www.sewexpo.com Issue 8, May/June 2008
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Dear Sewing Sisters,
What are the
speakers doing when they’re not working at EXPO? I decided to
call a couple of them – and my question was basically, “What do you
have planned for your summer
vacation?” Debra Justice lives in beautiful Abbotsford, Canada. Her business, Labours of Love – keeps her busy year-round. Labours of Love began as a catalog business 18 years ago, and Debra was one of the first entrepreneurs to see the potential of internet sales. Her website is: www.laboursoflove.com.
Rita: Our readers are all Puyallup EXPO customers. They wonder what their favorite speakers do in the summer.
Debra: Well, thankfully I
do business all year long. But it does slow down in the summer
with customers enjoying the outdoors wherever they live. It's
a good time for me to contact new suppliers, publishers, pattern
makers, and see what’s new. I’m always on the lookout for
merchandise or products that will be fun for my customer. I
try to squeeze in a summer vacation with my son Spencer for a few
weeks either to Hawaii or
Mexico.
Rita: What’s your typical summer day, Debra?
Debra: I get up, grab a coffee, and head for the gym before I can change my mind. I come home and get ready for the day, and walk into my home office to take care of emails and orders. My summer afternoon revolves around my son Spencer’s tennis and swim schedule and any day trips and play dates that he has planned. I call myself a full time mom with a part time job in the summer months. It works out great. I like to garden in the afternoon occasionally, and like to sew in the evening. I'm one of those night time sewers...
Rita: What kind of sewing have you done lately?
Debra: One of my favorite projects was a yoga mat that I made as a gift for my son Tayler’s girlfriend, Alison. I also had lots of fun making the Church Ladies’ Apron by Mary Mulari for my Mom for Mother's Day. I had made her one for Christmas and she pretty much ordered up a new one she loved it so much. My next project is a new heirloom nightie for summer from my own pattern, in aqua green with ecru lace. You can see that pattern at: http://www.laboursoflove.com/p2694.htm.
Rita: Have you started to think about what class you’ll be teaching at next year’s EXPO?
Debra: No, not yet, but
soon. We have just finished our spring line up of shows so
it's been pretty busy around here When I garden and it’s quiet
I do a lot of thinking about what classes to teach, what techniques
would be fun, and how to tie it all together in a class that can be
presented and understood. I like to think of cute titles,
handouts, products to sell – my mind just
wanders – I guess
that's creative
thinking!
Rita: So, what’s your typical summer day?
Luveta: Is it summer? We had a blizzard on April 4 – 19 inches of snow and 60 mph winds. My husband and I worked all night in that miserable cold to save seven newborn calves.
Rita: Okay, so when it’s not snowing in April, what do you do in the summer?
Luveta: I always set aside one week to clean my warehouse and restock merchandise.
Rita: Is that a big job?
Luveta: YOU HAVE NO IDEA! I
bring my entire family together. My sister Danna comes all the
way from Alaska, and my sister Tracy and my brother Boots always
help too. My warehouse is near my Mother, so she cooks for us
every day. Everybody works hard – doing inventory, stuffing
patterns, packaging books and product. I could never do this
without my family – and I know how blessed I
am...
Rita: Do you travel or teach during the summer?
Luveta: OH YES! I do festivals and State Fairs. In May I taught at Nancy’s Notions “Sewing Weekend” in Beaver Damn, Wisconsin (http://www.nancysnotions.com/). They run buses from the warehouse to various church basements or school auditoriums all over town. It’s a blast!
Rita: Anything new you want to share?
Luveta: Right now, I’m designing
projects for the “Denim Reconstruction Zone” which will be a
hands-on sewing experience at the American Sewing Expo in Novi,
Michigan (http://www.americansewingexpo.com/).
I developed several new techniques for some very nifty quick gift
ideas from recycled
jeans. |
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For me – one of my favorite events every May is the “Ebony Fashion Fair.” Davenport, Iowa is the last stop in their nine month traveling schedule. This fabulous style show travels all over America – YOU SHOULD GO (www.ebonyfashionfair.com). The garments are absolutely incredible, and I get so much inspiration it lasts all year long. Remember the t-shirt fringed jacket I wore during the “Friday Night LIVE” event last year? That was inspired by Ebony Fashion Fair (Although they would use feathers, mink and real leather – believe me – THERE ARE NO T-SHIRTS in this style show!). Fashion Fair has live music and a laser light show – it is the best style show you will ever attend. It is non-stop edgy high fashion, with 12 gorgeous models (One is plus size!).
When it comes to my own
wardrobe, I’ve been stuck on the “Black and White” color train for
nearly a year. Fashion Fair had a white skirt with black
squares (open in the center) of various sizes – but the large
geometric shapes were only on the front of the skirt. When you
see me wearing that outfit next year at Expo, you’ll know where I
got my inspiration. |
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Support Your Local Public TV – and Our Sponsor!
Hey, I hope you’re having a wonderful summer! As a reminder to those of you who live in the KBTC-TV viewing area, KBTC helped sponsor our “Friday Night LIVE” special event with Sue Hausmann, Nancy Cornwell, and Martha Pullen. You are very fortunate to have a public television station that supports sewing. Here’s their AWESOME Saturday morning schedule:
8:00 America Quilts Creatively 8:30 Quilting Arts 9:00 Kaye’s Quilting Friends 9:30 Lap Quilting with Georgia Bonesteel 10:00 Sewing with Nancy 10:30 America Sews with Sue Hausmann 11:00 Martha’s Sewing Room 11:30 Fons & Porter’s Love of Quilting
Please continue to support
KBTC. Even if you can’t afford to make a pledge or become a
subscriber at this time, be sure to send them an e-mail to let them
know how much you enjoy the Saturday Morning Sewing Shows!
(www.kbtc.org) |
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Next year – 2009 – will be the 25th Anniversary for the Puyallup Sewing & Stitchery EXPO!
Wow. It’s going to be fun to plan our VERY SPECIAL EVENTS for this milestone year. What can we do to make it an extra-special celebration for you? What would you like to see for entertainment? Rumor has it that Marie Osmond just signed a contract with one of the big sewing machine companies. I’ll try to confirm that gossip in the next issue. Wouldn’t it be cool to bring Marie to Puyallup? She could sing, dance AND show some of her mother’s quilts. Awesome, eh?
Nancy Zieman is also celebrating her 25th Anniversary in the sewing business. She once got together with my best friend, Mary Mulari, to present a hysterical program that even involved a jazz band. Hmmm… Maybe we can talk them into bringing that act to our big 2009 party in Puyallup!
And – hey – while we’re at it – what kind of commemorative souvenirs would you enjoy? We’re open to all ideas – send them along and we’ll keep you posted.
Keep up the good work, my sewing sisters. Remember the motto, “Each One Teach One.” We want to help the next generation embrace this hobby we love.
Best, Rita Farro |
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