Three Mysteries from Val Reece

Thank you, Val, for sending me photos of the three mysteries you stitched!
The first is Mystery with a Little Bit of Glitz.
The second is Glittering Diamonds.
The third is Redwork Mystery.
Gay Ann

Happy Valentine's Day in Hearts!

Over the last few years, I have stitched about 2 dozen hearts and here are a lucky bunch of seven of them to wish you Happy Valentine's Day!
Enjoy the day, eat a lot of Chocolate and stitch a bit. Remember to wash the chocolate off your fingers before you pick up your needle :-)

Gay Ann

A Mystery within a Mystery

Darlene Locke sent me her mystery which she identified as Glittering Diamonds but it doesn't look like Glittering Diamonds because of the square shape around the middle. Glittering Diamonds, as you will see shortly, has a diamond-shaped center.

When I designed these patterns, I offered all sorts of options and stitchers did some wonderful patterns with these options but often they stump me!

Is this indeed Glittering Diamonds?
A Mystery within a Mystery!
Thank you, Darlene. Your piece is a beautiful example, whichever it is!

Gay Ann

A Gallery of Mysteries with a Little Bit of Glitz

Here are five wonderful Mysteries with a Little Bit of Glitz. Thank you, kind stitchers, for sending them.
I have only one problem: your names got separated from the images and I don't know for sure which belongs to whom.
If you write to me and identify yours, I will happily add your name to my blog!

First (top one) was stitched by Carol Whitton, third from top by Linda Bell and fifth by Pat Sweet. Thank you to all three of you.

Yes, all five are the same pattern! They just show the different variations.

I don't remember which year I offered Mystery with a Little Bit of Glitz but it was a while ago. I loved inventing the pattern because of the different options and I love the chance to see what options and colors different stitchers chose.
Often I recognize Mystery with a Little Bit of Glitz only by the Eyelets around the center.

Gay Ann

Carole Lake's Anasazi Song

I just signed up to take a class online through Shining Needle Society. Kate and Marie-Therese are offering a design of Carole Lake's that I have long admired, so I signed up!

The class is available as a kit or instructions only, or also for former students with Anasazi Song in progress. It will be a nice opportunity to try an online class at Shining Needle Society and become acquainted with the organization.

Membership in Shining Needle Society is free, just contact Kate Gaunt (KateGaunt@aol.com) for an invitation.
Right now Shining Needle Society has almost 700 members and seems to grow daily.

Gay Ann

Mystery with a Little Bit of Glitz and Glittering Diamonds

Mystery with a Little Bit of Glitz and Glittering Diamonds are two of my past mysteries.
I am hoping that people who stitched them will send me digital photos of their projects so that I can feature them in a gallery here on My Blog.

If you stitched either of these mysteries and would be willing for me to post your project here, would you please email me at GayAnn@GayAnnRogers.com.
If you know someone who did, would you ask the person to write to me?
If you belong to a list, would you do me a favor and post a note that I am looking for stitched examples of my geometric mysteries.

I would greatly appreciate hearing from you!

Gay Ann

P.S. Mystery in a Corner (another geometric mystery) is coming soon!

Two More of New Year's Resolution Ornament

Here are two more color combinations of New Year's Resolution Ornament #1.
Look at all 7 (2 in this posting and 5 in the last posting) and you will see how New Year's Resolution Ornament is a little color lesson all wrapped into a quickie needlepoint project.
The ornament is almost 4" x 4" on 18-mesh canvas (canvas size is 8" x 8").
The pattern is $9.99 plus $1 postage. For more information: GayAnn@GayAnnRogers.com
Gay Ann

New Year's Resolution Ornament #1

Here are 5 models of New Year's Resolution Ornament #1.
The ornament is 4" x 4" on 18-mesh canvas.

If you would like to stitch New Year's Resolution Ornament #1, you will have satisfied a whole bunch of New Year's Resolutions:
1. Start a New Project (always fun in a new year)
2. Finish a Project (it takes two 'television watching' evenings)
3. Use Threads from Your Stash (choose any threads in colors you like, thick or thin, glitzy or matte - they will all work!)
4. Try a new thread or color (visit your Needlework Shop or call Pam Douda, Tomorrow's Heirlooms or Vicky deAngelis, Needle Nook of La Jolla)
5. Learn a Bit More about Color in an Easy Way (just start, work out your colors as you go).

If you would like to buy the pattern for New Year's Resolution Ornament #1, write to me for an invoice.
The price is $9.99 for the pattern and $1 for postage.
GayAnn@GayAnnRogers.com

If you would like to stretch and learn a bit more about color and texture while you stitch New Year's Resolution Ornament #1, join Shining Needle Society (write to Kate Gaunt, KateGaunt@aol.com, for an invitation. Membership is free).
Gay Ann

Notebook Pages of Clippings and Cards

As an educational example of my collection of clippings from catalogues and magazines, cards and color samples, I compiled these pages in a notebook. Please look at the colors, the lines of the designs, the styles of the items. Clippings and cards like these are a great help and inspiration to me.

I made the booklet as an example for my Shining Needle Society classroom (where we are doing color exercises) and I am taking it to Callaway with me for use in my classes. I would share the pages with you first, before the booklet and I depart for Pine Mountain. Enjoy!

Gay Ann

I forgot this photo of a Rainbow of Grab Bags!

I forgot to post this photo of a rainbow of grab bags!
Gay Ann

How I spent New Year's Day

Liz picked me up at 8:30 and she, Vicky and I had breakfast at the Cottage, a dear little restaurant right across from the shop.
As soon as breakfast was over, I began putting together grab bags for Vicky. All in all, I put together 80 of them. The photos here are samples of the grab bags which I did by color and texture.

The bags are $8.88 at www.needlenookoflajolla.com. Each one has at least $25.00 worth of threads and beads, some considerably more.

I put these together essentially for my Shining Needle Society classroom, so that I could encourage some play with color. Each of these little grab bags has a core color on which someone can build. I have no financial interest in these grab bags, only an educational interest.

Needle Nook of La Jolla will continue to sell them for the month of January or for as long as they last.

Happy New Year!
Gay Ann

Wrapping Paper and Ribbon from Christmas

I made a rule this year, that I had to use up paper and ribbon left over from past Christmases -- I had to use it all up before I could shop for any more.

In the bottom of a very large box was this gold tissue paper. I combined it with an old old old satin ribbon that is a khaki green and then some curling ribbon in gold. Along with these I cut up some old wired ribbon and made bows, tied with the curling ribbon. The package tag is a much brighter gold and white, but when I finished, I thought, oooo isn't that pretty, I saved a bit of all of it for future inspiration and then today took a photo of it to post on My Blog and in my classroom.

This time of year is a wonderful time to clip inspiration from catalogues, wrappings and Christmas cards. It is so much easier when working on a visual project to have some visual aids. Surround yourself with lots of visual aids and they will begin to work their magic on your mind.

Gay Ann

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!
Hope you had a wonderful day! I had a blissfully quiet one, even managed to stitch for a while this afternoon.
Early this a.m. I posted instructions for The Catalogue Game in my Shining Needle Society Classroom.

Still to come: The Christmas Card Game.
And a surprise Valentine's Day project.

I am having a great time thinking up games and surprises for my classroom at Shining Needle Society.
Wish you would come join us.
KateGaunt@aol.com for an invitation.

Gay Ann

Tis the Season: Still More on Catalogues

People in my Shining Needle Society Classroom have been busy collecting catalogues (at least I hope they have been) and stacking them under the Christmas tree with a bow and a note on top saying 'Merry Christmas to Me from Me.'

As soon as they check their computers on Christmas morning, the people who are in my Shining Needle Society classroom will find a note from me wishing them Merry Christmas and instructing them to open the catalogues and start our game.

I am hoping it will be reminiscent of childhood. Look at it this way: this year I am playing Santa for the child in each Shining Needle Society member who will learn the games soon!

Please come join us, save your catalogues, stack them under your tree and join my classroom by contacting Kate Gaunt (KateGaunt@aol.com)

SEE you on Christmas morning.

Gay Ann

Tis the Season: More on Catalogues

Are you busy saving your catalogues? Even one or two will do the trick. Of course, more is
best, but one or two are better than none. Just set them aside for a while.

For those of you who are groaning at the idea of more clutter, I have a suggestion: put them
in a stack, put a bow on top of them, tie a gift card with 'to me from me' on the bow and put
the stack under the Christmas tree. If you don't put a ribbon around the whole stack, you can
keeping adding to the stack as you find them or finish with them.

What will you do with these?
Later....

Merry accumulation!
Gay Ann

Tis the Season, Part 1: Catalogues

All those catalogues that flood your mailbox?
DON'T throw them away! Save them carefully!
I have a plan for them....

Gay Ann

Information about Digital Cameras

Today is an exciting day in my Shining Needle Society classroom: Arlene Jones who is an avid stitcher and knows a ton about digital cameras will start answering questions about digital cameras and needlework late this afternoon.
Look for my introduction in my classroom.

For those of you who would like to participate, please feel welcome to join Shining Needle Society.
Write to: Kate Gaunt, KateGaunt@aol.com.

Exciting! I am looking forward to questions from members and Arlene's answers!

Gay Ann

The First Shining Needle Society Cyber Stitch-in

Yesterday afternoon, between the hours of noon and 6 p.m. we had the First Shining Needle Society Cyber Stitch-in.

What is a Cyber Stitch-in?
I set the time frame of 6 hours yesterday afternoon and anyone who wished to participate set aside half an hour (more time if she could afford it), laid aside the tasks of the day, picked up her needle and stitched.

Then many people reported back how long they had stitched and what they had worked on. Three people even got together, ate lunch and stitched for the afternoon.

I myself attended the Cyber Stitch-in. I worked on a project, in fact I took the first stitch on a little project I have been meaning to stitch for a long time. I saw the time as a gift and I felt refreshed. Time set aside for my favorite thing to do.

I am looking forward to many more Cyber Stitch-ins and I hope that many of you who follow my blog will come join me.

Membership in my classroom is open to anyone who would like to join.
My classroom is a part of Shining Needle Society whose directors are Kate Gaunt and Marie-Therese Baker. Shining Needle Society is up to 600 people now and Kate and Marie Therese are looking forward to offering all sorts of different activities in all sorts of classrooms over the next year. Mine is only one of the classrooms.

For an invitation to join, write to KateGaunt@aol.com.

Gay Ann

Shining Needle Society opens my new classroom

For 8 months now I have had a chatroom featuring my Redwork Mystery. My mystery has just finished and I am about to move into a brand new classroom at Shining Needle Society. Tomorrow, on Thanksgiving, Shining Needle Society will officially open my new classroom and welcome anyone who wants to join.

I hope you will join me for a series of online projects, classes and play, lots of surprises and along the way small exercises to encourage creativity in needlework. Membership is free, just write to KateGaunt@aol.com and she will send you an invitation.

At Callaway last year, Jennifer Taylor took a wonderful collage photograph using a small grouping of my projects. I think Jennifer Taylor is nothing short of amazing and the photo she took is my favorite photo ever taken of my work. Clever Kate posted the photo as the logo-photo in my new classroom, so right away I was at home there.

We hope you will come to see one amazing photograph and let us welcome you officially.
See you at Shining Needle Society!

Gay Ann

Redwork Mystery's Bonus Surprise

Here it is, my little bonus for all of you. It isn't a new scene, rather a way to use any one of the little rooms on the Redwork Mystery.

When I thought it up, I thought the timing would be perfect: it would make a little Christmas present for someone special. And here's the best part: no finishing deadlines because you can do the finishing yourself in about 20 minutes.

I will post the instructions in my Shining Needle Society chat room later on today.
If you would like them, please join Shining Needle Society by writing to Kate Gaunt (KateGaunt@aol.com).
Membership is free and if necessary, Kate will help you with the forms.

I am not posting the instructions on My Blog because they are odd: for the first time in my long career of writing instructions, I have done a simple list with no graphs. If you belong to the chatroom and you have questions, you will have a good support system in there.

Again, thank you one and all for stitching my Redwork Mystery. I thought I would be so happy to see it end, but I am not. I miss the anticipation of unveiling a new room.

SEE you in Shining Needle Society!

Gay Ann

My Redwork Mystery: A Surprise Bonus coming soon!

For all of you who followed my Redwork Mystery, I have a photo of a little Surprise Bonus which I will post late Wednesday or early Thursday.

I will post the photo here. Should you wish to make the the little Bonus, I will post the instructions in my classroom at Shining Needle Society. If you wish to make the ornament, I ask you to join Shining Needle Society by writing to Kate Gaunt (KateGaunt@aol.com).

Membership is free and Kate will help you join.

Gay Ann

Shining Needle Society Reaches 500 People

Good News! Shining Needle Society reached 500 this afternoon! Kate Gaunt emailed me to tell me the news!
Congratulations to the fledgling organization! Wow!

If you are interested in joining, please contact Kate Gaunt (KateGaunt@aol.com).
Membership is free and she will help you register if necessary.

Gay Ann

My Sampler Makers are Finished!

About half an hour ago I finished writing the instructions for the fourth of my Sampler Makers.
They are finished!
Hooray!

(Click on each photo for a larger image)

Gay Ann

Redwork Mystery's Window #8 is in the mail

I sent off Surprise Window #8 in today's mail, so you should have yours in a few days.

As soon as I start hearing from people that their letters or packets have arrived (in about a week's time), I will post a photo of a little bonus to wrap up my mystery. It is a little add-on surprise for all of you, a way of saying thank you for participating in my mystery.

I will post a photo of the little bonus here; instructions for the bonus will be available in my Shining Needle Society Chat Room.
Please come and join by contacting Kate Gaunt (KateGaunt@aol.com). Membership is free and Kate will help you.

For the past months my Shining Needle Society chat room has been a support group for my mystery. As those of you who belong can attest, it has been a lively room with lots of photos showing variations people have made of Redwork Mystery.

After I post instructions for my little bonus, my chat room will evolve into a permanent room called 'Gay Ann's Shining Needle Society Class Room.' My classroom will be one of several, as Shining Needle Society becomes an on-line seminar.

Already Janet Casey has joined Shining Needle Society and she will offer two of her Santas for a Christmas-stitching adventure. Early in the New Year Jane Zimmerman and Judy Souliotis will join in and I suggest watching for other well-known teachers also as Shining Needle Society moves forward. All of us will offer projects, ideas, exercises and on-line classes as Shining Needle Society grows.

I hope you will join us for this exciting new stitching adventure.

Gay Ann

Redwork Mystery: The Complete Sampler Revealed

Here is my Redwork Mystery Cottage with all its rooms in place.
Click on the photo for a larger image.

Thank you for following me for 8 months as the mystery's rooms were revealed.
I will be back with a new mystery soon.
Gay Ann

Redwork Mystery: Surprise Window #8, the last one

Here it is, my last surprise window, and many of you guessed correctly that it would be the bathroom.
This is my second favorite room in my mystery house (after the stitching room) because of the claw-footed tub and the monogrammed towels.

Redwork Mystery has been going for 8 months and I thought I would be happy to see the end of it. Instead, I am rather sad it is over. So I concocted one last little surprise. I will post it here and Kate will post it in the Shining Needle Society chatroom two weeks after I mail Surprise Window #8.

Thank you to each of you who has followed my mystery. I enjoyed it each step of the way and hope you have too.

I will be back with a new mystery, next time a geometric called "Mystery in a Corner." When? One of these days. How will you know? I will post it here and in Shining Needle Society's chat room.

Gay Ann

For My Callaway Class, Cameo Extravaganza

Dear Callaway Student,

Below you will find postings showing 7 cameo projects. Please look at them all, then email me with your choice.
The class is set up for you to have a complete kit of your choice; then you may have also whatever other ones you wish also.
I will email you with the class particulars.
Please email me at GayAnn@GayAnnRogers.com with any questions.

This is the real reason I chose to have a website and a blog. How easy it is!
I look forward to hearing from each of you soon.
Thanks.
Gay Ann

For Callaway Class: Two Cameo Heart Samplers

Two Cameo Heart Samplers

On the left, Plus Grand Cameo Heart Sampler, the larger of the two, is 8 1/2" tall x 6 3/4" wide.
On the right, Plus Petit Cameo Heart Sampler, the smaller of the two, is 7 1/4" tall x 5 3/4" wide.

Click on photo for a larger image.
Gay Ann

For Callaway Class: Two Small Samplers

Two small samplers.

The larger one 'Plutot Petit Cameo Sampler' is a little over 6" tall x a little under 5" wide.

The smaller one 'Tres Petit Cameo Sampler' is 4" x 4"

Click on photo for a larger image.
Gay Ann

For Callaway Class: Two Cameo Ornaments

On the left is Cameo Ornament.
From the top of the hanger to the bottom of the tassel, Cameo Ornament measures 12"
The stitched part of the ornament is 5" tall x 3 1/2" wide.

On the right is Cameo Ornament: Portrait of a Lady
From the top of the hanger to the bottom of the tassel, Portrait of a Lady measures 10 1/2"
The stitched part is 4 1/2" tall x 2 1/2" wide.

Click on the photo for a larger image.
Gay Ann

For Callaway Class: Cameo Collector

On the left is a photo of the whole 'Cameo Collector'
On the right, a detail showing the top and the first three cameos.
The length, from top to tip of tassel is 21"
The width is 3 1/2"

Click on photo for a larger image.
Gay Ann

E-Merchandise Week: Deadlines

Several of you have written noting that it is past my deadline but asking if you can still order or pay for kits and patterns.
I try to be understanding about missing deadlines but this time I am sorry, I can't be flexible.

E-Merchandise Week was much larger than I would have ever guessed and I need to finish mailing things and get back to my own not inconsiderable deadlines.

Thank you anyway.
Next time!

Gay Ann

E-Merchandise Week is Over! Thank you!

Thank you to all of you who made my first E-Merchandise Week quite an experience! I have sold patterns and kits at merchandise nights at seminars for several years but this was a first. It was great fun to e-chat with so many of you! Thank you for all your notes, especially notes of encouragement. Often, when I felt overwhelmed by it all, those notes really helped.

This is a roundabout way of saying I am keeping up fairly well with your orders. I am still waiting for a single thread and the supplier has promised me it will be here soon. Its delayed arrival may hold up a few of your packages and I apologize for the inconvenience. I will write to those of you who are influenced by it. I have high hopes that the rest of the packages will be in the mail a week from now.

So what are you going to do with all of these patterns I am mailing to you? I have an idea.

I have asked Kate Gaunt and Marie-Therese Baker if they will let me keep my Shining Needle Chat Room after my mystery finishes next month. I would like to turn it into E-Studio Time for a while. That way you can all get to work and it will be fun if you share your progress. Please come and join Shining Needle Society by writing to Kate Gaunt (KateGaunt@aol.com).

So what about a second E-Merchandise Week? When will it be? Jane Zimmerman told me that Brigadoon returns every hundred years. I told her it dates us both that we even know about Brigadoon! I hope it will be sometime before a hundred years from now. How about thinking about it a year from now. If any of you have reflections or suggestions for me, please write to me, GayAnn@GayAnnRogers.com or post them here on my blog.

Meanwhile, I say goodbye to E-Merchandise Week with a photo of one of the most recent additions to my heart collection, Santa's Heart. I have to chuckle: remember the days when Christmas didn't go up in the stores until after Thanksgiving? Long gone are those days!
So Santa's Heart won't feel strange here for a while.

Again, thank you!
Gay Ann

Redwork Mystery: Surprise #7 is in the Mail!

I mailed Surprise Windows #7 this afternoon. I know it is early, but I had them all ready to go and thought, why not!
My house is mired down in canvas, instruction booklets, threads and kits, so mailing off these helped me feel like I was accomplishing something!

Enjoy the Dining Room.

I thought I would be relieved when the mystery was over; instead I find I am sad to think it only has a month to go.
I have enjoyed it and hope you have too!

Gay Ann

Redwork Mystery: Surprise #7, The Dining Room

Some of you are just too too smart: you figured out Surprise Window #7, the Dining Room.
Enjoy!

I can't believe we have only one more window. I have enjoyed this mystery so much! Hope you have too.

I will post a note as soon as I have shipped them.

Gay Ann

Redwork Mystery: Surprise #6 is in the Mail!

I sent off all patterns for Surprise Window #6 late this afternoon. I got to the post office just as they were collecting the mail so I watched the packages disappear into the big bin on wheels.

The patterns should reach you all in a few days. I hope you enjoy my favorite of the rooms.

Gay Ann

Redwork Mystery: Surprise #6 The Stitching Room

Here is my favorite room in the redwork house, my Stitching Room.
To see it in place on the sampler, go to my website, www.GayAnnRogers.com and click on group designs.

I will mail the patterns probably on September 7.

Gay Ann

Redwork Mystery: Surprise #5 is in the Mail

Just about 2;30 this afternoon, Tony, our mailman, picked up all of your patterns for the Library, Surprise Window #5.
I hope you enjoy the room.

I may be delayed next month, at least with posting the photo of Surprise Window #6. I will be on my way home from ANG's Seminar in Baltimore on September 1. As soon as I am home again and human enough to post the photo, I will do so.

Gay Ann

My Redwork Mystery: thoughts related to books

In tonight's email Zeena sent me the following. Thank you, Zeena.

This poem by Clarence Day is shown stitched in a book Hope Hanley wrote, many years ago.

The World of books
is the most remarkable creation of man.
Nothing else that he builds ever lasts
Monuments fall,
Nations perish
Civilizations grow old and die out.
And after an era of darkness
new races build others.
But in the world of books are volumes
that have seen this happen again and again.
And yet, live on, still young,
still as fresh as the day they were written, still telling
men's hearts
of the hearts of men centuries dead.

Redwork Mystery: Surprise #5 The Library

My husband Jim is a retired history professor. Once a friend commented after meeting him that he is nice but a bit bookish. I chuckled; there are so many history professors in this world who aren't bookish, right?

I could not have invented a house without a library for Jim, so here is Jim's room.

I will put the patterns in the mail, as usual, on the 8th of August and will post a note here after I have mailed them.

Gay Ann

E-Merchandise Week

So many of you have contacted me in the last few months about patterns/kits of mine that you would like to buy.
My life is always a series of deadlines and right now I am getting ready for ANG's seminar in Baltimore. I am also trying to finish writing instructions for Callaway's classes.

I cut back on my participation in seminar this year; by this I mean, I will not be doing Expo (Merchandise Night). When I am home again and I have some time, I decided I would have an E-Merchandise Week from My Blog. I have a stash of patterns and kits that many of you have requested and I think I will sell them for a week in mid-October.

I will write more about this sale when I am home again from Baltimore, so if you are interested, I suggest you follow postings on My Blog
www.GayAnnRogers.com and click on My Blog.

I will not have everything in my portfolio for sale; I will not have unending copies of everything.
If there is something you would like in particular, email me and I will see if I can do it.

If this goes well, I may make E-Merchandise Week a regular feature, maybe twice or three times a year.

Gay Ann

In Our Side Yard This Evening

I cannot resist posting this photo of our resident Lady Hummingbird. I tried for a long time to get a photo of her at the feeder but she would see the reflection or the movement and fly off. This evening I was lucky. Camera was up and focused just as she swooped in for an evening drink.
Enjoy a summer's evening treat from me to you.

Gay Ann

Redwork Mystery: Surprise #4 in the Mail!

Finally, about 2:00 this afternoon I made it to the post office and sent off all of Surprise #4. You should start receiving them in a few days.
Enjoy!
Gay Ann

Redwork Mystery: Surprise #4, The Kitchen

Here is a Kitchen to add to your house. I can't remember who, but someone said I wouldn't include a kitchen. Well, I did! Fitting that I included a kitchen for July so that there is a place for all the hamburgers and hot dogs. You will have to look through the kitchen window to see the barbeque, though.

I will mail patterns after the holidays, probably on July 8th or 9th and will post a note on my blog when they are in the mail.

You now know what half of the Surprise Windows are. Four more to go, including my favorite one. Anybody wish to guess what the four will be?


Gay Ann

Congratulations, Donna Nelson!

Congratulations, Donna, on winning the June Zimmerman Silk and metal Thread Award for Malachite and Pearls.
I don't have a photo of Donna's, but I snapped a photo a short while ago of mine and here it is.

A nice photo of Donna and her Malachite and Pearls is featured in the June 07 issue of Needle Arts, on page 53.
Thank you, Yvonne, for writing me about this.

Gay Ann

My Redwork Mystery: Surprise Window #3 is in the Mail

My husband just left to drive to the post office with all my Surprise Windows #3.
If he arrives there safely and is in his usually reliable mode, the Surprise Windows will be in the mail in just about 7 minutes.
Enjoy!

Gay Ann

Quick Questionnaire

I had an interesting experience today. I was down in Needle Nook and in came an acquaintance of a friend of mine. The acquaintance had lost her house to a fire and was starting to replace her belongings, I gather. She had been in the antiques shop across the street as she was looking for new silver. Silver new to her, I should say.

She had found a pattern she liked and had a xerox of it. She said it was very close to the silverware she had that had been destroyed in the fire.

On the way home I was thinking about it. If you lost your silver flatware, or for that matter, anything you have had for a long time, and you had to replace it, would you buy:

(1) Something just like the flatware you lost.

(2) Something very similar.

(3) Vaguely similar.

(4) Totally different.

I don't know why I decided to ask this, but must confess, I am interested in your answers and am hoping you will post on my blog or write to me personally.

Gay Ann

Redwork Mystery: Surprise #3 The Music Room

Here is Surprise Window #3, my Music Room. I don't play the harp but Leslie Durst does, so in her honor, I put a harp in the music room. Please notice that there is a little Victorian stool, complete with a fringed top, as well as a chest for music and lots of sheet music on the top of the chest. I wanted to include a violin and bow, and of course there are wall-sconce candles for the right atmosphere.

Enjoy!

I will mail the patterns sometime around June 9 or 10, a bit later than last month. I am not sure exactly which day but will post on my blog when the patterns are all in the mail. For those of you concerned, be sure to check my blog.

Gay Ann

My Redwork Mystery: Surprise Window #2 is in the Mail

Surprise Window #2 is in the mail!
Kate Gaunt, the Shining Needle Society leader, was visiting with her charming husband (they were on their way to a convention) and I have been busy driving and eating!

My husband volunteered to mail all my packages and envelopes and I thought he was going to take them this morning. He didn't - he was on his way to the bank yesterday and as our bank was right across from the post office, he sent them a day early. I am guessing many of you will have them on Monday or Tuesday.

Enjoy!

I hope many of you will still consider joining Shining Needle Society. There is quite a lively conversation going on about my Redwork Mystery. If you wish information, it is posted on earlier messages here on My Blog, or you can write to Kate Gaunt (KateGaunt@aol.com) and she will send you a personal invitation.

Gay Ann

Redwork Mystery: Surprise #2 The Bedroom

Hooray, Hooray, it's the First of May
Here is the Bedroom on view today.
Enjoy!

For the little window in place on the sampler, see my website: www.GayAnnRogers.com/group projects.
Click on the photo for an enlargement.

And a new correction. I think I will just print the email from Jane (thank you, Jane):
"I'm finishing my little living room tonight. I notice that the lowest floor board in the photo, the "dotted" one, and the chart don't match. The chart shows the board only part way across the left side of the picture. Should it extend all the way across?"

My answer:
Here's the solution: the right side is correct. Start on the right, follow the chart to the center, then mirror image it. Should come out just like the photo. Usually I don't recommend stitching from the photo (because I often change things when I write the instructions) but this time it works.

Gay Ann

Redwork Mystery: Surprise Window #2

Time is passing so quickly and here we are, almost through April. Next month I will be at a seminar when I am supposed to mail Surprise Window #2, so I will send it out early, likely on May 5.

Gay Ann

Shining Needle Society Reaches 100

I am happy to report that Shining Needle Society chat room for my Redwork Mystery has reached 100 members! I have enjoyed following the comments and seeing the photos of the different color combinations people have chosen. One member counted a part of the cottage wrong, made a grreat correction and posted a photo of the correction. Another member commented that the correction was so good one would never have guessed it wasn't the original design. Congrats to the imaginative stitcher!

I am hoping still others will join Shining Needle Society.

To join, write to KateGaunt@aol.com and Kate will send you an invitation.
For those of you who are technologically brave, you can go directly to the SNS Home Page and sign up:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SNS_Presents_GAR_Redwork_Mystery

Gay Ann

My Redwork Mystery: Cross Stitch and Double-Running Stitch

I have heard several whines about Cross Stitch and Double-Running Stitch, but you will find in me no sponsor of a pity party. The single most important aspect of this project is the small scale, and large and bulky stitches were just not welcome in my tiny spaces.

As a reward for stitching diligently all the Double-Running and Cross Stitch, here is a small hint: When you have seen Part 1, you have seen the boldest parts of the sampler. Everything else is all about small scale!

So you can all look forward to more Cross Stitch and particularly more Double Running Stitch. Enjoy!

Gay Ann

My Redwork Mystery: Shining Needle Chat Room is up and rolling!

I am happy to report that Kate Gaunt's and Marie-Therese Baker's Shining Needle Chat Room for my Redwork Mystery is up and rolling!

We now have 60+ members who have joined and we have had some lively observations, questions and conversations already!
I do wish to encourage all of you who are doing my Redwork Mystery to join. Just write to KateGaunt@aol.com and Kate will send you an invitation to join.

For those of you who are technologically brave, you can go directly to the SNS Home Page and sign up:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SNS_Presents_GAR_Redwork_Mystery/

Gay Ann

Redwork Mystery: Surprise Window #1 in the Mail

Just about half an hour ago I handed packets and envelopes of Surprise Window #1 to our mailman.
Yippee! Gone!

You should have your copy sometime in the next week, I would guess. One down, seven to go.
Enjoy!

Gay Ann

Cameos

Here is a little eye candy to brighten your day: some favorite Pretty Girls.

I love cameos. I always liked them, but fell in love when I stitched my Treasured Remembrance Sampler.
After Treasured Remembrance Sampler, I got carried away and stitched another five or so projects with cameos.

Enjoy!

Gay Ann

Guild Teacher Certification

Lately on the ANG List several people have discussed certification and its value. I could not resist writing about it, so I posted the following note on the ANG List and decided to post it here too.

Gay Ann

Comments on Certification

Although I am certified by EGA, I do not know whether this has helped me with teaching jobs, either when I started or now that I have been teaching for a long time.

I can think of half a dozen needlework teachers whose wonderful classes and beautiful projects made them stand out as the icons of the age. As I look back on it, some were certified, some weren't. I don't think it mattered. The content and presentation were what mattered.

More important, as I look back, I think of Newton's concept of standing on the shoulders of giants. More important to consider the legacy some of these legendary teachers left us than to fuss about certification.

Gay Ann Rogers

Redwork Mystery: Surprise #1, the Living Room

Here it is, Surprise Window #1. It is the living room for the house. Please note that I used the little pictures on the left and the right for my initials.

If you wish to see how Surprise Window #1 fits on the sampler, go to my website, www.GayAnnRogers.com and click on group projects, then click on the photo. The photo will enlarge and you will see the living room in place on the sampler.

So Margaret, you came the closest to guessing. Shall we sit in the two chairs and stitch together for a while? It is chilly here this morning, so I am glad the fire is roaring.

Gay Ann