Sandy's Stitching : April 2022

Saturday, April 30, 2022

BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL DAY IN CENTRAL KENTUCKY

WoW. It is a perfect day here at Arthur Acres! Temperatures in the mid-70s and not a cloud in the sky - yet. While it is fantastic at the moment the weather man says this is short lived. We'll still have wonderful temperatures all week in the mid-70s. However, they will be accompanied with rain, rain and rain. But, hey, no snow, chill or wind! We'll take it.

NEEDLES 'N FINS STITCHING ADVENTURES - private FB Group - come join

We have a brochure for our upcoming great Hawaiian Island Hopping Stitching Cruise adventure! Won't it be fabulous to travel again. We're keeping this trip fairly close to home. Many have never been to Hawaii and those who have do not object to returning!

Group picture waiting to happen!

Hubby and I can be fully entertained just sitting on the beach, relaxing and taking it all in - the breezes, the music, the sounds of the water, the smells - oh my, I close my eyes and it conjures up fabulous memories and we can't wait to return!

But why would you want to do that when you can just step across the street and get lost in the real thing of the sand and ocean breezes?

I know where you shoppers are going to be! That's one vice I never took up so you guys shop away and do enough for me too. One thing is for certain there are plenty of options to satisfy your appetite!

Oh, and for gosh sakes don't get lost in the volcano!

We will have our first structured stitching class at the hotel the night before we board our ship. We will also have a minimum of 2 more structured classes during the sailing! Duo Designs, Inc. always has lots of little surprises trinkled in along the way! Check out the group Needles 'N Fins Stitching Adventures for visiting with others who have cruised with us. Also, once we get registration in full gear you will be invited to a private group of Hawaiian Stitching Cruise where we get into more specifics about our actual adventure and meet our various stitchers!

A whole new world awaits us as we board our motor coach and head to the ship for the glorious adventure of visiting more major islands. Check them all out! Personally I hope to see whales along the way. They are always my favorite!

Anyway request your copy of the brochure and contact our travel agent Liz at lwolak@vikingtvl.com and get yourself reserved! NCL has honored our earlier stateroom reservations at the earlier prices. Once that group of rooms is gone, however, we understand the prices will go up. You don't want to miss this one.

NOTE: We do have individuals looking for a roommate so don't hesitate!

Next week we'll talk about the optional class.

ONLINE CLASSES

Three Wisemen is moving along well. I am really liking how it is shaping up. Maybe next week I can share a stitched picture. We plan to begin the first lesson mid to late May (as in soon!) The final canvases should be mailed out this coming week.

Next! Chinese Lanterns! This is a JP Needlepoint design.

I don't think there will be many threads that escape this project! I'm so excited to be sharing this with you. Registration is open for this 12 session project. We plan to start the class mid- to late June! Email us at duodesignsinc@gmail.com

There is so much more I want to share with you but I must attend to other duties at this time. Check back next week!

Saturday, April 23, 2022

UNPACKED!

Only took me a week! Suitcase is empty and ready to start dreaming of our next adventure! One was left behind unfortunately. A couple took a side trip and one tested positive for Covid. That meant staying in Germany a little longer than originally planned, However a friend helped so she wasn't totally forgotten about! She finally tested negative and was able to return home a few days ago. YAY!

NEEDLES 'N FINS STITCHING ADVENTURES

We have finalized plans for our upcoming Hawaiian Island Hopping Stitching Cruise! Be sure to mark your calendar for April 13-22, 2023! We have so much planned! We will begin our journey with 2 days in front of the planned cruise ship's itinerary. We can lay on the beach, shop, and have our first class prior to beginning our visit to other islands on the agenda! You won't want to miss this one.

As we usually do, a specific optional project has been designed for this stitching cruise.

Who knows what surprises await the participants once they arrive? So much fun!

The cruise line will honor our earlier block of staterooms at the contracted prices. However, when those staterooms are gone so is the price break. Any newly added staterooms will be at a newer (and undoubtedly higher) price. So, if you are seriously considering joining us you might want to speak with our Agent Liz right away and get one of the current staterooms reserved. Email Liz at lwolak@vikingtvl.com.

Be sure to join the Face Book Group Needles 'n Fins Stitching Adventuresto keep up with what we are up to! There might be something you'd like to do with us. Rumor has it that contract negotiations are in the works for Greece in the Fall of 2023! (Heck, it is more than a rumor!). We're playing with the dates based on what is going on in Venice! We're pretty sure we'll do Azamar - the same cruiseline that handled our Mediterranean stitching adventure.

ONLINE CLASSES

NOTICE: ALL WHO HAVE PAID HAVE BEEN INVITED TO JOIN THE PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP FOR THE THREE WISEMEN. IF YOU HAVE PAID FOR THE CANVAS AND NOT RECEIVED YOUR INVITATION, CHECK YOUR JUNK MAIL AND/OR EMAIL ME RIGHT AWAY TO duodesignsinc@gmail.com.

Registration has closed for the upcoming Three Wisemen class. It is going to be fabulous! Can't wait to share my options with you. The shop is working on the kit items and prices for those who need assistance.

The class should be ready to begin mid-May. More later.

Chinese Lanterns is currently open for registration. This is going to be way too much fun! My mind is going around in circles with the possibilities!

This class will have 12 sessions. There will be a couple months that may have 2 sessions so that the class can more forward a little faster. The handpainted canvas is from JP Needlepoint.

I see ribbon, or nue', beads, tassels, metallics, couching, stretching, fringes and who knows what else? Email right away if you want to join us as there are a limited number of spaces available. Email to duodesignsinc@gmail.com

Sunday, April 17, 2022

RHINE ADVENTURES - AND THERE WERE MANY!

It is hard to believe that this long awaited adventure has come and gone!.

These gals had the right idea of how to get prepared for a long, long flight!

Here are some early birds enjoying breakfast in Amsterdam before they hit the streets shopping!

So for some they chose to visit various museums and, of course, the home of Anne Frank.

How about the Van Gogh Museum - the largest collection of his works. Outside the museum hubby and I waited to meet the group for a canal boat ride. Cold and windy -

Oh, and we missed the group!

After the museum, other excursions and the canal boat ride, back to the hotel for our first group dinner and first stitching class!

Windmill and Tulips

We did make the beautiful tulip garden tour, however, and got our share of tulips and hot chocolate to warm up. Shipping bulbs home was the suggested best way to transport - we complied!

We left the Gardens and headed out to board our ship for the fantastic Rhine cruising.

She did not disappoint! Fabulous decor, fantastic staff and personal attention and wonderful food of course!

But this was also a stitching cruise remember so we had two other scheduled classes onboard.

The first surprise was a tulip glass case.

In between scheduled classes we stitched away at various locations on the ship - the more popular spots included a room at the top of the ship and the lobby.

Special guest Sr. Master Teacher Sue Reed is busily assisting a cruiser.

The second scheduled class included another surprise project. This specially designed beaded tulip needle case seemed to welcome intense concentration.

It always amazes me that the ships crew just cannot resist getting involved in our classes! She's helping a student get her beads untwisted - love it!

Of course we had drawings and giveaways throughout the adventure -

Anticipation

Reveal - beautifully crafted project bags!

Our trip was filled with excursions, eating, going through canals, and stitching. But the most fun was catching up with returning friends and making new friends!

Hubby and I are ready to head to the dining room - one of his favorite spots on the ship!

Our very own Bruce Hart took spectacular pictures of every excursion, adventure, little village, etc., and shared them. If you would like to view some hop over and join the group Needles 'N Fins Stitching Adventures. He shared quite a few there as did many other cruise participants.

So now we are moving ahead at full speed as our agent accepts registration for our upcoming Hawaiian Island Hopping Stitching Cruise scheduled April 2023. Contact us at duodesignsinc@gmail.com to get your very own brochure.

ONLINE CLASSES

Registration closes this week for the upcoming class of the Three Wisemen.

Sneak peak:

Email us at duodesignsinc@gmail.com to join in the fun.

A second online class is also actively being registered - Chinese Lanterns from JP Needlepoint.

So many techniques to explore! Come join us on this journey! It is going to be so exciting! Email at duodesignsinc@gmail.com for details and to register. You may also scroll down through older posts for more information.

FACE-TO-FACE CLASSES IN THE FUTURE!

June 2-5, 2022 - Osterville Needlepoint Shop - Mashpee, MA

A project class of a beautiful mermaid is being taught by Teacher/Designer Teresa Kinberger.