From the Editor

A good move?... a bad move? Both sound like oxymorons to me! Racing through my head are the lines from literature..."it was the best of times, it was the worst of times..." We experienced all of it when this was being written with "the big move!" Thanks to you and your incredible support of this magazine, we were forced to move to larger offices. Our phone lines and computers were down briefly, but are up and running. The staff just needs to catch up with this new, sophisticated equipment!

My office is another matter completely! Our big and powerful Mac system didn’t care for the move at all (even though experts handled all of that with kid gloves) and decided to throw temperamental tantrums. The sign over my office door reads, "You are entering the shrine of the blessed Macintosh." We hope to take a few "behind the scene" photos to share with you in our next issue.

I have always maintained that needle people are the best people in the world, and your warm response to my editorial of the last issue just proves it. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and beliefs with us.

In that same vein, think of another little journey. Let us take a few minutes away from the hectic pace to "smell the roses" and to keep in touch with a friend. In order to "keep up" we put our lives on the fast track and take so much for granted. Since our last issue was printed, the needlework world has lost two strong supporters and I have lost two close, personal friends. I wish that I had taken more time to tell them that I loved them. Mindy Morrison English of Atlanta, Georgia was a prolific stitcher and designer, a sharing teacher, and the author of many needlework books. Donna Groves of Pontiac, Michigan, was not only a wonderful stitcher and winner of ANG’s prestigious "Princess Grace Award", but also a strong supporter of needlework groups and volunteer worker extraordinaire. The needlework world (and this editor) will miss them both.

How happy we are to feature a wonderful new geometric design from Genny Morrow. "Detour" was inspired by a quilt pattern that played a role in the history of our country. It will be so much fun to stitch because of the dozens of patterns that Genny has expertly used. We are offering this project in its entirety in this issue. Get needles and threads ready! Susan Kerndt not only co-authors our needlepoint class on our web page, but also designs and shares a pair of wonderful beaded necklaces. Pat Morse presents a delicate stitchery of flowers and butterflies.

We are completing instructions for the most popular continuing project that we have ever featured. As I travel around the country, I see so many of your "Pieces Of Eight" stitcheries and marvel at your creativity and innovation. I have seen this design being worked on aqua, pink, purple, blue, beige, white, gold and brown canvas with a wonderful selection of threads. Your work is so inspiring that we think it should be shared. Exactly one year from now we will feature a "Gallery of Pieces of Eight Projects" in a special section of the magazine. By April 15, 2001, we will need for you to send your information and photos of your work. The photos need to be professionally done and may be sent digitally or in the mail. We can hardly wait!

"Stitcher’s Lemonade" has been our most popular feature from the very beginning. This idea was the brain child of a multi-talented lady, Addie Busch. Addie not only wrote with grace, but also shared her wit and easy-to-stitch projects with us. Most importantly, however, is Addie’s incredible spirit. From her we have not only learned about needlepoint on plastic canvas, but also an important life lesson in how to handle adversity. Addie needs to help nurse her husband, Dan, at the present time so she is taking a little hiatus from the column. We will miss her and hope that she returns to us soon.

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Last Updated November 24, 2004