When you arrive for your first day of class with Tony Minieri and glance at all the canvases in the room that will be worked on. You look at everybody’s to see what has been selected and then…and then, you see yours.

You know you’re in trouble when everybody has a selection of threads in a bag, but no, you have a box waiting for you with your canvas. We all had a little bat magnet attached to our canvases, a gift from the shop, Diversions. Thank you so much for that surprise, from the line by Fob Friends and Mag Friends.

So what was in the box? Beads? more threads? another gift? No, it was a whole lot of Kreinik! BTW, I didn’t count them…didn’t want to know.

Tony was masterful as always and had written an amazing stitch guide for my Buddha Collage by Lani. The threads selected absolutely thrilled me as they were all of my favorites, Gloriana, Silk ‘N Colors, Dinky Dyes, Treenway Ribbons, Soie d’Alger, Kreinik, Splendor and Vineyard Silk.

I learned Sorbello Knots, new laid filling stitches and other layered techniques that Tony created just for the canvas count on that area of the canvas. A new background pattern entitled “Vicky’s Chopsticks” and hopefully I remember everything when I have time for me to start stitching on this canvas again.

Yesterday was a busy day as I shared my time working on charting for the next issue of Needlepoint Now and stitching. AlleyCat slept on my lap for most of the time while I was stitching. She is very good and doesn’t bother me or the threads…well until she wants a little attention and then she sticks her little behind up for a scratch. She has learned that I have no choice but to oblige as she knows she is in the way!

It rained all day and actually it rained so much that more rain fell on Saturday than we normally get in the entire month of November! Today will be more of the same of charting and stitching, but rather to a day of sunshine.

Presenting AlleyCat, my bag lady! and until next time…keep on stitching