From the Editor

July is the month to celebrate our freedom and our sheer joy in being an American! Who could imagine that the mightiest nation on earth started with a small band of brave men in Jamestown, Virginia in 1607? From all over the world came people who were seeking freedom and this country evolved with many different cultures blending into a magnificent tapestry. The road has not always been easy and smooth. It is not "easy and smooth" to stitch a project filled with threads of many weights, colors and textures. But, when it is done well, it becomes a masterpiece. I think our country is a masterpiece! Our history has been written by people who were willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice for all of us to enjoy living in this bountiful "land of the free." We are still paying the sacrifice. Many years ago I had a history professor who put it simply: "The test of any country is how many people are trying to get into it as opposed to how many are trying to get out of it."

We celebrate with our American flag. The front cover shows a patriotic bargello flag by Jane Nichols. Staff photographer, Jennifer Taylor, designs our covers. When this cover arrived electronically, I sat at my desk with my eyes glued to the screen and tears falling down my face. Jennifer spoke reams with that one shot. We also feature a flag ornament by Pat Timpanaro who does a wonderful job as our Webmaster. We know you will enjoy both designs.

Neptune’s Treasures by Patricia Moore is a wonderful and creative piece of wearable art. How I love this piece because its suggestion of the beach is so strong that I can almost smell the salt. Michael Boren is a new and talented designer for us. His handsome counted canvas design, Scheherazade, has been worked in two very different colorways to please traditional and contemporary tastes.

We are proud of our continuing projects and know that many of you enjoy working these larger or more detailed pieces of needlepoint. In this issue we feature the final installment of Marnie Ritter’s beautiful and whimsical May-be More Purr-fect. Don’t forget to send us good photos of your finished work so that we can share it in The Finish Line. We are using The Finish Line a little differently this time. We received information from Kathleen Rindfusz about our continuing Christmas In The City by Gail Sirna. Gail had taught this project to Kathleen’s needlework guild and encouraged each student to personalize the piece. It is fun to read about what two stitchers did to change the project. We show the fourth installment of the project. We are also pleased to present The Finishing Touch once again. Kathy Klinko, our guest editor, shares thoughts on "A Finisher’s Viewpoint on What You Should Know Before Finishing."

Many of you write to say how you enjoy the continuing features that broaden your base of needlepoint knowledge. Our feature writers are the unsung heroes of this publication and their articles form the backbone of this book. They are here for every issue (unless the lack of space puts them on hold) with good information and knowledge to share with us. "Kudos and thank you" from a grateful editor to Amy Bunger, Ann Caswell, Suzanne Howren, Tony Minieri and Jody Valentine.

We apologize to many of you because you received your May/June issue so late. Some magazines were delivered in a reasonable time and some were not. From where I sit, it is total frustration and I have felt helpless and complained all the way to the top. I have just received a reply from my Senior Senator and I am hopeful that something can be done. Whatever the problems, and there are many, we still have the best postal system in the world. We also have the most wonderful county. Happy birthday, and may God bless America.

Joyce Lukomski

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Last Updated November 24, 2004