diff --git a/stitchcode/gui.js b/stitchcode/gui.js
index 09b492b8..83614854 100644
--- a/stitchcode/gui.js
+++ b/stitchcode/gui.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-VERSION="2.7.9"
+VERSION="2.7.10"
 
 // get debug mode
 url = new URL(window.location.href);
@@ -296,6 +296,16 @@ IDE_Morph.prototype.newProject = function () {
 
     SpriteMorph.prototype.useFlatLineEnds = false;
 
+    // hide sprite
+    this.stage.children[0].hide();
+    this.stage.clearAll();
+    this.stage.rotateTurtle(this.stage.children[0].heading);
+    this.createStatusDisplay();
+    // clear stitch cache now (loading projects sends turtle move commands!)
+    this.stage.clearAll();
+    this.stage.turtleShepherd.clear();
+    this.stage.reRender();
+    
     this.setProjectName('');
     this.projectNotes = '';
     this.createStageHandle();
@@ -1634,11 +1644,15 @@ IDE_Morph.prototype.setProjectName = function (string) {
     this.origCreator =  SnapCloud.username != this.creator ? this.creator : SnapCloud.username;
     this.creator = SnapCloud.username ? SnapCloud.username : "anonymous";
     this.projectName = string.replace(/['"]/g, '');
+  
+    this.controlBar.updateLabel();
 
     return name;
 };
 
 
+
+
 IDE_Morph.prototype.createSpriteBar = function () {
     // assumes that the categories pane has already been created
     var rotationStyleButtons = [],