This past meeting was full of information. Sue C. spoke about her out reach event in Bridgewater. She said it went so well that another wellness center has asked her to do a repeat performance. Not only that, the facility she was at decided to start up a “craft afternoon”. Inspiration comes from many places !

This was the first time we had a meeting with an “Owl” – what an interesting innovation to the zoom part of the meeting. The library allowed us to use their “Owl” which is a device that is hooked up to your computer with zoom and gives you a 365 degree view of the room on the top of your screen and a picture of all the participants in the rest of the screen. It moves to show the speaker and hear them better at the same time so you feel more a part of the meeting rather than being a fly on the wall. The next meeting you want to pin that picture and it’s like your in the room with everyone, give it a try.

Melita G. recently received her EGA Master Craftsman Certificate. She spoke about her journey thru the program. What she would do differently and what she was more than happy with. She even made the cover of Needle Pointers Magazine in March with her design called “Tahitian Treat”. Well done Melita !!

There are several great things coming up at NJNA. June will have a lesson by Jacqui in cording, a Woodlawn review in the summer, Sept will be a zoom only meeting as we will be having a talk by Sundance Beads. Oct/Nov will have a lesson in how to do a plaid and create a Name Tag. Keep in mind that Jan will be the holiday luncheon again since it was such a hit. Jacqui is also working on getting a guest speaker for next year – a favorite designer of many NJNA members – no names but she does “Beautiful Stitches” ! Our membership has grown but there is always room for more. You have to be in it to enjoy it!!

NJNA is coming up to it’s 35 year Anniversary. It was started in November 1989. Put your thinking caps on as to how we can celebrate this milestone. Did you know that NJNA has 5 elected positions? We are mostly aware of the committees dealing with programs and workshops to stimulate our creativity but there are other necessary positions. It takes a village to make NJNA run. Now having all learned so much about Zoom from living thru a pandemic we have a need for a Technology volunteer along with other open positions. Even if you join us remotely please consider participating in the running of NJNA and contact Linda M or anyone on the Board. We have so much more that we can learn and enjoy together.

Store News Alert – Fireside Stitchery has been sold ! After 27 years in business it seems it is time to retire ! Maria and Judy (and Tony – in spirit) have sold the store – so watch out to see what changes are coming !!

Flash Sale !!!! This weekend only – 20% off Kreinik Fine #8 Braid – all colors thru SJ Designs. It seems like we are always hunting Kreinik – time to stock up. https://sj-designs.net/product/kreinik-8-fine-braid-metallic-thread/

It sounds so 1950’s/1960’s but the season is changing so it just might be time to change your handbag. Look at Stitch By Stitch in NY for some of the most amazing beaded handbags. They are not going to last long!! Accessories | Stitch By Stitch Larchmont, Ny | United States (stitchbystitchneedlepoint.com)

Now that your changing your handbag – maybe you need a fun case for your sun glasses !! Gone Stitching has some adorable versions that make a quick stitch and they have a great selection of threads to stitch them with. Check out their web site or call the store. https://gonestitching.net

New Books coming – Mary’s Whimsical Small Stitches – her 4th and newest in her series will start shipping in June. Inspired By Threads is out with a 3rd revision of the original Threads book. A 157 page reference book detailing who makes each thread, what it is made of, how you should use it and tips about stitching with it. There are also ideas and details on how much thread you need for a project. You can get this book thru Homestead Needle Arts https://www.homesteadneedlearts.com/catalog/books-charts-cds-magazines/inspired-by-threads-revised-3rd-edition-of-threads-a-needle-necessity-book/ and Mary’s Small Stitches can only be purchased at your LNS.

Summer is about to start so we need a great new adventure – how about the East Coast Canvas Crawl. It will begin June 19th – 25th. Each store will have a sign in sheet giving you a chance to win one of 2 Raffle Bags containing something from each participating store. Visit the web site for a list of participating stores and grab your wallet. https://www.canvascrawl.com/

If you want to go in a different direction try 2’s Company Needlepoint in SC – they are having their first Anniversary along with a Needlepoint Getaway in Asheville NC. Several classes to choose from, swag bag, breakfast and lunches and more are included in this event. You can register online or call the store to sign up. https://www.2sconeedlepoint.com/module/class/492636/an-asheville-needlepoint-getaway—retreat-registration

If your more of the city type then maybe you would be interested in a Retreat in NYC. Patricia Sone has designed 2 canvases just for this event. She will be teaching one at the famous Rita’s Needlepoint and the other one at the just as famous Annie & Company. You will not be stopped from shopping in these famous stores while you are there ! The fun begins August 17 and 18 and you have to contact the coordinator – Mary Meier-Evans for more information. marythecuriouscowgirl@gmail.com

Now I know that we are not all neat and tidy with the back of our creations – part of the creative process??? I think knot ! (couldn’t resist!) For those of us that could use some help to “clean up our backs” The Enriched Stitch of CT is having a Zoom class on May 23rd at 1PM. You can sign up on her web site and she is also going to record it so you can watch it again later. https://enrichedstitch.myshopify.com/products/tidy-backs-zoom-class

The Needlepointer has an interesting new club and they are expecting it to start in September. Over 6 months you stitch 6 fall leaves. Each leaf is finished as a small stand up with a metal plate in the bottom. You also get a Train Set and each car has a magnet so the stand up stays attached. Let’s not forget the threads and stitch guides. They also have plans for more seasons in the future. https://www.theneedlepointer.com/fall-train-setdiv-idclubsubtitleopen-enrollmentdiv/p8502961?cse=nl0513&goal=0_3621358244-2b8d760bf4-69343533&mc_cid=2b8d760bf4&mc_eid=2e6039e84f

KC Needlepoint is again doing “Hearts for Hospice”. Since 2017 over 3,000 hearts have been donated to the program. You can order a canvas thru them or do your own thing and send it to them and they will finish it. https://www.kcneedlepoint.com/blogs/news/stitch-to-support-hearts-for-hospice?_pos=2&_sid=038461dab&_ss=r&utm_campaign=campaign%3A+Hearts+for+Hospice+%2864619cf4fe8b5e4835603fa8%29&utm_medium=email&utm_source=omnisend&omnisendContactID=61fc368aa1816e00226a532d

Good luck if you haven’t started stitching ornaments for this Christmas – on the other hand – maybe not so bad as Kate Dickerson has some really cute new ones out. Check out her web site to look at them all as there were way to many to show you here. Kate Dickerson (KSH) hand painted needlepoint ornament designs

Tips N Tricks: This tip is from Ellen of Serendipity Needlepoint – Hand Care for Needlepointers. https://www.serendipityneedleworks.com/loving-your-hands-hand-care-for-needlepointers/ Her blog has exercises, hand creams and suggestions if you have arthritis. Maybe she has something you hadn’t thought of !

Who was that Famous Stitcher? That was Grace Anna Goodhue Coolidge – the wife of Calvin Coolidge. A few weeks after their honeymoon Calvin came to her with a leather bag filled with 52 socks that needed repair ! This request was a far cry from her training. She received her BA from University of Vermont in 1902 with a degree in teaching. She joined the Clarke School for Hearing and Speech in Northampton MA and taught deaf children to communicate by reading lips instead of signing.

Do You Know Who This Famous Stitcher Is ?

Just a reminder – this week is the pop up for Trish Vine at The Edwardian Needle. Tuesday from 12 to 3.