 From
the Editor
We hear you! We so enjoy your letters, your calls, the electronic
messages and hurried notes penciled in on the corner of your renewal
forms. Thank you for taking such an interest in this magazine and for all
of your well wishes and wonderful ideas. Some notes do not require an
answer and, even though we would love to write you, most often schedules
do not allow the time. Please know that your messages are a vital part of
this publication and we read every word of every note. How you warm our
hearts, inspire us with your stories and keep us ever vigilant in the
pursuit of a "perfect product."
Mrs. Veronica Clark is an active stitcher who enjoys her eighty years
and the magazine. She asked for a few easy projects and that started the
staff thinking about some neat, small projects we could offer from time to
time. The Springtime Baskets from the last issue and the Ornament
Adaptations from this issue are for you, Veronica, and for everyone
who wants to just sit and enjoy a few hours of stitching pleasure. We plan
to continue to offer quick and easy designs when space allows.
Marilyn Petersen and many others wrote to say they enjoyed the
continuing projects because they could complete a worthwhile piece of art
that could not be presented in just one issue. We are offering a brand new
and exciting serial, Contemporary Bargello, by Susan Hulme as well
as our popular, continuing Mystery Sampler.
We received one letter that said we had too many advertisers and dozens
of letters thanking us for our advertisers and for giving them sources and
places where they can purchase wonderful yarns and all the trappings of
our "addiction." Many said they read every word of every ad and
several even said that they read the ads first! Fancy that!
Elise Wentworth said in part "What a great publication needlepoint
now is! I can't think of an article I did not like and I have learned
so much. Maybe a series of articles on finishing techniques that we can do
ourselves would be a good addition." What a great idea, and it was
echoed in hundreds of letters from you; everyone wants to learn more about
finishing techniques! We are listening. In the last issue we touched on
finishing with the Springtime Baskets. In this issue we feature the
finishing techniques for the Double Diamond Twirl and the unique
finishing of the Ornament Adaptations. Plans are already in the
works for a continuing column on finishing techniques. A well-known expert
in this field is hard at work and the feature will be called The
Finishing Touch.
Speaking of finishing, let's discuss your finished projects done with
the inspiration and instructions taken from the pages of needlepoint
now. One of the great joys of needleworkers everywhere is the joy of
sharing. We want you to share your finished work with us in a new feature
called The Finish Line. We recall the extraordinary popularity of Pieces
of Eight and your incredible response to our call for photos of your
work. So, why not do it for everything we have shown in the magazine? Send
us good quality photographs of your work. The quality has to be good
enough to be reproduced by printing presses. Tell us a little about
yourself and your project. We will learn from each other and continue to
be inspired. We will not be able to show all the photos, but will do the
best we can over the months as space allows.
How pleased we are to welcome Donna Gotts, proofreader, to our staff
and to give kudos to her and to our technical proofreader, Marianne Frost,
whose keen eyes and engineering skills keep us looking good. Many thanks
to all who work so diligently behind the scenes with the production of our
book.
Joyce Lukomski
|
