We had our meeting this week and the Sea Jelly is much nicer in person. I can also tell you that it stitches up very quickly – mine is almost finished. A fun program! Next month we have a lecture by Toni Gerdes on the Rhodes Stitch. Having seen this before I look forward to seeing it again. It’s no wonder so many people want to take her classes.

It’s getting to be that time of year again. Time to decide who will be taking the time to help make NJNA a fun place to be !! Everyone has decided to continue volunteering in their roles except for 2. We are in need of a secretary and someone for programs. Secretary can be done from anywhere. We now use AI to transcribe the meetings so the secretary narrows it down to an outline once a month and that is it. The person or persons doing programs do not start until mid year and the chapter already has an outline of what programs will be for the rest of the year. There is always someone around to answer a question or help out. This to can be done from a distance. We look forward to hearing from people that would like to work with the guild to make it a fun time for all. Contact the President – Noelle and she can give you more info. !

Did you get the email from ANG about the 2026 Annual Membership?? You have options !!! They have a 2 year rate now and you can opt for the magazine online only, cutting the cost a bit. The best one is the rate for a “First Timer” You can join ANG for only $40 !! You need to call them at (856) 380-6911 and tell them you want to join for the first time. They will give you a discount code for the web site. Come join the fun and those that are already members don’t forget to renew !

Remember to register by 10/27 for the ANG Annual Membership Meeting on Wed Oct 29th from 2 PM to 3 PM. The meeting is on Zoom and you will hear updates from the President and Board, have a chance to ask any question AND sneak peaks at upcoming events and programs. You should have gotten an email on 10/24 giving you a link to register.

The ANG Spring Fling registration is opening on Monday Nov 3 and closing on Nov 26. This virtual seminar has choices of fan-favorite classes from past seminars.  Class details are coming soon… stay tuned for the big reveal! April 2026 is when classes are expected to start.

The 63rd Annual Woodlawn needlework show registration is almost here. Registration begins on November 10 – yes already ! https://www.woodlawnpopeleighey.org/nwshow26

Thread Alert !!! We all know about Straw Silk but now (according to Rittenhouse Needlepoint) Caron Collection Thread is discontinuing their “Snow” line. I am hoping it’s just their yarn collection – snow is a great thread to stitch with.

Stitching Fox Needlepoint has a retreat like no other. It’s a 7 day excursion to the Chianti region of Italy. The villa accommodates up to 30 guests. Coming along will be Brenda Stofft teaching a new needlefelt sculpture she has designed. There are several excursions planned including going to Florence. What a vacation !! It all happens 9/26/26 thru Oct 3, 2026 https://www.stitchingfox.com/products/needlepoint-in-tuscany-sept-26-oct-3-2026

I hate to say it but…. Christmas is around the corner. Of course you need to be stitching for NEXT Christmas at this point so you can take advantage of the new canvases from market such as Morgan Julia Designs “Nautical Xmas Village” It started with “Nautical Saint Nick” and has now blossomed into his snowy village. (Gotta love the Lobster Trap Xmas tree!) https://morganjuliadesigns.com/collections/nautical-christmas-village

Then you have Needlepoint.com’s “12 Bells of Christmas kit” It includes 12 canvases on 18 count, 75 threads, beads, embellishments and stitch guides. Vernon Kirk used similar elements to tie them all together with the Christmas Carol song. Being small you have a chance at finishing them all in time for next years celebration ! https://needlepoint.com/products/12-days-bells-kit?_kx=SpNrwJYeSg8JHGV3vDRNkpeUD67Ddf2hdz1HBTATTO0.TxAVmM

If bells are not your thing Needlepoint.com has an interesting 2 classes you can take on stitching Santa’s beard. They have 2 online classes with on-demand video’s so you can practice at your schedule. The kits include a practice canvas, stitch guide, threads and access to the videos for beards and mustaches. https://needlepoint.com/products/santas-beard-mustache-part-i-online-needlepoint-class

New at market from Hedgehog Needlepoint are a series of Ski Passes and travel tags not to mention lumbar pillow canvases. This woman does not sleep – she has put out 149 new designs this year ! https://hedgehogneedlepoint.com/

Tips & Tricks: If you do ornaments as gifts or for yourself, it’s a nice thing to put the date on. It’s expensive to have the back embroidered so the next best thing is a charm ! Sometimes I attach it to the canvas for the finisher to stitch it on or I do it myself when it comes back. They come in numerous colors and are available on – yes, you guessed it – Amazon. Go in with friends for a few dollars – you get more than 100 in a bag !!

Who was that Famous Stitcher? This is Colleen Frank aka Coco Frank Studio. She has lovely small canvases with everything from travel to pets to seasonal, etc. She has also joined forces with the art of Inslee Fariss giving us new and different colorful canvases. If that is not enough, she just gave birth to her 2nd daughter. Congratulations !! https://cocofrankstudio.com/

Do you know who this famous stitcher is?