Tag Archives: embroidery

Jun14

What’s Happening at NJNA 6/14/25

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Even though our 35th Anniversary is officially in November all the members should have gotten that great little gift. A big Thank You to Jacqui C and Cathryn C. for all their work on that project. Nothing better to celebrate with than a new needlepoint tool !!

This coming week’s June meeting – yes, already – we will be hearing from Jacqui C. about finishing techniques and ideas. Always an interesting topic.

The count down is on – the seminar in August will be here before you know it. Though the seminar registration is now closed you have a little time left to register to exhibit some of your work. The deadline is June 27th. Share your work and vie for ribbons and awards. ANG has a brochure online with all the rules, categories etc. that you need to know.

ANG is starting a new Fundraising Campaign called Tapestry of Giving. This campaign is dedicated to raising funds that will help sustain and grow the programs and services they offer to members. Their goal is to raise $250,000 over the next 2 years. This effort will be done in phases and the first phase is for Lifetime Patrons. They will be getting email this coming week with details about the program. Eventually all members will be contacted. Hopefully they will be able to achive their goal and have ANG be viable for many years to come.

While we are at it – ANG is looking for 3 Board Member Positions, If you would like to be involved maybe VP of Operations, Membership or Administration positions would be of interest to you. ANG would love to hear from you. Contact Jennifer Holmes, secretary@needlepoint.org, for a job description and details to apply.

ANG has an interesting new way to get some help – they are going to have a Zoom session for everyone to ask questions. You can join in on June 29 at 10 AM PST and ask away. You can also stitch away and just listen – you might learn something you never thought of ! There is a Zoom link in the newsletter that comes to your email.

New Club Alert from The Needlepointer. Perfect for this time of year and they should be a quick stitch. They would look adorable as stand ups. It’s the Floral Fantasy Club and is 8 months long. Each month you get a design on 18 count, thread pack and stitch guide. When done you have a spring bouquet. https://www.theneedlepointer.com/floral-fantasydiv-idclubsubtitleopen-enrollmentdiv/p8515598?cse=nl060725&goal=0_3621358244-18dffa4619-69343533&mc_cid=18dffa4619&mc_eid=2e6039e84f

I don’t know about you but I have been a fan of The Barefoot Contessa for years. I have all of Ina Garten’s cookbooks and you can’t go wrong with any of her recipes. Guess what I found !! You bet and I can’t wait to stitch her !! Check out Moore Stitching – they also have some other cute items but – I could not resist ! https://moorestitching.com/products/just-that-easy?_pos=1&_sid=3ff2df6c0&_ss=r&mc_cid=8657e674e8&mc_eid=4429aac277

Wait till all of you “bag ladies” see these !!! 2’s Company in South Carolina have “Scout Bags”. They have a whole selection including an exclusive one with a South Carolina print. The brand has a lot of sizes and shapes plus – they are water proof! https://www.2sconeedlepoint.com/shop/Bags–Totes.htm

Like we didn’t have enough choice – there is a new thread out there – Firefly Burmilana. The Needleworks is carrying it for both retail and wholesale purchases. It’s a wool and acrylic single ply thread that comes in 40 yard skeins. It has a little sparkle in it !! Something to try. https://theneedleworks.com/product-category/fibers/

Do you send your finishing to Needlepoint.com – they do a beautiful job. Before you send anything make sure it’s going to the correct place. They are doing their finishing from a different address now. They feel this will streamline the process and who doesn’t want that with finishing such a long wait.

New Store Alert – and there are 2 of them!! The Stitch Katonah store is now open! Go visit with Margaret and Kristina and see what they have to offer. Right across from a Metro North station it should be easy to get to. I only see them on Instagram but the store looks very pretty !!

The second store is Island House Needlepoint. You know them from finishing and those wonderful laying tools, now they have opened their space in south Norwalk CT as a LNS with areas to sit and stitch. They are in the maritime building – 11 Day Street Norwalk, CT. Their finishing looks fantastic and I am sure they have lots of suggestions if your not sure how to have something finished. Their web site even gives you other things to do in the area!! You may want to check their calendar for up coming events. Looks like a neat place for a road trip!! https://islandhouseneedlepoint.com/

Now for a First – Fireside Stitchery is going to hold their first retreat and they are calling it the First Frost Retreat. They are doing it on Sunday October 12th and it’s a full day event. They have not opened it up yet but they say that there is going to be very limited seating. Watch their web site and emails for when they release more details ! https://firesidestitchery.com/pages/classes

Congrats to KC Needlepoint – they have hit the 10 year mark in business. Polly and Carol have worked hard and created not only a fabulous store but a wonderful wholesale line. To celebrate they are launching a collection of exclusive celebratory canvases, doing fun giveaways, and more surprises along the way – watch for their emails ! Also, read their story – wonderful how it all happened for them. https://www.kcneedlepoint.com/blogs/news/were-celebrating-ten-years-of-kc-needlepoint?omnisendContactID=61fc368aa1816e00226a532d&utm_campaign=campaign%3A+Blog%3A+10+years+%28682f27f17880ba789f548c4d%29&utm_medium=email&utm_source=omnisend

Penny Linn has a wonderful clutch bag and now it comes in a new color – taupe !! They come with detachable chains and a Mother of Pearl closure. Each is individual as they are hand woven in the Philippines. https://pennylinn.com/products/penny-linn-x-shop-likha-hand-woven-rattan-fancy-clutch?variant=44593812799545&utm_source=Email&utm_medium=campaign&utm_campaign=Taupe+Fancy+Clutch&_kx=95-hSwAYM_w1abxIXjXQMDX2ZPJpMD1KDiXnRxmVLaI.RspkHP

We have all seen the acrylic square hand bags that your finish your self. Emily’s Stitchery has some different ones. They have a different shape acrylic bag and they have colored ones – check out the tortoise color one ! Thank you to Barbara L. for this ! https://www.emilysstitchery.com/products/colored-acrylic-self-finishing-purse?variant=43864130060322

Father’s Day is upon us but it’s never too late to buy a canvas for next year 🙂 ! Atlantic Blue has some different ones from fishing to cars to grilling…. https://www.atlanticbluecanvas.com/collections/shop-all-canvas

Tips and Tricks: An easy way to tell if your needle is the correct size for the canvas from Ellen Johnson of Serendipity Needlepoint:

Who was that Famous Stitcher? This is Joyce Petschek and she has a reputation as a “Bargello path finder”. She has a BA in Art History from Vassar and a master’s in Fine Arts from Harvard. You have seen her book from 1997 “Beautiful Bargello” – very popular. For Joyce, bargello is meditative and stimulates our creative ideas.

Do you know who this famous stitcher is?

Mar22

What’s Happening at NJNA 3/22/25

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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/

Do you know who this famous stitcher is?