Wow – it’s June already !! Time flies when you enjoy our favorite pass time – stitching. This months meeting will be about making the cording everyone puts around their ornaments. Something we all have put on but take for granted. You will now appreciate that extra edging after learning how it’s made.

The new Needlepointers Magazine will be in your mail soon. You can check it out online in the mean time. Wait until you see the Tale of 2 Stitchers – such a difference between them. The back page is again a head turner. It must have inspired so many stores to be giving classes in ribbon work!!

The last day to register for the 2023 Seminar in Atlanta is June 6 – no time left for procrastinating! You can also buy some Seminar Swag from the Atlanta Chapter but quantities are limited. Here is the form to make your purchases: https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.needlepoint.org/resource/resmgr/forms/seminar/atlanta_chapter_merchandise_.pdf

As for locally – The Framed Image is having his annual sale. He is and expert in framing needlework and after 28 years in business – I think he’s got it down pat! He’s giving 15% off one custom framing along with other deals. A portion of all sales goes to support Artworks to help enhance the lives of children and young adults with chronic illnesses. Framed Image – Home (theframedimage.com)

Have nothing to frame??? The Edwardian Needle is having the first trunk show in quite a while. She just got in piles of canvases from Alice Peterson including the popular “Stitching Girls”. Children’s items, A Woman’s View and so many more. One is better than the next. Also, the cover of the new Needlepoint Now does no justice to the actual piece that was stitched by Jen, who works at the Edwardian Needle. The piece is in the store so while your there ask to see it – amazing!! Call the store for details at 973-743-9833

Stitch By Stitch is having a trunk show of Sew Much Fun – who could resist those adorable stuffed animals?!?!? Ny Needlepoint | Stitch By Stitch Larchmont, NY | United States (stitchbystitchneedlepoint.com)

Ridgewood Needlepoint has a Funda Scully trunk show this month with 20% off your purchase. The store will be closed on June 24th as they are having Julia Snyder do an embellishment class , AND – if your birthday is in June you will get 15% off one in stock canvas – nice gift ! Home (ridgewoodneedlepoint.com)

Then there is Gone Stitching – (we are so lucky to have so many brick and mortar stores in our area) They are giving a one day class on Sunday July 9th to do a Shibori Ribbon Mezzuzah. They are SO pretty! Gone Stitching

New Clubs to join – yes – the creativity never ends! The first is from Old World Designs Needlepoint. They knew right where to get our attention – does Yukon Cornelius ring a bell from your childhood??? They have a club with all the characters from that Christmas show from 1964. I can still hear Burl Ives singing ! https://www.oldworlddesigns.com/classes-at-owd.htm

The 2nd new club is thru the Needlepointer. This “Christmas Lights” club will run 12 months and start in August. These bulbs are also very retro in appearance except you don’t have to worry about one going out and killing the entire string. https://www.theneedlepointer.com/christmas-lightsdiv-idclubsubtitleopen-enrollmentdiv/p8502994?cse=nl0527&goal=0_3621358244-9e8c9712fc-69343533&mc_cid=9e8c9712fc&mc_eid=2e6039e84f

Fireside Stitchery now has a new owner, Lynn Upchurch and she is making the place her own. She has plans to move the store, put in an updated web site, bring in lots of new threads, new notions, canvases and extend the store hours. Ambitious ! Besides having a Pippin Trunk show she is starting off with a really big bang by giving 20% off everything in the store with select canvases at 50% off. Might be worth a road trip to Malvern PA. Good luck to Lynn ! About — Fireside Stitchery

Planet Earth has a new thread – Milan – it’s a 50/50 blend of silk and merino wool. It comes in 30 yard skeins and is a single strand thread. It is a bit thicker so it covers on both 18 and 13 count. They say it’s luxuriously soft to stitch with. KC Needlepoint is carrying the entire line and it’s in stock. https://www.kcneedlepoint.com/collections/milan?page=1

Tips and Tricks How do we protect and store our “small” stash of canvases until we use them – I had a hard time with that word small ! LOL According to Diversions Needlepoint –

 let’s consider what we are trying to protect when storing needlepoint canvases. Of course, we need to protect the painted design, but an equally important consideration is the protection of the canvas sizing. Sizing is what keeps canvases firm. The better the condition of sizing at the end of a project, the better the finished product will be. This is why we recommend using stretcher bars, by the way! Quite right, Willie! Any dampness or creases will break down canvas sizing, much to the detriment of the piece.

Here is what we paws to consider when storing our needlepoint stash:

Environment: Temperate, dry, away from direct light, No attics or damp basements. No smokey or smelly hidey holes.

Canvas Form: Rolled or flat, NEVER FOLDED. Folds will break down the sizing and show up in the finished piece.

Container: Waterproof plastic bins or cloth sacks (old pillow cases?) stored on elevated shelves away from water sources. Never airtight containers: a canvas needs to breathe so that mold can’t develop.

Preventative measures: Silica gel packs. These are the annoying little desiccant packets that have fallen out of every Amazon package ever opened. 

Who was that Famous Stitcher? That was Brenda Hart. She passed away in December. She was an award winning needlework artist, teacher and author of 6 books. She was a master artist in the needlework community and always contributing to the betterment of the art form.

Do You Know Who This Famous Stitcher Is ?

All of our condolences and prayers go to Mark Craddock and his family – the beloved teacher at Nimble Needle in Atlanta. He passed away yesterday of an aggressive form of cancer.