crafts | NJNA is Blogging!

Holiday’s along with fun Spring events have started. Now that we are past Easter and Passover we are headed for Mother’s Day and WOW – Memorial Day already !! ANG seminar is sneaking up there too. Registration is now closed for that. Don’t forget to order your NOLA Frame Weight !!! He is too cute !!

The talk Jacqui gave at last month’s meeting about beading made many fears and worries go away. Some of the horrors that we think about and dread she made simple to deal with. Makes you want to give it a go again. This month is about one of my favorites – Bargello. There are so many beautiful and intricate looking patterns you can make and it’s not as hard as it seems. Come join us for our talk by Chris Loudon on Bargello. Of course you need to be a member of NJNA so come join our group, we are always happy to see new members.

Congrats to ANG on their successful Spring Auction – makes everyone happy to get a new item and give a boost to ANG.

ANG has new Board Members !! Some faces you will know instantly but all worthy of congratulations. Good luck with your new positions!

Coming to your mail box soon is the new Needlepointers magazine for May/June. The cover pays homage to Jean Hilton and the back – they are right – it’s a WOW moment. Check out Carolyn Stolhand’s Grasshopper !!! Of course there is way more between the 2 covers. I can’t wait to read the column about different kinds of knots !!! Tale of 2 stitchers is mushrooms !!! Read “Swirls and Pearls” – it’s going to be showing up in a lot of places. There is plenty more to read and as a member you can look at it online now. Another winning issue.

The new Quarterly Stitch is out and even if you don’t want to do it – check out how it is done! I was taken back.

Since we are all really a bunch of bag ladies/gentleman – why not have some fun with it. I saw a friend with one of these bags – it was great !! (Good choice Eileen S) It’s called Blue Canary and they also have needlepoint canvases, the hats you needlepoint the top and other very neat items. I LOVE the bags ! They come in a variety of sizes. https://bluecanarycanvas.com/

Something else new and cool from those industrious people at the Wool & the Floss – is there no end to their creativity? Hand Made Self finishing tables!! They come in several sizes and colors. https://woolfloss.com/products/handmade-self-finishing-table-for-needlepoint-w-f-exclusive?se_activity_id=160843759836&syclid=d0b2koorjiic73fan4f0&utm_campaign=Susan+Battle+May+Trunk+Show+%F0%9F%AA%A1+_160843759836&utm_medium=email&utm_source=shopify_email

S&J Designs sent an email saying that Zweigart (the maker of our needlepoint canvas) has just raised the price by 10% to 15%. On top of that there is a 10% tariff now so be prepared to see the price of our supplies get more expensive. She says they are not increasing the price until the next shipment. Get it while it’s cheaper. (She is easier to get a hold of on FaceBook) https://sj-designs.net/

Do you tack down your canvas? Those tacks can be a pain to contain !! Look what Rainbow Gallery has put out – Japanese Brass Tacks. How great that the container not only holds the (50) tacks but has a way to easily remove them ?!?!? I found them for sale on The Needlepointer. https://www.theneedlepointer.com/japanese-brass-tacks/p8511187?cse=nl41625&goal=0_3621358244-28d1b2c5cc-69343533&mc_cid=28d1b2c5cc&mc_eid=2e6039e84f

Morgan Julia Design’s shows a Thread of the Month and this time it is a thread I have never noticed before but the results are so pretty. It’s called Bradley’s Balloons by ThreadworX #1154. It’s a hand dyed cotton floss with so many colors it looks like it vibrates in the skein but when stitched it’s just pretty !!! In the picture she did the skip tent stitch. She sells only a few threads on her site and this is one but you may want to look for it at your LNS. https://morganjuliadesigns.com/search?q=threadworx&_pos=3&_psq=threa&_ss=e&_v=1.0

New things are still coming out from the Spring Market. Stitch By Stitch has some new pouches from Rachel Barri. They come in several sizes and colors and you self finish it with a small canvas that tucks in the front. They also offer an envelope version. A great item for many things, not just needlepoint. https://stitchbystitchneedlepoint.com/products/rachel-barri-pop-in-pouch-large-light-blue?_pos=5&_sid=dd6d8e135&_ss=r

How much do we all love needle minders?? With the warmer weather coming we need something to remind us of the beautiful weather but Victoria Whitson also has new elegant ones along with some that will just make you laugh. Which ever way you go take a minute and look at what she has online !! You know you need another one !! https://www.victoriawhitsonneedlepoint.com/shop-7

Just in time for the summer – Morgan Julia Designs has a new Bar Cart – Palm Royal Resort! It comes with a really pretty canvas, a cabana inspired project bag, shift dress needle minder, Floss Away bags, 4 palm leaf coasters and all the threads. If you want to get in line for this one: https://admirable-snowflake-808.myflodesk.com/sv8nz4etlv?_kx=rV4MBEfWGkwURglkyUXCLopGavY2DCJQzP6Y94aO8T4.RWeQns

While we are talking Morgan Julia – she has some Thoughts of Wisdom – decide for yourself !

TIPS and TRICKS: I was reading the latest “Needle Notes” from Ellen Johnson. She has a great way to know if your using the right size needle. Check out her web site – she has an interesting section on: “Choosing the Right Needle”. https://www.serendipityneedleworks.com/choosing-the-right-needle/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=A%20Little%20Thing%20That%20Makes%20a%20Big%20Difference&utm_campaign=%5BNeedleNotes%5D%20April%2027%2C%202025&vgo_ee=%2BSTJMJmiWstNrAZKxDGjgsQaahPCXAV2DrTkc9MGFg%3D%3D%3AKTKu6pcxLLpnJRbf86QV%2FlkGtAJQef2f

Who was that Famous Stitcher? That was Victoria Whitson !! Famous for some of the most beautiful needle minders, laying tools, Chatelaines and tassels for your scissors. She also has bought Tapestry Tent, Liz Goodrick-Dillon and Ashley Dillon-Davis lines. She has also partnered with Melissa Prince to present the Autumn Needlepoint Reunion – the largest wholesale needlework market in North America. Busy lady.

Do you know who this famous stitcher is?

We had our March meeting this past week and if you missed it – you missed a lot ! First there was the show and tell with a design in 2 colorways. Side by side was an amazing difference. I think we could have talked about that all night! The main attraction was the presentation by Debbie Rowley. She did her talk called “Anchors Away”. Having taken a class with her I can tell you that she is the nicest and laid back person. When she was having technical trouble she just went with the flow, did not get rattled. We all learned that you can both start and end all your threads on the front of your canvas. She went over numerous ways to start and stop a thread. I think we all learned something. She also sent ahead of the meeting a hand out so you have something to refer to if you want to give a new way of starting and stopping a thread a try. AND, she also allowed NJNA to record her talk. It will be on our web site so you can go back and watch it again – BUT – you have to be a member to do that. Just another reason to join in on our fun and become a member of NJNA. You gotta be in it to watch it !!!

Jacqui C. is getting her ducks in a row for programs later this year. She sent out an email for those of you that want to participate in the October and November programs. October is the Medusa Sea Jelly (I can’t wait for this one). It would look great all year round in a coastal home and of course on a holiday tree. This is a fund raiser for another chapter so it’s $40 and comes as a pdf with a list of threads needed and instructions. The other program is with Toni Gerdes. She does a lecture and mini workshop on the Rhodes stitch. The $15 kit comes with the instructions and 8×8 canvas. She shows how to use the Rhodes stitch for several projects. Jacqui needs to order in advance to have all the materials in time. She needs payment by May and of course, if you have any questions, email her.

The 2025 seminar registration is now open to all and closes April 30. The seminar runs from August 19 – 24 at the New Orleans Sheraton Hotel. I am sure there are closed classes already. Hurry and make your pick if you are going. All the big name designers will be there with many interesting classes to take. https://www.needlepoint.org/page/2025Seminar

Just in case your not sure of the location of the seminar you just have to look at the cover of the March/April Needle Pointers magazine. If you go to the web site you can look at it online. Make sure you have time to spend as it is another packed issue. A review about Needle Point podcasts, a preview of a new book about to be released by an ANG member that is a novel about a needle point store. The Tale of 2 Stitchers will keep you looking at the stitched items for a long time, they are both so beautiful. Shop Hop, how to organize your projects, a thread reveal and more – and more – and more !! I may not be able to wait for the snail !!

Don’t Forget To Vote !!! The candidates this year are: President – Nancy Perry, VP of Education – Toni Gerdes, VP of Finance – Jan Woolsey.

It’s that time again – the Spring Online Auction. It runs from March 27 thru 30th. Lots to look at and hopefully win a new Spring project. Check out the items and make a list of what you want to bid on. https://ang.schoolauction.net/spring2025/catalog

As many of you know, Pam at Edwardian Needle has been thru a lot. Being a very strong person – she has posted her class schedule for the rest of 2025 – yes – you read that right ! Call the store and sign up for what ever makes you happy. There is certainly enough choices.

I am so glad to hear that another 2 stores have moved and into much bigger space. This just tells me that this hobby we all love is growing in popularity which means we all benefit !! This time it’s The Needle Point Club House. https://www.needlepointclubhouse.com/ and The Village Needleworks https://www.villageneedleworks.com/ Good luck to everyone !

On a sad note – Madalena Bruno is leaving Stitch By Stitch after 20 years of sharing ownership with Betty Scanlon. Betty and her fabulous team will be there keeping this fabulous store on the cutting edge of the industry. We all wish Madalena only the best !!

Speaking of the cutting edge – it’s the beginning of Spring Market and of course like any good secret – there are leaks !! Many designers have posted some of their new canvases in advance because – they want you to tell your LNS to buy what you want when they come !!! Stitch By stitch has lots to sneak a peak of (check out the tote bag and lamps): https://stitchbystitchneedlepoint.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooH6_X6wJCDBrOoWraDtc2co2C_Yr_6w_z-KYpYT5MboZbMw3ep

Morgan Julia and Penny Linn also have been showing the new canvases they have for Spring – choices, choices, choices !! https://pennylinn.com/collections/new-all https://morganjuliadesigns.com/collections/retail-only

Everyone’s favorite – PLD has some great looking new items for spring. https://pldneedlepointdesigns.com/

Stitch Stash has such a cute new canvas for her “12 Months of Pink” series. Rachel Donley designed this one and (of course) it fits into either her Everyday Clutch or Everyday Wallet. A win – win – win no matter which way you go. 18 count canvas measures 6×3 and you can buy with threads or without. This is part of Patti’s effort to raise money for Breast Cancer research and she has already been able to donate $2,000 ! You go girl !!! https://stitch-stash.com/collections/pink-march

How does a weekend get a way with stitching friends sound?? Stitch Stash’s Rehoboth Beach store is having several dates for just such a fun time. Everything is planned for the “off season” so making reservations should be easier. If you want to arrange a different date for a private group she will do that too !! Better decide quickly as 4 of the dates are already sold out !!! https://stitch-stash.com/collections/retreat-2021

Atlantic Blue showcases several different designers and Rooney and Stitch are the ones with the dog cameos and the keys from famous hotels. They also have some new designs !! https://www.atlanticbluecanvas.com/collections/rooney-stitch

Thanks to Cathryn C for a look at a new stand for needlework – yes you can have more than one!! This one is a bit different as it is very small – great for travel. It’s also made of wood so it is much lighter than some of the items we all carry around. The “left field” part to this is that it is manufactured by a Ukrainian company called Velke Potoky. When folded it’s 11 inches long and 5 inches wide with a weight of under 2 lbs. Sounds perfect for a seminar or travel. It comes with a bag to travel with to keep it clean and safe. Now – it’s not meant for some of those giant projects we work on but it can accommodate bars up to about 14 inches. Now for the down side (there is always one !) the cost is $360 ! If you would like to read more of a review, go to “Needle N Thread” and read Mary Corbet’s view’s on it. She liked it so much that she plans of getting some for her store. https://www.needlenthread.com/2025/03/modern-needlework-stand-potoky.html#more-64298

Morgan Julia Designs came up with some “Stitcher-stitions” (say that twice !! LOL) Whether you believe or not one thing is for sure – they have some great canvases. Happy stitching. https://morganjuliadesigns.com/collections/retail-only

Tips & Tricks: Ellen from Serendipity Needlepoint has “Eight Tips for Getting Your Needle Point Stash Under Control” to start your Spring Cleaning (giggle! – inventory !!) She makes a lot of sense – read her blog and see what you think. https://www.serendipityneedleworks.com/de-stashing-needlepoint/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=%F0%9F%AA%A1%20Get%20Your%20Needlepoint%20Stash%20Under%20Control%20With%20These%208%20Awesome%20Tips%21&utm_campaign=%5BNeedleNotes%5D%20March%209%2C%202025&vgo_ee=r0Nlma7d18KMN9Q2xBxmrhrfeWzw9dEBrTSfBCr7Hw%3D%3D%3AK9ykGnHEYlmDZ35b%2F7jOvmez1q1i511R

Who was that Famous Stitcher? That was Hannah Bass. She lives in England and does some of the most vibrant canvases. She is well known for her maps of many big cities around the world. She was an interior designer and went on a vacation with a tapestry kit and caught the bug ! She has been designing ever since. She is a lover of bright bold colors. Check out her web site. https://hannahbass.com/