Hope you remembered to attend the meeting since it was on a different day this past month. June is the next time that our meeting will be on a different day of the month – I’ll remind you !! If you missed then you missed the next part to be stitched on Tumbling Stripes. Everyone is stitching the next four stripes and spoiler alert – the next 3 are the following month. You also missed the talk Jacqui C. gave on using a laying tool and the different kinds you can buy. Loved her description of how the threads should line up on the tool like they are the Rockette’s !! Yes – we actually have fun at our meetings!! You need to belong to join in the fun !

The results are in and NJNA members received 7 awards in the 61st Woodlawn Needlework Show. Congratulations to all the winners ! Amy B., Sue C. (2), Rosie L., Melita G. and Linda M (2)

Don’t forget that registration is now open for the Kansas City Seminar and in the blink of an eye – 3 classes are already filled. Wendy Moore is going to be tired, 2 of the 3 are her’s, Moon on the water and Pyramids at the Oasis. Toni Gerdes’s Zelda the patchwork Zebra is also filled. There are plenty of other great items in the line up but I think you need to be fast ! Go to the ANG web site and make a selections quickly if you plan on going.

Don’t forget to vote !!!! You should have gotten an email on 3/8 with a link to vote for the 2024 slate of nominees and the changes to the By-Laws. You can always log in on the ANG web site and vote.

A big thank you to Melita G – she got in touch with Gail Stafford and let me know that Gail is retiring but only from her “real life job as a math teacher at North Carolina Wesleyan College”. She will continue to teach and design needlework – thank goodness !!!! She has some of the most beautiful scenery one can stitch along with her bargello projects.

Spring Market items are still coming out even though it doesn’t start until March 22 – 24. Can you imagine what we will see then?? Love to look at the new stuff even if my wallet is shut tight – maybe. Here are some more sneak peaks from Voila, Wipstitch and Kate Dickerson but there are many more that you can look at in Stitch By Stitch’s web site 2024 Spring Market – Charlotte – Stitch by Stitch (stitchbystitchneedlepoint.com)

Maybe you want a smaller venue for a retreat, something not quite as big as Seminar? Take a look at Stitching Fox – they have 2 retreats later this year that you can sign up for. The first is with Debbie Stiehler for ” Zecca Butterflies”. This is being held 9/7-9. Then they have an embellishment class from 10/ 4-6 with Cynthia Thomas. They made arrangements for a place to stay with the Orchard Inn, which is a beautiful looking small B&B and spa. I feel relaxed just looking at the picture! They have also included places to go and things to do. Sounds like a fun event. https://www.stitchingfox.com/collections/events

KC Needlepoint is having a very exciting month – First, they have moved the store this week !! Maybe we will see pictures soon of their new space. Second, they are about to start their Annual Project. This year is all about trying new fibers. Each kit has 4 hand painted canvases from SCT Designs, stitch guides by Jenny Mcauliffe, 24 skeins of Plant Earth Milan, floss away bags and it’s all shipped for free. They are all the perfect size for coasters and look like a quick stitch. https://www.kcneedlepoint.com/products/2024-coaster-kit?_pos=1&_sid=b28ad0c2f&_ss=r&variant=44372035043502

You may remember this cute Summer Memories canvas by Pippin. The Needlepointer has now turned it into a club. Each month you get threads and a stitch guide for one of the sections so this is only a 6 month club. The guides are by various designers – Meredith Willett, Laura Taylor, David McCaskill, Jill Rigoli and Patricia Sone. Nothing says summer like mosquito’s and ice cream. https://www.theneedlepointer.com/summer-memoriesdiv-idclubsubtitleopen-enrollmentdiv/p8511321?cse=nl030924&goal=0_3621358244-4e44ba89f5-69343533&mc_cid=4e44ba89f5&mc_eid=2e6039e84f

The 20th is the first day of Spring and what a nice way to start the season, by thinking of going away. Hedgehog Needlepoint has brand new luggage tags in 5 colors but this time they are round ! They make a great way to display other stitched items – not just on luggage! They are also adding to the list of collegiate hearts that they have partnered with Kangaroo Paw on. Lot’s to see and I believe lot’s more to come in the future ! https://hedgehogneedlepoint.com/

Hmmmm, not sure how to approach this one – Are you short of time (yes, we all are) BUT Atlantic Blue Canvas has taken their top 5 ornaments – STITCHED THEM – FINISHED THEM and will sell them to you. You read that right – talk about a short cut !! Check out their web site – they have such cute things you may find something you want to stitch yourself !! LOL https://www.atlanticbluecanvas.com/collections/finished-ornaments-1?_kx=_6T6ZEqw3FzRTyL6whjCxpBoWNmvx7M7ogeQHpVHlzk.SdsruM

Tips and Tricks: I was reading about how to deal with the self finishing items they now have. I was stunned to read that “needlepoint stitches are longer horizontally than they are vertically!” This means that we were not crazy when things we stitched were not quite square !! Measuring for these items is very important as the painted area may be short of the opening and you need 2 rows to tuck under the edge. Next time I’ll have more tips on doing self finishing !

Who was that Famous Stitcher? That was Lois Caron, owner of The Caron Collection of threads. Lois started by designing and painting patterns on needlepoint canvas and selling them to stores. She then started to dye her own threads in her kitchen which has since moved to an 8,000 sq ft industrial space. She has 8 different thread lines and is distributed worldwide.

Do you know who this famous stitcher is?