NJNA 2026 | NJNA is Blogging!

This past week we had our first meeting of they year. So good to see so many on Zoom. After a short business meeting Jacqui C gave us the beginnings of “The Year of Color”. A color wheel was sent out to everyone if you didn’t get it at the lunch. She explained how useful the color wheel can be when picking threads for a project. Next month’s meeting should be quite worth your time. Jacqui will be explaining more of the color wheel and how to use it along with a discussion on a specific color. Each new meeting will be about a specific color and as we all know from Jacqui – everyone needs a little yellow in their life !!

Have you looked at the brochure for the seminar in Denver?? Some very neat looking projects. With this storm coming, get yourself something to drink and peruse the classes being offered. https://online.fliphtml5.com/bjsk/orfy/#p=1

ANG has just revealed the NEW Distance Learning offerings. They are now offering distance classes in 2 categories. Either with a teacher or on your own. What they show on the web site is one of each. Read more about them including the cost on the ANG website under Education.

All you Edwardian Needle fans – Pam is having a big sale. All canvases are 25% off ! It can be a deep dive in some of those drawers but many hidden gems are there waiting to be found. As I sifted a bit I found several Charlie Harpers, Melissa Shirley and several that have been featured in older Needlepoint Now magazines. She is also having a Super Bowl party that you have to sign up for at the front desk.

With the storm coming for the next few days and Mother Nature taking her anger out on us all with that frigid air maybe it’s not a bad idea to think about a class at the beach – IN JUNE !! Stitch Stash is having a 2 day class on turkey work, beads and ribbons. Audra Daughtry is teaching the classes. https://stitch-stash.com/collections/audra-daughtry-2-day-class-focusing-on-turkey-work-beading-and-ribbons?customer_posted=true#feedback-bar–newsletter

For those that love the new food trend of having a Charcuterie Board (shaar·koo·tr·ee) for company can now have a stitched one. Needlepoint Obsession in Maine has an exclusive canvas that would make a great tray for drinks with your array of meats and cheeses. They are also putting the finishing touches on a stitch guide for it including embellishments. To Pre Order: https://www.needlepointobsession.com/product-page/charcuterie-board?utm_campaign=2fb0a866-88f2-4316-b2a4-d790172637f9&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail&cid=26af9709-65a8-4538-b992-dbcd68f4683e

The Needlepointer has a very interesting new club. It’s expected to start in April and runs for 12 months. It’s called the Kaleidoscope of Color. Each month you get a variety of threads to experiment with and explore. To go with them you get a small painted canvas and a stitch guide. If that is not enough they also include a key fob so you can finish the canvas and use what you stitched. Sounds like a deal !!! https://theneedlepointer.com/products/kaleidoscope-kolours-2026?se_activity_id=170322231538&syclid=d5qjsvk843hs73d28gs0&utm_campaign=Join%20the%20Excitement%20Today%E2%80%94New%20Club%20Awaits!_170322231538&utm_medium=email&utm_source=shopify_email&selling_plan=6057001202&variant=48678444204274

Needlepoint has exploded into a trend that is being embraced by many younger people – a great thing. Do you know anyone new to it or wanting to try it out. Needlepoint.com has an interesting offer. Refer a Friend and both you and the friend get $15 off a purchase. What a nice incentive for both. Goodness knows their web site can keep you busy just looking at all they have to offer. I understand the store is amazing (dangerous) to go in person. https://needlepoint.com/pages/rewards?utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=campaign&utm_campaign=2026_01_24%20Referral%2C%20Nutcrackers&utm_klaviyo_id=01EY735XHE675Z0Z1C4Z7SB8DK&_kx=SpNrwJYeSg8JHGV3vDRNkpeUD67Ddf2hdz1HBTATTO0.TxAVmM

DMC has a new offer. They have a nice looking tote bag from their Eco Vita collection. It looks roomy yet not over bearing to make you feel like a pack animal. It comes with 12 skeins of Eco Vita Naturally Dyed Organic Wool Thread, and the Eco Vita Wooden Project Box with 24 Bobbins. https://www.dmc.com/US/en/products/eco-vita-tote-bobbin-box-bundle?taxon_id=244

Coco Frank recently had a baby – can you tell by her newest canvas????? Actually it works for many situations not just for babies. Would be very cute as a pillow in a guest room. Great colors and only 7.5 X 3.5 on 13 mesh – a quick stitch as a gift. Just pretty ! https://cocofrankstudio.com/products/floral-sweet-dreams?utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=campaign&utm_campaign=Sweet+Dreams+Launch+Wednesday&utm_id=01KFDXC6MS76W5XZ2NTGJPY82G&_kx=AMZQYComXLrlPiMuvFdjhoml8t5fg3L7XzLWnq3B7hE.XYMb7E

The only thing that this frigid weather reminds me of (in a positive way) is the Winter Olympics. If your a fan then you might want to check out the new piece by Hedgehog Needlepoint. You can pre order the new 2026 Winter Olympics Mitten. She expects it to ship on Feb 3 and how great a way to celebrate the games but to stitch while watching ! https://hedgehogneedlepoint.com/products/2026-winter-games-mitten-needlepoint-canvas

If your a fan of Color Compliments then go check out their new colors. They are all limited editions and there are more to come next month. She has started with 3 randomly dyed color combinations. She is also adding 2 new colors of size 12 perle cotton samplers in addition to the blue one released in late 2025. Interesting and soft looking colors. https://colourcomplements.com/product-category/limited-edition-embroidery-threads The 12 Perle Cottons are on sale. https://colourcomplements.com/product-category/sale

Tips and Tricks: If you haven’t seen these go get some – they can be a wonderful third hand ! They come in a number of names and you can get them by the ton on Amazon – look up Wonder Clips. I have used them to hold threads out of the way until I am ready to go back to a color and they are the best tool if you do your own finishing. Be aware that you can get them in different sizes. Always keep them in your bag of tricks.

Who was that Famous Stitcher? Bet you knew this one – she is Megan Holmes the owner of The Gingham Stitchery in St. Louis MO and Susan Roberts. Megan and Melisa McCloud of The Wool and the Floss use to do a podcast called Pointing it Out which you can still see on YouTube.

Do you know who this famous stitcher is?

Everyone hunker down and stay warm in the storm – perfect time to stitch !!

Today was the NJNA Holiday Lunch at The Grain House in Basking Ridge NJ. Always a nice time. So great to see people in person and chat. The food never disappoints but the real draw is to see everyone’s stitching that they bring to show. Jacqui and Cathryn also told us about this year being the year of color. We all got a color wheel, ring for our up coming threads, a colorful magnet courtesy of Linda M and a pen !! LOL The pen was for a fun circle a word while we were waiting for our desert ! We were also surprised with our President Noelle D. having flown in for the occasion. There was an amazing amount of talent in the room was on display for all to see. Here are some pictures of projects and “The Year of Color”.

Have you renewed your National ANG dues yet?? If not just know that some are having trouble with the web site. You can call them directly to see how to pay until they get their web site fixed. Their number is 856-380-6911.

Oh My ! The new Needle Pointers magazine is on it’s way and it never disappoints. The cover is great the back cover is spectacular! What is in between will keep you turning pages for quite a while. Our own Melita G is in for her wins at seminar not to mention her column – Timeless Treasures From The Archives. I found lots of surprises and then I got to the Tale of Two Stitchers – I can’t wait to read it in hand to see more details. In just looking thru the digital copy – how creative a group are we ! Amazing pieces that seem to only get better and better.

ANG now has something new called Independent Learning. This is Correspondence Courses, CyberWorkshop, and Workshop by Mail all rolled into one. Two ways to learn and a simplified registration process all to make it easier to enjoy a class. Check it out on the web site (after they fix it) and there should be 2 courses you can already choose from.

ANG also announced the new Stitch of the Month – or should I say “Beard of the Month” VERY different! Each month is a new pattern to create a different looking beard. All of the designs are by Janet Zickler Casey. Not just for Santa or a Nutcracker, they can be used on any canvas needing a beard or maybe some interesting hair !?!?!?!

Was your interest tickled to hear what Pantone’s color of the year is for 2026? What were they thinking?? White ! They may call it “Cloud Dancer” and we know there are enough whites to make you dizzy but – it’s white ! They need to step up their game for next year !

The Needlepointer has something new – an ornament and as part of the kit you get everything needed to finish it. They also include access to one of their videos to get step by step visual instructions. A good way to learn finishing an ornament as it’s getting harder and harder to get things back. https://theneedlepointer.com/products/complete-ornament-stitch-amp-self-finishing-kit-with-tutorial-video?se_activity_id=169461580018&syclid=d5gpbou7kkjc73eemo8g&utm_campaign=Shop+This+Exciting+NEW+Arrival+Now%21_169461580018&utm_medium=email&utm_source=shopify_email

Stitch Stash has a new club that runs for 6 months starting in February. Each month you get an ornament designed by Elizabeth Crane Swartz (known for her dots). You have to commit to 3 months or go for all six. You receive the canvas, stitch guide done by Patti Hoffmann, thread kit and it all ships for free. These ornaments are ECS’s original artwork she used for her past Christmas cards. https://stitch-stash.com/products/the-card-art-club

Stitch Rock has a bunch of holiday canvases (for next year) on their web site – one cuter than the next! You have to love the “Pug in a Pumpkin” needle minder also. Check out her array of canvases from The Griswold Family Vacation, new stamps etc. Not small canvases but certainly not big – like Goldilocks – “Just Right”. https://stitchrockdesigns.com/

Tips & Tricks: Have you ever dropped your scissors – silly question. What happens to the point? Does it get damaged hitting the floor or worse hitting your foot. Protect the point with fun scissor protectors ! Check out Etsy for all of these to protect your 2nd most needed piece of equipment (needles first !)

Who was that Famous Stitcher? That is Maggie Boroujerdi – the founder of LOVE mhb Studio. A graphic designer right out of the Parsons School of Design. She worked at Martha Stewart Living and Conde Nast before venturing out on her own having been stitching for most of her life. When you look at her web site you will know many of her canvases. https://lovemhbstudio.com/