Hi Everyone —

Sue and I visited the Woodlawn exhibit today and saw all of the wonderful NJNA exhibits including three by Nancy Brighton.  We have a total of 30 pieces in the exhibit!  Many of you have already seen Melita’s wonderful write-up.  We were thrilled to see so many more pieces than last year.

There were many special pieces (most of original design) that expressed the theme of “Celebrating 100 Years of Women Expressing their Rights Through Craftmaking.”  Of these, we were especially enchanted by this piece:

and by this special youth exhibit:

I voted for this piece as best in show:

I loved the 3-D effect of the curtains!  You should be able to get a better (and bigger) picture by clicking on it.

Sue voted for a small ribbon embroidery piece because it was so delicate.

I hadn’t planned to say much more than that we were disappointed by how high some of the pieces were hung.  I couldn’t even read the sayings on some of the samplers.

It’s always a surprise when you go on the scavenger hunt at Woodlawn to find the pieces that you recognize!  So I didn’t want to spoil that surprise for all of you.  But given that the exhibit will be closed until further notice (and perhaps for good), I’ve decided to post pictures of our group’s entries and, where possible, to give you a sense of the surroundings.

The Woodlawn Mansion!

After a quick stop at the shop and picking up our tickets, we were greeted in the parlor by Margaret’s amazing American flag — in a place of honor above the fireplace.

The center hall was overflowing with beautiful pieces.  Sue spotted the beautiful tiger maple box that holds Sharon B’s embroidery.

High, high above this box was Cathryn’s Waterlilies — so high I didn’t get a picture.  Sorry, Cathryn.

Across the hall, we discovered both Cathryn’s other piece and Nancy B’s wheelbarrow of flowers!

This year the dining room was filled with past year entries from Nelly Needlers.  While these were real beauties — I loved this tray and wanted to include the picture for Ellen S.

As we walked into the music room, Linda’s prizewinning sampler greeted us at the top of the door!

The music room held the completed tapestry that some of us stitched on at the ANG National Seminar in Washington DC.  It is covered with plexiglass so my photo was awful.

I loved this original piece and thought that it was perfectly displayed!

My Rooftops of Paris was displayed right next to the window in this room — it’s a little lopsided!

These pieces were hung to catch the rays of the sun.  The one directly above my Paris is all beaded and wow does it sparkle in the sun!

As we took the steps to the second floor, we found my “Avenue of the Giants”.

On a shelf at the curve of the stairs, we found this duck,  I had to take the picture from afar, so it’s a little cloudy, but I wanted to include it because all of the black lines (making it look like stained glass) were cut into the mat.  I thought Rob would be impressed!

At the top of the stairs, Linda and Noelle’s Autumn Kaleidoscopes in the original colorway were hung on either side of the first bedroom door.  It was very interesting to see how different they looked because of their frame treatment!  (Apparently I didn’t take a picture — Sorry!)

Also in the hall were Noelle’s 2019 SOTM and Janet P’s Kaleidoscope.  Sorry about the reflection Noelle.  The purse was gorgeous too.

The hall seemed to be the location of autumn colored pieces — and, once again, we found Diane B’s Kaleidoscope in the Halloween stairway!

I also wanted to call Cathryn’s attention to the vase of Halloween candy flowers in the center.  I know this is a finishing technique that you have also used to good effect.

We had good representation in the Christmas bedroom as well.

Sylvia’s Beautiful Beaded Tree

Joan’s Star — It was displayed among other snow scenes!

And here’s Cindy’s “Santa Peeking!”

The small center upstairs room is what Sue and I call the Needlepoint Room.  We were well-represented in this room.

Jill’s Kaleidoscope is at the top and took a First Prize ribbon.  Ellen B’s Medallion is directly below.

Sue C’s Kaleidoscope at the top and Cindy’s beautiful Mermaid at the bottom.  I think this was the ocean row!

So much in this picture!  Melita’s piece is at the top left.  Another entry by Nancy B in the middle at the bottom.  Sylvia’s beautiful Kaleidoscope at the bottom of the right column.

The small wall in this room boasted Ellen B’s Mermaid!

Remember that you can always enlarge a picture by clicking on it.

Sue and I decided to call the big bedroom at the top of the stairs the Colorful Room!  My Kaleidoscope and Janet P’s Disco Ball made it to this room.  I loved the piece above the fireplace.  Janet’s was hung all by itself on the closet door!

The room next to the Halloween stairs had several themes, but mostly I would call it the “Other” Holiday room!   Janice’s Kaleidoscope seemed to be group with Valentine items — appropriate for her Cherry and Chocolate colors.  (Although I think a Christmas item snuck in there too!)

Sue C’s Hooray for the Red, White, and Blue was also displayed in this room, along with several armed service themed canvases.  Note the flag — the same design as Margaret’s, but not as nicely framed.

I’m generally not too fond of Bargello, but I liked this piece in this room.

Finally we came to the last bedroom, filled with lace — and Barbara L’s perfume line-up!

I thought this next piece made an interesting birth sampler — very different.

So, I know I missed more than a few and offer my apologies to all.  Rather than individual pictures, I wanted you to get a feel for the flow of the house and the more overall arrangement.  I hope you enjoy.

Before I go, Woodlawn was encouraging us to read “A Single Thread” by Tracy Chevalier.  Sue and I listened to it on the way down, while there, and on the way home.  We are enjoying it tremendously.  It is about a woman who learns needlepoint just so that she can stitch a kneeler for the cathedral.  Woodlawn featured these kneelers as a special exhibit that tied to the book.

We will keep everyone informed about the return of our pieces.  It appears that Woodlawn may try to extend the exhibit into April — but I wouldn’t hold my breath right now.

Cheers, Rosie