♮🎶 'If you're fond of sand dunes and salty air

Quaint little villages here and there

You're sure to fall in love with old Cape Cod

(Cape Cod, that old Cape Cod)'

Can't you just hear Patty Page singing this fantastic song?  (Okay, please tell me that one or two of you know who Patty Page was).  Her voice was just perfect for the lyrics of this beautifully, descriptive song and it made you feel like you were actually there!

We are going to be there!  Yes, the second half of our Have a Ball in Boston tour will be spent in wonderful Osterville and Cape Cod.

We will have the good fortune of spending a full day of an optional class hosted by Osterville Needlepoint - thank you Joyce Gesh - and taught by me.

 And, not only that, Joyce has created an exclusive design for us to debut for her.

Wait until you see what I am doing to this happy, colorful fun design that will help us remember out trip to this remarkable area!  Those who are registered for this tour will have the opportunity to preorder this fantastic kit over on our secret Facebook Page.  Be sure to watch for details.  You will think you can hear the waves; you will want to pick up the starfish, and you will be tempted to slip on those flip flops!  Those who know me know that I love to embellish and add dimension!  My mind is swirling!

Here are just some of the goodies I am auditioning for the class.  Once I settle in, Joyce will provide us with the kit cost for those on the tour to be able to preorder.

After our day of class, we will head back to the hotel to get registered for our 2-night stay and ready for dinner. Dinner is not at the run-of-the-mill restaurant.  No sireee!  Our travel agent has made arrangements for us to dine at the Optimist Cafe.  Below is the excerpt from our tour brochure furnished by the travel agent:           

   "Tonight we gather for DINNER at a very special venue. You will dine at the OPTIMIST CAFÉ, originally, the Captain Howes House, this  beautiful historic home was built in in 1849 by Captain Frederick Howes. Recently it was listed on the National Historic Register. Captain Howes had a long and distinguished career captaining many ships all over the world. The Howes House is one of the finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture in Yarmouth…with distinctive “gingerbread” look. The building is a post and beam frame…and has its original plastered walls and ceilings, wide pine flooring, spiral staircase, fireplace, large door window and French doors. The proprietors felt a strong sense of care in maintaining as much of the original structure as possible when renovating this beautiful home. We hope you find it as charming and beautiful as they did."

What an inviting looking establishment!  Can't wait!

I believe this guy changes his/her look every now and then - what fun!

See that part that says 'Private Functions' - that's us!

.

Then, we are not 'dune' yet! (Sorry, couldn't help it.)  Nope!  Joyce is hosting yet another optional mini-class back at the shop where she will be showcasing a fabulous thread that many of you have not heard of, seen, or worked with - how exciting is that? I have worked with it and I assure you that you do not want to miss this chance!  More details on the secret FB page for the Have a Ball in Boston participants. If you prefer, however, you may return to the Hotel but after all, we are on a stitching tour - right!

For more information email me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com.  Trip is June 2017.

'If you spend an evening you'll want to stay
Watching the moonlight on Cape Cod Bay
You're sure to fall in love …'

ONLINE MYSTERY CLASSES:

The last Online Mystery Class for 2016 is the wonderful Santa's Rewards.  The first lesson has been posted and we are on our way preparing to post the second session mid-month.

The first class in 2017 ! ! ! ! is the wonderful Large Easter Rabbit by Brenda Stofft.

Invoices have been mailed.  If you did not get yours and you think you have signed up for this delightful class be sure to email me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com so we can take care of it.  Once payment has been processed you will receive an invitation to participate in the secret Facebook page just for this class and its participants.  This is where the materials list, individual monthly lessons and general information and assistance takes place.  If you have paid and have not received your invite be sure to contact me right away - duodesignsinc@yahoo.com.

REGISTRATIONS:  There is plenty of time to still register for the tours - Have a Ball in Boston and Party on the Po.  Also time to be included in the next Online Mystery Classes.  Just drop me an email to discuss.

Well I think that is it for this week.  I have so much I want to share but there is only so much time - for me and for you.  I am busily working on stitch guides for the upcoming Needle Nook of LaJolla Retreat so that threads can be pulled and we can hit the ground running.  Such beautiful canvases . . . sigh . . . . what a lovely job to have!

Have a great weekend and just email me with any questions you may have.

Sand

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU HEAR BOSTON?

Paul Revere?  Boston Common?  Boston Marathon?  USS Constitution?  Boston Tea Party?  Freedom Trail?  Lobster? Sand?

When we do our Have a Ball in Boston stitching tour in June 2017, we will be touching on all of these things and more.  And most of these events are during the daylight hours - right?  Well, what about the nighttime?

Never fear!  We are here!  On our second night in Boston we will be hosting a Pajama Party/Ice Cream Social Stitch in!  Yep, you heard that right!  And . . . there will be prizes.

Now, you are not going to win a prize just for any ole pajamas!  Nope!  You must have a theme!  Think of the possibilities!  Look around at all the history, the beaches, the food, there are all kinds of things to draw from.   My pjs are going to be so cool that nobody will even come close!  But not to worry because I can't win - 😊 !

So get those creative juices flowing.  Just a hint - you might want to bring a robe to travel from your room to the stitching room.  We wouldn't want to scare all the other guests away now would we?

Full details are below so scroll down to a previous post.

Earlier in the day we will have lunch at Cheers - yes the establishment made famous through the television series.

From there we will make our second shop visit.  The Stitch Boutique.  Kim has some unique designs to share with us that are also Boston related.  The ones that really struck my eye are the ones highlighting the fabulous Boston Public Park.  Most people familiar with this area immediately thing of the Swan boats and the ducks.  The designs I have chosen to stitch and create a stitch guide for are (1) this beautiful 4" x 4" square design featuring one of the swan boats going past a fantastic weeping willow tree.

Here it is stitched.  There will be a stitch guide available.

and (2)  a 3" round ornament with the end of one of the boats where the swans are featured.

Both these designs can be preordered and prepaid for prior to our trip.  Details will be posted on the secret FB page Have a Ball in Boston for those who have registered for the tour.

          These are not classes!  These are area specific designs that the different shops are going to showcase for us and provide full kits if we desire to purchase as a reminder of our great time.

          The CLASS CANVAS was received yesterday and I will be sharing that as soon as I get all the threads together and start preparing the stitch guide.  The Class Design will be for an optional full day in Cape Cod and will be the subject of next week's tour highlight post. Costing details will follow on the secret Facebook page for Boston Tour Participants.  Come join us!  There is still plenty of time.

PARTY ON THE PO has blown out of proportion!  We have over 50 participants!  Isn't that amazing.  We still have people signing up and straddling the fence but as far as this end is concerned we are busily stitching the exclusive design for the trip that is theme related.  Those details will be provided to the participants via the secret FB page Party on the Po.  I am just waiting for the prices from the painter and participants can begin preordering their kits now.  The kits will be forwarded (after receiving from painter - 3 mo. +/ ) so you can add to stretcher bars and be ready to go.  The stitch guides will be shared in Italy!  I am loving this piece!  Can't wait to share!

ONLINE MYSTERY CLASSES

The  ONLINE MYSTERY CLASS ITINERARY 2017 was released last week.  Scroll on down a couple entries and you will find it in full bloom.

In the meanwhile, we are preparing to start the next set of lessons for Happy Haunting Grounds the last Session 6, boo hoo, Robin’s Wreath Session 4, and Santa’s Reward  Session 2.

And, believe it or not, it is time to send out invoices for our mid-January class -Large Easter Rabbit  from Brenda Stofft.

For information on any of the above feel free to email me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com. We always like to add more people to play with us!

Have a great holiday weekend and remember to stitch with a smile!

Sandy

PARTY PARTY PARTY IN BOSTON!

Thought I'd share a little more with you about the upcoming Boston tour - Have a Ball in Boston June 2017.

Yep!  Rumor has it that when we Have a Ball in Boston one of our nightly stitch ins will be a PJ Party!  But. . . not just any PJ Party.

First it will involve an Ice Cream Social (at least that is the plan at this point of the game).

Second there will be an optional mini-class.  What is it you say?  Well, we will be creating our very own beautiful tassel from a full kit – everything provided – walk out the door with a completed project.  Price and preorder information will be available on the secret FB page for those registered to take the tour. The lovely hand painted tops, ribbons, guides for cutting ribbon – everything! Lots of color options.

 Next up – a        Contest  !  Four Categories

General Rules:

Must wear pajamas  (or night gown and robe).

What are pajamas?  For our purposes, pajamas require a top and a bottom (or gown and robe).

Pajamas should be tasteful.

 

Not cool! For this venue

Consider a robe as you must travel from your room to the meeting room - - - just sayin’

So, what are the categories?

1.           Most original Boston Theme pajamas

Surely with all the history around us you can come up with something creative!

2.           Most stitch related pajamas

I just gotta say that it is a good thing for you that I am not eligible to win ‘cause I got this one hands down!

3.           Most creative Onesie

This is a Onesie

This is a creative Onesie

 

 No you cannot copy this one!

4.            Most Creative House Slippers (must use flip flops as base – all others will be disqualified from competition)

The decision of our unbiased, expert judge (most likely the custodian on duty) will be final and accepted with grace!

Best of all, there will be prizes (as soon as I can get some lined up). 

So hurry up and join our group.  Email me for details or look under files (or scroll further down the page) for the brochure describing the trip.  Remember space is limited.

Email me at duodesignsinc@yahoo.com

Love to have you with us!