Another meeting is in the books – can you believe it, the year is almost half over ! We had a guest at our meeting this month and hope that Beth C decides to join in on the fun. We had a little business to discuss and then on to Jacqui C for the finale of Tumbling Stripes. She also gave a quick summary about our next project – the pumpkin from stash ! Cathryn graciously detailed the type of threads that were used in the directions so you can look for similar threads in the colorway you choose either by buying threads or stash threads. The list will be sent out shortly. I can’t wait to see how many colorways there will be. Remember – it doesn’t have to be orange !!!

The new issue of Needle Pointers magazine has hit the mailboxes and it’s loaded with desert from the front cover to the back cover !! Hopefully no calories come with it !!! This issue is a bit special – NJNA is a big part of it. So many interesting things to read and 2 of the main articles are due to NJNA members. This is the first issue that our own Linda M is co-author with Maureen G. on the article everyone reads first – A tale of 2 Stitchers. I am sure she will do a great job. Then we also have Melita G. who started the column “Timeless Treasures” She brings back articles from past issues that many have forgotten about but are great projects for a come back ! Another must read is all about buying a Needlework Stand. They can be a real game changer. In fact the Edwardian Needle just decided to carry Lowrey stands – give it a test drive at the store and see how you like it. This issue is so full of things to read you will have a hard time putting it down.

The Kansas City Seminar registration is now closed !! Hope you took care of signing up if you were planning on going !!!! If you did sign up the question now is what do you bring with you?? I had a request from someone that is going but has not gone in a long time and needs some enabling for a light since you are no longer allowed to have a cord !!! What’s a girl to do?? Well – I have 3 options to suggest: From most expensive to least expensive and I have 2 pictures of each. The first is by a well known company – Daylight, look at the Halo series of lights which is in the range of $110. Second, look at Vivilux, it has the tiniest LED light that is on a flexible wire and the magnifier is bigger than many That tiny bulb gives out a LOT OF LIGHT. This item weighs next to nothing and is easy to pack. It should run around $70. The third light is an Amazon bargain for about $28. This light travels well and sits in a base but can be snapped out and it clamps on your stretcher bars. Of course there are others if you go to Amazon and you can find the Vivilux at a LNS – it’s all personal preference. Have a great time at the Seminar !

If you don’t have a needlework stand and just read the article in the magazine you will be running out to get one as they make stitching so much easier – BUT – what about the accessories? (of course there are !! Foolish if you thought there weren’t). Well, no matter if you like the Lowrey, K’s or the System 4 (and then there are those who have a variety of stands – no names being given!). Some have or you can buy trays for all the little items you use as you stitch. Some are also better than others! There is a company however, that makes beautiful wooden trays for all 3 brands and they are done with a lot of thought for how you use it. It’s called Rock A Way custom wood products (thank you Cathryn C.). The choice of wood alone is wonderful. It can be upgraded with different items so you can make it your own. Call or email them for a brochure(see pictures) – I love the idea of the wooden cup for orts !!!

Do you need a Get Away ??? The Stitching Fox Needlepoint Store is going to be a featured as part of the very first “Bestie Bus” experience at the Canyon Ranch Wellness Resort in Lenox Mass. The luxury bus departs NYC on June 20 and returns on the 23rd. A weekend to celebrate friendship, needlepoint, spa treatments, great food and relaxation. What more is there??? https://www.canyonranch.com/bestie-bus/

The Needlepointer .com has a new club that will span 12 months. This one is a little different – it’s one canvas and you receive the newest installments Bi-monthly. The fun will start around Aug/Sept. Your first shipment will be the canvas, part of the Kelly Clark stitch guide and thread. Along the way you will get more parts including embellishments. The neat extra is you will be invited to join a private Facebook group which will have video recordings to help you with the stitches. She is so cute and I will just bet a load of fun to stitch !! https://www.theneedlepointer.com/the-darling-dolphina-clubdiv-idclubsubtitleopen-enrollmentdiv/p8513591?Ce=nl051124&goal=0_3621358244-ad8075386e-69343533&mc_cid=ad8075386e&mc_eid=2e6039e84f

Morgan Julia Designs – the master of the “Bar Cart” canvases has hooked up with a company called “Packed Party” which has some of the most adorable items. https://www.packedparty.com/?_kx=rV4MBEfWGkwURglkyUXCLopGavY2DCJQzP6Y94aO8T4.RWeQns From bags to drinkware (you too can sip a favorite drink from a slice of birthday cake), to gifts and lots of other fun stuff. They have put together kits with everything you need to stitch each of the 2 designs – who doesn’t like bling!! You have a choice of Party Animal or Spring in Your Step. Both are small but so colorful. https://morganjuliadesigns.com/blogs/product-launches/introducing-mjd-x-packed-party-needlepoint-collaboration?_pos=1&_sid=ae9997eef&_ss=r&_kx=rV4MBEfWGkwURglkyUXCLopGavY2DCJQzP6Y94aO8T4.RWeQns and https://morganjuliadesigns.com/products/spring-in-your-step-mjd-x-packed-party-kit

What is it that we all can’t seem to resist no matter how many we have – magnets aka needleminders. Here is a new place to shop for them – Flamingo Toes Shop ! Not only do they have different ones but they also have a board you can buy to attache them to that is also a chalk board so you can be extra creative with your storage. Worth a look ! https://flamingotoesshop.com/collections/needle-minders

Tips and Tricks: Now that you are going to seminar with a nice new magnifier and or light the one thing that you don’t always get with it or if you do it’s a flimsy item – is a cover. I am sure you know how easy it is to scratch the lens. The solution to this problem turns out to be a cheap one !! Get yourself a few friends with the same problem and order from our favorite store – yes Amazon – and order some Velvet Drawstring Jewelry Bags !! They fit PERFECTLY !!! I bought smaller ones for my travel magnifier and larger ones for my floor version. The reason you need friends is because they come in packages of 20 or 25 depending on size. If you don’t have enough friends then you have extra but at 45 cents a piece or 87 cents for the bigger version – not a big deal !!

Who was that Famous Stitcher? That was the “Bar Cart” master herself Morgan Julia. She is one of the up and coming younger designers. She grew up in Annapolis Maryland and is now out of sunny Tampa Florida. You gotta love that she has a Goldendoodle named “Captain” and he is the “CFO” (Chief Fetching Officer) !! Morgan Julia Designs – Needlepoint Canvases

Do you know who this famous stitcher is?

Have a safe and happy Memorial Day.