Welcome to the New Year at Kooler Design Studio!
Now that you have had enough time to begin writing the correct year (2007) on your checks, it is time to begin working on that list of resolutions, the first of which was DO SOMETHING UTTERLY ENJOYABLE FOR YOURSELF ALL YEAR LONG. Oh, that is not at the top of your list? Then your first job is to put it there. Nothing will put the year on such a sound footing as doing something consistently pleasing. No doubt that is why you are at the Kooler Design website, where beauty is always at the top of the list.
Any kind of needlework that appeals to your senses has already justified its existence, rather like a flower arrangement. Actually DOING needlework that appeals to you simply extends the realm of beauty, and a well-chosen project can improve not only your year, but your environment. A lovely needlepoint pillow nestled into your favorite chair, or a beautiful knitted or crocheted garment cuddling up to you (or someone you love) is a reminder of time and efforts well spent.
Every person at Kooler Design has spent years doing needlework of various kinds because we love to. Each one of us has at least one area of expertise, and we are all dedicated to needlework because it is delightful. The simple physical activity of putting a needle into canvas, or counting threads in cross stitch, or making a row of knitting is what keeps us coming back, year after year, to the simple pleasures of needlework. If needlework were boring or frustrating, we wouldn't be doing it; we all have housework waiting to pounce on us, and needlework is always better.
I am Shelley, the blog mistress, for want of a better term. I have been working with Donna Kooler for about a decade, and have been doing needlework for about half an eon. I wrote the history and technical sections for two of the Kooler encyclopedias, so when you ask me how to do something I have probably done it several times, as well as investigated how to do it wrong several times, too. If I haven't, there is someone behind me who has, and I can just prod her and get the correct information.
Doing things wrong is something I specialize in because it is fascinating, similar to the unconquerable urge to touch something marked Wet Paint. Making a swatch to practice mistakes is less frustrating than fixing a mistake in something that must be PERFECT. Occasionally I will root around in my mistakes file (a large sack hanging on a chair) to find a favorite error, but usually I just use them as cat toys. Sometimes I re-do a mistake, just to see if the laws of the universe have changed, allowing knitting to run sideways. It hasn't happened yet. If it does, you will probably read it here FIRST. And occasionally I will post a photo of what happens when you do something wrong, just so you can stifle the urge to do it wrong yourself. If you have just discovered an error of mythical proportions on a project, share it, if it doesn't make you weep or gnash your teeth.
Other hints to start the year out right:
- Browse this site and find something that inspires you.
- Start to do it.
If you have needlework questions, email us and let us know. We can help you turn your needlework projects into triumphs that live up to your NUMBER ONE RESOLUTION.
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