The First of My Designs for Wind-up to My Yearly Sale

Tomorrow morning I will post the first of the designs I will sell in the windup to my yearly sale, E-Merchandise Week.

Gay Ann

The Epilogue to my Month-Long Needlework Mystery

My month-long needlework mystery finished yesterday with a trip home on our private jets.

Today begins a week-long Epilogue, followed by Prizes for E-Gemstone Star Awards.

www.GayAnnRogers.com

Gay Ann

A Special Class on my website tomorrow

As my month-long fantasy draws to a close, I offer a special class in a very special place on my website.
It will all appear tomorrow morning.

www.GayAnnRogers.com

I hope to see you there.
Gay Ann

August's Mystery: what is missing from my Birkin Bag

Something is missing from my Birkin Bag. It will be essential to Part 4 of our mystery.
But nobody has guessed yet what it is.

I asked today: what is coming next? And so many people were so close, in fact a couple had it right, but only in part.
If you can think of what is missing from my Birkin Bag, chances are good you will know a good part of the answer to what comes next.

Why bother with this in a needlework discussion group? Because it dovetails with our discussion.
I think there are a handful of ingredients that help the creative process and a playful nature is one of them.

Gay Ann

www.GayAnnRogers.com

August's Mystery: Part 4

We know about Jane Birkin, we have been in Richistan for quite a while and we all have E-fantasy Birkin Bags that we have filled with stitching goodies, so what now as my mystery winds its way through August?

Part 4 started today.
Stay tuned to see what happens.

Gay Ann

www.GayAnnRogers.com

August's Mystery: Part 3: the Ultimate Tote Bag

This morning I posted on my website the beginning of Part 3 of my mystery: the ultimate stitchers' tote bag.

Gay Ann

www.GayAnnRogers.com to have a peek

August's Mystery: Part 1 Revealed Today!

Today I posted the identity of the Mystery Woman on my website.
You will now know who she is, but a part remains a mystery:

What does she have to do with needlework?

Coming soon!
Gay Ann

www.GayAnnRogers.com

August's Mystery on my Website

On August 1 I started a month-long mystery on my website. It is a Mystery in 4 parts and Part 1, a Mystery Woman, is well under way. Two more days and we learn who she is.

Who she is, but not what her connection to needlework is. That will come later.

Join me on my website and in Shining Needle Society as the mystery unfolds. Take part by answering each day's question and earning an 'E-Gemstone-Star award'. The three people who accumulate the most E-Gem awards will win prizes and take part in an E-Ceremony at the end of the month, a farewell to summer and a hello to autumn.

To join Shining Needle Society, write to Kate Gaunt (KateGaunt@aol.com). Membership is free.

Shining Needle Society is now 2500 enthusiastic stitchers strong.

Gay Ann

www.GayAnnRogers.com

Techniques 4

This morning I posted Techniques 4 on my website. Again it is about Bullion Knots and comes from a question I received.
Next time, unless I receive another great question about Bullion Knots, I will move on.

Gay Ann

Techniques 3

I just posted Techniques 3 on my website.
I also posted new colors for Summer Sunshine, colors I wish I had used when I stitched the design.

www.GayAnnRogers.com
for Tecniques click on navigation bar.

for Summer Sunshine's new colors, scroll down on home page and click on the geometric.

It's been fun to do both of these projects!
Gay Ann

Bullion Knots 2 in my Techniques Column

On July 8, as a part of my website's anniversary celebration I began writing a column on needlework techniques I have found helpful over the years. I began with Bullion Knots, fitting I thought because my students have always dubbed me 'The Queen of Bullion Knots'.

This morning I posted 'Bullion Knots, Part 2'.
Enjoy! And remember, the secret to making a Bullion Knot is not a mystery; it is simple practice.

Gay Ann

12 Stitches a Day: I've Completed Week 4

I just posted my progress for week 4 of 12 Stitches a Day on my website.

I am surprised again by my progress, particularly when I look at where I started and where I am now. I have hardly spent any time on this program. Admittedly I have done it every day, but I have stitched on it in little minutes I probably would have wasted, like time spent waiting for DH when we are going somewhere, minutes like that.

The secret is leaving the project out and set to go so that I sit down and take 5 or 6 stitches instead of twiddling my thumbs.

If you go to see my progress, you will see that I have now completed two of the four little pieces and am quite far on the two others.

www.GayAnnRogers.com
and click on 12 Stitches.

Happy Sunday!
Gay Ann

A Surprise Column Coming Tomorrow

As my week of Anniversary Celebrations concludes, my last surprise is a new column. It will be an ongoing column on my website and I saved it for last because I hope it will carry us into Year Two.

I will publish it first thing in the morning.

And if you haven't stopped by to check out a video of one of needlework's most popular teachers, do so!
www.GayAnnRogers.com and click on 'Surprise Video'.

Gay Ann

Posted on my Website: Video of My 'Surprise Guest'

My video is in place on my website and working.
Just hit the movie controller button and let it load.
If it doesn't start automatically, hit the button a second time.

It's a silly interview!
I enjoyed making it, although shooting it and interviewing someone at the same time is difficult for those of us who can do only one task at a time.

Still, my interviewee's charm overcomes my video-making inadequacies!

Gay Ann

www.GayAnnRogers.com and click on 'Surprise Video' on the navigation bar

A Surprise Video Tomorrow Morning!

As a part of my week-long celebration of my website's anniversary, I am posting tomorrow morning a 2.5 minute video of one of needlepoint's favorite people!

Who is it?

To find out you will have to go and see:
www.GayAnnRogers.com and click on 'Surprise Video on the navigation bar.
And enjoy someone with a spicy sense of humor.

Gay Ann

A Week of Celebrating My Website's Anniversary

I am indeed celebrating my website's first anniversary.

Here is the new design I posted on my website 2 days ago, a geometric called Summer Sunshine. This is the first time I have sold the pattern.

Yesterday I posted an ornament from last year, the very first thing I sold on my website. I brought it back for sale in 'Small Designs'.

Today I posted a story about my year at Apple and about my first tutor there, Brian.

Tomorrow I will post my progress on 12 Stitches a Day. At the end of three weeks I have made some genuine progress, in fact I am in line tomorrow morning to finish one of the little pieces of the sewing case.

Then Monday comes a surprise! A little video which lasts for 2.5 minutes. I shot it at EGA's Regional Seminar last June and I just love it if I do say so! Am I a wonderful movie maker? Absolutely not! But my subject makes the video!

So here I am, celebrating my website's anniversary and having a great time doing it!
Gay ann

Online Anniversary!

Today is a big day in my online life for it was a year ago that I began managing my website. With this in mind I think a celebration is in order and some new treats.

Coming soon:
a new design (one I have never sold before),
a new video (a favorite)
a new game
a new column
a new story.

They will unfold over the next few days.

Gay Ann

12 Stitches a Day: I've Completed Week 2

I just posted a photo of my progress at the end of Week 2 of 12 Stitches a Day on my website.

This week I changed the rules just a bit: I worked 12 stitches on each of the four little pieces of my sewing case.

What I like about this program: it isn't a huge time commitment and I have taken to stitching it in those spare minutes while I am waiting to go somewhere, minutes I probably would have wasted. The trick is always leaving a needle of thread set to go so the prep doesn't take any time.

To see my progress go to www.GayAnnRogers.com and click on 12 Stitches Week 3.

Week 3 starts tomorrow.

Gay Ann

Mail Jail (or when I send out patterns you've ordered)

I have received several inquiries from people about the dates I will mail out patterns they have ordered.
Please note that I always post my Mail Jail progress, ie what dates I mail things, on my website:

www.GayAnnRogers.com, then click on News&Views. Mail Jail report is on the right side of the page.

Gay Ann

12 Stitches a Day: I've Completed a Week

For 7 days I have added 12 Stitches a Day to a sewing case I am making. That's a week's worth of minimal stitching and I am surprised by the progress I have made, just by keeping at it each day.

Mid-week I counted wrong and had to rip out and correct my count. To make sure I was back on track, I ripped, figured out where I was and took about 50 stitches to make sure I was right. That day I spent about 20 minutes; otherwise I spent about 2 minutes a day stitching and an additional minute or so making certain I was set up for the next day. That's hardly a commercial break's time on the television!

When I compared the two photos on my website, I was quite surprised that so nominal amount of stitching time added up to a bit of progress.

Years ago my Mother-in-Law said, if you clean out a drawer a week (which isn't really that much), you will have cleaned out 52 drawers in a year's time. That's what made me try 12 Stitches a Day.

People have commented so far that it is difficult to stop at 12 stitches and they are right, it is. So go on a while if you wish, but not too long. I fear if you overdo one day, you won't return to it the next day, and the point is to work a bit each day.

The other secret I have found is making certain, at the end of one day that you are set up for the next day. Have the needle threaded and set to go.

So tomorrow begins Week 2 of 12 Stitches a Day.

Gay Ann

To see my progress:
www.GayAnnRogers.com and click on "12 Stitches a Day" on the yellow navigation bar.

12 Stitches a Day Challenge starts TODAY!

Amidst all the turmoil in the world, stitching is a bit like meditation. It carts me away and into a little fantasy world of color and texture, if only for a couple of minutes a day. With this in mind, here is a new little challenge: 12 Stitches a Day.

I worked 12 Cross Stitches over 1 Mesh this morning and it took me approximately 2 minutes!
I will keep a little journal and report my progress on my website, www.GayAnnRogers.com and click on '12 Stitches a Day'.

I am hoping you will try it too, just 12 Stitches a Day and report your own progress in my classroom at Shining Needle Society.
To join Shining Needle Society, write to Kate Gaunt (KateGaunt@aol.com). Membership is free.

Gay Ann

A New Idea for Stitching Productivity

In my Shining Needle Society classroom we have started a new program: choose a project, leave it set up, make a commitment to working 12 stitches each day. Always leave a threaded needle for the next day's work.

I am doing it too, right along with people in my classroom. My assignment for the weekend was to find the project and its threads and set it all up. We all start stitching on Monday.

I found my project, took a photo of where I am as I start; I will photograph it each week to see how much progress I make.
So stay tuned.
I will publish photos and my comments on my website.

It will be interesting to see what happens.
Gay Ann

EGA's South Central Region Seminar

I am just home again from EGA's South Central Region Seminar in Dallas (actually in Arlington).

Super time! I posted photos from around the seminar on my website, www.GayAnnRogers.com, then click on Region Seminar.
The photos include an all-time favorite of Kate Gaunt and Marie-Therese Baker as they were standing at their Merchandise Night table right before the crowds descended. They weren't really selling, but were advertising Shining Needle Society and its classes. My, how the organization has grown!

As travel to seminars becomes more of a hassle and more expensive, Shining Needle Society is offering an alternative. As time goes on, and as we learn how to use more and more of the technology available, I wonder if we won't be able to bring the feeling of a seminar right into your computers. If it happens as I suspect it will, you will feel like you are attending a seminar, but you will be at home in your pj's.

The one element of real seminars that cyber-seminars won't be able to replace: seeing friends face to face. That's the joy of it all and the reason I had such a good time in Arlington!

Gay Ann

Redwork Revisited

For the month of June a new goal: Redwork Projects.

I am hoping people will pull these projects out of their closets and work on them throughout June.

To support the month, I will be leading a month-long Stitch Along in my Shining Needle Society classroom. The goal: a few minutes each day and maybe by the end of the month we will see some completed Mystery Cottages, Redwork Cat Samplers, Friendship Samplers and hearts.

These projects are not expensive to stitch (most use a single color of floss or silk), nor are they difficult. And best of all, they go quickly.

In the last couple of months several people have asked me if I would sell some of my redwork designs, so I have also posted them for sale again.

So here's a kick off for June's month of Redwork!
Gay Ann

Susan Boyle, aka Boylemania, Revisited

I had a great time because I found a 'live stream' video of Britain's Got Talent and watched it in realtime. Amazing!
Sat on my couch, stitched and watched and listened to the whole program. I even exchanged several emails with a Brit friend who was watching and stitching at her house.

It's over. While the dance group 'Diversity' were incredible, my heart belongs to Susan Boyle. She sang her beautiful song better in the final than in her audition. She sang it with a subtlety, a greater depth and a bit of pathos that wasn't there the first time around. Maybe a realization that fame has a sting.

I was disappointed with the results, but then someone gave me a great idea!

I went to Amazon and signed up to be notified when Susan Boyle's first CD comes out.
Then I felt better. Likely this vote will make a greater difference to her life than had I been in the UK and been able to vote for her.

If you want to do the same, click on the URL below.

http://www.amazon.com/New-Release-Susan-Boyle/dp/B0026P3G12/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1243723237&sr=8-1

Gay Ann

Boylemania has hit my little Stitching World

Today is the final for Britain's Got Talent and I am having a little personal Stitch In while I wait by MacSoph (my computer) for ITV to post the YouTubes of the performances and the results later on this afternoon.

I invited my class at Shining Needle Society to join me.

I confess: I am caught up in this one. I have never watched any of these reality talent shows before (I am a news junkie not a reality show junkie), but I got caught up in this one and Boylemania. Anyway, any excuse to stitch!

Gay Ann

Scissors Finale, Part 2 Today

Earlier this morning I posted photographs of the 'house' I created for the scissors I bought on eBay.
I loved making this sewing case, even though the details took such a long time.

I had started the sewing case but hadn't planned the insides of it yet, ie I hadn't decided what tools I would use in it. Then I found an eBay listing for two pairs of scissors; at first I didn't think of them for the sewing case, I simply posted them on my website with the details of the sale. They were a 'Buy it Now' item and I thought they were pretty.

I watched the listing for about a week, all the while stitching on the sewing case. One day I looked at the scissors and thought 'perfect!' and bought them. They were just the right size and I love the way they look in the case and best of all, they are the same age as the house that served as my inspiration for the sewing case.

It is fun to look at eBay listings for antique needlework tools. When I find tools I like, I post notice of the auctions, photos of the tools and the details about the close of the auction and how many people have bid so far.

This morning, for example, I found a listing for a white opaline egg with tiny sewing tools. These eggs were trifles, toys made to delight the 19th century lady, and they are so charming. They are also very collectable and the prices they fetch are often very high.

Even though too high for many collectors' budgets, particularly today, I enjoy seeing them for sale, finding out the details and watching what happens with the auctions. And every once in a while, I find a great bargain! Isn't that always the hope of the collector.

To check eBay listings I have noted on my website, go to www.GayAnnRogers.com and click on eBay listings.
To see my sewing case with its eBay scissors, go to www.GayAnnRogers.com and click on Scissors, then on Scissors 17.

Gay Ann

Scissors Finale on My Website

For the better part of a month I have been posting photos and descriptions of scissors on my website and chatting about them in my Shining Needle Society classroom.

So here we are, toward the end of May and with it, My Scissors Finale.
The Finale is in two parts: today the scissors, tomorrow what I did with them.

To see them and read the story, go to www.GayAnnRogers.com
click on scissors, then on Scissors 16.

I had SUCH a good time with this project!
Gay Ann

A Scissors Treat This Morning!

Kate Gaunt found a listing on eBay for an old pair of scissors with mother of pearl handles. These are scarce and fragile and the fact that any survived at all is amazing as they are over 200 years old now. And here is a pair on eBay.

Kate's find was perfect timing because I had planned to post a photo of my own old and new ones.

I posted one of my favorite pairs of old ones and also the modern scissors with imitation mother of pearl handles that are now for sale in many needlework shops. Both are beautiful! Of course the old ones are so thin, intricate and delicate but they wouldn't hold up to use on our work (imagine trying to rip with them! -- on second thought, don't imagine: they wouldn't last 10 seconds!). That's the advantage of the new ones: they are much more sturdy and they preserve some of the beauty of the old ones.

Enjoy!
Gay Ann

www.GayAnnRogers.com
click on Scissors, then on thumbnail 15.

A Dramatic Pair of Scissors this morning

I just posted a dramatic pair of French scissors now 200 years old on my website, along with a couple of the ways to tell French scissors from English or American.

If you are interested in identifying the differences between English, French and American scissors with silver handles, the photos I have posted are a good place to start. Here's what to look for: the shapes of the blades, the general proportion, the style of the silver work, and the finger rings.

It is a fun hobby particularly if you are addicted to scissors, as I am.

Enjoy!
Gay Ann

www.GayAnnRogers.com, then click on Scissors, then on the thumbnail for Scissors 14.

Scissors and More Scissors

On my website I continue to post photos of scissors. At first I posted modern scissors for A Case for Color. Now I am posting antique scissors, special ones that I love.

Yesterday I posted two of my favorite pairs, one English, one American and if you look at them carefully you will begin to understand the differences between the styles.

As for use, I have favorite scissors for favorite tasks, as I am certain everybody does. I love scissors with long thin blades for snipping and for ripping, but I think there is more to it all: there's also balance or the way the scissors feel in your hands. Some time back I posted my favorites for work, a pair of Dovos and a pair of Ginghers. I couldn't get through the day without them.

Gay Ann

My Scissors

Hello Gay Ann,

I love your new topic of scissors, the ones on your website are so colorful!

Will you talk about the kinds of scissors a needleworker should have for her craft. I don't mean like brand names, but more for function. For example, I assume the cute little scissors are for snipping threads as one stitches.

What about cutting canvas or linen? What about cutting silk, wool, or metallic threads? And what works well for the tiny cuts in hardanger and such.

I would love to hear your ideas on this.


Reply: Hi Cindy,

Thanks for your note and for the ideas.

I just posted photos of my all-time favorite scissors this morning, then ones I couldn't live without, my little workhorses. I confess to having more than one of each :-)

In the next days I will post more scissors good for A Case for Color; I will also start posting photos of vintage and antique scissors, a serious weakness of mine.

Gay Ann

A Surprise Topic on my Website

Some time ago we started this topic in my Shining Needle Society classroom and I have always meant to return to it.

Now is that time!
To see the first and second photos attached to the topic, go to my website

www.GayAnnRogers.com

and click on Surprise Topic 1 on the navigation bar.

This is one of my favorite subjects so I hope it goes on for a long time.
Gay Ann

Twitter: My Account

I did it, I signed up for Twitter and left two tweets (is that how you spell it?)
My Twitter name is GARogersinSts. Now I have to find out how it all works. Anybody know?
Gay Ann

Twitter

I am curious to know, does anybody in my little needlework world belong to Twitter?
If so, would you write me about your experiences there?
Thanks
Gay Ann

GayAnn@GayAnnRogers.com

A Case for Color Deadlines

MAIL JAIL is the mail division of my little business. It is a necessity but I like to escape MAIL JAIL as often and soon as I can. In the interest of escape, I have put some deadlines on A Case for Color.

Here are the deadlines: You have until April 10 to order A Case for Color if you wish to receive the pattern now.

After April 10 registration will remain open for A Case for Color but I won’t mail patterns again until mid-May.

Why am I doing this? I have five sets of instructions I must write before the end of June, so I am carving out time away from Mail Jail to go into Instructions Hell.

On a lighter note, we are in week two of Color Inspirations on my website and in my Shining Needle Society classroom and this morning I have posted my own personal favorites. To visit them, go to www.GayAnnRogers.com and click on Color Inspirations 8 on the navigation bar.

Gay Ann

A Case for Color starts tomorrow!

A Case for Color starts tomorrow in my classroom at Shining Needle Society.
For membership write to Kate Gaunt (KateGaunt@aol.com).

I hope you will come along and enjoy the conversation about the mystery of color.
Membership is free!

Gay Ann

A Case for Color and Pam's and Kim's Colors

In the last few days Pam and Kim from Tomorrow's Heirlooms have sent me pretty color combinations, 16 of them, for my new mystery, A Case for Color. I published them 4 at a time and they are all now on my website, www.GayAnnRogers.com, 'Colors.'

Information about A Case for Color is there also, along with 6 different models.

A Case for Color is a simple little sewing case with places for scissors and a packet of needles. Easy and fast to stitch and finish, it is an exercise in juggling color and I am hoping people will use the opportunity to try some colors they have always wanted to try.

I made two different cases. On the first one I was much more conservative and chose colors that are the sorts I normally use; for the second I used colors that are very strong, much stronger than I normally choose. I enjoy now comparing the different effects.

Gay Ann

A Case for Color

Both styles of A Case for Color are now on my website.

A Case for Color is my new 'mystery project' for 2009. Why a mystery when you can see it? Because the mystery is in the color.
You have to choose your own colors and watch how they unfold. In fact, there are no color numbers in the pattern, so you have to take part in the mysterious part of color evolution.

To see A Case for Color, go to my website, www.GayAnnRogers.com. All six are on my home page, then click on the numbers to travel on my Magic Carpet to see details of each.

A Case for Color will be my 2009 project in my classroom at Shining Needle Society. The term will begin in April, as soon as I mail out the patterns.

Gay Ann

A Case for Color #2 arrives this morning

For the last three days I have posted different versions of A Case for Color #1 on my website; this morning, I will post the first A Case for Color #2. Tomorrow another version and the next day as well.

I mixed the colors on the cases, ie the colors are one way on the front of the cases, another way on the back of the cases.
I had a great time making all the different ones and probably would have made 5 or 6 more just because they are easy to make and fast too. A Case for Color will be the project for the spring in my classroom at Shining Needle Society, so I may just have to make another one or two of them just to stitch along with everybody else.

To follow A Case for Color and see the different versions, visit my website, www.GayAnnRogers.com.

Gay Ann

A New Mystery is coming tomorrow!

Tomorrow is a big day on my website because I will start announcing my mystery for 09.
It will all unfold through the next week on www.GayAnnRogers.com.

This year's mystery is different: you get to see the whole design up front.
So what is the mystery?

Ahhh, The Mystery of Color!

Gay Ann

I think a Mystery is unfolding....

A Mystery is about to unfold on my website.
This is all I know so far: it involves color.
Follow along and see what happens.

www.GayAnnRogers.com

Change is in the Air!

Change is in the air on my website as we transition from Courting Inspiration to March.
Watch it all unfold starting tomorrow morning at

www.GayAnnRogers.com

Happy Valentine's Day

I invite you to visit my website and see my Valentine's Day offering, one of my favorite samplers called 'Love Sampler' and its story. It has my favorite poem about love and marriage, just a bit of romantic offering for the day. Nothing to buy, no quizzes, just a bit of Eye Candy (not even fattening) to say Happy Valentine's Day.

www.GayAnnRogers.com and click on Valentine.

Antique Sewing Tools on eBay

I have just had good luck finding some great listings for antique sewing tools on eBay. If you would like to see the listings I found and numbers to link to eBay, visit my website www.GayAnnRogers.com and click on eBay Listings.

Among my favorites currently: French silver gilt scissors, stiletto and thimble at a very low price right now, with only a day or so till the end of the auction. Others include a pretty mother of pearl silkwinder, a Tartan waxer and a dear little mother of pearl emery from an English workbox.

Enjoy!
Gay Ann

February on my Website

February has arrived on my website and along with it hearts, flowers, candy, romance and a new topic, Courting Inspiration.
All month long I will post small sources of inspiration for needlework, beginning with computer wallpapers on my Magic Carpet .

I hope we will discuss all sorts of inspiration in my classroom at Shining Needle Society along with New Year's Resolution Ornaments, maybe people will even incorporate small inspirations into their editions of the ornaments.

www.GayAnnRogers.com and click on any of the photos on my home page.
Enjoy! See you at Shining Needle Society.
Gay Ann

The Date is Set

The date is set for me to start my Shining Needle Society class for New Year's Resolution Ornament #2.
This is a simple little ornament, small, fast and easy to stitch, a perfect project to start and finish and enjoy a couple of color lessons.

We will officially start class for New Year's Resolution Ornament #2 on February 1. I hope you will join us.

Then after New Year's Resolution Ornament comes my group project for the year, called A Case for Color.
I will post information about it soon. Meanwhile, I hope to see you in my classroom at Shining Needle Society.

Gay Ann

Classes at Callaway 2010

I am home again from Callaway 2009 and have just posted photos of some of the classes for next year (2010).

If you would like to see some very nice classes, go to my website, www.GayAnnRogers.com and click on
'More Callaway' on the yellow navigation bar.
Then click on the blue buttons called Callaway 15, Callaway 16 and Callaway 17 and then enjoy!

It is good to be home again. Soon I will start 'New Year's Resolution #2' in my Classroom at Shining Needle Society.
To those of you who ordered patterns while I was at Callaway, I will start filling orders very soon and will post my progress in News&Views on my website.

Good to be home again!
Gay Ann

Inauguration Day at Callaway Gardens

In celebration of Inauguration Day today, I have posted a video of Tony Minieri and all the stitchers at Callaway School of Needle Arts singing 'America the Beautiful' on my website.

To find the video, go to www.GayAnnRogers.com and click on 'Callaway 1' on the yellow navigation bar, then click on the blue button 'Callaway 12'

Each day I have been at Callaway I have posted photos of our needlework seminar in hopes people would see beautiful Callaway and have a feeling for the seminar here that goes on each January.

Gay Ann

I am at beautiful Callaway Gardens School of Needle Arts

For 11 wonderful days I am at Callaway Gardens School of Needle Arts in Pine Mountain Georgia.
Here each year in early January we who love embroidery meet for classes, companionship, beautiful scenery and entirely too much FOOD!
One photo I have posted is of the view from my room -- truly A Room with a View.
The other two photos are of the needlework boutique here where all students and teachers too may shop.
For information about Callaway Gardens, call 1-800-7-NEEDLE.
For many more photos of my life at Callaway, visit my website, www.GayAnnRogers.com, click on 'Callaway 1' on the Navigation Bar and then on the blue buttons saying Callaway 2, 3, 4, etc. Most of all enjoy! I hope you will feel like you are here with me.
Gay Ann

New Year's Resolution Ornament #2

New Year's Resolution Ornament #2 is the second of my New Year's Day color-exercise ornaments for people wishing to expand their color horizons. Details are posted on my website, www.GayAnnRogers.com, Small Designs.
We will soon be discussing New Year's Resolution Ornament #2 in my Shining Needle Society classroom, so I hope you will join us there.
Gay Ann

Happy New Year!

Just a year ago I posted New Year's Resolution Ornament #1 to welcome 2008 and now it is time for 2009.
Tomorrow morning bright and early I will post photos and information for ordering New Year's Resolution Ornament #2.
A year gone by!

I hope it was a good stitching year for all of you.
For me it was an eventful year as I transitioned to running my own website.

To see New Year's Resolution Ornament #2, visit my website on New Year's morning.
www.GayAnnRogers.com

SEE you there!
Happy New Year!

Gay Ann

A New Term arrives at Shining Needle Society

This morning I posted the beginning of a new term in my classroom at Shining Needle Society. It is about a gift from you to you. Gather together three threads and a scrap of canvas, wrap them up from you to you and on Christmas morning the assignment will arrive via Shining Needle Society post.

It is a simple, easy little exercise to kick off the new term in my classroom.

New Year's Resolution Ornament #2 will arrive on New Year's Day and it is geared toward the focus of our class term too, then I will announce the year's project, likely at Callaway (where I will be January 10-21).

At Callaway we are planning a little impromptu class for New Year's Resolution Ornament #2 one evening each session at Callaway, so bring your stretcher bars (8" x 8" minis) and thumb tacks. Pam will have kits for all who wish them, so not to worry about supplies.

Then when we are back from Callaway Pam and Kim will put together color photos of combinations for New Year's Resolution Ornament #2 and I will for certain post them on my website, www.GayAnnRogers.com

Meanwhile, come join us at Shining Needle Society and kick off the new term! Write to Kate Gaunt (KateGaunt@aol.com). Membership in Shining Needle Society as well as in my classroom there is free.

Last Day to Report E-Week Shortages

Today is the final day for you to report E-Week shortages.
The time to report shortages expires at 5:00 pm California time.

Then Christmas will arrive at my website, www.GayAnnRogers.com.
Come and enjoy the season with me.

Gay Ann

One More Day to Report Shortages for E-Week

If you have been following my website, you will know that I have imposed a deadline of December 15 for reporting pattern and kit shortages from my E-Week Sale.

Please let me know asap if you don't have all you should have! After I send off the reported shortages, I am going on hiatus from Mail Jail until the New Year.

To follow my notes on the wrap up of my E-Week Sale last October, please visit my website:

www.GayAnnRogers.com

and click on News&Views and other pages on the Navigation Bar pertaining to E-Week.

Meanwhile, as soon as I wrap up E-Week, Christmas will arrive on my website. Watch for treats and surprises in the days before Christmas.

Gay Ann

Slide Shows of Mystery in a Corner

I am beginning my wrap up of a project lasting most of 2008, so I have posted on my website two slide shows of Mysteries in a Corner completed by people in my Shining Needle Society classroom.

To see the slide shows visit www.GayAnnRogers.com and click on MIAC Slide Show 1 and MIAC Slide Show 2 on the navigation bar.

Gay Ann

Thanksgiving Weekend Stitch In

Happy Thanksgiving to everybody out there in Stitcherland.

Tomorrow we in my classroom at Shining Needle Society are celebrating Thanksgiving Weekend by having a Stitch In. I hope you will join us.

Just stitch for at least half an hour sometime on Sunday and then report about your progress to my Shining Needle Society classroom. I have asked people to work on Mystery in a Corner or on Challenge Ornament in hopes that many will come close to finishing one or the other.

To join Shining Needle Society contract Kate Gaunt (KateGaunt@aol.com). Membership is free.

Again, Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Gay Ann

The First Shining Needle Society Certificates Awarded

In my classroom at Shining Needle Society I have awarded the first two certificates for completing the 2008 term. Congratulations to Jen Kaplan and Shay Lywitzki.

To earn the certificate each stitched Challenge Ornament and answered a series of questions about choices for the ornament.
To see a copy of the certificate, visit my website www.GayAnnRogers.com and click on "SNS Certificate."

I know that more people are working diligently on Challenge Ornament, so I hope to be awarding more certificates soon.

To join Shining Needle Society, an enthusiastic group of 2000+ members, write to Kate Gaunt
KateGaunt@aol.com

Gay Ann

A New Page on My Website

Now that my website is nearly 5 months old, I thought it time to ask for feedback.
If you have comments or suggestions for me, would you email them to

GayAnn@GayAnnRogers.com

and I will post them on a new page on my website for Emails to the Queen (that's me -- I am Queen of my Website).

I look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks.
Gay Ann

Information about My Instructions

As many of you are opening packages from E-Week filled with my instructions, I thought I should write a bit about them, particularly for those of you who are new to the way I write instructions. They are not like cross stitch patterns, and I hope I do a credible job of describing why and how they are different.

I just finished posting the information on my website. Look for "My Instructions" on the navigation bar.

www.GayAnnRogers.com

On Saturday the StitchAlong for Hollyhock House begins with Ann Blalock as leader. She proofed Hollyhock House when it was new, so my guess is she will be a great help to everyone. In synch with the StitchAlong, I will start writing about the history of Hollyhock House also on Saturday.

Gay Ann

Hollyhock House and a Year-Long StitchAlong

In a short while Shining Needle Society will start a year-long StitchAlong for Hollyhock House. Anybody who has the pattern, whether from the classes I taught or from the sale on my website is invited to participate. If you would like to take part, contact Kate Gaunt (KateGaunt@aol.com).

The StitchAlong will be led by my chief proofer, Ann Blalock. She stitched the piece when it was new and sent me all the corrections she found. Ann is very funny and the StitchAlong should be a lot of fun.

To go along with the StitchAlong, I plan to tell the story of Hollyhock House, ie why and how I designed the piece, the journey stitching it and a running commentary about it on my website, www.GayAnnRogers.com, and click on Hollyhock House Story on my navigation bar. I plan to tell the story in a series of 'chapters' starting Nov 4.

Gay Ann

Happy Birthday, Shining Needle Society

Today is Shining Needle Society's First Birthday. A year ago today Kate Gaunt and Marie-Therese Baker opened Shining Needle Society's first classroom and invited 200 people from my Yahoo chatroom to join. In the last year Shining Needle Society has grown to 2000 stitcher-members and daily it continues to grow.

Today in honor of Shining Needle Society's birthday we are having a Cyber-Stitch-In. Everybody who would like to participate stitches for at least half an hour and then writes about her progress. Several friends and I will spend the day stitching at Needle Point of La Jolla in celebration.

If you would like to join Shining Needle Society, contact Kate Gaunt, KateGaunt@aol.com.

For Shining Needle Society celebrations, visit my website, www.GayAnnRogers.com
There I have posted my own recollections of the past year on my Magic Carpet (home page and click on the photos).

So once again, Happy Birthday, Shining Needle Society and many happy returns!
Gay Ann

Decorated for Halloween!

Early this a.m. I finished decorating my website for Halloween. Best part? My Magic Carpet! Hidden underneath the projects on my Home Page are an array of photographs -- from my favorite Halloween design (a bridge tally from the 1920's) to the best Black Cat I know, a dude named Jake. And top of it all, my Sarah Palin Pumpkin.

I hope you will visit before it all vanishes.

www.GayAnnRogers.com

Gay Ann

Mail Jail, Halloween and a Happy Birthday Wishes!

I am deep in Mail Jail because of E-Week and I keep waiting for someone to send me a 'get out of jail free' card, but so far no body has sent one. So day by day on my website I post my progress. So far I have mailed over 100 packages.

Meanwhile where has October gone? Here it is, just several days till Halloween. I just decorated my website for Halloween and even left a photo hidden of the most beautiful Halloween design I know of. A bridge tally from the 1920's. It is hidden on my Magic Carpet.

And next up? Happy First Birthday to Shining Needle Society! In its honor we are having a Cyber-Stitch-In to celebrate the day, November 1. I will be in Needlepoint of La Jolla and will post photos of the festivities. Shining Needle Society is now 2000 members strong! So exciting!

So Happy Happy Birthday, Shining Needle Society!
Gay Ann

What's New!

E-Week closed yesterday and I have my finale in place. This is 'sunset season' in Southern California and this past week we saw two memorable sunsets. If you want some color inspiration do go and have a look. They were so memorable, those 2 sunsets. Even though I was mired down in E-Week business, we took time to enjoy them. I added to the finale a couple of photos of the sun rising and of one morning's foggy mist. These show how the planes of a landscape recede so well that they should be a nice inspiration for anyone stitching landscapes.

To see my finale to E-Week, go to

www.GayAnnRogers.com and click on 'Finale'

For those of you who ordered patterns at E-Week you might wish to check my website page called 'Life After E-Week.' It is going to take me a while to mail all of the orders, so I decided I should post my progress each day. Today I kept myself busy with beads. And not to overwhelm my poor printer, I am taking patterns to him in batches. He will do them overnight, so as they come in, I will put them together.

Shining Needle Society reached 2000 members today! Just before its first birthday. We will have a big birthday celebration on November 1. I will write more about it soon.

To join Shining Needle Society, write to Kate Gaunt (KateGaunt@aol.com). Membership is free.

Gay Ann

As E-Week Draws to a Close: MY SPECTACULAR FINALE

E-Merchandise Week 2008 is almost over. Only today and tomorrow till the close of business, 5 p.m. on the West Coast.

As E-Week 2008 draws to a close tomorrow afternoon, I have planned as spectacular a finale as I can imagine.
Please stop by after 6 p.m. on Wednesday October 22 and in the days that follow and see if you don't agree, it is SPECTACULAR!

Come also and read about my plans for life after E-Week. I have some fun activities planned, so see you soon, I hope.

www.GayAnnRogers.com

Thank you to everyone who came to E-Week!
Gay Ann

E-WEEK! Half way through and Up for air!

MacSoph is my computer. I have been tied to her, as Jocelyn described, and she and I are working overtime!
So much is happening on my website!

Most exciting new development: a year-long stitchalong for Hollyhock House in Student Lounge at Shining Needle Society!
Don't miss the opportunity to join Shining Needle Society (email KateGaunt@aol.com, membership is free)
And don't miss the opportunity to have Hollyhock House and join in the stitchalong.

To see more details about Hollyhock House and ordering information, go to my website

www.GayAnnRogers.com and click on "Samplers for Sale."

E-Week is half-way through! E-Week closes on October 22 when the California post offices close.

E-Week Eve

It is the day before my 2nd Annual E-Merchandise Week begins and I am close to solving my website mystery.
I am hoping I will have everything in order by the early morning hours.

Gay Ann

Hoping to Resolve My Website Mystery

With only 3 days left till the beginning of my E-Merchandise Week, I am hoping to resolve the mystery happening on my website right now. In the last few days I have discovered several clues and I think I might have an idea what is going on.
I certainly hope I can find a resolution before the morning of October 15.

It is suspenseful.

Gay Ann

Turmoil on My Website!

To advertise E-Merchandise Week I have had a series of animated gifs on my Home Page.
Last night in the wee hours of the night some mysterious happenings occurred on my magic carpet.
My animated gifs got scared and ran away.
Where are they?
I am looking for them as I write.
As soon as I find them I will try to coax them to return.
Which alphabets will brave the trip back?
Well, that is a mystery isn't it.
Stay tuned.

FIVE DAYS TILL E-MERCHANDISE WEEK STARTS!

What will I sell this year?
Well that's a mystery too, isn't it.

On October 15 visit my website:

www.GayAnnRogers.com

The mysterious Gay Ann

My Girls are back again, on my website!

At E-Merchandise Week last year I sold the patterns for Flower Girl, Strawberry Girl, Acorn Girl and Snowflake Girl. I had not intended to sell them again this year, but with my website came requests for them again.

So they are back.
Drop by and say hello to them:

www.GayAnnRogers.com, click on My Girls for Sale.

Only 14 days till E-Merchandise Week....
Gay Ann

E-Merchandise Week Sale features Hollyhock House Sampler

My Second Annual E-Merchandise Week sale is less than a month from now and day by day I am adding photos of the designs I will sell this year.
This year I will sell the instructions for one of my best samplers, The Guardian Angels of Hollyhock House.
For details see my website, www.GayAnnRogers.com and click on 'Samplers for Sale.'

Gay Ann

A Month until E-Merchandise Week

It is exactly a month before my Second Annual E-Merchandise Week and I have just posted a photo of the first thing for sale this year. It is one of the best samplers I have ever designed and stitched.
To see a photo and information about it, visit my website and enjoy.

Gay Ann

My Second Annual E-Merchandise Week

My Second Annual E-Merchandise Week starts in a month and two days. Like last year's it will run for a week, from October 15 through October 21, then just like Brigadoon it will disappear.

On September 15 (that's two days from now) I will post my first design for sale, a pre-week offering of one of the best things I have ever stitched!
Watch for a photo here; watch for price and information about ordering it on my website

www.GayAnnRogers.com, then click on E-Merchandise Week.

The wind-up will start soon....
Gay Ann

EGA Seminar in Louisville: Photos

Each day I took photos at the seminar and posted them on my website. These are my three favorite ones: Ann, Jane and Lynn all cracking up! That's what I love best about seminar: lots of good times!
I had wonderful classes and a wonderful time at this very special seminar.

To see more of my photos from seminar go to:
www.GayAnnRogers.com and click on EGA photos.

Gay Ann

Mystery in a Corner Sales to Close on September 20

On September 20 registration for Mystery in a Corner will close. I will not accept orders for the pattern after that time.
If you wish to order Mystery in a Corner in its final days, please write to me:

GayAnn@GayAnnRogers.com

Gay Ann

EGA Seminar in Louisville

I am in Louisville at EGA's 50th anniversary seminar and here I am with my buddies at dinner on Wednesday night. For more photos at the seminar which I have posted each day, go to
www.GayAnnRogers.com and click on EGA photos. Watch for more each day and enjoy!
Gay Ann

Mystery in a Corner: Completed Mysteries on My Website

I just finished posting completed Mysteries in a Corner on my website in Galleries. They are all from my classroom at Shining Needle Society and they look wonderful!

To see them go to www.GayAnnRogers.com and click on 'Gallery 1' then on the blue buttons.

Thank you, those of you who sent photos to me.
Gay Ann

Colors for Challenge Ornament!

This morning I brought the number of Color Combinations for Challenge Ornament to 15; Kim just sent them to me last night.
To see all 15 go to www.GayAnnRogers.com and click on Gallery 1.

The colors are for Challenge Ornament.

Twilight Angel: Two Days to Go

Twilight Angel will stay up on my website for 2 days more. At the end of the business day on August 20, she vanishes.
For details go to www.GayAnnRogers.com, scroll down and click on Strawberry Girl.
Twilight Angel is hiding there.
Gay Ann

Shining Needle Society's Dog Days of Summer Stitch In

We all met at Needlepoint of La Jolla today for Shining Needle Society's Dog Days of Summer Stitch In. It turned into a Stitch and Chat and we all enjoyed ourselves.
For more photos of us at Needlepoint of La Jolla, please go to my website, www.GayAnnRogers.com and click on Dog Days.
Our group included Carol C., Jill R., Sandy H. and the two doyennes of needlepoint in La Jolla, Bernice and Carrell B.
Enjoy!
Gay Ann

Mystery in a Corner Updated on My Website

This morning I posted 6 completed Mysteries in a Corner on my website, www.GayAnnRogers.com, click on Gallery 1, then visit Gallery 2 and Gallery 3.

I posted Part 1 and the finished Mystery so that people can compare what happened to the design as it moved on.
Thank you to the people who completed their mysteries and sent photos to me.

Gay Ann

Challenge Ornament, Painting Skills and Twilight Angel

People have been buying paint supplies and gathering together scraps of canvas and we are about to try coloring canvas ground. It is such a good exercise because it does away with the starkness of the ground and it makes a nice subtle statement.

I stitched Twilight Angel on ecru canvas but if I were to stitch her again, I would wash a gentle color on the canvas, add just a touch of glitter and stitch away. I might also crop her differently this time around and with the thought in mind, I have posted here just a detail of Twilight Angel. I like the way she looks in this photograph.

For the full Twilight Angel, please go to my website, www.GayAnnRogers.com, scroll down on the Home Page, and take a peek at her by clicking on Strawberry Girl. She was hiding there till I made a mistake and blew her cover. The pattern is for sale there until August 20 (also a result of my blowing her cover).

To join our discussions of painting color, color choices, Challenge Ornament and Twilight Angel, contact KateGaunt@aol.com.
Membership in Shining Needle Society is free, as is membership in my classroom.

Gay Ann

Twilight Angel and A New Dimension for Challenge Ornament

I have been mailing out Challenge Ornament Patterns and I hope people enjoy planning this little ornament. I leave a lot of decisions to the maker and I am anxious to see what people do with the ornament.

In the interest of adding a dimension to the challenge, I plan to teach how to paint a wash over a canvas ground. My method is a little unconventional but I hope it makes the task easy. So many canvas grounds are so stark: stark white, stark green, stark blue. My idea is to soften the color a bit, add a bit of mystery in the ways of swirls and color, in short to add a design dimension to the ground fabric.

The whole idea evolved a few days ago when Pierrette P. wrote to ask me about the color of the ground fabric for my Twilight Angel (whom I had hidden under Strawberry Girl on my website Home Page with the pattern for sale). I answered that I would, if I were to stitch her again, wash a gentle color on the ground fabric and add a bit of glitter. Just a bit. So that Twilight Angel would look like she vanishes and appears in gentle swirls.

Twilight Angel remains one of the prettiest designs I have stitched, if I do say so. I taught her at Callaway several years ago and I also won the Ann Speiss Mills Angel award for her one year at ANG's exhibit. Sorry, I don't remember which year.

(As an aside, the ribbon arrived with a pretty stitched center which I like, so I keep it hanging on my bookcase. It is all faded now and tattered, but I still like the stitched center).

To see Twilight Angel, go to www.GayAnnRogers.com Home Page, scroll down and click on Strawberry Girl. She is hiding underneath Strawberry Girl, a secret to see who discovered her until it all erupted (due to a mistake I made) and is public now.

Members of my Shining Needle Society classroom have written that they are willing to try, so the fun and games will begin shortly. I plan to mail a small and unconventional supplies list to members of Shining Needle Society today. The emphasis here is on unconventional canvas painting 101. Entry level.

To join Shining Needle Society, go to www.GayAnnRogers.com and click on the link on my Home Page.

Gay Ann

Challenge Ornament: Color Combinations

Here are 5 new color combinations for Challenge Ornament from Pam and Kim, Tomorrow's Heirlooms.

Pam Douda and Kim Propst
Tomorrow's Heirlooms
Email: TomHeir@aol.com
Telephone: 630-790-1660
Address: 650 Roosevelt Rd. Suite 103, Glen Ellyn IL 60137

For information on Challenge Ornament visit my website, www.GayAnnRogers.com and click on 'Small Designs.'

Gay Ann

Challenge Ornament

Here is the center design from an old geometric of mine, Diamond Roundabout. I have reworked and rewritten the instructions so that it becomes a color and texture challenge, a little exam for those who have worked Mystery in a Corner, or a little personal challenge for those who didn’t.
The price for the Challenge Ornament is $12.00 (including postage).
Details for ordering 'Challenge Ornament' are on my website
www.GayAnnRogers.com,
then click on 'Small Designs.'
Gay Ann

Mystery in a Corner, Shining Needle Society and Summer

Jeanne W's completed Mystery in a Corner. Thank you, Jeanne, for letting me use it here.

The Dog Days of Summer are upon us, Mystery in a Corner is winding down as the first completed mysteries trickle in. I have enjoyed the project and most of all, I have enjoyed the response to color.

Mystery in a Corner was a simple geometric. The stitches I used in it were basic, mostly techniques that someone would learn in lesson 2 or 3 of needlepoint. My idea was to take the emphasis off of technique and focus on color and texture. I am pleased it seems to have worked, as most of the discussions in my Shining Needle Society classroom have been about color choices and how they evolve as the stitcher stitches.

So it is approaching the end of Shining Needle's School Term, only one task left: FINAL EXAMS! August 1 is the beginning of Final Exam Month in my classroom at Shining Needle Society. And I have had a very interesting offer having to do with Mystery in a Corner and with its final exam. So stay tuned....

Gay Ann

My Classroom at Shining Needle Society reaches 700!

Today is noteworthy because my classroom at Shining Needle Society reached 700 people.
As it approaches its 10th month, Shining Needle Society itself stands at over 1500 people and it continues to grow every day.

For membership contact Kate Gaunt (KateGaunt@aol.com). Membership is free.

Gay Ann

Almost Ready for EGA's BIG 50th Celebration!

I am excited to be teaching at EGA's big celebration seminar at the end of August.
I just posted photos and descriptions of the three classes I am teaching at seminar this year on my website.

I am teaching a big four-day sampler, one of my favorite, called A Hundred Flowers, after the poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay, a two-day sewing case, a little Townhouse inspired by the row houses in a certain area of London (although many people have told me it looks like New Orleans houses) and a one day Redwork Friendship Sampler. A friend of mine says the little Crinoline Ladies on the Friendship Sampler look like they are the people who live in my Redwork Mystery House from last year. Maybe so.

To see my EGA projects go to www.GayAnnRogers.com and click on 'EGA Classes' on the Navigation Bar.

Right now I am absolutely mired down in Kit preparation and Mail Jail, for in addition to my EGA classes, I have reopened subscription to Mystery in a Corner for people who belong to Shining Needle Society and I have been selling a little perforated paper ornament on my website. It is almost more than I can do, but still nothing like my E-Merchandise Week was last year. That is the most I have ever packed and mailed! I don't know that I could have done it without my DH (whose organizational skills are ever so much better than mine).

This year I think I will do E-Merchandise Week again. I say this with some fear and trepidation, for DH has said that he plans to organize the whole thing this year. Has anyone ever had a husband reorganize the kitchen? Well, you know what I face then.

Meanwhile, on with Kits and Mail Jail.
Gay Ann

One of My Highlights of 2008 and Why

A Newbie just joined Shining Needle Society and she wrote to me asking about Mystery in a Corner. I have been busy all day long answering emails, doing bookkeeping, posting in Yahoo groups and so forth.

I was answering her email, just offhand the way one does, when I stopped and read what I had written. I realized, it did describe how I feel about Mystery in a Corner and what people have done with the pattern.

So here is my note to my Newbie:

"You will catch up and you can read the back posts.
And we look forward to hearing from you!
If you are falling in love with new colors, here is a chance to indulge.
If you have a lot of stash and are on a budget, use your stash!

Just because I used and recommended a watercolours, Impressions, pearl cotton and Kreinik braid doesn't mean you have to use those supplies.
You don't even need an overdye, you can use any Rainbow Gallery threads or any others that you might have.

The whole purpose of Mystery in a Corner is creativity in color and thread choices. You will get VERY high marks from me if you do something totally off the wall with the pattern!

Since you are new, I will write this to you: I am fighting for a field I love, a field that is mired down in technique (the more difficult the better) at the expense of emphasis on design and color. The stitches of Mystery in a Corner are simple, almost couldn't be more basic if they tried, so you can spend all that time focusing on color choices and (in parts 2 and 3) design choices and see how you do.

It has been a high point in my year that people have taken the project to heart and as you can see have done some wonderful things! It is even more heartening that the conversations in my classroom have almost all been about color. I am delighted!

And delighted that you are joining us!
Gay Ann"

Mystery in a Corner, Registration Reopened

The beginnings of Kim G.'s Mystery in a Corner, Part 1, is a dramatic one all in Halloween Colors.
The photos show the center started and the center finished. Many people are recording with their cameras the journey of Mystery in a Corner.

We have been having such a lively discussion about colors for Mystery in a Corner in my Shining Needle Society Classroom that I have had a flurry of requests to reopen sales for Mystery in a Corner. If you would like to see a wonderful variety of colors people have used for Mystery in a Corner, Part 1, visit my 'Galleries' on my website, www.GayAnnRogers.com and click on 'Galleries'

Last night I reopened sales for people who belong to Shining Needle Society. If you would like to work Mystery in a Corner and join our conversations about color, write to Kate Gaunt (KateGaunt@aol.com) for an invitation. Membership is free.

Be sure to visit www.ShiningNeedle.com to see Shining Needle Society's new website.

Gay Ann

Mystery in a Corner in the Mail!

Yesterday afternoon I mailed the last of Mystery in a Corner Part 2 patterns. Most of you should have them by the end of this week or the beginning of next week.
Jeanne W. had a little headstart due to an error on my part. Lemons to lemonade: here is a photo of the unfolding of Part 2 for you to enjoy! A little preview of what's in the mail.
Gay Ann

A Continuing Exhibition of Mysteries in a Corner Part 1

An exhibition of Mysteries in a Corner continues on my website. Last night I hung Mysteries in another gallery, so I now have three 'rooms' of beautiful Mysteries. To see the exhibition, visit my website, www.GayAnnRogers.com and click on Gallery, Gallery 2 and Gallery 3.

The photo here is of Zeena M's Mystery, Part 1.
Thank you, Zeena, for sending it.

Enjoy!
Gay Ann

Thank you for the Kind Remarks about Shining Needle Society

Here are some nice remarks about Shining Needle Society from its members.
I thought my readership might enjoy them.
Thank you! I am certain that Kate and Marie-Therese are delighted!
Gay Ann

From Barbi S.
I think we are seeing the next evolution in Needlepoint and reaching out to everyone across the continents. It's very cool to be a part of the Shining Needle Society.

From Pierrette P.
I think that Shining Needle Society is one of the best thing to have happened in our stitching world and I am saying that in all sincerity. For way too long we only had narrow options, but now everything has changed as our world has changed and we can use the internet to have access to some wonderful designers/teachers and be able to do great projects without having to leave our house. Only a few can go to all those seminars and the rest of us were left in the cold or so it felt. Now things are slowly changing and that is for the best as I have always believed that the goal should be to reach as many stitchers as possible if we want to keep this art alive and well.

From Sandi N.
I need also to say that I join those who thank you for this opportunity and for bringing the SNS to us. It will be a huge success I am sure! It certainly fills the niche we all are missing when we can't get off to Seminars or when our local groups don't offer us the challenges we seek. So easy and fun to join.

My Online Exhibition of Mystery in a Corner Part 1

I just finished hanging my Online Gallery Show of Mystery in a Corner, Part 1 from my Shining Needle Society classroom and I invite you to visit the Gallery. To see the exhibition, go to www.GayAnnRogers.com and click on Gallery. You will find some wonderful color combinations!

And while you are there, do visit Gallery 2 where more Mysteries in a Corner, Part 1 are hanging. In Gallery 2 is work from Pam Douda's stitchers.

For as long as people send me photos of their Mysteries in a Corner, Part 1, I will hang the photos in my Online Gallery.
Please send photos to GayAnn@GayAnnRogers.com.

And please come join in our conversations about color at Shining Needle Society.
To join Shining Needle Society, visit www.ShiningNeedleSociety.com or write to Kate Gaunt (KateGaunt@aol.com)

SEE you soon I hope!
Happy 4th of July to everyone.

Gay Ann

My Exciting News! My New Website

It is the first of July and I would like to tell you my exciting news!
For my exciting news go to

www.GayAnnRogers.com

and see my new website!

Happy Birthday to my new website.
To celebrate its birthday I stitched a small ornament on Vikki Clayton's wonderful 17-count perforated paper and her awesome #8 silk pearl. Details for ordering the little ornament kit are on my page 'Small Designs.'

The price for the kit is $12.00 for my website's birthday month of July.
The kit includes instructions, paper and silk. In addition you will need a partial spool of #8 Kreinik braid.

Gay Ann

Some Exciting News for Me and a Mailing Date

First off, a mailing date: I will mail all Parts 2 of Mystery in a Corner after the 4th of July holiday.
We have some beautiful examples of Part 1 in my Shining Needle Society classroom, and again, I extend an invitation to you to come and join us. Membership is free, just write to KateGaunt@aol.com and Kate will issue you an invitation.

I wanted to take this chance too and tell you that I have some Exciting News which I will talk about after July 1st. Why after July 1st and not right now?

I will explain that later also...

SEE you back on My Blog after July 1st.
Gay Ann

A Donation for EGA

There are a number of people to whom I can't say no, and one of them called me asking for a donation for EGA's 50th Anniversary. I decided to look for a pretty pair of antique scissors and make a scissors fob and threader fob for them. I just finished and I want to keep them! So I decided to take a photo and 'keep' them that way.

The blades of the scissors are marked 'Germany' and most people assume they are German. They aren't; they are American. Companies here imported German scissors blades then made little sterling handles to fit with the blades. The handles here are marked 'sterling' usually a good indication that the silver is American. Even without the marking, the style is American, c 1890-1910.

They are so pretty, with little flowers and vines around the finger rings. An added bonus is that this pair are sharp and cut well! I am such a sucker for these little scissors and I buy them whenever I see them.

To personalize them, I beaded a scissors fob and a threader fob for the handles. A couple of years ago the owner of a little estate jewelry shop here sold some remarkable beads from the 1920's to me. She said in all her years in business she had not seen beads for sale like them and I would likely never see them again. I have a small and treasured box of these beads and I used two of them on the scissors fob. They are the long white bead and the flower-like bead at the end. The beads are metal and if you look carefully, you will see tiny rhinestones sprinkled on them. They are, as I said, remarkable beads!

So I snapped a little photo of the scissors and fobs and I will send them off. I wonder where they will end up. I hope in a nice home. And I will enjoy the photo of them as a memento.

Gay Ann

Mystery in a Corner: a Great Commentary on Part 1

Pierrette is a member of Shining Needle Society and has been posting comments in my classroom there. She just emailed me the photograph I have posted here, of her newly-completed Part 1 of Mystery in a Corner.
Pierrette asked Pam Douda and Kim Propst (Tomorrow's Heirlooms) for help with the colors and then she documented each step of her progress on her blog. For a great evolution of Part 1 of her Mystery in a Corner, visit her blog:
http://www.lovetostitch99.blogspot.com/

And stay tuned for her completed Mystery in a Corner which I hope to post here in another month or so. I will send out Part 2, the mysterious corners, after July 1. The stitches for Mystery in a Corner are easy; the important part of the lesson comes in the use of color and, in Part 2, some design decisions. I look forward to seeing what Pierrette and others do with the mysterious corners of Mystery in a Corner.

Stay tuned...
Gay Ann

I wanted to add this one too: Jeanne sent me a link to her very pretty Part 1 of Mystery in a Corner. If you would like to see it go to http://juststring.blogspot.com/ and scroll down.
Thank you for the link, Jeanne.

GA

Mystery in a Corner and Shining Needle Society!

Registration for Mystery in a Corner is closed.
I will wait a few days for mail stragglers and then begin class at Shining Needle Society.

Speaking of Shining Needle Society, it just hit 1400 members!!!

If you would like to join and follow along the discussions on Mystery in a Corner, write to Kate Gaunt (KateGaunt@aol.com). Membership is free. Kate will issue you an invitation.

Gay Ann Rogers