Tag Archives: writing

Sep5

What’s Happening at NJNA 9/5/26

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Happy Needle Point Month! It’s that time of year – we at NJNA are planning for 2027 programs !! Some exciting things are sure to be coming so stay tuned. Mark your calendars for our November meeting as we will be having Beautiful Stitches owner, Anne Marie Anderson Mayes from Australia. She has wonderful counted projects and her threads are such a pleasure to work with. I was lucky to have taken a class with her and she is a wonderful teacher. Can’t wait to hear her talk. https://beautifulstitches.com.au/

The new Sept – Oct 2026 issue of Needle Pointers Magazine is on it’s way. I happen to have the cover project in my WIP pile! I will let you explore this issue yourself but I will say that the Tale of 2 Stitchers is AMAZING! The designer spotlight is one of my favorites – Zecca. The issue is jam packed with all sorts of great things to read – check it out online if you can’t wait !! (Wait till you see the back cover!)

If you haven’t seen the classes being offered at the 2027 seminar in Nashville they have now been published. Take your time and plot out which ones your going to try to get into when they open registration. Lot’s to consider ! https://online.fliphtml5.com/bjsk/Compressed-from-ANG-2027-Seminar-Classes/#p=1

Registration has opened for ANG’s Free Lectures series. During the month of September they are offering 2, What Makes a Design Work by Jennifer Riefenberg and Tips and Tricks by Sue Reed. You must register which can be done on the ANG web site. Great topics and great designers !

The end of summer – already. Labor Day is Monday and that means the fall Needlepoint Market in TX is almost upon us. From Oct 2 thru the 5th there will be 128 exhibitors of which 28 are new to the show and there will be 216 buyers of which 69 are new! That is a lot of needlepoint being bought and sold ! Can’t imagine what we will all be seeing shortly.

The Needlepointer has a new collection of “Autumn at Home” kits. There will be 4 in all and the first and second have just been released. A quick stitch at 5″ X 5″ it is a cozy Autumn Front Door or a pile of fall items in a basket. You get the canvas, threads and stitch guide along with everything needed to finish it. Reminds you of a warm fall day. https://theneedlepointer.com/products/autumn-welcome-ornament-kit?se_activity_id=176556081394&syclid=da9fd15qjabs73aprk50&utm_campaign=%F0%9F%8D%82+Meet+the+First+of+Our+Autumn+at+Home+Collection_176556081394&utm_medium=email&utm_source=shopify_email

Uh Oh – Danger Danger Will Robinson (Yes, I dated myself there). If you live in the tri-state area of NY/NJ/CT there is another new store coming !! Good Point Needlepoint is moving to Fairfield CT. It’s located right by the train station and they are working feverishly to get themselves open. So cute, it’s in a house and the shop is the downstairs.  The location, extra space and charm of the building made it impossible to resist. No opening date yet but…Soon! They are planning a “Formal Opening” in the spring of 2027 but will be there on a limited time schedule shortly. https://goodpointneedlepoint.com/

Good Point Needlepoint CT – How Cute is this !

Ridgewood Needlepoint is celebrating 2 Anniversaries !! This is Adrienne’s 6th year owning the shop. The shop is also celebrating it’s 25th year in business ! A wonderful milestone. To celebrate Adrienne is having a sale from Tuesday Sept 29th thru Saturday Oct 3rd all in stock canvases, threads, books and accessories will be 15% off. https://ridgewoodneedlepoint.com/

A new self finishing product you can get thru Rittenhouse Needlepoint – Baseball Caps ! They are made by Abby Stone Designs and have a stitchable panel in the front of the cap. When you finish your one of a kind design it comes with an adhesive backing to put on the inside. A great look for all you Boston or Yankee fans !! https://rittenhouseneedlepoint.com/collections/new-arrivals-back-in-stock

NEW THREAD ALERT ! Look on Fireside Stitchery’s web site. Those people are VERY BUSY ! There is a lot going on at that store! They have just put in a thread line I have not heard of called “Moondrake BFL Silky” It’s meant for 18 count and is a blend of 45% Bluefaced Liecester Wool and 55% Grade A Mulberry Silk. You learn something new everyday. https://firesidestitchery.com/products/bfl-silky-moondrake?_pos=3&_psq=Moondrake&_psid=1511fcef3&_ss=e

Fireside Stitchery also is about to open up their “Spring Thaw Retreat” for 2027. A relaxing 2 day weekend held at the Aronimink Golf Club April 24th and 25th. Breakfast/Lunch/Refreshments/20% off in store Shopping and optional classes. I heard nothing but rave reviews from last years retreat. https://firesidestitchery.com/products/spring-thaw-retreat-breakout-classes

Tips and Tricks: Have we all been affected by the stretcher bar shortage? Rumors that the newer stitchers have been throwing them out when they finished a project and then just buying new instead of reusing them have been circulating. True or not there has been a shortage particularly of the smaller sizes. We all have been buying the familiar pink labeled Frank A Edmunds wooden bars but with a shortage comes innovation. When you go to web sites there is also a blue label by Colonial Needle, stores also have their own brand now and they have even come up with ones made of plastic. Something new is coming soon – look for MB Stitch – they haven’t launched them just yet (Sept 7th) but they go together like puzzle pieces. They have other features that we can all explore when they come out. Very unique.

Who was that Famous Stitcher? This is Cece Stricklin the owner and founder of The Thread Gatherer. This is a full family operation and she has been in business for 35 years. They hand dye both threads of all kinds along with silk ribbons, materials etc. https://threadgatherer.com/

Do you know who these Famous Stitcher’s are ?

Have a lovely Labor day weekend !

Jul11

What’s Happening at NJNA 7/11/26

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I looked at the calendar and realized 2 weeks had gone by and I needed to do the blog – then I realized it was mid July – how did that happen??? This week is our next meeting – already ! If you have checked out your email you will have gotten one from Noelle (our fearless leader). She announced that our next 2 meetings will be a continuation of our exploration of color ! Melita G will be telling us about her design process and color philosophy. The chapter will be offering Melita’s award winning design at half price. It could be a good stash buster ! Details on getting the instructions are in Noelle’s email and will be discussed at the meeting. Wed night at 7 pm – see you then!

Mid July also means that it’s time for this year’s seminar in Denver CO. The big event starts this week on the 18th and they will be having a new feature of Open Stitching – even if your not a member. Everyone going should have a good time and enjoy all that seminar has to offer.

Yesterday the email came from ANG and we finally got a look at the new Needle Pointers Magazine! I don’t know about you but the first thing I turn to is the Tale of 2 Stitchers and this time in particular. Last month we got to see Jacqui’s piece and this time Cathryn’s Gazebo is in the magazine. Many of us got to watch the process and see her canvas evolve into the masterpiece it became. We were also lucky enough to see it framed. The pictures in the magazine are great but in person – no comparison. The other woman, Suzanne, also did a wonderful job stitching her canvas. We can’t help but be biased though. Check out the magazine online to see all the details – very interesting to read and see the differences.

That email from ANG was packed with great information including the new Quarterly Stitch ! I and several others are stitching our own versions of Marion Scoular’s “The Princess and the Pea”. This piece is all done in Blackwork which is what this quarter’s all about. Blackwork Sampler 2 by Amy Wolfson. Some of the patterns look like they can be adapted to a mattress or two. As soon as I am done here I will be downloading this project. It’s a more complex technique than many of us thought !

If your a fan of Julie Snyder she is coming to Ridgewood Needlepoint to teach canvas embellishment on November 7 & 8. The class is limited to 10 so you need to be quick. They require a deposit so call the store at 201-612-7770. She has published more than 10 books and is a nationally acclaimed needlepoint instructor.

With July being a rather Patriotic month The Needle Pointer has a series of Military Patches you can stitch. A nice way to commemorate family and friends that have served. There are a dozen to choose from. https://theneedlepointer.com/collections/us-military?se_activity_id=174738440434&syclid=d998mfav8rcs73c080c0&utm_campaign=Celebrate+Service+with+a+Handmade+Keepsake_174738440434&utm_medium=email&utm_source=shopify_email

If you need a “Grab and Go” small project The Needle Pointer has very cute cocktail charms (fobs) they call “Sips and Stitches”. You have 6 cocktails to choose from in pretty colors. Great little item to put on a hand bag or to carry for some stitching while you wait! Everything is included to both stitch it and finish it. https://theneedlepointer.com/products/cocktail-mini-fob-collection?se_activity_id=175073657074&syclid=d999kerm30jc7390v3o0&utm_campaign=Shake+Up+Your+Style+with+Cute+Cocktail+Charms%21_175073657074&utm_medium=email&utm_source=shopify_email

There is nothing more iconic to summer than New England and along with that is Sara Fitz (who happens to be the niece of one of our members! ) She has just dropped a bunch of new canvases, needle minders and brand new project bags ! There is something about her designs that make you smile. She has even collaborated with LL Bean for bedding! Her needlepoint sells out quickly (totally understandable) but many other things in her line make great gifts. https://www.sarafitz.com/collections/needlepoint?page=3

Rachel Barri has some new Mezuzah canvases. A quick stitch and a very lovely gift. Check out her other Judaica items as most people do not associate her with these canvases. She has a great sense of humor on some of the camvases along with her other lovely canvases, such as her bags ! https://rachelbarridesigns.com/collections/judaica?page=1

I hate to say it but… Fall is coming! LOL And before you know it too ! I am stitching a sign for my stitching room “This Is My Happy Place” from Stitch Rock Designs. I got to thinking about other canvases I have to stitch by the same designer and realized Halloween is coming, I should get moving. Then I got several emails saying that Christmas finishing is about to be cut off ! Yikes – it’s coming to fast ! Think about stitching one to two holidays/seasons ahead ! Here are the other items from Stitch Rock in my stash, you might want to revisit your stash in advance of Fall and be ahead of the game! Then again – the end of September is the Autumn Needlepoint Reunion Trade Show! https://stitchrockdesigns.com/

Tips & Tricks: Ugh – Neon Rays, Flair, Frosty Rays….stitching with these beautiful threads can try your patience. They and others shred as you pull them thru the canvas. Yes, you need a shorter length to stitch with than you may like but another help is to burn the ends ! They call them thread burners or zappers – all the same thing. I just purchased a new one (I am sure you can guess where I got it!) and this one is rechargeable. The older ones used a battery. This tool has also gone high tech! This one has a cap to protect the tip and a screen to display the power left. It’s light, fits your hand easily and even comes in pink !!

Who was that Famous Stitcher? This is Emily Oliver, one of the designers under the Rachel Barri Designs company. She is from Virginia Beach and loves classic style designs. Look her up on Rachel Barri’s web site (gotta love the Hot Cocoa). https://rachelbarridesigns.com/collections/emily-oliver-studio

Do you know who this Famous Stitcher is?

Everyone going to Seminar have a Fabulous Time !!

Apr2

“Stitch By Stitch” Mohonk Retreat

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https://www.mohonk.com/?_gl=1*lg9438*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAjwhLPOBhBiEiwA8_wJHCdaMYbZG2nVWoTglNWPNhtzBSknYx6oRRbrKCZHevheHxgmW2dq8BoCh4AQAvD_BwE&gbraid=0AAAAADuKXbTFsbwNKGu9xnVWBFhLJROfD&nck=gbetri

Stitch By Stitch in Larchmont NY each year has a retreat that is hard to get into. I believe there were 80 seats and close to 600 people that wanted one of those seats !! You can enter their lottery either as an individual or as a “team”. I entered as a team with 3 other NJNA members. Stitch By Stitch does a Live Face Book drawing of the lucky winners and for the first time they pulled my name !! The “team” got in!

If you have read in prior blogs that I have done, Stitch By Stitch is always a favorite. The way they handled this retreat was with precision !! They pulled the names in September for an event held March 22 – 25th. You were informed all along the way what was coming next and what you had to do so that everything ran smoothly. If you had a question – they had the answer !! It was a pleasure going to an event that had it all covered.

The Mohonk Mountain House building is from the 1860’s and there is a glacial lake in front of it. The Smiley Family have owned the property for over 150 years. There is plenty to do at this place from riding to golf to the spa – and even dance lessons. The room was very comfy and had a balcony with a rocking chair and an amazing view. In fact there are little sitting areas and porches with rocking chairs all over.

Unfortunately we did not have the best weather (it even snowed one day) so we did not get to enjoy to much of the out doors but we were there to stitch ! The food in this place was not only delicious but plentiful. You ate in a beautiful room that had wood everywhere in the Craftsman style. We did have dinner 2 nights in the “Founder’s Room” – a private dining area. The interesting part was getting your dinner buffet style “In The Kitchen” ! A unique experience as you stood on line next to the organically growing herbs !

The stitching room was in a separate building that was filled with light. Eight people to a table and our table had women from Long Island. We couldn’t have asked for nicer women to sit with. Actually, all the attendees were very friendly and helpful. The 3 trunk shows in the stitching room – Elizabeth Crane Swartz, Gingham Stitchery and Plum Stitchery along with other items from Stitch By Stitch gave you plenty of shopping opportunities. Elaine Adonidis was also on hand for some short classes on embellishments.

You also did not want for snacks and drinks – they were plentiful all day every day. There were lovely raffle prizes, a pajama party and the topper of it all was the “Swag Bag”. What was at your seat as a gift was over the top. So many great items too numerous to list. I will tell you that when I got back and showed friends what we got – I believe some ordered a few of the items as they loved them and couldn’t not have them.

No matter where you walk there it is a distance. You were also so busy all the time that you were tired everyday. Turn down service even made your night a neat experience with a note and chocolate on your pillow. After a good nights rest we were all ready to go again !

There is so much more to do there that it makes a great get away place that is close to home yet far removed from daily life. It was a wonderful experience and a fun day every day because Betty, Susan, Linda, Catherine and Karen did such a good job of making sure you wanted for nothing ! Good luck to all who enter the lottery in the future. You will not be disappointed.

Mar21

What’s Happening at NJNA 3/21/26

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This week was our monthly meeting and the continuation of Jacqui C’s program about the color wheel. She finished the remaining colors and next month she will be showing us all about Grey Scale – a valuable tool (that I need to know more about!). I was taking a class in Black Work so I missed the meeting BUT – NJNA has been recording them. I can go back and watch what the remaining colors were and how they are used in picking out threads for your projects. Not all guilds do this! We try to be progressive so everyone can enjoy our programing. A thank you to Jacqui for her hard work and we are all looking forward to the next months meeting.

Registration for The 2026 ANG Seminar in Denver is open and as of today there are 10 classes that have already sold out. If you are planning on going you need to hurry to sign up for a class or 2. I looked at the catalogue and there are still some great looking classes but…..

National Office Elections are going on – make sure you vote. Great candidates are stepping up to bring a better ANG organization to us all. You can use the link in the email that came Friday or go to the ANG website.

Yikes – Spring Fling starts in April – another project on my plate !! Worth it though. Everyone should be hearing from Molly Boyne with instructions soon. Keep and eye out in your email.

Oh My !!The new Needle Pointers Magazine is on it’s way !! The cover is a math person’s dream! The back cover is so quirky that I had to read about it on the bottom of the contents page. Again, from the Shop Hop to the thread reviews to the other projects, many about Bargello – this issue is another winner. A Tale of Two Stitchers is adorable !! Check it out online if you can’t wait for the “Snail”.

April 1 – no fooling – there should be new online classes. ANG Independent Learning has a new offering that you should be able to register for. At this time the link is not available but the class, called Desert Rose will be taught by Jeanette Tombaugh. It comes in 2 color ways and believe it or not this is the same piece in the 2 color ways.

Check this out all you handbag lovers !! Rachel Barri Designs has new colors of her clutch bags – Green Croc and Chrome. She also has a deal right now on her web site – buy a clutch canvas insert and get 15% off any clutch bag ! https://rachelbarridesigns.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorR14h6S4ue2uFhgxA_FN3ezNG_uxDSNVRGrTdM6zj5V2Oh6nEk

Penny Linn just came out with an entire line of items on the theme of Eloise ! The 6 year old troublemaker that lives in the Plaza Hotel. From canvases to needle minders, project bags, tote bags, scissors, key chains – if you can think of it she has it and in PINK! Just adorable !! https://pennylinn.com/collections/eloise?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=campaign&utm_campaign=3%2F20%20Eloise%20Launch&_kx=95-hSwAYM_w1abxIXjXQMDX2ZPJpMD1KDiXnRxmVLaI.RspkHP

Morgan Julia is about to launch a new club – a Garden Club. All canvases are 4 X 4 on 13 mesh and each one will be a different flower. She is using a variety of threads and it comes with stitch suggestions. She has to finalize details but expects to ship in April and it will be a monthly club under $100 per month ! Sounds like a great club for newer stitchers that want to move on from the continental stitch. No pictures yet. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVRmP5Yksxz/

Have you checked out Stitch Stash in DE lately? She has started her “Sunday Sale”. Each Sunday she sends out an email with three canvases along with threads and they are 20% off. When they go – that’s it. I have seen it 2 or 3 times and she puts up some interesting choices. The threads a very nice choices, one was a sunshine all done in Radiance. Get on her email list to see what new selections she has. https://stitch-stash.com/search?type=product&q=Sunday%20Sales*

On a similar note KC Needlepoint each week on Friday has “Happy Hour”. From the time the email comes out until midnight they have a 20% off sale on the “Theme ” of the week. It was all floral canvases this past week. Keep an eye out, they may have something you were looking for !!! https://www.kcneedlepoint.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooHnUjALQL5AZLRnPXk_nieRR5gmlEgm2M9GrDygZuvqOGbrf4a

Tips and Tricks: No matter how often you bead on your canvas you need something to corral the beads so they are not “every where” !!! I recently was introduced to the EZ-Beader by The Collection Designs. What a wonderful item. It’s a small piece of wood with a magnet on the back and sticky material on the top. No beads are falling off that !! Someone showed me that you can take the back of the magnet off, keep the wood in the plastic box and THEN put it on your canvas. This way if something does slip off it lands in the plastic box ! Genius !

Who was that Famous Stitcher? This is the most energetic woman in the needlepoint industry, Suzie Vallerie. She is the owner of The Enriched Stitch in Wilton CT, VNG, a company that represents various artists including Amanda Lawford, Enriched Threads – formerly The Caron Collection AND she now owns Needlepoint in Paradise in FL. Watch for what she does next as I am sure she is not done ! Good Luck to her as she turns the needlepoint industry in new directions.

Do you know who this famous stitcher is?

Dec27

What’s Happening at NJNA 12/27/25

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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.