SNOW! NOooooooooo!

I am not ready for this! So far it has been a light dusting one day and a light coverage  yesterday but it is sooooo cold! Thank heaven for our wonderful fireplace.

ONLINE.CLASSES

A few days ago we posrted our monthly lessons.

We began the third king in the Three Wisemen project. Gosh, hard to believe we are already there!

Then on the Chinese Lanterns we added another finished lantern to the mix!

And for Bestie, the cute pink Ostrich and her friend Froggie, we added a  couple new elements.

Don't forget that registration is still open for SeaShells by the Sea Shore I think we have 3 canvases/spaces available. Classes set to begin mid-February.

Email us at duodesignsinc@gmail.com if you would like to join us.

We are amazed at how many people are joining the group Stitching and Needlework Events. Hop over to Facebook and join if you would like. Individuals share their upcoming workshops, classes, stitch-aways and retreats for you to consider.

Duo Designs Stitching Retreat 2023 in Carrolton,KY - September 22-25,2023 - is doing well. We are so excited to be hosing this event featuring Kentucky artist Gayla Elliott. You probably recognize her from the Stitching Girl series of designs. Come join us!

We've made it so easy for you in that we have taken care  of everything except the travel and lodging!   Breakfast (included with room), 2 lunches, 3 plated dinners, full classk it with canvas mounted on stretcher bars and lots and lots of surprises! Email us at duodesignsinc@gmail.com to get your brochure and answers to your questions. We'd love to have you join us. We always have such fun and make so many new, awesome friends that share the same love of needlework that we all have!

Until next time, stay warm!

Food -

 BRRRRRRRrrrrrrr!

Well I'm afraid that winter is officially here.  We are, in fact, considering building our first fire.  It is not just the chill - for me it is as much about the dampness caused from the rain.  I am not complaining, however, as we desperately needed the rain for many reasons.  One reason is that it is very dry around here.  More importantly, however, are the forest wildfires that are surrounding the area and burning hundreds of acres.  We have a burn ban in effect but apparently someone dropped a lighted cigarette and had endangered several homes in a neighboring county. Smoke is very bad even here in Lexington.  So sad.  Thankfully after several days the firemen contained the fires and eventually shut them out last night.  The rain today was a blessing to check any possibility of the flames reigniting hopefully.

Downside is that the rain is promising to change to snow this weekend - no thank you!

                    DUO DESIGNS STITCHING RETREAT - 2023    

If you have registered you should also have been sent an invitation to join the private group - Duo Designs Stitching Retreat 2023.  Please email me if you have not been sent an invitation!  email:  duodesignsinc@gmail.com

Also we are seeing some interest in car pooling so if you are interested email us and we will try to help make connections for your area.

Needles ' n Fins Stitching Adventures - Join the private Facebook Page

We have been concentrating on getting the Greece Stitching Cruise optional kit finished to share with participants and potential participants.  It is so close but looks like it will be next week before we can share.  As soon as our agent gets the new Itinerary confirmed and in the brochure we will be sharing that with you too.  It has really excited us all that we will be doing 2 days in Venice on the revised cruise.  Stay tuned!

In the meanwhile we are practicing the hula!  The Hawaiian Island Hopping Stitching Cruise is just around the corner.  If Santa needs some ideas for Christmas gifts you might want to whisper in his ear - !

Let's take a close look at what we have in store on this adventure.

First we have 2 nights in Honolulu before we embark on to our ship to cruise!  

While on Honolulu we have many options to explore.  We can enjoy the beach.  Make sure you have sunscreen if you take this option.  Like to shop?  One of the most popular shopping markets - Ala Moana Market - is available and waiting to share their wares with the eager shoppers. 

Food?  You name it and you will find it somewhere on this wonderful Island.  How about checking out Diamond Head? Do you like to take in the Island on a hop-on hop-off double decker bus - that is available also. Want to do a luau?  History buffs will want to take advantage of visiting the Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Memorial. Each time I return it seems it is more emotional for me.   There are two needlepoint shops available to visit also.

Mercy!  And we haven't even started the Cruise yet!  So on Day 3 in the afternoon we board our ship with much excitement!  Around 7pm we head out to water so we can awaken at a new Island and new adventures.

Kohului, Maui welcomes us after breakfast.  We will actually be staying overnight in port of this island. Should we have golfers in our group they may well want to check out the golf courses. Then there are more beautiful beaches. Beautiful flora is here for our enjoyment at well - Botanical Gardens and Lavender fields. Much, much more.  We head out around dinner time and enjoy sailing while possibly taking in a show or entertainment onboard.  

Stitching classes will be announced once the Captain lets us know when and where.

After sailing all night, we will check out Hilo after breakfast.  We will spend the day on this island and take in all its sights. Approximately 30 miles from the ship is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park which is home to the active Kilauea Volcano.  Interesting architecture is exhibited in historic buildings for our history buffs to explore.

On the morning of the 19th we will arrive at Kona.  Here we find green and black sand beaches!  Coffee lovers might want to tour a coffee plantation. The crystal blue waters will make it difficult to pull yourself away to take in other beauties the Island has to offer.

Nawiliwili, Kauai will entertain us for Day 8 and Day 9.  Oh my - look at the tour options the ship offers:

    

            • Best of Kauai - On this introduction to the “Garden Isle,” you’ll explore two               of Kauai’s most dramatic natural attractions - the 3,000- foot-deep Waimea                   Canyon  and the lush landscapes lining the Wailua River, including the                            famed Fern Grotto. 

            • Journey to Waimea Canyon - Discover Waimea Canyon, the breathtaking                 gorge in the heart of Kauai that is one of the island’s most dramatic natural                 attractions. 

           • Luau Kalamaku & Plantation Train - Climb aboard the Kauai Plantation                         Railroad for a narrated tour through fruit orchards and exotic tropical flower             gardens. Then  feast your eyes on hulas and fire dances and dine on a                             lavish luau. Wailua River & Fern Grotto - Board a flat-bottom motor launch                 for your journey up the tranquil Wailua River as it floats past lush                                 jungle landscapes on the way to Fern Grotto and pay a visit to Opaekaa Falls. 

Next morning we must say goodbye as we disembark and head back home.

Next week we hope to share more of the upcoming Greece Stitching Adventure!

 NOVEMBER!  Really?

While struggling through the year it seems unrealistic that it really is almost over!  I have said many, many times - while sitting in ER, hospital rooms, waiting rooms, doctor offices, labs, etc. - thank goodness for my needlepoint.  I know most of you can certainly relate to that.  I have a nervous energy (hump, didn't know I had any energy to speak of) but I cannot sit still - unless I have some kind of needle in my hands.  Doesn't have to be needlepoint.  I love to have my knitting and crochet with me as well.  These are all such wonderful, portable loves and I am blessed to have them to help keep me sane some days.

Temperatures are dropping here in Central Kentucky.  Actually they are fluctuating - up one day to tease then boom! freeze your toes!  Soon we won't have anymore of the warmer days for awhile.  Snowbirds are flying south and that is a real sign around here that winter is coming.  But, look at my beautiful Japanese Maple.

She really strutted her stuff this year and I almost waited too long to capture her before she shed all her glorious leaves.  She is over 40 years old and was transplanted twice before finding this spot to treasure.

Needles 'n Fins Stitching Adventures - Join private FB Group

It is hard to believe that after 3 years of trying we may actually be boarding the plane to do our fantastic stitching cruise of the Hawaiian Islands.  Yes, that is plural.  

Our days will be filled with visiting beautiful beaches, shopping and enjoying the unique sights that only Hawaii can offer, as we explore 4 of the islands!  Yes we spend our days on 4 of the main islands! This travel means that nights are used for stitching and traveling the seas that show us nothing more than water and more water and fills our days with wonderful island adventures.  No passport is required as we enjoy the beauty of our 50th State! This trip is for those who want to wander but don't yet want to travel abroad.

Our first 2 days are in Honolulu as we explore on our own.  You will have time to visit the needlework shops if you like, lay on the beach, or go on a marathon shopping spree!  Fantastic market!

Might be a few shops here.

Fabulous Museum of Pearl Harbor

We have a couple staterooms available so hurry and reserve yours now.  Email us at duodesignsinc@gmail to get your own brochure and ask questions!  We would love to have you join us.

Ready to go abroad? Greece is on the horizon! Our original itinerary has been boosted a bit!  Azamara has added an extra night and - wait for it - we are going to begin our journey with 2 fabulous nights in Venice!  The date for this Stitching Adventure is October 11-23, 2023. Many of you have traveled with us to Venice before and we loved it!  So we decided that we had to have extra time while there!  We need to take on a gondola ride, see the beautiful Rialto Bridge, shop at the fantastic surrounding shops - did I mention that you can even arrange a special tour to take in Murano glass!  (Thank goodness there is a shipping option!) We will see beautiful laces if we want also and watch them being made.  Always a highlight of this trip is the gelatto!  I know you have heard of it.  

After we leave our Venice visit we board our ship the Pursuit.  We have been on this beautiful ship before and were not disappointed!

We will have a full day on the water.,  We also will have intense stitching time with a morning and afternoon session!  

Our agent is working on our various options but so far this seems to be what we are considering.  

While we end in Athens we do not have any real time there.  We are working on a tack on package so we can enjoy the high spots of Athens while there - more on that later.

Now, since we had nothing else to do, we decided to host a Stitching Retreat here close to home!

Duo Designs Stitching Retreat

Our wonderful state has such beautiful spots from which to select it was a little difficult to choose one.  However, we found a lovely spot with hills, rivers, nice lodging and great food - plus, fantastic classroom facilities! It is located approximately 45 minutes from the Louisville International Airport and Greater Cincinnati Airport (Northern KY).

Join us at General Butler Resort State Lodge in Carrolton, KY on September 22-25, 2023.  We will be featuring our own Gayla Elliott!  She is the fantastic artist behind the fun Stitching Girl theme canvas designs and lives 'right down the road'.

For our Retreat we are featuring two of her designs:  First up is Boss Lady.

You may choose this gal for your 2 day class - everything included - and can have sign, books, WIP all adjusted to your very own function such as teacher, needlepointer, lawyer, nanny, etc.etc.

The second 2-day class to choose from is an exclusive for Duo Designs, Inc. only - Stitching Girl with her Horse.

Oh my!  We are having so much fun playing with these designs and coming up with techniques to share with you.

As many of you know who have been on our stitching cruises with us, we always have something to sneak in as a fun surprise so be ready!

Due to such slow turnaround time of painted canvases, space is limited and dependent on the number of available canvases.  Sign up right away to reserve your spot.  Costs are spread out over a period of time for your convenience.  The non-refundable deposit will hold your spot in your chosen class!

CONFERENCE CENTER STITCHING AREAS ARE OPEN TO REGISTRANTS ONLY 

(CLASS ROOMS AND OPEN STITCHING ROOM) 

NOW Early Registration Begins to Guarantee Class Selection 

Non-refundable Deposit Required $150 – applies to full reg. fee 

April 1, 2023 Early Registration Ends – Wait List Initiated 

May 1, 2023 Deadline for Registering and making Class Selection 

June 1, 2023 Last day to cancel for full refund (less $150 processing fee) 

June 1 , 2023 Full Registration Fee Balance Due 

July 15, 2023 Last day to register for Group Shuttle Service 

Sept. 22, 2023 Retreat Begins – 3:30 - 4:30 pm Meet and Greet Reception 

Dinner 

After-dinner stitching 

Sept. 23, 2023 Classes Begin- 9:30 am-4:00 pm 

Sept. 23-24,2023 Sat./Sun Evening Stitching Get Togethers – 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm 

Sept. 25, 2023 Retreat Ends – 11:30 am 

REGISTRATION FEE MAY BE PREPAID IN INSTALLMENTS. EMAIL duodesignsinc@gmail.com TO MAKE PERSONAL ARRANGEMENTS. DATE DEADLINES STILL APPLY. 

Email us at duodesignsinc@gmail.com for details, a brochure and registration form.  You know we are gonna have a lot of fun!

ONLINE CLASSES

Registration is open for Sea Shells on the Sea Shore

This Alice Peterson design is chocked full of interesting technique possibilities.  We have the canvases so there is no stress of trying to find one for class participation.  The shop will be putting together a thread/embellishment kit for those of you who do not have a LNS and need assistance.  She will be sharing that information after registration closes.

If you would like more information email us at duodesignsinc@gmail.com.  We would love to have you join us!

Phew!  That's enough for today!