IT’S SUMMER – ALREADY !! It came entirely too fast. We are ordering the pumpkin project and with any luck we will all have it stitched for the fall ! Start trawling your stash for your favorite color pumpkin. Keep in mind those wonderful looking Kate Dickerson Funky Pumpkins – there is no limit to the imagination ! The directions give you a large variety of stitches to do both on and around the pumpkin so there should be no way to be bored !

ANG has released the new Quarterly Stitch. It’s by Marilyn Owen and it’s something everyone can use – a Key Fob ! Another stash buster of a project and they give you directions for 2 versions along with how to go about finishing it. Stay tuned – there will be another new project in 3 months. Keep in mind that each stitch guide will eventually be replaced and the previous pattern will go back into the vault. Be sure to access them before they’re gone.

Since we are getting into the fall mood with Pumpkins check out the new club at the Needlepointer “Spooktacular Ornaments”. There are a dozen 3 inch ornaments. Starting in October you get one per month along with a stitch guide and thread. They should be a quick stitch – an easy club to keep up with. https://www.theneedlepointer.com/spooktacular-ornamentsdiv-idclubsubtitleopen-enrollmentdiv/p8514176?cse=nl0529&goal=0_3621358244-1364d0d84f-69343533&mc_cid=1364d0d84f&mc_eid=2e6039e84f

Do you know what today is ??????? It’s National Bubbly Day (yes there is such a thing!) This holiday is celebrated the first Saturday of June each year. Of Course there are canvases! It’s all up to you to decide the kind of “Bubbly” you prefer ! Check out Stitch By Stitch for many versions of “Bubbly” . Find Your Focus | Stitch by Stitch Needlepoint

Morgan Julia has another way to express yourself – Tortured Hearts ! They are for single women, friends and those in relationships – in other words – all of us ! They are modern witty sayings that look like the sugary Valentine candy’s. The 8 canvases were designed in collaboration with Needle Nola in New Orleans and are only 3.5″ X 3.5″ They are bound to make you smile. (I had to look it up – DTR – Define The Relationship) https://morganjuliadesigns.com/collections/sweethearts?_kx=rV4MBEfWGkwURglkyUXCLopGavY2DCJQzP6Y94aO8T4.RWeQns

If you follow Ruth Schmuff – the wildly talented owner of Bedecked and Bedazzled aka The Bee Hive, then you may have seen the new thread she showed on top of a thistle in her project “Blue Cat in the Jungle” She shows how to use it in several ways and it just has to be a great addition on a canvas. It’s actually silk wrapped around a wire that has been coiled to form a tube. She shares several ways to use it but you can let your imagination go wild. Check out her web site for more information. https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/product/silk-wrapped-purl-sampler/

Have you ever done a Bullion Knot? Not an easy task even though they look great. According to Absolutely Needlepoint they tried out a “Bullion Needle” and they are just like the Goldilocks saying – They are not to short and not to long. The eye of the needle is the same width as the shaft so it pulls thru the wraps easily. Tulip is the brand that makes them so if you do them often they might be a great tool for your stitching tool box. Absolutely Needlepoint – Discover a world of needlepoint and everything that comes with it.

Tips and Tricks: This is a WONDERFUL item for figuring out how much thread you need for a project. No more guess work on how many skeins you need to cover an area. The Wool and the Floss has started up a division called “Tools of the Trade”. They have a see through grid that you put over the canvas to count the number of square inches for a particular color. On the bottom of this sheet it has the directions on how to calculate what you need. How great is that ?!?!?! Check out their web site for this and other imaginative things they seem to think of ! Thread Calculator by Tools of the Trade (woolfloss.com)

Who was that Famous Stitcher? I am sure most of you know who that is – it’s Tony Minieri. One of the most prolific and inventive designers in the needlepoint industry. If you have never taken a class with him – do not hesitate if given the chance. You will learn amazing things and let’s not forget about his sense of humor !! He recently had a medical scare but is on the mend. Best wishes for a speedy recovery and healthy future. Tony Minieri Designs

Do you know who this famous stitcher is?