As many of you already know, I spend a lot of time in CA so that I can visit with my “little people”, aka grandchildren.  It’s always a lot of fun, but when I’ve had enough of their childhood exuberance, I turn to needlepoint to bring me some adult amusement and serenity. I am so fortunate in that I have a home away from home when I go to stitch at the local store in San Mateo, called Luv2Stitch.  Hanging out there has meant that I have met some wonderful fellow stitching enthusiasts, or should I say addicts?!  With their encouragement,  I found my way to joining the local chapter of ANG, the Golden Gate Canvas Workers (GGCW).

One of the really nice “side” activities that GGCW has is a monthly stitch-in at various members’ homes.  I had the privilege of spending the day yesterday at the home of Lois Kershner, the current President of GGCW.  Many of you readers will recognize that name since Lois is a long term national teacher for ANG and other well known needlework organizations.  What a delight!  Not only is Lois a most gracious hostess, her vision and creativity is unique and beautiful.  I have never had the privilege of taking classes with Lois, but I know many of you have.  You have been enthusiastic about her Threadscapes, where she reproduces a photograph from one of her travels onto the canvas and one stitches the stitch design over the photograph.  These designs are so different and beautiful.

So, all day, my eyes were filled with delight as I was able to gaze at many of her works that grace her walls.  There are some very so so snapshots below that I took, of what was up on her walls yesterday.  Apparently, she rotates her works of art. With a little encouragement from us, Lois took out of her cupboards her other teaching samples.  What fun.

Then  . . . Lois announced that 2020 would be her last year of traveling teaching as she was getting ready to retire (GASP).  So, she is having a pre retirement sale of all of her teaching pieces, that she calls Threadscapes.  She is making kits of her designs with either the photograph on the canvas or a chart and description of the design. The only thing not included is thread.  I’m so excited in that even though I may never get a chance to experience Lois as a teacher, I will at least have some of her designs with which to play.  And – if I run into a problem, I know where to find help.

All in all, it was a really fun day.  If anyone is interested in looking at what Lois has for sale, the information is found on her website at http://www.loiskershner.com.  And yes, my fellow NJNA stitchers, I am bringing home some brochures for you to peruse when next I see you.

Please note, I am not Lois’ agent and she did not ask me to write this.  I was just so excited by my fun day, that I had to share.  Hope all of you are having fun stitching days too.