Grandy's Fall Sewing Adventure

Hi Ya'll:

Well, I've finally settled down enough to make time to write about my trip to Northwest Florida (Crestview) and the three day sewing retreat featuring Nancy Zieman.  I left home around 10:00 am and just took my time about getting there.  I stopped just outside Mobile, AL at the mall in Spanish Fort and purchased a beautiful sparkly sweater from LBs and two pair of shoes that were 65% off at Dillards.  Then I was on my way after about  90 minutes.  When I got to Pensacola, FL I stopped at the super Joanns and they were having a 40% off sale on just about everything.  I purchased a floral sweater knit for a sweater set and 3 pieces of coordinating linen.  I arrived at my friend's house in Niceville, FL (This is a really cute little town and reflects its name in every way)  around 3:30 and had a really good visit with her and her husband.  Her friend, Joan met me early Thursday morning and I followed her  to the Crestview, FL community center.

The first day's schedule started at 8:00 a.m. and ended at 8:30 p.m.  The second day started at 9:00 and ended at 5:30 and the third day from 9:00 to 3:30 that ended with a drawing of the winner of the Ellisamo Gold Babylock.  Of course you had to attend all three of the days and be present for the drawing.  I didn't win but I had a wonderful time.  I got some one-on-one time with the Evolution trainer and got some critical questions answered like how to end a cover stitch sewn in the "round".

Nancy Zieman was very interesting as well as entertaining.  She autographed her books and graciously took pictures with all who wanted them.  She did an evening presentation the first day and a morning presentation the second day.  I was most interested in her landscape quilting demo and lecture.  The samples were stunning and made me want to learn more about "fussy and messy" cutting, so I purchased the video and booklet.  I also watched many demos on Babylock's top of the line  Elissamo embroidery sewing machine.  Each demo made my mouth water for this machine.  Everything that it does is absolutely fabulous from the self threading to finding the correct spot to restart a design even if it has been un-hooped as well as the camera that insures a straight edge and topstitch.  I'm not into a lot of embroidery but this thing makes you really want to.  So I spent most of my time talking myself out of buying it after all I do have the Viking Designer I.  Of course the Elissamo is still in the back of my mind.  I did, however, purchase  a set of of 16 serger feet with case at a discounted price for my Evolution Serger.

My only complaint is that Ruthie has a  pressure sales technique, which for me was a real turn off.   She also infuses Christian songs and prayer into her programs for opening and lunch.  No complaints from me...the songstress was very very good and the prayers sincere.  I can see how she became the number 1 Babylock dealer in the USA for four or five consecutive years.

In order to get to Florida, the only way I know is to go through the Bankhead tunnel in Mobile, AL and this always causes me a lot of angst.  I always get so stressed but I made it safely through each
time.  I'm going to look at a map and see if there is another way that is not too far out of the way.

My daughter and her family kept the boys and complained about their spoiled attitudes.  I threatened to take them to a boarding kennel on my next out of town venture and their response was ......"OK".  They really get on my nerves talking about my sweet boys.  They just don't understand.