Much needed Birthday Weekend Getaway!!

This weekend, my husband took me away for a much needed gateway to celebrate my birthday.. It just so happens that Lancaster, PA was having a Quilt Week so we decided to make plans to fill the whole weekend in Lancaster. There were multiple events being offered during the week for all those sewing and quilt lovers.  Two major events: the Lancaster Quilt Show and the American Quilt Socity QuiltWeek.

I decided to attend the Lancaster Quilt Show because it was more quaint with local vendors and they offered a class to make a quilted bag :-)
This show was smaller than I thought it was going to be but it turned out that they had to split the show into two locations.  The main location is in the Expo center of the Host Resort which had the quilt display, the vendors and the classrooms. 

The second location was across the street at the Continental Inn.  This is where the rest of the vendors was situated, you can find vendors in every possible nook and crany of the Inn. Every were you turn there was another section to explore. They also had quilts hanging through out the Inn on display.  This is the view from the entrance of the Quilt Mall

Lancaster Quilt Show - Quilt Mall

The class I signed up for was called "Terrific Tote" taught by Stephanie Farrell.  She walked us through how to make this bag.. Look how great this bag turned out.. only took me 4 hours to make. :-)
It has an cellphone pocket on the front side, two big pockets on the inside and a magnetic closure.  The bag wasn't so hard to make but the next time, I would chose my own colors..

Stephanie is the owner of Country Stitchin in Cambridge Springs, PA.   Stephanie has a great easy going personality, very patient and made the class really fun. Four hours of class zoomed so quickly with all the chatting the class did.  So if you ever get a chance to take a class with Stephanie, you'll be in for a treat.  Also if you want a class to improve your longarm skills, her husband Dusty is a pro.. check out some of his youtube videos; the free motion glow in the dark video looks very cool.
They had one of their quilts on display at the show.  Look at the details of this quilt.

Then to end the weekend, we bought tickets to Sight and Sound Theatre to watch NOAH.  For those who have never watched a show at Sight and Sound Theatre, you have to try it at least once.  It's like watching the bible come to life but broadway style.  The music and characters bring the story come to life right before your eyes.  This particular show about Noah's life as he builds the Ark was truly amazing.  They used live animals as well as life-like animals as Noah filled the Ark but at times you can't tell which animal was real vs the fake ones.. It was pretty cool the way they made you feel as you were inside the Ark with Noah.  Noah is only playing Mar 9-Dec 30 2013 so don't wait, the seats go quickly. It's a must see for all ages.

~~Words of Encouragement~~
For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink,
But of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Romans 14:17 (NLT)

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)