Thursday, February 10, 2011

New SAGA Chapter in Reading, PA

Now that I am only working part-time, I have decided to start a SAGA chapter in my area. The nearest guild is an hour away, and on the only night of the week that doesn't work for me. I had considered starting a guild last year, but at that time I was still working full time, and there just weren't enough hours in the day to do it right.

I have been a part of SAGA chapters in both Indiana and Florida. I actually started the guild I belonged to in Florida, so I have experience in starting a guild, and it's really not that hard. I am now just trying to find members! If you or anyone you know lives in the Reading, PA are and like to smock or want to learn to smock, please let me know.

If you'd like more information about SAGA, you can visit their website at http://www.smocking.org

Monday, February 7, 2011

I'm going to see Martha Pullen!

Today I found out that my birthday present is going to be a night-away to attend the Martha Pullen event in Maryland. I am not attending the whole retreat, but I will be attending the reception and seminar/fashion show on Thursday evening. I can't wait. I haven't seen Martha since an event on New Year's Day 2007.

I am really looking forward to my mini sewing retreat. I will get there a couple of hours before the seminar, and then won't check out until I absolutely have to the next day. I am going to bring a sewing/smocking/or quilting project to work on while I have some "me" time!!

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Organizing Sew Beautiful Magazine

At latest count, I have 103 issues of Sew Beautiful magazines. I have 18 duplicates.

I have spent my spare time over the past week going through each and every issue, putting them in chronological order, and then making my own personal index. I have listed each issue along with the smocking plates and any articles that I think I may want to refer back to in the future. It was a very long process, but it was a lot of fun to be reminded of all the amazing articles in Sew Beautiful. One thing that was very interesting to me was to see the changes that have taken place over the years. Sadly, smocking (particularly picture smocking) has become less and less featured. I am glad to have so many old back issues for the great smocking plates that they featured.

Tonight, I am going to go back and read an interesting article called "Know the Score Before You Smock" from the Summer 1991 issue. It's about entering your smocking into contests and how they are often judged. I am planning to have items to enter into this year's fair (August). It's never too early to start preparing.