SWOOSH!  And just like that 2017 is history!

Sorry guys but I gotta say that the year of 2017 sure went by fast! 2017 was a year that many are happy to put behind them.  However, we cannot do anything about that now so our efforts are to be put towards what is ahead!  My Daddy used to tell me, don't look behind you because we are not going that way!  Isn't that great?  2018 I sure hope you are ready for me!

This popped up on my Facebook page and I could not express my feelings any better than laid out here.

Online Mystery Classes are forging ahead!  In October we shared with you our full agenda for 2018.  Be sure to scroll down and make a copy to refer to so you will not miss a class on a special design you might be contemplating.

We will start January 2018 with 3 (yes 3!) new designs.

We will have our scheduled Moon Gazer from Brenda Stofft.

This beauty will be the first in 2018 to be a semi-monthly class.  There will be 6 lessons as before but we will post every other month instead of monthly. This approach has been requested several times so we will see how it goes.  Be sure to give me your feedback one way or the other as we move along.

Next will begin the Reindeer Series from Raymond Crawford.

We will kick off this series with the Reindeer that has the Pineapple blanket.  This series of classes will be $150 for the 4-lesson packet per design.  These will be lessons that have been compacted down to 4 months in order to get through the series quicker. (Totally different approach from the semi-monthly huh?)  There will also be a lot of common stitches and threads as this series is being approached by me as a set to be displayed together. I will mention and suggest some alternative techniques as we progress along for those who are just doing one or a few or who do not want them all to be alike.

Then we will have our first QUICKIE for 2018.  We are going to share the Christmas Stars - 12 Days of Christmas from Raymond Crawford.

As I am so unpredictable I thought I'd get creative and begin with the first star!  The Partridge in the Pear Tree.  (I know, I know - how can you stand such wildness?)

Here's a sneak peek while working on the finishing. The individual stars will probably be draped across the garland on our mantel.

Is that a sneaky way to share a picture of my wonderful fireplace again?  I'm looking at this scene right now as we have not removed all our holiday stuff as yet.  

If you would like to participate in any of these classes just drop an email to me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com and we can discuss the various approaches and specials that we are offering. Lots of exciting stuff being offered this year.

To jump ahead a little, we are going to do 3 of JP Needlepoint's cute animal collections:  Catitudes, Dog Gone Good and Every Bunny Needs Some Bunny.

I mention these now because recently a cute frame was shown that is perfect for the Dog Gone Good canvas.  In case some of you would like to have one for your design I would suggest you hop over to the website of Deuxbijoix and get yours ordered right away.  If you think about it, please mention that you saw it mentioned here.  I do not know the cost, etc.

www.deuxbijoixbijoux.comdeuxbijoixbijoux.com

Just too cute don't you think?  And how about adding hooks at the bottom for leashes, leads, etc?  I am not connected with these folks in any way but I thought you, my students, might like a little more enabling help along the way.

Hey, did you guys give some money for Christmas?  Need a way to spend it?  Please consider joining us for our Stitching Down the Danube Cruise in October 2018!  We had so much fun on Party on the Po that it is hard to tell what all we will get into on this one.  We will visit 4 countries as we stitch along enjoying the scenery, history and most of all the camaraderie of others sharing our passion. 

 Jump over to the Facebook Page of Needles 'N Fins and ask to join.  That is our general cruising interest page where we share different highlights, receive inquiries, etc.  Our travel agent Liz (lwolak@vikingtvl.com) at Viking Travel is most helpful and will answer all questions concerning the cruise.  I just answer stitching questions - lol - I don't know one end of a boat from the other.  I just know they are wonderful to be on when cruising down a very serene river (not too crazy about the big ocean jobs - had my share of rough water - no thanks!)

Well that's it for 2017.  I am looking forward to 2018!  Be safe and have good health in the New Year.

HAPPIEST OF HOLIDAYS TO ALL!

We celebrate Christmas at Arthur Acres!  We love all the festivities, all the decorating, all the camaraderie, (a few gifts aren't too bad either), and the food -which I certainly don't need!

So, from our house to yours MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Teresa, Mark, Jannette, Tim, Sandy and Bill!  Thank you for your support and for sharing my passion.

For those still looking for canvases for classes for some of my upcoming Online Mystery Classes,  I understand that Stitchers Garden is having a 20% off sale - go check it out - they list it on Facebook I believe.

I gotta go now and enjoy the Holiday -maybe still bake some more cookies -  more next week!

Always a little sadness! 

           NOTE Interruption:  For those who asked for assistance on the Steampunk Witch Thread Kit, it is my understanding they were shipped 12-13-17 Priority Mail.  If you were invoiced and the invoice was processed you should receive a kit. Expected delivery date was noted as 12-16-17 (today). Please let me know if you think you ordered but did not receive - duodesignsinc@yahoo.com

Now,

I know, I sound like a broken record, but when you get older you tend to repeat yourself.  However, remember that needlework is now my vocation and each piece is almost like a child.  As I work on these designs monthly it is like watching a child grow and develop.  And then one day, just like with our children they are all grown up and must leave.  So it is each time one of my classes comes to a close.

This past week we shared some fun and fascinating techniques with the class participants.

Leaving us is the jam packed Cupcakes from BB Needlepoint Designs.

As in real life, we added sprinkles of all kinds to the various cupcakes we stitched.  A lot of imagination was put to use on these guys.

Steampunk Cat gave us the 5th lesson this month.

We dressed him from the neck down this month.

Lesson 4 from the Santa Ornament Wreath by Raymond Crawford was shared.

Lots of bling going on in this design.  Such fun.

Session 2. of the Gingerbread House from Rebecca Wood had us working on the roof.

Some unusual surprises on this one!

And, we added a new design to our projects.  It is the Steampunk Witch from Brenda Stofft. Lesson 1 takes care of a lot of the background.  

This class will have lessons shared every other month.  Thread kits have been invoiced and will be shipped within the next few days - fingers crossed.

And the excitement builds as we register participants for our new additions to begin January.  Oh my!  A New Year so soon!  

We will have our first lesson in our Reindeer Series from Raymond Crawford. These guys are so elegant and I can't wait to begin stitching them.

We have some special offers on this Series of 4 so be sure to email us to send you the full details.  Email duodesignsinc@yahoo.com.

Registration is also still active on the Moon Gazer from Brenda Stofft.

And our first Christmas Star from Raymond Crawford's 12 Days of Christmas will get this Series on a roll. These are presented as a Quickie Series and we will do one a month - full kit and full instructions per star.  Email me if you would like more information.  duodesignsinc@yahoo.com.

Thread kits are being invoiced and will be shipped by next week.

In our spare time we are working on the Arctic Santa and Professor Hooty Owl from JP Needlepoint so don't despair!  We have not forgotten - but remember these were No Schedule, No Stress classes so lessons happen when they happen on them.  They are, however, on the rotation forester the first of the year.

Oh, and I did mention a new Quickie also didn't I?  The canvases are in the mail to me so I will be sharing that one soon as well.

ONLINE MYSTERY CLASSES

Just a few more days and we'll be sharing more lessons in our very active classes.  There is such a variety to work with.   Golly, there's a Gingerbread House, an Ornament Wreath, a Steampunk Cat and Steampunk Witch, how about Cupcakes  - pretty varied don't you think?  The only thing they might have in common is that they are not small.

Speaking of the Gingerbread House, invoices are being processed for those of you who ordered threads for the second lesson.  If you did not get your invoice please email me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com.  I understand the threads will be shipped this coming week.

If small is your thing you might want to consider our QUICKIE SERIES.  I shared with you last week a picture of the pieces we have done so far in this group.

Next up is still red-white-blue but a different icon - can't wait to share with you.

Then we have the CHRISTMAS STARS - 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS from Raymond Crawford QUICKIES.  

We will be doing one a month and there are two choices. First choice is all inclusive includes the canvas, threads, embellishments, lessons and shipping/handling.  Second choice includes the canvas, embellishments, lessons and shipping/handling - use threads from your stash.  Invoices are being processed for the thread kit for those who chose the option of all inclusive.  If you did not get yours be sure to email me.  The canvases, embellishments and lessons will be invoiced monthly. For more information just email me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com.

Guess who's up first?

I know!  Shocking isn't it?  The Partridge in the Pear Tree.  Lots of bling going on with this Series.  

Registration is currently active on a couple of other upcoming classes. First class is January 15 or thereabouts.

The first Reindeer from Raymond Crawford's Series is also being processed.  This series will be a little different from the others as we will be doing a compacted 4 lesson packet where we cover a little more than the normal monthly lessons.  This is to help us get through the series quicker.  The first guy up is the one with the Pineapple on the blanket.

There are special options on this series due to duplication of processes.  For details email me and we will send you the information that is being shared with interested participants. He is so handsome!

Invoices have also been processed for the upcoming class from Brenda Stofft Designs the Moon Gazer.

This class will have lessons posted semi-monthly.  There is still time to join us if you would like to play on this beautiful canvas.  The threads list is being prepared and will be shared with participants shortly.  There will also be an optional thread kit for those who do not have the resources of a LNS.

Registration is active for the Love You More design of the Snow Happy Trio!  These guys are properly named.  Don't they make you happy to look at them?

The first lesson for this group will be mid-February.  This will be the normal monthly classes for 6 months.  The 6-lesson packet is $150.  A thread/embellishment kit option will be offered later.  If you want to join this class just send an email to me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com.

Of course, there's lots more lined up for the new year so scroll on down a few postings and look at the full agenda.  And, as I have been known to do, there may will be some additions along the way.

Have a great week!

HOLIDAYS AND ONLINE CLASSES!

For those who celebrate, Christmas is just around the corner!  Mercy!  But some need to be dropping gift hints so just a reminder of upcoming classes.

Steampunk Witch by Brenda Stofft will have her first semi-monthly lesson posted mid-December.

Invoices for the lesson packets have been mailed and are being processed.  If you think you are enrolled in the class and have not received an invoice please email me right away at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com.  The thread list has been compiled and has been shared in the secret Facebook page.  Those needing assistance with obtaining their supplies please email me.

Gingerbread House from Rebecca Wood is also in the que.  We will have the second lesson posted and some more threads.  Stay tuned.

This is a fun stitch - once you get the background in and out of the way, that is.  

QUICKIES

Just a heads up that there are several more red-white-blue Quickies on the horizon!  I can't wait to share them with you.  I will, however, wait until after the holidays.  We all have too many irons in the fire this time of year anyway so I don't want to overburden everyone with these great temptations!  Keep watching.  The next one will probably be between January and February I imagine.

HINT:  The next one will also be an exclusive design from Kay Fite.  

Speaking of QUICKIES the fun Christmas Stars - 12 Days of Christmas by Raymond Crawford is moving along in great speed.  The first day of Christmas - Partirdge in a Pear Tree - will be revealed mid-January.  In the meanwhile, we have emailed those interested with the information about the thread/embellishment kit.  If you did not get your email please contact me right away.  If you have not signed up for the monthly classes as yet, there is still plenty of time.  Just email me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com.  We'd love for you to join in the fun.  These are rather quick to work up and in no time you will have a full set.  We can make arrangements to fast forward for some of the folks who choose to do so.  Just contact me and we'll see what we can do.

Here's the Partridge patiently waiting and ready for whatever it is that I am going to do!  Did I mention bling?  Yep!  Bling on every ornament - some much more than others.

Gotta cut this short and get back to work - it is late and I almost totally missed posting.

Have a great weekend!

Sandy