Some of my crafting

[Roadweaver]

Yes, I watch Martha Pullen's show on tv whenever I can. i am not a heirloom sewer but I love what she can do with a needle and a sewing machine.

[Getupngo]

Absolutely GORGEOUS work. You are SO talented.

The mention of weaving reminds me of the time I met a full-timing couple at a Space Elevator competition, in which teams of engineers from the likes of MIT and Cal Tech compete with more home-grown inventors to create early versions of cables and climbing machines that could be used to send an elevator into space. The wife -- a master weaver -- began talking to the MIT team, which was developing a carbon-based cable using nanotechology. She asked, "How do you control how many twists per inch?" They said they were using a screwdriver to twist the tiny fibers. So she pulled out her low-tech loom and used some of the nanofibers to demonstrate for these high-tech geniuses how to produce a better quality cable.

A long way of saying that people bring those things that are important to them.

[Roadweaver]

I went to the Original Sewing expo in Chantilly, VA this past week. I took two classes, How to use a Shiva Paint stiks and another one silk screening using a screen stencil type product. I went on line, printed out my zodiac sign, traced it on freezer paper, cut it out so I could use as a mask. I did this on one of my night shirts using the paint stiks.

now I am ready to play. I want to make some throw pillows for the bed and some kind of wall hanging for bathroom.

This is a picture of the silk screen I did on upholstery silk to make a pillow or wall hanging. The only thing is I will not be using it because it will not go with my decor.

[BirdbyBird]

But...someone will have a use for it. Years ago my aunt had her own shop after she retired and she said the one tip someone had given her was to make different things.....because people's likes can be so different. You are one lady who will never wonder what to do with her time while traveling...

[Dawn309]

Beautiful! I bet you know someone who uses Oriental decor who could use that as a throw pillow or wall hanging for Christmas. I want to got to classes along the road too. Will have to see how that goes with Mom's travel schedule. This is a great opportunity to learn more than just the basics, which is where I am with most of my crafting.

[Roadweaver]

Dawn, if you get to the east coast, I love going to the John C Campbell Folk school to take classes. It is in NC and has a campground. I am almost excited about the possibility of taking classes there in my RV. There are so many events and such around the country that if i had the money, I would take classes all the time. It does not help that I am interested in most everything.

[Dawn309]

Thanks, we will probably stay someplace in NC on the way up the East Coast next Spring so I will definitely check that out. I will have to find out what is available when when the time gets closer and I know more about where we will be.

[longdog2]

Dawn, I was hoping that Alice from Panama City Beach might pop on here. I'm sure I remember her talking about some classes she has gone to that were held in a state park. She takes her motorhome there.

[Dawn309]

Colleen, that is something I will definitely be checking out when we make our way up the East Coast next Spring. Since we have to stay at least a week or two everywhere for Mom's legs and our finances, I will be searching the internet to see what classes I can find in the areas we will be stopping at. Would be great to take lessons and learn more about all the crafts I enjoy. Anxious to get to new levels. Have never had time for any of that before. The craft websites I belong to are always advertising classes in various areas.

[bluepinecones]

Think Alice is dealing with some new health issues now. Just in case she doesn't see this and respond, here is something she posted last year :

"Craft Retreats and RV fun combined
by AliceM » Sat Jul 30, 2011 7:41 am

A few years ago, I stumbled across online information about a cross stitch (needlework) retreat being held at Silver River State Park in Ocala, Florida. I emailed and asked if it was ok if I stayed in the rv section of the park instead of the cabins but still attend the retreat. They said sure.. and I have been doing it every year since.

Recently, I discovered that there is a cross stitch retreat in Kentucky at a state park in November. I had huge hopes of doing the same thing... but found out that the park closed the rv section on November 1st and kept only the lodges open during the winter. I'm still going but not in my rv. Will take the camper van instead. I don't own a "regular" car.

[longdog2]

Thanks! That is what she was telling me about. I think she goes every year.

[Dawn309]

Great! Thanks y'all

[Roadweaver]

Dawn, as you know, I travel for my job and spend more time in hotel rooms than at home. Taking classes is very difficult to impossible unless I take vacation. What I find works for me is videos. I have my own private class in things that I like or want to learn anytime I want. I try to get the videos as a download so that I do not worry about a connection. My favorite video classes is from Interweavestore.com and the online classes from http://www.craftsy.com/

[Dawn309]

I am on the email list for Craftsy.com. I use that sight a lot for new ideas. Haven't downloaded any videos yet though. Will have to do that. I also use UTube for different things.