The Night Circus, Sewing and Black & White

This posting is going to be my own three ring circus tying these topics together:  The Night Circus, sewing and black and white.  Here's how it all started.  At the suggestion of Nancy, our local librarian, my husband brought home a magical book The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern.  Little did I know how enchanting this good read would be. 

Visual reading is how I describe the story lines in this book.  The descriptions of the characters and the circus with all its unusual and magnetic tents were wonderfully refreshing and real.  I was especially thrilled to find out that . . .

Yes last night the author, Erin Morgenstern, was in my neighborhood to talk about her debut book The Night Circus.  So I grabbed a red scarf - I could not convenience my husband to wear a red scarf, but was happy that he wore a red bow tie - because I am now a "serious" fan of The Night Circus.  Yes, the red scarf has meaning from the story line.  What I learned is that Erin is an artist that writes AND is a writer that is an artist depending on how her creative energies need to express themselves.   The writing of this book started in a November -  sorry don't remember the year - National Novel Writing Month.  In 30 days the challenge was to write 50,000 words - some call this binge writing.  She wrote many vignettes that eventually all wove together especially after 2 years of editing and rewriting.  2 years of rewrites!  What tenacity!   

Years ago as an artist Erin designed tarot cards and challenged herself to using a black and white color scheme which also carried over into the menagerie of circus tents and even some of the characters in her book.   I love the poignancy of black and white and thought you may enjoy a few sewing pics I have taken from various trips:

Let's Go To The Zoo! 

Great Lakes Heritage Quilters Special Exhibit 

American Sewing Expo 2012

Baby Lock Love of Fashion by Designer Joi Mahon

Special Exhibit of Joi's Off-Beat Bridal and Formal Wear

American Sewing Expo 2012

Diane Kroll, Special Exhibit Coordinator

Standing in Front of California Dreaming Exhibit

By Lakes "Sew"Ciety Members

American Sewing Expo 2012

Rita Farro

With Her Newly Treasured Black and White Zebra Corduroy Stash
Nancy Zieman's Quilt Expo 2012

AnyWear Shoe

Comfortable Shoes Worn by Sewist Attending American Sewing Expo 2012

Just like The Night Circus, the inspiration to sew makes no announcement.  We simply must sew, collect fabrics and share our passion.
Sew SCHMETZ!
Rhonda
www.erinmorgenstern.com
www.americansewingexpo.com
www.dressformsdesign.com
www.wiquiltexpo.com

--------------------------------------------------------------- 

Joi of Sewing

Meet Joi Mahon or as she likes to be called Designer Joi.  You may have already seen Joi and her designs featured in Sew It All, Sew News, Wedding Essentials, Threads, Designs in Machine Embroidery to name just a few.  She is a Baby Lock Love of Fashion National Spokes-Designer.  Our paths first crossed in 2009 when she won the Passion for Fashion Live Fashion Design Challenge at the American Sewing Expo in Novi, MI.  Really loved her undercover dress (The "secret agent" design challenge was to integrate a concealed recording device into the dress.) with its playful mix of stripes, polka dots and stripes.

Joi and I most recently met again in March at the Sewing with the Stars Love of Fashion Retreat, organized by Pam Cortese, owner of My Sewing and Vacuum Place in Santa Rosa.  Joi designed a wonderful black lace top that was both sassy and stylish.  Her students were so very pleased to finish their projects in less than half a day.  Part of Joi's class instruction includes SCHMETZ needle education - especially the importance of changing the needle.  Here is a a little clip of Joi talking about the importance of changing the needle.........

You will be seeing more of Joi.  Look for her at sewing shows and for her appearance in an episode of Sew It All TV later this fall on PBS.  Check out Joi's website.......... and remember to change your needle!  
Sew SCHMETZ!
Rhonda

www.designerjoi.com

Sewing With The Stars 2012

Last month I was Sewing With The Stars!  Pam and Luigi Cortese, The Sewing Place in Santa Rosa, CA planned a delightful hands-on sewing retreat at the Double Tree Hotel in Rohnert Park.  SCHMETZ: Get To The Point was my post lunch talk.  Really, there is always someone giggling in the audience who learns that changing a needle really does make a positive difference in quality sewing.

Wish I could have stayed to sew some of the fantastic projects - Joi Mahon's fun lace top, Diane Aholt's travel suit bag.and more.  Take a look at a few pics from just one day.  Everyone loves stitching on their Baby Lock machines! 

Last year when Pam planned this event, I thought visiting sunny California would be a terrific time to vacate cloudy, dreary winter weather in Chicago.  Mother Nature sure has a few tricks up her sleeve.  While I was in CA, Chicago was enjoying sunny 80 degree weather!  Who can figure?  Thanks Pam and Luigi for a delightful event!  Your staff and customers, just cannot be beat!  More pics and video to come! 

Sew SCHMETZ!

Rhonda

www.mysewvacplace.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------