Marlene the Frog

Last week I was able to spend some time with my sister, Mary Jo.  She was able to move into her newly built house several weeks earlier, but I was not able to be there to help because of my foot surgery.  However while I was there last week, we did the time-consuming and all-important task of moving and setting up her kitchen.  Any woman who has moved knows that this is one of the toughest tasks to do in a new home!  In the midst of the visit, I taught my Introduction to Machine Applique class at Heirlooms Forever in Tupelo, MS.  Since this was my first time to teach post-surgery, I made sure to take one of her barstools to sit on during class!

When I arrived home last week, I had an email from one of my students from the class.  Patricia had sent me pictures of a jumper she had made for her 3-year-old granddaughter after taking the class, and I thought that I would share them with all of you.  I think that she did a wonderful job - especially in doing the applique stitch around the Marlene the Frog's hot pink toenails!  I can only do these in a running stitch!  If you've made something from my patterns and/or appliques, I would love to see a picture of your finished product!

Martha Pullen School of Art Fashion February 2010

For many years, I have been working as a teacher's assistant during the February and July Martha Pullen Schools.  However, the first week of February, I was privileged to teach pre-day classes during the February 2010 School.  On Monday, I taught my Chenille Poncho; Tuesday, I had a full class for Machine Appliqué Techniques; Wednesday, we made the Court Jester Christmas Stocking out of lime green silk dupioni.  Once the School started on Thursday, I was one of the assistants for Kari Mecca.  I always have so much fun meeting the ladies and working at the school.  Don't get me wrong - it is a LOT of work, but I LOVE it! 

Before the School started, my husband Allen and I went over on Sunday to set up my merchandise in the Bernina Hospitality Room.  Robin Parker of Robin's Sewing Shoppe in Birmingham, Alabama was gracious enough to allow me to have one long wall all to myself.  I've included some pictures of our displays.

On Friday night of the School, there is always a fashion show and dinner banquet.  Students, teachers, and assistants can submit projects (e.g., children and adult garments, quilts, etc.) to be modeled during the dinner.  I submitted two garments this time.  The first one is this sweet little dress by Creations by Michie, pattern #131.  The collar has coordinating circles appliquéd around the outer edge.  This technique was one of the techniques that I taught during my Tuesday class.  I also submitted my "monkey outfit".  This pattern is Riley from Bonnie Blue Designs, which I lengthened so that the monkey would fit.  I decided to hang the monkey from the center of an "O" and embroidered "olivia" on top. 

I survived foot surgery!

Well I finally did it!  I had my foot surgery last Friday.  While I knew that I would be off of my feet and not able to move as freely as normal, I really didn't dwell on the "after" portion of surgery!  I just wanted the pain to go away.  I knew from my initial consult with the doctor that I wouldn't be able to put any weight on it for 4 weeks and couldn't drive for at least two, since it is my right foot.  However, I didn't know that I would be in a partial cast at first and wouldn't be able to take any form of shower.  Thank goodness I go to see my doctor today - I expect to feel and look much better once I can wash my hair!

I have adopted Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive!" as my theme song.  I am learning how to navigate around my house on a walker, which has produced many sore muscles.  As a kid, I never understood why my Granddad had to stop for a while when he was going down the hallway - well, I do now!

To be able to have this surgery, I had to clear my teaching schedule for over a month.  My next classes are scheduled for March 19th & 20th.  I hope that between now and then, I will be able to work on new stuff.  I'll keep you posted!

Chenille Poncho Samples

Yippee!! I finished my sample garments for my classes at the Martha Pullen School of Art Fashion! The school is the first week in February, and I will be teaching pre-day classes for the first time. However, I have been a teacher’s assistant for over five years and absolutely love it!  On Monday of the school, I will be teaching students how to make my Chenille Poncho (pattern #104):

I received my fabrics just before Thanksgiving. But with the Holidays, Christmas shopping, and working on my new appliqués, I wasn’t able to start working on these two ponchos until after Christmas.  Nonetheless, I still had them completed by New Year's Eve!

I always love the surprise of seeing what the ponchos look like after they have been washed and dried – sometimes I’m astonished at how different they can be.  To show you what I mean, here are samples of the “before” fabrics for the two ponchos:

Appliqué Construction

Hi!

I really enjoyed having my sister (and her cat, Dusty) visit with me last weekend. Our cat, Ella, wasn't too thrilled about having another cat invade her territory, however. There were some growls and hisses, but they eventually learned to peacefully coexist (for the most part)!

While my sister was here, she helped me make 300 new Ready·Set·Appliqués! When I make these appliqués, I hand-pick the fabric and color combinations, add the fusible web to the fabrics, cut out all of the shapes, lay out the pieces, and then fuse these cute appliqués together for you. All you do is peel the appliqué off of the sheet, place it where you want it, iron it to your appliqué surface, and stitch around the edges.

Jo'D Marie the Pig and Mortimer the Monkey will soon be joining the rest of my Ready·Set·Appliqués on my website.