From the Editor

Joan Thomasson has done it again! I marvel, not only at the talent, but also the productivity of this gifted designer! Her elegant Merry Christmas, Alexandra, is a beautiful beginning for our holiday season. You may choose to stitch the entire project as we show it...or just one or two of the exquisite Fabergé inspired eggs to use for ornaments. And, what could be more wonderful for the time-honored season of Hanukah than our magnificent Hanukah Menorah? It is especially exciting for me because my friend, Sara Ann Cohen, told me about this unique stitchery. I was thrilled to learn that the designer, Gail Stafford, grew up right here in Petersburg, Virginia, and is the daughter of an old friend. It is, indeed, a small world. I know that you will enjoy both of these outstanding projects. We also share two smaller items for stitching. Donna DiMarco delights us with her adorable scissors case that features a flower done in needleweaving and Michael Boren offers his patriotic 9-11 Remembrance Pin. You will be inspired by the Finishing Challenge and A Sisters’ Stitcharama features.

For all of you who sent good wishes about the wedding of “The Princess,” I send you thanks and am happy to report that we all survived! In fact, a lovely time was had by all. The wedding went off like clockwork, the bride was beautiful, the groom tall and handsome, the ceremony inspiring, the music lovely, especially that from the harp. The reception was great fun with food, drink and music to match the festivities. John and I even got to dance a waltz to our song, Lara’s Theme, from Dr. Zhivago. However, at the end of this whirlwind month, as I finally sank into the oblivion of sleep, I was overheard murmuring, “so glad Lelia is the last one.”

When I am troubled about living in this fast-changing and bewildering world I have drawn inspiration from one of America’s great poets, Maya Angelou. When asked about aging, she said this: “I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.” My wish for you this yuletide is sunny skies, safe travel and a glorious holiday with no tangled tree lights. And, my wish goes even deeper just as Dr. Angelou continued: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” So please take the time during this special season to warm the lives of those you touch. Contact an old friend and renew that once-prized relationship. Tell your family members how much each one means to you. (Several Christmases ago I gave each of my three children a beautiful leather-bound journal. On the fly leaf I wrote a heart-felt personal message. During the year each child told me how special my gift was.) Brighten the day for an aging family member or neighbor with a visit. Plan an event that will make a beautiful memory for a grandchild. Try to have patience with those who serve during this busy time (this is the hardest task for me) and remember the value of a kind word and a smile. Do something nice for someone less fortunate. When you give joy, you will find that it has been doubled when it is returned to you.

My holiday wish for you is for a season filled with much love and laughter and success for the new year. Jennifer James defined success this unusual way: “Success is every minute you live. It’s the process of living. It’s stopping for the moments of beauty, of pleasure, the moments of peace. Success is not a destination that you ever reach. Success is the quality of the journey.” May success be yours in 2007.

-- Joyce Lukomski

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