I remember back in the early 1990s as a young professional working woman, my fellow co-workers were using handheld computerized calendars to schedule their appointments.  It took me a very long time to get to this point, and it will probably take a little while longer; however, I have definitely moved into this digital age we all live in.  

It all began with the iPhone (second version) I got several years ago, and I am still using it!  I still believe the iPhone was the best thing I ever bought.  Though, I think Apple will eventually force me to upgrade that phone since I cannot put iOS 5 on it or use iCloud.  But I am fine with that.  I also have the original iPad.  We had a slower start to our relationship but now, I love it just as much as my iPhone.  

While I only had the iPhone, I downloaded the Kindle app and would read books on that teeny tiny screen.  Then came along the iPad and WOW!!!  Now I am hooked to digital magazines and love the fact that I can easily subscribe to magazines from around the world.  

Apple's Newsstand app is very nice, but I recently discovered Zinio, which also allows you to read magazines on your computer as well.  I believe Zinio has a lot more magazines and it is a lot easier to navigate to find or browse what you are looking for.  On either of these applications, you can purchase a yearly subscription to magazines or just test out one issue.  Oh, Zinio recently gave me a $25 gift credit just for signing up.  I haven't seen a gift from Apple yet.  The subscription come directly to you, so you don't have to do any extra work to get your new subscription.

So, I began my first digital magazine subscription with Quilting Arts, and I really liked it, but now I will renew my subscription through either Newsstand or Zinio because of the ease of accessing each magazine, especially on the iPad.  So my original subscription to Quilting Arts.  Each time a new magazine is released, Quilting Arts sent me an email message.  I had to visit their site, log-in and download the magazine.  Then I had to save it to iBooks and could easily read it without having to go back to the website and log-in.  The downfall of reading the magazine in iBooks meant that I could not click on an advertiser and visit their site or listen to a recorded interview, etc.

The first magazine I read using Newsstand was the premier Martha Stuart Living and OMG was this ever a beautiful magazine.  So interactive, so entertaining...just wonderful.

After the release of iOS 5 on Apple, the Newsstand app was greatly enhanced and they add new magazines each day.  Now I could get myself into trouble very easily because I scour the new magazines like almost daily to see if there is something that interests me.  This could be very dangerous!!!

There are several quilting and sewing magazines available through either Newsstand and Zinio.  I was quite impressed with how many magazines are published in other countries.  

So, I decided to take my digital experience to another level.  I visited the public library's website and borrowed a downloadable book.  Quite an interesting experience.  I browsed for a book to try out.  Once I found one, I followed the buttons to check out the book.  I had to sign in to my library account and log into my Amazon account, and BOOM!  the book appeared on my iPad instantly!  The downside is that I did not see hardly any sewing or quilting books.  Apparently each library has 'X' amount of digital copies that can be loaned out.  But the same principles apply, you simply put a "hold" request on the book, enter in your email address and you will be notified when your digital book is available for download.  

So this whole digital magazine & book experience makes me wish that I could have all my books available electronically.  Depending on the forum, there are some downsides.  For example, find out if you receive all the content available in the physical magazine.  Generally, there is a disclaimer.  Secondly, if you do get all of that content, will you be able to print out any patterns?  Sometimes you can email a page or open it up in another forum.  I admit I am still learning.

The American Sewing Guild's Notions magazine (which is included in your membership) is also available for digital download and you receive a hard copy in the mail.

I know how much we all love to touch and feel something, but I think the photos are second to none and you can zoom in on them and see many more details.

Have fun ~ Sew Long!

If you are on of my non-sewing friends or a Sewing Friend, I wanted to take a moment today to tell you about the American Sewing Guild and some of the membership perks!  This makes wonderful gift for yourself or for someone you know who enjoys any form of sewing.

First off the American Sewing Guild (ASG) is a national non-profit organization headquartered in Houston, Texas.  Just about every state has an ASG chapter and the larger states may have even more.  Okay, with me so far?  Good!  Then each chapter has what's called Neighborhood Groups.  With your ASG you can attend as many Neighborhood Group meetings as you like and you can attend Neighborhood Groups in other Chapters.  So for example if you live in New York during the summer months and escape to Florida during the winter, you can attend ASG Neighborhood Group meetings in both areas at no additional cost.  Oh, speaking of cost, you initial one year membership costs $50.

Now, if you think $50 sounds a little much, let me tell you about some of the other benefits ASG has to offer.  One of the things us members receive every year is a discount card to JoAnn Fabrics for 10% off your total purchase, including sales items, and you are not limited to just sewing supplies.  Some exclusions do apply like Cricuit, AccuQuilt, etc.  The best strategy is to sign up for the JoAnn flyer that comes out like every 2 weeks.  Ok, so the notions wall may be 50% you go to check out and you receive an additional 10% off of that.  If you follow the sales paper, you will notice some products are on a cycle and are actually on sale regularly.  And, you can use your 10% discount at JoAnns.com too!  

I do believe is supporting my local quilt shops (LQS) and frequent them to purchase good quilting cotton, but I am starting to notice that JoAnns has improved their fabric lines.  We also receive discounts to other online fabric companies that carry a wide range of fabrics from garment to home dec to quilting.  Sometimes these fabrics are not easy to find unless you go to a "garment" district, and we have trips for that too!

That's not all.  Since ASG supports all types of sewers from quilters, home dec, garments, etc., we receive discounts from about 50 other companies and independent businesses as well.  

Every quarter ASG publishes it own magazine called Notions and you receive it in the mail.  You can also read it on your computer or other mobile devices.  This is kind of like our national newsletter and companies/independent businesses advertise even more discounts available to ASG members.  This is also a great way to catch up on what other chapters are doing, and there are some really great articles in Notions as well.  Each Chapter also has their own newsletter and I'm sure the content varies.  I know our newsletter has offers from local businesses.  

ASG on a national wide and chapter wide offer a lot of events for sewers alike.  ASG national has had some amazing trips...like Hong Kong, New York.  There's even a wonderful annual conference held in a different area of the country each year.  My chapter also has 2 biannual retreats, various workshop such as Ann St. Clair bra making workshop, an annual meeting that brings us all together each year.  

One thing I particularly like about ASG is the charity projects.  Each year ASG focuses on a particular charity project for a specific organization.  This year our project focuses on simple blanket for hospice patients, veterans organizations, and newborn infants of needy families.  And, I'm so happy that ASG is encouraging us to support our local organizations rather than a specific part of the country.  If you need dimensions or instructions for making a blanket, that's provided as well.

ASG is even doing several webinars each month.  By now, you should know I am a webinar freak.  The classes last about an hour, they too are recorded so you can watch later (and are accessible) in the members area of the ASG website.  They can cover basic beginner sewing skills (I wish they had this when I was new), inspirational ideas and techniques, and guest presenters ~ who also give ASG members special offers.  And these webinars are fantastic!!  I'm not exaggerating.  I have enjoyed everyone of them.  

You really meet a lot of wonderful people and the friendships last a lifetime.  There are many more perks to an ASG membership.  I just highlighted a few.

So visit the American Sewing Guild website at www.asg.org and download a membership form for Santa or join today.  You can also get information on the various chapters and neighborhood groups.  And, did you already read that I am starting an online neighborhood group soon.  (although I would like to start soon, I definitely should be prepared for something in January).

Have a wonderful day!  ~ Sew Long!

I've been very quiet working behind the scenes, and have some great initiatives for 2012.  

Big big news...Have you heard of the up and coming and fast growing sewing community called SeamedUP?  If not, you need to check them out.  This is the quilters and sewers resource haven.  When you visit their website www.SeamedUP.com, you will see just how much labor has gone into establishing this magnificent community.  You can look up many, many, many books, patterns, notions and fabric.  In addition, it is a community where you can socialize with other sewers and quilters and share/follow what you all are working on.  I'll stop here and let you check them out for yourself.  Click on one of the links.

I had a wonderful meeting with the gals at SeamedUP and we are joining forces to do a fund raiser in the New Year.  Like I said, their website is growing fast (almost too fast), and they need bigger, better, faster computer equipment to help keep this community growing.  Looks like they really found their niche in the sewing community.

Not Your Grandma's Bowl

a licensed Sulky class

In January, I will be doing a webinar to help out.  The dates have been set, but it is still premature to sign up just yet, so I'll make the announcement as soon as I can.

I know I have featured this project in the past in other venues, but part of the behind the scenes work that I have been doing is updating my class presentations & videos.  The new improved version of Not Your Grandma's Bowl will include a super cool technique that you will not want to miss.

It's official, I am a new Neighborhood Group Leader for the Maryland Chapter of the American Sewing Guild.  But, this is not your typical neighborhood group.  All of our meetings will be held online via GoToMeeting.  I am very excited about this new adventure too!  If you are not a member of the American Sewing Guild or know of someone who would enjoy this nationwide organization, a gift membership makes a wonderful gift!!!  And, ASG members have many perks and the membership cost quickly pays for itself.  The rules state that once you are a member of the ASG, you are entitled to join any neighborhood group meetings so...you don't have to live in Maryland to join me.

In the new year, I will also be offering sewing classes at my local community college.  It has been such a pleasure working with the continuing education coordinator.  I will be offering about 10 different sewing classes during the winter semester.  My students from last semester expressed such a desire for activities of this nature, so the college and I are going to work together to bring sewing into our community.

Wishing you all a very safe and happy holiday season!  Until next time ~ Sew Long!

In the Heart of the Woodlands Webinar

Monday, October 24th

10am & 7pm Eastern Time

Cost:  $15.00

to register contact

Attic Treasures

703-490-1536

Even if you cannot make the date or time, you do not want to miss this licensed Sulky class.  Once you register for the class you can always watch it at your convenience.  This time I surprised myself.  As I was creating my presentation/webinar/movies, I discovered a way to take our sewing to the next level by using your computer.  This will change the way you look at your sewing projects, your computer and your printer.  Let's just say I put a whole new twist on digital quilting.  Even if you do a search on the Internet, you will not find a concept like mine.  Don't worry, if you are intimidated by your computer you will be sure to learn even more than you bargain for.  I am very excited about this upcoming webinar and I hope you will join me.  Call Attic Treasures today, because you do not want to miss this.

Sew Fabulous Pinweaving

@

Garrett Community College

Thursdays September 8 - October 13, 2011 (no class September 29th)

6:00pm - 8:00pm

to register call

301-387-3069

I received the 2011 Sulky Teacher Certification after 3 days of intensive training with Diana Gloystein and Sue Moats.  Diane and Sue are both National Educators for Sulky of America and are extremely knowledgeable, talented and lots of fun!  All the ladies in the class were absolutely some the nicest ladies I have ever met.  We had a great time.  I was disappointed that Hurricane Irene had to come and pay us a visit.  The next time, I should stay at the hotel and for an extra night!!!  But, I had a nice time spending time with friends after the classes.

The 2011 Sulky projects are incredible!  You do not want to miss them, so be sure to sign up for My Sewing Friends list.  Now I have lots of UFOs and great videos and webinars to offer.  I think the new classes has a little something for everyone and all skill levels.  There are several projects for quilters at heart too!  If you and/or your best sewing friends are planning a sewing or quilting retreat to the Deep Creek Lake area let me know.  Or, if you and your friends want me to teach a licensed Sulky or Martha Pullen class in your area, we can work something out.

I am offering the webinars to stores only, but all webinars are announced on my website and everyone is welcome to attend.  Download this Certificate of Appreciation and present it to your favorite shop.  When they mention the certificate, they will receive a special offer from me for the Sulky webinars.  Videos of all the Sulky sewing classes will be available in my store (coming soon) as they are ready. 

Sew long!!!

M.

I am so excited to announce that the Sew Fabulous Pinweaving class will first be offered as a live webinar.  On Monday, August 1, 2011, and the cost is only $15.00!  To register for this class contact Attic Treasures at 703-490-1536.

Click to view a beautiful flyer about the Sew Fabulous Pinweaving class. 

If you are not familiar with webinars, you can find more information about webinars, look under the "Webinar" tab. 

I have not made this class available as a download yet.  It will be available after the webinar and it will be priced at $20.00.  So, you can see, this is a great offer. 

Now that I have a couple downloadable classes under my belt, I have become better at the process and have found ways to make it even better for you.  So, I am in the process of revamping the downloadable files.  If you purchased a class, I will notify you when the updates are available so you can download the new files. 

For now, I am gearing up for the success for this new class and webinar.  Not only will webinar attendees have access to the same type of wonderful files I have made available in the past, but there will be even more, including a live recording of the webinar.  So, if something suddenly came up, you can still watch the class and have access to me.  All you need to do is register.  , i

I have a lot to blog about in the coming days, so check back for more information about a way you can enter a drawing and win a very generous package of Sulky products.

I started working on the next class, Sew Fabulous Pinweaving featuring a block taken from Loralie Designs' fabric "Sew Fabulous" collection.  Pictured is the original project I completed in the Sulky Certified Teacher class.  I don't show you the whole image because the dog really ate the bottom portion of my project.  I'll save the details about this project until another day, but for now, I will tell you that this is FUN!  The pinweaving technique is versatile enough that you can apply to a variety of other projects.  It adds so much interest to a project with dimension and texture, and certainly breaks up a mundane background.  People will think you are a magician!  So far, I am changing one little part of the original instructions only because I want to use what is in my stash so I am incorporating ribbon in lieu of the small border around the portrait.  In the meantime, stay tuned for more on this Sew Fabulous project!

This video is now available for download.  In addition, I created a PDF file of screen shots taken from the movie for reference.  This project is a lot of fun to make and I had a great time creating the video as well.  You will really enjoy this class and you will be inspired to make On The Go Travel Trays again!  It is truly a versatile project that can be enjoyed by everyone!  To register, simply send me an email.  I will then send you a PayPal invoice for $20.00.  Upon receipt of your payment, I will send you the link to the special Box.net folder.

See you in class!