Seminar is over and everyone is back so this month’s meeting on Wed is all about seminar and how it was. Next year is Denver so I am sure we will hear inside information about what is coming. Jacqui C is also going to talk to us about the Sea Jelly that will be the October meeting’s project. Should be interesting to hear about both.
The summer ANG Auction is back and ends tomorrow so hurry and check out all the donations and have fun bidding on all kinds of items. From Books to canvases to partially stitched items to charts and way more. https://ang.schoolauction.net/2025summer/signup
The new Needlepointers Magazine is out for Sept/Oct and as usual it doesn’t disappoint. So many interesting things to read about. Wait till you see the Tale of Three Stitchers – the faces of the cardinals are all great ! The cover has 3 pumpkins and the stems on them are a work of art. I also want to read the article about lights not to mention the New Orleans store. You need some quiet time to sit and read as it is packed with great stuff. Of course if you can’t wait you can view it online and you got an email with a link right to it – easy peasy !
On a sad note – Michele Roberts passed away last month. You know her from the red and gold hearts offered in the correspondence courses. She was a well known icon in the needlepoint industry with an expertise in silk and gold techniques. To honor her and with the coordination of her family you can still sign up for her heart designs thru the correspondence course area even though it’s being redesigned.
I am sure many of us have experienced problems getting supplies. It’s not going to get any better according to at least 2 vendors. With the tariffs now applying to all dollar amounts, no more exemptions for under $800 – Color Complements is temporarily suspending shipments into the US. Since all tariffs must be prepaid by the shipper she has to research the best way to do this. https://colourcomplements.com/ On top of that S&J (you know their beads on the white cards) also deals in ribbons and Berwick-Offray, who she has been buying from for 4 decades, has closed all their US factories. She now has to source new vendors. She says she has some stock left so get it while you can. https://sj-designs.net/shop/sj-designs-ribbons/116-satin-ribbon/
Let’s talk about some happier things !! I loved the people that Moore stitching had introduced and Ina Garten is done and framed, sitting right next to her cook books ! Well, they came out with several new canvases – check out Carrie (from Sex in the City), Dolly and Lucy among others. Just too cute. Mine was a lot of fun to stitch. (I hope Ina Garten agrees!) (Thanks Jen for the buttons) https://moorestitching.com/collections/new-arrivals
Do you know someone that wants to learn to stitch? (I just had someone ask me!) Let’s face it, we want to encourage younger people to enjoy our hobby to carry it on and not let it die. The person that came to me is in their 30’s so she would have no interest in stitching a frog or a cat. However – KC Needlepoint has 21 kits for a more adult beginner. Everything you need to start is in the kit. The canvases have big spaces to practice a stitch. The koi fish are beautiful and so is the cocktail. They include very nice thread so as to make it a good experience. Keep it in mind in case you too get asked ! https://www.kcneedlepoint.com/collections/the-beginner-kit?omnisendContactID=61fc368aa1816e00226a532d&sort_by=created-descending&utm_campaign=campaign%3A+New+Beginner+Kits+%2868adcc69269cfa00340d481b%29&utm_medium=email&utm_source=omnisend
WOW – I can’t believe the leaves are turning and falling but that just puts you in the mood for fall and fall stitching. Stitch Rock has some of the cutest Halloween/Fall canvases but if you are a dog lover then their new line of “Howl-oween” canvases may be for you. The faces on the dogs are just what you see at home! https://stitchrockdesigns.com/collections/autumn-halloween
I am sure you have heard about the pop up that Morgan Julia Designs is having in October in NYC. She has been dropping hints of what will be there. Looks like she had thread palettes made to go with canvases! To get more information and or to tell her your coming (as there are special gifts) use the link to help her know how many are coming. https://morganjuliadesigns.com/pages/mjd-in-nyc?_kx=rV4MBEfWGkwURglkyUXCLopGavY2DCJQzP6Y94aO8T4.RWeQns
A new store just opened !! Sunny Stitches in Denver CO https://www.instagram.com/sunnystitches.denver/ and they had a guest at their opening – Hedgehog Needlepoint owner Hannelore Brown. She brought with her a new Retro Travel Tag and matching needleminder. Something to think about if you go to the next seminar !! Check out her new University Key Fobs – good gift for a new student. https://hedgehogneedlepoint.com/
If you haven’t heard of Suzie Vallerie by now I am sure you will shortly. She is the owner of Enriched Stitch in CT since 2012 and she has been a very busy lady since then. She has bought the Amanda Lawford line of needlepoint, created her own line (VNG) where she represents several artists, recently bought Caron Threads (now known as Enriched Threads), AND, has now bought “Needlepoint in Paradise” in Naples Fl. Wishing her success as she spreads out beyond the Tri State Area. https://enrichedstitch.com/ https://www.needlepointinparadise.com/
Atlantic Blue has a new line of canvases – very sweet looking Birth Flowers. Each flower matches to the month and in such soft colors. They also have an extra you can buy – an embossed golden plate charm to attach. Nice as a gift! https://www.atlanticbluecanvas.com/collections/birth-flowers
Needle Point .com has a new Interiors Collection. The designers you all know – Vernon Kirk of Kirk & Bradley and Don Lynch of Two Sisters. To look at the canvases, they are nice but to see them stitched and finished brings them to a different level. Everyone wants a room that looks like these do. I think the appeal of them is the simplicity and the single color. They look so relaxing. https://needlepoint.com/collections/interiors-collection?_kx=SpNrwJYeSg8JHGV3vDRNkpeUD67Ddf2hdz1HBTATTO0.TxAVmM&utm_campaign=2025_09_03+Interiors+Collection&utm_klaviyo_id=01EY735XHE675Z0Z1C4Z7SB8DK&utm_medium=campaign&utm_source=Klaviyo
Tips & Tricks: Ugh – are you a tight stitcher? (I know I am) Trying to pull the tail of the thread thru a few stitches on the back of the canvas can be tough. Try using a needle Grabber to give you the needed grip to get that needle thru. They actually come in a few versions. Some people like to use a tweezer, there are also pink grips for the end of your fingers or small round pieces of rubber. The next time you need to give blood ask for the tourniquet they used. They can’t reuse them and throw them away but to take that and cut it into smaller segments works great. My favorite is an old fashioned rubber finger with the top cut off ! Whatever works for you.
Who was that Famous Stitcher? Yes – that was a younger picture of Tony Minieri the needlework designer and teacher that is also one of “The Squad”. (Along with Suzanne Howren and Meredith Willett). He has many certifications and can create the most complicated stitches that turn out to be beautiful designs. Recently he has had several health issues and we wish him a quick recovery so he can get back to teaching and traveling.
Do you know who this famous stitcher is?
NJNA is Blogging! 
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