HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

May 2022 be the best year ever!

 

UNIQUELY YOURS SEASON II

Uniquely Yours With a Twist was such a fun experience.  We started off with major Internet issues, equipment problems, then life got in the way with family health issues.  But hey, we still managed to have a great time as we worked through each hurdle.  Certainly the participants may take full credit for the success of this first session. As anyone who will listen has heard me say time and time again, I have the greatest students!  They make me better! The results that have been shared are spectacular!

We plan to start Uniquely Yours Season II December 15 (just around the corner) so if you would like to join us send us an email right away to duodesignsinc@yahoo.com.

Uniquely Yours Season II is made up of 10 Zoom sessions where you are challenged to move out of your box and comfort zone.  Maybe you just need that extra nudge to get that canvas out of the closet.  Maybe you  have hit a brick wall and have been stalled but need an extra push.  How about a fresh outlook at how you approach your stitching?. We are a sister/brotherhood that shares ideas and encouragement.  No negativity is allowed in our Zoom rooms!

Our sessions are made up of 30 minutes where you experience various stitches or techniques.  These are illustrated as you watch actual stitch execution. You will receive - prior to the actual meeting - an email of the diagrams illustrated so that you may follow along and read the diagram as it is shown to help you understand how the stitch is added to your canvas,  You may print the diagrams for your personal use.

There is still time to join this next group of stitchers as we play.  For more information email us at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com and get registered!  First session begins Wednesday, December 15, 7 pm EST.  Come join in!

Our One-on-One sessions have so much to offer. We have the luxury to study your canvas together and hear what you would like your project to end up like when it grows up.  We have had some beautiful canvases to play with and seen lovely results but, most of all, we have developed some lovely new friends and strengthened some current ones as well.

ONLINE CLASSES - REGISTRATION IS OPEN 

Our upcoming Online Class registration - The 3 Wiseman  - is doing well.  We have folks who want their printed. canvas to be on 14 ct., some 16 ct and some 18 ct so we are covering all grounds.

Payments are spread out for your convenience.  First, when you register, shortly thereafter you will be invoiced for the printed canvas - $86 plus $16 S/H.  Then about a month prior to the first class posting you will be billed for the lesson packet which will be 8 posted lessons in a private Facebook Group for $225.  A third option will involve an optional thread/embellishment kit prepared by a needlepoint shop to assist those who do not have the luxury of a local needlepoint shop.

If you wish to join us on this adventure just email us at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com so we can add you to the list.  There will, of course, be bling!

Enjoy your weekend and stay safe!

 ANOTHER SATURDAY ROLLS AROUND!

This will be a quick update of what's happening at Arthur Acres.  Hubby is going through some bumps and is back in the hospital again.  So we are dealing with his issues - which, of course, have priority.

So just an update on the Uniquely Yours Series of Zoom sessions.  We are drawing near the end of our first series and have thoroughly enjoyed them.  The students projects are turning out amazingly wonderful and they make me very proud.  I am so pleased that they are enjoying themselves.  Actually to the point that most, if not all (I haven't double checked) have enrolled for Season II sessions.  We are in open enrollment so drop us an email at duodesigninc@yahoo.com if you would like to join us or more information.  There are 10 sessions in a series and the dates work around holidays and contracts. The next series is scheduled to begin mid-December of January - depending on how hubby progresses.

We have some Chapters signed up for these Sessions for their National Teacher Series.  The next one begins January 2022.

It looks like the 3 Wisemen are passing the cute Buffalo Check Cardinal for our upcoming Online Classes.  

This is a very economical class as it is on a commercially printed canvas and is available in 3 mesh choices - 14, 16 or 18.  The design area is approximately 11 x 14.5" and the cut canvas is 15 x 18".  The classes will incorporate 8 sessions of online filed lessons in a private FaceBook group.  Lesson fees are $225, the canvas is $95 plus S/H (which includes a beautiful color print of the original painting) and threads from your stash or LNS.  If you need assistance for materials we will be working with a shop to offer kits so that you will have the exact same threads and embellishments used in the lessons posted.  When signing up a deposit of the canvas price will be invoiced.  The teaching fee will be invoiced a few weeks before the class begins.  Tentative date for beginning is March or April.  Email to sign up at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com.

NEEDLES 'N FINS STITCHING ADVENTURES - sign up to join the FaceBook page

As shared earlier, this riverboat stitching cruise for The Netherlands has been sold out for quite some time.   An unfortunate incident has provided an opening so if you have always wanted to go and needed a roommate, now's your chance.  It is a first come first served situation so don't drag your feet if interested.  Contact our agent Liz at lwolak@vikingtvl.com right away.

AND, get yourself registered for our Hawaiian Island Hopping Stitching Cruise.  We'll have lots of fun and some great surprised planned but we must have the minimum interest to register with the agency to go forward.  Check with Liz as above.

Until next week - have a great Thanksgiving (wonder what kind of Thanksgiving Dinner they serve at the hospital?)

 FACE-TO-FACE AND MORE!

Cape Cod - oh my!  My long weekend at Osterville Needlepoint was fabulous!  We had such wonderful projects with which to play. It is always so nice to see repeaters join us for the fun.  

Tomorrow will be the Grand Opening to celebrate the new ownership of the shop.  Kathleen Harlow has hit the ground running!  She is introducing some new threads and expanding some already in stock, adding new artists and playing with store hours to better accommodate the needs of stitchers in the area.  Be sure to stop by the shop and partake of the free pizza from the pizza truck and musical entertainment from Kathy!

Didn't have enough time to take WIP pictures unfortunately!

We are  currently planning our return trip!  So exciting.

ZOOM!ZOOM!

Each week gets progressively better!  Now, if life would just quit interrupting we'd be all set.  

We are about to wind down our Uniquely Yours With a Twist weekly half-hour sessions.  Gosh where did the time go?  As we wind down on this group, we are preparing for the next step up - Uniquely Yours Season II. These weekly 30 minute sessions will include some stitches that are a little more complex than those shared in the first 10 week session!

Be sure to email us at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com if you would like additional information and would like to join us!  Each session includes a pdf of the stitches shared in the video for that week's session. The sessions are on Wednesday night, 7pm EST.  We have a repeat aired on the following Saturday at 1pm EST.  Participants may choose to attend one session or both sessions.

ONLINE CLASSES

In the past we have hosted Online Mystery Classes where we reveal the lesson mid- month for the design being taught. This coming year we are going to mix them up some.

Our proposed line up includes this darling Buffalo Checked Cardinal.  He will be stitched so the picture will show the end result - no mystery.  

The six (6) lessons for this guy will include a plaid variant! To participate in the class you are required to make a non-refundable deposit towards the purchase of the canvas.  We must order the canvases soon in order to have by April.  

Email us at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com  for details.

This beautiful printed canvas will follow the Mystery format.  The Three Kings canvas will be available in 14, 16 or 18 count mesh.

Beautiful colors promise an interesting use of stitches for the lovely flowing garments. This class may require 8 sessions instead of the normal 6.  More later on that.

All classes will offer a fully kitted version of threads and embellishments for those who desire to purchase same from the chosen shop.

NEEDLES ' N FINS STITCHING ADVENTURES

It won't be long until we get together again for our riverboat stitching cruises.  We have so much fun!  But as seen here, we work too.

Our Netherlands cruise is sold out and we are excited to be planning our daily adventures for that wonderful time.

We are, however, now in the throes of planning for our upcoming Hawaiian Island Hopping Stitching Cruise.  Email us at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com to request your brochure.  We'd love to have you join us.

 NEXT ONLINE MYSTERY CLASS!

This is no April's Fool joke.  We are lining up our next 6-session Online Mystery Class for 2022.  Mid April (around April 15) we will begin our first session for the Buffalo Check Cardinal class - provided there is enough interest.

This cute guy is on 13ct canvas and is cut to 12" x 12".  The design area is 8" x 8".

As is the norm now a-days, the front time is approximately 4 months. If you desire to register for this class you must make a non-refundable deposit of $50 so that we may order the canvases.  Should you decide to drop from the class you will have the option of paying the difference to receive the canvas only or lose your deposit.  No supplies would be considered for this portion of the transaction.  There will be a full kit option provided by a selected shop as we get closer to class time.  The class fee will be $175 for the 6 lesson packet plus the balance for the canvas ($55) and will be invoiced in March 2022.  The optional kit information will be provided later for those interested.

Email us right away at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com if you choose to register for this class.  Should there not be sufficient interest to go forward with a class the deposit will be returned.  

POCKETBOOK SERIES - 

These books have taken on a life of their own!  We are so pleased with the tremendous support from you all by purchasing these babies.  Check with your local needlepoint shop to get yours now! These are in stock!

Check our website for listings of shops that carry our products.  They will be happy to assist you.

Must get back to stitch guides for next week's Cape Cod Retreat!  Woo Hoo!

 Summer is officially gone at Arthur Acres!

Pool has been closed!  Oh dear!  Seems we just opened it!  The cover is a testament to the fact that Fall is in full swing.  It is covered daily with leaves - which hubby dutifully sweeps off.

POCKETBOOK SERIES CONTINUES TO GROW!

This week we released yet another of our Pocketbook Series Books.  Treasured Techniques is fast becoming a favorite!  

There are 65 pages of fun techniques and tips!  These were shipped out to the shops this weekend and they will have them soon.  Better call and reserve your copy right away as they will go fast!

While you are at it make sure you have all 6 of the Series!

Uniquely Yours with a Twist - Zoom Class

Conquering the Nobuko!

Milanese madness

Circles she said

Uniquely Yours Season II - Begins December 8, 2021 with repeat December 11, 2021.

Have you registered for the next exciting session of challenges?  We provide the stitch - you provide the placement.  We are having such a great time with the first sessions that we are excited to get into the next bunch of offerings!  These sessions are for 30 minutes weekly and last 10 weeks or episodes (holidays and prior commitments may push the calendar a little).  Participants may attend both sessions and many do.  The second session - Saturday - is a repeat of the Wednesday one. In addition to the Zoom gathering you will receive stitch diagrams in a pdf format that you may download if desired so that you can follow along with the actual detailed stitch demonstration.

To register just email us at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com.

 TISKET, TASKET LOTS AND LOTS OF BASKETS

The new Pocketbook on Baskets sure hit the ground running!

Thank you all for your wonderful support and for encouraging your LNS to order more, More, MORE!  (tee hee!)

Check it out. If you do not have a LNS go to our website - duodesignsinc.com - and look under Shops - all those shops currently order from us and should be able to help you.

Also, just to bring you up-to-date, here is what we currently have going on in the book world. 

AND the next one is at the printer's as we post here.  Can't wait to share it with you!  

ZOOM CLASSES

I know I say it all the time but my students are the greatest!  Here are some of the results of the  latest class:

These samples are from our current Uniquely Yours with a Twist class.  Registration is open for the next session - Uniquely Yours Season II - which will begin on December 8. There are 10 sessions that are 30 minutes in length.  Because of holidays, etc., the Season II will go beyond 10 calendar weeks in order to fit in all 10 Sessions.   These Sessions are aired twice each week - Wednesday at 7pm EST and again on Saturday at 1pm EST.  Participants have two opportunities to attend the same Session - and many do. For more details just email us at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com.

NEEDLES 'N FINS - riverboat stitching cruises

As we watch the rules and guidelines change daily, we continue to juggle our lives to include our upcoming Tulip Time on the Rhine riverboat stitching cruise.  This trip has been sold out for quite awhile.  Our agent is trying feverishly to get hotel rooms for the last 3. We have 54 coming to play with us - the great majority of whom are stitchers and the rest who carry our packages and pay our bills!

                                   

On this past particular trip we had the sweetest butler who gave every lady in class a long stemmed red rose.  He even wore his tux.

He even helped me separate beads, etc.

Wait a minute , , , , that's not stitching!

For the newer registrants who may not be aware, we have an Optional Stitching Project if you would like to purchase it as a souvenir of our journey. Contact us at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com for details. This is not required.  You may bring a project from home on which you would like assistance.

 

 

While this cruise is sold out, we are working on our upcoming Hawaiian Island Hopping Stitching Cruise.   April 13-22, 2023.  Wow what a trip we have in store.
Look at all the ports we will be stopping and visiting.  I love these type cruises because we can step foot on real land every day most of the time.

If unable to open. the brochure, just email us at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com and we'll gladly send you one to look over.

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Until next time