Did you ever feel like you were running into barricades as you tried to get something done? That’s what has been happening to me since Christmas. I knew it would be a scramble to get the kits and samples done for classes I will be teaching in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Jan. 31-Feb.4.
I expected that my holiday houseful of family and friends would depart Dec. 26 and I would hit the ground with my feet running. Of course, I was delighted when they stayed later and then with extra coming and going, we had various combinations of grandchildren and families until Jan. 3. It was wonderful and I loved every minute of it. But, uh……now I realllllly would have to scurry.
Then as I began cutting kits for this black eyed Susan towel, I ran out of linen. It should have been easy enough to get more, but my supplier changed the product on me. After multiple phone calls and driving around central Florida to locate a similar fabric, I finally found a suitable substitute for the  last few kits.
In the midst of all this sleuthing for the right linen, my dear, 89 year old aunt was taken to the hospital in very grave condition. She is childless so I have primary responsibility for her care and spent hours and hours in the emergency room with her. After several days, thank God, she stabilized and was released to her assisted living home. Now I was really ready to roll.
But 24 hours later, she was back at the ER, delivered via Evac, and we spent another 6 hours in the emergency room before she was returned to ICU. She is so fragile and so precious to me that I must be there for her. But meanwhile, these kits and projects lurk in the sewing room, calling me…
Oh well, I’ll finish somehow, but I surely won’t have any free time. Shelly has even taken over all the homeschool teaching for Robert and Laurel so I can prepare. I’d better quit whining and finish this post so I can get to the sewing room.
scissor fob favors from previous Sewing at the Beach events
Sewing at the Beach, is one of my favorite teaching venues.  Sponsored by the Stranded Smockers and Stitchers, this is the 18th annual event, offering six full days of classes, as well as three night classes.
This tea towel is one of two projects for my Magic Hem class and what fun I’ve had designing and stitching it. The techniques will not be new to readers of this blog, but  include yo-yo’s by embroidery machine and turn tube hem.
The towel fabric is linen and the hem is cotton gingham. I made up the simple embroidery design, a real stretch of my skimpy skills in this area. The buttons centered in the yo-yo’s are from my “old buttons” button box.
The other class project is a pima cotton pillowcase with a Liberty of London turn tube hem, trimmed with contrasting pima.
intricately beaded scissor fob, a table favor at Sewing at the Beach
If you would like to get 2011 off to a great start, think about joining me in Myrtle Beach. Classes and all events are held at the Hilton Inn right on the ocean. Take an invigorating stroll the beach after lunch or before class. Enjoy a delicious lunch with the group each day in a private dining room overlooking the ocean.
I haven’t looked into all the goody details, but in the past there has always been a sewing related gift for each student at lunch. The group works on these all year long and they are really special. In years past, they have included elegant beaded scissor fobs,  hand stitched needlecases and really sweet embroidered ladybug scissor fobs. One day, a sewing book was placed on each chair. There was a frenzy of trading as handwork fans and machine aficionados swapped their machine sewing books for embroidery texts.
The market is just incredible, with a huge variety of products by a number of vendors. In years past, these have included my favorite Farmhouse Fabrics, sewing machine dealers, machine embroidery designers, teacher tables with specialty items they use and favor. And more, so much more.
For more information about Sewing at the Beach 2011, check out their web site and download the brochure. I’d love to see you there.
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