What fun!  150 embroiderers under one roof in St. Louis, Mo. Everyone braved the cold - 10 degrees in the morning! - to get an early start on the day.  Some came with friends and sisters, many made new friends. They stitched, they edited designs on the Baby Lock machines; fell in love with the NeedleCam™ Digital Camera on the Baby Lock Ellisimo; and hooped with regular hoops, Magna-Hoop and Magna-Quilter.  They learned what hoop works best for what task.  They stitched on satin, silk flowers, grosgrain, fur, terrycloth, knits, quilt sandwiches, flannel and cottons.

They used a variety of embroidery tools - target rulers, centering rulers, placement templates, glue sticks, Angle Finders and target stickers. Each team (27 of them) completed 12 projects over the two days. We talked about stabilizers, designing fashion embroidery and large scale embroidery compositions, thread coverage and proper hooping technique. We talked about navigating in the hoop - at the beginning of the design and during a mishap. We showed over a hundred sewn samples of embroidery.  Marie and I fielded questions on everything from 'how do I hoop a onesie' to 'how do I start an embroidery business'.

Everyone was immersed in embroidery - talking about it, looking at it, wearing it and stitching it. But it wasn't all work - there were some great meals provided by Jackmans - especially the chocolate fountain, their signature dish!  And no chocolate disasters - a few brown, shiny mustaches (so much more in vogue than the old milk mustache!) but no chocolate smears on fabrics.

Join me for my next event in Madison, Tennessee, just a stone's throw from the Grand Ole Opry.  Visit www.sallychaney.com for more information or call the store directly at 615-859-0038.  I know many of you have full-time commitments during the week so I scheduled two one-day workshops on a weekend to accommodate your busy schedule.  See you in Tennessee on Saturday, Feb. 20 or Sunday Feb. 21!  

On October 24^th, I was on the road with my sister, Marie Zinno leading a Stitching Sisters event in Springfield, MO at BSew Inn.  Back at the ranch (the office of Designs in Dallas), my assistant (okay the woman who makes many things happen here at Designs) was taping a video about my new Stipple! Collection, Ho Ho Holiday.  She did this entirely on her own. Set up the tripod, pushed record and then flawlessly stepped in front of the camera and let loose with perfect diction and a thorough understanding of the Stipple! process (she doesn't even embroider).

She managed to commandeer a technical professional, Roy Garland, to edit her masterpiece.  And then showed the final cut to me - via YouTube.  I was blown away. I had no idea she was capable of producing a video with such enthusiasm.  Or that she even had the desire to do it.  She's watched me on camera countless times - and I imagine bored beyond tears - in her editing responsibilities. But to have the gumption and guts to do it on her own, well, I couldn't be more impressed.

And I'm enjoying watching the views climb daily - today, her video is over the 4000 mark!  That's awesome - and it's her first!  Check it out by clicking on the video above. Denise has been here at Designs for over 8 years and has mastered many skills - but I never would have predicted this one!  Good for her - and great for Designs to have her.

So this week when I'm in Tampa at another Stitching Sisters event, I wonder what she'll do.  Maybe I should put a padlock on the sewing studio...or maybe, I should put a trail of M&Ms leading into the sewing studio.  And then she'll start to embroider!  And I can stay in Florida for a few extra days of sun and fun.  Nah, I guess I'll be back in the saddle on Monday!

Marie and I, The Stitching Sisters, are mid-way through our six-city tour.  Last week, we spent Friday and Saturday with our host, Montavilla Sew & Vac in Portland, OR.  The event was held in the spacious classroom of Fabric Depot (a worthy destination for all sewers). It took a team effort to set up 28 top-of-the-line Baby Lock Ellisimos but we were ready for our 128 guests on Friday morning.  The staff at Montavilla was a dream team, each member greeted their guests and escorted them to their assigned seats.  They made an effort to treat each embroiderer like a guest in their home. 

And the fun we had!  Christy and Brett Moore (pictured here) lead the audience in the Baby Lock cheer - Baby Lock, for the love! (Ok, you had to be there to understand but it sure built team spirit.)   After we taught how to probably hoop and verify placement with some of the Ellisimo's unique features such as the camera, the whole room was cheering Baby Lock, for the love!  Oh it was fun and educational.  Marie and I worked hard and throughout the day our Jersey Girl attitudes came out of the closet!  Hey, you can't control 112 embroiderers in a meek and mild manner.  But everyone stayed on track and we finished six hands-on projects on day one and six more on day two.  Here's a glimpse at some wonderful people we had the honor of teaching.

If you bought a machine, you were crowned with a feather boa and your team-mates were awarded a free collection of Kriswell embroidery designs.  The whole Montavilla team got in the mood - sporting boas and crowns when one of their team members purchased a machine. 

The Stitching Sisters are embarking on a 6-city tour to teach over 400 embroiderers in 2-day, hands-on seminars.  We start in Longview, WA on Sept. 18, 2009 and end on Nov. 14, 2009 in Tampa, Fla - with four stops in between.  We are pumped!  We've been planning this and working on the details for months now and just can't wait to get on the road and meet other Stitching Sisters.

These events couldn't happen without the generous support of some the nation's most successful sewing machine dealers. The Stitching Sisters handle all the kits and tools but the dealers supply the classroom, machines and oh yes - the food!  The dealers also provide talented staff members to assist during the two-day event.  And believe me, do we need them - 25 machines, 100 students in a classroom is quite an event!  We haven't had a mishap yet because the Baby Lock and Brother machines are so user-friendly and extremely dependable. The editing features are a delight to show students - everyone goes home with a new-found respect for what these machines can do.  And many go home not only with that new-found respect but also a new machine!  There are great deals to be made at these events.  It's also the only time you can buy Designs' product at a discount.  So if you've been yearning to purchase some of Designs' tools or hoops, this would be the time and place to do it. 

Marie and I hope to see you this Fall.  The Stitching Sisters Embroidery Bash is a great girls-get-away, so grab a friend or come by yourself. Join us for two days of embroidery education, new friends, new techniques and great food! Just bring yourself - no machines or class supplies to cart.  We'll have everything ready for you.  Here's the schedule:

SOLD OUT

Sept. 18-19, 2009 

Longview Sew & Vac

Longview, WA

               360-578-2628        

Oct. 16-17, 2009

SOLD OUT

Montavilla Sewing & Vacuum

Portland, OR

               503-254-7317        

Oct. 25-25, 2009

B Sew Inn

Springfield, MO

               866-961-8209        

 http://www.bsewinn.com/product.php?productid=2827&cat=142&page=1

Oct. 28-29, 2009

B Sew Inn  http://www.bsewinn.com/product.php?productid=2828&cat=142&page=1

Oklahoma City, OK

877-415-702

Nov.  6-7, 2009

Rocky Mountain Sew & Vac

Littleton, CO

               303-979-2334        

Nov. 13-14, 2009

SOLD OUT

Keep Me In Stitches

Tampa, FL

               813-908-2334        

Have you read the interviews of the Texas Sew Down speakers in the latest issue of Designs (March/April 2009)?  I had so much fun reading the answers. You know, writing the questions was a pretty easy endeavor.  I wrote a first draft and then sent those questions to my partner in crime, Denise Holguin.  She cleaned them up and off we sent them to the speakers - Nancy Zieman, Mary Mulari, Deborah Jones and my sister, Marie Zinno.  I didn't really give it much thought until the answers started to arrive.

One by one they came in and I savored every one!  I learned many things about each of these fine ladies and some of the comments made me laugh out loud while other responses brought tears to my eyes.

Let's look at Nancy first - she was quite brave revealing that under those gorgeous blond locks lies a headful of gray hair. And she's going to be a grandma!  Wow - that's a big milestone in her life.  Her favorite mid-afternoon snack - popcorn!  How upper Midwestern, don'tcha you know? Gotta keep those Wisconsin farmers in business.

The next time I have to clear a driveway, I'll call Mary Mulari and tell her to bring her Toro Power Max snowblower.  Apparently, she's a pro at handling this big tough machine and good thing because her hometown of Aurora, MN gets 52" of snow every year. In the middle of the afternoon, you'll find Mary munching on one of America's favorite snacks - chocolate chip cookies and milk.

Okay, truth be told, I am a huge Oprah fan.  And I have eaten lunch with Deborah Jones once a week for EIGHT years and never heard this story. I had to read her interview to learn she embroidered letterman-style jackets for guests on Oprah's show.  Now that's a really well-kept secret!  Her afternoon snack - a bowl of Cheerios.  Oh for heaven's sake Deborah, at least wash the Cheerios down with chocolate milk.  

Now I know Marie Zinno very well.  After all, we're sisters.  Although she often tells me she's proud of that she did happily reveal in the interview "she's the 'younger, more fun sister." I laughed when I read that and then wept when I read her answer to the next question, "Describe your perfect vacation day". She responded, "sitting on a beach on a tropical island holding my husband's hand." How sweet is that?  I was her maid of honor, 17 years ago (okay, MATRON of honor), and the Zinnos are still quietly, madly in love.  What she didn't say was that if it was in the afternoon, her other hand would be holding a Double Stuf Oreo®!

So let's see, if it snows on April 3-4, we'll be in good shape because Mary can clear the parking lot. If MY gray hair starts peeking through, I can have Nancy make it magically disappear so I look my best for the Texas Sew Down. And to make sure the event gets the coverage it deserves, I'll have Deborah Jones call Oprah and get us ALL on the Oprah show!  And if I am too exhausted to go on stage, I can always count on Marie to entertain the troops since she's the YOUNGER, MORE FUN SISTER!

I hope you'll join us in Grapevine, April 3-4, 'cause we are planning on having one heck of a good time! There's still time to make arrangements, just click here for more information http://www.dzgns.com/texsewdown.php or call the office at                888-739-0555        .

Normally, when I arrive at a sewing machine store to teach, I introduce myself and browse the samples and products so I can familiarize myself with the store's area of expertise and the customer's interests. Then I get busy unpacking and setting up my classroom.  Well, I had some trouble focusing on the task at hand when I walked - shall I say, submerged myself, into Quiltique in Henderson, NV.

Wow - I love this quilt shop - I was bowled over when I walked in.  Every where I looked I found inspiration. Their samples are amazing  - they hang on walls, drape over gorgeous wrought iron furniture, nestle in pretty containers, spill from armoires,  upholster regal chairs and more.  I can tell you that at every turn in this xx square foot paradise, you will be inspired.

A family-run Bernina dealership and world-class quilt store, Quiltique is just a stone's throw from the Las Vegas Strip and worth every mile (it's under 10).  For heaven's sake, I would take a cab here if I was attending a convention on the Strip. So long noisy casinos, hello piece (pun intended) and shelter in the desert!

Of course, the samples and the staff are just the beginning.  I really get to know a dealership when I meet my students - their customers.  I've always felt the attitude of the customers is a reflection on the treatment they are accustomed to receiving from their dealer.  And what a happy bunch of embroiderers I had over two days.  Many learned new techniques and discovered new tools to make their hobby more pleasant (and professional).  But most of all, we (me and 80 students) had a ton of laughs, recovered a disaster or two and finished 160 projects in two days.  Of course, none of that would have been possible without the gorgeous Quiltique setting, competent staff (thanks Lynne and Kay!) and Bernina 630 machines.  A recipe for success!

I'm just back from meeting 165 lovely embroiderers in Sarasota at Sew Worth It's Love of Sewing event.  Wow - talk about a successful event.  Sue Goldberg owner of Sew Worth It, really knows how to put on a first class event.  Attendees were treated to hands-on classes, lectures from Nancy Zieman and me, great food and the use of Baby Lock's top-of-the-line machines.  They went away with a wealth of knowledge for their favorite hobby and all were inspired to get home and get stitching! Wow - that was Sew Worth It.

I love meeting fellow embroiderers and am happy to go on the road to share my embroidery experience.  But truly, I'm a home-body (you wouldn't know it from my frequent-flier miles) so I'm really looking forward to hosting the Texas Sew Down in April in Grapevine, TX.  We're busy taking care of tons of details, right down to some Country Western music!  I just learned Nancy Zieman's son, Tom, is joining us.  This is a special year for Nancy and I as we are both preparing our youngest children to graduate high school this spring and launch them off to college in August.  My son, Ted, will also be on hand at the Texas Sew Down to well, lend us a hand!  Good to have two strong young men to help with this event because we're expecting lots of happy embroiderers to join us. 

We've been busy planning the presentations and recently made a call to our writers to send some of our readers' favorite garments from the pages of Designs for the fashion show.  If you've never attended one of my fashion shows, you might be surprised to learn how educational it is.  I share my embroidery expertise as I critique each garment and discuss stabilizers, placement, color and thread selection.  This 60-minute review will help you plan your own garments with confidence.

After a fine Texas-style meal, Nancy will take you behind the scenes of the Sewing with Nancy® television show. With over 25 years of television production under her belt, Nancy has some hysterical stories.  Imagine the funny stories you've collected in 25 years in your own life - add the pressure of television, guests' unknown talents (or lack of) and severe Wisconsin winters. That's definitely a recipe for a disaster or two!  Of course, all of this is presented by Nancy in her charming, down-to-earth, humble style.  And that's just Friday night!