So Sad...

Last year, I was able to attend the very first ever Sewing Summit. I was so nervous because I didn't know anyone! I had met a few online "friends" and had the delight to get to know them better over the few days- it was truly a joy and gift for me to be able to be inspired by so many. I have sooooooooo been looking forward to this coming October since the moment last year began--- until hubby told me that there was a work obligation for him that would not be good if I miss. It is our one "big" date of the year. About the only time we have together- just the two of us. So it's a big deal. We weren't sure if it would be the same week or not- won't know for sure til June, and that's when I got my ticket last year- so I figured it would be ok to wait and see.

I was so itching all morning yesterday to click purchase on the Sewing Summit site- I was at the computer at 9 am even :). The list of teachers, seeing my friends again, and so much that I would learn. But I knew I couldn't, not yet. Then I heard how fast the first 5o tickets went- less than a minute. I got worried. I woke up this morning to see that the tickets had sold out in a matter of 10 hours! So wonderful for the conference but oh so sad for me! How I want to be there. I don't get to "get out" much, and the conference is the "my time" of the year. But alas, it may not be an option this year. Now I REALLY hope that hubby's event is the same time, or I will be crushed!!

So if you were one of those wonderfully blessed ones who was able to purchase a ticket yesterday, you will have an incredible experience! If you were one of the ones like me, and for whatever reason, who was not able to purchase a ticket, we'll have a pity party together :).

The Swag :)

Another really fun part of the Sewing Summit was all the goodies we got! There are so many different products and things I have wanted to try out that I haven't had a chance to yet, and now I get to!! Yipee Skipee :) How fun is that! This is the things that I got in my Swag bag- thanks to all the amazing sponsors that made these goodies ours :)
Then this is what I bought- it was all discounted really nicely :) That made it so much more fun! I am excited to cut into these lovely pieces and make some fun things!! Fabric Yumminess!

As previously stated, it was a great few days, for many reasons! And learning things makes it all the better :)

Sewing Summit Part 2

Two posts are just not enough, I may need more :) hehe!! I wanted to start with some DEAR friends I made! I didn't get a picture myself, so I had to swipe it from Kaelin. It's amazing how there are just some people that you feel like you've known them forever. This happened quite a few times this weekend! Such amazing ladies :)

This is one of those sewing heroes of mine that I couldn't believe I actually got to meet! It's Miss Jeni from http://www.incolororder.blogspot.com! Wow- I had to pinch myself :). I got to go to her class too- The Art of Choosing Color! It was a great class and she was like Santa Claus to me- let me tell you why... I keep a Christmas Wish List of everyone in my house. I always stick a very few things on for myself just in case hubby *needs* ideas. :) The top thing on my list for this year is a Kona Color Card. It has been on my list since the beginning of the year. I just couldn't swallow getting one- too many other things we needed more :). Well, at the end of Jeni's class, she thanked us all for coming and she also thanked Robert Kaufman. We were all a bit confused and then she said that without them, we wouldn't have so many amazing colors to take home. Before she got to the end of the sentence, I had figured it out. I even whispered to myself, "If she gives us a Kona Color Card, I think I'll freak!" And ya know what?? She pulled out a handful of Kona Color Cards from a huge box and started passing them out. I almost passed out!! I had to get a picture with her and tell her she was my Santa! She's so sweet! Thank you again, Jeni!!!
This is one of my top 3 all-time mini quilts, and I got to see it in REAL LIFE! Swoon :) Wow- and what's even better is that I got to take a class from the lady who made it :)

This is Miss Amanda (http://www.msmcporkchop.blogspot.com)! She is incredible and not to mention, just an incredibly happy and positive person! You can't help but smile around her! She taught the class on Marvelous Minis. I have never made a mini- besides a mug rug and my name tag- well, I guess I've made 2- so I was really excited for her thoughts also. It was a great class. I love making full quilts, but there is only so much space to display and showcase them. I really like the mini idea for some of the crazy designs I would like to try but don't have a million years to invest for making a queen size (which is what my quilts normally are :)). She is also one of the two driving forces behind the hit Farmer's Wife! At this point, my Farmer's Wife will have to be a mini :)- hehe- no, I am doing it all, it may take me a L.O.N.G time, but I will work it into everything else :). It was so amazing to be in her class too! Wow!

There were so many moments that seemed unreal for me! So many friends I met and became "real" friends with, and som many wonderful ladies that inspired me and taught me just by what they said! It was an amazing three days- I will definitely be there next year! So much to try and do-- I can hardly wait :)!!

LAUNDRY!

Yup. 6 loads. SO. FAR. Yeah. Still going! At. least. 3. more. That's what happens when you play at the Sewing Summit all weekend :) How many pairs of clothes did they wear each day while I was gone?? :)

What Can I Say???!!???

You know those times when you just can't think of words to describe something?? Well, that's how I feel about this past weekend! It almost seems like a dream, but I have the swag to prove it :). So it MUST have been real- oh yes, and some pictures prove it too. See, not a dream! :) hehe!

The sewing classroom- over 50 machines where we all sewed- just gave you goosebumps looking at it all in one spot :)

This past Thursday through Saturday was THE SEWING SUMMIT for me! Oh my wow! Just like I said, what can I say??! It was incredible!! I was soooooooo super nervous but was amazed at how beyond nice everyone was! It was surreal, walking around in the midst of these amazing ladies who know so much, challenge me to learn more, and have such sweet personalities! I was actually able to meet every single person on my "I can't believe I get to meet them" list! And what's more than that is that now I call many of them my friends!! Dear, wonderful friends! That alone would have been enough to make this weekend worth it, but there was oh so much more!

Me with Amy of www.StitcheryDickoryDock.blogspot.com and Jennifer of www.EllisonLaneQuilts.blogspot.com!! EEEPPPPPP!

When you share a love of fabric and the creations that can come with it, magical things happen. States and countries melt away, colors blend, and we all become one. From the meals where we visited to the classes where we learned to the late night laughing, it was packed with memories. I went not knowing anyone and came home having tons of friends, knowing so much more about what I love- sewing, and just having such a great feeling about the support and community that quilting is!

Me and Allison of Cluck, Cluck, Sew- oh wow!! And below is one of her free motion quilts- I only free motion quilt and LOVED this class! She's incredible- so much to learn from her!!

It was one of those weekends that has changed how I look at sewing- Miss Amanda (www.Msmacporkchop.blogspot.com- I'll be posting more about her class in the next few days too) made the comment that we can do anything!! I always knew that I could do whatever I set my mind to, but hearing her say it with such amazing conviction and excitement drove it home for me! My project list was huge before I went, but now it has been added to with things that will stetch me even more and make more sunshine in the process!!

So what else can I say??!!?? I was perfect- just what I needed to make me feel what I have wanted to be, an "official" quilter! More to come...

Off I go!

The Sewing Summit or BUST!! :)

I have been so excited for this for over 8 months now!! I can hardly believe it's here. I have my stack of things to take, my schedule of "extra-curricular activites", and hopefully a Google doc bookmark in my iphone to help me figure out what I'm doing once I get there :). I am scared, hoping that all these amazing people I know will soon be called my friends. I am nervous because I don't know if I know enough to be in their ballparks! I am giddy to meet these amazing crafters. I am thrilled to attend the classes and learn from these people! I am looking forward to visitng and talking and dining with these lovely ladies! I hope to come home knowing so much more and full of insight and ways to put things into action that are buzzing around in my head :). I heart sewing and creating and this will be the ultimate experience, in my mind! What a way to spend a few days- surrounded by inspiration, enthusiasm, ideas, and dear friends :). Gotta make one last thing- a notebook cover, then I'll be ready! So Fun, ready or not, here I come! I am from the South, so I hope these ladies like hugs!!

My Teensiest Quilt Yet!

It started with this...

And a day later turned into this...

Yes, it is an actual quilt- binding and all. I measures 3.75"x4.5". I came out a touch bigger than I wanted, but close enough :) Not only is it the teensiest quilt I ever made, it is also my handmade name badge for The Sewing Summit!!

There is only a week and a half left, people! I am so excited, I hardly know what to do! I keep pinching myself- ouch- but it's real! I get to go! One of those surreal things in life. I feel like the little kid on a big block, but people don't get nicer than quilters, so I am sure I will have TONS of new friends by the time it is over :).

I wanted lots of different mediums and techniques on my badge, so I went for everything I knew how (and a few new things too) to do! I started with the arc. I have NEVER paper pieced in my life, much less drawn a design to piece. But using Miss Kaelin's incredible instructions (over at www.theplaidscottie.com), I drew and paper pieced my own arc! Step 1- check! From there I added the white pieces and then the fun began. I sandwiched and quilted as I went. This is a fabulous method, especially for something this tiny. I added the yellow and orange yellow felt sun. Then the bunting and hand embroidering the bunting rope and name. Then the binding. Picking out the fabric for that was quite an accomplishment, in and of itself. I wanted something bold (and not being too bold for 3.75"x4.5" is pretty tricky), not too busy, and with all "my" colors. Finally found the perfect print! Then came not liking the way handstitching looked for my blog name, so I fiddled some more and came up with some pinked yellow fabric, with machine drawn title. LOVE! Appliqued that on, and VOILA!! I LOVE it- very "ME", very cute, and I have my handmade something to take to The Sewing Summit :).

Now just to decide if I want to attach it with a pin or with the cutest tiny silver ball chain and wear it like a necklace- I'm thinking the chain! Here's for teensy quilts!

Oh Snap!

I have been so blessed to be able to sign up to attend the Sewing Summit later this fall, and am so beyond tickled to be there and learn and see all the amazing things from the world of color, fabric, and sewing! But dang it all, if another amazing conference didn't pop up right after I forked over the bucks for the first (which was a huge sacrifice)! Somehow, someway, I really gotta get to the Snap! conference this Spring! It is a creative blogging and social media conference, in a nutshell. I want to learn about blogging, growing my creative ideas, and running an at-home business successfully!! This would be the perfect place to do that- I am already drooling over being able to just MEET Jessica and Mique, not to mention all the other amazing people that will be there.

Now here's the deal- they are generously giving away a free ticket to the conference, so I have to have a reason to want one. I don't just WANT one, I N-E-E-D one!!!! Yes, need! And let me tell you why...

I have tried blogging several different times in my creative spheres. I can do just fine in my private family blog and have no difficulty there. But when I get in front of people I don't "know" I get all clamy and worried about what I should do and say, and I just want to be me. I am a very private person by nature, but super friendly at the same time, so this is a fine line when the interenet can be a little crazy at times. I'd love to know how to feel more comfortable being me, and yet still be able to not feel that I am expounding too much on my private life :). I know experience is part of this, but after blogging for years, I feel I need a "real life" teaching experience. :) I am a visual learner, so reading a lot doesn't seem to help me. If you can show me something once, I've got it down forever!! So that's why I NEED to be there come April!

If you haven't heard about the conference yet, here's the place where you can get all the info you need and can drool away :) - just stay far away from your keyboard while drooling :) It's http://www.snaptheconference.com/ . There you have it- why I need to be there, and now I know you wanna be there too :)

EEEEKKKKKKKK!! I'm GOING!! :)

Oh, my goodness mercy! I just got my Mother's Day gift, my anniversary gift, my birthday gift, and maybe Christmas too, all rolled into one!! I get to go to the SEWING SUMMIT!!! It is in October in Salt Lake City, and I get to meet all the amazing people that I know over blogland! I am so giddy I can hardly stop shaking! How amazing it will be to just watch and learn from these amazing ladies :) Oh, be still my heart <3!! WOW- I am just still in shock and am trying to let it soak in- here I come, Sewing Summit 2011!