SAGA 2012 Convention is just around the corner!

Okay, so no blogging for a while, but life happens, sorry!

Just in case you had forgotten, SAGA National Convention 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia is just around the corner so I thought I would reuse the reminder lists from previous years which are good for First Time Attendees but also help many returning attendees. There is always something you forget.......

So I look forward to seeing everyone in Atlanta and here are your reminders:

1.       Let’s be ‘green’ and reuse a name tag that you received at a previous Convention or alternatively make one to suit your needs (Robin Hart has created and donated a great pattern and it is available on the SAGA website www.smocking.org)

2.       You might also want to bring a tote bag to carry everything in or a favourite sewing bag or even a bag on wheels (especially good for all those supplies you will be buying at market).

3.       Wheels for your sewing machine are a good thing too- they are heavy to carry from your room to a classroom. If you are bringing machine, please remember to pack the power cord and foot pedal as well as spare needles and your presser feet!

4.       A couple of other items that make life easier are a power extension cord and magnification to use when sewing. Maybe a spare pair of reading glasses if you use them?

5.       Bring address labels for all the raffle tickets you will buy-this saves so much time not having to write your name on them all, plus makes it easier for Cheryl Cox, our Raffle Basket Announcer to read (remember if you use ones with your husbands name on, that is the name Cheryl will call).

6.       Talking of raffle baskets, don’t forget your chapter basket –it can’t be won if you forget to bring it (or arrange to have it mailed ahead of time).

7.       Consider making a folder and having some plastic page protectors in it. You can use these to keep the class handouts, Artisan card, small kits, kit fee envelopes and other items you want to keep safe, but handy.

8.       Have your kit fees in an envelope, one for each class, labeled with the class name, teachers name and your name. This helps as you will not need to receive change or have to use cash from your purse and also helps the Teachers Angel, as she will have the correct money and know who it is from. Most teachers accept checks( made out to them), which you can also have ready and in your kit fee envelope if you prefer that method to pay for your kits.

9.       A very important item if you are already enrolled in the Artisan Program is your Artisan card. Of course you can get the teacher to sign and date each class handout, but it is far better to have them sign your actual Artisan card. If you are not in the Artisan Program, you will have the chance to sign up while you are at Convention and you will find temporary cards in each classroom to use until you receive your official card. (For more information on the Artisan Program and to sign up in advance of attending Convention, please visit the SAGA website www.smocking.org).

1 10.   Make sure you have your Basic Sewing Supplies as well as any special class supplies required for each class (check the Convention Brochure) collected together. You may need to special order something required, so best not to leave to until the last minute. You might also get to buy something you need on sale if you have made a list ahead of time and take it with you when visiting a local sewing store or on-line site. Any money saved is a good thing-more to spend at Market!

1 1.   Also especially helpful is to check if any of your classes require some pre-class preparation, like pleating a piece of fabric with 24 rows and back smocking all of them before class!

12.   Plan on making a Wee Care gown, cap, bonnet or blanket for donation to the collection at Convention. You get a special ticket to put into the drawing for the Wee Care basket and only tickets received for Wee Care donations can be entered into that drawing. The more Wee Care donations you make, the more special tickets you receive (which can also be used in the regular raffle baskets if you wish).

Last, but not least remember we are going to have great time and you don’t want to miss out! If you really can’t make it to Convention this year, SAGANewsBlogs will try and keep you posted as to the events as soon as it can-provided I am not having way too much fun!

First Issue of 2012

The first issue of SAGANews for 2012 is on its way to you-complete with a surprise gift.....

Enjoy!

In a mailbox near you...

There should be something beginning with 'S' appearing in a mailbox near you in the very near future.

The latest issue of SAGANews went in the mail this week so I hope you receive yours soon!

Happy Turkey Day!

SAGA National Convention Anaheim 2011

Okay, so we are into the swing of things here in sunny California. The weather has been really warm and every day sunny. The hotel runs a shuttle to Disney and many ladies have visited Downtown Disney. I think more will go today as it is half day classes and market this afternoon.

This has been my first (and maybe only chance) to Blog as I am very busy and do not have Internet access in my room.

Design Show and Show and Share were last night and very well attended. There were some inspiring entries in the Design Show and every entry had a ribbon, many of them blue. The Best in Show is an embroidered piece and spectacular. Congratulations to Rose Yamakawa  who entered this piece. (photo shows the Design Show Judges with Rose's winning entry).

Today is market, so a chance to see and feel those fine fabrics first hand and spend, spend, spend!

Tomorrow after classes everyone will dress up and enjoy banquet and the main event -the raffle baskets. There are so many to choose from and it is hard to know which ones to put your tickets in for. I am sure there will be lots of happy ladies at the end of the evening.

Sunday will see things winding down and people heading home after what has been another great SAGA National Convention. Time to think about saving for next year- Atlanta 2012-Gone Stitchin'

Leaving on a jet plane....

Tomorrow morning I will be boarding one of these:

(well, an updated version!) to travel from the east coast to the west coast to attend this:

So for the next week I will be busy taking photos, meeting members and having some fun. If I get the chance (and Internet access) I will update the SAGANews Blog and keep you all in the picture so you don't miss out!

Three Weeks and counting....

Yes, it is now only THREE weeks to SAGA National Convention in Anaheim and I hope you are starting to get ready?

Now some little reminders to make life easier while you are at Convention:

    1. If you have a name tag from a previous year that you like-bring it with you. or better still make one for yourself (See the free pattern on the SAGA website).

    2.  Wheels for your sewing machine are a good thing too- they are heavy to carry from your room to a classroom. If you are bringing your own machine, please remember to pack the power cord and foot pedal as well as spare needles your presser feet! Better yet, why not rent a machine? (See the SAGA web site www.smocking.org for more information).

3.       A couple of other items that make life easier are a power extension cord and magnification to use when sewing. Maybe a spare pair of reading glasses if you use them?

4.     Bring address labels for all the raffle tickets you will buy-this saves so much time not having to write your name on them all, plus makes it easier for Cheryl Cox, our Raffle Basket Announcer to read (remember if you use ones with your husbands name on, that is the name Cheryl will call).

5.    Talking of raffle baskets, don’t forget your chapter basket –it can’t be won if you forget to bring it (or arrange to have it mailed ahead of time. See the Convention brochure in SAGANews Volume 32 #1 for the address to mail it to).

6.       Consider making a folder and having some plastic page protectors in it. You can use these to keep the class handouts, Artisan card,small kits, kit fee envelopes and other items you want to keep safe, but handy.

7.       Have your kit fees in an envelope, one for each class, labeled with the class name, teachers name and your name. This helps you as you will not need to receive change or have to use cash from your purse and also helps the Teachers Angel, as she will have the correct money and know who it is from. Most teachers accept checks, which you can also have ready and in your kit fee envelope if you prefer that method to pay for your kits.

8.       A very important item if you are already enrolled in the Artisan Program, is your Artisan card. Of course you can get the teacher to sign and date each class handout, but it is far better to have them sign your actual Artisan card. If you are not in the Artisan Program, you will have the chance to sign up while you are at Convention and you will find temporary cards in each classroom to use until you receive your official card. (For more information on the Artisan Program and to sign up in advance of attending Convention, please visit the SAGA website www.smocking.org).

   9.   Make sure you have your Basic Sewing Supplies as well as any special class supplies required for each class (check the Convention Brochure) collected together. You may need to special order something required, so best not to leave to until the last minute. You might also get to buy something you need on sale if you have made a list ahead of time and take it with you when visiting a local sewing store or on-line site. Any money saved is a good thing-more to spend at Market!

   10.   Also especially helpful is to check if any of your classes require some pre-class preparation, like pleating a piece of fabric with 24 rows and back smocking all of them before class!

     
      

11. Your finished Design Show and/or Wee Care contest entry. Wouldn't want to think you completed these items and then they were left at home. (You can mail these in also, again see the Convention brochure).

12.   Plan on making a Wee Care gown, cap, bonnet or blanket for donation to the collection at Convention. You get a special ticket to put into the drawing for the Wee Care basket and only tickets received for Wee Care donations can be entered into that drawing. The more Wee Care donations you make, the more special tickets you receive (which can also be used in the regular raffle baskets if you wish).

Lastly, check your flight arrangements and make a shuttle reservation and double check your hotel booking, plan your clothes and get ready for the fun of another great SAGA convention!

See you in California soon!

One month to Convention

Yes, it really is only one month before SAGA National Convention in Anaheim, California! So that means four weeks to get things ready. What things do you need to get ready?

Well, besides the obvious change of clothes and toiliteries, maybe you entered the Design Show and/or Wee Care Contest? So there are you entries to complete.

Then there is your chapter basket. Please include a list of contents and a contact address.

Don't forget to have your kit fees in envelopes ready for the Teachers Angel to collect (cash or cheque made payable to the teacher).

Remember some name and address labels for all of those raffle tickets you are going to buy.

If you have any Wee Care donations, Robin Hart will be displaying them in Hospitaility.

A shopping list for supplies you need to buy at Market on Friday and the money to purchase them with. Shopping bags might be usefull too (I have seen some people with shopping baskets on wheels!).

What about a business type card with your contact details to give to all those new friends you will be making?

Very important items- your basic sewing supplies and any special supplies required for your classes (see the class descriptions in the Convention Brochure). If you are bringing a machine, don't foget the basics such as presser feet, power cords, foot pedal.

Most importantly of all, bring yourself and the love of smocking, heirloom sewing and see you in Anaheim soon.

[If you are unable to take any of these items in person to California, please consult the Convention Brouchure (SAGANews Vol 32 Issue #1) for the mailing addresses for Design Show entries, Wee Care and Chapter baskets].