Sandy's Stitching

 WINTER HOLIDAYS

Christmas? Twenty - that's 20 - days away. So, first of all the feeling is entirely different when there are no little ones in the house nor even close by.  Add to that the social taboo of gathering for a family get together and you somehow have difficulty getting the Christmas spirit - at least from the commercial side.  We, as Christians, can still celebrate the birth of Christ and all that it means to us of course.  It is the whimsical side that we will likely miss this year.  

Now the cold weather and the snow part I can do without personally.  There is only a very small window of snow acceptability for me - Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Keep in mind that through my whining that we don't really get that many big nor horrendous snows here in Central Kentucky.  (I was raised in the mountains of Appalachia so I know what real snow looks like.) I just don't like the inconvenience that snow sometimes brings.  Okay - that'll do it. Enough for me.  

My thought process:  Christmas - New Years - Spring - Summer - Fall.  Broken down is Christmas - which means Family to me and this year means sparse connectivity and interaction.  New Years - not big drinkers nor partiers so thankful that we have been given another year and especially thankful that 2020 is behind us.  The rest blends together at this time for me - don't have the energy to expend to ponder on it for long. Looking forward!  

Needles 'N Fins Stitching Adventures - Private Facebook Page - join NOW

Looking forward?  Of course - cruising and stitching!  Our plans for our Hawaiian Island Hopping Stitching Cruise are back on track.  Our travel agent has been able to start getting agendas put together and firmed up for our group.  Seems this pandemic has caused some shuffling around in the cruise line as well as our agent.  New leadership all around it seems.  Russ, our agent, has a new liaison at NCL so they are reacquainting themselves with our needs and desires as well as learning what to expect of each other.

Duo Designs? Well we are stitching away on sand, water, flowers and palm trees and dreaming with each stitch.  Can't wait to share with you!  Those of you who have traveled with us before know that I am up to no good so it is hard to tell what I will have you involved in before we return home.  

We are excited with the itinerary that is currently being worked on by Russ.  It is almost identical to the one we originally had for April.  Dates have been changed of course.  Couple of things that are in the works same as before, just as I said on different dates.  Can hardly wait to see the new brochure.

RESERVATIONS:  If you are seriously considering joining us I urge you to register as soon as you can.  Given the circumstances of this pandemic we do not yet know if the number of stateroom has been limited and we don't want any of our wonderful stitchers and friends to miss out playing with us. We have had the situation where some have had to be turned away and that saddens me deeply.

ONLINE CLASSES

Peanut Butter & Jelly is really going quickly.  This class is a new venture for us.  First the class is hosted by a guest company.  Art. Needlepoint has selected some of their more popular canvases and we are seeing how they go as online classes.  They provide the full kit and we provide the tutoring. This is not a true mystery class as you have the completed design displayed.  The second thing that is greatly different for us at Duo Designs is that the lessons as posted weekly.  Boy what a mixture.  Some love it (turbo stitchers of course) and some prefer a more laid back approach.  The beauty of this type class is that no matter your choice you may advance at your own pace. Our fourth session was posted last Monday and we are preparing for the fifth this coming Monday.  I believe the pandemic has helped this venue be successful as people seem to have more at home time than in 'normal' circumstances. This class is composed of seven sessions.  It has been popular enough for the host to reschedule a second offering too.

Another different venue for us is a class that focuses more on a few specific techniques class - Spring Welcome from PLDesigns.  This class also has no mystery and is presented fully stitched. Additionally, the lessons will be presented twice a month for the participants.

The main emphasis on this project is to teach outside the box techniques on your needlework.  You will warm up with traditional needlepoint stitches and techniques.  Then we begin to incorporate some cross-over type needlework techniques. There is off-canvas work, stump work and appliqué`.  The major technique shared is the felting on your canvas to create a different textured bunny.  The kits are all sold but if you want to join there are some canvases available and roving - you would just need to gather your threads that most LNS carry or you may even have in your stash.  Email us at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com for discussion of various options.  Don't hesitate too long because the first session starts mid-December (only a few days away).  We plan to share videos in this class assuming I can get it to work - lol.

MYSTERY CLASSES

One of my favorites is moving right along.  Two by Two from Strictly Christmas.  Students who have already signed up are getting eager as well.  JANUARY!

Get those canvases ordered and start preparing for after the holidays enjoyment.  Contact us at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com to register. I'm almost as excited trying to decide to whom I am going to donate my finished piece as I am stitching it.  It is so fun to select the next couple for stitching and then stitch them to their completeness and viola they are finished.  On to the next couple.

Have you met the sweet elephants?  I have them almost stitched and they are turning out great. (Who is that almost tucked in the ear?)

Our colorful and patriotic American Train by Raymond Crawford is next on the calendar.  

We are told to expect our canvases around mid-March so we will plan to start our classes mid-March or mid-April if we must move the date.  Sign up right away and get your canvases ordered.  Activity is going on so don't 'miss the train'.  (I know, I know - I couldn't resist.)

    

    NOTE:  This class will cover the 3 train cars shown above only.  While there are more cars these 

    are the three for which the class will have lessons.