From the Editor

The new year is a time of beginnings and the perfect time to try something brand new! We had already selected our cover projects when we learned that there is something new and wonderful in the world of printing. When we heard about the new method of printing metallic colors we were so excited as we have the perfect candidates for this impressive idea on our front and back covers! Taking a chance makes the adrenaline pump a little faster but it also adds a bit of intrigue to the day. And, there is also something so satisfying about being "first."

How fitting that two of our favorite and long-time designers should be the featured artists for this printing breakthrough. Peg Dunayer captures the icy beauty of the season with her shimmering geometric that seems to repeat the rhythm of the dance. I think the waltz is the most graceful of all dances (my husband dances a beautiful continental waltz but I am somewhat of a klutz). I know you will enjoy working "An Evening's Waltz." Marnie Ritter is always an elegant lady and her lovely purse reflects that charm. We begin with the first installment in this issue. You can stitch the bag as Marnie did if you have the purse frame or a fantastic finisher, or, you can stitch it as a rectangle and attach to a ready-made soft bag or even as an applique on clothing.

We welcome a new designer, Donna Di Marco, who shares her charming Four-Way Bargello Hearts Pillow. We also welcome Janet Perry who will author a feature with small projects stitched in various techniques.

I have never liked goodbyes and so I will just say to Pam Godderis "see you later, dear friend." Her informative color study is complete in this issue. What a wonderful world Pam opened up for us and how well she helped us to understand the colors.

Every now and then something that must be shared crosses my desk. This morning I was thinking about my own grandmother who had such an influence on my needlework life when I opened my email to the following letter:

Dear Joyce,

I learned to stitch when I was very young, in fact I don't really remember a time when there wasn't some sort of sewing project underway. There were two constants, my grandmother and her passion for needlepoint. She was an energetic woman, even into her late eighties, who had a tremendous love for needlepoint. She was a gifted stitcher and instilled that passion in me.

In recent years I've turned to designing and stitching my own canvases. In honor of the birth of my sister's daughter Amelia (my grandmother's tenth great-grandchild), I designed, stitched and finished a beautiful Christmas stocking that was the most fun and satisfying project I've undertaken yet. My grandmother was thrilled and was so proud of my work. I promised her I would submit photos to needlepoint now. She was a subscriber from the first and poured over every page, marking each ad or article featuring a new canvas or tool we "had to have. "

At last I have made good on my promise to my dear Grandma Bernice by sending the attached photos of Amelia's stocking. My grandmother died earlier this year just after the birth of my son Ian, her eleventh great-grandchild. Ian's stocking is my next major project and it will be stitched in loving memory of my needlepoint muse and my greatest fan.

I have enjoyed seeing other readers' work in your magazine and would be so happy to see my own work there. I know my Grandma Bernice would be thrilled.

Very sincerely,
Michelle Hamilton

Dear Michelle:

Consider it done and thank you for making my day.

Warm regards, Joyce

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Last Updated January 31, 2006