Saturday, July 25, 2020

PANDEMIC

Okay, do you think it is the pandemic that is making my weeks suddenly shorter?  I thought it was supposed to work the other way around.  I thought my days were supposed to be long and boring. That being said I have been fortunate to have very full and busy days.  I hope they have also been fruitful.  Of course if you see my dining room table, kitchen tables and bars, game table, etc. (well, in this case you can't see them because they are all covered with spread-out partial kits in various stages)  and mailing boxes at the ready waiting for canvases and additional threads you will know right away that a lot is going on at Arthur Acres.  My dear hubby lives with his life in danger if he touches or moves anything!  I am such a disorganized individual that I know where it is but if it is moved I'm in major trouble.

Got word yesterday that one small order (very small) of my painted canvases has been shipped.  Don't know the system because it is not the oldest order, not the largest order, and not the largest nor smallest canvas.  I will not, however, be judgmental, just thankful to see some activity.  My most anxiously awaited canvas is the one for optional class for the Hawaiian Stitching Cruise.  I so want to stitch on that one so I can share it with everyone.  In time, in time.

CLASSES

Class setups for the Virtual ANG Seminar 2020 are in full gear.  The wonderful volunteers have busily been putting together our classrooms and various groups for our chatting, photos and instructions.  This will be very exciting as a new adventure.  I love that it offers persons who cannot travel the opportunity to be a part of the Seminar happenings.  I know it is going to be a great experience.

PERSONAL: 

Like most everyone else, I have not been able to get my haircut.  In fact it has not really been cut since around Christmastime other than edge trimming.  So after many government restrictions and lockdowns, etc., here in KY I was able to finally get an appointment over a month away.  Well that magic date happened this past week.  Praise be!  Just for the record my family (including my husband) has never seen me with long hair.  They have been living with a stranger the last 6 months or so.  Anyway, here is the new. cut.


I sure like the way it feels! Hopefully will be able to continue to get it trimmed on a regular schedule.  The way KY's numbers are going, however, it might be kinda iffy.

ONLINE MYSTERY CLASSES

Reminder that registration is active for the upcoming classes:

The much anticipated Two by Two from Strictly Christmas:
This. class is slated to begin mid-September. Of course a lot depends on if the painters get the canvases out to the shops or not.  But we are flexible - right?  This is not life-or-death.  I am very optimistic that it is going to happen though.  Email me to duodesignsinc@yahoo.com to register.  This design will encompass 8 Sessions so the class fee is $175.

Next up will be the fully kitted Spring Welcome from PLD Needlepoint.


This guy is scheduled to begin in mid-October. While he will be presenting some stumpwork, appliqué, possibly needle weaving and beading, his main focus will be on needle felting on needlework.  This class will include the complete kit with the option to buy some more advanced tools as well.  More details will be forwarded to those who have registered for the notification list.  Be sure to not miss the fun.  To get on that list just send email to duodesignsinc@yahoo.com.

Next up is a long-awaited cute guy - Lovable Llama from Gayla Elliott.


I understand that shops now have canvases or they are on their way!  Yooooo Hooooo!  This guy will begin mid-November.  We are working on thread and embellishment selections and will be able to get together a kit cost for those who were so interested.  It is not too late to join us - just email us at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com.

We have committed to a class for 2021 also.  It will be the American Train by Raymond Crawford.


Each car will encompass pass 2 lessons for a total of 6 Sessions.  The first lesson is scheduled to begin mid-January 2021.

NEEDLES 'N FINS STITCHING ADVENTURES - FB group for stitchers and travelers

We are trying to prepare for our upcoming stitching cruise - Hawaiian Island Hopping scheduled for April 2021.  Right now NCL is not releasing much info about our itinerary other than what is on the standard brochure and the wonderful job they seem to be doing to get the ship safe for those traveling.  We have been working to get some stitching times arranged, etc.  Also, Hawaii has in the past imposed a quarantine to those coming in to the state which will not benefit us much.  As it stands now travelers just need to have with them negative test results 7 days prior to arriving in Hawaii.  Of course this changes back and forth so who knows by deadline time - December.  We will just take it one day at a time.  That is all we can do.

So lots going on and we are excited!

In the meanwhile please stay safe and healthy.



Saturday, July 18, 2020

SATURDAY - for real.

How many of you caught that I accidentally posted the blog on Wednesday?  Big laugh on me!

I was so focused that it was the 15th and I had to post, I posted the wrong thing.  It was Online Mystery Class posting day!  Not blog posting day! What's even worse was that I did not realize it until I was preparing for bed.  I kept telling hubby all day that it just didn't really feel like Saturday.  But hey - when you are home all the time the days all blend - right?

So I have nothing new to share with you today.  Just stay safe and healthy and I'll try to get the post on the correct day next Saturday!

Sandy

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

July 18

Mid-Month has come and gone - time to share this month' Online Mystery Class lessons.

Fall Welcome Wreath from PLD is in its 6th lesson this month.  This is one of the longer classes involving 8 sessions.  I mean, really, look at all this stuff to cover.  This lesson focused on pumpkins!



We did a little bit of everything.

Then we added Session 4 of the Merry Kissmas Eve - also by PLD.


We did Mrs. Claus' hair and I must say I love how it turned out!

We also did Santa's beard, hair and mustache.

But for some the excitement involved starting a new class!  We posted our first Session for Just Add Water from CBK.  She is a companion piece to Just A Sip we completed a little while back.  For her we began with some background - surprise, surprise!  We added the window area.


And the tile floor.


We also added the flesh to prepare our Bathing Beauty for her swimsuit and float.  Next we will move on to some of the other background such as the wall covering and the curtains.

Registrations are open for our upcoming classes.  Next up is Two by Two from Strictly Christmas.


As you can imagine, this is an 8-lesson series class.  The 8-lesson packet is $175.  To sign up email us at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com. Get your canvas ordered from your LNS.  We are hopeful that the painters will have gotten caught up with their orders by the time we are ready to start.  If you need assistance with getting your supplies just let us know and we can put you in contact with a shop that is very careful to kit exactly to our guidelines.

Then we have the class that features needle felting - Spring Welcome from PLD.


Although the focus is for needle felting on needlework we have so much more going on here.  Stumpwork, appliqué, beading, needle weaving, etc.  This is a 6-lesson series class.  The 6-lesson packet is still $150.  Just email us at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com to join.

And yet another exciting class in the lineup is our Lovable Llama from Gayla Elliott!  


We understand that the shops have been getting their canvases so we will be good to go in mid-October!  This cutie will be a 6-session series.  Again, just email us at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com for registration.

Stay tuned as there is always something going on at Arthur Acres.  Please stay safe and healthy! Our state is in a stage of spiking again so most of us are all very cautious!

Saturday, July 11, 2020

July 11, 2020

Another holiday has come and gone and it has been uneventful.  We did get to see a couple of our great-grandbabies - first time since first of March.  Everyone was well and looked great.  This is our first real encounter with individuals out of our home so we are watching closely for the next couple of weeks.

Online Mystery Classes

So happy that more and more canvases are arriving to shops and designers!  Hope to get mine soon too!  In the meanwhile I have been able to start on the new Spring Welcome needle felting on needlework class.  So excited!


This class is currently scheduled to begin mid-October.  This class is offered as a complete project - the price will include the lesson packet, handpainted canvas, threads, detailed lessons and any accessories/embellishments used.

Next week we will share our first session in Just Add Water.



Registration is still open for Just Add Water as well as other exciting designs.  Email us at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com to join the fun.

Two By Two is starting mid September.  Invoicing will begin in August.



Lovable llama is in the shops and heading to those who have ordered for. classes.  He is tentatively set to have his first session mid-November.
















Needles 'N Fins Stitching Adventures - Group of those who love to stitch and cruise as we go

We are starting to see some activity in the travel world.  I am not too optimistic at this point however, as Kentucky is starting to see spiking to the numbers again!  Fingers crossed.

In the meanwhile we are planning our Hawaiian adventure for April 2021!  People are starting to send in their reservations so we continue to be excited!  Still waiting for our optional class project canvas though. Maybe we will get it soon!  I have a lot of stitching to do!

If you are not a member her of the Needles 'N Fins group be sure to go over and request to join us!  

Off I go until next week!

Stay safe and healthy!



Sunday, July 5, 2020

For those who need them, here is the picture of the ZigZag stitch in the square.


Saturday, July 4, 2020

Zigzag

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

Please stay safe and healthy! And be mindful of the fur babies!

Registration has closed for the ANG Virtual Seminar so time for me to get my act together and put together kits.  I used to have a dining room table, a kitchen table and a game table but somehow I can no longer see them!  Not complaining mind you.  Grateful!

ZOOM!

What is this Zoom stuff?  Isn't it amazing how trying situations always result into something new developing to combat our challenges?  Well for me it is Zoom!

We are currently working on presenting our classes as Zoom based.  It will be very interesting to see how this develops.  I'm excited about it and feel that everyone is very patient with those of us who are learning how best to utilize this new mode of communication.  My biggest challenge to begin with is the class sizes.  But this should not be a challenge really as everyone would be on mute, etc., just like in a real classroom setting.(Mute?  My students?  Yea, right! Thank goodness for Chat!) Keep your fingers crossed for me and feel free to offer advise as to what you would like to get from such classes.  You may email me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com as always with comments, suggestions, criticisms, what you want, etc.

ONLINE MYSTERY CLASSES

This weekend is slated for me to work on our upcoming class Spring Welcome! Have quite a bit of stitching to do before we do the final lesson of needle felting on needlework! I'm awaiting a few threads and will be able to pass along the kit price later in the week hopefully.  This is the first class we have offered that is a complete kit- lessons, handpainted canvas, all threads and embellishments and felting needle.  This is a design from PLD Designs. And we definitely plan for you to be able to watch the process.


We were very happy to see a post that our Lovable Llama canvas from Gayla Elliott has started to arrive at various shops!  Some participants have let me know that they are receiving their canvases.  So now we can plan more definitely for his beginning in mid-October.


Be sure to email us at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com if you desire to join us.

NEEDLES 'N FINS STITCHING ADVENTURES - a group for like minded stitchers and travelers

Some of the travel agents are starting to open up a little - at least here in Kentucky where our Governor had practically shut everything down.  We (hubby and I) are fearful that things might be opening up to quickly but we still hunker down here at home.  However, this does not prevent us from planning for our future adventure.


It is my understanding that registration is in process for our upcoming Hawaiian Island Hopping Stitching Cruise. Oh my goodness the precautions the ship is taking is unbelievable.  Rumor has it that they may even reduce the number of travelers - guidelines change daily so we'll just have to wait and see.  If this is the case you will want to make sure you get your spot reserved early so we can party hardy!  Contact Russ at russ@platinumtvl.com at Platinum Travel here in Kentucky.  He will take good care of you.


duodesignsbySandra - Etsy Shop

Have you checked out our Etsy Shop lately?  We keep adding new stitch guides as we can so maybe the one you are looking for is there.  Also surplus canvases or other class materials are added in very limited numbers.  Go have a look see!

PAY IT FORWARD - Hearts A to Z Sampler - free stitch each week

Mercy!  Can you believe that the weeks have flown by for our sampler!  I hope you enjoyed making it.

ZIGZAG -