Filed under: 2025, 2026, A Spring Sampler, Melita's Designs, National Academy of Needlearts (NAN), Project Runway with Dawn Donnelly, Shelly the Turtle
We returned to Troy, MI for the 2026 National Academy of Needlearts Assembly. I completed my Project Runway piece that is an adaptation of a photo I took last year as part of completing Dawn Donnelly’s Project Runway Design Class. The only requirement was that it incorporate wire. There was no input from Dawn on any portion of my piece.
Here’s my inspirational photo taken at The Somerset Collection, a high-end shopping mall in Troy, Michigan from a Gucci display window (featuring a purse, sneaker, scarf, and plate which I later Photoshopped out of the piece).
The shell is a canvas applique of Congress Cloth placed onto 18-count canvas, the stems on the left are needle weaving over thread and wire, the growths on the rocks and frog are stumpwork both using wire. We got to the exhibit about 3 pm and Bill saw that Shelly the Turtle had 2 ribbons next to it before I did. He was very excited as was I when I saw the Second Place Award and The Muse’s Kiss/Peggy Laflam Award for innovation or imagination!
It will be making the rounds of exhibits (after NAN, it’ll be at ANG in Denver, EGA in Orlando, and Woodlawn in Alexandria). So, you’ll have opportunities to see it in one of the exhibits!
There were 6 of us from Dawn’s class that completed a piece and submitted it. Diane B encircled a large bead with small beads and wires blending 2 photos (Dolores Andrew Award for color and design). Lois K did the Somerset Inn circular staircase (Honorable Mention and got the People’s Choice for Project Runway although they said several others came close). Lous’s was very challenging to get the depth and movement of the staircase especially in the small design space (about 6″x4″). Lois K also did Dahlias – one of her lovely embellished photo transfer flowers. Izzy M has a large teddy bear holding her hand puppet, Cocoa with Truffles. Teresa F made a lovely interpretation of a concrete floor pattern. Cindy P’s beaded and sequined turtle is fantastic. Everyone nailed theirs! These are all under the Adaptation category.
Eventually, all award winning photos will be posted at National Academy of Needlearts – Awards at The Exemplary https://share.google/lL9M1n15Qi61wYix7 (previous years are worth browsing through) but I’ll talk about a couple of this year’s pieces here.
My pillow, A Spring Sampler, won First Place in Original Professional along with a First Place Dawn Donnelly design, Chuck, a whimsical reindeer.
All the pieces in the exhibit are outstanding. Heart of the Matter designed and stitched by Wendy Moore, won Third Place and the Michele Roberts Heart Award. That’s the 3-day class I’m taking at ANG’s Seminar in Denver.
I saw another Lattice-Scape, a Kurdy Biggs design stitched by Sue F that won a First Place Award. I’d seen one at Woodlawn too. Very interesting piece.
The Poppy by Helen G won First Place, Judge’s Choice, and Silk & Metal Awards. Stunning! That won the People’s Choice Award.
There is a Laurel Burch cat (painted canvas) stitched in Or Nue that was fantastic and deserving of it’s First Place Award.
An antique Victorian footrest reminded of Patrick B who repurposes items into unique pieces of Needlework. The piece was titled What Treasures Lie at the Forest Floor and deserved its First Place Award with so much going on. I definitely have to revisit the exhibit. So many lovely pieces.
At the Welcome Banquet, the Best in Show is announced. It has to be a First Place Award winner but from any category. So, I knew my pillow qualified but there were so many pretty pieces in the exhibit that when I saw the curtain being pulled aside and that it was mine, I was beyond shocked. Apparently, both judges had no argument over their decision. But, I still can’t believe it! Bill knew from my face when I returned to the room that something had happened at the Welcome Banquet. I showed him this photo and he was thrilled too.
I’m not sure if I will ever exhibit again!! You can’t get better than this. At least one woman said her ANG chapter might be interested in stitching it. That’s just as thrilling for me as winning the award. Today may have been Friday the 13th but nothing bad happened to me.
I joined Chris L and her friend, Cathy, at the Welcome Banquet. They and others are taking Meredith Willett’s canvas embellishment class who was also at our table. I got a lead on Noah’s Mill, Meredith’s favorite bourbon from the Willett Distillery (yes, a family connection). And, learned that Beeswax or a glue stick can be used to stop Radiance, Meredith’s thread line, from splitting at the ends! Two great tips.
My two 2-day classes should be fun. I pre-registered last year and got my 1st Choices which are Exploring Needlelace with Diane Clark (Sat-Sun) and Magical Color with Jennifer Riefenberg (Mon-Tues). More on those to follow over the next few days.
Best wishes go out to Mary Alice Sinton for a speedy recovery from her fall here on Monday. She had to go home. Luckily, a replacement teacher stepped in to teach her Japanese Embroidery class.
There are about 100 attendees. Same as last year. Merchandise Night is Wednesday for an hour. There is a small silent auction and two stitching areas.
Last but not least, congratulations to Barbara Richardson for being this year’s Lifetime Achievement Honoree! There is a wonderful display of her work. She joins quite a list who earned a Lifetime Achievement Award. Check out their past inductees in the National Academy of Needlearts Gallery at https://gallery.needleart.org/gallery/lifetime-achievement-award/
Filed under: A Spring Sampler, ANG Cyberworshop, ANG Seminar 2022, Making Stitches Work For You with Carolyn Mitchell, Melita's Designs, President's Award
Shirley Burns designed all the special award hand-stitched ribbon centers for the ANG 50th Anniversary Seminar Awards and Betsy Smullen stitched the Desert Rose for the President’s Award. I did ask and all the ribbon centers should appear in an upcoming issue of Needle Pointers. All were lovely! Thanks again to all the volunteers who participated to make the whole Seminar a success.
Filed under: A Spring Sampler, ANG Cyberworshop, ANG Seminar 2022, Making Stitches Work For You with Carolyn Mitchell, Melita's Designs, President's Award
What a wonderful surprise it was to hear A Spring Sampler got the final award of the night – The President’s Award from Janice G!
It didn’t get any ribbon from the judges but it was my first year in the professional category for original designs. Janice said that not only was it a pretty design but my Artist Statement explained how this is a result of my dedication to learning from 10 different ANG teachers who have offered design classes over the years including Making Stitches Work For You, taught by Carolyn Mitchell who challenged us to make our own band sampler.
A Spring Sampler is a symmetrical band sampler (9″ x 12″) that uses different stitches in each of the 21 bands (all my stitch choices and thread choices). To create additional symmetry, the stitches for bands on either side of the center band are related and use the same threads. This pattern of related bands continues as the bands progress outwards.
The reminder that Woodlawn Needlework Exhibit sent out used A Spring Sampler in the header! How cool is that!!
Filed under: A Spring Sampler, ANG Cyberworshop, General comments, Making Stitches Work For You with Carolyn Mitchell, Melita's Designs, Woodlawn Needlework Exhibition
I realized that I never posted just the pillow of A Spring Sampler. This began as a result of a design class, Making Stitches Work For You, taught by Carolyn Mitchell through an ANG Cyberworshop that began January 2020. There were 4 lessons over 4 months with the opportunity to discuss issues with Carolyn and other students through groups.io messages. We had several very engaged members which led to wonderful discussions and mentoring from Carolyn.
A Spring Sampler is a symmetrical band sampler (9″ x 12″) that uses different stitches in each of the 21 bands (all my stitch choices and thread choices). To create additional symmetry, the stitches for bands on either side of the center band are related and use the same threads. This pattern of related bands continues as the bands progress outwards.
The pillow was finished by Needle Me in Havertown, PA. Her finisher was fast too considering all the delays I’ve heard about due to coronavirus. Very nice work.
My piece will be returning home shortly after spending the month of May at Woodlawn where it got a 2nd Place ribbon in original design multi-stitch 4+ category.
And, here it is flat before it was made into a pillow.
Filed under: A Spring Sampler, Flying Cranes Wedding Kimono by Lee, General comments, Woodlawn Needlework Exhibition
Luckily, Woodlawn postponed their Needlework exhibit from March to May due to coronavirus and many people are now vaccinated including my husband and I. Two of the New Jersey Needle Artists, Sue & Rosie, happened to mention that they go down through Delaware, Maryland, and over to Alexandria. We needed a break from staying in Alexandria and decided Annapolis would be a good alternative.
Normally, I keep this post needlepoint related but I love soup and have never seen or heard of two soups being served in the same bowl! So, I had to try it. Being in Maryland, the Boatyard Bar & Grill combined their spicy crab soup with crab bisque. Both were delicious and they stayed separate for most of the time it took me to eat. Amazing!
We had great weather but it was so sunny that the pictures are not all good (they allow glass covered pieces which causes glare unless museum glass is used). I will mention some of the big winners below. All of the winners of awards are listed on their website at: http://www.woodlawnpopeleighey.org/annualneedleworkshow
Unfortunately, the number of submissions took a hit and was down to new all time low of 299. But, it was still a great exhibit. Most pieces were not hung so high that you had a hard time seeing them which has happened before. You enter from a different door and proceed along room to room.
The first room we entered had both my pieces. The Lee’s Flying Cranes Wedding Kimono popped out at us. It got 2nd Place in the Commercial category. This piece was part of an article published in Needle Pointer’s magazine (Mar/Apr 2020 issue). It was compared by a certified judge to a basketweave stitched canvas of the same design. It’s an interesting discussion if you have not read it. Needle Pointers is a publication for ANG members and well worth joining ANG just for the magazine (6 issues per year; https://www.needlepoint.org/page/NeedlePointers)!
You can also see the fantastic owl, What R U Lookin’ At III, DDB-006 on the upper right side (one of the few ones up too high to get a good look at which was disappointing). Noelle Drollas, a member of NJNA, stitched it and it is part of an article, A Tale of Two Stitchers, in Needle Pointers (Mar/Apr 2021). Very interesting article. Several members of my Main Line Stitchers chapter are interested in stitching the owl too.
You have to turn around and look in the middle of the couch for my pillow. The last two years there were 2 and 7 original designs entered under Canvaswork Multi-Stitch (4+) Adult. This year there were 5 pieces. Mine is called A Spring Sampler that I had finished into a pillow at Needle Me in Havertown, PA. It is a 9″ x 12″ design and it got 2nd Place (325). No 3rd Place was awarded. Congratulations to Dawn Donnelly for Snow Drifted Pathways (101) for 1st Place and Jeffrey Kulick for Circles and Rustications (472) for Honorable Mention. I don’t feel comfortable sharing photos of original designs without permission of the designer. Dawn’s was a three dimensional all white piece and was very interesting. Here is mine which came about as a result of a design class led by Carolyn Mitchell called Making Stitches Work For You (my stitch and thread choices). Great class if you have a chance to take it.
I usually focus on the Canvaswork: Multi-stitch (4+) and Traditional pieces in the Commercial category. And this year had plenty to offer. I really appreciate the electronic submission process this year because the posted list of entries included the names of the pieces as did the tags. I reviewed the list beforehand and really enjoy seeing some of the designs I am familiar with in person including:
Sudoku Delight by Kathy Rees stitched by Jill Beare (476).
Autumn Crackers by Marilyn Owen stitched by Brenda Cote (439). This was from the 2015 ANG Chapter Project Book and is still in my stash to do!
Blueberry & Lime by Jeanne Polzin stitched by Brenda Cote (440; published in ANG Needle Pointers 2012, Number 3).
Glitz & Glamour Copper by DebBee’s Design stitched by Jeffrey Kulick (471).
ANG Stitch of the Month 2019 Mystery Project by designed by Debbie Rowley, Linda Reinmiller, Mary Knapp, and Pat Hartman which was stitched by several members of the ANG New Jersey Needle Artists Chapter including Sue Chadwick (321), Diane Burgess (323), Rosie Lunde (317), and Linda Mosch (339). They always come up with great colorways! NJNA has a great blog and post regularly (https://blog.njneedleartists.org/). All the information about the project can be found on the ANG website (https://www.needlepoint.org/page/SOTM2019). The last photo also includes Indian Autumn designed by Laura Perin stitched by Sondra Horn (544) which I really like too.
Holiday Patches by Susan Kerndt stitched by Marilyn Prado (201) is beautiful.
Holiday Patches by Susan Kerndt was also stitched by Sue Chadwick but in a non-holiday theme (322). I added this to my stash after the 2019 Woodlawn exhibit but have not gotten to yet. Seeing both these makes me want to pull it out.
And, even though Rosie’s Holiday Patches went to California instead of Woodlawn, it is worth taking a look at her fishing themed piece at https://rosiesmidnightsun.wordpress.com/2021/05/09/a-california-delivery/ . Love her explanation of the blocks.
Winter Lights by Jennifer Riefenberg stitched by Rosie Lunde (318). I love the matching colors of the mat and frame.
Speaking of frames, there were several that were particularly appealing with their lovely coordinating framed needlepoint that really popped for me including Connie’s Quilts by Carol Tweedt (222) with the four inner frames (fillets?) matching the outer frame, Magnolia Pair (Tranquility) by Susan Porrazzo (120) has flowers on the wooden frame, and Poppy Pattern by Elizabeth Dichysyn (435) stitched a patterned mat within another mat and coordinating the frame color to the poppies, and Sunny Flower Hopscotch by Marilyn Prado (202) added painted flowers on the mat. While I am speaking of flowers, there was an original design (not photographed) by Ausra Merkelyte called Allium in a Dew which is categorized as surface embroidery with the flower done on a see through gauze (?) in a hoop hanging in a doorway. It reminds me of another piece in a previous exhibit. It’s a great effect.
Besides the canvas work, I particularly like to look at the Miniatures (32-count). There were only 5 pieces this year and all won an award (two 1st, a 2nd, a 3rd, and HM). Three projects were from Senior stitchers including My Japanese Maple, an adaption, stitched by Norma Campbell (221). She also won the Pope-Leighey Award and a Judge’s Choice.
Birdhouse Village designed by Lynne Tomlinsin Needlework and was stitched by Alison Kearney (545) was placed near one of the peacocks which were popular this year in the counted cross stitch category (117 by Emily Demsick won the Eleanor Curtis Lewis award, 104 by Richard Buchmiller, and 500 by Christinia Armstrong). And why not, they were gorgeous! Does the piece below the last peacock look familiar? It is the geometric from the EGA Master Craftsman Canvas program Step 2 stitched by Heather Gitlin (112).
There were a good number of samplers of various styles. My favorite was a very large, colorful, floral piece called Dutch Sampler by Patricia Young (200). An amazing beaded ensemble (jacket, hat, shoes; 510) by Sophia Shultz was in the stairway as you went upstairs. A good number of women, covid and Black Lives Matter themed pieces, mostly original designs were shown. Bill’s People Choice vote went to Women from the Dawn of Time (466) by Anita Barondes. There are 218 women depicted and cover performers, athletes, artists, musicians, writers, poets, healers, fighters, and leaders. Always nice to see a few juvenile entries. Congratulations to Nathalie Schelin for her Cathleen R Durkin award winner (555). I found out that my post can’t accept any more photos.
Congratulations to all the stitchers – fantastic work! And, to Nelly’s Needlers for putting on the exhibit. I picked up Daffodil which was stitched by one of the Nelly’s Needlers.
Filed under: A Spring Sampler, ANG Cyberworshop, Making Stitches Work For You with Carolyn Mitchell, Melita's Designs
I got the threads I wanted to finish up the sampler.
Bands 3 and 23, both over 3 canvas threads went well enough by using Silk Lame Braid SP100 in an Encroaching Oblique Variation and Plaited Gobelin.
When I added Band 24, the bottom band in the picture, of Florentine and Satin, it seemed ok. But, now with most of the top band of similar stitch of Stacked Cubes added, it seems that the bands which are over 24 canvas threads overpowered the design. It is 3 colors of Splendor (light, medium, and dark).
So, I reached out to several stitching friends, my husband, classmates, and the teacher, Carolyn Mitchell, of the class which began this project for their opinions. And, I got some wonderful feedback about the 2 bands including:
-
The light is reflecting off the lightest laid threads drawing your attention.
- The stitches are too modern for the rest of the bands.
- The width of the bands are going to be a focal point no matter the stitch.
- Leave the piece in a place where you can look at for a while and see how you feel about it.
- Since I was talking about making into a pillow to go with other purple pillows, leave it with the pillows and see how you feel about it.
- Several liked the bands as stitched.
- The rest of the sampler is traditional and elegant. The new bands are modern and bold.
- The width of the bands are going to be a focal point no matter the stitch.
- Make the band half the width.
- Leave the piece in a place where you can look at for a while and see how you feel about it.
- Since I was talking about making into a pillow to go with other purple pillows, leave it with the pillows and see how you feel about it.
- Several liked the bands as stitched.
Well, it’s been 5 days considering what to do. When I cover up the 2 outside bands, I really see a cohesive design that I find very pleasing.
Initially, I selected 12″ x 12″ to match the size of another pillow that I have. And, I selected 25 bands because that was how many Carolyn Mitchell had in her design. However, nothing says I can’t just end the piece at 23 bands. That would make a 12″ x 9″ piece. That’s a good size and I can still make into a pillow. So, I am quite sure that I’ll rip them out and leave it as is.
Any thoughts you’d like to share?
Filed under: A Spring Sampler, ANG Cyberworshop, Making Stitches Work For You with Carolyn Mitchell, Melita's Designs
I had hoped to get another band done before posting but decided that I really need more Silk Lame Braid Petite. So, here are Bands 4 and 22 in the overdyed Waterlilies with the last cross in Bijoux MMT441. The Scotch stitches are Splendor S809. Band 22 is from the stitch patterns that Kathy Rees provided in one of her classes. And, Band 4 is a variation of Square of Scotch with Tie of a Windmill from Sandra Arthur’s Shapes of Needlepoint series 1, page 67.
They tie into Bands 10 and 16 with the threads used but are larger. And, because I used the dark Splendor from the center band for the corner Scotch stitches, it ties the design to the center and as well.
Filed under: A Spring Sampler, ANG Cyberworshop, Making Stitches Work For You with Carolyn Mitchell, Melita's Designs
I continue to make progress and have added 6 more bands 5-6-7 on top and 19-20-21 on bottom. This is an update on my symmetrical band sampler from the Making Stitches Work For You class with Carolyn Mitchell that has ended now.
Bands 7 and 19 are both over 6 canvas threads using the key thread, an overdyed purple thread (Waterlilies 006 Amethyst). In order to see the pattern of the stitch, I used just 2 stands. These are both cross stitch patterns from The Encyclopedia of Canvas Embroidery Stitch Patterns by Katharine Ireys. Band 7 is Triple Cross Variation over 6 and Band 19 is Brazilian Variation over 6.
Bands 6 and 20 are both padded with an oblong cross using 2 strands of Planet Earth Silk 6-ply Palm Beach 1126. There are straight stitches over top on Band 6 and oblong crosses over top on Band 20 using Bijoux MMT423 (from Sherlee Lantz/Maggie Lane A Pageant of Pattern for Needlepoint Canvas and Sandy Arthur Shapes of Needlepoint Series 1, respectively). Little oblong crosses are in between each padded oblong cross using Splendor S864.
I came across two different but related stitches in two resources. Band 5 came from Lone Star’s Grab -n- Go Stitches which are unnamed but I am calling a Reverse Leviathan because Band 21 is called Leviathan in The Encyclopedia of Canvas Embroidery Stitch Patterns by Katharine Ireys. The rays either go toward the center or towards the corners. I used the same threads as in Bands 6 and 20.
I like how the diamond shapes are carrying throughout the bands.
Filed under: A Spring Sampler, ANG Cyberworshop, Making Stitches Work For You with Carolyn Mitchell, Melita's Designs
One of the elements I applied from Carolyn’s sampler is that while different stitches are used, they appear related.
I do have another skein of Waterlilies in a different lot number. It is very close but closer to the blueish purples. The next two medium Bands 10 and 16 are Sprats Head with a diagonal base and Waffle, respectively. They used almost a whole skein of Waterlilies 006 Amethyst.
For two other larger bands, Bands 8 and 18, also serving as focal points and related to the center band, I selected two other composite stitches from Kathy Rees’ diagrams modified as needed for my space. I had one full card of Silk Lame Braid For 18 count SL110 and 144″ on a second card in my stash. I did the math to make sure I had enough for both bands. So, I was surprised to have 12″ left!
In between Bands 8 and 10 is Band 9 which is 3 canvas threads, I used another couching stitch, Diagonal Weave Couching. And, for Band 17 another row of 3 canvas threads between Bands 16 and 18 is a staggered cross stitch over a laid thread. For both Bands 9 and 17, the laid thread is Neon Ray’s N127 and couched by Splendor S812.
