I am fortunate enough to be representing Sundance Designs at the upcoming TNNA market in June in Columbus, Ohio.

I will be teaching two of their new designs for the summer — Heart and Flowers and Desert Garden.  If you are attending market be sure to take a look at the classes offered.

Hearts and Flowers

Desert Garden

Heart and Flower is a half-day class taught on Thursday and Desert Garden is a full-day class taught on Friday.  We will be featuring the new product Sparkles, an embellishment trim, that is fun to use and adds a total new dimension to your designs.  There are lots of beads, sequins, threads and great stitches to be explored.

Hope to see you there.

Sandy

How do you describe fun?  Take a class at Bedecked and Beadazzled.  This past weekend To The Beach arrived in Baltimore.

What a fantastic group of ladies to have as students.  This eclectic group came from Connecticut, Upstate New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, some locals and we even had a ghost in Australia.  And, enough cannot be said about the hostess and her staff.  They were constantly and readily available to help me and the students at any given second.  Lunches were catered and none of us went hungry!  There was even dessert!  Thank you to all.

I am sharing photos taken by Ruth during the class.  I couldn’t manage to take pictures and teach at the same time for some reason – go figure.  She has posted some of these pictures already on her blog.  As you can see, most students appear to be having a good time.  In spite of all the fun we had, they still managed to get all stitches covered, discussed and/or stitched in a timely manner.  Before long, the to The Beach ladies will be off to the finishers!

Be sure to check out future classes at shops, seminars and online.  I will be teaching at an EGA Regional – Ashville, NC. – next, so check it out.  And, don’t forget – -

Stitch with a Smile!

Sandy

Watch those email boxes!  We are preparing for our next Cyber Class.  This class will last 6 fast-paced weeks!

The project is entitled ‘Hearts from A to Z.”  This class is an excellent class to introduce the beginning-intermediate student to some unfamiliar stitches.  There are over 26 different stitches – one for each letter of the alphabet, plus several more for the outline and background.

Each heart will show a fully diagrammed section and include the compensating stitches that are necessary as well.  The piece is ideal as a tray insert, picture or pillow. Stash threads will work well with this project.

Detail of Hearts A to Z

Complete Project - HEarts A to Z

Stitchers met in Louisville, KY recently to share in taking the To The Beach needlepoint class taught by Sandy Arthur.

It was a very relaxing 3 days and fun also. Some pictures provide a peek as to how much was accomplished by many.

This canvas works up quickly and the students received much self satisfaction of accomplishment as they left the classroom each evening. This class will be taught next in Baltimore, MD at Bedecked and Bedazzled, owned by Ruth Schmuff. Check it out if you are in the area April 21-22, 2012.

SIlver and Pearls Needlepoint Ornament

This beautiful white and silver ornament combines the art of needlepoint stitches and beading in this intermediate level class.

An ordinary Styrofoam ball becomes a fairy-tale ornament with elegant beaded embellishments.

Stitches include the Brick, 8-Legged Eyelet, Herringbone, Smyrna Cross, Upright Gobelin, and a lovely medallion created with Oblong Crosses. Additionally, the student will use specialty fibers such as RibbonFloss and metallics – both ribbon and Kreinik braids. Beads include 3mm faux pearls, mirror-lined bugle beads, and faux crystal teardrops. As a final bonus, the student will learn how to create this enchanting round ornament from a flat, stitched piece of fabric and top it off with a fluffy bow.

Students will be guided through the step-by-step process of stitching the canvas, adding beaded embellishments, placing the canvas on the Styrofoam ball, and creating the wonderful bow on top, with the aid of very detailed diagrams and instructions.

A list of materials needed to stitch this piece will be provided after sign up.

6 Lessons

Full Kit available as Optional Purchase

REGISTRATION CLOSES: FEBRUARY 12, 2012

FIRST CLASS BEGINS: MARCH 19, 2012

Sign up here: http://duodesignsinc.com/wpsite/classes-by-sandy-arthur/silver-and-pearl-ornament

Here Pat Delp gets close and personal with Al Capone at his hideaway restaurant while I look on.

Pat, Sandy and... Al Capone and Unidentified Bar Cutie!

While there, I had a wonderful surprise as I was signing books.  My great friend, Joanne Colandrea, stopped in to say hello.

Sandy Arthur and Joanne Colandrea

Great week for me.

Stitch with a Smile!

Sandy Arthur

Shapes of Needlepoint – Series II has found its way to the Apple App store! (Check it out – there is a direct link on the right-hand side of our webpage.)

We are so excited to introduce the newest in the series of Shapes of Needlepoint as our second Apple App.

Like its predecessor (Series I), Series II is indexed by shape (diamonds, hearts, octagons and stars), thread count and stitch name.  The app follows the same setup as the hard copy of the book Shapes of Needlepoint – Series II.

There is an Apple App page for each printed page of the book.  Those pages that have multiple diagrams are broken down in the Apple App as individual pages, such as 2, 2a, 2b, etc.

To purchase Shapes of Needlepoint Series 2 App, please click here!

The Shapes II Apple App is a fantastic mobile method of carrying around your reference books for those out-of-town trips. While nothing can replace the delight of sitting home thumbing through a hard copy of your favorite book, the app allows you to take the knowledge with you without the added expense of weight to your luggage.

Shapes of Needlepoint – Series 2

Apple App Series II, like the book, follows Shapes of Needlepoint – Series II, Diamonds, Hearts, Octagons, and Stars. It, too, has indices by shape, thread count and name. Each diagram is on an individual page, clearly numbered and additional text where needed to clarify unique processes.

Apple App Series II is scheduled for release on October 1, 2011. Don’t miss the excitement. Follow along as we await that magic day!

 

The Apple App is downloadable on the iPhone, iPod and the iPad (where I use mine) and the iPad2. The diagrams are large and clearly marked.

Be sure to download your copy of this wonderful app for only $10.99.  Also checkout Series I if you missed it.

To purchase Shapes of Needlepoint Series 2 App, please click here!

This past weekend I was fortunate enough to attend a class on finishing taught by Pat Mazu and sponsored by the Derby Stitchers of Louisville, KY.

We had a nice crowd and everyone was enjoying themselves. It seemed that everyone was successful in finishing some things they brought.

I brought some of my Nativity pieces designed by Joan Thomasson and a stitch guide by Debby Powell Franklin. There were picture frames, small stocking ornaments, large stockings, stand ups, pillows, eggs, and on and on.

I think the biggest thrill experienced by many was successful cord making. We made our own cord and rope for the items we brought. We have a wide variety of “tools” from which to choose to make these cords.

The atmosphere and camaraderie was very stimulating. We all got to know each other a little more and enjoyed our meals together and helping each other out with our projects.

Pat is an excellent teacher and if you ever have the opportunity to be a part of one of her classes seize the moment! The chapter has already invited her to return!

Check out the pictures below. There’s one of me with an iron… who knew! LOL

Now, however, I must get back to work and my own class preparations.

Stitch with a Smile!
Sandy

Pat Mazu - Finishing Class - Watching Closely

Pat Mazu - Finishing Class -Demonstration

Pat Mazu - Finishing Class - Sandy Ironing

I am home safe and sound from ANG’s National Seminar in San Antonio, TX.  What a great seminar!

The accommodations were first class and the service was wonderful.  The local chapters really rolled out the Texas red carpet and it showed!  Now the weather is another matter, but thank goodness for air conditioning.  Since I taught all week, I didn’t have much time to be outside anyway.

My students were such fun!  To The Beach was colorful and enjoyable.  Some students were definitely turbo stitchers!  It was wonderful seeing each gal develop on the canvas.  We overcame some challenges and had a lot of fun and sharing while doing so.

Mended Heart was a different group of students.  This, too, was a very enjoyable class.  One-day is a lot of fun but so limited in time to share personalities.

I’m looking forward to the other classes for these pieces!  Check out the f2f listing on the drop down menu on the main page.

http://duodesignsinc.com/wpsite/f2f-needlepoint-classes-with-sandy-arthur

Here are some pictures from my classes.

ANG 2011 Seminar - San Antonio Texas

ANG 2011 Seminar - San Antonio Texas

ANG 2011 Seminar - San Antonio Texas

ANG 2011 Seminar - San Antonio Texas

ANG 2011 Seminar - San Antonio Texas

Shapes of Needlepoint – Series II has hit the shops and I do mean hit!  Some barely passed through!

Shapes of Needlepoint - Volume 2 by Sandy Arthur

The success of this second in a series of shapes has been wonderfully received!

Sunday – August 28 from 11:30 to 1:30

Those of you who are attending the ANG national seminar in San Antonio this week will get to see it at the book store.  And they have asked me to be available on Sunday, August 28, from 11:30 to 1:30 pm for visiting and signing books when requested.  So I hope to see you there!

Stitch with a Smile!

Sandy