This month’s meeting was so interesting. We reviewed all of NJNA’s submissions to the WoodLawn 2024 Needlework Show. Seeing what people had entered and some sending in the same project yet different was inspiring to volunteer for “A Tale Of 2 Stitchers”. Our past President now does that column for Needlepointers Magazine and it’s a favorite each and every issue. Everyone has a different take on how a canvas should be stitched. Congratulations to all the ribbon winners ! Can’t wait to see the creativity next year.

Cathryn is also looking for more people to fill out the survey she prepared. The answers you give will guide the chapter on what programming will be for the coming year. We only want to provide what your interested in and we need to know what that is. It also takes a lot of advance planning to book a teacher or speaker so please return your survey ASAP.

There are at least 10 members of NJNA that are going to the Seminar in a week. Everyone is excited. Make sure your name is on the list so that you can all have a dinner together or catch up for lunch etc. Contact Linda M. if you haven’t already. The seminar is from Sept 1st thru the 5th – Have a great time.

The surprise of the evening was an invitation to all NJNA members from the Central New Jersey Chapter of ANG to participate in a Zoom class for the project “Holly” by Dawn Donnelly. This has been given in a previous ANG seminar. The class will be taught by Dawn Donnelly over 3 Thursday’s in April 2025. If you would like to join in the fun please email Maurene F. (see the email from 8/23/24). There are only a few seats left.

ANG has announced a “Save The Date” for the next online auction. It will start on Sept 12th thru the 15th. They have also activated the new Quarterly Stitch. This quarter is “Halloween Treat” by Marilyn Owens. You can get this free project off the web site or there is a link in the ANG email dated 8/23/24. There is also a new Cyber Workshop being announced on September 3rd – don’t we all need another project ?!?!?!

News Flash – Kreinik is going to be sold on cards not spools. Rainbow Gallery bought Kreinik months ago and moved everything to their CA location. Good luck to store owners when it happens as it will be a monumental change for them. You may also want to check the official list of discontinued Kreinik colors to be sure you have enough for a project your working on. https://www.kreinik.com/store/shop-needlework/how-to/Metallic-Thread-c-497/discontinued-Kreinik-metallic-colors.html

Did you just love that Chill Pill from Morgan Julia Designs! She and Krista from Penny Linn decided that a mini version was just as much fun. It’s on both their web sites (sold out for now on Penny Linn) and it’s approx 4″ X 2″ on 13 mesh canvas. It comes as a canvas or a kit. Look at Morgan Julia Design’s web site as she has other “pills” you can get. https://morganjuliadesigns.com/collections/pills?_kx=rV4MBEfWGkwURglkyUXCLopGavY2DCJQzP6Y94aO8T4.RWeQns

I happen to enjoy stitching those Retro Luggage Tags from Hedge Hog Needlepoint. They are so creative, small enough to take with you easily. Make sure you ask about the meaning of all that is on the tag. I wanted to have it finished with the grommet at the top but didn’t know where and I ran out of time. I just found a place that does it – Island House Needlepoint out of CT. These are the same people that gave us that great laying tool that is magnetic. They have a very different system to get something finished to make it a smoother process. Look at their web site as they have other interesting items. https://islandhouseneedlepoint.com/

Speaking of Hedge Hog Needlepoint – if you have not bought one of their leather tags to put their canvas in you might be surprised. They are very well made to last a life time. I was very please to give it as a gift. Coming Soon – New Colors !! No longer do you have to choose between brown, black and blue – what about Caribbean Turquoise (thank you Cathryn) or Lipstick Pink … such fun colors to look forward too. That is how you stand out in a crowd! https://hedgehogneedlepoint.com/

Kathy Rees of Needle Delights has several new items ! She has new Seasonal Delights she is releasing as soon as she is back from Seminar. How can you not fall in love with the hot chocolate and mittens – no matter the weather. The Fall one is about to hit home soon here in the North East. Each one is 6X6 with the Spring and Summer ones coming soon. She is also releasing her Confetti teaching piece thru the Shining Needle Society !! https://needledelights.com/product-category/coming-soon/?mc_cid=a83aa57e04&mc_eid=d11a24489c

Stitch By Stitch in NY may be closed for vacation but they are still full of great ideas you can order online such as Needlepoint cards. You stitch the design and insert it in the card to give for the occasion. The needlepoint can then be put in a self finishing item for the gift !! https://stitchbystitchneedlepoint.com/search?q=greeting+cards

They also have something I have yet to see anywhere – colored acrylic trays! What an enhancement for your stitching !! https://stitchbystitchneedlepoint.com/search?q=+acrylic+trays

And if all that is not enough – they are putting on their web site sneak previews of the Fall Market canvases – Yikes I am so glad they are closed right now !! https://stitchbystitchneedlepoint.com/collections/2024-autumn-needlepoint-show

The Needlepointer has the return of the Chinese Lantern Club – in case you missed it. They are so colorful and delicate looking. I can’t imagine what they do with all that opportunity on one canvas ! It starts in January 2025 and goes over 6 Bi-Monthly shipments. You get canvas, stitch guide and threads. https://www.theneedlepointer.com/chinese-lanternsdiv-idclubsubtitleopen-enrollmentdiv/p8514195?cse=nl082424&goal=0_3621358244-7de49a74f4-69343533&mc_cid=7de49a74f4&mc_eid=2e6039e84f

In case you have not heard – Louise’s Needlework shop is closing in November. Jill Elia is the 4th “Louise” and she wants to retire. I will miss her Recipe Corner !! Thank you Chilly Hollow. https://www.facebook.com/LouisesNeedlework

Tips and Tricks: This dandy little item comes from the Wool and the Floss. Looking at the picture you may not understand how it works. The second picture tells it all. It’s a stretchy tube that stays on your canvas with a magnet and it’s meant for your wooden laying tool !! Ah – Haaaa !!!! Very handy !! https://woolfloss.com/products/laying-tool-minder-by-tools-of-the-trade?shopify_email_activity_id=153950978268&syclid=cr56q37npmrc73chkdig&utm_campaign=emailmarketing_153950978268&utm_medium=email&utm_source=shopify_email

Who was that Famous Stitcher? That was the amazing Carole Lake. She was been in the canvas embroidery world for a long, long time. She has a list of accomplishments longer than your arm including pairing up with Michael Boren to form Stitch Play Designs. Sadly she passed away in January of this year. You can go online to still purchase some of her designs and her books are still in your LNS. https://stitchplay.com/

Do you know who this famous stitcher is?