Click here for the BERNINA Sewing Center website       

                                                                                                                                 

September 18-21 took me back to Billings, MT to finish off the second half of their Sewapalooza. Earlier in the year The BERNINA Sewing Center had their first Sewapalooza and they brought me back for the second set of projects. BSC hosts a 2 day event with the same sets being taught both days. The classes are kept fairly small 10-15 people and everyone is provided a sewing machine so they get to make all three projects. A different group of ladies each day. The guests really like that. Doris Holzer and her staff always put on a nice event. There is plenty of time for visiting, shopping and getting to know her guests. She always has a nice catered lunch an we had an afternoon treat of Orange floats! It's always a pleasure to work with Vivien, Mert, Rose, Mary, Cindy, Anthony and the rest of her staff. They are extremely knowledgeable about all things BERNINA. I always love working with her techs Stephan and Larry. They are lightening quick at setting up the room and disassembling it!  


A blast from the past!
Look what I found!




Busy sewists!

 



Anthony tests out the BERNINA
Machine frame for us!

Sewing like Rock stars!

Room service after 2 fun filled days!

 Click here to go to the Meissner website




The Meissner Team

September 11-14 took me to Meissner Sewing in Sacramento, CA. I was lucky enough to have Carrie Wells there as well as the extremely knowledgeable staff of Meissners! Wow do they know their stuff. I think they have more men per capita in that BERNINA dealership than any other in the US! Having 4 techs at our beck and call for the 2 days was amazing! The event was held in store with about 60 people (not just ladies). We did 5 sets excluding sergers. It was nice to have it on site so the ladies could shop during the break. I just love Rob and Tonya, they were so organized and great hosts. Amber their event planner did a fabulous job and I so appreciated the taxi service! It was nice to work with Jennifer again, that girl should be working for BERNINA! What a sweet personality! The entire staff is so knowledgeable about the products and are so pleasant to be around. Loved my stay at Meissners!

 

Tonya and Jennifer

 
 
 

Rock star projects!

Carrie and Sandra know how
to Rock it!

 

Beautiful Bags!









 

 

Click here to visit the US Sewing website

Well it's a tough job but someone had to do it:) I spent August 31-September 8 in Honolulu Hawaii. I was asked to demonstrate the E16 at the Women's EXPO Sept. 4-7. Who can go to Hawaii and not plan a few days to sight see? My hubby was suppose to be in Africa with Heart Beat for Africa, Ghana to be exact so I invited my friend Patti to tag along. His trip was cancelled because of the Ebola outbreak, and Patti said he wasn't getting his bed back, so off we went on a girl's trip! It was beautiful weather and we had such a great time. I attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa my Jr. year of college and had been there once with hubby about 30 years ago. It was so fun to go back. Things have really changed. The traffic is ridicules, I'm surprised the island doesn't sink, and it is so sad to see so many homeless on the island. Patti and I did all of the tourist things, Circle Island tour (lunch on a private island), a Luau, and of course Pearl Harbor (the new visitor's center in amazing), The Iolani Palace and a few museums, as well as several beach days. It's pretty sad when I stayed long enough that the Starbucks guy across the street, knew my name and had my drink ready when I got to the front of the line!

I guess I should talk about the real reason I was suppose to be there! The women's EXPO happens every year and one of the sponsors is US Sew and Vac with 2 locations in Hawaii and several in California. They are a BERNINA and multi line dealer and one of the sponsors of the show. It was not a quilt show or a sewing trade show, so the clientele was much different than what I was used to. It was fun to run the E16 and answer all of the questions everyone had about machine embroidery. I was so impressed with that machine. It had not been run or set up until I got there, that was enough to send me into panic mode. I loaded the software opened the manual and had it running and threaded in 20 minutes! It ran for 5 straight days with no broken thread and no broken needles. I was so impressed on how easy it was to setup, thread and embroider with. The directions were fabulous (great pictures) and of course I had Judy Hahner on speed dial! Michael Rifkin, DM of California and Hawaii, had sent out a pile of large tote bags and they just embroidered beautifully! I love this new machine! Carry the E16 in your store and don't be afraid of it! They come with great education (and Judy)! Raza Ebrahim is the owner of the California and Hawaii stores. What a nice gentleman. He and his staff were such great hosts and so helpful and friendly. They gave away a Bernette every day at 3:00 and boy did that bring the crowds in. He is so personable and the customers love him! Make sure you make it a stop on your next trip to Honolulu! Here is my week in pictures!

Room with a view

Luau girls

Waikiki

Beautiful sunset and pigs in the pits





Perfect gift for my favorite
 (guy) DM!

Pearl Harbor Memorial

Dole Pineapple factory



Lunch Hawaiian style



Beach time

Raza giving away a Bernette!

Winner of the Bernette!




My new friend Tammy
Manager of US Sewing

The Big and Beautiful E16



The E16 in action!