way to Zecca – MA and there are just as many buyers registered. The market is open Sat 10/15 & Sun 10/16. I would love to be a fly in that hotel !
Some of the new market items were done virtually ahead of time and Stitch By Stitch in NY gave a sneak preview of some of the new canvases to come. Ny Needlepoint | Stitch By Stitch Larchmont, NY | United States (stitchbystitchneedlepoint.com)
The next best thing to the trade show is that they barely get back and it’s “Local Needlepoint Shop Day” This year it’s October 22nd so we have to get out there and support our LNS’s !!
After 18 years the well known store Luv2Stitch closed it’s doors in June. Dale Lenci said he wanted to retire but you could still get things finished thru his long time employee Rhonda. Well, some people are not meant for retirement ! HE’s BACK !!! Dale has decided to do an interesting new project. As an artist at heart he will now be creating one of a kind creations of needle art. He will then be auctioning them off with a percentage of the proceeds going to charity. More details are coming in October !!
I recently got the chance to explore a little of the Fashion District in NYC. If you have never done this take a friend and make a day of it. The trims and embellishments you can find are mind bending. I was in 2 stores and there was so much to look at you couldn’t see it all. I didn’t know there were that many feathers in so many shapes, colors and sizes. Here is just a taste of what can be explored:
Our craft has hit the magazine again – check out the fall issue of Southern Living magazine. It has an interesting article on Jessica Chaney, the owner of Lycette Designs (her great grandmother’s name). She is looking to show a younger generation what we already know about needlepoint, how great a craft it is. Here is the article but the magazine has more pictures. This Florida Native Is Bringing Back Needlepoint In a Big Way (southernliving.com)
I read that a small knitting and stitching shop in NYC is having a trunk show of a designer I had not seen before. West Village Knit & Needle is featuring canvases by “Fire and Iris” – something new and different. If you look at the web site and hover over a canvas it changes to show you what it looks like stitched !! Check them out for some cute new ideas. Fire and Iris Designs – Fire And Iris Designs
If your a fan of Zecca then you know of the matching ribbons that can be had with some of Karen Hennessey’s projects. Where does she get those fabulous ribbons????? Try Renaissance Ribbons ! Amazing selection and the colors are just so stunning – you want it all. They have both ribbon and webbing along with kits to make your own bags, dog collars and monthly clubs. So much to choose from it’s amazing. Designer Ribbons | Sewing Kits| Webbing – Renaissance Ribbons
Tips and Tricks: This comes from Diversions Needlepoint in Denver CO:
Who was that Famous Stitcher? That was Rick Prosser. He stopped counting when he hit his 800th piece and has gone on to win several awards for his art even after a diagnosis of cancer in his jaw. Truly amazing man with so many accomplishments. You can read about him here: https://www2.ljworld.com/news/general-news/2022/jun/01/cancer-diagnosis-led-lawrence-man-to-needlework-decades-ago-at-age-80-hes-still-perfecting-his-art/?fbclid=IwAR2sn0zgNFHUlkdjcyv2cOon1ok0baoF60qeMy4bVGkhviUwnmE5HE4bczk
Can you guess who this Famous Stitcher is?
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