Retreat by Duo Designs in Kentucky - 9/28/23

September 28, 2023--I've recently returned from a two and a half-day retreat put on by Sandy Arthur and her daughter, Teresa Kinberger, of Duo Designs at General Butler State Resort Park in Carrollton, KY.   The location was beautiful with large rooms for classes and dining.  We were well taken care of from the time of arrival on Friday to Monday morning's departure.  This is my second retreat with Sandy Arthur (first one was a river boat cruise down the Rhine River last year) and she did not disappoint.

Lodge Mezzanine 

There was a choice of two projects to work on, Stitching Girl with Her Horse (specific for this retreat) and Boss Lady Stitching Girl--both designed by Gayla Elliott who happened to be at the opening reception on Friday afternoon.  I chose the Girl with Her Horse and what I will do with this will be discussed in a separate blog.

It was interesting to learn how Gayla developed her Stitching Girls.  There also was an Alice Peterson Trunk Show while at the retreat to drool over.  I also came home with a swap meet project designed by Susan Portra that was partially stitched in gorgeous colors of blueish purple.

Stitching Girl with Her Horse Designed by Gayla Elliott, Stitched by Sandra Arthur

In addition to receiving a full kit for this wonderful piece (instruction book, threads, embellishments, painted canvas mounted on stretcher bars), Sandy also gave us lots of goodies, listed below:

·            ·        Coffee/Water Tall Mug Personalized with first name and “Queen of the Needle” title.  Special crown top added (photos below).  All done by Sandy Arthur.

·        Balls of perle 8 thread (2), one in a plastic protector with a hole for pulling out thread—nice to keep thread clean.

·        Beading Pad

·        Booklet Treasured Techniques by Sandra Arthur of Duo Designs

·        Charm 2023

·        Canvases Painted, 2 small

·        Cuticle Cream

·        Darning needle set

·        Fluff-It Velcro type brush to use in lieu of a bunka brush designed by Duo Designs

·        Kentucky shaped thread holder

·        Leather thimble pads for finger tips (set of 12)

·        Magnetic Clip by Oliblok to hold items to canvas/stretcher bars

·        Magnetic scissor/laying tool/pen flexible holder

·        Nail file

·        Plastic paper clips, large, for securing items together

·        Pouch with various threads

·        Project “Kentucky State Ornament” with stretcher bars, canvas, instructions, threads all in a  “Duo Designs Stitching Retreat 2023” project bag

·        Project “Flower Basket” painted canvas, threads and River Silk ribbon in a Duo Design project bag (we learned how to work up two types of miniature roses)

·        Scissor or Stitching Tool Fob, beaded with charms

·        Ruler 6” Clear

·        Stitch Marker with beads and a horse charm at the end

·        Stitch Notes Booklet

·        SuperSnip scissors

·        The Collection DSQ-26 Bar Sequins in various colors

·        Tiny, teeny, teensiest threader (works great for beading thread in a size 28 needle)         

·        Wonder clips, small size, in various colors

·        AND…. a large project bag to keep it all in.

Personalized with my name

Yup, that's me--Queen of the Needle

An additional crown topper 

It was an intensive retreat with two days of classes running from 8:30 am to almost 9:00 pm each day, snack and meal breaks included.   Sandy's imagination was on full display with how she embellished this canvas using a variety of stitches, threads and charms.  Can't wait to continue working on this now that I'm home.