I don’t know about you, but I went to my stash to see if I had enough threads to do our new pumpkin project. What a joke ! I came away with a basket full of choices. It’s going to be a great way to clean out and have a neat looking fall item no matter how you finish it off. Remember – it doesn’t have to be orange. I heard someone saying they were thinking of putting a scene on their pumpkin. I just knew it, there is going to be a variety of patterns, colors and maybe theme’s from this very creative bunch of women. It would be fun to see them all together at the Holiday Luncheon this year !!

WOW I just say the email from ANG with the new issue of Needlepoint’s Magazine. This is going to be another cover to cover read. Look closely at our own Linda M’s article A Tale of Two Stitchers. This time they did Gayla Elliot’s “Boating Girls”. The details both stitcher’s put into this is just a delight to look at. All you counted lovers are going to love the cover this time. I know several people that are going there first if for nothing else than the color!! The back cover is pretty spectacular also. Let’s not forget our own Melita G’s column Timeless Treasures – she finds some of the most interesting things from past issues. I may have eye strain from reading it on the computer because I have no patience to wait for the “snail mail”.

ANG is also looking for volunteers for quite a few positions. They also listed positions that will be open for 2025. If you are looking to be more involved they have a need !!

The summer season has begun which means VACATION !! I know not one person that would go away without their needlepoint. They also make sure to do their research before leaving to see if there is a shop near where they are staying. I have been reading about tips for flying with your stitching along with neat items to travel with. You will want to think about some of these things if your going to seminar ! I think it might be a sucker bet that we all don’t already have this stuff but — you never know! Absolutely Needlepoint had lots of suggestions from a Victoria Whitson key fob with tools attached to a scissor that is hidden to that small but powerful clip on light by Vivilux and much more. Great suggestions and accessories ! Absolutely Needlepoint – Discover a world of needlepoint and everything that comes with it.

Look also online at Morgan Julia Designs for great items for traveling. She has a wonderful bag that TSA must be grateful for as it has a clear window on each side. She also has other bags some in different sizes with and without a selection of needed tools. Even if your not flying she has a great looking small scissor that looks like it’s made of bamboo. Plenty of accessories to look at on her web site as well. Morgan Julia Designs – Needlepoint Canvases

Need a gift for a fellow stitcher? While your looking on Morgan Julia Designs she has some creative ort holders !! I understand why some are sold out – these are not !! Hint – Hint !!

There are 2 new clubs you can join in on. The first must have been so good they are doing a rerun of it ! Needlepoint .com is going to do Topiary Trees starting Oct/Nov.  These five topiary trees were designed exclusively for The Needlepointer by Alice Peterson. With an array of fibers, textures and embellishments they are sure to look spectacular. You get a tree every other month for 5 months along with a stitch guide and threads. https://www.theneedlepointer.com/christmas-tree-primary-colorsdiv-idclubsubtitleopen-enrollmentdiv/p8514179?cse=nl062224&goal=0_3621358244-2f22b1dd8d-69343533&mc_cid=2f22b1dd8d&mc_eid=2e6039e84f

The other club is just adorable – Atlantic Blue Canvas is doing a Radio City Rockette Club. Everything you think of when you hear the annual Christmas Show is announced. Starting in July the club runs for 5 months and includes the usual 5 canvases, stitch guide and threads. You will also get embellishments, a sticker and a surprise non needlepoint item. It is also different that the first box you get will include stretcher bars, tacks, needles (beading and tapestry) and beading thread. https://www.atlanticbluecanvas.com/products/club-5-month-subscription?selling_plan=4776165536&variant=50533818826912&_kx=_6T6ZEqw3FzRTyL6whjCxpBoWNmvx7M7ogeQHpVHlzk.SdsruM

If you have been to London you may be interested in the new ornaments that just came out thru Needlepoint .com – holiday doors of famous department stores ! They are just charming and festive. https://needlepoint.com/collections/london-store-fronts?utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=campaign&utm_campaign=2024_07_29%20London%20Store%20Fronts&utm_klaviyo_id=01EY735XHE675Z0Z1C4Z7SB8DK&_kx=SpNrwJYeSg8JHGV3vDRNkpeUD67Ddf2hdz1HBTATTO0.TxAVmM

Not far from London is Paris and the Olympics. Hedgehog Needlepoint, the maker of those fabulous retro luggage tags has made a tag for the Olympics. Of course it’s sold out as of now but I am sure it will be back in stock shortly. In the mean time they have 6 other tags for France. https://hedgehogneedlepoint.com/collections/2024-parisian-games-retro-travel-tag/products/2024-parisian-games-retro-travel-tag

Serendipity Needleworks has done a blog post about “Storage Solutions” for your threads. She makes a lot of sense and has that problem solved in just a few steps !! Read her blog post and then get the threads you need for our program – the pumpkin !! https://www.serendipityneedleworks.com/3-essential-tips-organizing-storing-needlepoint-thread/

Yikes – It’s again time for the Summer Virtual Market !! My stash can’t take it !! Oh but look at some of the new things that are out anyway. It doesn’t hurt to browse. As usual, Stitch By Stitch in NY has a great variety of the newest canvases on their web site. Look if you dare. https://stitchbystitchneedlepoint.com/collections/2024-summer-virtual-needlepoint-show?utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=campaign&utm_campaign=2024%20Summer%20Virtual%20Market%20-%20Day%201%20Shopping&utm_id=01J10RQPS24A6G1QCNSZX4V87J&_kx=6D5Y7Jiene-hlgseirQx1RFyVxGMpjd5qfVYcayxxNM.SwCMrn

Just when you thought you saw everything — there is “Stitchers Garden” on FaceBook. Someone is stitching a cane chair – only 2 more rows to go !!!

Tips and Tricks: You have a canvas and want to put a background on it to fit a particular frame or size – here is a solution. Go to The Wool and the Floss and get their templates to put over your item and figure how far you need to stitch. It even has the dead center with 4 quadrants so you know you are on the center. Then draw around the template. They have both circles / ovals and squares / rectangles. Such a simple solution !!! Notions & Accessories (woolfloss.com)

Who was that Famous Stitcher? That was Jo Ippolito Christensen – the author of the wildly famous “The Needlepoint Book” which has been around since 1976 and has been updated several times. She has also written other books to teach you our favorite hobby.

Do you know who this famous stitcher is?