The 2026 NAN Exemplary

Melita went to this year's Exemplary, which is what the National Academy of Needlearts calls their yearly seminar exhibit, and won ribbons!  MAJOR ribbons!  Here is her report.  Eventually NAN will put photos of the 2026 winners on their website but it's too early for that yet.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2026/03/13/2026-national-academy-of-needlearts-nan-assembly/

UPDATE:  The People's Choice winner for 2026 was an Alison Cole goldwork poppy stitched by Helen G.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1458739096292936&set=a.562869925879862

Good luck to Mary Alice Stinton who took a tumble at NAN.  I think she's fine, just needed to go home to recover.  

UPDATE #2:  Barbara Richardson won the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award!

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1477788584387987&set=a.562869925879862

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 14, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved

Jeannie's Windmills (Pat Mazu)

Melita worked Pat Mazu's 'Jeannie's Windmills" from ANG's chapter project book and had it made into a cute project book.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2026/02/21/2013-2014-chapter-book-project-jeannies-windmills-project-bag-by-pat-mazu/

ANG's chapter project books are sent to chapter presidents for free to use as chapter projects, just another benefit from joining the American Needlepoint Guild (ANG).

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 22, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Florentine Fancywork (Toni McKelley)

Melita G. found a copy of Toni McKelley's "Florentine Fancywork" on eBay and has started to gather supplies to stitch it.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/12/25/florentine-fancywork-by-toni-mckelley/

She bought more threads.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2026/01/05/threads-for-florentine-fancywork-by-toni-mckelley/

She's working the floral border.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2026/02/19/florentine-fancywork-by-toni-mckelley-begins/

Melita has finished the floral border and has worked a section of Bargello.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2026/02/24/florentine-fancywork-by-toni-mckelley-side-flower-borders/

Now she's working the interior bands and playing with the color.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2026/03/01/florentine-fancywork-by-toni-mckelley-bargello-ribbon-and-hungarian-diamond-or-pavillion-variation/

The main area is quite pretty.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2026/04/05/florentine-fancywork-by-toni-mckelley-new-york-city-skyline/

A starbust has appeared.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2026/04/06/florentine-fancywork-by-toni-mckelley-starburst/

Now Melita is working the "wheels" which I think are traditionally called pomegranates in Bargello.  I could be wrong, though.  I can't count reliably so I don't do Bargello or Florentine stitching.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2026/04/12/florentine-fancywork-the-wheels/

You have to look to see these are hearts.  The stripes threw me off.  

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2026/04/23/florentine-fancywork-by-toni-mckelley-tiny-little-hearts/

Now the diamond shapes.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2026/04/27/florentine-fancywork-by-toni-mckelley-gods-eye-variation/

Melita did the bottom border, then substituted a purple Bijoux metallic for the outlines.  It is done!

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2026/05/05/florentine-fancywork-by-toni-mckelley-border-and-outline/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 26, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Woodlawn 2026 Exhibit

Despite the cold and rain, Melita took advantage of a break in the weather to visit the Woodlawn exhibit.  She summarizes what she saw here with an emphasis on counted pieces as that is her thing.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2026/03/07/woodlawns-63rd-annual-needlework-show-2026/

Woodlawn posted the list of award winners on their website.

https://www.woodlawnpopeleighey.org/2026-award-winners

Many thanks for those of us who can't make it to Alexandria, Virginia this year!  As more folks post about the show, I'll add to this article.

https://www.funinfairfaxva.com/march-needlework-exhibition-at-woodlawn/

Here is a brief glimpse of the show on Woodlawn Plantation's Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DWjXSyvACUp/

Woodlawn has posted a video of the 2026 People's Choice award.  It appears to be an embroidery.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DWoc8mBiLY5/

Lori won a second place ribbon for this Charley Harper bird beauty.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1867820434159376&set=a.937854437155985

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 8, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Gail Stafford Bargello Tissue Box

Melita stitched two versions of a Gail Stafford Bargello sampler (the design came from the September-October 2022 issue of ANG's Needle Pointers), one in stranded threads and one in sparkly threads, and turned the two pieces into a tissue box.  She describes how she finished it at the bottom of this summary of her stitching in 2025.  It looks great!

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2026/01/01/2025-year-in-review-a-look-forward-bargello-sampler-tissue-box/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 2, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Let's Talk Trianglepoint

Melita Glavin explores trianglepoint in the latest 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/

Sherlee Lantz's book on this stitch was really popular in the late 1970s.  You can browse a copy through the Internet Archive, or buy your own copy through eBay.

https://archive.org/details/trianglepoint0000lant

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright November 15, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Stitchery Under Southern Skies

Melita has added a new project book to her library:  "Stitchery Under Southern Skies" by Mary Anderson and Debbie Deem.  It's spiral bound and features eleven needlepoint projects from various authors.  It also has some fascinating tips from the talented authors.  I am eagerly awaiting Melita trying projects from this booklet which is new to me.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/12/26/books-in-my-library-stitchery-under-southern-skies-by-mary-anderson-and-debbie-deem/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 27, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Ribbon Hearts (Michele Roberts)

Melita stitched some of Michele Robert's ribbon heart designs for the Festival of Trees in New Jersey.  These were published in ANG's magazine, Needle Pointers, and various heart designs are listed in the October/November 2025 issue if you are interested and a member of ANG.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/12/15/ribbon-hearts-at-the-festival-of-trees-in-nj/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow 

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 16, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Christmas Nobuko Ball

Melita is planning to stitch this little ornament using all Nobuko stitch.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/12/17/christmas-nobuko-ball/

It looks pretty good with the Nobuko stitch directional changes.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2026/01/07/christmas-nobuko-ball-2/

It's done and made up into an ornament.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2026/01/25/christmas-nobuko-ball-finished/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 17, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tips for Stitching with Radiance Metallic UPDATED

The Wool and The Floss posted a video showing how to handle the untwisted ends of Radiance Metallic.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1179195107459802

If you can't see this because you don't have a Facebook account, Melissa says you can just ignore the fraying and cut off the ends, use Fray Check or fingernail polish dabbed on the end to seal it, or use the hot tip of a thread zapper to cauterize and seal the thread.

She also mentions that metallic threads have no "give" so you need to use stretcher bars for your piece since they don't block back into shape.  This is true for all metallic threads, by the way, not just Radiance.

By the way, Melita played around a bit with Radiance she had left over from an ANG Seminar class she took.  She doesn't say what size Radiance she used but I'm guess it's Radiance 18, not Radiance Mini (which is the smaller size).  By the way, I love stitching with Accentuate!  

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/09/28/radiance-metallics-by-meredith-willett-collection/

UPDATE:  Vicky of The Stitching Fox shows how to use wax on the tail of Radiance and explains it has a pop top, just like Kreinik.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/933807776290958

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 28, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Sunflower Heart in the Depths of Winter (JudyAnn)

Melita is treating herself to a JudyAnn heart as a break from a more complicated project.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/12/03/sunflower-heart-by-judyann-needle-art-canvas-design-background/

The heart features a sunflower.  Melita is using the Ginny Stapleton stitch guide published in ANG's Needle Pointers (the July-August 2025 issue) for this and five other JudyAnn hearts.  It turned out great!

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/12/14/sunflower-heart-flower/

The finishing is lovely, too.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2026/01/28/sunflower-heart-finished/

If you are charmed, you can order JudyAnn's designs from her website or her Etsy shop.

https://judyannneedlepoint.com/product-category/hearts/

https://www.etsy.com/shop/judyannneedlepoint/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 4, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Floral Fantasy Finishing Tips

Melita has stitched a nice little piece called "Floral Fantasy" and made it up into the front of a box of tissue.  Sadly, she doesn't know the designer but she has some interesting finishing tips in case you'd like to try the same sort of finishing.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/10/19/floral-fantasy-tissue-box/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright November 3, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Winter Lights (Jennifer Riefenberg)

Melita's signed up for a Jennifer Riefenberg class sponsored by ANG called "Winter Lights."  She's gotten a lot of the candles stitched and it's turning out to be lovely.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/09/21/winter-lights-by-jennifer-riefenberg-and-ang-central-jersey-chapter/

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/10/10/winter-lights-candles-and-flames/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 22, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Michele Robert's Ribbon Heart

Melita shows off Michele Robert's ribbon heart design and tells you all about joining ANG.

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/

Hint:  If you are under 35, you can get a half off membership.  The magazine will be digital only but it's a great deal.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 17, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Thanksgiving Miracle

Here's all about Melita's miracle shipment of Evertites, courtesy of Ruth Schmuff at Bedecked and Beadazzled!

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/11/26/evertites-fastest-delivery-ever/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright November 27, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Visiting Threads Too Needlepoint

Melita's latest road trip included a visit to Threads Too Needlepoint in Fair Haven, New Jersey.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/06/26/road-trip-to-threads-too-needlepoint/

It sounds like a fun visit, although I wouldn't have been able to resist buying threads whether I had a project for them or not!  If you are curious, you can do a virtual road trip to Threads Too via their website. Don't miss the Sale section.  There are some good bargains there.

https://threadstoo.com/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 27, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Which Side Are You On?

Melita's friend managed to snag a great deal on Rhapsody on eBay so she has plenty to work on her collection of Susan Portra "Chabochon Series" charts.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/08/09/rhapsody-threads/

So which side are you on?  Do you love or hate overdyes?  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 10, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Make Your Own Porcupine Laying Tool

Melita learned how to make a porcupine laying tool!

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/06/13/porcupine-quill-laying-tool/

I've never seen one of these in person and before this, never wondered how they were made.  Interesting!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 14, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

ANG's Seminar in 2025

The 2025 American Needlepoint Guild Seminar was held in New Orleans from August 19-24, 2025. You can read about it on the ANG website.

https://www.needlepoint.org/page/2025Seminar

Melita's doing pre-work for her Jennifer Reifenberg class, "Nights in White Satin."

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/07/30/ang-2025-seminar-in-new-orleans-la-and-nights-in-white-satin-by-jennifer-riefenberg-pre-work/

Melita's arrived in New Orleans!

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/08/18/ang-2025-seminar-in-new-orleans-la-welcome-favors-water-bottles-and-tote-bag/

Melita went to her first class--Deborah Mitek's "Walk in the Woods"--and attended the opening banquet where she learned her original design called "Flowers Along a Rhode" won the Creative Inspiration Award.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/08/19/ang-2025-seminar-in-new-orleans-la-and-walk-in-the-woods-with-deborah-mitek-day-1-welcome-banquet-award-ceremony/

Here is more about "Walk in the Woods" as Melita continues work on this Deborah Mitek class.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/10/31/walk-in-the-woods-by-deborah-mitek-progress/

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/11/18/walk-in-the-woods-by-deborah-mitek-more-progress/

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/12/10/done-with-my-walk-in-the-woods-by-deborah-mitek/

You can read Melita's Artist Statement for "Flowers Along a Rhode" here.  It also won a second place ribbon in the Original Design Professional category.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/08/19/flowers-along-a-rhode-second-place-ribbon-and-creative-inspiration-award/

Melita's second day class with Deborah Mitek had her practicing ribbon leaves. Then she dodged a parade (this is New Orleans, folks, parades are constant) to get to Expo and shopping!  I should mention that New Orleans is even hotter in July than August.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/08/20/ang-2025-seminar-in-new-orleans-la-and-walk-in-the-woods-with-deborah-mitek-day-2-mls-dinner-and-expo/

Melita's second class was with Kay Stanis, working her "Nautilus."

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/08/21/ang-seminar-2025-in-new-orleans-la-and-nautilus-with-kay-stanis/

I didn't know you could untwist Trebizond either! 

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/09/06/nautilus-with-kay-stanis-progressing/

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/11/29/nautilus-by-kay-stanis-struggling-with-silk-thread/

While working Nautilius, Melita researched ways of taming the threads that were hard to work with.  Beeswax, anyone?

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/12/04/managing-silk-thread-with-beeswax/

Melita also has several strategies she uses to get through stitching Nautilis.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/12/12/nautilus-by-kay-stanis-progressing-better/

Only the beads are left for Nautilus.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/12/19/nautilus-by-kay-stanis-ready-for-beads/

And Nautilus is done!  Whew, that was a LOT of beads!

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/12/31/nautilus-by-kay-stanis-jewels/

Now Melita's in the Jennifer Riefenberg class, "Nights in White Satin."

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/08/23/ang-2025-seminar-in-new-orleans-la-and-nights-in-white-satin-by-jennifer-riefenberg-day-1/

Melita attended her last "Nights in White Satin" class and also the closing banquet.  Plus she recommends three authors of cozy mysteries set in needlework shops.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/08/24/ang-2025-seminar-in-new-orleans-la-and-nights-in-white-satin-by-jennifer-riefenberg-day-2-and-farewell-banquet/

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/09/24/nights-in-white-satin-progressing/

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/09/28/radiance-metallics-by-meredith-willett-collection/

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/10/08/nights-in-white-satin-stitched/

Melita won a wonderful Jim Wurth design at Seminar's Silent Auction.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/08/29/hearts-and-flowers-by-jim-wurth-ang-auction/

Melita paid to have a written evaulation of "Flowers along a Rhode" which is the original piece she exhibited at Seminar.  It's very interesting to hear the judge's thoughts.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/09/02/flowers-along-a-rhode-the-judges-score-and-critique/

Here are the award winners from ANG's Seminar Exhibit:

Denise won both a blue ribbon and the Best in Show for this Zecca mask.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/24395282386788923/

Marianne won the President's Choice Ribbon.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1084313067137937&set=a.511979581037958

Cynthia Thomas won the Best Halloween piece award.  Go Cindy!

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1085146067054637&set=a.511979581037958

Vicky won the Wearable Art award with this lovely purse.

https://www.facebook.com/needlenookoflajolla/posts/pfbid02AnXfSLfmeAXEAr4Tcagw6gjiQ38hPF9RxFUytBYKdVSqubDE1zeQuTBpDHCEA2FXl

BJ won two ribbons (a blue and Judges Choice) for this Chinese horse.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1352725216855107&set=a.538877764906527

Maureen got an Honorable Mention for Painted Canvas without Stitch Guide and...

https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/24361790850138077/

...she won the Princess Grace Award for an all-tent stitched image.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/24361418846841944/

Eileen's Honorable Mention is well deserved.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10234239624146984&set=gm.24363493296634499&idorvanity=108537025890131

Bobbie got a second place!

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=24705332909090948&set=gm.24386723764311452&idorvanity=108537025890131

Linda won a blue ribbon for her Painted Canvas with Stitch Guide Professional piece.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1332925001573165&set=gm.24634604229523403&idorvanity=108537025890131

This colorful cat won a Judge's Choice Ribbon.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DRPvVfPAYaQ/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright July 31, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Kandace Merric's Diaper Crazy Heart

Kandace's Japanese Circle Diaper Patterns

Melita stitched one of Kandace Merric's heart designs from the 1990s published in ANG's magazine, Needlepointers.  ANG is republishing old projects in their current issue and this is one of several heart designs made available again.

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/

Kandace's Rabbit Pet Guardian Angel

Kandace Merric died in 2016 but she left us some amazing work.  In 2008-2009 Blog readers stitched Kandace's Pet Guardian Angels.  They were donated to the ANG auction to raise money for the organization.  If you search on "Pet Guardian Angels" here on Blog, you can see the finished animal angels.  They were amazing!  If you have old copies of Needlepointers, the first of the Pet Guardian Angel charts were published in October/November 1996.  There was a cat, a dog, and a parakeet, a rabbit, a fish, even a pet rat.  All were adorable dressed in their gowns and wings.

You can see more of Kandace's stitching (and admire her dogs--she was a major fund raiser for Westie dog rescue organizations) on her Facebook page and on NAN's website.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10200171172546999.198471.1381993964&type=1

https://needleart.org/gallery/permanent-collection/accession_thedogshow_kandacemerric/

Miss you, Kandace!  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright July 10, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.