RETREAT NEWS!

In March 23, 2018 I will be playing in Delaware at the Art Needlepoint Wnterthur Retreat at Winterthur Museum.

There is so much to share on this piece called Fruit and Flowers.  We have shading, Rhodes stitches, semi open stitches, buttonhole, satin, reverse chain stitches, stem stitch, Gobelins and much more.

A deposit can be made anytime and the balance is needed by February 1, 2018 to ensure you get the class you want. 

However, we encourage you to select and register in full by December, 2017 as certain classes will fill up before then, as some are already nearing the maximum number.

You may select from the kits at any time prior to Jan.

For details visit:

This Retreat is hosted by Art Needlepoint.  I was attracted to this venue when invited because of the inclusion of our youth.  The brochure states that participants may bring a youngster between the ages of 10 and 18 free of charge to attend class with them.  And the youngster will be given a canvas upon which they may try stitches to learn as we go.  Isn't that fantastic?  For more details check out the various links that are available.
http://artneedlepoint.com/art-needlepoint-winterthur-needle…
Here's an early registration link:
https://artneedlepoint.worldsecuresystems.com/new-arrivals/winterthur-retreat-full-registration-10-off
Contact Art Needlepoint right away to make your reservation.  And even more exciting plan to bring a youngster along to share the experience.

I am also fortunate to be teaching at the Needlepoint in New England Retreat April 27-29, 2018 hosted by The Enriched Stitch in CT.  I have loved working out the details on my piece the Winter Cardinal from Maggie.

Isn't he glorious?  When I saw this piece I immediately knew that we had to create a plaid.  We just had to!  And, I needed to add just a touch of bling but not so much that it takes away from the elegance of the wonderful Cardinal (which happens to be our state bird and the state bird of several others).  The place I chose to do this was the snowflake.

Classes are filling quickly!  Hop over to The Enriched Stitch website and register now!  http://enrichedstitch.com/april-2018

Somewhere in between we are teaching at the ANG Encore! event held in Houston, TX on April 7th weekend.  We are doing the painted canvas exclusive by Leigh Designs - Beijing Butterflies.

Crystals and beads abound in this fantastic design.  

Thread painting, or nue`, open work, buttonhole stitches, diagonal mosaic, French knots, and so much more while playing with beautiful silks and various threads.  For details be sure to check out registration on the ANG sight needlepoint.org - 

Today I have been working to compile the thread list for the Brenda Stofft canvas of Steampunk Witch which is an Online Mystery Class scheduled to begin mid-December. This design will have lessons posted semi-monthly.

If you haven't signed up yet there is still time.  Invoices are currently being processed. Just email me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com.

Registration is also active for the QUICKIE series of the Christmas Stars -12 Days by Raymond Crawford.  

There are two options offered for this Quickie series.  The first option will be for the complete kit; handpainted canvas, threads/embellishments, lessons and shipping/handling.  The second option will be for the handpainted canvas, embellishments, lessons and shipping/handling.  The first option offers the convenience of having everything provided to the participant; the second option offers the opportunity to work from your stash.

The first option will involve an invoice being issued for the thread packet upon confirmation of joining that group.  This gets the threads to those participants up front and affords the opportunity to take advantage of the sharing of threads across the designs.Then around the first of December an invoice for  the first project - The Partridge in the Pear Tree - will be processed.  After payment is processed the canvas and the embellishments will be mailed.  The first class will be mid-January.  Each month thereafter the next design will be billed, etc.

For more information and questions just email us at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com

ONLINE MYSTERY CLASSES KEEP ON KEEPING ON!

This week we shared another group of lessons for the various Online Mystery Classes.  And, while visions of my Riverboat Stitching Cruise Party on the Po are floating around in my head, I feel that this month's lesson can hold their own in the attention department.

Session 5 for Cupcakes by BB Needlepoint was posted.  One of our favorite cupcakes is this swirled chocolate iced one.

We utilized a fun Kreinik braid for the embellishment on the cake liner.  And, look at that icing! This is a bargello variation that I have used many times including on Witch on the Town and Wizard of Paws.  A fun stitch.

Steampunk Cat from Brenda Stofft had Session 4 shared.  Much was done on this canvas and the bouquet was spectacular!

Planet Earth had the perfect ribbon for these roses in the bouquet!

Raymond Crawford's Santa Ornament Wreath also has lots of great techniques included.

 No, the Santa hat trim is not turkey work!

If you would like to join some of our Online Mystery Classes or would like more information, please email me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com

2018 has a lot in store for our stitching challenges.  Scroll down a few posts- October 21 -  and you will find a complete agenda for the whole year.  Of course, I have been known to add a few along the way.

Coming soon will be the first lesson on Steampunk Witch a Brenda Stofft Design.

We will be sharing lessons on this design every other month instead of monthly.  The first session will be mid-December. Invoices for the 6-lesson packet have been mailed and are being processed.  We are working on a thread/embellishment kit to offer for those who do not have a LNS or need assistance.  Just email for details at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com

January 2018!  OMGoodness!  What have I done?  We will begin with Moon Gazer also by Brenda Stofft and also a semi-monthly project.

The first Reindeer of Raymond Crawford's series of 4:

The order of the reindeer may be changed.  This class is a little different from others.  The designs may incorporate only 4 lessons instead of the previous 6.  There will be much more information shared with those who have signed up for the classes as to how we will progress.  We will have canvases, threads and embellishment packets available for those who do not have a LNS and need assistance. 

And then we will feature our first QUICKIE for 2018, Raymond Crawford's 12 Days of Christmas Stars doing the First Day - Partridge in a Pear Tree.

These guys will be fully contained!  Handprinted canvas, threads, embellishments and stitch guide for that design.  We will also be offering a special to those who take all 12 days in that we will deeply discount the 12th day - so stay tuned.  Our goal is to keep each class very affordable.  The cost distribution will be shared with those that have signed up for the notification list.  Again, if interested please send email to duodesignsinc@yahoo.com to be placed on the notification lists.

STITCHING DOWN THE DANUBE

Our Riverboat Cruise for 2018 is drawing a lot of attention.  Our agent, Liz, informs us that 20 have already paid and are ready to go - wait a minute - I still have a year to prepare don't forget!  I love it.  The enthusiasm and fun that we all had on the Italy stitching cruise will provide a lifetime of memories.  Many new friends were made and you cannot put a price on those types of adventures! But look what we have in store on the River Beatrice!

Sign up for our Needles 'N Fins Facebook page to follow all our plans and activity for these journeys.   The brochure for this upcoming trip is in the files section.  Contact our travel agent - Liz, at Viking Travel for traveling details -  lwolak@vikingtvl.com  or email me for general information and stitching plans - duodesignsinc@yahoo.com.  

Until next week, remember to stitch with a smile and Happy Thanksgiving to those celebrating!

MORE SHARING FROM PARTY ON THE PO!

On these blog posts I am not even scratching the surface of all the wonderful sights we saw and the fun we had.  If you would like to see more, join in the Needles 'N Fins Facebook page.  Many others have posted some of their experiences as well.

Of course, no visit to Italy is complete without a visit to a gelato stand!  These two Canadian Cuties (Donna and Jan) illustrate how it is done!

How do you resist reaching in and grabbing a handful of those Lucious grapes on one of our vineyard tours?

As you can see we almost starved!

When we arrived in Venice one of our first tours was of the Doge's Palace and Saint Mark's Basilica. We visited the Palace in the morning, had a fantastic lunch and sailed around the lagoon.  So peaceful.

As an aside, I had a difficult time keeping these wild women in line!  Oh those men in Italy!

You know, we did work too!

Always pays to come to class!  

What is that?  Relishes?  Starters?  Appetizers?   NO!  It is beads!  YAY!

   We even recruited the staff to help - hope he did not get into trouble!

We visited so many wonderful things while cruising the Po.  We went to Burano and saw unbelievable lace making demonstrations -

On Murano we say glass blowing demonstrations and could not resist all the lovelies that were offered up for sale - - -

Gondola rides anyone?

And, of course the Rialto Bridge and shopping!

We were able to gather together part of our group for a photo but sadly all did not see the notice but there were busy enjoying the free wine and lovely views while we were posing!

Please plan to join us next year on the Stitching Down the Danube stitching cruise.  We aim to beat our 50 participants so don't miss out!  For more details check out the Facebook Page Needles 'N Fins.

There is so much more to share but I'm running out of time today!  

PARTY ON THE PO IS NOW A FANTASTIC MEMORY!

Wow!  What a great adventure we had.  Other than the first day or two when a little overcast and a few little rains in between excursions, the weather was wonderful and cooperated beautifully.

We began out adventure in Milano, Italy.

We had the welcoming dinner and met some of our participants - what a group!

 


So many pictures that I can't share them all!

Then our first evening gave us a brief get together where we handed out goodie bags for all stitchers!

We then gave them a surprise - a special Souvenir Ornament Kit of Italy and showed them how to finish them.

The second day involved visits to cathedrals and The Last Supper.

That night we had a class on the Venice Memories Kit for those who wished to attend.

That's enough teasing for today.  I'll share more next week after I get rested and can pull out some of the other events!  This is just the tip of the iceberg.

Go visit us on Needles 'N Fins where some have posted photos and plan to join us on our next adventure Stitching Down the Danube!  Love to have you join us!

Sandy