Just got back from 5 days in Huntsville, Alabama. I had a wonderful time and was amazed at the organization and the logistics of the Martha Pullen Staff.I took Wendy Schoen's Baby School. We only had 10 ladies in the class so it was almost like having a private lesson. Now to finish my projects before they become UFO's(Un-Finished Objects)
Every day at lunch they had a drawing for a free sewing machine. I am sorry to say I was not one of the lucky ones, but I did take home a boatload of free gifts.
We received 2 machine embroidery CDs, a small first aide kit, several patterns, a flip out seam ripper (thank goodness we got the first aide kit) a pocket tissue holder, a small notebook with 3 types of post it notes, several pen and pencils, a small zippered bag, a copy of 5 different magazines from Hoffman Media and a tote bag. I am sure I have left out several thing. The best of all was everyone received a framed picture of themselves with Martha Pullen.
If you have never been to one of her schools , the Martha Pullen store is set up at the Von Braun center so while you are sewing and you see a neat gadget that someone has you only have to walk a few feet over to the store and buy it. I had to make sure I still had plenty of money for the teacher's selling night, where I bought even more goodies.
What I really like was the support for all ladies attending. One lady had the light bulb burn out on her sewing machine. Not a problem. The staff notified the appropriate sewing machine dealer and they came in the class room and fixed it.
Another sweet thing about the school was the kids schools. There were so many girls there with their mothers and grandmother.
A really funny thing (besides Martha Pullen's story about buying Spanx) is the red carpet. Most of the ladies were staying at the Embassy Suite which is attached to the Von Braun center by a walkway with red carpet. So at least twice a day everyone walked through the walk way. I saw the hotel staff vacuuming up bits and pieces of dropped threads every day but I think they gave up after the 2nd day. By the end of the 5 days the carpet looked like my sewing room floor! :-)
Oh I almost forgot.....I had a guy in one of the elevators ask me if I was taking a knitting class.... I guess my hand free Wendy Schoen embroidery hoop that I was carrying gave me away (eye roll).
If you ever get a chance I highly recommend the Martha Pullen School of Art Fashion
What a great week it was! I wish I had gotten to meet you in person. My girls and I had a great time and we can't wait to go back. Clare winning the kids sewing machine was the icing on the cake although you should have seen the look on her face when I said she had to let her sister use it also:)
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I heard you scream when she won! :-) My thought were, that is a happy momma who is excited that she doesn't have to share her sewing machine anymore!
ReplyDeleteOh Janet, someday I will go. I love your picture with Martha!! And, you did not tell me about the flip out seam ripper. Did you get hurt?
ReplyDeleteI am blocking my music smocking today. I am seeing all kinds of dumb mistakes I made. I wish you were here to encourage me. Happy sewing today.
I was blessed with the time and opportunity to go last year! I had such a wonderful, busy, busy week! I knew I'd probably never get across country again so I filled every possible moment with additional day and evening classes! I am so glad you went and had such a great time!
ReplyDeleteMartha is so loving and her enthusiasm is contagious! I was lucky enough to see her off and on for a 15 year period when she traveled to our Sewing and Stitchery Expo in Puyallup, WA. She's going to be in my area this fall for the Love of Heirloom Sewing event and I am already counting down the days! :-)
I took Wendy Schoen's evening baby classes and thoroughly enjoyed refining my embroidery skills under her tutelage.
Thanks for sharing your adventure!
Janet, how I wish I could have gone and had a chance to sit and chat with you! I'm so glad you enjoyed the school. When Rett and I went in Feb. 2008, we both had such a good time. The instruction was superb!!
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