Get out your threads and your cording tool – for those that have everything – and you know who you are! This coming week our meeting is about cording. Jacqui C. will be teaching us all how to use that item that looks like it belongs in a fishing tackle box to create those beautiful edges on ornaments. Perfect for finishing the chapter project on picking stitches for small ornaments. Have you finished your ornament yet ????????

We have a winner in our chapter – Cathryn C has won the EGA Gold Thread Award for 2023 for our region. She will receive the honor at this years Seminar in Boston. The award recognizes outstanding individuals who have given freely of their time and talents and best exemplify EGA’s purpose. Like we didn’t know that about Cathryn ! A national recipient is selected from all the regional winners – we are all routing for you Cathryn. She is always involved in so many ways with the chapter and does a wonderful job with programs. We are lucky to have her in our chapter. Congratulations Cathryn !

A few days ago I had the most lovely conversation with the owner/designer of Hedgehog Needlepoint. Her company is only around since 2020 but she has made a big splash in the needlepoint world. Who doesn’t love those Retro Luggage Tags?? (over 200 hundred places and counting) I had the opportunity to help a friend put her stitching in the leather self finishing tag they offer and was impressed by how well it’s made – it would surely survive airplane travel these days (but who would chance it on their luggage after all that work !) She has come out with a round version of those tags. The same as the original ones minus the numbers and letters on the bottom. Great as ornaments for a travel tree. AND – Even better, she has some new items coming later this year – can’t wait to see what she has up her sleeve !! Hedgehog Needlepoint

It’s finally hitting the stores – Mary’s Whimsical Stitches Volume 4 – and this one is all about stitches for small areas ! What is different about this book, each stitch has a QR code on the page. If you want to see an actual stitched sample, you can use your smart phone camera and it will show you a sample on Mary’s Instagram page. Check your local LNS to see if it’s in stock yet. Mary’s Whimsical Stitches — whimsicalstitch.com

Fans of the SuZy Murphy books will be happy to hear that they are back in stock. Rainbow Gallery is the distributor and has brought back several of the out of print books. Contact your LNS for a copy. What’s New – Rainbow Gallery

Retreats and Classes –

The Needlepointer has a new club starting in September – a Pride Flag. It’s going to last 6 months and includes canvas, threads and stitch guide. https://www.theneedlepointer.com/pride-flag-clubdiv-idclubsubtitleopen-enrollmentdiv/p8503060?cse=nl0610&goal=0_3621358244-d82b883e08-69343533&mc_cid=d82b883e08&mc_eid=2e6039e84f

They also have a new holiday club that will last 12 months starting in August – Christmas Lights !! Check out their web site for the details – very festive ! https://www.theneedlepointer.com/christmas-lightsdiv-idclubsubtitleopen-enrollmentdiv/p8502994?cse=nl0527&goal=0_3621358244-9e8c9712fc-69343533&mc_cid=9e8c9712fc&mc_eid=2e6039e84f

If by chance your on vacation near Spartanburg SC you might want to sign up for a Patriotic Star class. Megan Smith will be doing an embellishment class of some new Associated Talents star canvases. The classes are 3 hours long and include not only all materials needed but an introduction to beading and the finishing as well !!! Home | Needlepoint Lane | Spartanburg, SC 29302

Bestitched is doing a fall retreat in Scottsdale AZ – 4 days Sept 10 – 13. They will be closing the store for the retreat along with the day before so all participants can come in and claim your table spot as well as shop the entire store with a 20% discount. Starting at 4 PM they will even have a welcome cocktail party. Definitely something to consider if you are an advanced stitcher and love southwest canvases as this is a stunning canvas. Can’t do the trip? They have an online option – they thought of everything !!! https://bestitchedneedlepointshop.com/products/desert-oasis-stitch-retreat

A little closer to home, The Enriched Stitch is going to do a Zoom class on June 27th. How to Read Diagrams. The class will be recorded so any participant can go back to it for a refresher. https://enrichedstitch.myshopify.com/products/how-to-read-diagrams-zoom-class

Absolutely Needlepoint threw a teaser out there with the introduction of their new Fall 2023 Store Project by Five Chix Designs. They will be stitching “America The Beautiful” using a stitch guide written by Holly Crook and Maryann Barber. You will need something aside from the canvas and threads – the new issue of Needlepoint Now !! The finished canvas will be in the new issue and they promise gorgeous stitches and LOTS OF BEADS !! Absolutely Needlepoint – Discover a world of needlepoint and everything that comes with it.

Check out the DMC web site – they have revamped it to give it a new look. They also have a sale going with 30% to 50% off 2 pages of items. https://www.dmc.com/US/en/offers/clearance-us

KC Needlepoint is celebrating their 8th Anniversary in business. So everyone can celebrate with them they have an exclusive kit and canvas – a Morgan Julia designed Birthday Bar Cart. Each kit contains the canvas, threads and stitch guide from Jinny McAuliffe and the cherry on this birthday cake is they ship it for free. https://www.kcneedlepoint.com/products/birthday-bar-cart?_pos=2&_sid=fce0a4851&_ss=r&utm_campaign=campaign%3A+Happy+Birthday+email+%2864838be0f615ea18bd570552%29&utm_medium=email&utm_source=omnisend&omnisendContactID=61fc368aa1816e00226a532d

While your checking out the KC Needlepoint web site you can get ready for summer with their adorable bunting canvases. So summery looking and quick stitches. https://www.kcneedlepoint.com/search?type=product,article,page&q=bunting*&utm_campaign=campaign%3A+Bunting+%286486621330e673bf6cc42165%29&utm_medium=email&utm_source=omnisend&omnisendContactID=61fc368aa1816e00226a532d

If you are a lover of Ehrman needlepoint you will be interested in their sale going on now. They have such classic needlepoint to start with but some of the designs are really quite striking. Much different from what you expect to see. Some are also deeply discounted. Worth a look. Sale – Ehrman Tapestry

As a “Public Service Announcement” please be aware that the Edwardian Needle will be closed for vacation from July 26th thru August 15th. Make sure you have what you need – we all hate to be caught short of supplies as it will feel like an eternity before we can get back in the store !!

Tips and Tricks : I have never heard of a “Ribbon Laying Tool” before until I ran across something talking about Rainbow Gallery making it. It looks like it would make some of those beautiful ribbon items easier to create. Easy to mistake for a regular laying tool. This one is not stiletto sharp so your not going to snag the ribbon. I could not find it on the Rainbow Gallery web site so here is an alternate site to look at : rainbow gallery laying tools petite ribbon laying tool cross stitch (stoneycreek.com)

Who was that Famous Stitcher? This was no easy one to guess – this is Drake Dickerson, Kate Dickerson’s son. He has come into the business and has designed several items in the newest collection.

Do You Know Who This Famous Stitcher Is ?

Today is “National Eat Your Vegetables Day” so do the right thing knowing that tomorrow is Father’s Day which requires Bar-B-Ques, hot dogs, hamburgers, salads and Father’s Day cake ! Sort of balances it all out in the end !! Enjoy the holiday !!