Sunday, August 31, 2014

Sewcation Timely Tips

 
So, we are at the end of August and tomorrow will be September 1 and before we know it SAGA National Convention –Sewcation will be here-are you ready?

I just thought I would put some timely reminders and helpful hints your way in case you are a First Time Attendee or even a returning attendee. We all need reminders sometimes, right?

Hopefully you have registered for Sewcation, booked your hotel room and made travel plans? If you are flying then you won’t be able to find some of the places that our guest bloggers, SAGA Board members, have suggested, but if you are driving then I hope you have fun on the way!

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

1.      Name tag holders. You can bring one you have received from a previous convention or you can make one using the pattern from Barbara Scappaticci featured on this blog (see the post on May 28 2014).

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 your own machine, please remember to pack the power cord and foot pedal as well as spare needles and your presser feet as well as your machine manual! Better yet, why not rent a machine? (See the SAGA web site www.smocking.org for more information).

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!
 
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. See SAGANews Volume 35 #3 for the address to mail it to).

7.   Printed name labels to put onto your kits and their contents. Remember, everyone in your class has the same kit  that contains the same pattern pieces, instructions etc. as yours. Maybe you just want to label yours so you don't lose anything?

8.       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.

9.       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.

10.       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).


11.   Make sure you have your Basic Sewing Supplies
as well as any special class supplies required for each class
(check the list at the bottom of this blog)
collected together. You may need to special order
something required, so best not to leave that to
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!

12.   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!


13.   Don’t forget your Wee Care™ Contest entry(s)! The Grand Prize is the silk ribbon embroidered hussif.

14.   Also 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™ baskets 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 and the more chances you have to win one of the two special baskets! 

15. Don't forget to bring any proxies from your fellow chapter members who are unable to attend Sewcation. You can find the Proxy form on page 17 of SAGANews Volume 35 Issue 2. Copies of this form are acceptable. Please pass these on to Debbi Harris (SAGA secretary) or any SAGA board member before the Annual Meeting on Thursday, September 18.

16. If you are attending with fellow chapter friends, you might want to make a list of the classes you are all taking and swap cell phone numbers to allow you to keep in touch, but remember that cell phones should be turned off in all SAGA Convention classes and meetings!
For more information on SAGA Sewcation in Orlando, Florida, see the SAGA website, www.smocking.org
 
Last, but not least remember we are going to have great time and you don’t want to miss out!

 

Basic Sewing Supplies – needed in most classes
·         Scissors: fabric, embroidery and paper
·         Glass head or fine silk pins
·         Fine line and ultra fine line water soluble marking pens
·         #2 pencil and sharpener
·         Tape Measure
·         White sewing thread
·         Assorted needles
·         Pen for taking notes
·         Task lighting and magnification with extension cord and power strip

 

Thursday, August 28, 2014

The Hyatt Grand Cypress Hotel


Our next guest blogger is Executive Director, Cyndi Cavanaugh.



The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress will offer our SAGA Convention Attendees so much more than a comfortable place to rest at the end of your busy stitching and smocking day.

Need to catch up on email or check-in with family members? High speed wireless internet is included in your resort fee. For your convenience, you room also includes a “cool box” to store beverages or snacks during your stay.
And, when you’re ready for sleep, A Good Night from YogaAway, a complimentary 11-minute yoga class accessible on your TV, is designed to relax your body and mind as you prepare to rest.

There are some awesome included recreational opportunities to take advantage of before or after classes or during scheduled free time.

An enhanced lagoon pool, located along the 1,000 feet of white sandy beach of private Lake Windsong, features 12 waterfalls, heated and non-heated pools, two whirlpools, new Water Slide Tower Pavilion, new Water Jet Splash Zone, new children’s Rock Climbing Stations, rope bridge, walking paths, and expansive, wrap-around sundecks. On the Rocks, the pool and beach bar, is right there to ensure you are well-hydrated!

You can get a feel for Florida’s natural environment by taking a spin around the lovely 1,500 acre property on one of the complimentary beach cruiser bicycles. Or, take a ride with the whole family or some friends on one of the old-fashioned, canopied surrey bikes. If jogging or walking is your sport, there are three varying trails, ranging from 1.3 to 4.7 miles, perfect for an invigorating workout.

But the options don’t stop there! Consider taking a leisurely ride in a paddleboat or relax in a kayak (also included in your resort fee).  The hotel also offers hydro bikes, canoes, aqua cycles and sailboats. 


Is golf your game? (Perhaps this can be an incentive to bring your husband along.) You can play 18 holes on any of four championship Jack Nicklaus-designed courses on the property. The new 18-hole course brings Scottish Links to Florida, complete with 12-foot pot bunkers, stone walls, and more. Greens of Lake Windsong will test your short game on an Executive 9 hole, Par 3 course. The Hyatt will supply the clubs, tees, scorecards, and a complimentary golf ball. (Golf fees apply and reservations are required for all courses.) For the more casually inclined, there’s also a nine-hole pitch ‘n’ putt course.

There is also an expansive fitness center (included in your resort service fee), accessible 24 hour a day, as well as tennis, racketball, and basketball courts.


The Hotel also offers a spa and salon if you want to pamper and treat yourself to a mani-pedi or facial!

Dining options also abound. Seven restaurants and bars offer everything from coffee and cocktails to island fair, including steak and seafood, as well as casual dining for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

So whether you want some quiet, relaxing downtime or are looking for an invigorating workout Florida-style, you’ll find an abundance of options to make your stay at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress during this year’s Convention the best ever!