Filed under: ANG Needle Pointer's Article, ANG Needle Pointer's Timeless Treasures From the Archives, Crescent Journey, Melita's Designs
The current issue of ANG Needle Pointers is chock full of good stuff, including an article in Timeless Treasures regarding a series, Design by Susan Dawson. She reviews principles of design and color over 5 issues.
I presented a Contrast Talk based on the original and several new Crescent Journeys colorways from ANG stitchers. Learn why this is the same design, but each one looks different. Practically an optical illusion! Several of the new ones and other Crescent Journey pieces will be on display at Woodlawn Needlework Exhibit in March.
And, saving the best for last. Meghan from my ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter stitched and created an excellent stitch guide for a Mindy canvas, Folk Heart. I did the diagrams, and her notes made writing up the stitch guide a breeze. For a relatively new stitcher (3-4 years?), she really excels. She did the finishing herself too. Her first attempt at that! Amazing!!
Filed under: ANG Stitch of the Month, 2023, Crescent Journey, Melita's Designs
I’ve been busting to share that Crescent Journey is going to be the 2023 Stitch of the Month! The five colorways were revealed today at the exhibit for the ANG 50th Anniversary Seminar.
Starting in January 2023, instructions will be released monthly. I also explain how selecting colors needs to consider value. You can see that influence in the various colorways because different features appear more evident than in others.
One of my ANG Main Line Stitchers chapter members asked about a thread substitution for Trebizond in Crescent Journey.
You wouldn’t want to use anything stranded (although as soon as I say it, I wonder what would happen except take a lot longer to stitch).
So, I decided to see how they work with the main stitches.
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Vineyard Silk Classic (gray) top
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DMC Perle #5 (brown)
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DMC Perle #8 (white)
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Trebizond (white) bottom
Here are my stitched samples.
Filed under: ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter, ANG Stitch of the Month, 1999, Crescent Journey, Melita's Designs, Vases with Curly Bamboo by Sharon G
September 9 (always the second Monday of the month from 7-9 pm) starts another year for our ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter. Please join us at Starbucks in Wayne, PA (218 Lancaster Ave). We’re excited about this year’s programs.
One of the counted projects is ANG’s Stitch of the Month (SOTM) from 1999, Barbara’s Patchwork. I selected threads that DMC calls Topaz (Color A) and Raspberry (Color B). We need each in light, medium, and dark values. I got an extra value of Topaz just because I might want it. We’re getting instructions each month. So, I’ll wait and see if I want to add a Kreinik for some sparkle. This will be a 5″ x 5″ design area.
The second counted project that 8 people signed up for is my design (6″ x 6″), Crescent Journey. Linda stitched a “Neutral” colorway as she proofread what I wrote up for directions as I stitched a “Beach” colorway. It’s a 43-page booklet with about 60 diagrams. Now, these folks are my first pilot class! One of the most interesting things we learned from this piece is how different values in different areas of the piece make the focal point change. The grayscale really helps show this. I’m excited to see how everyone’s choices of colors work. At least 3 people are changing some or all the threads. This too is a monthly project. I divided it into 12 parts.
The third project is a painted canvas, Vases with Curly Bamboo by Sharon G. It was from a class that several of us took with Sharon at Nimble Needle of NJ a few years ago (2012) and never finished. We have stitch guides to compare including those written by Sharon G, Amy Bunger, and Tony Minieri. This will be discussed every other month to give people a chance to stitch a vase before discussing the next one. The last month we’ll review the background and border. My first vase was done (March 2017) following the Sharon G stitch guide. The little bits done on the other vases was done in class. I’m so glad we’re going to get back to this canvas. Loved it then and still do. Even if everyone is not stitching this, we are learning how different stitch guide writers approach the same painted canvas. We are not copying the stitch guides. Each person has their own or can take notes regarding the other stitch guides.
Filed under: ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter, Crescent Journey, General comments, Melita's Designs, Organization
I finally recovered from a month long viral head cold to visit people this past weekend. We made up for lost time. I took multiple pieces to our monthly ANG Stitch-In Time sessions (please join us at Starbucks on Lancaster Ave in Wayne, PA on the 4th Saturday 10-2 through April). We had another great turnout. From there Bill & I headed to Delaware for a birthday party where I shared my needlepoint exploits (one is also a stitcher) and on Sunday got together with Linda, my stitching buddy.
Linda and I exchanged gifts belatedly. I am fortunate to be the recipient of her first attempts at new patterns. You’d never guess that by looking at anything I’ve gotten so far. And, these 2 project bags are no exception. The bags have beautifully coordinating colors, a zipper closure, a see through plastic front, and a handle! The backs are quilted. Stunning.
I just put one of my current projects, another colorway of Crescent Journey. The threads fit perfectly in the small bag. This colorway looks fantastic in these bags! Thanks again Linda. This is also the project that Linda is proofreading my instructions as she stitches a third colorway.
Crescent Journey received a 3rd place ribbon at ANG Seminar and scored 94 out of 100 – anything in the 90s is fantastic! So, you know some other wonderful pieces were submitted in this category. I requested a Judge’s Critique and am thrilled especially with design and color scores – doesn’t get any better! The technique issue that continues to plaque me is twisted threads. I knew I was having issues with Trebizond. Apparently, some beads were not oriented correctly (I may have rotated my canvas as I stitched & if that was intended then I should have noted that in the statement) or they leaned a tad (I need to get out my magnifying glass as I stitch). And, the judges thought some stranded silks might have been more suitable and would have eliminated the twist issue. I can see them used as well although I think it would give a different effect.
My artist statement follows:
I’ve been through an enlightening journey with Orna Willis. During her “Color Inspirations”, “Come Design With Me”, and “Dare To Design” classes, I have learned techniques and processes that allowed me to discover designs within myself. Two of the earlier black and white sketches are shown to see how I developed this design. The colored sketches do not even represent the final design because portions didn’t stitch up as I expected. So, I discarded some stitches and kept others until I had the final stitched design.
Key elements were the way the crescents came together in the corners and the frame within the triangles (Knitting stitch and Mosaic stitches in light and dark purple). The base that the 3 diamonds fit into is same throughout the design except for the colors of the crescents and half Waffles. The center diamonds have 2 or 3 shared components (Wavy, Smyrna, and Nobuko stitches) adding to the continuity within the design. And, the placement of colors helped tie all the elements together too.
Melitastitches4fun's Blog 
Filed under: Crescent Journey, General comments, Melita's Designs, Woodlawn Needlework Exhibition
The Nellie’s Needlers are celebrating their 50th Anniversary with an excellent show, the 62nd Annual Needlework Show at Woodlawn. We made it on March 1 this year!
There are 579 judged entries listed but over 600 with the non-judged pieces on display by Nellie’s Needlers and ANG Checkerboard Chapter, who are celebrating their 50th Anniversary.
Congratulations to both.
That is Nellie in the photo above. And, look at stitched frame around that mirror by Eman K. Wonderful.
I got to see Chris L and her Janet Casey Zickler Santas. We had a nice chat when she returned from lunch. And, I found out we’ll both be at NAN in a couple of weeks. How fun is that!
To see more information on each piece exhibited, use the QR code listed in the brochure. That’s all the information in the docent paperwork located in each room. Fantastic feature! Now, if Woodlawn asked for and people included the name of the designer for commercial pieces, it would be incredible! I recognized about 3 dozen of the canvaswork counted pieces. Too many to write about but lovely to see.
My photos are not great this year. The light was super bright shining in the windows or there was glare from artificial lights. Woodlawn allows glass and reflections are impossible to avoid. And, I was reprimanded by a docent for taking photos too close.
Link to the photos of the major award winners and a list of all winners are available at: https://www.woodlawnpopeleighey.org/2025-nws-award-winners
Theresa B swept Original Senior Sampler Multi-Stitch awards as she does here and in Rehoboth Beach’s exhibit. I won’t share photos of any original designs without permission. See the link above for photos of the major winners.
The American Needlepoint Guild (ANG) New Jersey Needle Artists Chapter was well represented with 24 entries by Sylvia B, Diane B, Sue C, Cathryn C, Noelle D, Barbara L, Rosie L, Linda M, Janet P, and myself.
There are 3 Crescent Journeys, my design, and the ANG Stitch of the Month from 2023, on display. Diane’s B did hers in black and red, earning Honorable Mention. Rosie’s green and pink colorway remains my favorite one despite not getting a ribbon. Linda M got 3rd place for the neutral colorway.
Linda M got 4 awards in total – one for sampler, miniature, and 2 for canvaswork. Linda M also stitched Interchange by Linda Rienmiller (which I stitched too). Fun piece.
Noelle D and another person stitched Bermuda Reef by Kathy Rees. Love those blues. And, it’s a great light colored (sandy) frame and blue mat that Noelle selected.
Kristin S went in the opposite direction with a blue frame and white mat. Do you have a preference?
The NJNA members got 14 total awards, including the Director ‘s award for Janet P for Frank Lloyd Wright in Needlepoint #2. Big congratulations! But, I preferred FLW #3.
Heather G, from my ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter, must not have anything left on her walls because she entered 6 pieces! Heather led discussions for our chapter on Flowers of Italy designed by Ro Pace, Stitch of the Month in 2011. It looks great in a tray.
Brenda C. from the ANG Delaware Seashore chapter stitched it as well, but framed it. They both pulled the green for the mat surrounded by wood.
Nissa W flipped Walking the Water’s Edge by Dianne Herrmann making for a very interesting interpretation.
Kathy W oriented as in the original but changed the seashell and named hers Granddaddy’s Beach.
Thomas S-G from my EGA Brandywine Guild submitted a crewel piece. It’s a commercial design by Sunset Stitchery from 1978 but looks timeless to me (there is one on eBay).
Norma H did it again! She does pieces I absolutely love. This year, she had Brrrdbath, a Charlie Harper design and got a Blue Ribbon (723). And, even better, she was there in person, and we had a wonderful chat.
It’s not just cross stitch when you have pieces like Vixen by Nancyanne C where the shading makes you feel the soft fur and deserved First Place and the Eleanor Custis Lewis award. Bill voted for the fox.
Butterfly Effect by Richard S gives a fresh new look to cross stitch designs.
Fractal by Gay S (24″ square?) has amazing shading. Between the size and burst of colors using cross stitches, I made it my People’s Choice vote.
Being in the midst of stitching Dawn Donnelly’s Treasures of the Great Lakes, I probably should have voted for the 10 times more complex, A Bleached Coral Reef by Kim B-R. It’s an original design 8″ diameter full of beachy stumpwork and surface embroidery. A must see!
Bob-Bon Basket by Bonita S is an adorable piece of needle lace.
Before I left, I saw Dana C, who informed her chapter would be doing Festive Fireworks from Needle Pointers Magazine July/August 2017 issue. I love to hear that published pieces get utilized by chapters.
They have commemorative tins! And, I got 2 bags of their cookies (yes, one has been eaten as I had to make sure they were up to their usual standards before I recommend them-they are delicious). They made 5,200 of them and expect to sell out. So, don’t delay!!