IPCA Ticket to Paradise Contest

At last year's Sew Expo -- the IPCA (Independent Pattern Company Alliance) launched their sewing challenge -- "Midnight Magic".  I am happy to report that it was a HUGE SUCCESS -- and they are going to DO IT AGAIN...

The 2013 Sewing challenge is called "Ticket to Paradise" -- here's the official announcement...

Here's just the Ticket To Paradise . . . a terrific fashion sewing contest recently announced by the Independent Pattern Company Alliance - IPCA. Winners will be announced March 3, 2013 at the Sewing and Stitchery Expo in Puyallup, WA. Great prizes include a fabulous Baby Lock Symphony sewing machine. The Grand Prize winner will be invited to the International Textile Expo in Las Vegas also in March. Sounds exciting doesn't it!

Here's how to enter:

1. Visit www.patterncompanies.com to discover all the pattern companies included in the contest.
2. Choose a pattern from the IPCA members' pattern collection, then free your imagination using the theme "Ticket to Paradise".
3. Stitch up your garment or outfit using your personal vision of Ticket to Paradise.
4. Submit an entry form with at least 2 photos of your completed entry to the appropriate IPCA member company.
5. Entries are due by January 25, 2013.

Who's the IPCA? Just as the name suggests, these independent designers formed a coalition to promote their creative pattern designs. When you buy a pattern from an IPCA member, you are assured that it has been professionally drafted, professionally graded for multiple sizing and include comprehensive illustrated pattern guides.

The Ticket to Paradise in a great chance to showcase your design and technique skills. 


www.patterncompanies.com

YES that is my real phone number...

So, here I am, sitting in the middle of my Iowa cornfield, minding my own business -- and my cellphone starts ringing. I almost forgot that I put my REAL CELL PHONE number in the October show newsletter. (THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A JOKE, Janet!!)

Anyway -- I have enjoyed with visiting with some of my Sew Expo sewing sisters today! Yes -- it's going to be a great show -- and yes -- I FORGOT to write a new blog post after telling everybody there would be a FRESH POST EVERY MONDAY...yikes...the pickles sound amazing, Ruth -- and I am NOT TIRED of sewing recycled t-shirt dresses, Jan!!

Here's a picture of Nancy Zieman and Steve Jeffery. This summer, Nancy broke her leg. UGH. But I've seen her since then -- and she is FINE, ABSOLUTELY FINE...so not to worry -- she'll be at Sew Expo and she has something very special planned for Friday Night LIVE. Although, I cannot imagine how Babylock is going to top themselves. Last year they gave away FIVE SEWING MACHINES...

This is a random picture of the May Planning Meeting -- a few of the committee chairs discussing the 2013 Sew Expo. Next week I'm going to blog about the BIG CHANGES in our photo policy!! All good news, people!!

Speaking of photos -- This is a picture of our new graphic designer. Andrew did the new design for the e-newsletter. Right now, he's working up the Regisration Brochure. Yes --poor Andrew...he had NO IDEA what he was getting himself into, eh??

Today I got a lot of questions about the Schmetz Blogger's Conference. STAY TUNED, people! Next Monday, I'll blog all about it. (it's only fair, eh?)  Rhonda Pierce is still working out the final details...it's going to be so much fun!!

Sticking with my photo theme...here's a completely pointless random picture of the green lamp I found at the Goodwill store. Awesome, eh??

Thanks for stopping by to read the official Show Blog! 2013 is going to be the BIGGEST SHOW YET...

The Best of the Best

Ann and Joanne have been reviewing HUNDREDS OF APPLICATIONS from speakers for the 2013 Sew Expo. THIS IS SO MUCH FUN. (For me -- not for them, of course.)

It is a tough job to pick the best of the best...and we never know what the "HOT" topic is going to be... Of course, Libby Lehman is always thinking out of the box...I can hardly wait to see what she's proposing for next year...

And our SERGER CLASSES are always huge hits. Candace Jewett came last year even though she was recovering from a surgery...I'm telling you -- our speakers and teachers are the BEST -- and they always go that extra mile...

We are always on the lookout for new speakers AND new products or inventions.  Last year, the new vendor "Sew & Go" provided these rolling cutting tables for the machine classrooms.  Nancy Fosgram was a new vendor -- she brought those great little folding extension tables/ironing boards -- and our attendees embraced that product BIGTIME...I wonder what her new thing will be for 2013?

Trust me -- every designer, writer and sewing star in the country is working on the NEW STUFF THEY'LL BRING TO PUYALLUP...Last year, Dana Bontrager (a member of the IPCA)was part of the new event -- Midnight Magic -- a sewing competition -- which Mary Collen WON...with this stunning work...

Midnight Magic was a huge success -- and next year it will be back -- bigger and better than ever... Oh, yeah -- it's a busy time, people!! MARK YOUR CALENDARS. The 2013 Sew Expo is February 28, March 1-3, 2013...

How To Set Up Your Own Etsy Store

One of the BEST parts of my job is that I get to attend other sewing shows-- because I want to know what's happening out there -- who's hot and what's new.

Recently, I attended the wonderful Wisconsin Quilt Expo in Madison. Of course, it is always a pleasure to see Nancy Zieman -- here she is with Rhonda Pierce of Schmetz Needles. Rhonda and I were in Wisconsin having meetings about the brand new 2013 Schmetz Bloggers Conference (more details to follow)...which is going to take place right BEFORE the 2013 Sewing and Stitchery Expo.

Rhonda was signed up to take a class about setting up YOUR OWN ETSY STORE. Hey -- that's a great idea!! I've been an Etsy customer for years -- maybe I need a store!! I COULD SELL T-SHIRT MAXI DRESSES!!

Angela is the daughter of Char Jorgenson -- Quilting in the Heartland. HEY -- I WONDER IF SHE'LL COME TO PUYALLUP?? What a great class that would be, eh?? I'd better get busy sucking up to her right now...

HEY -- this is Rita Luck if I ever lived it!! Not only is Angela coming to Puyallup -- but I was able to get Ann Sagawa ON THE PHONE -- and she was just putting the finishing touches on the class schedule!! HOLY COW...I AM SO EXCITED. Her class is amazing. She set up an Etsy store because everybody wanted the embroidered hoodies she was making for her daughter's wedding. To make a long (and very interesting) story a little shorter -- she sold over $100,000 worth of merchandise in the next 14 months.....because she CRACKED THE GOOGLE CODE...

AND YES, PEOPLE -- WE HAVE HER. Angela will be a featured teacher at the Schmetz Blogger Conference (more details soon) -- AND she will also be teaching her Etsy class at Sew Expo.

Pacific Fabrics tour

Yes -- I am getting a little full of myself with all these mad filming capabilities. Stephen Spielburg is probably shaking in his boots...

I made several little "videos" -- using my $150 Canon camera -- during my trip back to Puyallup for the 2013 Planning Meeting.

IF YOU LIVE THERE -- you might want to do a little day trip to Pacific Fabrics -- just to take off the edge between now and the 2013 Sew Expo...



Then -- just because I CAN DO IT -- here's a little video of a wonderful Art Show in Davenport, Iowa. The Riverscance. It's a juried art show held very year in September, on a high hill, overlooking the Mississippi River. Listen to the words...



Yes, he's singing about killing his woman...Please don't email me...I already know this random video has absolutely nothing to do with anything.