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Today is Day 1 of our five day Japanese Embroidery and Beading Class with teacher Mary Alice Sinton.

We have nine students from beginners to master stitchers in the group as well as a new beading student. Here are some pictures of what the group is working on in this class.

Beginning of beading top

Fan Design

Sensu , a beautiful design with goldwork around butterflies

Delicate  leaves of Iris design on beautiful silk fabric

Striped purse just started. 

Phase IV goldwork piece

The class had a lovely lunch at Grassroots and enjoyed our lovely fall weather . Our student, Richard told me it was 45 degrees F and raining when he left Seattle so he was thrilled with our 82 degree “fall “weather.

Please stop in for a visit and see these beautiful works in progress.

Susan

It’s Knot the Usual

Come join us for this class with talented designer and teacher Sue Reed.

This beautiful counted design will not only be fun to stitch but add to your knowledge of stitches and techniques. We are finalizing the details for this class is March 2015. Come visit the shop and enjoy this class with us. Ghosts only if the class is full.

Color Choices

#1 Teal blue/gold/green

#2 Taupe/red/navy (model above)

#3 Sage/red/ gold

#4 Soft blue/green/coral

Call the shop for details 480 551 1423

   Fall Mooves In by Annie Lane Designs
   12x 9″ on 18 mesh
          

Fall is here! This is my favorite time of year- the heat of the summer is past and friends have returned from traveling and their summer homes.  We have been very busy getting ready for the season.  The fun Annie Lane designs Trunk Show is here for two more weeks. Mindy Designs will be here for whole month of November. Here are the websites for these designs so you can choose your next project:

http://www.wellesleyneedlepoint.com/AnnieLaneDesigns.shtml
http://www.mindysneedlepoint.com/new-designs

If you are still working on holiday projects, we do take in finishing of small items up to December 1.  So many wonderful projects have come in for finishing.

Terry Dryden is here to teach her Bargello Arrows design on Saturday November 15.

She will help you pick colors if  you do not want to use the model colors and we have two spots left . So come and join us for a wonderful class.

On Friday, Terry is teaching her Zentangle Workshop. This free from drawing style is very relaxing .  You will enjoy this process and unleash your creative spirit!

I hope you enjoy the  new website. Look for email newsletters each month to keep you updated on the newest items in the shop and the latest techniques.

See you soon!

Susan

Looking forward to the new website and newsletter which should preview the first of August. It just takes a lot of time to move all the material to the new site. In the meantime, here is an update on upcoming classes.
  
Fall Retreat – September 26/27/28
   
We are thrilled that the talented Laura Taylor is coming to teach us for three days. Learn about interpreting a canvas on the first day , then work with Laura on your canvas. She will help you choose wonderful  threads and stitches.

There are a couple of spots left in this class . You will enjoy the boutique hotel, Gainey Suites which is steps from shops, restaurants and a spa.

Trios of Fans Class – November 1st
Canvas Enhancement – October 31

Vicky DeAngelis is coming! How exciting is this.  Come have fun on  Halloween and let Vicky work with you. Have an area on your canvas that you just cannot decide what to do-let Vicky solve that dilemma. She has come up with unique stitches and threads for these fans. Choose your favorite or stitch all three.

Our Japanese Embroidery and Beading class is here so please stop in to see what we are all working on in class. Here is a collage of projects- a fan, beaded purse project, metal work , and Mary Alice’s fun and colorful current project. The class is on through Monday at 5pm so see you soon!

Looking for a new counted projects. Here are two to tempt you!

Dots, Spots and Blocks shows many ways to create “dotted” effects using stitches, threads and color placement. It is a collection of stitch patterns that will create a visual pattern that mimics “dots’, “spots” and “blocks”. The 26 pages in this package contain project instructions and 222 stitch patterns. So many uses for these stitches on your projects.

Another choice is Not Exactly Blackwork. Blackwork Embroidery is an embroidery technique originally used to decorate clothes and bed linens. It was meant to imitate lace where lace would have been too expensive or impractical. Today, Blackwork is mostly used as fills in counted thread designs where outlined areas are given texture and density, or as shapes and shadings in their own right. The stitches in this “Not Exactly Blackwork” project pack are mostly inspired by needlepoint stitches. Some are used almost as their original with only changes in spacing. Other counted thread stitches are used in new and interesting groups. Although Blackwork is traditionally a counted thread on fabric technique, the author/designer has effectively used it on needlepoint canvas also. So many uses as well for these stitches.

One of the many great things that happened this week was a talented stitcher, Penny Boswinkle, contacted me about a Quail Run Design she has stitched and will be exhibiting.

It is already over 100 degrees here in Arizona which means our part time residents have left for cooler places. This is the time of year I get to take a breath and dig into all of the things that I could not get to during our busy winter season. I am working on this canvas will be a fun banner when it is finished. I found some great embellishments to add to the piece which I am keeping as a surprise for when you see the finished item.

The Covey  was sent out last week but just in case you missed this issue about classes click here.
Talented Laura Taylor will teach at our Fall Retreat. For all of you who have questions about stitch guides, Laura will start with a class just to answer all of your questions.  Then we will have two great, fun days of working on your chosen project with Laura along with friends, old and new!  The boutique hotel, The Gainey Suites is steps away from shopping, restaurants, a wonderful spa and only 5 minutes from Quail Run Needlework. I am having fun with all the details so do not miss this! Call the shop to sign up. 

We are all proud of our stitching family and so of course I was proud to feature Elaine Bleakney’s new book in The Covey. Her parents, Lynn and Walt, winter in Arizona and their visits to the shop are much enjoyed and appreciated.

Here are the latest magnets into the shop, so call or stop in to add to your collection!

Enjoy the evening and stitching.  See you soon.

Susan

I have many new Quail Run Designs in the works. Here are three of the Patriotic club designs for you to preview. They can be finished on a garland, a wreath or just hung individually.

I am just about finished stitching the Santa above and it will ultimately become a stand up. Look for it on display at the shop. It would be a great addition to your Santa collection! There are new items coming in from market. Of course, Rainbow gallery has new colors in several of their thread lines.

Also coming to the shop is Russian Braid as well as some more colors of the Silk wrapped Purl. I have lots of great embellishment ideas for these two threads for you to use on your projects.

Have a great week. Look for this month’s edition of The Covey in the next week to update you on classes. The Quail’s Quill will be out May 22 for you to enjoy.

Susan

Great news about new small Japanese Embroidery projects just for you! Our next class, with the talented and lively Mary Alice Sinton, is June 26-30. Save these future dates for the next classes:

     2014   November 6-10
     2015   April 9-13, July 9-13 and November 5-9

 Look at these great small Japanese Embroidery projects. You can choose from one of the four season-themed designs. The size is perfect-a 6″ circle or the size of a CD. Here is a perfect piece for those who want to learn but do not want to invest in a large design. Jut a great way to learn the basics of Japanese Embroidery which will make you a better needlepointer. Our next class is June 26-30 all levels, so come join the fun!

READ MY PINS- The Madeleine Albright Collection
November 23, 2013 to April 20, 2014
Phoenix Art Museum

 I just wanted to remind everyone that this exhibit is coming to an end on April 20, 2014. The museum overview states:

 “When former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright vocally opposed Sadaam Hussein’s unwillingness to comply with UN inspections, government-owned Iraqi newspapers called her an “unparalleled serpent.” When Secretary Albright was next scheduled to meet with Iraqi officials, she reached into her jewelry box and selected a gold pin featuring a serpent coiled around a branch, and the legend began. Throughout her career as UN Ambassador and Secretary of State under the Clinton Administration, Secretary Albright used the colorful, attention-grabbing pins she had amassed to quietly communicate volumes. Now, that incredible collection of pins, including antiques and fine jewelry pieces alongside costume jewelry by unknown designers, will make its way to Phoenix Art Museum. The exhibition, which first premiered at New York City’s Museum of Arts and Design, features more than 200 pins, each selected by Secretary Albright to communicate a message or a mood during and after her diplomatic tenure. From fish to flags, jewel-encrusted hearts to pins honoring suffragettes, this collection reflects the unique style and brilliant personality of a woman who learned to leverage every avenue of communication in the fine art of diplomacy.”

Lots of color, texture and ideas for using beads when you see these pins- so do take the time to view this exhibit.