From the Editor

I often wonder how I ever got so lucky! I am doing the job I enjoy the most, working in a field that inspires me the most and working with the people I love the most! Every day is a new experience. It is true that “time flies when you are having fun.” It is hard to believe that summer is almost gone and we are looking forward to the colorful days of fall. Fall for the Lukomski family will be very special this year. Our youngest daughter, Lelia Elizabeth, (affectionally called “The Princess” by the family) will be married in October. What beautiful plans we have!

As you can imagine, we receive a lot of mail. Recently I have had a delightful exchange with one of our subscribers, Madonna from Colorado, who sent some excellent suggestions. I responded and this is a part of my reply: “Your thoughts concerning ongoing feature projects were excellent. We have had several of these in the past such as Heart of the Home by Debbie Steihler. This was a series of 12 large ornaments that represented all of the ingredients of a solid, happy home. It was very popular and ran for two years. We also did a three year feature with an ornament designed for each state.” This is a part of Madonna’s response: Honestly, Joyce, you must have thought “did this girl ever even read needlepoint now?” This morning I retrieved all my issues going back to the first one in March of 1999 because I didn't remember Debbie's 12 ornaments. Ohhhhhhh, NOW I remember. And of course the State Ornament series had to be one of the most popular. You've had the best of the best contributing, like all those issues with Joan Thomasson, Marnie Ritter and Gail Sirna to name a few. And, of course, one of the favorite columns has to be The Finishing Line along with the book reviews and new stuff on the market. So as I'm perusing each issue, finding one feature after another of things I had forgotten, it became painfully obvious that in the past I have paged through, passing by each article so quickly, like a spoiled child tearing open Christmas presents one right after another! And then saying, I can't wait until the next issue appears on my doorstep. Lesson learned, slow down Madonna, savor that which is before you. I do take the time to jot down the websites of your advertisers, which in some cases can inspire as much as an article. Although I've claimed to know in the past, going though all the issues at once has brought me into the reality of just how much time, effort and (the hardest part) creative energy it takes to put together such a publication. I don't know how you do it six times a year. Now I'm worrying because it seems you've done it all....there's nothing left. What more can you do?” My answer to Madonna is: “Our shelves are teeming with exciting projects that will take us well into next year! Just wait until you see our two new cover projects for the next issue! You are going to love them both! We plan to celebrate the holiday season with delightful stitcheries for Christmas and for Hanukah. That is one of the wonderful things about creativity...just when you think you’ve seen it all, something new and fabulous breaks on the scene.

In showbiz this would be called a “blend” because the previous statement helps to introduce our fascinating cover project, TapisTree! Even the name is brand new! Jo Hopper has an inventive spirit and has created an entirely new concept in this sophisticated adornment for your home. The “Sampler Set” by Peg Dunayer features six pieces that work up quickly and make great stitching accessories for yourself or for gifts. Pat Mazu delights us with another of her petite stockings worked in beautiful silk and metal threads. Our “on location” reporter, Elizabeth Bozievich, treats us with a visit to Mindy’s Needlepoint Factory in Eugene, Oregon. I have just returned from my “annual pilgrimage” to the great Pacific Northwest and while there I saw Jan Sprague’s colorful greeting cards. What a wonderful idea! I know you will have fun creating these and enjoying the compliments from your lucky friends who receive them. While in the area, I took off a few days to travel with friends to Ashland, Oregon where I enjoyed “restoring my soul” at the wonderful Shakespeare Theater. Now I am inspired and ready to roll!

-- Joyce Lukomski

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