Hello!
It’s mid-January, 2006, already. How did that happen so quickly? The good news is that our new 2006 catalog was mailed out last week and some of you have received it already! I hope you find it inspiring and helpful as you plan your next needlework project. We are ready to receive your order and help you in any way we can.
We had a wonderful holiday season with good times with our kids and parents. My parents were able to be with us at our home for Christmas Eve. That made it very special as that had not happened for 26 years! We usually go to the farm, but this year they came here. Twenty-six years ago I had just had baby Alyssa, so they came to us.
This year for Christmas we got another new daughter! Anne-Lise from Norway, came to live with us as an exchange student for the rest of the school year. We are so happy to have her in our family and feel like we have known her a long time already. Her sister, Solveig, lived with us last year. Solveig and her parents are coming to visit us at Easter time and it will be so much fun to meet their parents in person. They have raised two fabulous daughters and we feel privileged to be their host parents for a few months.
To begin the New Year, our featured stitcher is Kelly Jackson, from Edmond, Oklahoma. Kelly shares, with humor, how she began stitching.
 “I can't remember what the subject of my first piece was, but I clearly remember that it was a piece I'd seen my mom working on weeks earlier, which she then put aside and didn't pick back up for the longest time. Now I know that was our family's very first UFO! J I was 13, and wanted to learn, but I was also tired of seeing it sitting around and not being worked on, so I told Mom that if she would teach me how, I would finish the piece for her. She did, and I did, and I've been stitching ever since. However, my first attempts were pretty humorous, because instead of making an X, I was trying to stitch the actual symbol shown in each square. When I realized that there was NO WAY I could make the @ happen in such a tiny space, I asked Mom for help. That was when she told me that I only needed to make Xs, and not try to stitch the symbols! After that, my stitching went much faster and smoother. J
Kelly has tried many techniques over the years. She says, “I've tried Hardanger, stumpwork, silk ribbon embroidery, pulled/drawn thread work, counted, stamped, canvas embroidery, quilting, crochet, knitting, and tatting. Of these, I still do Hardanger, counted cross-stitching, pulled/drawn thread work, and canvas embroidery regularly. As a member of the CyberStitchers EGA chapter, I've been exposed to many more canvas projects than before I joined, and I'm really enjoying them a lot. I think part of that comes from my enjoyment of specialty fibers and specialty stitches, two of my very favorite things in life! J I'm a total fiber junkie, with walls of fibers to choose from at home, so I'm always substituting a thread here or there, just to be able to use something a bit more fun. And I'm always looking for more threads to add to my stash. Specialty stitches really spark my interest in any piece, so I'm really drawn to designers like Thea Dueck of Victoria Sampler (who is my favorite designer). I was fortunate to be able to attend her inaugural Victorian Stitching Holiday weekend, where we worked on the Golden Dreams Sampler. (in fact, my picture is still on her VS Holiday pages from that weekend - does that make me the `poster girl' for the event??!). It was so much fun and I had a marvelous time! I'd like to go back to another one someday. I highly recommend it, for anyone who's considering going.
 photo shows Victoria Sampler’s Seaside Garden Sampler that Kelly stitched as a bellpull
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See Golden Dreams Sampler
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Kelly tries to fit stitching in every day, even if just for a few minutes. “Usually I make more time (notice I said `make', not `have'!) than that, so I'd say roughly an hour a day during the week, more on the weekends. Any minute I can steal for stitching, I do!”
Kelly, what other hobbies besides needlework do you have?
“I enjoy reading and singing (sang for 6 years in the OK City Chorus of Sweet Adelines, a barbershop chorus), and hanging out with my family and friends. I love being with my mom, when we can make our schedules work - I have a total blast with her. She is probably my best friend, and she's very close, so we see or talk to each other at least once a day.”
Kelly does have a life besides stitching and having fun with her mom. She shares, “I'm the webmaster and computer lab facilitator at one of our local high schools (Go, Bulldogs!). My husband is a computer programmer, so he loves that I'm turning into a `girl geek'. J We currently have just over 2000 students enrolled, one of which is my son Nick, who's a Jr. this year. He's also enrolled in a local culinary program, and is looking forward to becoming a chef. Great news for his mom, who loves to eat his cooking! My daughter, Alix, will be a freshman next year, so I'll have both my kids in my school at the same time. I'm really looking forward to it!! On a side note, in a previous life, I was also a needlework shop owner! Lots of fun!”
Kelly, do you have a particular project you would like to stitch or new technique you would like to learn in the future?
“At this point, I think the only technique I'd still like to learn is punchneedle, but I haven't had that opportunity yet. I have just completed Mirabilia's new Christmas Elf Fairy kit, and have Jingle Bells Christmas Tree Farm by Victoria Sampler (along with almost any other VS piece there is!) and Celtic Summer/Winter/Autumn/Spring by Lavender & Lace in the queue to do `at some point'. Honestly, there are so many projects I'd love to do, it would really take me several lifetimes to finish them even if I stopped adding to the stash right now. J”
This is what Kelly says of the Christmas Elf Fairy: “It’s done on 32 ct. Natural Linen, finishes about 5 ½ x 7 ¾, and comes with all the Crescent Colours threads required. There is a little bit of metallic used, a Kreinik #4 green for the Christmas tree she’s holding. It also uses Wisper W88, and two Mill Hill beads. Full skeins of all threads, a full card of Wisper, and full packages of the Mill Hill beads are included in the kit. The Kreinik comes in a small zip bag with enough to do the tree only, not a full spool. It’s really a fun piece, and pretty addictive. I couldn’t put it down once I got started, and it was a relatively quick stitch.”
 photo of Christmas Elf Fairy
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Kelly, please share any “bits of wisdom” you may have for our readers?
“Bits of wisdom, hmmm. I guess the main thing would be, if you see something that interests you, try it! My first linen attempt was a success, but only because I hadn't heard how `hard' linen is supposed to be. In an ornament exchange with a group of online buddies, I also received a Just Nan kit. So I read the directions, started stitching, and never looked back. It was only much later that I realized how so many others react to linen - `oh, my, I could never work on that - the holes are so small!', etc. In my case, ignorance was truly bliss, because I adore linens and evenweaves and stitch all my pieces on them. I'll also work on fabrics like Tula and Klostern and Heatherfield, but I can't make myself go back to Aida. Stitchers will never know what they like or can do if they're afraid to try something. When I learned Hardanger, I asked the instructor (also a friend) about 4 times if my scissors were in the right place for my very first cut. She glanced over, said yes, and I started to snip. Then she yelled `NO, STOP!!!!', but I'd already cut two threads. Then she looked again and said `Oh, you're okay, sorry about that' and told me to continue on! After my near-heart-attack J, I finished the piece and it turned out beautifully, and we laugh about that day now. But this is something I would never have tried on my own, because the cutting was a little scary. I wanted to learn it, though, so I found a way to make that happen. Even if you never do the technique again, if you want to try it, do! You'll never regret learning something new.”
What reactions have you received from people who have received pieces of your finished needlework?
“In the beginning, I stitched for almost anyone. Now I only stitch for family and very dear friends (and contract pieces on occasion), because they truly understand how much of me I put into these pieces. I stitched a piece entitled `The Names of Jesus' for my grandma about 3 or 4 years ago, and she cried, she loved it so much. Tears are a common reaction, `ooooo' and `ahhhh' happen quite a bit, too. J Usually people are just amazed that I took the time to do something for them.”
In closing, Kelly give this advise. “Teach someone to stitch!! This has been the best therapy I could have imagined, and I wouldn't have this wonderful hobby if my mom hadn't taught me. It's not as expensive as a therapist, and you actually get a tangible product at the end. J A lot of my pieces have memories attached to them, which is another benefit. Pass that on to someone else!”
Thank you, Kelly, you are the perfect person to feature at the beginning of the new year. You will inspire many people to try something new. Speaking of that, the 2006 Stitchers Paradise Retreat, March 9 – 12, at Nordic Needle, would be a great place to learn something new. We still have openings in many classes like Brazilian embroidery, huck embroidery, beginning Hardanger embroidery, punchneedle (Kelly!), beginning counted canvaswork and finishing. We are preparing all the class materials now, making final arrangements with the hotel, and getting ready for our opening class that everyone will attend. On Thursday during our noon lunch, we are giving a class on the different fabrics and fibers available to stitchers. We will have free fabric and thread samples for everyone to create their own sample books. This is just ONE of the many features of this years Retreat.
As Sue said in last week’s newsletter, “Following the fabric and thread event there will be wonderful classes, luncheons and banquets, a door prize for every participant, several goodie bags for everyone, open stitching times, tours of Nordic Needle….and so much more! Plus shopping!!! What could be better – talking, eating, stitching, free gifts and shopping!
If anyone in your family has asked you for gift ideas for upcoming events (birthday, Mother’s Day, May Day, "how can I ever thank you enough" Day, Grandparent’s Day…you get the idea), ask them to send you to our retreat! We currently have stitchers coming from the U.S., Canada, Iceland, Bermuda, England and the Philippines. Wouldn’t it be fun to join us and meet all these wonderful, friendly needleworkers?
Are you considering the retreat but still need one more bit of encouragement? Well, here it is! Last year we gave one grand prize of an Ott-Lite floor lamp. This year our "grand prize" will be a little different, and it is something everyone can use! On Thursday evening at the buffet supper, we will draw the name of one lucky retreat participant, who will then have her entire $269 registration fee refunded in the form of Nordic Needle store credit!!! You can spend your credit during the retreat, or you can leave it on your account for future purchases – your choice! But the only way you can win is if you come to the retreat!
Check out the retreat details at the link below, and fax or mail your registration form soon to secure your place! We have set a limit of 60 participants, so do not delay! Except for the advanced Hardanger class and Beginning Tatting, we still have openings in all the classes.”
Another wonderful reason to come to this years Retreat is that you will be able to see the Friendship Tapestry in person. Rags from Iceland, Susan from California, and Nancy from Tennessee, will meet each other in person for the first time at the Retreat. These three ladies are the creators of the Friendship Tapestry, having met through our email newsletters. I had featured each of them in a newsletter and they started corresponding with each other. It’s a wonderful story which culminated in the creation of the Friendship Tapestry that includes over 200 finished needlework pieces from all over the world. Read about it at their website: http://www.internet.is/friendshiptapestry/
We have room for about 10 more participants at this time so don’t hesitate – register today!
Our Stitching Tip this week comes from Gloria Wade in Yarmouth, MA.
“Before I begin any cross-stitch, I baste on the fabric a line every ten stitches horizontally & vertically (I use 1 strand of pink DMC floss). I then number each "row" and "column" by stitching roman numerals for rows and Arabic style numbers for columns in the margins-- not sure why I started the different number style, but it seems to help me.
I enlarge each pattern I use to make the symbols easier to see, and then, with ruler and colored pencil, mark off the enlarged copy into 10-stitch rows and columns, and number as I did on the fabric.
This, obviously, is similar to the colored-square method. Before I used this method, I was counting stitches across the entire pattern; now I only have to count to 10! Much easier.”
If you are like me, you are ready for lighter meals after the heavy eating during the holidays. I’m trying to cut back on carbs again because I feel better when I do. It’s hard to come off the sugar high and recover from the rich food we enjoyed at Christmas. Here is a quick and delicious salad, not necessarily low-carb with the Ramen noodles and dressing, but refreshing and light.
Oriental Coleslaw
- 1 pound shredded cabbage
- 1 package Ramen oriental noodles (take out the spice packet)
- 1 pound bacon, friend crisp and broken into pieces
- 4 green onions, chopped fine
- one-half cup shelled sunflower seeds
Break up the Ramen noodles and mix all ingredients together in a serving bowl. Refrigerate.
Dressing:
- one-half cup white sugar
- one-third cup white vinegar
- one-half cup vegetable oil
Mix and shake together all dressing ingredients and refrigerate. Pour dressing over slaw mixture just before serving.
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