FLORIDA RETREAT IN FULL SWING!

Rooms are filling quickly!  Be sure to reserve yours right away if you want the benefit of the Group Rate.

As with the Retreat last year, we have participants from all over - California, Tennessee,Texas, Pennsylvania, Louisiana,New Hampshire,the Carolinas!  So exciting!

Part of the process of the Uniquely Yours© concept is that you may use a canvas and/or threads in your stash (of course you may also order a new one if you prefer).  As soon as possible after registration send a copy of the design to duodesignsinc@gmail.com.  We can then be sure that your choice will allow you to utilize the full benefits of the concept of the class.  You definitely want room enough to see and learn the stitch.  Many of the techniques shared during the stitch illustrations will pique your creative juices and let your imagination take hold.  We are loving the pictures of canvases we have received so far.  Keep them coming!

There is still time to register so you won't miss out on all the fun!  We'd love to have you join us.

Check out the previous blog post for the Retreat information and the Registration form. Email us at duodesignsinc@gmail.com with questions.

Have you visited our Etsy Shop lately?  There are tons of stitch guides available for instant download.  Also available are some canvases that were extra from classes at a great price. Give them a look!  Etsy:  duodesignsbySandra

Enjoy your stitching . . . til next time!

RETREAT NEWS!

Duo Designs, Inc, Uniquely Yours FL Stitching Retreat 2024 is officially open for registration!  The fun begins on the afternoon of November 1, 2024 for registering for the event (then you are free to play on the private adjoining beach).  Classes will begin at 8:30 am through 4:30 pm on Saturday, November 2, 2024 and Sunday, November 3m, 2024 with checkout Monday morning.  There will be optional evening workshops from 7 to 9 pm Saturday and Sunday to work on incorporating the lessons of the day on your personally selected design. Teachers will be present to assist with questions, etc.

On Saturday, November 2, 2024 we are being treated to a special afternoon at The Flying Needles needlepoint shop.  With the help of the teachers and shop personnel we will select other threads and embellishments you might wish to add to your canvas!

Uniquely Yours© is a Series of classes by DDI wherein you use your own canvas and pick your own threads.  This is a great stash buster series.  Classes will involve guiding you through the process of reading your unique canvas,  stitches being taught and discussed how to best utilize them to achieve various looks and results, and helping you learn how to best use certain stitches on your unique design.

Space is limited so be sure to secure your unique spot early!  Note that the hotel has a deadline for registering for the Group Rate of October 1, 2024!

Once you have registered send a good photocopy picture of your canvas design to duodesignsinc@gmail.com so we may be better prepared to assist you with your choices at the event.

Retreat information:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dMBl-xO61Ip8W--LCb9EZotoC4R8zYHN/view?usp=drive_link

Electronic registration form:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LY1_wJ_ndqWBxplF9414DuARo_2ZalYL/view?usp=drive_link

Lots of fun and surprises in store!

ONLINE CLASSES

JP Ornaments Galore continues to have a new ornament added to the group.  There are so many possibilities explored on this canvas!  It is a great one for this type venue. Below is current ornament WIP.

Our first session in Memories of Hawaii was shared recently also.  We began the water background.

ETSY SPECIAL!

In recognition of the upcoming Retreat and remembering last year's wonderful Retreat, our Etsy Shop - duodesignsbySandra - has reduced the two Retreat Canvases to $140 plus S/H for a limited time!  

Check out Stitching Girl with Her Horse and Boss Lady!

So we are off to enjoy our Florida weather and just chill! Until next time . . . .

SUNSHINE IS MARVELOUS!

We are loving our new environment.  I am currently working on starting to do some beginner needlepoint classes here at the clubhouse for the elders (of which I think I am the eldest!)

We'll see if it goes through. 

DUO DESIGNS STITCHING RETREAT 2024

The poll seems to be pointing towards the beach (even though more $$$$) and hopefully close to a needlepoint shop.  We have sent out inquiries and made phone calls.  We are gathering information in order to move forward to making some definite plans - stay tuned!

The format for this event was chosen by past participants who have taken several sessions of the Uniquely Yours online classes.  They are always fun and exciting.We look forward to sharing the same concept in person.  The event is tentatively scheduled for late fall (September-October) before the holidays.  Be sure to provide your thoughts and input in the Group.

ONLINE CLASSES

Registration is open for the next Online Class that will be starting mid-May 2024.  Memories of Hawaii has a plethora of techniques that we will be sharing.  Review the previous post for more details.  Email us at duodesignsinc@gmail.com with questions and to register.  

                    Invoices are going out currently for the deposit segment.  Balance due May 1 - will invoice                         separately.

More later . . . 

 Way Behind!

Where is the time flying off to?  This retirement stuff in Florida is making the days just whiz by.  I'm not complaining but cannot believe how I lose track of the day of the week.  Each day has something going on either Bunco, Mah Jongg, Bingo two days a week, Shuffleboard, Hand in Foot cards, and somewhere along the way I should do chores!

ONLINE CLASSES

Our online classses continue to move along - that's one thing that does not slip my mind though I may be tardy occasionally.

Speaking of Online Classes we are getting ready to introduce a new class.  The class will be conducted over 6 months with one lesson posted about mid-month for each session.  This piece will be the Memories of Hawaii.  

Hand Painted Needlepoint design on 18 ct Monocanvas. The design area is approximately 10" x 11". The cut canvas size is approximately 15" x 16" leaving ample room for strecher bars and doodle space.

If you have been to Hawaii you will readily recognize the beautiful icons of great memories on the Hawaiian Islands.You can’t think Hawaii and not see visions of sand, water, swaying palm trees and the lovely hibiscus and plumerias.

Class is limited to the number of handpainted canvases that are available.  Class fee (including handpainted canvas) is $450.  Participants will provide their own threads.  A list of threads used will be posted in the private group so participants can begin gathering their threads for the class.  Most threads are easily available and/or substituted. 

Class will begin May 15, 2014.  A non-refundable deposit of $150 will be needed to reserve your canvas.  The balance of $300 will be due May 1st and canvas released at that time to participants.  To reserve your spot send email to duodesignsinc@gmail.com.  Once received you will get a PayPal invoice for the non-refundable deposit.

Well I'm off to ride my trike and enjoy this beautiful day!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!    

I think most of us are ready to move on to 2024! The past year brought many changes in our lives and we are now ready to move forward and embrace our adjustments as needed.  Still need to be assigned a couple specialists but the critical ones are in place and working,

A little cool here by southern FL standards - 63 deg. - but very manageable,  We played shuffleboard this morning so couldn't be all that bad.

ONLINE CLASSES

Nothing new to report as yet. We're working on a possible Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring geometric series that is aimed more toward the student that is intimidated by specialty stitches and is seeking more of the beginning stitch types . We'll work on shading and compensating. Each season will be an individual class project. Students will have choice of the Twisted Diamond or the Twisted Square.

If these classes are of interest to you email us at duodesignsinc@gmail.com to be added to the list of potentials.  

 MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

Enjoy the holiday season and we'll check back in next year.

In the meanwhile be sure to check out our Etsy Shop - duodesignsbySandra.  We have in stock the hand painted Stitching Girl Canvases of Stitching Girl with her Horse and Boss Lady.

CRUISING ALONG THE COAST!

This week we went to Punta Gorda to enjoy the Sunset and Christmas Lights Cruise. This took place at Fishermen's Village.The sunset was beyond stunning! It went on forever - well worth the trip.

The Christmas lights on the canal were beautiful and very diverse.  Several different themes, etc.  I am sorry but I was unable to get any pictures.

Following the cruise we went inside Fishermen's Village restaurant and had a wonderful dinner.

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ONLINE CLASSES

This week we shared our mid-month lessons for our Online Classes.

Session VII for the Three Wisemen Encore class has been posted.  We continued the finishing touches for one of the cloaks!

An additional ornament joined the others this week also on the Ornaments Galore canvas from JP Needlepoint.

We are moving right along on this one.

ETSY SHOP - duodesignsbySandra

Books seem to be very popular this month - maybe being shared as gifts. 

As you may recall, we had an exclusive design created for Duo Designs by Gayla Elliott in the Stitching Girl Series.  This design was used to launch our annual Retreat held in General Butler Resort State Park in Northern Kentucky.  Since Kentucky is the Horse Capital we asked for a horse themed design.  Stitching Girl with her Horse was created, 

We are now releasing this design in our Etsy Shop for the enjoyment of others.  There is also available for purchase a stitch guide that one can follow. Email us at duodesignsinc@gmail.com for inquiries.

Be sure to check out other Stitch Guides for instant download,

Okay - today is Saturday and also Shuffleboard day!  Gotta get that upper body exercise going as well.,