My last class began this morning. Yesterday's outings revitalized me and I was off to new adventures in the stitching world this morning with Nancy Cucci's class where we will be attaching over 2500 beads before finishing, yes, I did not make a typing error, 2500. The piece is about 5.5 inches square. Today we learned three different patterns for the beads. The first was to stitch a basket weave stitch but with on open thread between the stitches. The beads are applied to every other open intersection making the overall appearance less intense. The second area had the same open basket weave but with beads applied to each open intersection making the appearance of beads stronger. (You will have to take my word for it having seen the model because I have not yet put beads into this area). The next area you stitch the beads on with floss on every other intersection so that the beads are in diagonal rows. Next we will stitch in floss between the beads over two threads so the overall appearance is off a diagonal mosaic.

Continental outline and basket weave

The pilot group for this class was Fox Chapter which is near to Chicago. Many of the participants in the pilot class are working here at the seminar and are unable to take classes. They did bring in their finished projects for Nancy (and us) to see. Nancy suggests that we take her design and use it as a starting point although we could stitch the design as the model is stitched. Seeing the pilot stitchers' finished pieces certainly did give us ideas of changes that could be made very simply. Tomorrow I will give you an idea of what my possibilities will be.

After class while Rosie and Carol went for a swim, I walked down to Millennium Park. This weekend is the Jazz Festival in Chicago and they were getting ready for a concert tonight at the open air auditorium in the park. I saw many couples and couples with youngsters walking toward the park with their chairs, blankets, coolers, etc. in preparation for a picnic on the lawn before the event. On the way back to the hotel walking across the bridge over the Chicago River, I saw not only the tour boats but also a number of kayakers enjoying a late summer outing on the river on a beautiful evening.

Evening on the river

Last day tomorrow; how did the week go by so quickly!

Sue

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Hi, Everyone —

Today I started a new class, “Spirit” with the lovely Sue Reed.  Three of my fellow chapter members are also in this class.  Most of today’s stitching was straightforward and I was able to make a fair amount of progress.  Toward the end of the day, however, Sue taught us how to find matching lengths in our over-dyed threads so that we could do color matching on each of the four corners of our canvas.

“Spirit” — End of Day One!

Sue used my canvas to demonstrate this technique and I was rolling right along UNTIL one of my threads split and I ended up with 2.5 plies instead of 3 plies.  So tonight my spirit is sad as I begin some remedial repairs…

Cheers!

Rosie

Now that I’m back home after 5 days at Seminar, I thought I’d summarize my thoughts on the overall experience since this was really my first full Seminar experience.  I had attended a one-day workshop in Philadelphia and had some time to check out the Exhibition and shop but didn’t get to any of the evening activities.  Taking a 4-day class is a bit draining as well as hard on the back, especially for someone who doesn’t sit still for long periods of time.  I did try to get up every 30 minutes or so even though it wasn’t break time and I waited until the teacher was done talking, but I don’t think she appreciated my need to be up and moving regularly.  I know some women use heating pads and footstools; however, I just need to get up and move – my work colleagues used to quickly learn I finished most meetings within 45 minutes because I’d be up and about at that point!  I do sit near the back but maybe I should think about being in the last row!

I picked my class because I loved the design and I still love it.  I’m really glad I realized I had to baste the sections after the first day so I could fully appreciate working on the piece.  Unfortunately, I’m about 2 months behind on the stocking I’m doing to be completed by Thanksgiving and am at least 2 months if not 3 on my Stitch of the Month!  I’m working on figuring out how I can work on all 3 as I am eager to work on Puzzle Pieces!  I got out of the class what I’d hoped in terms of learning how to overlay stitches and the different effects you can get.  I’d hoped to be a little further along in what I completed, but I wouldn’t even be this far if I hadn’t spent the time basting, so I’m happy with how much I got done!

I should have come in earlier in the day on Friday so I could have done more exploration of the Chicago area.  I did get to run or walk every day and did a lot of exploring.  However, there is so much to do such as the museums, river, and lake that I just didn’t get to.  I found Jewels Osco on Saturday at lunch and bought stuff for breakfasts, lunches, and cocktails since we had a refrigerator.  While I did get my tea every day at Starbucks and stopped a few days at Corner Bakery for lunch, it was a great savings that I could spend on needlepoint supplies!  Most restaurants I went to for dinner were fabulous – there were a few I would not recommend!

I didn’t get nearly enough time to go through the Exhibition or to review the classes for next year.  I have a list of about 10 classes I’d like to take, which we all know is not possible!  I also didn’t take enough time to look at the Opportunity Baskets or Book Store.  I’m glad I went to the Teachers Expo and spoke to most, if not all, of the teachers about their programs.  I had fun doing the Silent Auction, but probably could have spent more time and will do so in the future.  Expo was just so overwhelming for me that I have to think about how to deal with that in the future.  The store was okay, although I think the one in Philadelphia had a lot more canvases, charts, fibers, and tools.  I did buy a few things I needed, but they didn’t have several other items I needed and would have bought.  I didn’t have time to just browse in the store.

My roommate was great.  Our schedules and interests matched very well and we were not dependent on each other either.  I was definitely lucky in this regard!  And our room with a small view of the lake and fireworks was outstanding.

Being back home is  a let down and I’m exhausted!  I’m sure I’ll sleep well tonight.  I look forward to hearing from those still experiencing Seminar 2014!

Happy Stitching,

Diane

Diane and I were up at 5:30. She left at six. Then I got my packing together and handed in our evaluation sheets. I had fifteen minutes before the pick-up to the airport, and I had my project safe in my carry-on, so I eliminated the tail for New Mexico before I left. At the airport, once I got to the gate I had 45 minutes, so I eliminated the tails for Idaho and California. The airport was crazy with several flights delayed, gate changes, mechanical problems, and even a cancellation. My flight was delayed for 70 minutes, but I didn't want to take out my project in the unpredictable confusion. I am home and have started eliminating my Arizona tail while I watch Project Runway. I look forward to reading the blogs of those that are still there and taking more classes. Boy will my bed feel good tonight! It was a great time in Chicago.

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Today Diane and I took a day off from stitching to enjoy Chicago before we leave tomorrow. We went on the Chicago Architectural Foundation's “Frank Lloyd Wright by Bus”. It was a four hour tour in Oak Park. first we toured his home and studio and then took a walking tour in the gracious suburb that included six FLW designed homes amongst Queen Ann Victorians. What exquisite visuals. The walking tour ended at the Universalist temple that he also designed. We were back in the Loop by 1:30. We walked back to the hotel through Grant Park and particularly Millenium Park with the big reflective bean sculpture. Then we headed off to walk to Navy Pier and back. It was a lovely day for walking. When back at the hotel, I found out I won at the silent auction. This is what I got.

My Winnings

The canvas was five dollars and can probably fit in the leather bag insert. I'll bring it to our Sept meeting to show it off better. It a wonderful project bag.

Seems Like More than Fifty!

Rosie, Diane and I had an excellent dinner at Seasons 52. Then it was on to the Expo where I spent too much money. I bought Kathy Rees' Colorways, which I will take to Florida to stitch there. I did not stitch at all today but I did take a picture of my bagging of all the threads by states. I put the picture above instead of below. Sorry.

As Diane and I packed to leave for NJ tomorrow Diane realized the fireworks were going off over the lake at Navy Pier. We were too tired to walk it again, so we watched from our window. Diane took a shot of what we saw. Look to the right of the tall building in the middle of the picture to see the fireworks.

Red Fireworks

Diane's pedometer recorded over 18,000 steps for us today. I've had a great time these last six days. So long Chicago, hello New Jersey!

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Today was our break day and Rosie and I sure took a break from stitching! We began the day with a Segway Tour along the lake front to the museums. We began in a large concrete floor room where we learned how the Segway operates. It was so easy that by the time we slowly rode out the door we were adept. No spills or collisions the whole trip! We were with three others, a father with two sons about 12 and 15. The ride along the waterfront gave us views of the yacht basin. With stops along the way, Joe, our tour guide, pointed out many of the buildings we saw as well as the Buckingham Fountain. We did see the outside of the Shedd Aquarium which was the first sea water aquarium away from the ocean. Until the early 60's sea water was brought in by rail from Key West, FL, by tank cars! The whole experience lasted about two hours and was a exhilarating way to see the lake front of Chicago. Ask me tomorrow what muscles are aching.

Look, Ma, no hands!

After lunch was the River/Lake Architecture Cruise. Meg, may I pay you in cookies for the excellent advice to take the cruise which includes both the river and lake front? Our guide was excellent. She knew all the buildings and told us interesting as well as trivial information about each. This building is above the rail lines going into Union Station. It is held up by cantilevers in the large X on the roof! Imagine that.

13 stories supported by the X on the roof

This tour included the lake as well so we were able to go though the lock (and watch all the mechanical operations that went with it) as we moved from river to lake. Some of the buildings that we had seen in the morning were against pointed out on this tour. In one spot we could see the four tallest buildings in Chicago. We saw the Millennium Park which I have not yet walked to and hope to fit that in tomorrow. Chicago has a great deal to offer and at least today we were able to see and experience some of that.

Chicago Skyline

And also the main tourist attraction

The Navy Pier and its Ferris Wheel

Tomorrow it is back to stitching!

Sue

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Hi, Everyone!

Wednesday at seminar is tour day and we woke to this glorious sunrise and the first clear, sunny day of the week!

Good Morning! Good Morning!

Since my ANG tour was cancelled, Sue and I decided to have some fun in Chicago.  First up….

The Lakefront Segway Tour!

We rode for about two hours and made our way from the Navy Pier area to the Shedd Aquarium and Soldier Stadium!

Chicago Skyline from Shedd Aquarium!

And lest you think I was getting too cocky with my “no hands” pose, let me just say that this “balancing” helped keep my Segway from moving.  Otherwise, I apparently am much too fidgety!

For Marisa!  Sculpture in the Park!

Our Segway tour guide, Joe, is an aspiring actor waiting for his break and we had a BLAST!  Now we are wondering which muscles will hurt the most tomorrow!

After lunch, we boarded a Wendella boat for a Architecture River and Lake Cruise.  While you are on the river, the very tall buildings feel like canyon walls with one unique building after another.  We owe Meg a debt of gratitude for recommending that we take the boat tour that went through the locks and onto Lake Michigan.  The Chicago Skyline views from the lake were dramatic.  From the lake we also got great views of:

The Chicago Lighthouse!

The Navy Pier!

and — wait for it —

Building 1, and

Buildings 2, 3, 4, and 5 from “Chicago Blues!”

I think you can see that we had beautiful weather and although I took 120 pictures, I tried to curb my enthusiasm in this post!

Expo tonight!

Cheers, Rosie

Hi, all

Monday and Tuesday were spent in a wonderful class with Margaret Kinsey. She is a very flexible teacher who gives lots of attention to each student. It was a smaller class (12) that Dee and I took together..

Monday was spent building the basket and Tuesday we began on the bling. The memory wire flower (there will be two) and the flower on the left side will be filled with purple chipped beads. There also will be lots of beads with spangles. I wanted to wait to add beads when all stitching is finished so nothing catches.

We started the background which is a combination of pulled work and darning stitches.

Today is a cruise on the Chicage river to get a different perspective on Chicago architecture.

Here is Little Yellow Basket so far

All the best!

Carol

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As you may have counted we had quite a few states to address today, but no extra hours of class time. We did need to “dry lab” as we used to say, a few states, meaning we read over the directions and took a few notes. There are some really pretty and fun stitches in the western states. I like the one for Colorado, but think I will take it out and rotate it 90 degrees so it looks like mountains even though they are the wrong color for the Rockies. The nice thing about these stitches is that they cover a large area. A funny thing in Gail's designing and writing up her directions was that when she ended the lower forty-eight states, she had only forty-seven stitches. Which was the missing state? Turns out it was Maryland which has probably the most irregular borders and wanders all over the place! The stitch for that is the encroaching Gobelin which should be fine for covering the area and easily compensated.

A Bit Here, A Bit There

After class today I wanted to walk down to where we will be taking the Segway tour Wednesday to make sure I knew the route and determine how long it would take to get there. It is down near the Navy Pier so after I found the door to the tour I continued on to the Navy Pier which was more than I expected with shops, restaurants, a Ferris wheel, carousel, and a few other entertainment activities. They are in the process of updating the area so some parts were closed for construction, but it looked like an interesting place to wander around. Maybe Thursday night when nothing is on the schedule.

I came back to see the Teacher's Showcase where teachers showed the things that they will bring to your area to teach. We all looked with the idea that maybe NJNA could bring a teacher in at some point. We did see a few things we thought worthwhile to put on the list of potential workshops.

Wednesday is an off day from stitching until we have exhausted our touring.

Sue

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Yesterday we made great progress as we did sections 6 thru 9 and started on 10. I actually finished section 7 so I have 2 complete sections done! Having the basting of the sections made it so much easier to figure out where to start each section.

You can start to see some deeper oranges in these sections. Section 8 has several layers of Amadeus stitches with lots of bright colors. In section 10, we had to decide on what color crescents we wanted as there are 5 layers. Initially I was going to go with the blues and lavenders to balance with the right side. Then looking at the finished piece again today, I realized the balance of colors is more on the diagonal with the top and right being the blue and lavender and the bottom and left being more the bright oranges and green so I'm rethinking my color schemein the sections with options.

Day 3 results

I didn't do any additional stitching last night, which waas provably good to have a break. Today we worked through the corners of section 10. The photo shows even less done on that section than yesterday as I had gone with the lavender / blue color scheme there including the corners but decided the colors weren't working and, as I said, I realized the color balance In the pilot,so I tore it all out at he end of the day!

We also worked the rest of the sections including the center, which also has some choices to be made in terms of color. I decided to wait until I had other sections around it done to get the effect I ultimately want.

Day 4 progress

I have to say, I did learn a lot about overlaying and padding stitches in this class. I love the finished design and am looking forward to finishing this. It was the right level of challenge for me once I basted everything so I wasn't frustrated with my counting. I have to admit around 3:30 today, I panicked thinking my left side counts were all off. Luckily, I was mistaken although I know some had problems with their counting and were doing lots of ripping! Once the basting is in so you know where each section goes, the project is definitely a fun piece. There's lots of opportunities for color choices and the multi-layer stitches provide great dimension and effect.

I thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie of the class and met wonderful stitchers of all ages from all over the country. While I was sad to see the class end, I was also happy as I tend to have difficulty sitting still for so long!

Tomorrow, Heidi and I are doing the Frank Lloyd Wright bus tour for a change of pace.

Happy stitching,

Diane

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