ANG SEMINAR - WASHINGTON, DC

Today's post is very brief as I am a little preoccupied.  I arrived early Friday for the Seminar and my class started yesterday.

I had way too much playing with students while working on our various hairdos as published in my Pocketbook ' Can Do Hairdos" - plus there were a few surprises added since publication. In fact, Jo Christensen came to my class and told me she was mad at me because I had added some new hairdos since she took the class.  (P.S.  She didn't stay mad long!)

Always look forward to Expo!  as well.  If you have never experienced Expo! I don't have the proper words to describe it!  A couple of hours of madness maybe?  Great, fun madness but nevertheless it can get kinda crazy at the beginning. I did manage to contain my spending last night though and only bought what I went after.  Well, that's not quite true because I say a pattern of an American Flag that I could not resist.

Meals with friends is always an added bonus at these events.  As you know, I never go hungry!

I just realized this morning that yesterday was my day for posting so I apologize.  That sorta indicates what kind of last few days I have had - wonderful but hectic.

Off this morning to meet another group of fantastic stitchers in my class for Stitching Solutions.  I know it is going to be great fun as well.

I made the same mistake I always make while I am teaching - we never seem to have time to take pictures.  I am always so busy sharing ideas, stitches, etc. and we get so engrossed in what we are doing that we forget.  But, you know, I don't have a problem with that.

Maybe next week I can do better with lots of new stuff to share - including the finished Danube exclusive!

  In the meanwhile, have a great week stitching!

More Face to Face Classes in the Near Future -

This coming week I leave to teach at ANG Seminar in Washington DC.  Last time I was at Seminar in DC, I left late on the night of 9-10. (9-10-01)  You know what I awoke to the next day!  Unbelievable.  Still stings.

I am looking forward to seeing the friends once again that we seem to only cross paths at Seminars (ANG or EGA).  Always a special treat.

After Seminar I will have a class in Washington State (Seattle) in September.  More about that later.

Then it will be time for our annual Needles 'N Fins Stitching Adventure.  It is hard to believe it is almost time to go Stitching Down the Danube!  Been preparing lots of surprises for my participants! This is the really fun part for me.  Then, of course, all the excursions we are fortunate enough to get to enjoy along the way.

Be sure to sign up for our Facebook page that follows our upcoming stitching adventures. Just join and you will be notified of discussions and what is planned. Go to Needles 'N Fins Stitching Adventures and ask to join.  There we discuss all kinds of things travel/stitching related that we may be interested in doing down the road.  Oh, and you do not need to stitch to enjoy our adventures!  We have almost as many hubbies coming on our next adventure as we do stitchers. Just adds more fun to the experience! We don't want you to miss out!

Next trip on the agenda is our Canadian Rockies Train/Motor Coach Stitching Adventure.  We're looking at adding a Spring trip to our agendas.  We'll see how this works out. I have had the Canadian Rockies Train ride on my bucket list and was thrilled to see this as a requested upcoming adventure. I look forward to this adventure with great expectations.  I will be starting that exclusive design soon after I return from my teaching contracts. Be sure to go over to the FB page of Needles 'N Fins Stitching Adventures and read the beautiful brochure describing what is in store!  We would love to have you join us.

Did I mention that I am so hopeful of seeing one of these guys on this adventure?  Fingers crossed!

In case you missed it, we are registering folks for our next Online Mystery Class - Every Bunny Needs Some Bunny from JP Needlepoint.

First lesson is scheduled for mid-September.  Invoices are being processed. Kits have been prepared for those asking for assistance. Those will be mailed out shortly - we are waiting for some special embellishments before placing them in the mail.  Still time to join us!  Just email me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com.  Remember that the classes are 6-lessons distributed once a month around the middle of the month.  Most classes are $150 for the 6-lesson packet. You are encouraged to purchase your canvas and threads from your LNS.  If you need assistance just let us know and we can help you. We work with providers that will guarantee that all threads and embellishments are as asked for in the lessons. No substitutions.

A couple days ago we posted the mid-month classes for our various Online Mystery Classes.   Here is a peek at what we worked on.

We said goodby to Catitudes!  I know I sound like a broken record but it is always kinda sad to end a class. Fortunately, many of my wonderful students are repeaters so I still get to play with them in future classes as well.

Mr. Dapper Dan was up front and center to bid the class participants farewell.

So what's happening with the doggies? 

Would you look at that sweet face?  Mr. Street Wise has it all together and is taking 'nothin' from nobody'!

We finished some of the Steampunk Witch's (Brenda Stofft) friends.  Here we share the crow.

The 8 Maids a Milking came through in the Christmas Stars Series from Raymond Crawford.

More registrations are going on for upcoming Online Mystery Classes for 2019.

January will introduce our first class of a Penny MacLeod design - Dana.

We're having fun with the stitching on this one too.  Come join us at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com.

We will also begin our Butterfly Quickie Series from Burnett and Bradley Designs. The tentative first butterfly is a beauty.

I can tell you one thing - there will be bling and beads!  Email at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com if you want to play with us.  The Quickie Series means it is one lesson and one all-inclusive package:  painted canvas, stitch guide, threads and embellishments.  (Kinda like one-stop shopping!) Each class will be $150 or less.  

Oh, I had a few class kits left from our Italy adventure for the ribbon ornament - let me know if you are interested - $45 (canvas, threads, beads, stitch guide, finishing instructions).  First come-first served.

 

Okay, I will quit for today!  Gotta start putting stuff together for my upcoming f2f class next week!  Stuff is all over the place! (But that is the norm at my house.)

NEXT UP!

Another wonderful adventure has come and gone.  I cannot say enough nice things about Stitchers Garden in Naperville, IL and their customers.  We had such a great time and I look forward to going back in September 2019.

Watch for our return in 2019.  We will be featuring JP Needlepoint's new design she calls "What's That'!

It does not seem possible for a design to have more color or be a happier adventure.  You will just have to smile as you are working on it.  Contact the gals at Stitchers Garden in Naperville, IL to get signed up for the face-to-face class they will be hosting in September 2019! Check out their website!

Next up for me is the ANG National Seminar in Washington DC the end of this month.  I will be teaching two classes there.  One is Stitching Solutions and the other is Can Do Hairdos.  Registration is closed unfortunately but you can still stop by and enjoy the many treasures exhibited at the Exhibit which is open to all.  Go look at the schedule at needlepoint.org under the seminar 2018.

Look what is being added to the 2019 Agenda!  These gals are going to be so much fun. This is a series of 4 so far and we plan to feature 2 of them in our upcoming lineup. You can sign up to join us now! Just email your interest to be added to the notification list - no obligation - to duodesignsinc@yahoo.com.

This lovely new design from Sandra Gilmore - At the Seashore is also in the new line up - we detailed it in an earlier blog. Email me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com if you want to play with this one with us.

Be sure to scroll through older posts if you are new to our blog.  We talk about classes that are to be added and we highlight lessons as they have been completed.

Next week we will be featuring some of the lessons from our Online Mystery Classes that will be posted on the 15th or so for the participants.

Have a great week!

On the Road Again

This week I am in Naperville, IL at Stitcher's Garden working with a delightful group on Canvas Embellishment.  We have 4 full days of fun and each day switches out some of the stitcher's so it will definitely keep me on my toes! The classes are full so not time for me to goof off too much.  I still manage to spend a little money however.

There is a wide gamut of designs.  We have some unknown and some well known.  They are all fun and challenging.  I just love it.

I am going to share a little secret with you - hope Deb doesn't mind.  In September 2019 I will be teaching the happy, colorful and fun design from JP Needlepoint which she has previously called "What's That'.  I don't know the official name yet so I am calling it Succulents.

If interested I'd suggest you sign up right away because Stitchers Garden is a very popular shop and the spots will go quickly.  I'll share more details as the time gets closer.  For now, mark your calendars for September 5-8, 2019. Come join us!

We have added a new design to our 2019 Online Mystery Classes lineup. This will be first time that CBK Designs will be joining our Mystery Family.  There is a new series of Saturday Night Bathing Beauties.  We will have a difficult time choosing which to start with first but I think it is going to be this lovely!

Isn't she just too much.  The chandelier, the wine, the fluffy slippers, that bow in the hair - OH MY!
This class will probably begin mid-August, September or October 2019 or somewhere in that time frame.  It will be a 6 month class like previous others.  The 6 lesson packet is $150 and is invoiced via PayPal.  There will be an optional thread/embellishment kit as we get closer to time.

Our stitching excursions are in full swing.  I met with Liz this past week and we have some wonderful adventures planned for you.  Be sure to join the closed FB group Needles 'N Fins Stitching so that you do not miss anything.  I am so excited!

I best get ready to head over to the shop and begin my last two days of classes.  More later . . .