Our next meeting will be the day after Valentine’s Day and we should all be over the high of Superbowl smorgasbords by then! This months meeting will be about our chapters counted project smorgasbord of designs. Everyone doing a counted project was to email Cathryn C what design they are doing so she can put together a presentation of our lofty goals. Some were not into doing a counted piece and I believe Cathryn just emailed an alternative that she will be discussing. Maybe some will want to be REALLY ambitious and do both ?!?!

Like we can’t get enough – has everyone started Melita’s SOTM? The threads are getting hard to find as so many across the country are looking forward to doing this project. I have yet to get my threads so I am behind already. I have seen the middle stitched and it was no walk in the park but the result was beautiful. Can’t wait to start it.

It’s almost time to register for the ANG seminar in Atlanta. If you are a member you can go online and pick your classes starting February 15th. I did not know that you can also register if you are not an ANG member but you have to wait until March 1 – if there is anything left at that point. Snooze you loose in either case ! ANG 2023 Seminar Class Booklet with Descriptions- 1:17 (fliphtml5.com)

Are you going to a Super Bowl Party this year?? No – not the one with the half time show – a needlepoint one !!!! I have never seen so many shops having Super Bowl events. I have seen email from Family Arts in AZ to Needle Nook in Long Island NY and many in between. Whether you sit and stitch or just go for a sale I think we have the better event !! LOL If you can’t make it to one of these parties and you live in the NJ area there is another event coming up. The EGA Metropolitan Region Chapter is having a Getaway. You do not have to be a member of EGA to come. The event is taking place at the Montvale Courtyard Marriott on March 25 and 26 (Sat & Sun). You can come one or both days. Arrangements have been made for a special room rate if you want to stay. What more can you ask for? Contact the chapter at grayceedm@aol.com for more information or just send in the form with a check to Janice M. I have a feeling this is going to be a snooze you loose event also !!

The new owner of the Needlepoint Now magazine is also doing a Stitch In. According to their web site, their very first will be in Queens NY on April 1st at the North Channel Yacht Club. She is looking to have these stitch in’s all across the nation if this is successful. Just go to the magazines web site for more information and to sign up. www.needlepointnow.com

Did anyone hear about Needlepoint Palooza? Atlantic Blue Canvas was going to be at this “Pop Up” event in Greenville SC. At least 7 designers were going to come together on Feb 3rd. Hope it was a hit so it happens up this way next time.

Are you a fan of Julia Snyder? She is going to be giving a Canvas Embellishment Class at Ridgewood Needlepoint. The class is limited to 12 so this may be another snooze you loose event. Contact the store at 201-612-7770 to sign up. (They too are having a Super Bowl Party!) https://ridgewoodneedlepoint.com/

Edwardian Needle is also having classes with Luis Nunez in March. He will be doing a class with Shibori Ribbon for beginners and then his version of Lady Gaga. If you want something sooner there is a beginner ribbon class being given by Pam on Sunday the 19th – “A Spray of Flowers” Contact the store for more info 973-743-9833

The Needlepointer has a new club coming – Zodiac Fiber Club ! This club spans 12 months and each month you get 15 fibers all themed around the Zodiac. How different is that? They don’t anticipate starting until June so you have time to check it out on the web site – https://www.theneedlepointer.com/needlepoint/clubs?nav_id=345

BeStitched has a new club starting in May – “The Neighborhood Boo-BQ” – canvas by Rebecca Wood Designs. There will be 5 virtual classes. The canvas is 15 X 21 – not for the faint of heart ! https://bestitchedneedlepointshop.com/collections/online-classes/products/neighborhood-boo-bq-class

Are you doing the Needlepoint Now project with all the different leaves being made into a wreath. The magazine has gotten most stores to participate including many in our area. It’s a good stash project but if you don’t have a lot of green in your life go look at Color Compliments web site. They have come up with a kit just for this project. They have such lush deep colors that would stand out in this wreath. Look at her web site to order her kit but be careful, there are a lot of eye catching items there !! https://colourcomplements.com/product-category/custom-thread-kits

Cocktails Anyone?? Did you see the new class from 3 Kittens Needle Arts – I love the martini glasses !! They are giving a class over 3 Sundays in June/July though I’ll bet you can get the kit if it’s only in person. Way to cute and makes a wonderful gift for a needlepoint worthy friend/relative. https://www.3kittensneedlearts.com/classes.htm?categoryId=788889053

Kathy Rees announced that she is doing a new Mystery Class called “LoveStruck” and appropriately it officially starts on Feb 14th, Valentine’s Day. All 3 colorway choices are beautiful. You also have until Feb 13th to order at her old prices as the cost of thread has given her no choice but to raise prices about 10% to 15%. Check out her prior Mysteries on her web site and you can sign up for this new one. Can’t wait to see what she does ! https://needledelights.com/product-category/former-mysteries/

Needle in a Haystack has an exclusive sampler from Hands Across the Sea called “Sarah Rinder 1841”. They are going to do a year long stitch along on their Facebook page starting at the end of March to commemorate their 25th anniversary in business. Check out the threads – great colors. https://www.facebook.com/groups/niahsarahrinder1841/ You can order the project on the web site – https://needlestack.americommerce.com/chart/HATS-SRinder.aspx

I had occasion to go to Gone Stitching the other day. This store is so bright and inviting a good move from their other location. They have a wonderful selection of threads and canvases but what caught my eye was their self finishing items. They have the Rachel Donley handbags in 3 versions. They also had the makeup bag by Penny Linn Designs – you stitch the top and it zips closed. Had I more time I think you need to hunt around for all the treasures they have. On the counter they have a jar and are collecting the used Rainbow Gallery cards for a project, drop off any you have if you pay them a visit. Gone Stitching (and yes – they too have a Superbowl Party)

For those of you looking to learn new stitches – look at KC Needlepoint. They have come up with a beautiful canvas names 23 hearts for 2023 and each heart is a different stitch. The stitch guide is by Jinny McAuliffe and the threads in the kit are all stunning by Pepper Pot and Silk Lame Braid. It’s a manageable 12 by 12 13 ct canvas – perfect for someone new to needlepoint. https://www.kcneedlepoint.com/products/23-hearts-in-2023-kit

Kirk & Bradley have an interesting newer line of canvases – they are printed not painted. They are under the “Needlepoint To Go” collection. The canvases were printed using state of the art printing technology. One is prettier then the next. Go online and look at them all – difficult choice. New Designs | Needlepoint To Go – Kirk & Bradley (kirkandbradley.com)

How would you like to be in the Chicago area in April? Kurdy Biggs and Debbie Rowley are having a pilot retreat so they can “practice” 2 classes each for upcoming seminars. They have set up a web site with all the information if you want to be the first for these classes. https://www.canvascountess.com/

Tips and Tricks – If you need a portable light give the “Harte” a try – IKEA lingo for skinny LED light! You can plug it into the wall or use the USB. It’s light as a feather and the light bends and swivels to get the light right where you need it. Best of all it’s about $20. HÅRTE LED work lamp, white/silver color – IKEA

Who was that Famous Stitcher? That is the famous Juli Poitras, owner of JP Needlepoint. Her mother moved to Carmel CA from TX and opened a needlepoint store – the rest is history. She is one of the most prolific designers in the needlepoint industry.

Do You Know Who This Famous Stitcher Is?

Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day.