Get ready to hone your beading skills !! Jacqui C. is going to do a presentation on beading this month – the technique we love to hate !! Fabulous results but – ugh – threading that beading needle and the fishing line – yech !!! Jacqui has techniques to get around those horrors but you have to come to the meeting to get all the tricks of the trade !! Become a member and you will enjoy those benefits and more. Just a tease – May is all about Bargello. The type of technique for chilling out with !!

The Spring Fling courses have begun – how many classes did you sign up for?? Relax and enjoy this great opportunity to do seminar pieces without going to seminar. Looking forward to what they will offer next year.

Did you see all the new members of ANG for the month of March?? Like having lots of new flowers popping up for spring! They are from all across the nation except for NJ !! Let’s get the word out about the program for younger stitchers to join at 50% off. Get some representation from NJ in April !! Congrats to all the new members !

Are you doing the Quarterly Stitch of the Month? A Tree For All Seasons by Becky Breshears. Hurry and down load the current directions as it expires next week. Very cool how it looks 3D.

Another reminder – the ANG Hearts Club Stitch-A-Long is about to start the Origami Flower Heart. So pretty !! You buy the canvas from Judy Ann and they will be stitching it from May thru June. A list of the threads you need is below. Looks like the oppertunity to learn so many stitches with such a great result. https://judyannneedlepoint.com/product/origami-flower-heart-needlepoint-canvas/

Look at the new items that have been added to the Chapter Program Books – neat small projects !! Talk to your chapter program chair if your interested in doing either or both!

With Spring comes New – flowers, leaves, pollen(yech) and to the Needlepoint world comes Spring Market, new clubs and a New Book !! The release date is 4/8/25 for Emma Homent’s Next-Level Needlepoint. The pictures look like they are large and easy to understand. She offers advice as to where to use each stitch. You may know her from the popular box of 50 cards with a stitch on each card making it easy to take with you. I doubt this book will disappoint.

The newest club is thru the Needlepointer – Animal Mini Socks. They expect this club to start in July / August. It runs over 7 months with one sock per month and includes a thread pack and stitch guides. Very cute and an easy way to finish ornaments in time. https://www.theneedlepointer.com/animal-mini-socksdiv-idclubsubtitleopen-enrollmentdiv/p8515594?cse=nl040625&goal=0_3621358244-06485f55cd-69343533&mc_cid=06485f55cd&mc_eid=2e6039e84f

New Bags from Stitch Stash – she has new bags with new patterns, 4 roomy pockets, beaded tassels and 4 sizes along with a new snap tray ! They are so happy looking it’s a hard choice from one design to the next. https://stitch-stash.com/collections/clear-coated-bags

New Magnets (we are such suckers for a new magnet!) Morgan Julia Designs, Beau Verre Art and KC Needlepoint along with others have some new and different ones. * Look for the one that you put your needle thru it !!

If you go to Morgan Julia Designs to look at her magnets check out her newest canvas – something we all know to well – Diet Soda !!! You can almost taste the bubbles and the chilly ice cubes. https://morganjuliadesigns.com/collections/retail-only

New to me !! Have you seen Blue Water Needlepoint? Some really nice canvases. They also have 1 inch designs – great for some of those self finishing items. You need to contact your LNS as they only sell to stores but check out their web site – wow – mesmerizing! https://www.bluewatersneedlepoint.com/ Their web site shows who is having a trunk show.

New from Penny Linn (can’t wait to see her store !) in her New England style, she has some lovely new items. Check out her web site but make sure your credit card is hidden – one is nicer than the next !! https://pennylinn.com/collections/new-all

New from the Spring Market – and there is plenty to look at on The Wool and The Floss web site https://woolfloss.com/collections/orlando-spring-needlepoint-market-2025 and Stitch By Stitch https://stitchbystitchneedlepoint.com/collections/2025-spring-needlepoint-market-in-orlando. Both of these stores give you a good idea of what you can order or see in your LNS. I like that some of these designers are also giving you a choice of a canvas or ornament in the same design, like Blue Ridge or The Gingham Stitchery. Also go to Stitch By Stitch and watch the video on the clutch bag !! The Wool and the Floss is now the authorized Peanuts cartoon distributor. You need plenty of time as there is so many new items this spring!

Tips and Tricks: Did you know that you need a “Fluffity Fluffity Fluffer??? I didn’t until I used it ! I had an ornament that I used Whisper thread on. The hairs were matted on the canvas. Using a bunka brush was a bit to severe for the delicate threads and then I found this – worked like a charm !!! A Bedecked and Beadazzled item https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/product/fluffity-fluffity-fluffer/ An alternative method (thank you Cathryn) is to use a child’s toothbrush. Gotta think outside that box !

Who was that Famous Stitcher? That is Madalena Bruno – she was one of the owners of Stitch By Stitch in NY. She was always happy to help when you walked in the store, gave classes and has wonderful stitch guides. She will be missed but she is going on to other things in life. We wish Betty Scanlon the best of luck now that she is the full owner. A dangerous store for a stitcher !

Do you know who this famous stitcher is?

I will be back after the holidays – Everyone enjoy !!