Category Archives: Travel

Feb2

Woodlawn Drop-off 2023

Posted on February 2, 2023 by lindam55

On Wednesday, Mr. M and I headed down I-95 to Alexandria to drop off NJNA members’ needlework for the 60th Annual Needlework Show at Woodlawn. This trip was a bit different than those in the past – the weather cooperated (past years have seen us travel through torrential rain and even snow); we didn’t have to stop at the Mt. Laurel Starbucks as Melita was able to drop off her and the other Linda M’s pieces at our holiday luncheon earlier this year; and, we were able to get an appointment on Thursday instead of Saturday since Mr. M is now retired.

We woke up on Wednesday to a bit of snow on the ground, not an auspicious start for the trip. But the weather was dry and we did finally manage to see sun by the time we hit the Maryland border. We stopped in Catonsville at Matthews 1600 for lunch where I enjoyed a deconstructed brie flatbread (a small wheel of brie, cranberry-pear chutney, chopped pecans, and flatbread pieces). Fortunately, we did bring along a cooler bag so the brie will be enjoyed over the weekend.

We arrived at our hotel mid-afternoon with enough time to take a short nap (travel is so exhausting) and get some stitching done before heading out to dinner. We dined at a restaurant we found last year on our way back from the Williamsburg retreat – Old House Cosmopolitan Grill. Mr. M enjoyed Cordon Bleu while I had the Züricher Geschnetzeltes, accompanied by a white wine from Bosnia-Herzegovina. We did save room for dessert – Apfel Kuechle for the gentleman and Pistachio-Raspberry Cheesecake for the lady.

This morning we headed over to Woodlawn to submit the 27 pieces from 15 NJNA members. As always, the volunteers who staff the Exhibit were happy to see us and expressed their appreciation for our continued support of the fundraiser. The needlework filled the trunk of my Mazda 3!

Fortunately, our packaging system, which we’ve implemented over the last few years, proved to be effective in getting the pieces unloaded and ready for logging into the system. The volunteers were well-organized and ready for us – a large table was set aside for the pieces. Since we had so many, we did wind up using a second table.

The staff then carefully examined each piece and noted whether there were any nicks in the frames or any distortion in the canvas/linen. Each piece was then assigned a number, which will be the number you see in the Exhibit listing. Our numbers start at 204.

As we walked around the tables examining and logging the pieces, we did discuss the judging process. I was told that the judges see the pieces exactly as shown in the photos – placed on the tables. The judges do not see the back of the piece at all. They are also instructed to evaluate the stitching only – how the piece is finished, the condition of the finish, and whether the ground material has buckled are not considerations in the judging process. I thought that information was good to know.

We talked about buckling of ground material, whether due to the type of stitch used or some other factor such as humidity. It was recommended that pieces be laced to the mounting board rather than pinned; lacing allows for better control of how well the piece is mounted. I attended a workshop last October at which lacing was demonstrated. The speaker takes her pieces to the framer prior to lacing to select the framing molding. She determines the amount of the overhang for the molding as well as the distance from the edge of the stitching to the framing to calculate the size for her mounting board.

NJNA is known for bringing one piece stitched in various colorways. This year we had the 2021 ANG Stitch-of-the-Month, Stratigraphy by Jennifer Riefenberg. Although we only had three versions, they were all very different with one done in the original grays, one in browns, and one very colorful.

Way back when, our first multiple colorway entry was Michael Boren’s Frankie! which was a 2014 workshop submitted to Woodlawn in 2015. At that time, they were all showcased in one room on a single wall.

Since then, our multiple colorway submissions have been scattered throughout the Exhibit. I was told that the single wall treatment overwhelmed the visitors, and they did not stop to look at the differences in the colorways. Obviously, they were not stitchers! However, scattering the pieces throughout the Exhibit has allowed the organizers to use them as a scavenger hunt for children. The kids are told that there are X number of pieces that are the same and asked if they can find them. It sounds like fun; Mr. M and I always comment when we find similar pieces. This year they are going to try to hang all three Stratigraphy pieces together.

We were complimented on our packaging system and were told they wished other groups adopted the same standards. Whether it’s the best, I don’t dare comment. But we were able to unload the car, unpack the pieces, and have them evaluated/logged in under one hour!

Once we finished with the drop-off we headed over to Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant for a leisurely lunch and some browsing at the shop. Dinner tonight was at a restaurant that Melita and Bill found – The Warehouse. Tomorrow will be a sightseeing day (yes, there are still places in the area we haven’t visited) and we’ll head home on Saturday.

We’re looking forward to visiting the Exhibit in March. It opens on Wednesday, March 1, and runs through March 31. Hours are 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. every day except Tuesdays. Tickets can be purchased at the Woodlawn website. The café will be open for dining this year. We were tortured with the aroma of the cookies baking while we were there this morning!

I hope that you all have a chance to visit the Exhibit to see the fabulous needlework that is submitted. In addition, there are needlework demonstrations and other activities throughout the month of March.

I do want to thank all of the NJNA members who submitted pieces to this wonderful Exhibit. NJNA’s support of this Exhibit is truly appreciated.

Happy Stitching!

Linda

Apr26

Woodlawn 2021 – Drop-off

Posted on April 26, 2021 by lindam55

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The Annual Needlework Show in support of the Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House in Alexandria, VA has become a tradition for New Jersey Needle Artists members. While several members exhibited at – and visited – the Show in the past, NJNA has been submitting needlework pieces as a group since 2015.

NJNA members rose to the occasion again this year despite the restrictions due to COVID and submitted 25 pieces to the 58th Annual Needlework Show. Since we haven’t been able to meet in-person this year, we had to come up with an alternative to our usual practice of collecting the pieces at our January meeting. Fortunately, our members are flexible and we gathered 23 framed pieces, one Christmas stocking, and a pillow before heading down the NJ Turnpike/I-95 on Friday. In years past this trip was made in February so weather was always unpredictable. Although we still traveled under gray skies and cooler temperatures than I would have liked, the trip down was smooth sailing.

While we usually look forward to this trip each year as a chance to get away, this year it was even more anticipated as we haven’t been able to do much traveling. Mr. M and I stopped for lunch in Catonsville, MD at our new “favorite” spot, Matthews 1600. We found this restaurant last year when our previous “go to” eatery in Ellicott City closed down. Matthews 1600 is located in a historic building (circa 1862) that started as the Terminal Hotel and was a station at the end of the line for the Frederick Road horse car line. The building was renovated in the early 2000s and reopened as Matthews 1600 in 2004. It has an extensive food menu and the appropriate beverage menu to appeal to Mr. M.

On Saturday, we headed to Woodlawn to begin the process of check-in. As a result of COVID, everyone who submitted pieces to the Show had to pre-register on-line and pay their entry fee directly. This really streamlined the process as I didn’t have to deal with individual checks/cash for the pieces. We were able to unwrap all of our pieces and place them on tables in the check-in room. The QR code on each Submission Form was scanned and an email was generated almost immediately indicating that the piece had been registered. The volunteers checking in our pieces also assigned each piece its own Show Number.

The volunteers who check in the Show pieces have developed a really efficient system; we were done and on our way in under an hour. In years past we would then head into DC or Old Town Alexandria to visit a museum. COVID restricted our ability to plan for a museum visit so we headed over to Mount Vernon and had lunch at the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant.

The Needlework Show will be open from Sunday, May 2 through Monday, May 31 (except Tuesdays). Timed tickets are required and are available on the Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House website. I encourage you to visit – the needlework is exquisite and it’s an easy trip to make. With the show held in May instead of March, the weather should be great. And I just learned that the Smithsonian Museums and the National Gallery of Art will be re-opening in mid-May, so I’m hoping I can book some tickets for the weekend we’re there.

Stay well and happy stitching!

Linda

Jul17

A new Needlepoint Shop in New Jersey!

Posted on July 17, 2020 by suesci

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Yesterday I stopped in Bay Head Needlepoint which has just opened this summer in Bay Head. (bayheadneedlepoint.com)

The address is on Bridge Street, but the entrance is on the side of the building on Lake Street. It is a magical little shop with lots of light showing off a beautiful display of threads. The painted canvases they have are from some well known designers and many are perfect for shore vacationers. Right now you must wear a mask as well as use the hand sanitizer provided as you enter.

The shop is owned by four friends who all Needlepoint and have been friends for years having spent summers in the area for a long time. The threads are beautifully displayed which would make it easy to purchase a canvas and select the threads to stitch it all at one time.

Did you see the brick covers? Perfect to stitch for a shore home where the ocean breeze always tries to slams doors shut!

The threads that they carry include Vineyard Silk Silk and Vineyard Silk Merino, Silk and Ivory, Pepper Pot Variegated, Fyre Werks Soft Sheen Minis and Tili Thomas Essential minis (50/50 Silk/wool). I was impressed with their thread inventory and happy that they limited the lines but carried so many colors of each. When you want to match the color on a painted canvas, you need that. At this point the accessories are limited, the stitching bags you can see hanging on the checkout counter, small finished boxes only needing the stitched insert to complete a perfect gift, and the perfect book for painted canvas people, Stitches to Go. The shop consists of two small rooms and a hallway where they have set up a taping machine to get your project ready to go!

For those of you making a shore stop this summer, make a side trip here, you won’t be disappointed in what you see. I am looking forward to stopping in again next time I am down that way.

Sue

Mar13

NJNA At Woodlawn!

Posted on March 13, 2020 by rosielunde

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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:

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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.

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

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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!

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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.

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

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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”.

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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!

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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.

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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!)

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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.

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

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

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

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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.

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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

Aug20

A Livelier Iris

Posted on August 20, 2019 by suesci

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This two day class was the first national seminar for my teacher, Wendy Moore, and she was ready for us! Her directions were a stitcher’s dream–great diagrams with lots of little extras to help you along the way, as well as a heading on each page with the thread used, the number of strands, the stitch and where it is on the canvas. The iris is stitched with straw silk which was fun to use once it was ironed flat. There are enough shades of the silk to make the soft shade changes. On day one we worked on the iris and day two on the stalk and frame that will go around it.

Look at the top portion of the frame (only part stitched yet). The corner motif idea came from the design on a ceiling tile Wendy sees when she is at the hair dressers and having her hair washed! (Rosie often takes architectural photos for stitching ideas!). Then the frame is two parts with one being a longer scotch stitch and the other laid threads tied down with spaced Gobelin stitches. When you see the completed piece, it really looks like a wood frame! This piece is quite large and is currently going home with Dee as she kindly agreed to carry it in her car back to NJ! If you see a design that you like at a class or seminar with Wendy as a teacher, sign up. I think you will enjoy being in her class.

A few notes about this place as a seminar location. I loved it! The rooms are more spacious than ones we have had at other seminars with adequate drawer space and floor space for all the things needlepointers need to have on hand. The staff has been very friendly and accommodating and always with a smile. The lazy river has been a perfect way to loosen up tired muscles after a day of stitching. There were several days when we “walked the perimeter of Texas” a few times against the current for a bit more exercise! The surrounding area had open space which a suburb gal needs, places to eat within walking distance, and a great specialty grocery store. The seminar committee did a great job in their selection of location in my opinion.

Aug18

Lady with Mandala II — Day 2!

Posted on August 18, 2019 by rosielunde

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Hi Everyone —

I don’t really have much to report today. I quite enjoyed the remainder of my class and I am awed that we discussed every single stitched area, bead, and thread on this piece. Cynthia was an energetic and supportive teacher, but we all would have liked more time to stitch. I have a free morning tomorrow, so I may try to put a few more stitches in.

My progress at the end of day 2.

Tonight was the closing banquet. We had a table of 7 NJNA members and Donna F from San Francisco area who happens to be a California stitching buddy of Barbara L! Small world! Hello’s all around!

Tomorrow afternoon I have to pack up all of the correspondence pieces for shipment back to the teachers. Surprisingly, Houston was a great choice for seminar and this is one of the best hotels we have ever had in terms of lighting, distances, and amenities.

Next year in Tucson!

Cheers, Rosie

Aug17

Lady with Mandala II

Posted on August 17, 2019 by rosielunde

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August 17, 2019

Hi Everyone!

Today I started a new class — a painted canvas by Brenda Stofft Designs — with Cynthia Thomas who designed the stitch guide and is teaching the class. It is called Lady with Mandala II.

The painted canvas!

I started the class by asking what a mandala was — I had thought that they were the crystals hanging behind the lady — but no — they are the disks in the upper right quadrant of the design. So — here’s what Webster’s had to say:

Mandala, (Sanskrit: “circle”) in Hindu and Buddhist Tantrism, a symbolic diagram used in the performance of sacred rites and as an instrument of meditation.

We have four students in the class. I am the only one who does not usually do painted canvas, but I explained that I needed to get back to stitching on my Lombard Street and I hoped that the course would provide some inspiration. I also asked Cynthia to explain how and why she picked the various stitches and it’s been great!

The kit has hundreds of threads, beads, and crystals and was beautifully kitted by Chandail Needlepoint. We mostly worked on the lady’s hair today — I think this class could easily have been a three or four day class, so we have to hurry to get through everything in two days!

My Progress at the End of Day One!

After class I walked the perimeter of Texas a few more times and then attended the Seminar Expo! after dinner.

I discovered my picture on Facebook today — ANG had taken a picture of me hawking the correspondence courses last night!

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Time is flying by. I spent some time this afternoon looking at the classes that will be offered next year in Tucson. I think I found some interesting options!

I’m looking forward to getting some uninterrupted stitching time!

Cheers, Rosie

Aug17

Beaded Bermuda Reef

Posted on August 17, 2019 by suesci

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This three day class was taught be Kathy Rees and I am so happy that I signed up for this class! Her directions are so clear. The colors do make you think of exotic seas.

The first two days we spent stitching various sections in a variety of textures, Splendor, Silk Lamé, Neon Rays, Petite Very Velvet. After break this morning we began the beaded fringe which will be added after the stitching has been completed. This technique was all new to me, but I did manage to complete my fringe before class ended. To add a new thread you had to make a slip knot, capture the old thread in the knot and tighten the slip knot. Good thing forming the slip knot can be found on YouTube!

This shows three days of stitching and the completed fringe. Below is the placement of the fringe when all the stitching is completed.

Because of the various NJNA workshops and the pieces that we have done through the years with the Stitch of the Month, it was easy to stitch the Spratt’s heads and tied crosses! I can see this being finished at one of my stitching retreats coming up!

Aug16

Winter Lights — Second and Last Day :-(

Posted on August 16, 2019 by rosielunde

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Hi Everyone —

First of all I have to thank all eight of my NJNA peeps for their help in moving the Distance Learning pieces to Teacher’s Showcase and back again! I couldn’t have done it without you guys!

Today was a busy day starting with my picking up my canvas for tomorrow so that I can have it ready to go as soon as class starts! (Still on my docket for tonight!).

My second day of class with Jennifer Riefenberg was every bit as enjoyable as the first. We finished all of the candles and I even was able to light one of them! The one candle that is not stitched on my canvas uses a reinforced sparkly tube — I chose not to stitch it onto the canvas until some of the surrounding areas are done — otherwise it would be too hard to lay those stitches around the raised tubing.

Here is my progress at the end of the day:

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I am very glad that I have three retreats scheduled in the near future! I expect that Winter Lights will be one of my finishes!

Cheers, Rosie

Aug15

Houston Seminar

Posted on August 15, 2019 by rosielunde

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August 15, 2019

Hi Everyone —

Greetings from Texas — we have eight NJNA members here this week so expect some great blog posts.

I’ll start by posting my SOTM piece finished through August!

I have to agree with someone’s thought that it looks like a bunch of shape blots on a canvas! Hard to imagine what will come next!

Sue and I flew to Houston on Tuesday because I have to help set up the Correspondence Course section of the exhibit. Little did I expect that no one else was there to help (except the marvelous Sue C) with any of the distance learning exhibits and we ended up having to do all of them. My gimpy leg was not much help! We spent over four hours with unpacking and set-up.

Even with my bad leg, we managed to walk the perimeter of Texas multiple times!

How’s this for a Texas-sized lazy river pool? Plus our room has a view of Minute Maid Park, home of the Houston Astros. Sue thinks she will take in Monday night’s game!

Classes started today. I am enrolled in a fabulous class with Jennifer Riefenberg called “Winter Lights”. It is a collection of candles — not a menorah, but the same number of candles. Here’s my progress at the end of Day 1.

Five of the nine candles are complete! No spaghetti!

Tonight we had our opening Fiesta banquet dinner buffet with a live band and Texas brisket in multiple forms. It gave me a chance to show off my special earrings!

These scissor earrings were my souvenir from Woodlawn this year!

Cheers to all!

Rosie