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].

Another Issue!

Well, SAGANews Volume 32 #3 should be going in the mail any day now. I can't believe this is my 28th issue of the magazine. Time flies when you are having fun!

This is the  last issue before the National Convention so maybe a good time to say that if you are going to Anaheim this year, maybe you should check back over the posts in this Blog and read some of them about attending a SAGA Convention as they contain some good reminders about what to take etc. especially for the first timers (although I have been told the information is good for everyone attending!). Scroll down through the posts in 2009 and you will also find out what happens each day at Convention so willl know what to look forward to.

I hope to see some of you at Convetion and hope to meet some new attendees as well as some old friends. There are less than 10 weeks to go now-better think about booking the flight!

Royal Wedding Dress

It was announced the Duchess of Cambridge’s Wedding Dress, veil, tiara, diamond earrings and shoes are to go on show when Buckingham Palace opens for the summer this year, between 23 July and 3 October. Entry price £17.50 and part of this entry fee will go to charities of the Duchess’s choice. The previous opening times have been extended by 45 minutes because of the extra numbers expected and tickets can be booked at http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/.


So if you are heading to the UK and London you might just want to book your ticket to see the wonderful dress first hand (and don't forget if you go to check out the lace around the skirt and train made by the Cluny Lace Co. featured in the current issue of SAGANews!).

SAGANews Volume 32 #2 in the mail

Another issue of SAGANews is in the mail. This is a special 'Lace' issue and also contains the Buyers Guide for 2011.

The Buyers Guide lists all of the SAGA business members; how to contact them and what they specialise in selling. So please when you need smocking or heirloom sewing supplies, look at one of these businesses first. Most have websites so you can see what they stock and each one of them would be happy to help you.

This issue also has some very important SAGA items, so please take time to read them.

Now I am working on the next issue. I wonder what that will feature.......

SAGANews Volume 32 #2 and The Royal Wedding

Okay, that title made you look twice, right? I wasn't at the Royal Wedding, but I do have something that might interest you all in the next issue of SAGANews about  'The Dress'. I will tell you the next issue being ready to go to layout and printing was not planned to coincide with the Royal Wedding, but as luck would have it, it was and I got a scoop. I will say no more, as you will have to read the next issue and find out what I am talking about.

The next issue of SAGANews is at the layout stage and will hopefully got to press within the next two weeks.

Opps!

The sock monkey graph in the latest issue didn't show his little hat! The corrected version can be found on the SAGA website or email saganews@smocking.org for a corrected PDF.

SAGANews Volume 32 #1

Has this photo on the cover. So now you know what you are looking for in the mail when it arrives!

And you know what is in the centre section? Yes, the SAGA 2011 Convention brochure.

So get ready, they have left the printer and should have left the Post Office and will be arriving very soon!

It’s nearly time…..

Don’t start stalking the mail person just yet, but yes, another issue of SAGANews is almost ready to be printed and this issue, being the first of the year, will contain the 2011 Convention Brochure.


So, start to think about saving your money and planning a trip to Anaheim, California-what could be better than a little California fun in the sun? (I could use some southern California weather right now as I have not seen my garden since December 26 and doubt I will much before spring).

Besides the Convention brochure, SAGANews has a cheeky picture smocking project and a new feature to keep you healthy and happy while smocking and sewing. You can also catch up on other chapters around the country and see what everyone has been up to. There is also a great article on the SAGA Design Show. It’s never too early to start planning that entry so the 2011 Design Show is the best one ever!

Has your chapter planned an event for National Smocking Month? There’s still time as it is only just the first day of the month.