CLASSES!  CLASSES!  CLASSES!  TRIPS!  TRIPS! TRIPS!

I am sitting here reflecting on our just passed Veteran's Day here in the US.  Thinking particularly of my Dad (Daddy to me).  He was so proud of his military service and felt very strongly about our patriotism and supporting our country - in whatever way - be it putting on a uniform or supporting our various systems.

I am not one to discuss politics, religion, all those volatile issues - but, I always think of things in terms of like being on the Board of Directors (since my background is business).  We all go into the Boardroom (voting booth, church pew, etc.) and we duke it out!  We are friends when we go in and thankfully (usually) we are friends when we come out.  One thing for certain, when I emerge from that Boardroom or voting booth, etc., I resign myself to the fact that whatever the outcome I have done what I can to support my position - but, when all is said and done, when we emerge we should do so as 'one'.  I will support whatever that group  decision is - I do not always have to agree with it but it is what it is and I will support it.  Once we reach that point, it is time to put aside personal preferences and deal with what is at hand.  I am not one to look back - I am not going that way - I am going forward. My country is too precious to me to do otherwise.  Okay, that's all you are going to hear from me.  It is not a discussion, position statement nor debate - just a feeling I have at this time in my life.

Okay, now for fun!  Wow.  Do you realize that in just 3 days I will be posting a kazillion lessons?
I just shared a new session in the Online Mystery Class - Arctic Parade from Brenda Stofft.

This is a fantastic 2 year class and has so much to offer.  Remember this design has two huge (did I mention HUGE) sides. This session is devoted to the main part of the wonderful blanket over the back of the moose and under the saddle.  I have a feeling we will be sharing several other sessions before this area is completed.  That is one reason I wanted to do it early so it can be a 'do a couple rows before doing something else' type approach.  Love it, love it, love it.  It is so beautiful and elegant.

While we have had 3 sessions now posted, people are still joining us.  Just last night I had a new participant - so if you want to join us, just email me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com for particulars. We certainly have plenty of time.

Next up will be various lessons for our current and last classes for 2016.  

First up will be the next session in the Online Mystery Class - Pillow Collage from the collection.

As you may recall, this guy is another long-term project that covers one year with a lesson posted every other month.  This month we will be dealing with two more pillows to add to the 'bunch'.  I really surprise myself sometimes and that is the case on this lesson.  Can't wait to share.

Then joining in is the next lesson for Online Mystery Class - Happy Haunting Grounds from Eye Candy.

The kitty cat comes to the forefront for this lesson.  And we'll be adding things like candy corn and pumpkins.

Next is the wonderful Online Mystery Class - Robin's Wreath Melissa Prince.

This is such a beautiful autumn/fall piece.  It has provided so many techniques for me to share and I am loving every minute of it.

And last, but not least, our final new design for 2016 - Santa's Rewards from Devon Nicholson.

Such a happy piece to work on.  And boy those cookies!  Those are magnificent!  I know my students are going to love them.

Still time to join the group on this one.  All invoices have been sent out.  If you did not get your invoice let me know right away.  If you have not processed your invoice for payment you have not been included in the secret Facebook page.  So take care of that right away as we will be starting in just 3 short days with Lesson 1.  Email me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com with questions or assistance.

And then there is that other 'thing' that is consuming my life.  The Stitching Tours.  Oh gosh I am having so much fun already and we haven't even started packing yet.

First up is the great visit with our New England area - Have a Ball in Boston.  This trip will hit some historic sites (how can you not? - Boston is a historic site.- LOL) and we will be adding some stitching adventures in between.  The trip is scheduled for June 2017 - email me for full details, copy of brochure, etc.  We'll visit three (3) needlework shops while there and spend a couple days on Cape Cod - where, I might add - we will have one full day of classes hosted by Osterville Needlepoint Shop - I love the happy, calming, free spirited feeling of the piece they have designed specifically for us to debut!  Can't wait to share it with you.

And our Party on the Po has gotten out of hand!  We have 50+ people (40+ already paid) ready to go and Parrrtttteeeee!  I am stitching the class piece model to share with the participants and to take preorders for our stitching riverboat cruise.  Ornaments will be coming forward soon - AND - I have some beautiful pieces from fellow designers to share a stitch guide with those who want to preorder them.  So we will have plenty to do in Italy during our 'down' (cough! cough!) time.

If you want to keep track of what is going on with these adventures request to join our secret Facebook Page - Needles 'N Fins.  Also, there are occasional posts on our sister blog - www.needlesnfins.blogspot.com -  We'd love to have you join us.  There will be lots of prizes and surprises for both events!

Have a great weekend and remember to always Stitch with a Smile!

Sandy

ONLINE MYSTERY CLASSES 2016 WIND DOWN!

It is difficult to accept the fact that the last Online Mystery Class for 2016 will begin in just about 13 days from now!

Santa's Rewards is a beautiful canvas design from Devon Nicholson.  The invoices have been mailed and payments are being processed.  If you did not receive your invoice please email me right away so we can get the ball rolling.  If you have processed payment be sure to check to see if you received invite to the secret FB page.  We're about ready to rumble!

There is so much embellishment on this guy!  Wow!  What challenges.  I hope you enjoy him as much as I have.  I knew he would have a lot to offer but I didn't even scratch the surface when I first approached him. I'm thrilled with the challenges he is offering up.

The next lesson for Online Mystery Class Robin's Wreath by Melissa Prince also has tons of fun going on.

Last month's Session included several leaf variations and there are still more to come!

For the upcoming Session I especially have been having fun with the pomegranates.  They were one of my favorites as a child because they were so strange and I use to get one for Christmas as a special treat if pineapples weren't the fruit of choice that year.  The limes and lemon are well on their way as well.

Then we have Happy Haunted Grounds from Eye Candy!

Did more of the larger trees last time for this guy!

More techniques are in store in this colorful piece as well. Sometimes it is so hard to decide which technique to include - there are just so many possibilities.

And the next Session in our year-long project Pillow Collage!  Beautiful design from the collection!

We're just getting a good start on this one and boy is it looking great!  Can't wait to share the next adventure with the participants.

Our last session covered completing the box and a new pillow!  

Needles 'n Fins has a lot going on as well!  This is our touring as we play, stitch and sightsee blog!  We try to have one water adventure and one land adventure in place.

Party on the Po is very active and we have over 35+ participants so far.  This stitching tour goes from Milan to Venice, Italy! There is room for more so come join us.  I am having so much fun playing with the various surprises that I have in store for everyone.

We have new people joining sporadically which is always exciting!  We still have room for a few more so hurry along if you can come play!

The specially designed project is at the painters and I can't wait to get my hands on it.  It is a happy, colorful piece that is exclusive to the riverboat stitching cruise participants.  There are also accompanying  ornaments - all optional - as participants can bring their own stitching if they so choose.  There will be other trip related canvases available with stitch guides as well.

And not to be left behind, Have a Ball in Boston has me working away on the stitch guides for some special designs and many more to choose from.  We will be visiting three (3!) needlepoint shops in the area as well as take in all the major historic sites and enjoy the ambience of Cape Cod and a full day class there as well.  Freedom Trail?  Boston Tea Party?  Boston Harbor?  Cheers? WOW!

Hope to be able to post some needlepoint offerings in the new few days to get your creative juices flowing and have you drooling to come with us!

So if you are so inclined, we would love to have you join us!  Just email me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com and I'll gladly answer any questions you may have.  Brochures are available for viewing on our sister blog www.needlesnfins.blogspot.com

Have a great week!

PHEW!  

What a fabulous experience!  The Intensive study of 12 days with the Royal School of Needlework was magnificent.  There were only 6 students in our Diploma course.  Of the 6 only 3 of us completed our projects.  And this year they added a day more than the previous 11 day Intensive study groups.

I chose stumpwork.  One of the guidelines limited the size of the figure - which could not be more than 4" high.  Working a stuffed head, making 2 hands with 5 fingers each, and clothing to fit over such a small piece was quite a challenge for one who has a few arthritis issues, strength in the fingers, etc.  But all turned out well and I am thrilled that I had the opportunity to participate.  My tutor had the distinct honor of working on Kathryn's wedding gown and William's christening gown.  Mercy!

Process:  Get in as 1 of the 6; submit sketch of design for approval  (must be 4" - 4"???? I can't see 4"); after approved plan trip; arrive; paint fabric (they call it calico I call it a heavy grade of muslin - very substantial - 24" x 24". - yes, 24" x 24" for 4" figure????); make a body and stuff appropriately; prepare 2 hands and they must be mounted so they are visible; add shoes (yes, they do actually look under the skirt!) stitch a head with facial features; apply wire edge to skirt and needle lace the ruffle and attach to body; make needlelace slips off fabric and attach to design;  various wire wrappings (flag pole and olive branch); wrap bead (flag pole top); appliqué (flag); needle laced leaves for olive branch; appliqué wings and couch accordingly;  add pearls to sleeves then attach over stuffed body; needle lace vest; add hair.

Once the front is done we made a bubble wrap frame to lay the figure on and then proceeded to do the mounting on the back.  First we added wadding then we stitched the design taunt across the back (after centering on the front of course).  This is the part that gave me trouble.  We had (HAD) to use a curved needle - very thin curved needle.  I continually poked myself while attaching with the herringbone stitch.  Point of importance here - I'm a bleeder!  Yep, I spent a great deal of time wrapping my fingers in bandaids and watching that I did not get blood on the design area!  Gruesome.  My tutor would say "Be one with the needle, Sandy, be one with the needle" as she passed by my work area.  Grrrrrr!  Good thing she was so cute and fun to work with or else - - - -

When all was said and done, we began wrapping to ship off for assessment.  Mine was wrapping at 5:45 pm - doors closed at 6:00 pm.  That's why the heading is PHEW!

I noticed in pictures when I reviewed at home (after the fact of course) that something happened to her face and it lost it's fairly decent setting as shown in the photo above before the hair was added.  Oh well.  It is what it is!  Great, great, great!  Please adventure forth if you have the opportunity!  Many modules to select from:  silk shading, gold work, blackwork, cut work, canvas, Jacobean, and more.

There were special 2-day classes in conjunction with the intensive study.  We were permitted to purchase any extra kits from those classes.  I bought a fabulous bumblebee brooch kit and a lovely Queen of Hearts piece that incorporated some gold leather, stump work techniques, etc.  In my spare time - - - -

ONLINE MYSTERY CLASSES

As classes move forward, we are preparing to post the first lesson for the Santa's Rewards project from Devon Nicholson.

As a reminder, standard classes cover a 6-month period.  One lesson is posted each month.  Lessons are posted in a secret Facebook page to which paid participants are invited to join. The 6-lesson packet is $150 and is invoiced through PayPal.

There is still time to join us so if you'd like to take part just send me an email and we can take it from there.  

Monthly lessons will be posted on November 15 for Happy Haunting and Robin's Wreath as well.

NEEDLES 'N FINS

Registration is currently going on for these two fabulous trips:  Have a Ball in Boston and Party on the Po.

We are so excited about the response of these stitching trips and would love to have you join us.  The group that has signed up so far appear to promise a great time for all.  We have already been laughing and jabbing online and we haven't even met face to face!  It will be super fun.

Get more details over on our sister blog - www.needlesnfins.blogspot.com.  Space is limited on these trips and we would hate to have you miss out.  Also special deals, such as free airfare, will be expiring within the next week so check it out!  Come on over.

Email me with questions on any of the things I have shared with you!

Have a great weekend and be sure to Stitch with a Smile!

Sandy

NORM!
"Where everybody knows your name" . . .

Does this ring any bells?  Remember the "Cheers" television program and the theme song "Cheers"?

Well, we are going to have one fantastic luncheon on our 'HAVE A BALL IN BOSTON" tour!

The information about the pub states that the original bar is nothing like that depicted on the popular TV show. However, the owner, in his wisdom, built a gift shop that has a replica of the one on the show.

Our guide has a great lunch planned for us.

Come join us for our day full of adventures when we roam the streets of Boston.  I'll be posting more about our adventures such as the needlepoint shops we will visit, the shopping that is available, the historic sites we will enjoy and did I mention stitching?  Stitching?  Stitching?

Join us for this fun trip on June 8-13, 2017.  Details are in the brochure posted in the older posts.

However, feel free to email me for any details or with any questions at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com

We would love to have you join us!

LOOK  OUT  BOSTON/CAPE COD!

Finalized the itinerary for our fantastic Boston/Cape Cod land tour.  We are going to have the greatest time!  June 8-13, 2017.

We will be visiting 3 (get that?  THREE) needlepoint shops on this 6 night-5 day tour.  We leave from Logan International Airport and head to outer area of Boston to our Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in Woburn MA where those who drive will park their car and forget it for the whole trip.

After we settle in and have our dinner we will have a mini-workshop doing an optional project to warm up.  Then we start the serious stuff the next morning.  Jump on our fabulous coach and head for our first needlework adventure - Wellesley Needlepoint Shop.

Wellesley Needlepoint Shop is a must-stop between your hotel and lunch destination!  We will spend 3 glorious hours shopping or possibly taking part in a mini-workshop on an area-related project.  Cindy is working on an exclusive design just for us! Lots from which to choose and many exclusive to them! How about a Boston skyline?  Or an LL Bean Bag (just up the road in Maine) with a lobster? Or Santa flying over the capitol? Etc.

Boston Strong exclusive to Wellesley Needlepoint - can be with or without 'Strong"

After shopping and stitching, we jump back on the coach and head to Boston for our lunch at the unique "Cheers" Restaurant.

Next - are you ready for this? - we can venture over to our SECOND NEEDLEPOINT SHOP - Stitch Boutique of Boston.

The Stitch Boutique of Boston will be offering optional kits exclusive to the area such as this beautiful scene of the public park and the swan boats by the collection with stitching guidance during the evening class after we return to our hotel to relax (relax heck - we're gonna stitch!)

And wait until you see the colorful skyline, the cute little ducks, etc., etc., etc. We will order and pay for our kits ahead of time and pick them up at the shop!

From this great shop we will venture forth and explore the famous Quincy Market!

Looks like we can get into a lot of trouble there!  And then, we wonder over to Faneuil Hall. Debates anyone? We can shop on the first floor and argue - er debate - on the second floor.

Faneuil Hall

While taking in the whole Quincy Market area, we will have dinner on our own and at our leisure.  But, wait - there is still more in store!

Back at our hotel we will attend a PJ Party in our private Function Room.  Remember pajama parties of your youth?  Welllllll.  At this event we will be have a class on an optional kit from Stitch Boutique of Boston that will be specific to the Boston area.  Stay tuned for your choices.

Day 3 we are up and at 'em for our Historic Tour of Boston - who knew?  We'll blaze along parts of the Freedom Trail (is that Paul Revere's ghost in the bushes?) and absorb many of the Historic Sights our guide will share with us.

We'll have a private tour of the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum (by a Colonial character no less to create the feel of the period) and watch as the Boston Tea Party reenactment unfolds.

Surely we're hungry by now so we will enjoy our lunch at the Tea Party Ships in Abigail's Tavern!

Back to the hotel to refresh, relax, or stitch before our upcoming - - - - 

Dinner Cruise aboard the Odyessy to enjoy a lovely three course dinner, live entertainment and view the wonderful skyline as we cruise Boston Harbor.  Don't think we'll do much stitching after this adventure.

Off and running next morning to the Cape Cod area.  We will begin our full day of stitching for an optional class at Osterville Needlepoint Shop.  Joyce has created an exclusive design for us to debut during our visit - a very colorful, happy beach scene - it is under wraps and we will reveal after it is stitched!  And wait till you see what she has exclusively to her shop!

We'll have lunch locally so we can get back to our class (lunch location to be announced later).

After class we will go register at our hotel the Bayside Resort at Yarmouth, MA.

We are in for a treat as our dinner will be at a unique restored Historic Home - known as Captain Howes House - which now contains the Optimist Cafe`. Read more details on the brochure.

Next we return to the shop and participate in an optional mini-workshop!  Joyce has something fun planned on this one working with one of the new and unusual 'threads'.  Can't wait to see what she is having us do.

Next day after breakfast we will return to the shop to have a stitch-in, catch up on project questions and maybe even  shop (???  ha! ha! - we're in a needlepoint shop right? who cares that we already have 39 pair of scissor?) . 

We bid Joyce and the Osterville Needlepoint Shop farewell and head out to lunch .

After lunch (location to be announced later), we will start to wind down and enjoy a leisure tour of the Hyannis  area, see things like the John F. Kennedy Memorial, visit the Cape Cod National Seashore Visitor's Center, windmills and a lighthouse should we want to take some pictures.

We return to our hotel and prepare for our Farewell Dinner - boo hoo! 

On our final morning we enjoy our breakfast and load up on our coach to go back to the airport and/or cars.

Please consider joining us!  We have a full brochure over on our sister blog - www.needlesnfins.blogspot.com - 

Any questions just email me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com

    

MOVING A LITTLE SLOW TODAY!

Did not realize it was Saturday nor that I have not prepared a posting.  Just returned from a wonderful runaway to upstate New York with friends, including my daughter!  What a treat.  Such lovely people and surrounded by lots of beautiful nature in the Finger Lakes Seneca Lake region!  WOW!

Here are some pictures of the lake - the bottom ones are of the sunrise on our last day there.

This is the only picture that I think we have of the entire group of us together at the farewell dinner so to speak.  And in spite of this breathtaking beauty around us we did manage to get some stitching done.

If interested in your own personal little retreat the house is for rent and very well kept and maintained.  Just  contact the Premier Properties in Penn Yan, NY and ask for the Two Sisters - it is at Glenora on Seneca Lake.

We also dropped in to Lori's shop and left a little there to help out the economy.  Teresa had already checked out and was busy shopping down the street and Mike was taking the picture so some of the group is missing from the payout que!

So, back in Kentucky and reality and ready to play on my upcoming adventures.

Registration is open and running for the next Online Mystery Class - Santa's Rewards.

I am very excited to start this guy!  He is so wonderful - happy, cheerful and yummy!  Invoices will be going out the first of October and the first lesson is scheduled to begin November 15.  Join us by emailing me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com.  6 lesson packet is $150 and you get your canvas and materials from your local needlework shop!

Next up is this delightful Large Easter Rabbit from Brenda Stofft!

This great fellow is currently under registration and will have invoices sent out the first of December. The first scheduled class will be January 15, 2017.  Look at all the fun we are going to have with this stuff - can you see beads?  ribbon?  velvet maybe?  oh gosh! Again, just email me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com and we'll put you on the notification list for the class.

Soon to be released is the 2017 Online Mystery Class Lineup!  You won't want to miss this.

Now to keep me from getting bored, we are also working on our fantastic Riverboat Stitching Cruise along the Po River in Italy!  Party on the Po will begin on October 19, 2017 through October 29, 2017 - oh my! In addition to all the wonderful included excursions such as viewing The Last Supper by DaVinci, walking Juliet's Courtyard, traveling the Grand Canal, Venice, Burano, etc., etc., there will be an exclusive optional canvas designed for us to debut on this journey.  There are also ornaments in the making.  For details on this adventure email me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com or go visit our blogspot at www.needlesnfins.blogspot.com  to see the full brochure and details.  Right now the cruise line is offering free airfare for eligible participants.

And for our landlubbers per their request, we have a lovely Have a Blast in Boston tour scheduled for June 8-13, 2017.  In addition to see the historical sites we will be visiting some local needlework shops and having classes with a design created exclusively for our debut, as well as other area related projects for mini-classes.  The itinerary is being polished for this one but major details are available at the www.needlesnfins.blogspot.com with questions to duodesignsinc@yahoo.com.

So come visit and let me know if there are any questions that we may address.  Just an aside the riverboat cruise that started with 130 staterooms is now below 30 available (no they are not all stitchers - we currently have 36 in our party)!  Fun!

Have a great week!

Sandy

WOW!  WE DID NOT EXPECT THIS!

We have been having so much fun between Seminar, Online Mystery Classes, planning Party on the Po Riverboat Cruise and Have a Ball in Boston land tour that we had no idea how quickly events would happen.

We just found out from our travel agent that on our Riverboat traveling the Po River in Italy, of the original 134 staterooms there currently are already over 100 spoken for!  Oh No! Not much room left for us!  We gotta move and move now!

While we are busy watching the free airfare offer that expires on November 4, people have been sneaking in and reserving the staterooms.  So, if you are really wanting to take this trip with us it is suggested that you make your reservations now to hold your room.  This means $200 registration fee to be eligible for the group; $500 deposit for the trip and travel insurance (optional but strongly suggested).  The balance of the trip will be discussed by the travel agent when you commit.  The trip is October 19-29, 2017- yes, a year away and almost full already!  Must be very popular!

Please consider joining us!  We are designing a project specific to our tour and the class is optional.  If you prefer you can bring your own stitching but still join in all the stitching festivities.  

Email me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com if you want more information or want to join us!

We just announced our plans for our Have a Ball in Boston land trip as requested by those who prefer to not travel outside the US.  We are still polishing our excursions but the major stuff is in place and can be reviewed on the brochure.  Just email me if you want more information on that trip as well - June 8-13, 2017.

While things have quieted down from Seminar, the frenzy is real here at Arthur Acres trying to fill the orders for our newly released first booklet in our Pocketbook Series - Can Do Hairdos.

The Pocketbook is jam packed with 32 pages of color pictures, illustrations, diagrams and suggestions for sundry hairstyles.  Ask your Local Needlepoint Shop if they have yours.  Many have been ordering -and while only a week on the market, some have already placed reorders!  If you have difficulty ordering the book it is also available on our webpage at duodesignsinc.com.

We are finally less than a week away from posting our first lesson in our new Online Mystery Class - Robin's Wreath!  Seems we have been waiting forever!

This piece uses such beautiful and somewhat unusual colors to give us some fantastic results.  You may still join us if you would like - just email me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com

And, yes, registration is currently going on for our last Online Mystery Class for 2016 - Santa's Reward.  

Don't miss playing with us on this sweet guy.  Look at that face!  Isn't he wonderful?  Devon Nicholson outdid herself on this one.  To register just send email to duodesignsinc@yahoo.com

Keep watching for our itinerary for the 2017 Classes!  Coming soon!  In the meanwhile, I am busy getting classes ready to post on the 15th and also packing for a much needed runaway with my daughter and some special friends.  I know it is going to be so fun because some of them are going on the Party on the Po Riverboat Cruise so you know what we will be talking about!  Can't wait!

BULLETIN:  I actually am running away for 5 wonderful stitch-filled days with fantastic friends - including my daughter!

There will be needles flying all over the place because most are avid stitchers like me who basically could live, eat and drink stitching.  Fortunately we don't have to because there are a couple who also like to cook!  YAY us!  I gotta figure out how to bribe them into taking over my meal responsibilities.

The big challenge is what to take?  Not clothes - stitching!  I still will be doing work stitching but in a different environment.  And  I need to find pieces none of them are enrolled in the class in.  Such challenges - lol.

We are staying at Three Sisters of Glenora, NY - check it out.

So sad to have to suffer through such views!  However, you, too, can enjoy this beautiful retreat - if you can find an opening.  Beautiful place.

In the meanwhile have a great weekend and remember to Stitch with a Smile!

Sandy