Sunday, August 2, 2015

ALWAYS SOMETHING GOING ON . . . 

Where has this year gone?  August?  Really?  It seems like the year 2000 was just a few months ago! My Mom used to always say that the older you get the faster time flies.  I am learning what she meant now because it seems to be the case in my life.  I am thankful for every bit of time I get, so don't get me wrong, I just wouldn't be too disappointed if it went a little slower!

Fortunately I have been blessed with having a great passion to occupy my time in my 'senior' years.  (Side thought:  how long did it take you to realize that you were no longer middle aged [if it applies]?) Crafting, sewing, embroidery, cross-stitching, crocheting, knitting, needlepoint, painting - all have joyfully been in my life since I was 8 years old (well not really, started with crocheting at 8 and then added self-taught techniques as years came along).  I was a married adult and mother before I learned there were actually written patterns for crocheting.  We saw a doily or potholder that we thought we liked and we borrowed it and figured it out.  Yet, after seeing some patterns, I think this way might still be more clear - lol.  Anyway, I digress.

I was taught that if we have been given a talent we should remember that it is special gift to us and we in turn should share.  I love to share what I have learned with those who might find some value in that sharing.  And it is so wonderful when you see things click for someone trying something new - be it a stitch or a different approach to a familiar stitch.  This gives me tremendous joy.

Our various Online Mystery Classes have provided a venue for sharing that shatters geographical barriers, age barriers, mobility barriers, time barriers, skill level barriers, comprehension barriers, and more and more and more!  Isn't technology wonderful?  Through these classes you can work at your own comfort level.  You can work in your own comfortable environment.  You can work at any time day or night.  You can analyze and re-analyze each lesson as it is presented.  And you can zero in on any areas that you desire to have clarified.  This back and forth between not only me the teacher and you the participant, but also other participants, has begun to create a bond of friendship that many did not expect to develop.  I am so proud of all my groups.  We have a good time and yet we get the job done.  There is no negativism allowed in the Online Mystery Classes of Duo Designs, Inc.  This is one of the very few strict rules that reign on our secret Facebook Pages.

Most of our Online Mystery Classes are set projects. In the past we have done a Tapestry Fair canvas Yolanda and an Eye Candy Canvas Mod Ornaments  under this new set up.




We currently have three classes running:  Harvest which will be ending in a couple months; Easter Wreath which just had lesson one published and Beijing Butterflies which will have its first lesson posted in 2 weeks.



Active enrollment is going on currently for a new approach - an embellishment class where you may use one or more canvases that had created a stumbling block for you and caused you to put it out of sight for awhile (maybe a long while). S.O.S. in Cyberspace is the upcoming class that is scheduled to have the first lesson posted mid-September.  One of the purposes of this class is to help you dig out those canvases that might be presenting problems and search for some new approaches for rekindling the original passion you had for the canvas in the first place and maybe S.titch O.ur S.tash while doing so. 


This class will last for 6 months.  The 6-lesson packet is $200.  You will have 6 months in which to list 6 questions.  In that time period you will receive  6 responses (once a month from me), plus you will see the specific questions of all other participants (be there 5 or 70) as well as the responses.   Scroll down through earlier posts to get full details.

TO REGISTER:  Email me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com  

Duo Designs, Inc. hosts 6 scheduled classes throughout the year - one every other month.  Scheduled so far is a canvas by Annie Lane, Melissa Shirley, and Needlepoint of Back Bay.

Also, we have added a new category by request.  We will be hosting Special Interest Online Mysteries.  These are specific projects that 5 or more people have asked to be conducted as an online class.  While these classes might be smaller in attendance, and could run co-currently or in the off month of the regularly scheduled classes, the same structure will be followed.  The first of these classes to be scheduled is a Brenda Stofft Design Easter Rabbit with Morning Glories.


So if any of these projects interest you we would love to have you join us.  You might be surprised to see who shares a common interest with you!

Scroll down and glance through previous posts and read a little more about the classes mentioned above.  More specific details of each class will be provided as 'official' registration begins. (The most current registration class S.O.S. in Cyberspace should be posting before this one, for instance.)  You may add your name to the 'interested' list at any time and we will send you a note letting you know when official registration is going on so that you can make a decision to participate at that time.

Feel free to email with any questions to duodesignsinc@yahoo.com

So absorb some of the activity and while pondering remember to stitch with a smile.  We do a lot of stitching and a lot of smiling here at Arthur Acres.  (Right now we're doing a lot of coughing fighting a nasty upper respiratory infection!)

Sandy





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