Melitastitches4fun's Blog

2026 National Academy of Needlearts (NAN) Assembly

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).  Very challenging to get the depth and movement of the staircase. 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!

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/