Susan Portra asks “Why Needlepoint? What’s it all about…this medium we call needlepoint?” 

Read the answer on her new website, Susan Portra.com. She tells me it’s been live since November and I am just finding out about it now? Susan says that it is still a work in progress…but is any website really ever finished as new and exciting items are always added?

I have been taking with Susan for about 3 years now at Newport Needlepoint, but actually our relationship started years ago (even though she probably doesn’t remember) when she owned her own shop in Huntington Beach “My Friend and I.” Here was a shop that had classes on Sunday and I would drive up there on my sometimes only day off of the week with this ooh so talented lady to learn all about needlepoint.

I am one of the lucky ones as she still teaches right in my backyard…well sorta kinda as it is just a short  90 mile drive. But by California standards that is just a hop, skip and a jump! Susan travels round the country from Florida to Ohio to St Louis to Northern California and back again. This year I made a New Years resolution that I was going to make a point to schedule time for privates with Susan every month…and this is one resolution I have been  keeping so far!

The last 3 months we have been splitting my time for projects for the Needlepoint Now magazine and time for moi. A new project that will start in the July/August issue and we have also been reworking the thread lists for some of her very popular ornament series since some of the threads are no longer available. They will be in the magazine too!

We talk about life, all things stitching, now her website and the love of her life, Kody which you can see him pictured with Susan!

She is teaching this years Aristea’s retreat at the Ritz-Carlton in Laguna Niguel. 3 glorious days of stitching bliss. The food is amazing, the ambiance is 2nd to none and can you imagine having this view right out the windows of your stitching room?

I have attended the last 2 years, but unfortunately this year conflicts with other things. I am sorry to say that Aristea did not check with me before they selected these dates… this year that they have scheduled a party bus on one of the evenings to take everybody shopping at Aristea! How fun will that be?

Or how about sailing along with Susan and Diane on their cruise to New Zealand and Australia? A stitching cruise is high up on my bucket list! What could be better than that?

Off for a little breakfast this morning at The Cottage, a bit of retail therapy and then home to stitch for the day. I need to try and remember all the things that Susan shared with me on Wednesday and apply them while it is still fresh in my mind. Make sure you check out her website and if you ever have the opportunity to take from her…don’t think twice as her classes fill up fast!

Sylvester was waiting for me to settle in and start stitching! and until next time…keep on stitching