Sandy's Stitching

I am so excited!

I was just confirmed as one of only 6 participants in the Royal School of Needlepoint intensive diploma classes to be held here in the US in Virginia!  I have been trying to get in for over 3 years so I cannot express my delight.

My technique will be stump work.  I have been told to be prepared to give up blood, sweat, tears and a lot of taking out the next morning.  So, we'll see where this leads!  It has been described as 'boot camp'.  The lady on the phone warned me -first she said she was not trying to scare me off or intimidate me - but though I might be an excellent needleworker, (which I did not say - she's just generalizing) I had to be prepared to the fact that no matter what, it had to be done their way - otherwise it will be undoing what I had done.  So note to myself:  I must prepare my mind to be very attentive and do as they say and not as I think.  Those who know me know that will be a difficult task! I'm always thinking 3 steps ahead of where I am and I might miss a step or two along the way.

Oh, and it was shared with me that my tutor was privileged to have worked on the Duchess of Cambridge (Kate)'s wedding gown!  I am hopeful she will share some photos and insights with us.  Isn't that exciting?  Well for a gal from back in a very rural and poverty ridden 'holler' in West Virginia, that is unimaginable! I am so blessed and I never forget it!

For those of you who are new to my Blog or website, I have four books published about needlepoint.  They are known as Shapes of Needlepoint - Series I, II, III and IV.

Each Series covers a group of shapes.  The theory is that you are working on an area and it is round and is 5 x 5 canvas threads and you want some ideas of what to stitch in that space.  There are some suggestions for various sized areas (not all areas of the world are covered but some of the more popular sizes might be found).

Guess who is at the printers being restocked? Oh and if you don't recall his binding is orange!

These books are available through your local needlepoint shop.  If they do not carry them, they are also available on our website duodesignsinc.com.

There is a direct link to each of the Series on our website -  duodesignsinc.com  - but I have provided the direct link to Series IV which highlights a special when purchasing all 4 volumes at once.

http://duodesignsinc.com/wpsite/purchase-shapes-of-needlepoint-volume-4-here

A few weeks ago I posted direct links to our Apps for Series I and II so if that is of interest to you scroll on down and you find them for your convenience. I can't ever seem to find where Apple put them so we just provided a link on the website.

I am packed and ready to head to Chicago to play at Designers Desk for 5 fun-filled days.  If you are in the area please drop by and visit.  We'd love to see you.

Okay, off to work on classes that will be posted in just  6 more days!  Those will be Lesson 5 in the Thanksgiving Critters (whoever will it be?), Lesson 2 in the Pillow Collage (which pretty pillows this time) and the much anticipated Lesson 1 of the Happy Haunting Grounds - pretty good guess on that one I bet.

Online Mystery Class - Robin's Wreath

Registration is active for this fantastic project.

Melissa Prince Designs B-370

As always, a little bit of everything on this guy, beads, embellishments out the wazoo, all those leaves (for a special class participant because she loves leaves), fruits, cute nest, wonderful eggs, fantastic bird, did I mention leaves? Oh and the lovely, lovely, lovely threads!  One of my weaknesses!

Invoices will be processed for this class around the first of August.  They will be for $150 for the 6-lesson packet.  The first lesson is scheduled to be posted on/about September 15.  

So, come on over and sign up.  To register just send me an email at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com and say you want in.  You will be added to the notification list where you will receive an email around the first of August alerting you to the fact that invoices are being processed.  We'd love to have you.

Only one more class for 2016 (unbelievable!) and that is the Santa's Reward from Devon Needlepoint.  His first lesson will be on/about November 15.  Registration is open for this guy too!  Just let me know.

And as stated earlier, we are working on a stitching cruise so be sure to have me add you to the interest list on that one so I can keep you informed of the progress.  We are welcoming 'wish lists' where to go, etc.  short cruise, long cruise, etc. and comments, suggestions, whatever.

Have a great weekend and remember to Stitch with a Smile!

Sandy