The Material Mama Podcast

Online sewing classes? Post to win one!

Have you taken any online classes?  I have taken some through Big Picture Scrapbooking and relly enjoyed them.  I'm sure i'll take more once my NEW CAMERA ARRIVES!  More on that in an upcoming post.

I got my master's online and upgraded my teaching credential, both of which were tedious and really difficult. I think becuase it was just jumping through hoops, not learning stuff I don't know yet.  In my creative world, I've taken a handful of classes through PatternReview, CraftyPod and a few up in the Pullyap Sewing Convention.

Reading Miss Scarlet's School of Patternless Sewing made me wish there was a more thriving sewing community near me, and a patternless sewing class!  I'd totally take one!  I got a really interesting piece of email today.  I think you'll be really interested, I know I'm signing up!  I love how

“Mary’s Fancy Sash Dress” Online Sewing Class Is the Perfect Solution For DIY Moms, Grandmothers, Aunts and Friends Who Want to Create A Pretty, Age-Appropriate Dress for Their Special Little Girls

In an age where pop culture pushes 2-inch high heels and peek-a-boo slit dresses to toddlers and preteens, Jennifer Paganelli, founder of the thriving Sis Boom fabric line, offers a modest yet, stylish alternative in her new book – Girl’s World: Twenty-One Sewing Projects To Make For Little Girls (Chronicle Books).  Girl’s World’s cover look - “Mary’s Fancy Sash Dress” - caught the eye of Judith Norman, creator and producer of the online sewing video tutorial series, Rick Rack: Thread Therapy for Sewers.  Ms. Norman suggested to Ms. Paganelli the idea of merging online learning with the publication of the “Mary’s Fancy Sash Dress” pattern in Girl’s World as a benefit to the book’s enthusiastic buyers.  The result is Rick Rack: Thread Therapy for Sewers’ “Mary’s Fancy Sash Dress” Online Sewing Class featuring Jennifer Paganelli.  The class launches on May 15, 2011. 

Jennifer Paganelli will be joined in the “Mary’s Fancy Sash Dress” online sewing class by Girl’s World’s pattern maker and sewing expert, Dolin O’Shea.  Students will receive:

(a) an autographed copy of the book, Girl's World: Twenty-One Sewing Projects to Make for Little Girls; (b) a downloadable “Mary's Fancy Sash Dress” how to sew video demonstration; (c) a downloadable project instruction sheet w/step-by-step color photos (PDF); (d) a supply list; (e) access to the student-only Fabric.com Jennifer Paganelli/Girl's World Online Class Store where class supplies (and more) will be available for purchase at 25% off Fabric.com's already low prices; and (f) a 1-hour live chat with Jennifer Paganelli (Dolin O'Shea will join in to answer any sewing questions concerning the class project ).

  The price for the class is $59.  Registration is open now through May 12, 2011 only at www.virtueradionetwork.com/rickrack.htm.

The “Mary’s Fancy Sash Dress” online sewing class marks Jennifer Paganelli’s debut into online learning and she’s excited about the opportunity.  “In a time of social media, folks are really interested in seeing the artist up close and personal.  We love our fans...and love getting to know them.  Also this gives me a way to express the lifestyle use for these inexpensive fabrics.”

According to Rick Rack’s producer, Judith Norman, sewing experience is not required.  “Rick Rack: Thread Therapy for Sewers’ classes feature high quality videos and materials, which are all downloadable.  So, students can complete the class on their own schedule.  Plus, it doesn’t matter if you’re a novice or an advanced sewer; our instructors are extremely knowledgeable and capable of presenting information in a user-friendly manner.  So, by the end of the class, you will know how to complete the project.”

They even sent a poster, you can print it out and share it around your own sewing circles!

I'll be posting a new show next week.  You can reply here (not on Facebook) or on the show post and I'll select one poster to recieve the class for FREE!  Woo Hoo!!!!  I feel it's so important to further our 'cause' as sewistas, so any time you can extend your knowledge or help others enjoy it, we should!

Happy Spring!

Cute ideas!

Hello Friends!

I just got my new computer (Hurray!!!) so I can load a web page in less than ten minutes.  I'm still figuring it out, but have taken the time to also take a look at all the fun crafty blogs I stopped checking out due to loading/crashing issues of my desktop.  I have some things added to my already lenthy "must do this".

First up, I'm making some king sized pillow covers.  I got this duvet set from Pottery Barn.  For some reason it doesn't come with king sized pillow covers OR shams.  I'm digging the Arts and Crafts and mid-century modern look that's finally coming back into vogue.  I'm trying to update the house a bit.  I'm too embarassed to show you the bedspread we had for the last 13 years, but here's what the new one looks like:

Wel on the website anyway.  I'm not super crazy about the white sheets so I bought some vintage looking yellow woven to make matchy pillowcases.

Some other things I've found that make my heart sing:

Shabby Flower Tutorial

I've seen these on purses a lot last year and always liked them.  I may try this method for a purse.  I also really like the center of the flower, I think a bunch of them would look great mounted on a canvas or sewn onto a throw pillow!  All one color or variation of say, white?

I also liked these Felt Rosette Decor Balls from Craftily Ever After.   

I think I'm seeing a pattern, I'm really liking flowers! Come on spring!!!!!

On my reading list:

Each of these books are also available on the Kindle and I think on Audible.com.  I listen to tons of books in the car or out walking or doing laundry so I feel like I read more than I look like I do.

Crafty Chica Kathy Cano-Murillo has written a new book!  All about a blogger and crafting.  What more could you ask? I particularly appreciate that no one in her real life has any respect or notion of what blogging is or why it's an important part of her life. She has a great interview over at CraftyPod and an awesome 'trailer' here.

Miss Scarlet's School of Patternless Sewing

In June, I'm headed to London for a week (and a day on my own in Paris!!) so I'm reading up on Henry and the Tudor Clan. Alison Weir is a wonderful author who puts so much research and humanity into her books. To that end I'm reading the Six Wives of Henry VIII by Alison Weir:

and listening to the The Autobiography of Henry VIII: With Notes by His Fool, Will Somers by Margaret George:

I'll just miss the Royal Wedding so maybe I can get some good deals on tea towels and tea cups with William and Kate on them.  :)

For those of you stuck in the house due to weather or sickies, here's some fun things for you and the kids:

The Best Websites for Stir-Crazy Kids

Cheers!

Sunday thoughts

"Mom, why are you watching the news if it makes you sad?"  Wise words from Melissa (7).  I guess it's an important event, certainly the most covered natural disaster in history so far.  My oldest felt the effects in Santa Cruz, where she goes to college.  The marina was rocked and many boats crushed and sunk. Luckily the college is high in the redwood mountains.

My heart goes out to all the people of Japan.  I'm going to be donating blood next week.  I realize it may or may not go directly there, but it will help shore up supplies.  I look forward to the day when this is all easier/faster to respond to.

In other news, it's still chilly here in Northern California so I'm going to whip together a few long sleeve tee shirts for Mary (9).  Then in the spring I can trim them to short sleeves.  I'll be using the Ottobre pattern, or maybe Burda....

In my ongoing effort to clean out, I'm going to be listing a ton of fabric, a Babylock machine, and a beautiful black leather almost brand new Coach computer bag (from the actual Coach store in The Grove in LA), hopefully this coming week.  Keep an eye out!  I've uploaded them to Picassa but need to price and add the measurements.

Take care all and hug your families on this Sunday.