Yesterday was a non-stitching day. Originally I had signed up for the Frank Lloyd Wright by Bus tour through ANG but got a call a few weeks ago that it was canceled due to not enough participation. Luckily we found out through someone from California that we could do the same tour through the Chicago Architecture Foundation and it was actually cheaper than through ANG. So Joanne from CA, Heidi, and I caught a cab yesterday morning up (down?) Michigan Ave to the CAF. The bus took about 1/2 hour to get out to Oak Park during with a docent gave us some background on Frank Lloyd Wright, which was very interesting. In Oak Park, we first spent about an hour or so touring the inside of Wright's home and studio. As familiar as I thought I was with is designs, I was amazed at what he put into his home and studio – the openness, little nooks, high ceilings, interesting use of materials on the walls and floors, lighting techniques, and overall flow from room to room. Unfortunately, we we're not allowed to take pictures inside. We then spent an hour doing an outside walking tour of homes he's designed in the neighborhood. Several you weren't sure if they were his because they were deisned around old Victorians – they didn't tear down and rebuild the way we do today. We ended at the Unity Temple that he designed and incorporates the principles of Unitarianism. We then took the bus back to the CAF, which is across from Brant Park and Millenium Park.

Bean statue

Being such A beautiful day, Heidi and I walked back through the park ans saw the reflective Bean statue.

After a late lunch we decided to check out Navy Pier, which is an entertainment district about a mile from the hotel overlooking the lake. After dinner at Seasons52, which was fabulous, we headed to Expo. Expo is 2 hours at Seminar where about 25 or so vendors display and sell their wares! I have to say, it was a bit overwhelming! I did purchase 2 sets of Rare Earth magnets and almost bought several other items but decided to wait since many vendors did not take credit cards. I did get to say hi to Susie from Stitches From The heart where she had A La Mode on display, which is a new Jean Hilton release that they have a one-year exclusive right to. I had already ordered it from her (she told me it's probably waiting at home for me!) so it was wonderful to see it worked up – the photos don't do it justice!

Tuesday night was the silent auction. There were probably a hundred canvases plus charts plus finished pieces. I put a bid on several but was outbid even over my 2nd bid! You could tell the popular ones! Many canvases could have been purchased for as little as $5.

Monday night was the Teachers Expo, where the teachers display their work and the classes they offer. It was interestingly o see and talk to them about possible workshops for NJNA. We'll have to see!

Today, it's back to NJ for me. It's been a lot of fun – some minuses but mostly pluses. I'm looking forward to Myrtle Beach.

Happy stitching,

Diane

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My husband and I spent the weekend of August 8-10 on the north shore of Long Island. The primary purpose of the weekend was a “pour and pedal” adventure where you bike to 3 different wineries in the area as well as an historic site and a farm stand. We had a beautiful day to be outside and enjoy the wineries. The wine wasn’t too bad either!

After spending 6 or 7 hours biking the area and drinking lots of wine and having a wonderful lunch overlooking one of the vineyards, not to mention being outside in the sun and fresh air, we decided on the way back to our hotel that we needed a snack! While there’s not a lot of shopping in the area, we were on a street in Mattituck, NY with 2 blocks of shops and he saw a candy shop which would satisfy his craving! As we parked the car and walked toward the candy store, I noticed a needlework store which I just had to go see what they had! Altman’s Needle &Fiber Arts is a cute shop on Love Lane that has all kinds of needle arts – needlepoint, cross stitch, knitting, crochet, and quilting – as well as gift items. Just browsing the small shop was fun! I bought a stitch and zip glasses case which I’ve been eyeing for some time and they had quite a few of the stitch and zip kits. I was too tired to really look at canvases although they did have some fun ones and you know my love of painted canvases!

I did not get the name of the woman who waited on me or any pictures since my brain was only half there! However, there were several women in the shop and they were all super-nice and chatty! It was wonderful to find such a cute shop in a small, out-of-the-way place.

Hi, Everyone —

Six of us met at Sue’s on Saturday to continue with our 2014 Stitch of the Month!  Summer has taken its toll on some of our stitching goals.  A few of us are on schedule and started working on the third octagon.  The rest of us are playing “catch up”.

Top Row: Mary, Linda, Carol
Bottom Row: Robin, Sue, Rosie

One thing that we can all agree on is that this has been a great piece for the SOTM group — we are all learning from each other (and from our sister group, San Bernardino Chapter ANG).

Already we are wondering what we should do for next year!

Cheers, Rosie

I went to the Woodlawn Exhibit yesterday and again this morning.  Oh, it is inspiring!  As I am doing more in the world of needlepoint, it is great to see both names and pieces I recognize.  Rona has an exhibit there in a display case in the main hall that we all saw her working on at our meetings!  I will leave it to her to tell us about it.  There is one room devoted to canvas work, although other canvas pieces can be found in other rooms.  As I am going in to that room, I spotted an Atlantis Rising minus a pendant and a blue Nancy Cucci piece that Rosie is currently working on.  There were three of Kurdy Biggs’ pieces on display, but not the one that Rosie was telling us about.  The river scene that some of us saw Melita Glavin begin to work at the first NeedleFest was on display, an original design.  There were pieces that had to bring a smile to your face including a painted canvas of Rita Hayworth done perfectly with glitz and fancy stitches.  It is definitely worth a visit.  Oh, and if you are there for the night, there is a restaurant in Old Alexandria called Chadwicks.  We liked it!  (no relation.)

Only about a mile away is a needlework shop called In Stitches with a big selection of counted cross stitch charts, a few counted needlework charts and a wide variety of threads.  (My stash of unfinished projects is so huge I was not even tempted to buy more!)  Just about five miles off the route home is another shop in a suburb of Baltimore called the Stitching Post.  this one has more space but again is heavy on cross stitch charts.   It was a good getaway!

Sue

Hi, Everyone —

Last Tuesday, while I was in California, I took the opportunity to attend the regular meeting of the San Bernardino Chapter of ANG!  It was fun to see Diane, Dottie, Jo, Tru, and others from my “Atlantis Rising” class and also to see Belle and Liz again!   Diane conducts the meeting with a business section, announcements, door prizes, show and tell, and a marvelous program from Dottie.

I picked up a copy of their 2014 chapter project “A Different View” by Kurdy Biggs.  I’m very intrigued by the different looks of each of three colorways — including the use of different threads on each!  (Thanks, Jo, for allowing me to take your copy at the meeting!)

SBANG offered a cyber workshop with Laura Perin called “Lilac Time” last spring.  Carol, Sue C, and I all signed up to take it.  I finally finished mine while I was at my Mom’s, so I took it to the meeting as my show and tell.  I assumed that the group had seen many finished versions of the piece already, but they claimed NOT!  I explained that Sue C had not only finished, but had framed and hung it!

“Lilac Time” designed by Laura Perin and stitched by Rosie.

I mentioned in an earlier “Atlantis Rising” post about the wonderful scissor and threader fobs that Dottie made for me.  After the workshop, she found some additional beads that she thought were perfect for me (they are!) and so she brought two more beaded fobs to me at my Mom’s on Wednesday!  Here it is on my hemostats:

Isn’t it beautiful? And colorful?!!!  I LOVE it!

Some of you may remember that I took “Frankie” as a workshop with SBANG a few years ago.  Who would have guessed that NJNA would decide to do it as a workshop of our own this spring?  Anyway — I’ve been enjoying stitching a new “Frankie” with my own colors.  Here’s the workshop from last Saturday!

It’s fun to stitch with friends!

Enough rambling for now!

Cheers!  Rosie

I finally finished the Christmas stocking for my daughter-in-law.  Since I couldn’t be at tonight’s meeting and I hope to finish it and give it to her before the December meeting, I figured I’d post a picture.  

Overall it came out with the effect I was looking for.   I’m not in love with the sky although it was the exact effect I was looking for!  Sue C came up with a few suggestions (what would we do without our friends who share their thoughts and opinions?!!).  The one suggestion I loved was to attach snowflake buttons, especially where the color changes to take away from the linear effect I don’t like.  I bought some cute snowflake buttons that are perfect and will put them on once it is blocked.  This was definitely a fun piece to do but now I need one like Frankie where I don’t have to decide on fibers or stitches!

As you can see, it’s now on the blocking board (yes, I block right-side down!).  I’ve had to block it twice so far and it looks like it will need at least a 3rd round.  I don’t know if it’s because of the size or the canvas – it’s interwoven, not mono.  I’m hoping this  next round will finish it.  I haven’t blocked in a number of years so there’s also that!

Finishing will be next.  I have white with gold flecks for the lining.  For the backing I’m debating between dark green, white, and a blue to match the sky.  I’ll probably have to play with it a bit to make the final decision once it’s blocked and off the board.

I will take pictures of the finished product to show.  I’m really hoping she likes it.

Happy Stitching!

Diane

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