March/April 2010

Wow! This year seems to be off and running! I love it! I'm having a great time meeting some new faces (to me) and getting acquainted with all of you. My plans are to attend all our Special Events and visit each Neighborhood Group a few times this year. I am always amazed how friendly and helpful each of you are! Creative people are wonderful to be around! It really rubs off: I go home with many ideas and just keep on creating and sewing!

Our Chapter started this year off with our first special event: Shirley Adams!  Saturday, January 30, she shared with us over 200 garments made from only 3 patterns! Her techniques and embellishments are her trademarks. I am making my new wardrobe with her patterns! She has inspired me once again! On Sunday, January 31, we had a hands-on workshop: putting squares of fabric together to make an origami top or jacket . What fun! Shirley is retiring this year, and we are grateful to have had her share her remarkable talents with us one more time.

Our Special Events chair, Brenda Broadbent, has been working diligently on more activities for us this year. Look for them in the upcoming events section. From the Spring Fling in March, to “God bless America” in July, we are going to be a busy chapter with many sewing.

The latest issue of Notions has arrived in your homes. I have had a few phone calls regarding the $10 increase in our annual dues, effective May 1, 2010. The increased dues will be used to offset the additional costs that National is facing for enhanced web capabilities and office cost. They have had no increase in income for the past ten years, despite having to absorb these costs. I know many of you remember when our Notions magazine was black and white! I truly enjoy the color issues we receive today! This is one of many cost factors that we should appreciate.  If you choose, you may renew for up to three years before May 1, 2010.  This can be done on line or send a check into National with your membership number on it.

Our dues come with many discounts and benefits. I urge you to check out www.asg.org. The Special Offers page includes discounts from 10—40% off as well as free admission to sewing events, free product-with purchase, free shipping and more! You can read other chapter newsletters on line as well as ours.  Perhaps you are visiting somewhere; check out a chapter before you go! 

I want to thank Marie Gartley for planning the bus trip to Tampa for the Original Sewing and Quilt Expo on February 18th! This was a sold out event! She filled the bus quickly with 55 of us eagerly ready to buy more fabric, books and take classes!  Thanks Marie for your diligent planning and the fun we all had!!

Helaine Eckstein is gearing up for our next 4-H Camp in June. We had a terrific time last year teaching the youth to sew. This year will be even better! Helaine is looking for volunteers to help. Be sure and read her article, check your calendar and sign up! It was a rewarding experience I will never forget and I look forward to it again this year! 

I appreciate our Chapter and all that we have done during the last 15 years. I cherish each of you and always look forward to our times together. Let’s continue to move into 2010 with the enthusiasm we always have had! Remember to invite that neighbor, friend or relative to the next event!  Let’s keep our Chapter strong and active! Each of us working together as a team can make it happen!!  Happy Creating and Stitching!

Kathleen Heinicke