Returned from Martha Pullen School of Art Fashion

Wow, I've been gone a long time again..........  Life does seem to fly by.  Thankfully, no major house disasters this year but we still feel like we are trying to catch up from all the events of the last 18 months. I'm going to try to be more faithful about posting.  I promise!!

Anyway.............

Last week, I was fortunate to attend the School of Art Fashion (SOAF) in Huntsville, AL.  It was a somewhat last minute decision (December as opposed to September registration) because my husband decided maybe he could take care of the children without additional help.  Mind you, our children are weeks shy of 15 years old and 11 years old, and are fairly self-sufficient.  They can feed themselves, bathe themselves, stay home alone for periods of time, and can reasonably be trusted not to burn the house down (Daughter definitely trusted, Son, it's iffy).  However, in previous years, when I have been fortunate to attend the SOAF or SAGA convention, his mother has come up to help take care of the kids.  Other than the occasional weekend workshop where I am only gone for a day or two, he has never done it alone.  Frankly, I was beside myself with glee that for the first time he would truly experience what it is to be the "single" parent when the other is out of town.  I'll fill you in on details in a later post.

I'm still exhausted from the 9 hour drive to and from Huntsville and intense week of stitching.  I'm hoping to get the rest of my sewing stuff and purchases unpacked and put away by this weekend.  I can't wait to write about some of the cool things we stitched or my new "toys".  I love notions!

If you have never been to a Martha Pullen School, you really should try to attend at least once.  Sis Hutchinson and her team of Wonder Women put this school on twice per year, in addition to various teacher licensing and travelling schools.  They (the ladies and the school) are well organized, efficient and simply a fantastic experience.  This was my second time to attend the SOAF and I was not disappointed.   I was able to get into Wendy Schoen's Baby School, as well as two evening preday classes, one with Wendy, one with Kari Mecca (another favorite teacher).

If you have never taken a class with Wendy Schoen, that is also an experience not to be missed.  She is a fantastic teacher, has great instructions, an irreverent dry wit that I love and you just want to drool all over any of her projects because they are so beautiful.

I'll tell the truth though, I was intimidated by Wendy for YEARS!!  Her work seemed too perfect, too advanced for my meager skills.  I finally got up the courage to take some of her classes a few years ago when The Stitchin' Post in Little Rock had her come teach in June 2008.  By a strange twist of events, my bestest buddy and travelling, stitching sister, Melinda, and I ended up staying at the same hotel as Wendy.  So I volunteered to be Wendy's driver while we were there.  I'm so glad I did as it gave me a chance to get to know Wendy outside of a class situation.  She is delightful and a really fascinating person.  Without waxing on like I'm the new head of her fan club, I'll just encourage you to take a class with her on the next opportunity you get.  Soooooooo worth it!

We also had the best teacher's assistant, Linda Burns.  She is so good that Wendy refers to her as a Co-Teacher, not just a helper.  She is the lady in white on the top right of the photo, standing next to Wendy.

This is our impromptu Baby School photo on the steps of the Von Braun Center in Huntsville.  I think most of the ladies were still there and hadn't departed for home already.  We had a great time (at least speaking for myself and the several ladies sitting around me).

My local SAGA chapter, Ozark Foothills, is hosting a workshop with Wendy the weekend of April 8.  I think there are still one or two spots open.  Let me know if you are interested in attending and I'll get you in contact with the registrar.  I sincerely plan to finish at least one of my projects from Wendy's school.   Of course, if you know me at all, I have lots of plans..........

Next time, I'll tell you about Kathy Barnard's Beyond the Basic Bodice class and some of the fun things I bought and did while I was there.  Until then.....

Dare to Sew Lively!
Helen