Attention: Smockers!

Dear Readers,
This post is devoted to smocking. I myself am not a smocker, but my dear cousin Jane is not only very skilled in smocking, but also in embroidery and heirloom needlework. She asked if I would do a post on the Smocking Arts Guild of America's upcoming convention in Oct.
The Smocking Arts Guild of America (SAGA) is holding their 2013 convention in Frisco, TX Oct 23-27. If you are interested in attending, the SAGA Online site is www.smocking.org. The following will give you more information:

Have you ever wanted to learn to smock? Do you admire beautiful embroideries from by-gone eras? Do you love to sew for children but your garments have that “homemade look”? Do you read sewing blogs and wonder to what the terms pin stitch, faggoting, hemstitch and featherstitch refer? Would you like to broaden your sewing skills? Come join the Smocking Arts Guild of America (SAGA™at its annual convention in Frisco, Texas October 23rd-27th and you will have a discover your hidden talents!

When you hear the word convention, think fun, exciting and educational classes! Each class has been evaluated and approved by a SAGA selection committee so you can be assured that you will be taught proper technique and execution allowing you to expand your sewing skills. From pattern drafting for children, mastering the peter pan collar, designing your own smocked ornament, learning how to shadow embroider, working on pulled thread, tackling the pea hole hemstitch, mastering your pleater, stitching an elaborate Elizabethan Panel, or simply perfecting your smocking, there is something for everyone taught at all levels!

Are you ready to challenge yourself to improve your stitching? Join the SAGA Artisan Programä and work toward attaining the level of apprentice, artisan or master in four different areas of expertise – smocking, embroidery, fine machine sewing and fine hand sewing. There will be an informational meeting of theArtisan Programä at convention to explain the process and classes you take can count toward achieving the necessary levels. Interested in helping your community with a service project using your stitching? Come and learn about the SAGAWee Care Program™, and get inspired by the talents of our members who donate hand smocked and embroidered gowns and bonnets to local hospitals for neonatal units and bereavement programs.  

Don’t know anyone? Don’t worry - ladies who stitch are friendly, helpful and love to have fun. So join the SAGA convention, learn a new technique, participate in the doll clothing contest and yes, even learn to Two-Step!

SAGA has chapters through out the United States and a chapter in Mexico and Australia! Local 

chapters meet monthly, bring teachers for seminars and participate in the Wee CareProgram™. If there is no chapter located near you, you can still become involved through the members at large program. For more information, check out the SAGA website at www.smocking.org!

Happy May!

Hi, yes, this is finally an update! I hope you are still out there, dear readers!

May, already! What a busy year I've had so far!

It started out with cataract surgeries on both eyes. What easy surgery! I would definitely recommend it if you are undecided about having your cataracts removed. Not only was the surgery easy and short and painless, it certainly helped my eyesight. I chose to still wear glasses, but I really only need them for reading.

At the end of January, my husband and I loaded up our RV and drove to Mesa, AZ! We stayed at a nice RV resort and visited Jerry's sister and BIL. We all went to The Grand Canyon on the train. Seeing it for the first time was breathtaking! We enjoyed it so much, even tho it was cold and windy. Was neat to see the snow on the canyon.

We enjoyed the AZ weather and took bike rides around the resort regularly. I have recently gotten interested in quilting so found a fun quilt store and even went to a quilt shop. And of course, went to The Attic! I was even fortunate enough to go on their Market Day Party!
We also went to two Royals Spring Training games! They play at Surprise, AZ. Was fun to be able to see them playing so well and we were able to get seats close to the field.

We stayed in AZ for 5 wks and on the way home, we stopped at Carlsbad Caverns. Walked thru the formations and oohed and ahhed!

Upon returning home, winter reared its head again and another snowstorm came thru.

 The end of April, we were off again on another trip.....this time to LA! Jerry's niece was married in the Hollywood Hills! We flew out several days earlier with our daughter and family to take in some sights. We spent a day at Disneyland, Hollywood with a drive to Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive and a Warner Brothers studio tour.

So, now we are looking forward to Spring and doing some camping. I have still been stitching during all of this busyness and will post pictures my next update.

Until next time.......  :-]

Happy New Year 2013!

Happy New Year, Dear Readers!

I hope you are still with me, time really got away from me the last months of 2012. I do have family pics and finishing pics to share, so hope to do an end of the year post soon!

Right now I will close with best wishes for your new year! I wish you nothing but blessings!