Melitastitches4fun's Blog


Sunflower Heart, Flower
December 14, 2025, 11:53 am
Filed under: ANG Needle Pointer's Article, Sunflower Heart by Judyann Designs

For the flower and stem in Sunflower Heart by Judyann Needle Art Canvas Design, I had Treenway Silks 7 mm Yellow 201, River Silks 7 mm yellow variegated 260, and River Silks 7 mm green variegated 265 in my stash (different but similar from what Ginny Stapleton used in her stitch guide from the July/August 2025 issue).

I found Splendor Lite Golden Brown S902 and used 6 strands for the French Knots and beads of 2 sizes of the same color (unmarked) but only used the large ones for the loft.

I couldn’t be happier!

So, “finishing” this may actually be a reward for stitching the next 6 pairs of strands onto Nautilus. I wouldn’t have said that a year ago!

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Sunflower Heart by Judyann Needle Art Canvas Design, Background
December 3, 2025, 10:43 am
Filed under: ANG Needle Pointer's Article, Sunflower Heart by Judyann Designs

Sunflower Heart by Judyann Needle Art Canvas Design was one of six painted canvases featured by Needle Pointers, ANG’s magazine. The stitch guides were created by Ginny Stapleton.

Since I knew which six were being featured, I ordered my favorite one early (in time for Christmas last year) but hadn’t gotten to it.

Needing a break from Nautilus, I decided to work on this heart from the July/August 2025 issue of NeedlePointers.

My stash had different threads that worked  out well including Watercolours Golden Grains 176, Silk Lame Braid Petite Dark Avocado SP37, and Wildflowers Elderberry Wine 192 (just enough left in the skein without using the purple parts except on the top edges that will not be seen anyway). Here’s Ginny’s stitches with my threads.

Adding the flower will be a reward for working on Nautilus for awhile!

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2024 Year in Review & A Look Forward
January 1, 2025, 3:25 pm
Filed under: ANG Needle Pointer's Article, General comments, Sunflower Heart by Judyann Designs

It’s that time of year to thank you for your interest in my needlepoint journey, review what I accomplished over the year, and reflect on what’s ahead. Only 300 below 10,000 visits to my blog. That’s amazing.

I’ve gotten a lot of stitching done including:

  • Tumbling Stripes by Marilyn Owen with the ANG New Jersey Needle Artists (NJNA) that I finished into an ornament.
  • Amanda Crawford’s Christmas Angel (my first commissioned piece – not something that I will seek out again but I was glad I helped the woman).
  • Blue Violet Name Tag by Lee designed exclusively for ANG Central Jersey Chapter (CJC). I joined them as they meet on Saturdays 10-3 and are a little over an hour away (I try to attend quarterly). I enjoy the people, seeing how another chapter operates, and being “just a member.” This group only meets in person and combines a meeting and stitch-in. There are a few programs you can sign up for (or not, but of course I did).
  • Imperial Topaz by Sue Reed with ANG Main Line Stitchers (MLS). Gifted.
  • Sashiko Mini Sampler by Miniature Rhino (a gift from CJC). Undecided about what to do with it.
  • Stitches in Sterling by Nancy Cucci from a class in 2011 with the ANG DE Seashore Chapter has been finished and framed.
  • All That Shimmers by Sundance with my ANG Main Line Stitchers (needs to be framed).
  • Bookmark using one of many patterns from Ruby Razzle Dazzle by Ann Strite-Kurz.
  • An overdyed thread experiment that I made into a coaster.
  • A pointallism experiment that I made into a coaster.
  • Medusa Sea Jelly by Kim of the Shoreline Stitchers that I finished as a stand-up ornament.
  • Silken Sonata by Jim Wurth. Goal #1 for 2025; stitching is done, but I want to finish it into an ornament. DONE. See https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/04/01/silken-sonata-by-jim-wurth-finished/
  • Tar River Trail by Gail Stafford from my second Seminar in 2012 has been finished and framed.
  • Roman Ruins by Joan Rinehart, an EGA Petite Project and Casalguidid Flower by Becky Quine were both stitched so I could teach Casalguidi to my EGA Brandywine Chapter. I’m undecided about what to do with them.
  • Fibonacci Swirls by Olivia Hartshorn with my ANG MLS Chapter. I did 2 colorways. I enjoyed doing them but am undecided about what to do with them.
  • Rainbow Butterfly by Danji. Goal #2 for 2025; stitching is done except for the background and once that is done I will have it finished into a stand up or flat for hanging. I have to shop for the background thread. The one I had selected has been discontinued, and I am afraid I will run out. DONE & I did the finishing too: https://melitastitches4fun.com/category/ang-main-line-stitchers-chapter/laurel-burch-rainbow-butterfly-by-danji/
  • Two small metal frames with a Christmas Day Plaid (1 2 2 5) and a Christmas Tree with lights. They were part of the display at the Festival of Trees on the ANG NJNA tree.
  • Three Ribbon Candy Ornaments with ANG NJNA.
  • My Needlework and Textile Guild of Media continues to meet and we take turns sharing an in depth discussion of our various crafts. I completed a felt purse with beaded edges that now holds another a beading project that was inspired by seeing Jan Huling’s beaded pieces at a museum (google her) and qualifies as Goal #3 for 2025.

Teaching opportunities included:

  • A Spring Sampler in fall colors and not as wide as my original design as I led my EGA Brandywine Chapter through the design during several workshops. I finished mine onto the front of a purse.
  • A Stash Sampler for the ANG Cyberpointers May meeting program. It was a mini band sampler that gave the stitchers different options each day. I made 5 of them them into bookmarks and/or small framed pieces. I particularly enjoyed seeing Jennie W enlarge hers and make it into a snap tray. Gifted two of the framed ones.
  • Crewel Wreath by Lucy Edmison is an EGA Petite Project that I led for my EGA Brandywine Chapter.
  • Cardinal Felt Ornament by Liz Kisielewski for my EGA Brandywine Chapter. I had taken Liz’s class at an EGA Mid-Atlantic Regional Meeting.

I exhibited my Fireside Sampler at ANG’s Seminar (no ribbon) and at Woodlawn (3rd place ribbon). I am pleased to say it is on display now at Fireside Stitchery.

Besides shopping at my local needlepoint stores (Fireside Stitchery, Nimble Needle in NJ, and Rittenhouse Needlepoint-listed in alphabetical order), I also enjoyed my visits to Ye Olde Cross Stitchery in Bristol, PA, Edwardian Needle in Fairfield, NJ, and the Valley Forge Quilt Show.

Classes were great and always a good learning experience. They included:

The two new techniques I learned in classes with Katie Kriner from The Bee and The Bear were Punch needle and rug hooking. Goals #8 and #9 for 2025 are to finish them. Goal #8 DONE. See https://melitastitches4fun.com/category/general-comments/punch-needle/

There are 2 more projects I’ve barely begun:

Goal #12 for 2025 is to complete the succulent from Scarlett’s Stitch Gothica’s Skull & Succulent piece. This is considered stumpwork and I need to practice this technique.

Goal #13 for 2025 is to stitch a pair of earrings. My design is ready! DONE. See https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/03/16/2025-national-academy-of-needlearts-nan-assembly-opening-banquet-the-exemplary-and-the-needleworks/ and https://melitastitches4fun.com/category/jewelry/gemstone-earrings/

Sixteen books were described and added to “Books in My Library”. Goal #14 for 2025 is to continue to go through my library of stitch books and post about them. I got 2 booklets for Christmas. DONE. Search Books in My Library for 22 books added.

I’ve really been enjoying reading the archived issues of the ANG Needle Pointers magazine and writing articles about various topics. Goal #15 for 2025 is to continue the articles and, of course, continue to write up projects provided by various authors and format them for the magazine. I am particularly excited for the Jan/Feb issue to be released since Meghan M from my ANG MLS chapter contributed an excellent stitch guide for Folk Heart, a painted canvas by Mindy. She really did an excellent job. Her notes were great and easy to follow. And, there is an article about Crescent Journey with several more colorways discussed. DONE. See
* https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/02/07/design-by-susan-dawson-contrast-talk-and-folk-heart-by-meghan-in-jan-feb-2025-issue-of-needle-pointers-magazine/
* https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/03/31/hearts-of-ang-in-timeless-treasures-from-the-archives-in-the-mar-apr-2025-issue-of-needle-pointers-magazine/
* https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/05/10/hearts-from-1980s-in-timeless-treasures-from-the-archives-in-the-may-june-2025-issue-of-needle-pointers-magazine/

* https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/07/09/hearts-from-the-1990s-in-timeless-treasures-from-the-archives-in-the-july-august-2025-issue-of-needle-pointers-magazine/

* https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/09/16/hearts-from-the-2000s-in-timeless-treasures-from-the-archives-in-the-september-october-2025-issue-of-needle-pointers-magazine/

*https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/11/14/trianglepoint-in-timeless-treasures-from-the-archives-in-the-november-december-2025-issue-of-needle-pointers-magazine-with-persian-carpet-knots-tissue-box/

Goal #16 for 2025 is to stitch Sunflower Heart, a Judyann Needle Art Canvas Design. It is my favorite of the 6 designs that will have stitch guides provided in Needle Pointers this year. This was a Christmas gift as well. If you’re not a member of ANG, it’s a great magazine and guild.

Goals #17-21 for 2025 will be to finish 2 classes I will take at National Academy of Needlearts in March and 3 classes at ANG’s Seminar in New Orleans in August.

Goals #22-29 for 2025 is to kit the eight pieces in The Cabochons series by Susan Portra that I have acquired and at least get started stitching them (to make this a realistic goal). DONE: See
* Love – https://melitastitches4fun.com/category/other-peoples-designs/susan-portra-the-cabochons-love/
* Joy – https://melitastitches4fun.com/category/other-peoples-designs/susan-portra-the-cabochons-joy/
* Charity – https://melitastitches4fun.com/category/other-peoples-designs/susan-portra-the-cabochons-charity/
All the Rhapsody threads have been acquired plus a few extras in case I find #11 and #12 in the series.

Final Goal #30: Don’t get any more goals!! Wasn’t possible. See https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/02/13/the-cabochons-series-by-susan-portra/

Good luck with your goals and Happy New Year!

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