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2006 July/August

Cover Project | Table of Contents | Editor's Column | Back Cover

Editor's Column

Thank you for your overwhelming response to our May/June issue. We appreciate the messages we received about our beautiful cover that featured Debbie Stiehler's Spring Tulips. Many of you wrote about our inspirational letters concerning the help given by needleworkers to victims of Katrina. It gives us a "shot in the arm" to know that you enjoy the items we print.

Our front cover for this issue introduces a very different focus of needlepoint. The bold and beautiful Abstract: Color Descending by Norman Delue reflects the depth of his art and is a one-of-a-kind creation. At first we had hoped to chart this piece so that you could stitch one just like it. However, we soon realized that there could never be two, just alike, of this composition. Since Norm worked from inspiration and did not have an account of threads, colors or stitch counts used, we soon knew that would not be possible. We suggest you use this wonderful project for an inspiration. Go to your "stash bag" and pull out the threads and colors you like, find some interesting stitch books (or, better yet, look back through our past issues and learn dozens of stitches from our talented feature writers) and just start stitching. Strive to do something a little different from your usual manner of stitching. Work for just a little while and then change gears with a different shape, stitch, thread type or color. If working this way turns out to be a fun adventure for you, please let us know and send us photos of your work. If working in this manner drives you crazy and results in a headache, skip the idea of doing something in the manner of this design. Instead, enjoy it for its inspiration and then go to some of the other exciting projects.

We had just begun work on this cover when we were notified that Norman Delue had suffered a debilitating stroke. We are so relieved to tell you that he is responding to his medication and has left the hospital for a rehab center where he continues to recover and to grow stronger each day. We wish him all the best with a speedy recovery.

Victoria's Garden, featured on our back cover, has been promised to you for some time. This is another of the exciting geometrics from Ruth Dilts. I know that many of you are fans of Ruth's designs and were eager for this one to be presented. We have one more of the geometrics in this series and we will present it at some future time.

Ann Toth's delightful miniature Topiary Tree is the perfect vehicle for teaching us how to work canvas appliqué in the traditional way. You will find several other unique stitching techniques in this project. The finishing looks really neat and clean as well as quick and easy to do.

Peg Dunayer shares with us her Framed Foursome that may be changed and manipulated in dozens of ways. You may stitch all four designs or work them in single units.

We love to see a new design or a novel concept in stitching. We delight in crisp geometrics and enjoy working with new and different materials. It all works together to keep us educated, stimulated and eager to start the next thing and we so appreciate each of our contributing artists. One of our greatest strengths is the presentation of our continuing features. Each feature writer is a professional in the field and works many hours each month to share this knowledge with us. How lucky we are to have on our staff these experts: Tony Minieri, Amy Bunger, Jody Valentine, Suzanne Howren, Ann Blalock, Robin Berry, Gretchen Janesak and Ann Caswell. We are equally lucky to have the very best proof readers: Marianne Frost, Donna Gotts and Fay Haverly.

As we go to press I have learned about my dear friend, Peg Laflam who was featured in our July/August 1999 issue. Peg was a needlework artist, teacher, designer and mentor to aspiring needlework artists. We were good friends and seminar roommates for many years. Peg waged a long and heroic battle with cancer and will be remembered with love by her many friends.

– Joyce Lukomski

As of July-August 2009 back issues of Needlepoint Now are available at a cost of $7.00 per copy, plus shipping and handling. All preceding back issues are $6.00 per copy, plus shipping and handling.

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