TEXAS - OKLAHOMA!

Blue Bonnet is another great memory!  My first class for the Pumpkin Spiced Tea was fun and we had a lot of productive stitching.  It is amazing how some people can just whiz through stuff and others take a little more time.  I think it might have something to do with focus and a mission - if you are determined to stitch you will do so and nothing is going to stop you; while if you are going to visit and enjoy the camaraderie and get to know new classmates on your journey you, too, will accomplish your goal.  In the end all is covered and a new project is well on its way.

My second class was very, very unusual.  Several of my students had to drop out at the last.  Never fear, your kits are on their way - LOL.  So we were down to 2.  Last minute, one could not come because she had strep  throat and spared us the exposure - thank you very, very much although we would loved having you there to play with us had you been well.  Anyway the student that was left brought a custom painted canvas from Kathryn Molineuax (sp?) and after we discussed the actual class piece, we had a ball playing with the stitch guide I had prepared for her.  She had gone thread shopping prior to the Retreat so was well armed and ready to go!  It was quite a treat to work together on some of the issues.

After teaching at Blue Bonnet for a week, I jumped (well not exactly but I did manage to board) on a plane and headed to Dallas where I got to sit for 3.5 hours before heading on to Oklahoma City.  Nice quiet time, though, and I did get quite a bit done.

Donna was johnny on the spot and waiting for my arrival.  She filled me in on details of where we were and where we were going - Lake Murray - an Oklahoma State Park.  First she dropped me off at my hostess' home - Doris.  What lovely, accommodating people I was hooked up with.  After they made sure I was settled, Doris and got to visit and I was able to stitch some while we chatted away like to ole friends.  She got me hooked right away because she had made me some lovely potato soup for dinner and salad - I opted to forgo the other veggie offerings so I could eat more soup - my favorite!

I had an extra day so Donna picked me up and took me to the National History Museum.  One of my students (Ellen!) will be green with envy.  Oh my gosh, dinosaurs and snakes and turtles and fossils and prehistoric stuff is everywhere.  It was quite an adventure!  Who would have thought that these humongous creatures' skeletons were on display out here.  I had to get a fossil or two as souvenirs.

Next morning we were off to Lake Murray.  Lake Murray facility is undergoing major renovation.  However, the class room is wonderfully bright during the day, perfect for classes.  The room was near the back where we had full view of the lake - even a walk around deck for breaks.  And it was quiet  so we could work without interruption.  They kept us fed well too.

I taught a two-day class here for the ANG Group - Crazy Needles Journey.

We did many traditional stitches for background foundations and then lots of embellishing.  We ruched, made ribbon roses, bouillon flowers, Japanese ribbon stitch leaves, double Pekingese bands, chevrons, oat bead flowers , added sequins, beads and ribbons and much more. But most of all, we had fun!  This is a lovely group and I would tell anyone to join them if given the opportunity to do so.

Tomorrow Doris will whisk me off to the airport bright and early - we leave at 4:30 am - and I head back to Kentucky.  But, not to let moss grow under my toes, I will be back on a plane bright and early
Wednesday morning heading to Houston for a fantastic week with my daughter and friends stitching at the Lone Star Chapter's annual Stitch Away.

In the meanwhile I am working feverishly on the threads for our next Online Class, the Thanksgiving Critters by Melissa Shirley and the Pillow Collage from the collection.

And . . . more exciting things are in store as I continue to audition and add new designs to my 2017 lineup.  Wait until you see them!  I am so excited!

I am so proud of some of my online students who have been very generously sharing pictures of their Work In Progress.  My buttons are bursting . . . . .keep up the good work!

So off to what tomorrow brings - remember to stitch with a smile!

Sandy

CRITTERS ON THE MOVE!

Yep, it's almost that time.  The newest Online Mystery Class - Thanksgiving Critters from Melissa Shirley - is on the horizon!  Invoices have been mailed, payments are being processed and materials list compiled.  If you have not received your invoice email me right away a duodesignsinc@yahoo.com.\

Today is the second and last day for Pumpkin Spiced Tea class at Blue Bonnet Studio retreat!  What a wonderful place to have a retreat.  I am looking from my balcony out at some longhorn steer, some alpacas and ponies and horses.  I believe they offer photo opportunities with these guys throughout the day.

Everyone has been very nice here and the staff go beyond making us comfortable - at least so far they have.  And Mary Alice and John are on the ball taking care of us in our classrooms, etc.  I am looking forward to returning next year to teach.  Please consider taking my classes.  They consist of Juli - JP Needlepoint - precious owls - Black Beak Hooter and The Black Queen.

Both are 2-day classes and lots of fun!

Well, better get down to the classroom before the natives get restless.  Those signed up for the Cats and Easter Rabbit - watch out - postings on the way!

Have a great day and Stitch with a Smile!

Sandy

QUICKIE NOTE:
Invoices for Thanksgiving Critters were posted today and you should have them in your email.  Advise me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com if you did not get yours.

WINTER IS WANING - 

SPRING AND FALL ARE ON STRETCHER BARS!

Mercy!  What weather!  One day we have 12" of snow and a few days later it is in the 60s and above?  No wonder people are becoming ill.  I missed the snow here at home because I was teaching at Callaway.  But Callaway (this year) was cold and wet!  We did have a lovely day or two sprinkled in and a beautiful day to drive to the airport.  I missed being able to go to the Butterfly House this year.  Maybe next time.

SPRING?  What's this Spring stuff?  How about a happy Brenda Stofft Easter Rabbit?  He makes you feel Spring is in the air when looking at his happy face. Background from Lesson 1 in the Online Mystery Class is all done on this pretty boy!

In just a few days we begin working on Lesson 2!  Can't wait!  More fun in store.

And . . . people are still signing up and joining us for this guy!  Join us!

But, we also have the kitties in the dingy don't forget!  The background sky is in, the moon is in, the dingy is stitched, and we have two of the Cats in the Dingy stitched and ready to assist their mighty Captain.  This cute Annie Lane design is working up fairly quickly and has lots of challenges along the way.

FALL? Well of course Fall and Autumn!  Look who is next in the que!  It is the cute Melissa Shirley design of all kinds of little critters in the autumn attire!  Named Thanksgiving Critters though we refer to them as Autumn critters because Thanksgiving is too limited, and as I said, there is not a Pilgrim nor Indian in sight!

                                            Hmm?      Hmm?    Hmm?      Hmm?     Hmm?

Notification emails have gone out to all who expressed some interest advising that invoices will soon follow.  If you think you have registered for this Online Mystery Class and have not received an email from me, then I do not have you listed.  Contact me right away by sending an email to duodesignsinc@yahoo.com.  If you did not register but want to join us you still can and need to send me an email right away telling me to include you - again at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com.  

Invoices will be mailed in another week or so.  These will be via PayPal in the amount of $150 for the 6-lesson packet.  Contact your local needlepoint shop to get your canvas and threads.  Let me know if you need assistance in obtaining these items.  Once payment is processed you will be included in a secret Facebook page where you will meet fellow participants, obtain a materials list and read up on some general information, tips and rules.  Come on over.

First lesson is scheduled to be posted mid-March 2016.

In the meanwhile, whatever will I be doing with myself?  Well I've mailed off the kits and now preparing to get packed for Blue Bonnet retreat in Texas!  As I shared with you earlier, I'll be teaching Ruth Schmuff's Boston Terrier Cocktail for two days. Kinda want to pet him!

Next is a two-day session of my design Pumpkin Spiced Tea.  

Both these designs incorporate needle felting - one with wool roving the other with silk roving.

Then, without even going home, I'm off to teach at the ANG Chapter at Lake Murray, OK.  I'm excited because I have not taught in Oklahoma before.  I get to add another state to my teaching map.

This is my design called Crazy Needles Journey!

This piece is named for its crazy quilt layout and the journey is because so many of the stitches have names of countries - Hungarian, Dutch, French, Romanian, you get the picture.

Then it will be back home for one (yes I said one day) then I hop on another plane with my daughter/partner Teresa and we head back to Houston for a week of stitching and creating with each other and friends at the annual Lone Star Stitch Away.  Can't wait!

So back to the business at hand - finishing packing - jump on the plane for Austin - post the upcoming lessons for our fun Online Mystery Classes...

But.... don't forget working on those suggestions for the Needle Nook of LaJolla Getaway in March - Yipee!

I hope you are enjoying your life's adventure as am I!  Until next time, be sure to Stitch with a Smile!

Sandy

ANOTHER YEAR AT CALLAWAY GARDENS NEEDLEARTS SCHOOL . . . .

It was so good to see everyone at Callaway Gardens this year.  Seeing old friends is always a joy and adding new ones is a treasure.

My first class in Beading on Needlework was wild!  We had so much fun and it was my largest class. We had a fantastic room in which to work - loved the horseshoe shape - projector screen in the front, etc.  Also close to the exit door in case I had to escape quickly - LOL.

My next two classes were rather small but great nonetheless.  Our first day in Heloise Hooty was in a classroom where we froze our butts off!  We had to wear coats!  But, never fear, Pat Callihan was johnny on the spot and got our room moved during break so we could be more comfortable.  The room was smaller but we were okay.

The next class was a little larger, Pumpkin Spiced Tea, and we were a little more snug in the room.  However, we opted to stay put rather than take a chance on returning to our first room and freezing although we were assured that it was much warmer than a few days before.

Food was good and the staff very helpful.  If you have never been to Callaway you should treat yourself to the experience.  It is smaller than the huge seminars and, therefore, much more intimate.  You get to know your fellow classmates and share lots of wonderful meals, classes and just plain ole friendship.  I hope to see you there at future events!

After a few days at home (long enough to do laundry and get dry cleaning returned) I am packing to be off to Blue Bonnet Retreat!  This, too, is one of those smaller intimate venues.  I love their coziness and friendliness.  I taught there last year and was very impressed and am very much looking forward to returning this year.

My first class is a Ruth Schmuff design - Boston Terrier Cocktail.

The next class is the Pumpkin Spiced Tea shown above.  I will be teaching the Pumpkin Spiced Tea many times in 2016 so watch for it.

SNEAK PEEK:  Here are pictures of next years classes at Blue Bonnet - put them on your calendar.  They are both from JP Needlepoint's owl series - Blackbeak Hooter and The Black Queen.

 

I fly directly from Blue Bonnet to the ANG OK Chapter to a resort setting to teach my design the fun Crazy Needles Journey.

This piece was named because I wanted the seam treatments used in crazy quilts and the journey part came from the majority of stitches having names of countries - Hungarian, Dutch, Paris, Rumania, etc.

From OK I return home one day then I'm off to Houston for a week long retreat.  My daughter will be joining me for this adventure and we will stitch, visit, work, etc., with friends in a beautiful setting.

To fill in the void spots, we are preparing to start sending the invoices out for our next Online Mystery Class,  Melissa Shirley's Thanksgiving Critters - which I choose to call Autumn Critters because it has a function that goes beyond our Thanksgiving holidays here in the state.  There are no pilgrims, just fall colors and foliage!

Invoices go out next week for $150 for a 6-lesson packet.  First monthly lesson will be posted mid-March.  You still have time to join us.  Just email me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com.  We'd love to have you play with us.

So, gotta go and work on models and stitch guides!

More later - remember to stitch with a smile!

Sandy

TNNA Winter Market was a beautiful event.

I was so impressed with all the booths.  Several of us were talking about how, for some reason, this market looked much better, more professional, and more calming than they have been in the recent past.  People were busy, and I understand that the shops that were there were buying,  but for some reason it was not with the urgency that has been sensed in the past. It was a very enjoyable experience!

I taught 3 classes and had a lot of fun.  My only complaint was that my hotel was at one end of San Diego and my classroom was at the other end - even the student/shop owners commented on it as well.  I logged 4.2 miles and was teaching in the room for 6 hours on one day so that gives you some indiction as to how much I was walking to and from my room.  But I loved it anyway.

Those of you so inclined, keep in mind that the EGA Sun Regional Seminar in St. Petersburg is coming up and  I will be teaching on April 29 through the first of May my Back To The Beach Ladies!!

Check out the details on the EGAUSA website or contact jennalee@hotmail.com with specific questions.  I would love to see you there.

I have been working away on our current Online Mystery Classes.  We have posted Lesson 3 for Cats in a Dinghy - Annie Lane Designs.

This lesson covered the Dinghy and playing with some interesting threads.

We also posted Lesson 1 for Easter Rabbit with Morning Glories - Brenda Stofft.

This lesson took care of all the background areas.  We are now in position to begin playing with some fun techniques as this piece develops.

It is time for those who want to participate in the S.O.S. in CyberSpace Session II to notify me and get registered.  This is a limited size class and there are only a couple of slots available.  This is an embellishment class where you choose any canvases and ask questions for certain issues. Scroll down to the 2016 Online Class Schedule to read more about it.  Email me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com.

We are very excited about the upcoming Online Mystery Class selections and the new pieces we selected at the TNNA Winter Market.  Participants are already putting their names on the notification lists.  So, if you see something you want to join us in our playtime, just send me an email so that I can put your name on the notification list.  I need your email address to place you on that list.  Send email to me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com.

Now, for the current happenings, I am packing and preparing to leave for Callaway.  I will be teaching 3 classes there.  It will be so fun - Beading on Needlework is a 1-day class; Heloise Hooty (ACOD canvas) is a 2-day class and Pumpkin Spiced Tea is a 2-day class (see that needle felting in there?).

So, once again I am blessed with much on my plate and love it.  I hope to see you at Callaway Gardens!  Stop in and say hi if you are there.

In the meanwhile, be sure to send an email letting me know which Online Mystery Classes you are interested in receiving more information for.  Also, many shops are offering special discounts for participants in my classes once their participation has been verified so you want to be sure to take advantage of that discount.

Have a great weekend and Stitch with a Smile!

Sandy

TNNA WINTER MARKET - COME AND GONE!

Wow!  That was fast.

I just returned home from teaching at the TNNA Winter Market in San Diego.  So many new things to see and decisions to make.

I actually got to spend some time on the market floor looking for some new things to play with in our Online Mystery Classes!  And I was not disappointed!  I found three right away that just blew me away and I want to share a sneak peek with you!

I have been trying to find a beautiful canvas for my Jewish friends and I think I have found it!  This beautiful Menorah from Tapestry Fair.   Beads?  Metallics?  Lots of bling, pretty stitches, and more.

AND, what I think is an exciting aspect of this design is, the company has also painted each candle individually so one could create ornaments if they would prefer!  One class can be used for both types of canvas!

 We are going to have fun!

A very happy canvas I found just abounds with possibilities!  I could not forego this beautiful Songbirds from Danji!

Look at all the colors!  Hmmmm, beads, dimensional stitches, fluffs, puffs, etc., etc.!

And then as I visited with Pat at the Pajamas and Chocolate booth , this cute canvas of trees just kept grabbing my eye!

I don't see this design as 'Christmas'.  That's not to say that it could not be if one so chooses, but I loved its simple line and felt it would offer a break from the more complex designs that we work with the majority of time.

Anyway, as you can see, we are going to be busy!  There'll be lots more details later as I work them all out but I wanted to share my finds with you!  I'm anxious to get your feedback!

Have a great week - - -

Sandy