This past meeting was all about our guild’s Woodlawn submissions. Woodlawn celebrated their 60th anniversary this year showing and judging needlework. This years theme was “The Joy Of Needlework” – and we certainly enjoy !! We sent in 31 pieces and again came away with several prizes including Barbara L’s Judge’s Choice Award for her “Cray Cray” bird and Melita G’s 2nd place for original design. We got to see pictures of other submissions and it was more incentive to again submit our work in 2024. Can’t wait to hear what the new theme will be.

Next month will be a “Stitch In” since so many will either be at seminar or on vacation. September however will be very interesting !! We will have a representative from Sundance Beads giving a talk about all their products. This may be a bit longer than our allotted time in the Library so this meeting will be a zoom only. Remember – you need to be a member to be a part of all our fun ! A shout out to our 2 new members: Tracy and Marissa – welcome ! We now have 63 Members – and counting !!

Our member Melita G is at it again ! Her designs “Diamond Bargello ” Flag Ornaments is the front page of the new Needlepointer’s Magazine. This July/August issue will be in your mailbox shortly but you can go online and read not only her article about how she came up with these beautiful ornaments BUT – she also has started a series of articles for this issue and upcoming issues called “Timeless Treasures from the Archives”. Her STOM this year is also very popular – where does she get the time to design? Check out the back cover of the magazine – an unusual fellow !

Just a note of reminder – set aside the first Saturday of January 2024 as this is when we will have our Holiday Luncheon. We had such a good time this last January that we are going to do it again ! Hope to see everyone there.

Outreach – Sue C and Jacqui are hitting the road again to the Somerset County Wellness Center, this time in Basking Ridge. They will again be explaining the art of needlepoint to the resident’s. On another note – a big thank you to Julie K. She donated 3 big bags of various supplies to the chapter and they will be going to the Cancer Support Group thru Holy Name Hospital. The women in this program are learning how to stitch for relaxation. They have been creating some very stunning pieces of work for first timers.

Here we are in the middle of a heat wave that could melt your shoes to the pavement and all I keep seeing is Christmas in July sales !! Everyone likes a good sale but I just want a cold drink in this weather! HOWEVER, Chaparral Needle Point has a new exclusive kit – Baby Sven the Reindeer – you gotta love that face. The kits ship mid October and include threads, embellishments, stitch guide and a project bag. Quick and easy as it’s a 5 inches round – doable for this year (particularly if you are taking the chapters finishing course – I’m just saying!). https://ndlpt.com/products/baby-sven-reindeer-kit?syclid=cj2kqgausvigrob88k00&utm_campaign=emailmarketing_129505362059&utm_medium=email&utm_source=shopify_email

Now for the sale – Atlantic Blue Canvas is having a Birthday Sale – TOMORROW ONLY ! Sunday July 30 starting at 9 AM. No codes needed as the prices will be marked. You get 31% off on canvases, bags, tools etc. Check it out in advance so you can make a list of what you want and don’t get shut out. https://www.atlanticbluecanvas.com/collections/birthday-sale?_kx=_6T6ZEqw3FzRTyL6whjCxpBoWNmvx7M7ogeQHpVHlzk%3D.SdsruM

Barbie is all the rage right now – including in Needlepoint !! LOL The Needlepoint Club House has Barbie’s Dream House ! Did they forget the handle on the roof? https://www.needlepointclubhouse.com/products/preorder-dream-house?syclid=cj2lcbausvigrobafneg&utm_campaign=emailmarketing_124390408325&utm_medium=email&utm_source=shopify_email

Of course you need a magnet to hold your needle to the Dream House canvas so Oli Magnets has enough pink color choices you will be asking Ken to decide – LOL !! https://www.etsy.com/shop/OLIBLOCK?ref=shop_sugg_market&mc_cid=9e9a4e67bb&mc_eid=0087025bb4

If Pink and Red are your favorite colors then check out KC Needlepoint – their Annual Stitch Challenge is back. What a great way to learn new stitches and ugh – how to compensate ! There are 23 hearts with 23 different stitches in the 2023 challenge. The kit comes with a 13 count canvas, thread, stitch guide and needle. Since it’s a pre-order it will take a little time to arrive – so cute – so worth it. https://www.kcneedlepoint.com/collections/sct-designs/products/23-hearts-in-2023-kit?&utm_campaign=campaign%3A+Re+promote+hearts++%2864a1fe7bb8627e0c7aff19bc%29&utm_medium=email&utm_source=omnisend&omnisendContactID=61fc368aa1816e00226a532d

Now seriously – The Needlepoint Club House has some of the cutest Tooth Fairy Pillows I have seen. I also found something new in the way of fibers. If you haven’t stitched with Straw Silk you are missing out. Well, The Club House has Straw Silk Palettes with 5 different colors in a similar color way. They also have a lot of interesting and unique items on their web site – worth a look. https://www.needlepointclubhouse.com/collections/new-arrivals

Did you get all your fruits and vegetables in today? (not my favorite commercial) but I would gladly take one of Evergreen Needlepoint’s fruit eyeglass cases – it might be the heat but they look so cool and refreshing. You can also have them personalized. https://www.evergreenneedlepoint.com/collections/all-canvases

Evergreen also has a great bag to carry large projects. (I know someone that might fit in this bag it’s so big – lol – you know we love you !) https://www.evergreenneedlepoint.com/collections/accessories

TIPS AND TRICKS: Have you ever had something on your canvas that you would like to “disappear”? Presto White Out works ! No brushes or mess like with acrylic paints. Pin point accurate and it dries quickly – can’t ask for much more.

Who was that Famous Stitcher? That was Toni Randall – the owner of Whimsy and Grace. In September of 2020 she lost everything to a wild fire except a few possessions and her dog. The needlepoint community gave her a big hug and a helping hand to get back on her feet.

Do You Know Who This Famous Stitcher Is ?