From the Editor

"For everything there is a season" quoted President Susan Davis as she gave the invocation for the ANG National Seminar's Welcome Banquet. What a season it turned out to be for me! Susan closed the banquet with the presentation of ANG's prestigious Literary Award to Joyce Lukomski. Receiving this award was very special to me but what followed was spectacular! If I could "freeze a moment in time" it would be this one. I walked up to the podium through a most enthusiastic throng of friends warming me with a standing ovation and what sounded like "thunderous" applause. I thank my many friends and supporters for this beautiful moment. I will carry memories of it in my heart forever.

Speaking of seasons, can you believe that the holiday season is almost here? We are celebrating the season at needlepoint now by presenting the completion of the magnificent Nativity by Joan Thomasson. Shepherds Saul, Jacob, Judah and Benjamin will take their places by joining The Holy Family from Nov/Dec '04 and Three Kings from Nov/Dec '03. Joan has done a masterful job in creating all of these beautiful figures.

Pat Mazu's work exhibits a warm and delicate touch that I find most satisfying. This time she offers A Rose in the Garden, a petite stocking stitched with the subtle and elegant Pearsall's silk threads.

Liz Irvine-Morrow was a popular designer for Needlepoint News, one of my favorite publications from the past. Her Bargello Christmas Ornaments are presented for your stitching fun.

Plan to laugh out loud when you read the escapades of our adorable "stitching fool"at Christmas. Learn about new stitches and techniques, market news, some history of our art, the best new books and color information with our ever-popular features.

How I enjoy hearing from you and this is a letter I would like to share: I have to write and tell you how much we in England enjoy your magazine and our particular favourite at the moment is the Stitching Fool as we can all identify with her. My friends call me The Bag Lady when I appear! I sent the Marnie Ritter article in last month's mag to a friend whose husband died in June; she spent many hours stitching by his bedside and he was also a stitcher. We are starved of good needlepoint magazines and shops in the UK and I love looking at all the websites and using my credit card! I now have to wait 2 months for my next "fix." Thank you for providing it. Jean Woodward

For our many subscribers in the Gulf Coast area, please know that we are holding you in our heart and prayers. I have a special fondness for this part of our country where I have enjoyed so many good times. I remember buying paintings that were hanging on a wrought iron fence, having my face "painted"in the Quarter and a lecture on the beginnings of the city of New Orleans. I was impressed with the amazing strength and determination of the early settlers. I know that this special place will be back to once again delight all of our senses with beignets on the table and jazz in our hearts.

I have heard it said: "If you don't have Christmas in your heart you won't find it under a tree." I hope that each of us will be able to find Christmas in our heart as we reflect on the past year. As a new year approaches may we have patience for the problems, learn from our mistakes, find the grace to be forgiving, appreciate our great bounty, find time for love and laughter, experience the strength of family and the joy of friendship. May each one of us dig down a little deeper within ourselves to strive to be all that we can be so that we will become a credit to our Maker and our fellow man. Have a happy Hanukkah, a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.

Joyce Lukomski

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Last Updated December 22, 2005