ANG Seminar 2022, Tucson, AZ - 8/11/22

August 11, 2022--After two years of not having seminars due to COVID, ANG held the 2022 seminar at the Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa in Tucson, AZ from July 29 through August 5, 2022.   This beautiful resort is located in the Catalina Foothills just north of Tucson.  The play of shadows as the sun rose and set on the hills was enchanting.  

The facility consisted of central buildings housing the meeting and classrooms, banquet halls, restaurants, etc. around which were the guests' quarters.  I knew there would be walking involved each day, so I requested a room as close as possible to the main building and I was pleased to get exactly that--I was just a few steps away from where I needed to be each day.  I also asked for a microwave to be placed in my room, and they were able to accommodate all my requests.  The room itself was very large and well-appointed with a luxurious bathroom.  I was very comfortable which was a good thing as you'll see further down in this post.

What My Room Looked Like

For the first two days of seminar, on Friday and Saturday, I took Toni Gerdes Golden Candles class.  Toni's classes never disappoint, and this project is right up there on my must get done first list. 

Golden Candles Designed by Toni Gerdes Project Photo

I had a free day on Sunday, so did a little sightseeing with Dorothy B of the NOVA Chapter of ANG.  Our first stop was the Mission San Xavier where we attended Mass while enjoying the beautiful alter statuary and artwork.

Mission San Xavier Exterior

Mission San Xavier Interior

 

Our next stop was the Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures.  This was an extraordinary collection of over 500 houses and roomboxes filled with tiny furniture and household artifacts.  My eyes just couldn't get enough.  Below are two examples of the details found (excuse the glass glare).

Museum of Miniatures Example 1

Museum of Miniatures Example 2

Our last stop for the day was the Bead Holiday Shop with room upon room of beads, beads and more beads (as well as jewelry making paraphernalia).  I found a few instructional brochures that looked like something I could manage using a stash of beads I have at home.  By the time we got back to the resort, I was exhausted but happy. 

Next up that day was the Welcome Banquet with a cocktail hour beforehand.  I don't know about the other libations offered, but the wine was FREE, so that got the evening off to a good start.   I enjoyed the camaraderie of the NJNA Chapter members at dinner and was amazed by the needlework pieces that won special exhibit awards.  So many amazing projects.

Then on Monday and Tuesday, I had two jam packed days of whitework, pulled work and blackwork in a class called Dragonfly Mandala by Terri Bay.

Dragonfly Mandala Project Photo

On Monday I also attended a Chapter Presidents meeting where we shared ideas on managing chapter documents, increasing membership, etc.  Later that day, I attended a CyberPointers Chapter get together where the benefits of this ANG online chapter were reviewed.  

Then the SH**T hit the fan.

By the end of class on Tuesday, I knew I was in trouble--sniffling, coughing, all with a fever.  The hotel gave me a home COVID test and I passed with flying colors.  So the next day, Wednesday, I visited the Urgent Care Facility at La Paloma and it was confirmed--I tested positive for COVID.  They wouldn't give me the Plaxlovid concoction, saying they don't believe in it, so I left their clinic with prescriptions for cough syrup, antihistamines, etc.  Then I placed myself in quarantine for three days.  The resort was wonderful in giving me what I needed to rest in place, so I have nothing but kudos to give them.

But I did miss a lot.  I was scheduled to take two more classes--Sugarplum Santa and Tiffany Heart, both designed and taught by Janet Zickler Casey.  I also missed Expo Night where teachers sell their projects no longer being taught in a classroom setting.  Then I missed the Teachers' Showcase to view upcoming projects for future classes.  I also never got to view the beautiful needlework in the Exhibit Hall.  I had planned to stop in on Friday but being in quarantine kept me from doing so.  I also missed the Farewell Banquet.    

So I left for home on Saturday, feeling really, really good after three days of rest.  But that was short lived.  By the time I got through my second leg of the trip home (from Dallas to Philly) and the two hour drive home to Southern Delaware, I was very sick again.  I think I picked up another COVID variant at the airport while my immune system was in a weakened state.  

So I'm back in quarantine, but happy to be recuperating at home.  

Golden Gala Evening Purse - Updated 12/11/2020

December 11, 2020--Over the last two weeks I've been working on the finishing required to install the front and back panels into a clear acrylic purse.   After mounting the stitched canvas and lining fabric unto acid free cardboard, I then had to "sew" them together which proved to be very labor intensive.  I used a circular needle which is unwieldly and difficult to maneuver with my arthritic fingers.   After all that, I somehow measured incorrectly and the two panels are a smidge too big for the purse.  Oh well, I just jammed them into each side and am satisfied that they aren't going to slip out of place.  LOL.

This beautiful purse is proudly displayed on a shelf in my dressing closet and adds a touch of class to the casual clothes hanging within.

Golden Gala Evening Purse Front Panel

Golden Gala Evening Purse Back Panel

Interior of Golden Gala Evening Purse Showing Ribbons on the Back of one of the Panels (for use when pulling the panel out of the purse to avoid damage to stitching)

September 26, 2018--Stitching is completed on both the front and back panels.  Now to line each one in preparation of inserting them into the clear acrylic purse form.

Golden Gala Evening Purse Back

Golden Gala Evening Purse Back Slant View

Golden Gala Evening Purse Front and Back Panels

September 21, 2018--While at the ANG 2018 Seminar in Washington, DC last month, I took a class by Michele Roberts called Golden Gala Evening Purse.  It consists of 2 panels (a front and a back), backed with a beautiful fabric and exposed ribbons.  Both panels are inserted into a clear acrylic purse form that has golden hinges and a long detachable strap. 

I learned the ribbons are placed on the back of each panel so the they can easily be pulled out of the acrylic form.   Without the ribbon "handles", damage could be done to the needlepoint when pulling it out.  A very good idea!

Below is a picture of the stitched purse front.  As usual, the photograph doesn't show the vibrancy and beauty of the threads. 

Golden Gala Evening Purse Front

ANG Seminar 2016 "Parade of Stitches" Itinerary - 9/5/16

September 5, 2016--Attended the 44th American Needlepoint Guild (ANG) Seminar (Parade of Stitches) in New Orleans, LA and had a blast!  I was also very, very busy.  If you look at my itinerary and comments below, I think you'll agree.

Thursday, August 25:

• 2:00 pm:  Arrived at the Hyatt Regency, New Orleans and checked-in.
• 3:30 pm: Met other Distance Learning (DL)* members in the Exhibit Hall to display the DL projects for viewing by attendees.  Actually, Barbara E and Kristi H did all the work possible before I got there.  Thank you B and K.
• 4:00 pm:  Checked in to the seminar.  Received a seminar pin for my name tag, a free Mardi Gras Fleur de Lys ornament designed by Michele Roberts, bead necklaces (of course in green, gold and purple), a beautifully printed informational booklet (which included instructions for The Jester's Mask Ornament by Connie Camp), banquet confirmations, a blue accessories tray with snaps (lays flat when opened),  etc.

Friday, August 26:

• 8:30 am:  Back at the Exhibit Hall with Melita G, Kristi H and Barbara E to hang and label the DL projects.  Wrapped this up quickly.
• Free Time All Day--Walked to the French Quarter with DH.  Whew, the weather was, hot, hot, hot!

Saturday, August 27:

• 8:30 am to 4:30 pm:  Day 1 of 2 day Purse Class taught by Janet Zickler Casey called "Let the Good Times Roll".  

Sunday, August 28:

• 8:30 am to 4:30 pm:  Day 2 of 2 day Purse Class taught by Janet Zickler Casey called "Let the Good Times Roll".  
• 12:00 pm:  Lunch meeting in the suite of ANG's Vice President of Education, Becky B, to discuss DL project proposals with Kristi H, the DL Coordinator; Melita G, the outgoing Correspondence Course Committee Chair; Sue E, Chapter Project Book Committee; Barbara E, CyberWorkshop Committee; Kathy L, Workshop by Mail Committee; Marilyn O, Stitch-of-the-Month (SOTM) Committee; and myself, the incoming Correspondence Course Committee Chair.
• 12:00 pm:  Exhibit Hall opened.  Learned I won a Second Place Ribbon for Rose Swirls.  Received a special "exhibitor" pin.
• 5:45 pm:  Welcome Reception.
• 6:30 pm:  Welcome Banquet and announcement of Special Ribbon Awards recipients.

Monday, August 29:

• 8:30 am to 4:30 pm:  Day 1 of 2 day Purse Class taught by Toni Gerdes called "Bronze Purse". 
• 11:45 am:  ANG Executive Council Lunch.  Met members of the ANG Board and learned of some exciting plans for the guild's magazine--Needle Pointers. 
• 7:00 pm:  Attended the CyberPointers Chapter meeting and met some of the officers and other members.  Was nice to put faces to the names I know.  A nice event and we received a free instruction pamphlet for Pat Mazu's Crescents with Sparkle Ornament.

Tuesday, August 30:

• 8:30 am to 4:30 pm:  Day 2 of 2 day Purse Class taught by Toni Gerdes called "Bronze Purse".  I was Class Angel (to assist the teacher as needed, hand out and collect evaluation forms, etc) and received a pin from ANG for this service.  Toni gave me a pair of petite embroidery scissors by Sullivans as a gift for being her Class Angel.  Thank you Toni.
• 5:30 pm:  Work with Melita G, Kristi H and Barbara E to move exhibits stitched by the seminar teachers for display at the Teachers Showcase event.
• 6:00 pm:  Attended the Teachers Showcase to meet the teachers and view current and upcoming class projects.  Enjoyed meeting Diane Herrmann, Terry Dryden, Gail Stafford, Joni Stevenson, Cynthia Thomas (a new FB friend), Jennifer Riefenberg, Joan Thomasson.  It was also nice to again see Nancy Cucci, Lynne Wilkinson, Susan Hoekstra.  Also got to personally thank Debbie Rowley of DebBees Designs for the help she gave me on the project she designed called American Beauty Rose; and Kurdy of Threedles for the help she gave me on her Christmas Diamond Ornaments instructions published in the Needlepoint Now Magazine, November/December 2015 issue.
• 7:00 pm:  Moved the teacher exhibits out of the Teachers Showcase room back to the Exhibit Hall.

Wednesday, August 31:

• A free day to enjoy my birthday with DH.  Did some shopping, sightseeing, gambling and dining,  A delightful day!

Thursday, September 1:

• Another free day.  Went on a VIP Tour of New Orleans with DH and Melita G.  We had a very informative and energetic guide who showed us a New Orleans most people know nothing about.  

Friday, September 2:

• 8:30 am to 4:30 pm:  One day class taught by Michele Roberts called "Theo Faberge's Jeweled Spiral Coil Egg".
• 12:00 pm:  Work with Melita G, Kristi H and Barbara E to pack up the DL exhibit pieces for mailing back to the designers.
• 5:45 pm:  Closing Banquet Reception
• 6:30 pm:  Closing Banquet and announcement of People's Choice and Delegate's Choice award recipients.  DH attended this banquet with me.
• 9:00 pm:  Pick up my project from the Exhibit Hall to take home (get to keep the beautiful ribbon).

Saturday, September 3:

• Leave New Orleans and begin the two-day drive home.  Fortunately we drove northeast to Delaware after Hurricane Hermine ran her course up the east coast.  We had clear weather all the way.

So that's it.  Loved being at seminar, but am so very glad to be home.  Just reading through this itinerary probably exhausted you as well, but thanks for hanging in there.

* I am the incoming ANG Correspondence Course Committee Chair.  ANG's job description for this position can be found here.

Updated Name Tag - 08/21/16

August 21, 2016--Leaving on Monday for ANG's Seminar in New Orleans.  DH is coming with me and we're driving, taking three days for a little sight seeing along the way.

Anywho, I took a look at my pathetic chapter name tag that I sloppily put together 5 years ago and decided it needed an upgrade, a remake, a total makeover, so to speak.  So here it is, before and after.  Amazing what a little cording can do, and some ribbon, white lining, etc.

Name Tag Before

Name Tag After

Now I'm ready for seminar.  Hope to see you there.

ANG Seminar 2016 in New Orleans, LA - GOING! - Updated 5/8/16

May 8, 2016--Finally received confirmation that my first choice class picks have been approved.  Yay!  I'm on a purse kick these days and have signed up to take 2 two-day classes--the first is "Let The Good Times Roll" by Janet Zickler Casey and the second is "Bronze Purse" by Toni Gerdes.

Let The Good Times Roll by Janet Zickler Casey Project Photo

Bronze Purse by Toni Gerdes Project Photo

Because DH will be with me on this trip, I didn't want to take a full week of classes, so with four days filled, I snuck in one more one-day class called "Theo Faberge's Jeweled Spiral Coil Egg by Michele Roberts.

Theo Faberge's Jeweled Spiral Coil Egg by Michele Roberts Project Photo

I haven't taken any classes from Michele Roberts and Janet Zickler Casey and am looking forward to learning as much as possible from them.  Took a class from Toni Gerdes at seminar in Philadelphia called Let It Snow--loved that project.

January 9, 2016--Just filled out the registration form for the 2016 ANG Seminar in New Orleans, LA.  And....DH is going with me.  Yay!  We plan on driving, taking a different route there and back.  What a delightful vacation this is going to be (a full two weeks for sure).  It's been exactly 20 years since I last visited New Orleans (for business back then) and am looking forward to exploring this delightful city again with DH.   Because I'm taking 4 days of classes, attending banquets, teachers' showcase, etc., he'll have to fend for himself for much of the time, but that's OK with him.  I did convince him to attend the Closing Banquet with me so he can appreciate how involved ANG is in all facets of needlework and feel the excitement of its members.

ANG Seminar New Orleans Marketing Photo

More information about the seminar can be found at:

http://www.needlepoint.org/Seminar-16/index.php