Resolve to do more of what you love – Take a needlepoint class

Almost 80% of all New Year’s resolutions go by the wayside before they’re achieved. In fact, most of us give up on our resolutions by January 12.

Is anyone surprised?

All of those pesky lose-weight, get-in-shape promises are such a bore. And, really, you’re fine the way you are. As a matter of fact, you’re wonderful.

So why not do something radical this year: Resolve to do more of what you love.

Do. More. Needlepoint. Find a new canvas or stitch. Retrieve one of the few unfinished projects in your closet. (“Few” is a relative term.) Or resolve to take a class.

Our local needlepoint stores have offerings to help you stretch your imagination, play with new techniques or stitches, enhance your skills, and make new friends … all of which are more fun than eating celery or getting up at 5 AM to jog.

Here’s what you’ll find at the fabulous needlepoint stores we all frequent:

Needleworkers Delight on Route One in Metuchen maintains an up-to-date class listing and on-line payment options here: http://www.needleworkersdelight.com/DesignerClassSeries.html

The Edwardian Needle in Fairfield offers the following classes and events through March. Contact The Edwardian Needle at (973) 743-9833 in advance for information about cost and registration.

Sunday, January 27 Goldwork Butterfly with Kate Festo 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Sunday, February 3 Super Bowl Party Noon – 5 PM

Thursday, February 7 Stars “II” with Cathryn Curia 5 – 7:30 PM

Sunday, February 10 Canvas Embellishment Studio Noon – 5 PM

Thursday, February 21 Stitch-In 6 – 8 PM

Sunday February 24 Bargello Class with Andrea Santiamo 10 AM – 4 PM

Friday, March 8 Studio with Anthony Minieri Noon – 5 PM

Sat. & Sun., March 9-10 French Ribbon 1 with Anthony Minieri 9:30 AM – 4 PM

Thursday, March 14 Stars “III” with Cathryn Curia 5 – 7:30 PM

Sat. & Sun., March 30-31 Crazy Quilting with Betty Pillsbury 10 AM – 4:30 PM

Knit One, Stitch Two in Pennington will offer The Gazebo – a red, white and blue canvas with a gazebo, topiary and flags – as a “stitch along” on February 11 (11:30 AM – 1:45 PM) and February 28th (11 AM – 2 PM). A stitch guide will be available. Stitch Along fee $25. This is not a class. Minimal instruction is included, and attendees must be able to stitch basketweave. If you’re interested, please email me for the project photo (I couldn’t post it) or contact the shop at http://k1st2.com.

I’ll post information about additional classes upon receipt. In the meantime, happy stitching!

Data sources for those gloomy New Year’s Resolution cited above: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2980864;https://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/wellbeing/this-is-the-date-most-of-us-give-up-on-our-new-years-resolutions/news-story/ae2e1a32a5e5f5ef0783412fefe6abbf