FOUR DAY CLASSES - March 5-8, 2011, Saturday through Tuesday

401: Boo Mansion by Dawn Donnelly
\Level of Proficiency: Advanced
Length of Class: 4 days
Kit Cost: $95.00
Ground: #24 Light Grey Congress Cloth

With a full moon, it will be a bewitching night at Boo Mansion. The weary stitcher must beware, because the ghosts, spiders, tombstones and bats are preparing for a haunting good time. To help bring in the creepy night, the student will use the following stitches: Criss Cross Hungarian, Cashmere, Couching, Eyelet, Victorian Step, Coral Knot, Oriental, Herringbone and Serendipity. In addition, beads, felt, and ultrasuede® will be used to create spiders, ghosts and bats. Threads include embroidery floss, silk and wool blend, metallic and pearl bottom. Student will bring: 18” x 14” stretcher bars, tacks, frame weight or clamp, small sharp scissors, paper scissors and white sewing thread. Kit includes threads, beads, felt, ultra suede, needles, canvas, instructions and color picture.

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402: Buena Vista Butterfly by Toni Gerdes
Level of Proficiency: Advanced
Length of Class: 4 days
Kit Cost: $130.00
Ground: #24 Black Congress Cloth

Buena Vista Butterfly is a beautiful goldwork and silk butterfly that is worked with vibrant colors on a dramatic black congress cloth background. In this class, the student will learn goldwork techniques, including wrapping gold with silk to create a combination outline for the butterfly. The student will learn a variety of stitches, including padded work, the Gilbert and Donahue stitches, shading techniques, and some old favorites, too. The piece is finished with a light, but effective, black on black lattice background using metallic cord. Students will bring 11” x 13” stretcher bars, tacks, scissors (for silks, metallics, and goldwork), a laying tool, and any type of stand magnification or light they may desire.

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In this class, the students will have the chance to develop four samplers representing the four seasons, or they may enjoy time stitching the samplers designed by the teacher. Stitching emphasis will include selecting canvas and thread, selecting sampler bands and patterns, working in monotones, choosing texture for effect, and using a combination of techniques learned. The teacher will provide guidance with choosing sampler bands and patterns that pull the threads and canvas design together. Student will bring 10” x 12” stretcher bars and 8” x 10” stretcher bars, embroidery scissors, paper cutting scissors, usual stitching supplies, and light and magnification if desired.

Explore, discover, expand horizons, and build on known processes. Open new possibilities with a variety of experiments. We will paint, collage, cut, tear, piece, stitch, and try whatever seems to answer the challenge we set for ourselves. Beginning with your selected photographs, sketches or written ideas, we’ll experiment with design elements and principles to create a variety of personal interpretations of your particular subject. Puzzle pictures, paper/fabric collages, tracing paper sketches, stitch samples can elicit an idea direction, a group of ideas to combine into a single piece, or a series of connected works. With as much guidance the student desires, we’ll approach design exploration as an exciting voyage of discovery. Most of all, we’ll enjoy with abandon the unlimited possibilities fiber art provides. Class materials will include fabric types (muslin, sheers, synthetics, bonding film) paints and brushes; novelty papers (watercolor, artist’s tissue and commercial “handmade” types); some threads (student to bring personal choice of thread types); instruction book with annotated bibliography; and additional paste, paint, paper, and plastic supplies to be used in class.

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405: Shay’s Stitch Buffet by Shay Pendray
Level of Proficiency: All Levels
Length of Class: 4 days
Kit Cost: None
Ground: Not Applicable

What fun we will have in this class, choosing colors, expanding our minds, challenging our stitching and most of all, we will learn great things from the other students. It is always stimulating to study with a diverse level of stitchers. This class is open to anyone in any Phase of Japanese Embroidery or any student who has an unfinished Shay project. Now I know you all finish your pieces the minute you go home, but just in case this did not happen, here is the place to get help and move forward. If you want to start a new Embroidery Phase, that’s fine too, but give us time to get the supplies you need. There is no kit fee unless you are starting a new piece. In that case, please contact shaypendray@comcast.net. Student should bring all things you need to work on your own project.

TWO DAY CLASSES - March 5 & 6, 2011, Saturday & Sunday

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101: Tessellations in Shape and Color by Dolores Andrew (Designing for the Fearful)
Level of Proficiency: All Levels
Length of Class: 2 days
Kit Cost: $12.00
Ground: N/A

Shapes are an important part of every art form. Whether it is in two-dimension or in three, shapes need to be explores, developed, and controlled. Graphic artist M. C. Escher created an innovative way to explore and use shapes that continue to fascinate us today. Using his tessellations theories of shape manipulation, the class will study positive/negative relationships, creating more expressive shapes, and eventually stronger designs. Simple exercises, then more challenging projects, along with handouts, teacher demos, and other shared visuals, will have our creative juices flowing.

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102: Safari by Terry Dryden
Level of Proficiency: Intermediate
Length of Class: 2 days
Kit Cost: $148.00
Ground: #18 Eggshell Mono Canvas

Safari is a collage of images: giraffes, zebras and cheetahs, Africa baskets, Kuba and Kente cloth patterns, and tribal masks. Slubbed, nubby, pearl and stranded silks, as well as strands of colors and names such as dark eggplant, blood red, Kodiak Bear, River Rock, Idaho Sage, Sun King and Acorn Woods will be used as we learn how to re-interpret, on canvas, the beautiful African cloth, basket and mask patterns by combining basic stitches. As a final touch you will add several African trade beads to the Bobo Plank Mask to bring it to life. The student will bring: 15” x 16” stretcher bars, a laying tool, frame weight, light and magnification (as needed), hard lead pencil, Magic Rub or kneaded eraser, beeswax of Thread Heaven, usual stitching tools.

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103: Along The Trail by Karla Gee
Level of Proficiency: Intermediate to Advanced
Length of Class: 2 days
Kit Cost: $100
Ground: Beading

This neck piece calls to mind, foliage that meanders along the hiking trails of the US east coast mountains. Herringbone stitched caps cover the berries. Small little blossoms of Lazy Daisy Stitch hold the promise of berries to come. The leaves, in changing hues, hang from the vine of spiral stitching. Each leaf is done in a diagonal Peyote Stitch. A small amount of wirework gives a professional clasp ending. The techniques learned are Diagonal Peyote Stitch, Herringbone Stitch, leaf fringes, lazy daisy, and beginner eye work. The kit includes instructions, Nymo D thread, various seed and cylinder beads, berry beads, needles and clasp.

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104: Deco Lily by Carlene Harwick
Level of Proficiency: Intermediate
Length of Class: 2 days
Kit Cost: $60
Ground: #24 White Congress Cloth

Deco Lily is reminiscent of Art Deco period, with its nature theme and larger motifs. Come journey back in time to the turn of the 20th Century and learn about the artists and popular designs of the period. The design uses a variety of metal thread embroidery techniques in silk and metal threads, and includes trame variations, or nue, couche rentre, and laid fillings to bring the flowers and leaves to life. Wrapped and padded stitches complete the stems. The surrounding frame is completed in laid filling patterns/stitches. Kit includes #24 Congress cloth, various silk and metal threads to complete the project, and instruction book. Student will bring 13” x 16” stretcher bars, 2 pairs scissors (one old and one newer), laying tool, and light/ magnification is optional.

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105: Jolly Olde Elf by Debbie Stiehler
Level of Proficiency: Intermediate
Length of Class: 2 days
Kit Cost: $165.00
Ground: #24 Congress Cloth

There has never been a Santa Claus like this one! He is three dimensional and fabulous. The kit contains several pieces of canvas with design outlines, furniture quality wooden base, all hardware for same, threads, jingle bells, and a hand sculpted clay nose! Santa’s arms and hands are wired so that he can be posed. Stitches include Mirror Image Herringbone, Burden Stitch, Nobuko, Couching, Knitted Stitch, Bricked Gobelin, Florentine Pattern, Basketweave and Continental. Complete finishing instructions are demonstrated and included in the kit so you will be able to finish him yourself.Threads used include: Very Velvet, Watercolours, Kreinik braid and ribbon, Wildflowers, Baby Fluffy Fleece, Faux Fur, Impressions, Designer Dream, Whisper and Anchor stranded cotton floss. Student should bring: Stretcher bars, thumb tacks, usual stitching supplies, and light and magnification (optional)

TWO DAY CLASSES - March 7 & 8, 2011, Monday & Tuesday

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201: Meditarranean Squares by Terry Dryden
Level of Proficiency: Intermediate
Length of Class: 2 days
Kit Cost: $159
Ground: #18 Eggshell, Mono Canvas

Mediterranean Squares is a colorful collage of brickwork and tile patterns from the ancient cultures of the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Empires. Over thirty threads of warm reds, blues, greens, and golds, and various textures and weights of silk, metallic and cotton to create this design. Learn to use color and thread texture to create depth and perspective. We will also discuss how many of the individual patterns can be re-scaled to use and enjoy again in future projects. The design outline is on the canvas and ready for stitching. Student will bring: 15” x 15” stretcher bars, tacks or stapler, frame weights, light and magnification (optional), laying tool and the usual stitching supplies.

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202: Holiday Pin by Karla Gee
Level of Proficiency: Intermediate to Advanced
Length of Class: 2 days
Kit Cost: $85
Ground: Off Loom Bead Weaving

Have you been searching for that “perfect” holiday pin to wear or give as a gift? If so, your search is over and here is that pin! Beaded “Russian Leaves”, done in diagonal Peyote Stitch create two different style leaves. The leaves are attached to a perforated disk, to shape the poinsettia pin. The center is finished with “stacked” seed beads of varying sizes and optional tiny leaves. Maybe red isn’t your color? Other colors available are Snowflake White and Petal Pink. The techniques the student will learn are off-loom beadweaving - diagonal Peyote Stitch, bead stacking, and jewelry finishing. The kit includes Power Pro beading thread, needles, Delica beads in various flower colors, gold beads, beeswax, perforated dome pin base, earring bases, Sharpie pen, and 15/0 seed beads.

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203: Picture Perfect: Photographing Your NeedleART by Jennifer Riefenberg
Level of Proficiency: All Levels
Length of Class: 2 days
Kit Cost: $10
Ground: Not Applicable

Do your photographs of your needleart disappoint you? Do you wonder how the photographs in the magazines and brochures show the artwork much more clearly? Are you interested in learning some simple tricks to improve your own photographs of your needleart? This class will guide you through simple techniques and tricks for getting great photos of your needleart without investing in a professional studio. The first day will be spent acquainting yourself with your camera and settings; practice shooting; and techniques for getting the good shots. The second day will be spent editing the photographs in PhotoShop, critiquing the prior days' shooting, and more practice. The student will need to bring: Your own camera (manual, digital, point-and-shoot or SLR), camera manual (hopefully you can find it), and flash drive or write- able CD (to save your work).

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204: Autumn Patch Pumpkin by Debbie Stiehler
Level of Proficiency: Intermediate
Length of Class: 2 days
Kit Cost: $150
Ground: #18 White Mono Canvas

Stitch this fabulous pumpkin in the splendorous colors of falling autumn leaves. This beautiful fruit is stitched in 5 segments. Each segment has 16 stitch areas of wonderful textural plaids and patterns. You will learn how to scatter the patterns in each area for a pleasing and harmonious color value and pattern placement. Stitches include: two plaid patterns, Burden Stitch variations, Flat Stitch, Cashmere, Mosaic, Serendipity, and many more. Threads used include: Very Velvet, Burmilana, Treasure Braid, Kreinik metallic ribbon, DMC, and Anchor stranded cotton floss. The kit includes a hand knit, and felted pumpkin stem! This is a truly addicting project! Student should bring to class: 14” x 24” stretcher bars, thumb tacks, usual stitching supplies, permanent marker or 4H pencil.

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205: Polar Shadowws by Caela Conn Tyler
Level of Proficiency: Intermediate
Length of Class: 2 days
Kit Cost: $85
Ground: #24 gray Congress Cloth

Polar Shadows, a frosty Norwegian scene, will present students with opportunities to experience several approaches to canvaswork; traditional canvaswork stitches, embroidery, exposed canvas patterns, and some unique layering using tulle and silk organza. Overdyed and hand-dyed cottons and silks, Burmilana, Accentuate, and iridescent beads offer significant contrasts, yet result in an overall subtle composition. Contrasting textures, subtle interacting hues and varied stitch techniques, along with touches of glitz and glitter will entice students while remaining well within the realm of the intermediate proficiency level. Design is 7-1/2 x 9-1/2 and students will bring 12” x 16” stretcher bars, purple air-disappearing ink pen, and medium color sewing thread. Magnification and supplemental lighting recommended.

HALF-DAY CLASSES

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01: Mayan Lightning by Diane Herrmann
Level of Proficiency: Intermediate
Length of Class: Half-day
Kit Cost: $50
Ground: #18 count canvas, black

Bright and bold, the rich tradition of Guatemalan textile design combines traditional Mayan icons with explosions of color to create stunning woven fabrics. In this 4” x 6” design, woven stitches are used to form a Mayan zigzag pattern symbolizing the energy-giving lightning bolt. Learning the Herringbone Stitch, Waffle Stitch, Sprat’s Head Stitch and Point de Tresse Stitch, will give the student an opportunity to understand the construction of these woven stitches; included are variations of these stitches which will show the impact of subtle differences in color and composition.

The impact of bright colors on the black background will make you want to do more with this eye- popping combination. There will be helpful tips and suggestions for achieving success with black canvas and rayon floss so that the student will have confidence in selecting them for other projects. Guidance will be provided in compensating stitches, and in turning or mitering corners in a border design. The teacher will give instructions and options for finishing this enticing piece. Prerequisites: Familiarity with common needlepoint stitches, terms, and techniques

Kit Contents:

• 11-inch by 13-inch 18-count mono canvas, black, with basted 4 inch by 6 inch square
• Tapestry needles #22 (2)
• Instruction booklet with graphs and stitch diagrams
• Felt piece 1” by 2”

All threads listed below:

• DMC Embroidery Floss in the following colors (1 skeins of each color):
  • 321 (red), 550 (purple), 814(maroon), 972 (marigold)
• DMC Rayon Floss in the following colors) 1 skein of each color):
  • 30602(pink), 30972 (canary yellow), 30995 (peacock blue)
• Watercolors, Lime Rickey (#188)
• ThreadworX, Devilish (#1097)
• Neon Rays, 30 (Dark green)

Student to Provide:

• 11” by 13” stretcher bars
• Thumb tacks or staple gun
• Usual stitching supplies including a laying tool
• White cloth for lap (a pillowcase works well)
• Lighting strongly recommended; magnification if needed
• Pen or pencil for taking notes

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02: Flower’d Hills by Vickie Nessel
Level of Proficiency: Intermediate
Length of Class: Half-Day
Kit Cost: $30
Ground:

Everyone looks forward to spring! And what sight represents spring more than lush green hills covered with blooms of every color? Floral hills bring forth memories of the hills many of us ran up and down as children.

Stitchers will explore the use of color and texture to create depth in a landscape in thie 6” x 4.5” design. Using values and tones of green DMC floss combined with ThreadworX variegated floss, students will experiement with different combinations to achieve the desired effect. Hillsides are stitched in two variations of Encroaching Gobelin, and two sizes of Irregular Continental. Afterward, the fields will be embellished with beads and knots of various sizes and hues to create the blooms. The Swirl Stitch sky completes the piece in blue and white pearl cotton.

Student will bring 8” x 10” stretchers bars, clamps or frame stand, usual needlework tools, light and magnification (optional), seed beads or threads from their stash for experimentation.