From the Editor

Lazy, hazy days - midsummer must be here! What a great time to just relax, find a cool spot, if possible, and put some fun stitches into your needlepoint canvas. We invite you to take a good look at our exquisite cover projects, Three of a Kind. One majestic design by Ro Pace was viewed very differently by three different stitchers. Ro worked her version in a color palette that reminds me of a cherished antique. Lori Wolf-Block stitched her canvas in the wonderful warm tones of copper, made even more exciting with the contrasting rich purples and teals. Michael Boren took a contemporary route with his stitchery as he worked in bold values of reds, greens, purples and golds. We show all three stitcheries on our covers and have taken the space needed to present this beautiful project in its entirety.

The Starburst Ornament by Caela Tyler is a quick project that is waiting to be stitched! Caela worked her version on Tokens and Trifles® perforated paper (20 ct) shapes - "Bonbon." You may choose to do the same - or work yours on canvas in 18 count or your favorite size. This bright little ornament will be just the thing as a gift for a stitching friend or to use as a table favor for a party.

Margaret Bendig offers us the third project in her delightful series "Seasons of the Kimono." This is the lovely "Autumn Russet Kimono" worked in wonderful patterns and a rich color palette.

I so appreciate all of your many comments on our Callaway Gardens articles! I am thrilled with the interest this has generated and can hardly wait to see your contest entries! In this issue Gay Ann Rogers, with the help of Pam Douda and Kim Propst, put together many exciting color palettes using some of today’s beautiful threads. This is great inspiration for selecting your own color palette. Get started now. January is really just around the corner!

Our feature articles continue to teach us so many things about our art of needlepoint. Judy Harper’s Possibilities is so inspirational and always gives us much food for thought with great ideas and suggestions. Suzanne Howren keeps us apprised of the new books on the market and we just have to have all of them! That is why our bookshelves are starting to sag! Jody Valentine talks of many things in her "Classroom" and keeps us educated on current trends. In this issue Jody goes "green" and we need to pay attention and follow her lead. How lucky we are to have these dedicated writers.

I have been corresponding with a lovely lady, LaMona Brown. We started discussing an article she had written. (One writer always loves to hear from another writer.) When she sent the following, I knew it needed to be included in this issue:

Friendship
The Thread That Ties Us All Together

- By LaMona Brown

I recently took stock of the friends I have and realized that so many of those I am closest to are people I met through the hobby of stitching. Any hobby has as an added bonus with the friendships that result, but it is hard to believe that anywhere can we find closer ties than those that are formed through stitching. Stitchers seem to be bound together in a very special way.
Where can we find a more diverse group than in our chapter or other stitching groups? When you look around, observe the many differences. There are no barriers of background or age. Older, younger, richer, poorer—no matter. And yet, any time you meet another stitcher there is an instant common ground that can be the basis for another great friendship. We seem to have been drawn to each other as if by some mystical force, understanding each other instinctively. The sense of union we feel will last a lifetime.
We can see a stitching friend from another part of the country, maybe only once a year or less, yet the "bond" is still there. We can visit on many topics and still feel comfortable with each other. We hold fast to each other through trials, triumphs and long separations.
I am very thankful to have been given the special people who are my true friends and that we were able to find each other upon this crowded earth. They are good, life-enriching friends who add flavor, value and delight to my life. May we each treasure this special gift of friendship we have.

– Joyce Lukomski

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Last Updated June 25, 2008