Goodbye Pittsburgh.. Hello Cincinnati, Ohio

So yesterday was the last and final day of the Original Sewing and Quilting Expo in Pittsburgh. It was a great last day.. I had two more hands on classes and last minute shopping to do before the expo closed out.

Day 3 - Last two classes was very light as compared to the first day. I was able to finish both project in each class :-) The first class was to make a Quilted Cosmetic Bag with Chris Dolinar from Husqvarna Viking. The main attraction for this class was a product called Texture Magic. Just like the name of the product, it will add dimension and texture to any fabric. it's a steam-activated shrinking fabric made of polyester. The fabric shrinks 30% in all directions when steam is applied. You first sew your patterned lines on the fabric with the Texture Magic sheet. Then steam the back side of the sheet and watch the magic happens. If you haven't tried it, it's a must try product.. I'm hooked on Texture Magic, I had to buy some right away in one of the vendor booths right after class.. Go to your local quilt or sew shop and ask for Texture Magic.

The second class was making Gifts in Minutes: Pretty, Practical Projects with Hope Yoder. For those who are not familiar with Hope Yoder, you're in for a treat. She sells fabric button machines. She has different size fabric button machines with different accessories for each size. In the class we made two types of buttons. The small one is a 1 inch button which turned into a keychain and the larger one is a 2.5 inch button which turned into a mirror. Who can resist a mirror especially one that says "Mrs Always Right".. LOL
For these two buttons, we first embroidered the designs on 3 inch gross grain ribbon, cut them out and assembled on the button machines. It was pretty cool and very easy to assemble the buttons. Check out her website and how-to videos. Hope also sells very cute embroidery designs that you can put on the buttons. The second project was to make a tissue holder which was super easy to make. I loved this class because Hope combined piercing, embroidery, sewing and button making all in one class to make these cute gifts..

So that concludes the end of the expo for 2012. I found out that this is the first time the expo is being hosted in Pittsburgh. I guess Pittsburgh was a success since they announced that they were coming back next year. hooray :-)
Read more about the Original Sewing & Quilting Expo.
Part 1: Day 1 & 2 of the expo and Make-it booth with Beth Bradley.
Part 3: My favorite vendors from the expo

With the expo complete, I was going to stay another day to sight see and check out the attractions in Pittsburgh but looking at the weather, there was a heavy storm coming all day Sunday. When I looked at the weather map, it was enough to make changes Sunday's plans and got moving to try to beat the storm.

So left Pittsburgh asap and started our drive down to Cincinnati. As you can see, we still hit parts and piece of the storm as we drove on Sunday. Visibility was poor at times as seen in the picture below.

We made a pit stop in Columbus to attend Sunday morning Church service at Calvary Chapel Columbus. The church folks were very friendly and inviting.. Worship was spirit filled.. Thanks for making us feel welcomed.
We arrived in Cincinnati, Ohio safe and sound.

We're going to visit the Creation Museum.  Has anyone been there before? How did you like it? Any suggestions on what else to do in Cincinnati?

Read more about the Original Sewing & Quilting Expo.  
Part 1: Day 1 & 2 workshops and Make-it booth with Beth Bradley
Part 3: My few of my Favorite vendors at the expo

~~Words of Encouragement~~
I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8 (NLT)

Finally arrived in Pittsburgh

After 6 hours of driving... I have finally arrived in Pittsburgh, PA. Tomorrow is the first day of the Original Sewing & Quilting Expo.. I'm so excited, I don't know if I'll be able to sleep tonight.. I feel like a little kid waiting for Christmas day to arrive :-)
Pittsburgh seems like a very nice place to live. I didn't get a chance to go to the main city area since the expo is in the next town over (Monroeville) but I'll definitely make to sight see after the expo is over.
Trivia Question:
In the past Pittsburgh was know as:
a) Gateway to the West
b) Smoke City
c) Steel City
d) All of the above

If you guested "d", your correct!!!! This town has a rich history, going back to the Native Americans. Can't wait to check it out.
So first stop will be the expo. But after that, there are 10 must see scenic views in Pittsburgh. I think I will have to at least try to hit the first two; Duquesne Incline and the West End Overlook.

More to come over the next few days...

Will I see you at Original Sewing & Quilt Expo in Pittsburgh?

I'm so excited about going to Pittsburgh in a few weeks.. It's going to be the first time going to the Original Sewing & Quilt Expo. Is anyone going there too? Has anyone been there before? What did you like about it? Did you like the classes?

I've signed up for some awesome hands-on classes. There are sooooo many classes that it was hard to narrow down.. And it was hard having to chose between two classes that was offered at the same time :-(
But I've finally got my list of classes picked out and registered for them.. Thank goodness the ones I wanted wasn't full yet.. Don't wait too much longer to sign up if you're still thinking of going.. Classes or not, I think it's going to be an awesome time.
So after long hours of debating, here is my class schedule.

Thursday Aug 2: 

1. Cosmetic Serger-y Workshop with Gail Yellen
   I'm excited with this class because I'll be able to practice using a serger.  I'm trying to decide if I need a serger or not.  I know it's used for finishing edges but there has to be more uses for a serger. So with this hands-on class, it will be a treat to actually use a server and play with it.. How often do use your serger?
2.  Mini Messenger Tote with Kathy Stachowicz
   Another serger class.. :-)  Notice the theme for Thursday classes..  This class will include zippers and cover stitches..  So with a little research, I found that there are two types of sergers.  One can do an overlock stitch and another to do cover stitch..  Most sergers only can do one or the other, but Babylock has one that can do both. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   The Bablylock Evolution can do both overlocking and cover stitch on the same serger.. How cool is that. 
   On top of that, this serger auto tension and the air threading system that looks sooo easy to do.. 
   Hopefully that's the serger I will get to use in this class,
   I can't wait to try it. 
 

Friday Aug 3: 

1. Mitered Corners and Setting Triangles with Nelly Vileikis
   Mitered corners is a technique I'm dying to learn.. I've watch tons of youtube videos but it's not the same as learning it first hand in a class.. I've been dreading to do blankets because I don't know how to put the finishing touch on.. Wish me luck in this class, hopefully I will come out feeling confident to make a mitered corner on my own.
   

Saturday Aug 4: 

1. Quilted Cosmetic Bag with Chris Dolinar
   I'm not too sure what to expect from this class but the description talks about "texture and dimension are the current buzzwords in all kinds of sewing projects. Learn just how easy it is to add texture in your embroidery."  I'm up for texture and dimension in my projects..
   
   
2. Gifts in Minutes: Pretty, Practical Projects with Hope Yoder
   This class is all about binding.. Binding is also another technique which I desperately need help in.  I've tried different binding methods but just can't get a consistent way to get the binding to look straight... is it just me?  Binding can't be that hard to do,  right?  So binding, here I come.. 

5 classes in three days...I'll definitely be super busy during the expo.  But I'm so glad the expo provides the sewing machines for the class, instead of me lugging my machine for a 6 hour drive.. One less thing to worry about and pack..

There is so much more to do in the expo other than the classes, I don't know if I will have time to do everything.  I have squeeze in some time to go to the Make-It Center and meet Beth Bradley from Sew It All and Sew News.. And of course, must make time to walk the aisle of vendors to do some SHOPPING!!!

9 more days to go, I have to start packing...
Is anyone else going to Pittsburgh Sewing & Quilt Expo??    Hope to meeting you all there..

~~Words of Encouragement~~

This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.  Psalm 118:24 (NLT)