August is a busy month. We are working on the pumpkin again (yes I started mine and it’s got some great stitches that you can make sing with different threads). We will also be reviewing the Wood Lawn show from earlier this year. There are 20 days until the ANG seminar starts in Kansas City. Labor Day is 9/2 and most important of all — today is National S’mores Day !!! Enjoy !

Two other items – First is a shout out to our new member Jean Trumpy from WI. I just got her information and will be updating everyone shortly (had computer problems). Number 2 is a comment I have received on several occasions about receiving the blog. “Why does the email come in larger than the page”. In a nut shell – I have no idea ! If anyone out there in cyber space knows the answer please let me know.

There is a neat looking new book that you can get thru KC Needlepoint called CHart It – a monogrammers companion. It’s by Sara Trucksess of SCT Designs who sells her canvases thru KC Needlepoint.. She has some very cute items to check out: https://www.kcneedlepoint.com/collections/sct-designs This book includes 26 original needlepoint charts, alongside a full alphabet of shadow-lettering. The book is compact and is designed to be tucked in your stitching bag. KC Needlepoint will offer the book as part of a package deal – the book, the 16 colors of DMC Cotton #5 that Sara uses in her designs, two skeins of DMC white, two cut squares of 18 count canvas, needles and a handy project bag to keep it all together. If you order your kit THIS WEEKEND through KC Needlepoint, you will receive a signed copy, while supplies last. https://www.kcneedlepoint.com/products/chart-it-kit

KC Needlepoint also has another interesting item – this canvas by Hello Tess, and it’s a stitch along. You can buy the kit which comes with the canvas, fibers and needle. You then go to their blog and Jenny McAuliffe has a detailed stitch guide. Nice small project for traveling. https://www.kcneedlepoint.com/products/home-round-kit

At this point we all know you need a new bag to travel with and put your new projects in. Look at these cute bags from Chaparral. They come in 3 colors and are 14″ long x 9″ tall x 5″ wide. They appear to be a heavy canvas so it will hold up. https://ndlpt.com/collections/the-ultimate-tote/products/black-stripe-ndlpt-tote

This world is all about choices – right ?!?!? Here is another great looking tote bag by Penny Linn. This tote is made of nylon and was designed for needlepoint usage. It’s 22″ across the top yet 17″ across the bottom. It’s 14 ” high and comes with a 12 ” straps but has the ability to put on a cross body strap. It also has a strap across the back for luggage. Loads of pockets on the inside – did they miss anything? Go to the web site and watch the video on all this bag can hold – amazing ! https://pennylinndesigns.com/collections/accessories/products/everything-organizer-tote

Of course getting a bag is still not enough – you NEED one – or more – of these great Rachael Barri mini magnetic clips and of course a canvas for it. I recently saw them in Stitch By Stitch NY and they are very strong. You can put it on your bag and attach something like your hat or on a golf bag your towel and off you go. They come in a bunch of colors and of course they have many canvases to choose from or just put in your initial. https://stitchbystitchneedlepoint.com/products/rachel-barri-mini-clip-navy?_pos=1&_sid=7cb95e28b&_ss=r

Check out a new designer exclusively thru Atlantic Blue Canvas – DBL Designs. When you scroll thru the pictures above you may recognize the face of one of the women – yup – That is Diane Baxter, the owner of Threads Too in Fair Haven NJ. She and her daughter in law Lauren have designed a line of canvases showing off the NJ shore. Most are on 13 count and are an easy stitch. https://www.atlanticbluecanvas.com/collections/dlb-designs?_kx=_6T6ZEqw3FzRTyL6whjCxpBoWNmvx7M7ogeQHpVHlzk.SdsruM

The Brilliant Baubles club is making a return performance at the Needlepointer. Starting in Dec/Jan the club has 13 canvases by Eye Candy-she always has great color combinations. You get the canvas, threads and stitch guide AND if you sign up by 8/16/24 they will give you 15% off ! https://www.theneedlepointer.com/brilliant-baublesdiv-idclubsubtitleopen-enrollmentdiv/p8514194?cse=nl081024&goal=0_3621358244-9f573d7c10-69343533&mc_cid=9f573d7c10&mc_eid=2e6039e84f

For an in person class instead of online, check out Stitch By Stitch in NY. They are having 2 interesting classes this fall. A 2 day class on Oct 22nd and 23rd doing Jeni Sanberg’s tufted clutch. You can choose either colorway. OR, you can check out their 5 session class of Abigail Cecile’s Rooftops of NY. Both come with the canvas, threads, stitch guide and instruction. They also have other classes so it’s best to check out their web site. https://stitchbystitchneedlepoint.com/pages/needlepoint-classes-learn-from-the-experts-at-stitch-by-stitch

Morgan Julia Designs has expanded so much they are moving to a bigger new space. Take a look at her video for a tour: https://ctrk.klclick.com/l/01J4EWHD948QCQB6Q1QJN35KB1_3 Her blog gives a sneak peak at the decor she is planning on that will eventually transform the space. Hopefully this means lots of new designs to come. Good Luck Morgan Julia !!

WOW – KC Needlepoint has a great deal !!! They will finish your canvas into a zip top clutch bag and turn it around in just 3 weeks !!! That’s what they say !! We will have to try it out !! https://www.kcneedlepoint.com/blogs/news/fast-zip-top-clutch-finishing-is-here?omnisendContactID=61fc368aa1816e00226a532d&utm_campaign=campaign%3A+Clutch+finishing+%2866a61eb96713778c3f78361e%29&utm_medium=email&utm_source=omnisend

Ellen Johnson’s blog post on What’s your needlepoint Style was interesting. She is trying to sort thru her stash and pare down. She is putting up for sale those canvases she will never do on her Etsy site but was wondering what your personal needlepoint style was – read her post and decide what you are and maybe you too can lighten your stash !! LOL She has other posts on how to sort thru all that you have accumulated ! https://www.serendipityneedleworks.com/what-is-your-needlepoint-style/?utm_source=active-campaign&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=blog

Tips & Tricks: This trick comes from Stitch Stash and it makes a lot of sense. As you stitch your canvas put one thread of each color on the outside edge of your canvas. When your finished and find any missed stitch you will have the correct thread right there to fill it in.

Who was that Famous Stitcher? That is Ann-Marie Anderson – Mayes of Beautiful Stitches. She lives in Australia and is coming to this years seminar to teach “My Happy Place”. Better than that she is going to be teaching a program for our guild and it’s a choice of either Versailles or Grace’s Garden.

Do you know who this famous stitcher is?