One of those Weeks…

You know the type, we all have them.  The week where you have some actual down time and lots of anticipation that you’ll actually accomplish something constructive.  It started so well.  I managed to make a second panel for the front pieces for my felted jacket.  I haven’t done a hard press yet, but I love the colors and can’t wait to get to the sleeves.  Someday…

By Wednesday, it was apparent that my week would take a different turn, I had planned to leisurely cut interfacings and pattern paper and package and ship along with handouts and monographs to Peoria, where I’m headed on Thursday, to teach a Garment Construction workshop.  I did manage to do all of that in the space of a few short hours along with tackling the enormous pile of bills and contracts and assorted paperwork, and get everything set to pay automatically at the end of the month, since I was on stand-by, my mom was hospitalized, she lives in Maryland, and my dear sister who also lives in Maryland was having a bit of a week herself, having just had surgery, and as the day progressed, it was clear I was needed there, if nothing else but for moral support.  Because I was in a position to go, and because we drop everything and do that sort of thing for those we love.

So Thursday morning I set out for Maryland, a 3 1/2+ hour drive from NJ, and went directly to see my mom in the hospital.  I will say that she looked great and we had a wonderful visit, which allowed my sister to stay home and continue to recuperate.  Mom had severe complications from the Noro Virus, and would be fine, but there is nothing like that hand holding that we do when we need to…

I stayed with my sister for a couple days, helping where I could, just being there sometimes makes all the difference.  Once mom was safely home from the hospital, I headed on home, and arrived just in time Saturday afternoon to help my husband finish up building the new greenhouse in the garden.  It came as a kit from Harbor Freight, and will help extend the growing season, we hope, by just a little bit.

Though we had plans to gather with my family for Easter Sunday, in light of the events of the previous few days, we all decided that what everyone truly needed was a day to just chill.  So we did.  I planted three flats of pansies, bringing some color into the still leafless gardens, it seems Mother Nature is on vacation and forgot that it is actually spring.  Sigh…

And so I managed to finish weaving the five scarves on the latest run, they are in the wash now, and they will be dried and pressed and tagged and hopefully ready for my trip Thursday.  Mom and my sister are doing well, and hopefully I can fly to Peoria without anymore family issues.

Lest you think this was going to be a short blog post, which I’m constitutionally incapable of producing, I will take some space here to mention that workshop season is soon upon us, and sign ups are happening fast.  For those of you who have wanted to take a Garment Construction intensive with me, there are four opportunities this summer, in various corners of the US, along with a Boot Camp class for those interested in learning all kinds of fiber techniques, weaving, spinning, felting, dyeing, plaiting, Japanese braiding, and anything else I can cram into five days.  That class will be July 5-9 at Peters Valley Craft Center in northwestern NJ, one of my favorite places on earth, and I’m thrilled to be offering it there once again.  The class is designed for beginners, no fiber experience necessary!  Click here for more information.

And then of course there are my Garment Construction Intensives.  Designed to guide you on your journey to improve garment construction skills, this intensive can accomodate all skill levels.  For those who haven’t made a garment with me in a class, we start with my basic jacket pattern.  For everyone else, and repeating students, bring your own agenda.  I have students who have never sewn before, and I have students who are becoming so strong in their garment construction skills that they are now bringing really challenging things to the table, which makes me work even harder. And I have everyone in between.  There are weavers and felters, silk painters, and quilters in my classes.  And of course people who just like fabric.  It is great to see the dynamics between the students, and they all help each other as well.

First off is a five day/optional seven day intensive at Sutherland Handweaving Studio in Asheville NC.  I don’t have to tell you what Asheville, NC looks like in June.  It is a gorgeous area, filled with more fiber artist per square mile than any other place I’ve ever been.  The workshop is June 3-9 and you can get more information about it by emailing or calling Karen Donde at Sutherland.

Next we have Sievers School of Fiber.  I’ve taught this intensive for a number of years now in this location, and it has been so popular that we now offer an extended seven day option for those who really can’t get enough!  Sievers is on an island, accessible by ferry, and one of my most favorite places to teach.  The class runs July 13-18th, the seven day version runs until the 20th.

And then it is back to Peters Valley for another five day intensive, the great thing about Peters Valley is the mix of students, there are many different workshops happening simultaneously, in clay, metals, photography, blacksmithing, and other fine craft topics, and the community there dines together in a beautiful park like setting which is part of the National Park Service.  The class there is August 9-13th and you can find more information here.

Harrisville is a mill town in New Hampshire, just the most picturesque place in New England and in August the most weather friendly place as well.  I’m thrilled to be back teaching my five day intensive August 26-30.  For more information click here.

So, if you’ve wanted to improve your garment construction skills, or actually develop them, please consider a fiber vacation at one of these wonderful locations and join me in a fiber adventure.  Garment construction is what I do best, and my favorite thing to do in life is pass those skills onto others.

And now, my blog post is a satisfactory length, and I’m off to meet with the accountant, and spend the rest of the day steeped in reports and receipts and numbers and my head will blow off, but it has to be done.  The government is broke and I have to do my fair share…

Stay tuned…