handmade | NJNA is Blogging!

This is the last lecture this month on the Color Wheel with Jacqui !! This month is all about the names on the back that I never noticed before – Triad, Tetrad, Split Complementary and more. This has been a wonderful series – a big Thank You to Jacqui for opening our minds to so many ways to look at color !

One of the best parts of being a member of ANG is the Needle Pointers magazine. So many great articles but I am willing to bet that the first one everyone turns to is the Tale Of Two Stitchers. Always fascinating to see how a canvas can be interpreted so many different ways. They are in immediate need of stitchers for a particular canvas – “Woodland Fantasy” by Judi & Co. The canvas is 12 X 12 on 18 mesh canvas. They want to be sure there is enough time to stitch the canvas so they need volunteers very soon on this one. The stitched canvas must be turned in by January 5, 2027 as it will be featured in the May/June 2027 issue of the magazine. Anyone that would be interested in stitching this canvas and/or another one for the column should contact Linda M at TOTS@needlepoint.org and she will give you the information needed.

In looking at the new email from ANG – I never realized how many Certification Programs they offer all designed to help members expand their knowledge, skills, and expertise in needle arts. From Judging to apprising to teaching or becoming a Master / Senior Master Needle Pointer. So much to explore. https://www.needlepoint.org/general/custom.asp?page=CertificationPrograms

Do you love your System 4 equipment? Don’t look to your LNS for them any longer, though they might be selling what they have on a sale. System 4 is no longer selling to shops !! They are now selling directly to customers. I recently used their web site for a replacement part and a bag and it was easy to use. When I had a question I called and the lovely woman that answered the phone couldn’t be nicer or more helpful. They have other pieces besides the table and floor stand. They also still do repairs. https://www.needleworksystem4.com/

Stitch By Stitch in NY has a new program called “Needle Points”. Nothing complicated – starting June 1 for every $1 you spend they give you 1 point. For every 200 points you get $5 off your next purchase. If you refer a friend and they sign up you also get $5 off. They are also planning on having “Double Point Days” in the future. This store is way too easy to rack up many points !! https://stitchbystitchneedlepoint.com/pages/needle-points-rewards

The Canvas Crawl is almost here !!! It starts June 18th thru the 21st. There are more than 30 stores participating this year. Many familiar names are on the list, check it out : https://www.canvascrawl.com/2026-participants Each store you go to you fill out a form for a raffle. They have 2 bags filled with “stuff” all from the participating stores. Also, check with the store your going to visit as they have trunk shows and specials etc.

The Fabulous Bedecked and Bedazzled has updated their APP for iStitches. Apparently the platform she used made major changes and so she needed to completely overhaul the app for the 5 books ! The stitches themselves haven’t changed. These are the same stitch collections found in the original iStitches apps and books. What has changed is the experience. You can now save favorite stitches in different folders. She has also included a “Where is that stitch? “Master Index so it’s easier to find. https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/istitches/

Are you ready to go on a retreat??? I have found 2 recently. Mrs. Meshugga is going to Cancun Mexico and wants you to come along. Jan 29 thru Feb 2 2027 at the Live Aqua Beach Resort. A total of 60 stitchers for 5 days and the resort is all inclusive including alcohol. There will be 2 classes by LeighAnne Tucci, Mahjong lessons and open play plus a swag bag. Reserve your spot here: https://www.mrsmeshugga.com/products/sunshine-stitches-retreat?omnisendContactID=68c4811d7570f9d21c5c1551&utm_campaign=campaign%3A+GENERAL+LIST+-+RETREAT+LAUNCH+%286a1dd21d497063d57ed301db%29&utm_medium=email&utm_source=omnisend

The second retreat is a replay of the Fireside Spring Thaw Retreat on April 24th and 25th 2027. It will be held again at the Aronimink Gold Club. I heard only great things about the one they did earlier this year. Too soon to sign up right now but make a note to check back with them.

Gone Stitching in Bergenfield has a new class on Sunday August 23rd. Call the shop as it’s a first come first serve seating. The class comes complete with canvas, threads etc and even snacks and lunch! 201- 385- 2100 – Very cute canvas !!!

The Needlepointer has a new subscription for a quarterly box and it includes a small project, threads, guide, accessories, self finishing materials, tutorials and some “gifts”. Each box will be a surprise. You can choose from 18 count or 13 count and the next one comes out in August. https://theneedlepointer.com/products/quarterly-subscription-box?se_activity_id=173799145714&syclid=d8mtigof33bs73aot9mg&utm_campaign=Unbox%20Exciting%20New%20Projects%20at%20Your%20Door%20Each%20Quarter!_173799145714&utm_medium=email&utm_source=shopify_email&selling_plan=6009749746&variant=48586161651954

The Needle Pointer also has another 12 month Club called Ocean Dreams. Each month starting in August you get canvas, threads, guide and finishing instructions and in the final shipment your get the display frame to complete the mobile. https://theneedlepointer.com/products/ocean-dreams-mobile-a-journey-beneath-the-waves?se_activity_id=173982089458&syclid=d8mtl6gf33bs73aotda0&utm_campaign=Dive%20into%20Dreamland%20With%20Our%20Lastest%20Club!_173982089458&utm_medium=email&utm_source=shopify_email&selling_plan=6635782386&variant=49354705305842

It’s time to start those patriotic canvases, after all the nation doesn’t turn 250 every year !! Stitch By Stitch in NY is having 2 Patriotic Trunk Shows this month – Raymond Crawford’s Patriotic Collection and my favorite – Kangaroo Paw. Just love those stars in many patterns. https://stitchbystitchneedlepoint.com/pages/trunk-show-schedule

Stitch Stash has something brand new – hand made Linen covered boxes by House of Cartonage. They come in several styles and colors with an opening to display your needlework. https://stitch-stash.com/collections/house-of-cartonnage-boxes

Tips & Tricks: Have you ever wanted to do your own matching cord for around your finished ornament and other projects? It’s not a hard thing but this makes it even easier !! It’s battery operated, no cranking. It gives you the ability to make 2, 3 or 4 ply cords along with fringe, tassels and way more than I will want to deal with! https://lacis.com/catalog/data/AC_CordAndRopeMaking.html

Who was that Famous Stitcher? That is Kate of Ivy Thread Needlepoint. For her, this is a side gig, she is a strategist from 9 to 5 and needlepoint is her creative outlet. She only started in 2021 and lives in Florida with her golden retriever. If you go to her web site you will not only see her adorable designs but she is also doing a “Tiny Animals” club. https://ivythreadneedlepoint.com/

Do you know who this Famous Stitcher is?

The weather is starting to get better – enjoy the sun and warmth.

Happy “Almost Spring” everyone ! After this winter we need some spring. Thankfully tonight is Day Light Savings – put those clocks ahead an hour before you go to bed!

March also means that Woodlawn is in full swing. It runs thru March 30th and is closed on Tuesdays. NJNA sent about 25 entries in this year and we have winners !! Let’s all congratulate Noelle D, Diane B, Melita G, Rosie L and Linda M. They all received an award – or two! If you go, check out all the entries from NJNA as they are all winners in their own right – and don’t forget the ginger snaps at the end ! Here is the total list of winners this year: https://www.woodlawnpopeleighey.org/2026-award-winners

ANG Seminar registration is open and closes on April 17 ! Better hurry – 5 classes are already closed. Also – don’t forget to vote for the 3 new positions that are open. I am sure they will all do a great job. AND – we have a new Eastern Area Rep – Pat Thompson. She has been with ANG for over 25 years and held several positions. She is also involved with EGA and NAN and currently going for a certificate in Hand Embroidery thru the Royal School of Needlework. Welcome Pat !

Did you miss the 2 new Independent Learning projects ? Never fear – there are more new offers coming on 4/1/26 – no fooling !

We still have a month and a half until the Spring needlepoint trade show in Orland but that has not stopped new designs from popping up now. KC Needle Point has some adorable Spring/Easter canvases. Makes you forget about that remaining dirty snow outside. https://www.kcneedlepoint.com/collections/easter-needlepoint?omnisendContactID=61fc368aa1816e00226a532d&sort_by=created-descending&utm_campaign=campaign%3A+New+easter+%2869a901cde65441f60395bcf8%29&utm_medium=email&utm_source=omnisend

Another almost Spring event is Chinese New Year. This is the year of the Fire Horse ! The Needlepointer has new kits for 3 designs of their Fire Crackers. Each one comes with everything you need to stitch it and finish it yourself. They say no additional tools are needed – it comes complete. They also have a video you can follow along with for the finishing. They are pretty ! https://theneedlepointer.com/products/firecracker-ornament-kit?se_activity_id=171591237874&syclid=d6m5378h2fls738ob2qg&utm_campaign=Firecracker+Stitch-To-Finish+Kits+Just+Dropped%21_171591237874&utm_medium=email&utm_source=shopify_email

Ready to snap back to reality – Homestead Needle Arts has let everyone know that the dates for finishing this year are rapidly approaching. Check with your local LNS for their dates as it’s getting to the point where you need to plan a year ahead. Yikes. https://www.homesteadneedlearts.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooSIWUGHaMUpgKaAv5FBH79vtTbVihFXCpGtWKfHQDemBaMjzA0

On a more fun note – Stitch By Stitch (as usual) has some neat new items. The one that caught my eye was by a company called Threaded and Tipsy. They have some interesting self finishing items and canvases to choose from to insert. They have something called a “Catch All”. You need a 4X4 canvas to finish with and at first I thought – napkin holder – I was short sighted !! The 2 inch opening can also be used for: Books, planners, project bags, extra canvases (and who doesn’t have those), on a desk, shelf…. It is NOT leather but an affordable alternative. Look at Stitch By Stitch’s web site for their other products https://stitchbystitchneedlepoint.com/collections/vendors?q=Threaded%20and%20Tipsy (Hoping they bring some to Mohonk!)

–Stitched Up Needle Works – on the Left Coast ! is looking to celebrate our nation’s 250th Birthday. They have commemorative canvas ornament kits you can order that include: canvas, stitch guide, threads and embellishments. The kits are $145 and you need to order by April 10th. They are going to have a Stitch In on June 6th from 10 am to 4 pm to help with your kits and they even hint that there might be cake !! You can call the store at 669-258-5027.

I was reading an email from Stitch Stash and she was talking about new things in her shop. One of them was a thread line I had not heard of – Razzle Dazzle Threads. From the picture it’s hard to see but the colors look nice and bright. Go to her web site to see them individually and bigger and they look almost like Trebizond Silk Thread. Many are sold out on her web site so they might be worth giving a try. https://stitch-stash.com/collections/razzle-dazzle-threads

Big changes for River Silks. The owner, Jean Krynicki is retiring after 22 years. Her daughters Lynn, Jill and Beth are stepping into her roll to keep this fabulous ribbon company going. That’s not all ! They are moving their operations across country from Washington State to Virginia !! To make this move they will be closed for several months and stopped taking orders on Jan 22nd. We wish them a lot of luck in the move. Check out their web site for tutorials on using their ribbons. https://www.riversilks.com/

I know someone stitching both a checker board and a Monopoly game. Both canvases are BIG! Morgan Julia Designs has come up with an nice alternative. She has made a smaller version of a Backgammon board (and they have personality!). Her new designs are not a life long project and you have choices of background design. She designed it specifically to use and display. The entire canvas is 15 X 19 making the actual board 11 X 15, a little smaller than a traditional size. The back drops are either ski slopes with giant trees, garden rows with trellises and few bunnies or a garden gate surrounded by hydrangeas. All really pretty and a nice way to play the game. https://morganjuliadesigns.com/collections/backgammon-boards?_kx=rV4MBEfWGkwURglkyUXCLopGavY2DCJQzP6Y94aO8T4.RWeQns

Tips and Tricks: Another magic tool to think about owning !! Have you ever used a “Bunka Brush”? They are very handy to bring the fuzzies / nap up on your stitching to make beards or fur seem more realistic. The Bunka Brush can be a bit big in smaller areas and tough on delicate areas. When you need the same solution but a bit smaller scale you need “The Fiber Finisher” by Rainbow Gallery. It’s a wire fan about a half inch across – perfect for smaller areas ! I found it at KC Needlepoint. https://www.kcneedlepoint.com/collections/ornaments/products/fiber-finisher-brush

Who was that Famous Stitcher? That is Diane, the owner of Pepperberry Designs. With a degree in Fine Arts she spent most of her career as package designer until she opened Pepperberry in 2013. She is an avid gardener and loves making wreaths using – yup – Pepperberries !!

Do you know who this famous stitcher is?

I was reading my emails from Ellen Johnson’s Serendipity Needleworks and what she said just struck me as so true. Our needlepoint community is more than stitching – here is how she put it:

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