SAGA is now everywhere!

So have you found out that SAGA is everywhere these days? By everywhere I mean everywhere you can get Internet access.

SAGA is on Pinterest -www.pinterest.com/smockingarts

SAGA is on Twitter- @smockingarts

SAGA is on Facebook- SAGA-Smocking Arts Guild of America.

You can find out what's going on and what will be happening. Connect with SAGA today and see what's new!

A Year Gone by Already?

Okay, so I see I have been a bad blogger as it has been a year and I have not blogged-sorry but time flies when you are busy!

So another SAGA Convention is around the corner-this year in Frisco, Texas- October 23-27. Are you coming? Hope so as it will be fun. There are the usual great classes, events and of course, catching up with friends and making new ones.

I am arriving ahead of Convention as I have been asked to visit a friend I made through another organization for a few days. She and her husband are going to show me Dallas so I will be fully immersed in the culture by the time I arrive a the Embassy Suites Hotel on the Monday!

So how about we cover the Convention Essentials again? (I am doing this as a friend emailed me asking about basic sewing supplies as she is coming to the Convention for the first time in many years. We have lots to catch up on as she was a founding member of my chapter and moved back to Virginia several years ago. We still miss her, but then that's the great thing about Convention-we get to see friends again). Oh! back to the important stuff.


1. Recycle your name tag or make one (see SAGA website for a pattern).

2. Bring a large tote bag -this has many uses, especially on Market Day!

3. Wheels if you are moving a sewing machine around. Don't forget all the things for the machine-power cord & foot; machine presser feet; needles; basic thread;manual.

4. Magnification-we are all getting older and those stitches are getting smaller!


5. Light source-to see those tiny stitches better.

6. Extension cords-the power is never that close at hand when you want it to be.

7. Basic Sewing Supplies-needles; paper scissors; embroidery scissors; cutting shears; glass head pins; pin cushion- I am sure you get the picture.

8. Camera- always good for photos of what the finished class project should look like when you finally get around to completing it. Also good for photos of your friends and teachers.


9. Mini address labels-do you really wan to hand write on all those raffle tickets? ( I will have some spare ones with my name on in case you forget...).

10. Artisan Card(s)- you can use the tempory ones, but it is easier to bring the one you are using.

11. Kit Fees- teachers will take checks, but it is good to have them ready.

12. Wee Care donations- let's make this a bumper donation year!

13. Wee Care Bonnet kits-if you promised to make some, please bring them!

14. Chapter Raffle Basket- we all want to see lots of these so we all get a chance to win one!

15. Show & Share items- we all want to see what beautiful things you have made.

16. Design Show Entry(s)-Can't wait to see what inspirational things we will see this year!

17. Note Pad & Pen- taking class notes is essential and also somewhere to note that new friends email address!

18. Money, money, money- there will be market; SAGA items and who knows what else to spend it on!

So, now you just have to decide what clothes to pack, need I say jeans, cowboy boots and a stetson of course!

I will see you there-can't wait!

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!