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Flowering Maple with Celeste Chalasani at National Needlearts Academy (NAN) and Closing Banquet

Flowering Maple with Celeste Chalasani is the second of two classes I’m taking at my first National Needlearts Academy (NAN) event.

Our pre-work included transferring the design onto 12″ square cream silk shantung. It was placed onto Evertites with a cotton backing. I never use that many tacks but still have a little puckering. Since it’s outside the running stitch area, it shouldn’t be a problem. The Micron pen didn’t bleed and looked thinner in my test area. But, the top line bled a little on each end and is thicker than was intended. But, it’ll be fine. I’ll want a nice sturdy branch for my flowering Maple.

The top branch is 5 threads wide. So, my line is (or will be) well covered. I only got the left side done on Day 1. I got the veins in on the left leaf and partially outlined the left leaf. I have enough done to continue on Day 2 filling in the leaf. I think that’s part of tomorrow’s assignments.

I will finish the long and short for the center petal before cutting it out. Although I have enough pink cloth to have this one be my practice petal. The example piece has a wider light area, less medium, and the least amount dark. Mine is more like 1/3 of each color. We’ll see tomorrow when it is done and decide then. My buttonhole edge it good, and my threads are angling in nicely. So, I may keep this one.

Debbie Stiehlar’s beaded top won People’s Choice Award. Her husband made the beautiful wooden bowl and lid that the beading sat on. She was very pleased with the award, especially since her family said things like, “That’s nice.” Not even a wow! I guess they are too used to everything she shows them.

I had a nice chat with Sandy at my table during dinner. She was in charge of the ANG Stitch of the Month when I submitted my Crescent Journey. And, I was thrilled to hear that her chapter did Overdyed Spools. I hope she sends a photo of one or more because a male chapter member cut actual wooden spools in half, and they used them in the final piece. So cool!!

Bill came downstairs just in time for Debbie’s talk, and she was fantastic again. She asked 15 questions to see if you need an intervention. One question was, Do you have enough stretcher bars to build a shack?

One lady at my table, Mary Jo, gave Bill her Tiramasu. We got a favor from River Silks. I must have 5 packs of these now! I’ll have to do something with them. They are lovely ribbons.

We wrapped up the evening by heading to the bar where we were invited to join the celebration of Patricia Tector’s Lifetime Achievement Award. She has a lovely family. Bill and her son had a nice chat while her daughters and I chatted. It was a great time. Patricia was one of the judges for the Woodlawn this year and asked me to show her daughters a photo of my piece. I will be sharing more about that piece another time. I have to wait until I present it to the intended recipient.

Got to get to bed, so I’ll be ready for the final day of classes.

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