Saturday, January 30, 2016

ANOTHER YEAR AT CALLAWAY GARDENS NEEDLEARTS SCHOOL . . . .

It was so good to see everyone at Callaway Gardens this year.  Seeing old friends is always a joy and adding new ones is a treasure.

My first class in Beading on Needlework was wild!  We had so much fun and it was my largest class. We had a fantastic room in which to work - loved the horseshoe shape - projector screen in the front, etc.  Also close to the exit door in case I had to escape quickly - LOL.


My next two classes were rather small but great nonetheless.  Our first day in Heloise Hooty was in a classroom where we froze our butts off!  We had to wear coats!  But, never fear, Pat Callihan was johnny on the spot and got our room moved during break so we could be more comfortable.  The room was smaller but we were okay.



The next class was a little larger, Pumpkin Spiced Tea, and we were a little more snug in the room.  However, we opted to stay put rather than take a chance on returning to our first room and freezing although we were assured that it was much warmer than a few days before.


Food was good and the staff very helpful.  If you have never been to Callaway you should treat yourself to the experience.  It is smaller than the huge seminars and, therefore, much more intimate.  You get to know your fellow classmates and share lots of wonderful meals, classes and just plain ole friendship.  I hope to see you there at future events!

After a few days at home (long enough to do laundry and get dry cleaning returned) I am packing to be off to Blue Bonnet Retreat!  This, too, is one of those smaller intimate venues.  I love their coziness and friendliness.  I taught there last year and was very impressed and am very much looking forward to returning this year.

My first class is a Ruth Schmuff design - Boston Terrier Cocktail.
The next class is the Pumpkin Spiced Tea shown above.  I will be teaching the Pumpkin Spiced Tea many times in 2016 so watch for it.

SNEAK PEEK:  Here are pictures of next years classes at Blue Bonnet - put them on your calendar.  They are both from JP Needlepoint's owl series - Blackbeak Hooter and The Black Queen.
 
I fly directly from Blue Bonnet to the ANG OK Chapter to a resort setting to teach my design the fun Crazy Needles Journey.


This piece was named because I wanted the seam treatments used in crazy quilts and the journey part came from the majority of stitches having names of countries - Hungarian, Dutch, Paris, Rumania, etc.


From OK I return home one day then I'm off to Houston for a week long retreat.  My daughter will be joining me for this adventure and we will stitch, visit, work, etc., with friends in a beautiful setting.

To fill in the void spots, we are preparing to start sending the invoices out for our next Online Mystery Class,  Melissa Shirley's Thanksgiving Critters - which I choose to call Autumn Critters because it has a function that goes beyond our Thanksgiving holidays here in the state.  There are no pilgrims, just fall colors and foliage!

Invoices go out next week for $150 for a 6-lesson packet.  First monthly lesson will be posted mid-March.  You still have time to join us.  Just email me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com.  We'd love to have you play with us.

So, gotta go and work on models and stitch guides!

More later - remember to stitch with a smile!

Sandy


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