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What a great day I had today! I had some trepidation about keeping up with the more experienced stitchers. However, Toni is an excellent teacher and classroom manager. Her handouts are superbly done and she explained everything. Toni made it easy for us by doing the pre-work on the canvas herself. She took each student’s canvas and counted out and then enlarged holes that were key intersections. She opted not to draw the design because she was afraid many of the pencil lines would show through. She also paced the class so that we had ample time to work in an area. Much of the outlining came before the other stitches. That makes one feel better because more of your canvas is covered! I chose to do my project on 18 mesh, however many of the students were doing theirs on Congress cloth. My goal is to get more adept and do less ripping out, so that next time I can use Congress cloth too. Toni is very generous in spirit and gives freely of her expertise. Her pre-work was crucial and I know it took her a lot of time for each canvas. She was very excited to hear that I would be blogging about the class and readily agreed to let me publish a picture of the finished product. She loves to come and teach local chapters.

Toni’s version

Mine, so far.

My day ended at the Cyber Pointers meeting where I won my membership for next year. All in all a great day.

Hi Everyone —

The rest of the NJNA contingent made it into Myrtle Beach today!  We celebrated with a group dinner at the Sea Captain’s House on the ocean.

A Beautiful Garden to Welcome NJNA!

We had a LONG, LONG dinner, but the food was lovely.  The Sea Captain’s House is known for their seafood and I had a lovely meal of grilled sea scallops.

Bon Appetit!

My class today was Colorful Croton with Joni Stevenson.  This is my favorite piece in the whole seminar.  Today we colored dryer sheets and fused them onto our canvas!  Then we started stitching.  I think we got quite a bit done for one day!  What do you think?

Two Colorful Croton Canvasses!

The Main Event!

So that was my day in pictures!  Now I have to get back to the game!

Cheers!  Rosie

Hi Everyone —

Carol, Sue, and I are prepping for our week of stitching at the ANG Seminar with a retreat in North Myrtle Beach!

Sue and Carol enjoying some quality retreat time!

Carol traded her time share for a PERFECT setting in North Myrtle Beach!

Bargello Wallpaper in the Bathroom!

We’ve spent most of the time stitching, listening to the ocean waves, and reading!  Tomorrow, Diane will join Sue and Carol.

We are making progress on our stitching:  Carol is stitching a Cow Jumped Over the Moon night light, Sue is stitching a Summer Humbug and a Kurdy Biggs’ Diamond design, and Rosie is trying to catch up on Razzle Dazzle for SOTM.

Stitching Progress at the Retreat!

Get ready to be bombarded with posts from NJNA at Seminar!  We have nine members attending this year’s seminar!  That’s about a third of our entire membership!

Enjoy!

Rosie

Hi there,

I’m starting to spend a lot of daydream time thinking about the ANG annual seminar that is coming up in late September/early October.  I will be a first time attendee.  I’ve attended many other needlework seminars, so it’s not entirely new to me.  I have also attended multiple-day needlepoint classes, so I have some notions (pardon the pun) of how I want to organize myself.  However, as a first time attendee, I value your ideas of how and what to pack needlework wise.  I want to make sure I don’t leave something important at home.  That would be distressing!  I will be driving, so there will be no issue with space.  I also would like to know your comments on what to expect.  I’m signed up for one three day class, only.  I wanted to enjoy my first experience without feeling overwhelmed.  I hope that strategy works!  Can’t wait to read your ideas.

I am unable to join the rest of the drivers due to the Jewish holy days, so I will be driving solo.  I will be stopping in DC the first night to visit with a friend.  Due to some physical issues, I’m not sure I will be able to drive the remainder of the trip in one day or will have to make another stop in North Carolina somewhere.  If any of you have driven to Myrtle Beach, do you have favorite towns to explore?  I will be going down 95 most of the way.

Looking forward to hearing from you and seeing all of you again once the summer is over.

Myrtle Beach, here I come!

Barbara

Point Breeze is a residential neighborhood on the eastern edge of Pittsburgh.  Our destination, Needle Point Breeze, is nestled on a quiet tree-lined street with other local shops and restaurants.  The lower level is dedicated to canvases and threads while the upper floor (which we didn’t see) is dedicated to office and classroom space.  We didn’t make it much past the front door before we started to pick out some items of interest!  There is an entire room devoted to Christmas items (with some Halloween thrown in as well).  One of my objectives for this trip was to start collecting UPitt canvases and I was able to find a few. I did pass on the University seal (for now – I think it would make a great pillow).

The shop was holding a Zecca trunk show; not really my style but I did pick up one of the canvases.  The manager, Lorraine, was very helpful as were the other ladies in the shop.  I even ordered a canvas because they had one I was looking for but in the wrong color.  Depending on when it arrives, they will either mail it to me or I’ll pick it up when we return in August to move Nora into the dorm (and that’s my excuse for returning to the store).

Needle Point Breeze is located at 6734 Reynolds Street in Pittsburgh and on Facebook.  They are open Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

And here are my souvenirs …

The baby block is a gift for one of Nora’s long-time dance teachers who is expecting twin boys in August (I ordered &More’s baby dreaming canvas in blue as well).  Kennywood is an amusement park in the Pittsburgh suburb of West Mifflin.  It opened in 1899 and is still in operation today with some rides and structures dating from its early days.  Nora and Steve had been there on previous trips to Pittsburgh.  Nora would like the Pitt Panthers finished as a “stand up” for her dorm room.  And, by the way, I searched for the Pantone numbers for the UPitt colors and then found a conversion chart to DMC colors so that the UPitt canvases will be accurate (or as close to accurate as I can approximate).

I’m not quite sure how I am going to have this Zecca piece finished but it is in Nora’s colors so I just had to bring it home.

Happy Stitching!

I went to a lecture/demonstration at Needleworker's Delight in Colonia yesterday. Dawn Boisvert of A Sweet Stitch showed us seven different ways to showcase cross stitch pieces, most based on a flat ornament. Then she demonstrated how to mount a flat ornament. Dawn shared with us the specifics on the glue, mat board, tools she uses and the how's of these finishes. There were about seven of us attending with two or three who have done there own finishing in the past while the others have had others do their finishes. At the end those of us who have done this in the past felt that we had learned things we can put to good use while those who have not decided that it was worthwhile to have Dawn or another professional continue to do their finishes! It was a great way to spend several hours. I know that there are several techniques I plan to use when I need to finish my Christmas ornaments this year. After the positive reaction of the group attending, I believe that there will be more lecture/demonstrations in the future.

I go to Needleworker's Delight about every two or three months, and every time I go, more things have been added. This was the first time I saw the room that they use for workshops or for the Stitch-A-Long sessions that they offer. It is well lit and has both chairs set at tables as well as upholstered chairs for stitching. There are more threads being added as well. This time I saw Treenway Silks, Planet Earth's Pepperpot silk, Dinky Dyes floss and wool/silk. There were several Designer Showcases as well. My eye was drawn immediately to Threedles Needleart Design. There is a sample of A Different View as well as other designs by Kurdy Biggs. One was a handbag with one of the smaller designs set into the flap of the handbag as well as another small piece set into the front of a pouch. These will be on display until the end of June and well worth a visit.

You can learn more about what is going on there by going to their website (www.needleworkersdelight.com) and clicking on the events link. You can learn more about Dawn Boisvert and her finishing business by going to her website asweetstitch.com. Dawn works only with fabric, not canvas.

Sue C.

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The family and I traveled down to Alexandria this weekend to visit the Woodlawn Needlework Exhibition.  We left on Friday afternoon after the roads had started getting slushy so it was a slow go all the way through New Jersey.  The posted speed on the NJ Turnpike was 35 mph and traffic was traveling that slowly.  By the time we got to Delaware the snow had changed to rain and had stopped entirely once we got through Maryland.  We stayed at the Embassy Suites in Old Town Alexandria along with an untold number of school groups, including several competition cheerleading teams. I’m not sure who were more boisterous – the kids or the chaperones!

Saturday started out quite gray and a bit chilly.  We decided to get to Woodlawn (about 20 minutes from our hotel) about 10:00 a.m. when the exhibit first opened.  My husband insisted it was 50 degrees but I seriously doubted that.  We did decide that it was a big mistake getting there first thing – the line getting into the exhibit actually had to be metered and once in the rooms it was difficult to see the pieces because of the crowds.  I had of course forgotten that ladies of a certain age (I keep thinking back to my mother but of course realize it now means me) generally get up early and like to be places early!

Fortunately, we made a second circuit through the rooms and found that the crowds had actually thinned out so that we could linger a bit more.  This was my/our first visit to the Woodlawn exhibit and I was awestruck at the number of stitched pieces and the beauty of them all.  And the arrangement of the pieces by the organizers was outstanding.  I particularly liked the samplers as did my husband although Nora was not quite as impressed.  She was taken by the fairies and mermaids in several rooms.

I also really liked the Japanese embroideries, including several kimonos.  There was a demonstration of Japanese embroidery (so detailed) as well as goldwork during the time that we visited.

Our jaws dropped when we reached the geometrics and the display of all of our Frankies.  It was really quite a showing! And the fact that there were awards just made it more fun!  I can see a display of A Different View next year!

I was told by two other visitors that this year’s exhibit was not as large as in previous years nor were there as many different states/countries represented as in the past.  It seemed like a goodly number of pieces to me although it is (as one would expect) heavily oriented to Virginia and Maryland.  Maybe next year we can have a larger showing from New Jersey!

On our way out the sun started to shine and the day got warmer.  We did actually see some signs of Spring.

Of course, after visiting the exhibit we had to stop at In Stitches, which is conveniently located just a mile up the road from Woodlawn on the way back to Old Town Alexandria.  They were doing a brisk business and quite a few customers were either coming from or heading to the exhibit.  The shop is heavily stocked with cross stitch charts but also carries needlepoint canvases and charts.  I purchased a few more charts for both cross stitch and needlepoint to add to my collection!  Nora has volunteered to start cataloging my charts over the summer since I have long past the point where I remember whether I already have a chart or just recognize it from various magazines and internet posts.

We did spend Saturday afternoon walking around Old Town Alexandria and visiting the Torpedo Factory Art Center. Nora and I had discovered this gem a few years ago when we were in Alexandria for Spring Break.  It is located on the waterfront and houses more than 75 artists’ studios and galleries.  Dinner last night was at Gadsby’s Tavern, which has been serving meals since 1770.  We thoroughly enjoyed the “historic” experience.  We drove back today which was a more enjoyable experience (if a more than four hour drive can be termed enjoyable) than the trip on Friday.  It was nice to pull into the driveway and see the asphalt surface again.

We are already planning to return to the exhibit next year – at least Mr. Mosch and I will since Nora will be off at college.

By the way, for those who are still planning to attend, I just received a message that the exhibit will be open on Tuesday, March 24 and March 31, since they had to close other days due to snow.

Woodlawn on a Sunny Day

I hardly know where to start and what to leave out. First of all the “Frankies” designed by Michael Boren that were stitched by NJNA were on display on one wall in one room on the second floor. They were spectacular all seen together. There was also another Frankie by someone else on the same wall that completed that set. It was wonderful to hear the comments of visitors as they came in and saw them all in such a variety of colors. We had three winners in our group, Rosie L. took a second place, Linda M. and Sue C. both took an honorable mention in the multi stitch canvaswork. I was told that Michael Boren was told of this display. It is hoped that he will be able to see it.

Looking through the catalogue of stitchers, I saw that Barbara L. had three pieces entered. Two were very pretty pillows displayed in the parlour on a sofa. Barbara's third piece won a third place in the multi stitch canvas work, but I was never able to find it! I had the help of three friends and several docents but no success. Before returning next week, we need Barbara to tell us what we are looking for. Congratulations to all exhibitors from NJNA! In the smocking room is the second piece that Kathy M. exhibited, a lovely dress with a smocked white bodice attached to a taffeta skirt and attached apron. It was so pretty.

You will see several renditions of the Debbie Stiehler's 2013 STOM. One is made into a large flower with beads along two edges standing in a flower pot! Kurdy Biggs has two pieces on display for those of us who like her designs.

For those who will make a visit to Woodlawn this year there were some beautiful pieces with wonderful stories to accompany them. In the parlour is a surface embroidery piece that borders a piece of fabric with Hebrew script on it. I asked the docent if the “story book” had any information on the quote. It came from the book of Proverbs about the role of a woman that is quite heart warming. In the first room off the entry room are a number of miniatures and beadwork (fascinating all). One is a beaded purse with both shells and stones encrusted. The woman who made this missed a family trip to Florida because she stayed home with a son who had mono. She asked her daughter to bring her home shells and stones that she found on the trip. These are what she put on her purse. Each room has stories and the docents have the notebooks of many. When you are in the parlour, ask the docent which is the piece stitched by the lady who is 100 years old! (Oh, to still be stitching 25 years from now!)

You will recognize Susan H.'s sheep on two pillows in your wanders. There is a canvas work clock using beautiful buttons in place of the numbers. There are several pieces of animals and birds that must be Charlie Harper canvases. There is an original land grant document for land in Alabama signed by James Monroe framed with a reproduction of a sampler from the family. These have stayed within the family from the mid 1820's!

I could go on, but I want to tell you that lunch in Nelly's Tea Room is a worthwhile visit. The food is good; any money made (including tips) supports the Woodlawn Plantation.

The Menu

Three of us ready to order

I am so glad that I will be returning next week!

Sue C.

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On Friday I had the opportunity to take an embellishment class with Julia Snyder.  You may know Julia from her wonderful stitch books – Just Stitches I Use, iBargello, and Have Stitch Will Travel to name just a few.  I had been told that taking a class with Julia is not to be missed so I ventured to The Enriched Stitch in Wilton, CT, for this class.  I did drive up on Thursday night so that I would not have to contend with Friday morning rush hour traffic between New Jersey and Connecticut. Fortunately there were no major traffic problems and the only slowdown was the last four miles on the Merritt Parkway.

I chose a canvas from Ewe and Eye and Friends, Funky Flowers, for this class.  I wanted something small since I have so many other projects in the works, yet with enough variety to experiment.  The actual design size is about 8″ x 10″ on 12″ x 14″ stretcher bars so it is a nice size.

In this class format Julia spends time with each student going over the canvas, discussing the areas that should be emphasized, and selecting threads and stitches.  Half the fun of the class is wandering around the shop (which, by the way, has a terrific selection of threads) picking out threads – like a candy store without the calories!  As you can see, I have a lot of Weeks Dye Works threads for this canvas.  I am also using Silk Wrapped Purl, a new thread for me, for the very light flowers as well as the ribbon around the flower stems.  This “thread” is silk wrapped over copper wire so it can be formed into shapes.

Julia suggested a few new stitches that are just fabulous (at least I think so) for this piece.  The brown leaves are Raised Closed Herringbone and the light orange flowers are French Basketweave which is a row of basketweave with a row of French knots.  I did not stitch the French knots quite right so I will probably restitch that one flower.  The green flowers are Rhodes Within a Jessica Within a Jessica and the Burnt Orange Flowers are Staggered Crosses.  The stems will alternate Palestrina Knot, Peruvian Loop, and Wrapped Chain.  There are more stitches for the other flowers but I’ll leave that for another post!

So at the end of the class, this is what I had accomplished.

The class was thoroughly enjoyable and Julia is a sweetheart with a wealth of knowledge.  I would definitely take another class with her if given the opportunity.  You can follow her at Have Stitch Will Travel.

I did come home with one of her books to add to my library.

And, I would be remiss in not saying “Thanks” to Suzie Vallerie and the wonderful women at The Enriched Stitch for hosting and facilitating this class.  It was a fun day with a good mix of canvases.  I think we all learned so much from Julia and from each other.

Happy Stitching!

I went with a friend to Morven Museum in Princeton on Sunday to see the exhibit of schoolgirl needlework of New Jersey from 1726 to 1860. This exhibit ends on March 29th. If you live near Princeton, it is well worth a visit. The exhibit is divided by counties into several rooms. Although it is poorly lit to protect the fibers, you can get close to most of them. Extra lighting such as a flashlight is not permitted, but magnifiers are. Since I knew very little about schoolgirl samplers, I did not realize that one of the ways that the history of a piece can be determined is by the design. Schoolgirls who learned under the same teacher had certain of the same elements in their pieces. In one room there were often pieces done by girls who studied together where you could see this. Although most of the pieces were the type we expect of samplers of that time with alphabets and pictures of animals, trees, buildings there were two maps of northern New Jersey with a few towns whose names surprised me, such as Hamburg and “Sicckasinny”, or some such spelling! There was also a small globe that was done with ink and some stitches.

Of course, the stitching was most often done on very fine linen, much smaller count than my favorite 28 count! There were many more stitches than the usual cross stitch including Smyrnas, eyelets, and many queen stitches as well as beautiful satin stitches. Do not look for correct sizes of things. One squirrel in a tree looked more leopard like in size! The most common thread that we saw was silk with some wool and some cotton. There was berlin work done in wool to be seen.

There were two difficulties in the exhibit, the low lighting which was needed as well as the pieces hung so high that those of us using bifocals or readers ended the day with a very sore neck! Unfortunately, as there are no chairs or benches on the rooms for resting, you just need to persevere! It is well worth it. There is parking on the premises as well as a gift shop. If you want to go, check out the website for days and times. http://www.morven.org.

Sue

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