fashion | NJNA is Blogging!

The December meeting is now in the archives for NJNA. Even though I was not able to attend this meeting I understand “Needlepoint Bingo” was a big hit. Congrats to the winners ! Hopefully we will see a repeat performance of it !! The slate of officers and the budget were all voted on and approved so we are ready to head into 2026 with more interesting topics to come. 2026 will be the Year of Color !! Each month there will be a discussion about a different color based on the color wheel and the DMC color chart – I can’t wait for blue !

Just a reminder – our holiday lunch is on Saturday January 10th at the Grain House. Last I heard there was still 3 seats left. Contact Cathryn C. – come join a fun afternoon will fellow stitchers !! Don’t forget to bring a stitched piece.

As VP of Membership, I have to thank all those people that were so quick to renew their membership for 2026. You actually have until the end of January to send in your dues. You also have to remember to first renew your ANG membership which is due by Dec 31 !!!! ANG sent out an email on 12/24 with details on the various ways to renew. They also allow you to renew for 2 years ! You must renew ANG to be a member of NJNA. You can use this link to go to ANG’s membership renewal page. https://www.needlepoint.org/general/custom.asp?page=Membership&_zs=QhCog1&_zl=JHaVA

ANG has made it official the 2026 seminar is in Denver Colorado AND 2027 is now going to be held in Nashville TN. October 21 – 24, 2027. In the mean time, you can view the classes being offered in Colorado on You Tube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=di8wwUp8ZTk

Such exciting news from one of our favorite local needlepoint stores !! Stitch By Stitch is moving. If you have been to their store you know that it is very long and narrow. Barely room for a class. I have to say, they have made the most of their space over the years. Very difficult to not fall in love with numerous items at every turn. (I made the mistake of using the bathroom and left the store with a canvas that was on the wall in there !!) They will be opening on Jan 17th only one block away on the same street but in a much bigger space. Yikes – I can’t wait ! https://stitchbystitchneedlepoint.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooH6_X6wJCDBrOoWraDtc2co2C_Yr_6w_z-KYpYT5MboZbMw3ep

We have a new LNS here in Northern NJ – Morgan Julia Designs has officially opened her new brick and mortar store – 278 Monmouth St. Jersey City NJ. From what I read the grand opening was a big success. Good luck to them – the store looks very nice in the pictures.

If you have been to The Edwardian Needle you will notice on the wall a fabulous piece of black work stitching by Marion Scoular called “The Princess and the Pea”. She has decided to retire and is downsizing her “stash” !! She lives in GA and a sale of her things is being arranged at a church in Peachtree Corners, GA. The sale is scheduled for Sat Feb 28, 2026. If you would like to know more, here is a link. https://egausa.org/marionscoular/?inf_contact_key=977581ccf15901ac24902f4399b93e28680f8914173f9191b1c0223e68310bb1

So – I have one word – MIRANEKS ! Friends saw this at a new LNS recently. Versatile and light weight. Lots of thought went into it’s design. I am talking about a new stand for stitching ! I have seen it in 2 colors (but there are several), and for the price on our “Go To” Amazon – it might be worth a try. Endless adjustments but the biggest feature is the weight – at 1.3 pounds it’s easy to take with you. Watch a video or two so as to see it in action. https://www.instagram.com/miraneks_llc/

If you enjoy ribbon work then check out the link I have attached. Piece Work Magazine has a downloadable e book for free with 4 flower sprays that have been featured in the magazine. Denna Hall West is the designer and one is prettier than the next. A great way to learn also ! https://mailchi.mp/treenwaysilks/i-love-tr-free-embroidery-ebook-from-piecework-magazine?e=911356268a

After that snow fall last night – I feel cold !!! I need to look at KC Needlepoint as they now have Needlepoint sweaters and sweatshirts or my favorite, a scarf. All subdued in their message but the scarf is very colorful. https://www.kcneedlepoint.com/collections/ornaments?omnisendContactID=61fc368aa1816e00226a532d&sort_by=created-descending&utm_campaign=campaign%3A+Swag+%28694597e20c2253f3b3b23f21%29&utm_medium=email&utm_source=omnisend

Who doesn’t love Ann-Marie Anderson’s designs ?!?!? She was wonderful when NJNA had her come for a workshop. Her threads and colors were eye popping and the nicest person you want to meet. Get ready – she has some new designs out ! She calls them Braids and Blackwork for her 2026 Block of the month. It will be done in 5 lessons – a release on the 2nd Sat of the month from March thru July 2026. https://beautifulstitches.thinkific.com/courses/braids-and-blackwork

For all those club lovers – The Needlepointer has a new one. The Gnome of the Month !! This is a 12 month club that starts about March 2026. You get the canvas, stitch guide, threads AND a self-finishing kit with a video tutorial. https://theneedlepointer.com/products/gnome-of-the-month-club?se_activity_id=169458008306&syclid=d584fp8oouqc73aj2ct0&utm_campaign=Don%27t%20Miss%20Out%20on%20This%20Exciting%20Club%20Offer!_169458008306&utm_medium=email&utm_source=shopify_email&selling_plan=6057001202&variant=48591517516018

TIPS AND TRICKS: If you do stitch guides or complicated charts and graphs you know how easy it is to lose your place ! Try using “highlighter tape” to easily find where you are working. The Needlepoint Clubhouse has an array of colors though I bet you can get it in Staples. I have used it and it’s a wonderful thing – less frustration !

Who was that Famous Stitcher? This is NJNA’s own Melita Glavin. She is a life long stitcher and writes a column for each issue of ANG’s The Needle Pointer Magazine. She has been very involved with the ANG Main Line Stitchers chapter, chosen for the 2023 ANG Stitch of the Month – Crescent Journey and has won numerous awards. Check out her blog (melitastitches4fun) she is always doing something interesting.

Do you know who this famous stitcher is?

Kirk & Bradley – Happy New Year Ornament

Wishing everyone a safe, healthy and Happy New Year.

Everyone should have a great time at seminar in “NOLA”. From looking at the booklet of class choices – a tough choice. There are so many great classes to take with so many wonderful teachers. This month we will not be having a meeting. Our normal meeting date occurs at the same time that the ANG seminar is happening. Meeting or no meeting NJNA is still running the Auction of donated canvases. Put in your bid before it’s too late !! We will see who the lucky winners are in the September meeting.

If you have not heard or read Face Book, one of our greatest teachers and friend of the Edwardian Needle shop – Tony Minieri is having health issues again. Both he and Luis ask for privacy at this time so he can concentrate on getting better. His remaining 2025 classes have to be rescheduled to next year and any stitch guides he has contracted to do will also have to wait until he is feeling much better. Best of luck with the up coming surgeries. Rest and recuperate should be the main goal. Update- there was a cancelation and he had the 1st surgery early – everything went well. Luis said the doctor even stitched him with a couple of oblique stitches !!

We are heading for the stride of summer and even though it’s been blazing hot at times let’s hold on for another month or 2 or 3…. Coco Frank and Inslee Fariss have put out a summer collection that makes you want to relax. The colors are soft and they included bugs, butterflies, shells and more. I loved the fish and shells but the butterflies are also very pretty. You decide: https://cocofrankstudio.com/collections/coco-frank-x-inslee-fariss?utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=campaign&utm_campaign=Coco+Frank+x+Inslee+Fariss+Summer+Collection+Launch&utm_id=01K1CFZDQJNRK6SM3YAFV36RMS&_kx=AMZQYComXLrlPiMuvFdjhoml8t5fg3L7XzLWnq3B7hE.XYMb7E

I tempted myself by looking at one of the nicest stores in our area – Stitch By Stitch in NY (a dangerous place to shop!) They did not disappoint. Even though they already have many fall items they have some great things for summer. Try one of several Boat Totes on different subjects or the newest cups from Rachel Donley. Then Elizabeth Crane Swartz put out the inevitable frog ! Of course you can sit with a beverage and kill a couple of hours looking at their site for even more summer fun !! https://stitchbystitchneedlepoint.com/collections/whats-new-2025

The Needlepointer has a new club of all Sea Creatures. Small and quick but oh so cute. There are 10 canvases and they come with stitch guide and thread. The club will not start until December so you can have summer all winter long. https://www.theneedlepointer.com/sea-creaturesdiv-idclubsubtitleopen-enrollmentdiv/p8516068?cse=nl080225&goal=0_3621358244-943772ea07-69343533&mc_cid=943772ea07&mc_eid=2e6039e84f

Another new club is one of those things many of us can’t resist – needle minders ! Morgan Julia just announced a limited edition needle minder club. You get one each month but you can’t buy them unless your in the club. They will not be restocked. The designs are done in a series over 4 months. The first series will be Fair Ground Favorites. You can cancel any time. You need to sign up by Aug 15th to receive the 1st one and they will ship about Sept 10th. https://morganjuliadesigns.com/products/needle-minder-club?_kx=rV4MBEfWGkwURglkyUXCLopGavY2DCJQzP6Y94aO8T4.RWeQns

Have you done a vacation travel round to remember a great time? Another way to finish it is in a Sudberry self finishing Octagon Box. Yes, they have them to fit the 4 inch travel rounds you get from Kirk & Bradley or Silver Needle. The box itself is six inches round and has a mirror inside. A nice gift for a fellow traveler ! https://www.sudberry.com/catalog/octagon.htm

It is great to stitch outside in the nice summer weather but you need a bag to bring it all with you !! Rittenhouse Needlepoint has some very interesting bags from a company in Australia. The bags are made of recycled plastic bottles and have the most colorful patterns. They say they are generous in size, water resistant and strong. Look at their web site as they have various sizes and patterns to pick from. https://rittenhouseneedlepoint.com/collections/new-arrivals-back-in-stock

Debbie’s Designs has released the last of her “Year of Color” series and they both remind me of ice cream colors. Both are now available but Summer Delights has a delay of getting threads. You can still order it but for now it only comes as a pdf download. Visit her site and store – lot’s to look at !! https://debbeesdesigns.com/store/

Thread Advisory: I read an email from Stitch Stash and other shops that Straw Silk thread is having a problem getting stock. The distributor doesn’t know when they can restock this lovely thread. It comes in 108 colors and if you like using it you may want to snag what you can at your LNS. https://stitch-stash.com/collections/silk-straw

Since we all know that Fall is inevitable – Stitch Stash has also announced that their big event, now in it’s 7th year, “25 Days of Needlepoint” has opened. A needlepoint themed advent calendar of 25 individually wrapped surprises. You open one each day from Dec1 thru Dec 25th. It is not Christmas themed however, just lots of needlepoint fun. The last one is a canvas and stitch guide. Choose between 13 and 18 mesh. https://stitch-stash.com/collections/25-days-of-needlepoint-signups

Fireside Stitchery has opened up their lottery for their First Frost Retreat. The cut off to enter is August 15th so you need to hurry. There are only 20 seats available. It’s held on October 12th from 9 to 4 PM. It includes lunch and refreshments, canvas, kit and class along with 20% off all the items they have to purchase. It’s being held at the Aronimink Clubhouse in Newtown Square PA. Good Luck getting a seat. https://firesidestitchery.com/products/retreat-lottery?se_activity_id=191308398891&syclid=d2bni83f2dis73fumnng&utm_campaign=Fireside+Stitchery%27s+First+Frost+Retreat_191308398891&utm_medium=email&utm_source=shopify_email

KC Needlepoint just announced a very cute “Almost Pumpkin Season” self finishing kit. Each one includes an adorable gingham pumpkin square on 13 mesh canvas, finishing materials and the acrylic box to put it in. https://www.kcneedlepoint.com/products/gingham-pumpkin-square-acrylic-box-kit?omnisendContactID=61fc368aa1816e00226a532d&utm_campaign=campaign%3A+Pumpkin+kit+%2868974208bb3f4d5925a440eb%29&utm_medium=email&utm_source=omnisend

If you want to take it that one step too far then go to Needlepoint .com for the cutest mini Nutcrackers by Kirk & Bradley. They are also double sided !! They are a needle point to go kit that includes canvas, stitch guide, thread and embellishments. https://needlepoint.com/collections/double-sided-nutcracker-ornament-kits?utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=campaign&utm_campaign=2025_07_31%20Double%20Sided%20Nutcrackers%2C%20London%20Storefronts&utm_klaviyo_id=01EY735XHE675Z0Z1C4Z7SB8DK&_kx=SpNrwJYeSg8JHGV3vDRNkpeUD67Ddf2hdz1HBTATTO0.TxAVmM

Tips & Tricks: Ellen Johnson of Serendipity Needle Point always has great tips. This one comes from her post about choosing threads for your project. She talks about different colors and textures and as we all know – these days there are more choices than ever. Here is her guide to finding the right size thread for the size canvas your stitching. https://serendipityneedleworksneedlepointdownloads.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/Threads_FunSheet.pdf?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=%F0%9F%98%89%F0%9F%A7%B5%20You%20don%20t%20need%20a%20PhD%20to%20choose%20beautiful%20threads&utm_campaign=%5BNeedleNotes%5D%20July%2020%2C%202025

Who was that Famous Stitcher?

This is Laura Rock, the founder of Stitch Rock Designs. She is from a family of stitchers so they have lots of pillows, ornaments, belts etc . She loved stitching but needed to be part of the creativity even more, so she started painting canvases in 2019 and has not stopped. https://stitchrockdesigns.com/

Do you know who this famous stitcher is?

NJNA is Blogging!

Tag Archives: fashion

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