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?