Cluck and Gobble

Blog: 11-29-09

Fandango to Balboa Park:

Fandangos are always exciting to me. You never know what is going to happen. You really can't plan everything down to the "nth" degree. And so when I got up at 6 AM, and saw that the weather was going to factor into the day, I was not surprised.

The 19th century couture was phenomenal at the San Diego Historical Museum. Our Docent, Gabe was very very knowledgeable. But with a group do fashion students, we stumped him a couple of times. The retrospective was from roughly 1865 through 2009. Yes we saw 60's (?) "original space wear" made of polyester knit, a dark maroon wedding 2 piece dress from the 19th century that was very inspiring with all its attention to the bustle. We saw a few gowns built for the EARLY 20th century S-Curve corset. (Thank God this gave way to the bra!!! Although in this day and age, I see many women who have built in S-curvatures to their spines with lots of padding.) You could see how couture repeats itself in cycles. You could see how the female human form grew taller over the years. (Better nutrition.) My favorite 2 pieces were full of beading. I LOVED the 20's beaded flapper dress. By that time, women were supposed to have the "boy" shape and bound their bosoms. AND the Halston chiffon pants outfit (2003?) which was a very simple design that had bugle beads sewn in pin stripes that depicted where the seams could have been. When you looked closer, you saw that the hand beading really depicted a design. Even the pants were pinstriped with bugle beads. The pants were the only part of this couture piece that was lined.

Stacy won the raffle of 2 free guest passes to the Museum of Art!!! Of course, the Prado Restaurant was elegant. And the pricing was high. BUT it was worth it. We needed to sit down after walking for a couple of hours.

Next we headed over to the Museum of Art and the Calder Jewelry exhibit. From the work displayed, you could tell he adored his wife. The small group I was with just couldn't make it to the 2 PM docent tour. All the walking made us want to sit, chat, and have Diet Coke, etc. There WAS a 2 PM docent tour. Some students went on it. I can't wait to hear what they have to say NEXT week in class. We went on to see the Picasso, Miro, and Calder exhibit across the main hall. Of course, after seeing Calder's lithographs, I realized I was wrong. My brother's family owns a small Marc Chagall, not a Calder. The styles were just not the same.

After a fabulous day, it was hard to go back to reality, and buy groceries. There will ALWAYS be another fandango. I signed up for upcoming emails concerning what will be displayed at the San Diego Historical Museum.

Next Week's Classes:

11/30 Monday's Basic Sewing Course: We will have a demo on the care and feeding of Straight Stitch Sewing Machines……How do you learn to control these machines?....The Basic Seams…… Be patient and get the help you need. I do not leave until everyone is helped.

A few students in this class still need to take the Industrial Sewing Machine Exam. Those of you who have finished your final project need to let me take a picture of you and the project. They are turning out very cute. NOTE: Without the exam AND the final project I can not issue the WCC room 209 industrial certification.

*******As you do your holiday shopping, please check out the 2009 Holiday Barbie!!!! She is wearing open tucks over her bust!!!!

12/2 Wednesday's Master Pattern Course: We are still sewing up and fine tuning our muslin toiles. This is a process. This is where all the corrections take place. Making a master pattern, no matter whose book you use, always comes down to this. I am sure if you don't like Lori Knowles, you won't like Handford, Hollen or Armstrong. You are NOT alone. I find I like pieces from every patternmaking book I read. I can never find one that does everything that I want it to.

12/3 Thursday's Basic Sewing Course: We will have a demo on Sequins, patches, trims and beads sewn on by hand. Join and do this with me. We will be using 8 ½ x 11 interfaced and sandwiched fabric. Be patient and get the help you need. I do not leave until everyone is helped.

12/4 Friday's Machine Embroidery Course: This class asked me to bring my historical silk boned hand-sewn bodice, machined bloomers, and 1950 nylon not-sexy women's underwear. IF ANYONE IN MY OTHER CLASSES WOULD LIKE TO SEE THESE ITEMS, JUST ASK ME. This is the final week we will be doing clocks. Don't worry; I still have mine to finish also. A Public THANK YOU for all of you who shared with the class! Here are the websites that were mentioned in class:

www.sewingmachinefeet.com/dry_cover_up.html
http://kieffersfabrics.com/

Lynn, from my Monday Night class, gave me an article about Embroidery being a BEST BUY for a gift. If you want to read the article, just ask me.

News of the Day:

Irina won this Project Runway. Any comments? The next season of Project Runway has a start date of January 14th, 2010 on Cox Channel 38, the Lifetime Network. Concerning the program: This was sent to me from Judy:
Tim Gunn: On the 'Runway'
--------------------
He's the pin that holds 'Project Runway' together.

To employ catchphrases from two Teutonic giants -- Heidi Klum and Arnold Schwarzenegger -- Lifetime TV's "Project Runway," which wraps up its season this coming week, has bid auf Wiederauf Wiedersehen to Los Angeles for now. But it'll be back.

The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-morrison14-2009nov14,0,5198260.column

For all of you who are looking for whiter teeth click here: http://www.consumertipsweekly.com/index.php?ntrk=TEWBRW

You gotta see this video!!!! It's all about a diamond bra.
http://video.forbes.com/fvn/lifestyle/victorias-secret?partner=popvideo

Remember that the holidays are dangerous for pets. Place holiday plants high off the ground. Christmas Poinsettias, Christmas Greens, etc. can be toxic to pets. Don't let your pet drink from the Christmas Tree Bowl. Parties and loud noise can frighten pets. Put them in a safe place for the party. Table scraps are not good for pets. Chocolate can be fatal!!!
Pussy cats LOVE to be warmed by Menorahs, or other holiday candles. Don't let them get too close. Glass ornaments, package ribbons, and glitter can cause gastric problems. (Ask me how I know about getting ex-rays in the middle of the night. Thank God for the Broadway Animal Hospital of El Cajon!!!!) Keep your beloved pets safe for the season.

From: David UmstotSent: Tue 11/24/2009 12:02 PMSubject: H1N1 Pandemic Planning Group Communication - Student Vaccination To Proceed Starting December 1st

This past week the San Diego Community College District received more than 12,000 doses of H1N1 vaccine for immunizing our students. This will enable us to initiate the student immunization campaign that we have been planning for the past two months. As a reminder, much of our student population is categorized as Tier 1 with respect to the groups highest at risk from infection. The first student immunization clinic is scheduled for Tuesday, 1 December, at Mesa College H117-118. Students will be able to be immunized through Friday, 4 December at Mesa. Subsequent student immunization clinics are currently scheduled at:
City College on Monday, 8 December through Wednesday, 10 December in the Cafeteria,
Miramar College, Wednesday, 10 December through Friday, 12 December at the Cafe (D-200) Building, CE West City, Monday, 14 December, CE Mid City, Tuesday, 15 December, and CE ECC, Wednesday, 16 December.

Further details on times of clinic operation will be sent directly to our students. We will be communicating with students via email this week and communicating more broadly with posters and other informational material upon their return from the Thanksgiving break.
We still do not have a firm forecast when we can anticipate H1N1 vaccines for employees. A separate communication is forthcoming on this topic from Kim Myers.

Student Contributions:

1. This first offer is from Darin Anderson, President of http://www.embroidery.com/. Looks Great to me!!!!!!

Help Embroidery.com support your local, independent embroidery store and earn FREE Hemingworth products! Here's how it works:
A. Shop at your favorite embroidery store (must be independently owned, no chain stores) and purchase $50 worth of product.
B. Have the store fill out this proof of purchase form.
C. Fax, email, or mail us a copy of your receipt with the proof of purchase form.
D. We will send you a sewprize # for your free Hemingworth product(s).

This "Black Friday" and throughout the holidays, http://www.embroidery.com/ is proud to support the businesses in your neighborhood. So fire up that embroidery machine and have fun shopping—while earning great rewards from http://www.embroidery.com/ !
Happy Shopping!
* Purchases must be made between November 24, 2009 and December 10, 2009. Faxed forms must be received by December 12, 2009. Qualifying amount must be from one receipt and from a local independent store. One offer per customer, U.S. purchases only.

2. From: John
Sent: Monday, November 23, 2009 12:34 PMTo: Joan McKenna;
Subject: Please vote for my dog!!!!!

We entered a photo of our dog into a Hallmark contest.
Please vote for us at this web site:
http://hhofdogcontest.com/dogs/bart-hoff-nov-23
Thanks!!!

John

3. From: Darlene
Sent: Sat 11/21/2009 10:44 PMTo: Joan McKenna
Subject: AccuQuilt Contest
AccuQuilt has created a fun giveaway contest for a $100 gift certificate for AccuQuilt products. And the fun is all associated with the theme of "what was your worst gift."

For more info on this contest: http://sewcalgalcontestinfo.blogspot.com/2009/11/worst-gift-contest-win-100-accuquilt.html

4. From: Hesser, Luvia Y. [mailto:LHesser@Volt.com] Sent: Wed 11/18/2009 11:05 AMTo: Joan McKennaSubject: RE: Sewers Needed for Full Time/ Temporary Position
Joan,

I would like to thank you for referring the candidates. The company is seeking some one that has single needle, Industrial machine experience. So if you can think of anyone that may be interested, send them my way. Again thanks for all your help and effort really do appreciate it.

Thank You,
Luvia Hesser
Personnel Assistant, Volt Workforce Solutions 9815 Carroll Canyon Rd. Ste 104 San Diego, CA 92131
lhesser@volt.com t: 858.578.0920 f: 858.695.6920

5. Current Free Designs – Club Stitchitize
November 2008 to October 2009 club designs are available for free until December 31st, 2009.
Click here to see the Club Stitchitize Calendar and visit the monthly pages.

6. Become a volunteer with Broadway Theatre Arts Academy, which is a non profit youth theatre group based out of Escondido/Poway.
Jenny Gillette
Costumer and Musical Directorjennygillete@cox.net 858.451.2300 (but email is the best way to reach me)