Saturday, May 30, 2020

RETURNING TO NORMAL ? ?

Whatever is normal?  Hubby and I ventured to the grocery for the first time since the first of March.  We went at 0 dark 30 (as Vicky would say) when good little seniors are supposed to go.  We donned our masks and disposable gloves. There were shoppers (most of whom did not wear masks) but not crowded.  We were there about 45 minutes and got what we went after.  For some reason our grocery will not deliver Clorox - we have to pick it up at the store - and, of course, are limited to 2 bottles (in our case jugs).  So that is our first brush with re-introduction to society.  Don't plan on any future trips anytime soon either.

Had a nice old memory crop up this week.  First I heard from a former co-worker that I had not heard from in over 30 years.  Then I had one also share a memory of over 40+ years old.

"Martha - You look the same. I remember all the lunch hours at Ashland Oil, Inc. when you stayed in the building and taught a class on our lunch hour. They were the good old days."

I used to teach anything anybody wanted to try (and there was no charge then) - knitting, cross-stitch, crocheting, we even stood on top a conference room table and I taught macrame by hanging the cord from the ceiling tile.  Oh my goodness.  Thanks Martha for rekindling that memory. Yes, great days.

ANG Seminar 2020 - Tucson

Exciting news!

As I shared with you in an earlier post, Tucson Seminar been cancelled - sort of.  While we will not be hosting a traditional in-person seminar, classes will still be conducted just in a different venue.  We will be teaching from a distance learning approach.  What does this mean?

This means several things - all of which I think are positive for you!  

One, you will not be having hotel, airlines, luggage, taxi, and restaurant expenses.   You will still need to register.  You will also have expenses such as class kits, etc.

     Did you know that you are not required to be an ANG member to register
     for Seminar classes?

Two,  you can download your lessons from the comfort of your own home. This means that you can also work at your own pace and timing.  



Which pajamas should I wear to class today?

Three, you may sign up for as many classes as you wish.  So if you want 3 classes and they were all on the same day at the same time you could have only chosen one in the original in-person Seminar.  Now you can choose all 3 or 6 or 9!  Isn't that neat?

I am teaching two fantastic classes under this venue.  Both have been quite popular.

Sandy Arthur 
Crazy Needles is a series of designs based on crazy quilts. This piece is called Crazy Needles Journey because most of the stitches used are names of places such as Hungarian, Dutch, Greek, Scotch, Pekinese, French knot, and numerous others.  
Proficiency Level:  Intermediate
Design Size:  10”x 12”x 4”
Kit Cost/Contents #18 canvas, threads include Rainbow Gallery Splendor  and Neon Rays, pearl cotton, ThreadworX, River Silks, embellishments including a variety of beads, sequins and rick-rack, detailed instructions and diagrams in a wonderful stitch guide, and a color copy of the finished design (Sudberry box not included!)








Sandy Arthur 20601 
This is such a colorful and patriotic design featuring red, white, and blue. Thread selections will be used to enhance the textures desired - the wood floor of the porch and the siding of the building; pots holding the flowers; the petunias, the pots and finally the flags. Stitches covered will be split backstitch, encroaching Gobelin, darning stitch, and many others. Other techniques will involve manipulating ribbons and adding beads. 
Proficiency Level:  Intermediate
Design Size:  16” x 16”
Kit Cost/Contents:   18ct hand-painted canvas, threads include Burmilana, silks, Silk Road Fibers Straw Silk, ribbons, overdyes, and embellishments to complete the design, detailed instructions and diagrams, color copy of finished design.
No time to linger
There is a very small window of opportunity for registering for these classes.  You may register at noon on June 3 and this window closes at 5 on June 30.  If you were a registered attendee for the in-person Seminar you will be given a couple extra days to register - starting on June 1. You may go to the ANG website to get more particulars.  Here is the direct link:

                              https://www.needlepoint.org/page/Seminar2020Home

Remember you may register for as many classes as you wish!  I look forward to seeing your name amongst my students!

ONLINE MYSTERY CLASSES

As we all are aware, the painters of canvases are buried in a backlog of orders and working very hard trying to get canvases out to the designers/distributors.  I am discussing some possible numbers with the designers in an effort to assure that my class members will have their canvases as the time approaches for their particular class.  So for now, I ask that those seriously interested in the upcoming classes next on the agenda let me know right away of your interest so that we can speak up for your canvas. You can still order them through your LNS it's just that we want the distributor to know that we definitely have 'X' number of participants who will be requesting canvases when they are back in stock.

First up is going to be the Saturday Nite Beauty with the float - aka Just Add Water. This is a CBK Design.


Registration for this class is open and invoicing will begin this coming week.  It will be a 6-session packet and it is $150 for the lesson portion. Students get their canvases and materials from their LNS.  For those needing assistance we can recommend shops to supply those materials to you. Email us at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com. The first lesson is scheduled to be posted mid-July.

The next 'need to know' is our wonderful Two by Two from Strictly Christmas.


Whatever are we going to do with all those cute, cute animals?  Look at the giraffes peeking over Noah's head, the mice on the hippo's shoulders the turtles over the rainbow, and on and on.  Oh what fun this is going to be!  Again email us right away to join the notification list. This class will involve 8 sessions and the 8-session lesson packet will be $175.  If you know for sure you will be joining the class let us make arrangements to have a canvas with your name on it!  Email us at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com

Needle Felting on Needlework

Years ago I introduced the concept of adding felting to needlework.  We taught this technique to shop owners at market.  From there I started teaching classes in various venues.  I have had several requests to teach needle felting on needlework again. There is a small introduction class piece over in the Etsy Shop of a black/white cat head to whet your appetite.  I finally found a canvas that I feel will be happy, practical and afford enough canvas space for you to experience the various techniques of shading, changing colors, making area compact, making more fluffy, etc. that we will endeavor to cover.  Meet Spring Welcome from PLD Needlepoint Designs.


The design is  approximately 8" x 12".  In addition to the bunny being needle felted, I see the possibility of beading, needle weaving and maybe even some stump work techniques. Oh my gosh, this guy is going to look soooooo different!  I can't wait to play!

This 6-session class will be $150 and lessons will be posted once a month - mid-month.  We possibly can begin mid-November. We will offer needle felting tools that we use personally for those who want to use what we use.  (having rheumatoid arthritis  I am pretty passionate about some of my tools and this grouping is one of them)

PAY IT FORWARD - Hearts A to Z Sampler free stitch chart

UPRIGHT CROSS






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