CLASSES, SAVINGS, FUN!

I understand that as we get older we tend to repeat ourselves.  However, some things need to be repeated!

I do not want you to miss the huge sale that Needle Nook of LaJolla is having on their Brenda Stofft trunk show! Remember we have several Brenda Stofft designs lined up for our upcoming Online Mystery Classes.

So, what's the big deal?  25% off!  That's the big deal.  And it applies to orders as well.  And the sale goes to the end of the month.  From my limited research this appears to be a fantastic deal for you.

       https://www.needlenook.com/product-category/designer/brenda-stofft-designs/page/3

If you are interested you need to go to their website and place the orders - no need to phone the shop. Easy peasy - right?

I had a fantastic week there and it was great, as usual, seeing friends from past retreats and meeting some new ones too.  The majority of attendees are repeaters as they get the first opportunity to sign up for the upcoming year due to loyalty, but a few newbies get to join the ranks too!  I had a couple students that were new to the retreat and some new to my class and some repeaters.  But one thing for sure that I did have and that was FUN.  Oh my gosh what a bunch!  Loved every minute of it!

    Last minute touch ups while getting ready for the masses.

Here we are busy at work.  Boy such concentration.  Looks like they are really into what they are doing! (Do not believe it for one minute!)



You need to really consider making this one of your 2018 Events!  Check it out - I bet while you are over there taking advantage of the great price on the Brenda Stofft canvases that you can find more info on the retreat for next year too.

NEXT INFOMERCIAL!

The new QUICKIES classes are in full swing.  The first one scheduled for mid-Summer is the USA Stars from Raymond Crawford.

Invoices have been sent to those who have stated they want to participate in this first class.  The complete kit is $100 - canvas, threads, embellishments (if applicable), 2-lesson postings, and shipping.  If you think you have signed up and did not get an email and invoice, send me a note right away.  The class kits will be distributed on a first-come/first-served basis.  email at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com

These are quick little projects that you can carry in your purse or briefcase and stitch along as you have a few minutes in your day.  The first is a cut canvas of 9x9 with design area approximately 5x5. All techniques - whether 2 or 20 - will be covered in a 2-lesson posting in a secret Facebook page in a pdf format.  Come join us!

NO SCHEDULE - NO STRESS - NO DEADLINES

First up on this series is the Nutty Professor from JP Needlepoint - Isn't he fabulous!

This guy is going to be so much fun.  The concept of this class is that you will get a lesson when you get it - basically.

We hope to start early to mid-Summer.

And, our first lesson will begin at the bottom and work up.  So our first concentration will be on the wonderful Professor.                                                                

Oh my goodness!  Just look at him!

We will try to have thread/embellishment kits for those who need them.  The canvases are scheduled to arrive next week so we will have a better idea of what assistance we can provide.







If you have indicated an interest in this class you should have received an email from me this week providing more information concerning the canvas.  If you received no such email that means I do not have you listed as actively wanting to participate.  Please email me right away to correct this if necessary - email me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com

PARTY ON THE PO!

Mercy!  I am having so much fun putting stuff together for this upcoming riverboat cruise!  October 19 will be here before we know it!  And I am sure that 50+ other people are just as excited as I am!

Kits have been ordered for the optional class and those who have paid should have received their kits by now.  Please let me know if you have not received yours by emailing me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com.  

Venice Memories

This limited time exclusive design is on a 12" x 14" cut 18 ct canvas with design area of approximately 8 x 10.  For more information contact me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com if you want to participate in the optional class while we are in Italy.  While we have 50+ participants coming with us I understand there are still a few staterooms available.  Viking Travel is handling this fabulous trip for us. Come on and join in the fun.  You still have time!

     NEED A ROOMMATE?  CONTACT ME OR TRAVEL AGENT TO DISCUSS

ONLINE MYSTERY CLASSES

Gosh, we said goodbye last week to our fabulous Pillow Collage and welcomed our beautiful  Menorah. 

Menorah from Tapestry Fair

We concentrated on the background and the flames for Session One.  Next up for Session Two - who knows what's in store?

Session 5 for Santa's Reward  gave Santa a fabulous beard!

Santa's Reward from Devon Nicholson

Then the Large Easter Rabbit from Brenda Stofft had Session 3 revealed.

This gentleman now has a full backpack with lots of Easter goodies and toys.

Last, but not least, is the Steampunk Fox who received his Session 2.

We finished the hills around our wonderful fellow and filled the trees.  Can't wait to see what happens in the next session!

Well, that should be enough to keep me busy for a few days.  I'm writing stitch guides for my upcoming Embellishment class at Chandail in May and preparing for the wonderful retreat with Piney Pointers at LaTorretta resort in Conroe (?) TX.  That is a marvelous place to 'work'.

Have a great week and remember to Stitch with a Smile!

TRUNK SHOW DISCOUNTS ON CLASS STUFF!

ALERT:  I am in the company of Jill from Danji and I have been advised that if you plan to participate in the SONGBIRDS class the order deadline is this week!  So don't dilly dally or you might miss having your canvas for the first lesson or two!

Most of you know that I am teaching at the Needle Nook of LaJolla Retreat.  And, guess what?  They are having a Brenda Stofft trunk show! So?   What does that mean to you.  Well that means if you are enrolled in some of my upcoming Online Mystery Classes it can be a huge savings for you.

Do you know how many future Online Mystery Classes we have that are on Brenda Stofft Designs?  Steampunk Cat, Steampunk Fox, Steampunk Witch and Moon Gazer!  While I do not promote shops, I do try to pass along sales, etc., when shops let me know that they are featuring specials on the classes that we have.  I want you to be able to get the best bargain you can.  (Hopefully that would mean that you could take even more classes!)

So, what's the big deal?  25%!  That's the big deal.  And it applies to orders as well.  And the sale goes to the end of the month.  From my limited research this appears to be a fantastic deal for you.

       https://www.needlenook.com/product-category/designer/brenda-stofft-designs/page/3

If you do not see the canvas you need for a particular class, just ask them for the Steampunk Owl or whatever for Sandy Arthur's Online Mystery Class and they will happily order it for you.

As I said I'm teaching here and today is the second day of classes.  We will finish off on Monday - 😭😭😭.  I have such a fantastic group of students.  Fortunately for me, many of them are repeaters - I cannot tell you how special that makes me feel.  And this year we have added a fabulous gentleman to our group as well - brave soul. Little did he realize what he was in for - we will be gentle.

I have a huge variety of designers that we are covering this year which means a huge amount of techniques.  How was I born so lucky to be able to play with my friends all day????  Can't ask for anything more!

ONLINE MYSTERY CLASSES

Speaking of Online Mystery Classes, this was the month that we said goodby to the  amazing year-long class on Pillow Collage from Needlepoint of Back Bay.

What a wonderful journey.  We had so much fun with this.  And the techniques covered - unbelievable the number of things we discussed, cussed, loved, hated, conquered, etc., etc. We painted, we couched, we appliquéd, we beaded, we did ribbon work, we padded, we ruched, we did or nue`, we made tassels - thread and beaded, we made cords,we used unusual threads and devices (toothpicks for instance), we second guessed the designer and we improvised,  All in a day's work - or year in this case.  But most exciting for me was to see students add their own interpretation to areas as we worked.  More and more are moving away from the fear of changing - the stitch, the thread, etc. It was so rewarding and I think the majority enjoyed the journey with me.

But, as one leaves, a new one comes on the scene.  This month's new design is the Menorah from Tapestry Fair.

As with many of my classes we started with the background and the candle flames.  This class works for the large canvas, pictured, as well as the individual canvases - stitches are the same.  Still time to join if you want - just email me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com and we'll get you in the secret Facebook Page and on the road to finishing another great project!

And we have added lessons for the other current classes as well:  

    

            Lesson 5.                                      Lesson 3                         Lesson 2

And the amazing thing is that time really flies while we are playing with these gems.

If interested be sure to scroll down through older posts to get the  birds eye view of the scrumptious upcoming classes.  As you go you will find some newer ones we add along the way.  But, the major agenda is posted on December 19 where the original list for the whole year was posted - but like I said we kinda added to it as we went along.  Again, just email me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com with questions or to get enrolled in some of these great adventures!

QUICKIES:

I am thoroughly enjoying stitching on these guys.  It will soon be time to begin the class and I am hopeful of sharing the stitched models with you before too much longer.

Remember these classes are small and are made up of only 2 class postings.  Also, the kits are all inclusive.

First up is the USA Star.  Contact me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com  to be included in the class or for additional information.

Back to work until next time . . . . .

ONLINE CLASSES FOR ALL SPEEDS!

We have all been in those classes where there is at least one turbo stitcher and one turtle stitcher right?  And there is nothing wrong with either approach.  They each have their own agenda.  And then there are all the in-between stitchers of those two categories.


Well, Online Mystery Classes are no different.  I have some stitchers that almost have the lesson finished before I push the button to post it in the secret Facebook Page.  I love them dearly!  Because of them I sometimes learn that a different approach resulted in using more thread than I might have suggested, or that there is a typo on page such and so, or I have transposed numbers (which is a frequent occurrence for me), or that a question arises that might help me add more clarity to a specific technique.  Students love them too.  I have had some say that they hang back and wait until others get through the lesson so they know if there is an issue.  As most know, trying to satisfy the masses is impossible.  But you have asked that I provide a materials list before the lesson starts and I generally try to do that.  However, I have not always completed the stitching so some things are a guess.  That is why there is always a disclaimer at the beginning of the posted materials list that I might need another thread, that I might decide against a thread I have listed, or we might need more skeins than originally thought.  But we all seem to get through it happily.

There are others that wait until all the lessons are posted before they begin.  These are the students that ask a question 3-6 months after we have moved on. That is perfectly okay.  In fact, it is one of the beauties of the Online Mystery Classes. Problem is, I have addressed many other issues on other matters in between the active class and the time when they ask so it might take me a little while to regurgitate the process I used a few months back and then I can address their question.

While the first few years of Online Mystery Classes have been handled in pretty much a standard way, we are adding a few twists going forward.  The standard classes were all for a 6-month period.  This meant that a lesson was posted once a month for 6 months at a cost of $150 for the 6-lesson packet.

Next, we got requests for special classes - such as the humongous Arctic Parade canvases.  These special classes involve a guarantee of a minimum number of lessons.  However, the catch is that they are not regularly scheduled.  Working so far.













One thing I noticed on my classes is that my students seem to request large projects - at least 9 x 12  (in my dreams!) and larger.  Just scroll down and you will see the offerings to see what I mean (the full year agenda originally posted on Dec. 19 - by the way, that has been added too in subsequent posts).  And it was becoming more and more difficult for the majority (operative word here is majority) of students to be able to finish a lesson within a month.  Now, keep in mind that finishing a lesson is not a requirement.  Some students place that burden upon themselves.  So, we are experimenting with the idea of having some classes that involved larger canvases to post a lesson every other month.   Some of these include:

Moon Gazer by Brenda Stofft

Steampunk Witch by Brenda Stofft

On the flip side, we have added a new category called 'Quickies'.   These are classes that are going to be smaller projects and they are only going to involve 2 lesson postings.  That does not necessarily mean that the posting will only have a couple stitches, it means that no matter what, everything that I have included for that design will be divided into 2 postings.  These Quickie classes will be all inclusive!  All materials and lessons for one price.  These will vary depending on the cost and number of materials included.

The first Quickies on the schedule are by Raymond Crawford and involve some of his Star designs.  First up is the USA Star:

This will begin early to mid-summer.  Email me for full details at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com.

The second Quickie will be Raymond's American Eagle Star:

Hopefully I will be able to share the finished products in the next couple of weeks.

The next new thing we are going to experiment with is the - No Stress - No Schedule - No Deadline - class.  Doesn't that sound great?  The first piece we will play with for this class with be from JP Needlepoint and is their Nutty Professor Hooter - this is 8" x 33" for the design area - very manageable.  For more details email me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com

     

ITALY! 

I hope Italy is prepared for the Party on the Po that is going to converge upon them in October!  We have 50 paid participants and 10 more in the wings!  Woo Hoo!  What a group.  Do you know what this is?

That's the boxes for the first mailing of the Cruise Exclusive Class Kit - Venice Memories!  (This is the very private Shipping Department at Arthur Acres! - any excuse not to have to cook dinner!)

So for those that have ordered and paid for the Exclusive Class Kit, they have all been shipped and should be received soon if not already!  The deadline for ordering the Venice Memories class kit is May 15.

This is just one of many possible things the participants will be playing with while 'resting' from their Italian adventures through Milan, down (or is it across) the Po, Venice and the neighboring little islands!  It is becoming more and more real as each little chip falls into place!  So, so exciting.

I will be sharing some Italian ornaments soon with you as well.  Stitching the backgrounds currently. Won't be much longer!

And, as if that isn't enough to do, I will be heading our this week to teach at the Needle Nook of LaJolla Annual Retreat.  Always fun with this group! 

STITCH-AWAY, STITCH-AWAY, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL TREAT!

I have the wonderful privilege of sitting here looking through floor length windows out on a fantastic lake, beautiful wildlife entertaining me and surrounded by friends.  Not only friends, they are stitching friends!  We are at the Lone Star ANG Stitch Away at Conroe, TX at the LaTorreta Resort.

Such beautiful pieces of work!  It is unbelievable the beauty that is present in this room!  Every kind of design you can imagine being worked by fantastic stitchers using their own stitches, or the helpful guidance of creative stitch guides and/or input of those present.

Nancy Wedemeyer working on Steampunk Fox

Cindy Rigoni working on Happy Haunted Grounds

Of course there are many more but as you can see I am prejudice!  And . . . it's my blog!

Then one whole side of the room is filled with canvases, threads and accessories galore in the Lone Star Chapter, ANG stash sale.  No matter how hard you try not to it seems you always manage to find something you just have to have.

Add to that daily drawings!  Some very nice things - as of this writing yours truly has not managed to get one of those door prizes!  Still more to come so fingers crossed.  Anything look familiar here?

For those who like the pleasure, there is a masseuse available  - she is set up right outside the door and she is definitely being utilized.  This is one service I have yet to take advantage of no matter how wonderful all say it is.

Believe it or not, amongst all this, my stitching is work related.  I am totally consumed by my upcoming classes and loving every minute of it!  I am most anxious to share with all my class participants what I have managed to accomplish here.  But, alas, they must wait until it is time to post!

Remember to Stitch with a Smile!

Sandy

ROLLIN', ROLLIN'  ROLLIN'

That's what I feel my days are doing - no - the  weeks, months and years!  Absolutely unbelievable how we move from Monday to Saturday and on and on.  The big  consolation is that I can see that accomplishments have been made during that period of time so that helps!  LOL.

I just returned from teaching at Blue Bonnet Retreat at Horseshoe Bay Resort outside Austin, TX.  It is always so nice to be able to share our passion with others of like minds!  This was our first time at this resort and the facilities were beautiful.  The food was absolutely excellent!  The only shortcoming I witnessed was the slowness of staff - but it is the off season and they likely have not dealt with a group like ours - LOL.  Next year will be even more fabulous.

A group of us had our exiting dinner at the Yacht Club nearby and it was fantastic.  I had the pleasure of dining with Jennifer (behind me), Toni (across from her) and Dawn (across from me.)

I am home for a few days before I head back to Texas - this time Houston.  I will be attending a Stitch Away at LaToretta Resort as a member of the Lone Star Chapter.  Always a great time.  I even manage to get a little stitching in too!

Classes are moving right along.  We will be introducing our first lesson in the beautiful Menorah in the Online Mystery agenda mid-March - just around the corner!

Menorah from Tapestry Fair

Invoices are being processed in preparation for the first posting mid-March!  Everyone who contacted me for thread/embellishment kits should have been acknowledged.  Shipping is expected on or about March 7.  

Steampunk Fox will have his Second Session posted in a few weeks as well.  Next will be the Third Session for the Large Easter Rabbit  and the Fifth Session for the Santa's Reward design.  And, as we must do with all classes, we will be saying goodbye to the Pillow Collage year-long class. What a fantastic journey we have had.  Such sharing across the world!

New adventures are cropping up as well.  The reception to our new Quickies has been fabulous.  Our first design to be spotlighted is Raymond Crawford's USA Star.

This class series is meant to turn around quickly - Quickies - get it?  They will be all inclusive - lessons, painted canvas, threads and embellishments if appropriate to assist in having all the necessary supplies quickly.  The lessons will be covered in two postings one each month for a two-month period.  The Quickies will be small and portable.  The first Quickie class is the USA Star and the all inclusive kit is very reasonable.  Send email to me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com to get all the details if interested and to be included in the fun.

We have also added another unique class that we refer to as 'No Schedule - No Stress - No Deadlines.'  The first class in this category is by JP Needlepoint Designs and looks to be lots of fun.  Nutty Professor Hooter is a tall and slim - approximately 8" x 33".  The concept of this class is that a lesson will be posted as I get to it - maybe in a week - a month - two months - no schedule just whenever.

For more details regarding supplies and costs just email me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com.    

(I wish I knew how to make these photos line up beside each other - sorry!)

Look at those red toes!  OMG!

This is going to be too wild and cool!  Email me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com if you would like to be on the notification list!  

So I must now get back to getting the upcoming lessons stitched so I can go back to Texas to play!  Hopefully I'll remember to take the time to visit online next week!

In the meanwhile remember to Stitch with a Smile!

Sandy

MOVING RIGHT ALONG . . . 

Last week I shared some new concepts I am introducing and you responded strongly!  Thank you for your acceptance.  So we will keep you posted on the progress as soon as we start receiving canvases for the 'Quickies' and the 'as we get to it' projects.  First on the agenda will be the elegantly simple Raymond Crawford USA Star.

As soon as the canvases are received we will be able to start shipping to those who have entered the class. As we stated earlier, these 'Quickies' will be all inclusive:  canvas, threads, embellishments (if applicable), S/H and 2 lessons posted one a month  in the secret Facebook page.  No matter how many techniques are covered they will be shared in 2 postings.  The USA Star is slated to begin early summer.  Be sure to get enrolled right away if you want to be included in the first wave of students.  

             email:  duodesignsinc@yahoo.com for class particulars - get your name on the list NOW

Later this week we will be sharing more lessons for the current Online Mystery Classes.  If my students enjoy these classes half as much as I do we are all having a grand time!  There is always something new and a surprise around the corner.  Some good surprises - every now and then a not so good surprise.  There are times that no matter how hard you try you cannot get something to turn out the way you imagined.  But, the good part of that experience is that you usually come up with something better.


We squeezed in an extra class for the February calendar and it is the first in our Steampunk series from Brenda Stofft.  The Steampunk Fox is so dapper and will offer us many challenges!  He is a happy and colorful piece and those are the kind that I like to work with.  Everyone who has requested information has been notified of their kits.



                                       Steampunk Fox










The next regularly scheduled new Online Mystery Class that will begin in mid-March is the fantastic Menorah from Tapestry Fair.  This piece has been long awaited by many.

Blue happens to be one of my favorite colors so I am already ahead on this one!  There will be lots of sparkle going on here.  The thread list and embellishment list has been posted in the secret Facebook page for those that have paid to participate in the class.  Email me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com if you have any questions about this upcoming class and if you need assistance with the kit options.

Next up will be the wonderful Songbirds from Danji that will be flying in.

The background has been stitched on the model and threads are being pulled.  The mind is going spastic here!  Love it!  Let us know if you would like to join us for this adventure.  This will have a first lesson mid-May.
       
       Deposits being taken to hold canvas and thread/embellishment kits for this class - email at        duodesignsinc@yahoo.com.

Shortly thereafter, the fun, fun, fun Cupcakes from BB Needlepoint Designs is on the calendar.  My daughter and I have had so much fun coming up with things to share with you on this one.

This design was repainted specifically for us and we have our own canvas number because we asked that the designer make it a little larger so we would have lot s of room to showcase some fun techniques.  You are gonna love this adventure!  Specialty threads, beads, quirky applications - who knows what we will come up with?  The embellishments on this one will blow you away.  Come join us for the journey.

                      Deposits being taken to hold canvas  and thread/embellishment kits for this class -      email at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com.

Last week we highlighted the cute Raymond Crawford Santa Ornament Wreath and stitching is underway for the model!

I believe there are 24 ornaments plus the Santa one.  We have had a lot of fun planning this one and the stitching fingers are itching.

   Deposits being taken to hold canvas  and thread/embellishment kits for this class - email at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com.

    REGISTRATION:  For questions or to register for any of these events, just email

    me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com.  Don't miss out on the fun!

I received the good news that I have been selected to teach at the American Needlepoint Guild Seminar 2018 that will be held in DC.  They have included an Encore class that I taught at the ANG Seminar 2017 in New Orleans - Can Do Hairdos.  This is a fun techniques class and we do a lot of giggling while executing the various techniques.  Another class they have selected is a time where we will work with the students assisting with individual issues as they arise. Stitching Solutions will be presented as two different one-day classes.  We will be sharing ideas with those who are seeking assistance with their project whether it is one where they are stuck and have just hit a brick wall or whether it is a new project and they just don't know where to start. The two one day sessions are offered to provide the opportunity for more people that may be interested in playing.

But before all that guess what occurs?  I leave Friday to teach at the Blue Bonnet Annual Retreat!  How much fun is that?  I will be teaching two of JP Needlepoint Owls - always fun - and sharing techniques with my students.  But also I will get to visit with friends that I only get to see in these type venues.  I am looking forward to it.

So until next time from Texas! have a great week and remember to stitch with a smile.