Tidbits-January 27,2008

Hard to believe that January is almost over! Where does time fly? Here it was just New Year not too long ago and I was basking in the gorgeous warm temperatures and sunshine in Florida and now…brrrr….cold and miserable. Oh well, as dh says….the saying about Missouri is, if you don’t like the weather, just wait three days and it will change. Okay, change already please.

ASG and HSA:

If you are not a member of ASG (American Sewing Guild) then do consider. This is one organization that might become the saviour of Sewing Enthusiasts as sad news regarding the HSA (Home Sewing Association) is that they are now closed, although I still see their website active. Home Sewing Association is one of the oldest organizations pertaining to the education and advancement of the sewing industry. The official reason given to members regarding the HSA is that they “can no longer absorb the costs and potential liabilities of a wrongful termination lawsuit filed against HSA in 1995“.  This is indeed a sad affair and makes me wonder about our sewing friends around the world. I know that the majority of all sewing friends are understanding individuals with only a handful that must create havoc no matter where they go….sort of like the “birds” (my term of endearment for those who love to create misunderstandings and present misconstrued facts).

Visiting the ASG website lately I was pleased to see the video from the 2007 ASG Fashion Show and also see my name in lights as the runner up for the 2007 ASG Creativity Contest. The ASG Fashion show outfit was embellished using my licensed designs to Bobbi Bullard of Bullard Designs. The designs can be purchased directly from Bobbi.

In one of my previous posts I had mentioned DIYSTYLE. More online sewing resourses are Totally Stitchin’ from Babylock and “Behind the Seams”. If we as individuals must promote the sewing industry and carry it into the future, then we need to promote some sewing organization that will help our passions otherwise we might as well look as all arts related to sewing dying gradually. I personally would hate to see that happen.

Port St. Lucie-Keepsake Quilte Shoppe:

I am a bit late in showing picture of some of my friends who joined me for the day long events at the Keepsake  Quilt Shoppe in Port St. Lucie. The two day events were fantastic and what a wonderful bunch of ladies…not to mention the

shop itself. I couldn’t resist the temptation of all the wonderful fabrics and came home with not one but two quilt projects…LOL.

Pam and her wonderful trio including Jeannie are the most hilarious bunch I have ever met and the two days were full of laughter and fun. I was glad to visit Jeannie who is the most kindest person that I have ever met. Do visit her website: http://www.learnsewsimple.com/

Sadia’s Dragons at Dalco:

Dalcohomesew is an extraordinary company that promotes applique machine embroidery. The designs come with pre-cut applique shapes which can be ironed on to the design area first and then the embroidery holds the shapes down. The appliques are extremely unusual and give an extraordinary look to any design. In years past I have created some designs for Dalco so it was no surprise when they asked me to create something  unusual…dragons. LOL, try creating a fierce character like a dragon for a 5×7 hoop…it was not easy and was definitely a challenge….do have a visit at Dalco Home sew.

AEC-Count down and challenge:

There really are not that many home machine embroidery conferences where one can learn hands on techniques based upon their home embroidery machines. The AEC (American Embroidery Conference) is one of the oldest and successful conferences that caters just to the home embroiderer. There are a lot of shows throughout the year but either they cater to the commercial concerns first or they are generally sewing or quilting only shows with very little emphasis on machine embroidery for the home. The next AEC show will be end of March and with that comes my challenge of finishing up the logo design collection. Each show has had its own logo based upon Dianne’s depiction of the time of the year and the place where the conference is held. The logos for this year focused on Rhododendrons, pussy willow and forsythia. I have seen what pussy willow and forsythia looks like but rhododendrons were a bit challenging. However, using online resources, my testers and friends from the south, including Dianne the logos were done. Now comes my challenge of putting together a collection of designs that use those flowers….not an easy task and definitely a challenge with extreme limitation on time. So far….all I have is a rough sketch of what I want to be the second half of the Southern Charm-The Secret Garden…where it will go, who knows…wait…I should know! LOL.