Put on a hat and join the ladies

 Art League of Lincoln California 

Fashion Show at Historic Beermann's

Leave it to the residents of Lincoln, CA to invent such a fun event --raising money for the "arts" in Lincoln.  I heard about this event on Facebook (who says social media doesn't work) and  invited my Mom to join me for tea to support the Art League of Lincoln.  This fundraiser brought ladies from all over the county for afternoon tea and visual delights.  The ladies were dressed up in hats, boas, gloves and we even saw a few parasols.

We all enjoyed a lovely afternoon in the charming setting of Beermann's Restaurant Ballroom.

www.beermannslincoln.com/


I love this old building, one of the oldest in town.  Lincoln became a recognized town in 1859. Many buildings date back to the 1860-1900s. This particular building was built by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) and the Masons in 1864.  It is a beautiful building with lots of photos, wonderful lighting, moldings and historical details.

The old fashioned downtown area is a great place to shop, walk around and absorb the more than 150 year history of Lincoln.

Art Show

On display on the stage at the event there was a beautiful collection of "art" tea pots from the collection of Ken Underwood.  These were each unique and one of a kind well made pieces of art.

For more information about the Art League of Lincoln,  Lincoln:  www.all4art.net  or call them at 916-543-9669 

Jean Cross the Executive Director of the organization was the emcee of the event.  What a nice job her team did with these artful displays. 

The Art League of Lincoln is a contemporary arts group that focuses on a broad spectrum of the Arts: Clay and Ceramic Arts, Oil Painting and Watercolor, Photography, Needle Arts/Wearable Art, Jewelry, Dance and Theater Arts.

Table Display

The tables were set with an antique book centerpiece.  The pages were fanned out & folded and tea cups with sweet potted flowers.

What a nice group of laddies my Mom and I sat with too.  Everyone there was friendly and engaging.







The fashions modeled were unique and artistic creation by local Wearable Art members who gave us lots of inspiration and ideas.





















Our waiter was a comedian, he was so animated and told us funny quips.  The food was fantastic too!

Fashion Show

The fashion show was marvelous. Sit back and take a look at some of the fashions.  (Please excuse the quality of the photo,  I was quite far away and could not use a flash.)  What lovely outfits these talented women made:

Thank you for checking out my fashion show photos.  I loved the Ballroom venue and want to get back to Beermann's to see the rest of this historic building.  I'm sure it will be fodder for another post, so until next time...Jonelle'

Designer Linda Lee and her "Sewing Workshop"

Meet Linda Lee of the Sewing Workshop 

 Topeka, Kansas 

I have always admired sewing guru  Linda Lee and her many talents.  She is well known in sewing circles for her wonderful patterns, and the place women gather to be creative and share their love of haute couture at "The sewing workshop" It was there many came for inspiration and classes.  The San Francisco store was home to many now famous sewers.  Most all who took classes there enjoyed the quality teaching and materials there.  The store was loved by many in the bay area before it was sold and she moved to Topeka.  Not only is she an author of nearly a dozen quality sewing books, she is also a teacher who travels the country teaching fine sewing techniques, and creative inspiration.  Linda is available for special classes, lectures and sharing her love of sewing for the home and creative clothing. 

Linda's books include:

• Sewing Beautiful Pillows
• Scarves to Make
• Sewing Stylish Home Projects
• Sewing Edges and Corners
• Mastering Miters
• Sew Sensational Pillows
• Designer Home Sewing
• Sew Easy
• Sew Easy Bags
• Sew Easy Scarves

Here Linda is showing us how a pattern is made.  Kathy is putting her last few updates on this pattern that is about to be released.   It is a wonder anyone goes into the pattern making business when you hear how long the process takes and what is involved.

Off the beaten path in the town of Topeka Kansas The Sewing Workshop is tucked inside this antique brick two story building occupying the entire 1st floor (and basement for storage)  Her store is full of beautiful fabrics and notions and garments that provide inspiration and opportunity for creating some distinctive garments. In the front of the store there are sewing machines along one long wall, set up and ready for sewing classes.  were    

 In the front of the Sewing Workshop there is an area set aside for teaching

This is Erin, she is behind the scenes at The Sewing Workshop.  I loved her fresh ideas and sunny take on everything.  She submits articles to magazines and teaches some of the classes.

Here Linda Lee shares a new pattern that they are in the throws of finishing.  We really liked the skirt pattern and it has arrived to market faster than my posting this blog.  http://sewingworkshop.com/shop/new-products?page=shop.browse&category_id=52

This is the Eureka top and skirt.  I am looking at fabric to make this in.  My Mom gets all of Linda's patterns shipped automatically so we got this pattern right away.

I really enjoyed how Linda and company enthusiastically bubbled on about the new patterns they had coming out.  They showed us some inspirational pieces they used when gathering ideas for a new pattern. Linda took us on a tour of her facility where we saw her video's, fabrics, notions, accessories, and racks of made to perfection samples, many which were going out in the mail to stores carrying her patterns as samples.

I really enjoy reading Linda's blog http://sewingworkshop.com/blogs there I find her patterns made up by class attendees and samples by Linda, Erin and Kathy. 

Some of Linda's older patterns were discontinued, and now are offered by a down loadable e pattern.  Kathy talked to us about E patterns and how they work.  They are doing well for those sewers who desire  patterns quickly. 

To download Linda Lee's patterns:

Downloading Sewing Patterns can be fast, easy and convenient. Linda's article offers great tips and tricks to make the downloading process a little easier!
DOWNLOAD -- PRINT -- SEW!
Every pattern company is different. Curious how our ePatterns work? Download our instructions: ePATTERNS-downloadinstructions.pdf.

There are advantages and disadvantages to consider before downloading a sewing pattern. The cost of a pattern download is less than buying a printed pattern. But the best part is the instant gratification: Buy it now and wear it tomorrow. I had to look into this a bit.  This article from Sew News was helpful

http://www.sewnews.com/articles/online_sewing_patterns

-Kathy was working out the latest pattern.  We got a sneak look at the samples – can’t wait until the pattern comes out this month – just my style

Back of store has beautiful fabrics that she collects for inspiration and to make samples of her patterns. These fabrics are for sale on her website too
http://sewingworkshop.com/shop
(Lucky for us!)

Linda recommended stitch magazine.  She showed us the jacket that is featured in the latest Winter 2012 magazine on p.49 sewdaily.com the features rectangle coat  byLinda Lee  Also Fall 2012 featured sewing with knits byLinda Lee
Secrets for mastering this versatile fabric
PLUS: Bonus T-shirt Project!

The three of us went to lunch at noon driving to her favorite Mexican food place.  We have known each other for nearly 20 years so we spent lunch reminiscing about our past projects and people and the good old days of "The Sewing Workshop" when she was in San Francisco.  It was nice to catch up from our last visit when Linda was a speaker at a trunk show in Sacramento.  We hope to see her again in February when we attend the The Sewing and Stitchery Expo is the largest consumer sewing show in America. The 2013 dates are: February 28, March 1-3, 2013, at the Puyallup Fair & Events Center in Puyallup, Washington.  http://www.sewexpo.com/about-expo.htm

Tour of ACCI Gallery, Berkley, CA

A trip to Berkley is not complete

without popping into ACCI Gallery

 

ACCI Gallery is an Arts and Crafts Cooperative that was established in 1957 and is known as one of  the oldest Arts and Crafts Cooperatives on the West Coast.   They sit on the corner of the popular street Shattuck Avenue.  They have a lot of windows letting in great natural light to view the magnitude of outstanding arts and crafts within.  In this gallery you will find unique, one of a kind, handcrafted work of the highest quality and design.

























They feature fine art, and quality crafts including works of ceramics, glass, jewelry, wood, metal, textiles, paintings, photographs, sculptures, and fiber art pieces.  These are photos I took that day of items I’d love in my own home.

ACCI Gallery

1652 Shattuck Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94709

(510) 843-2527

Hours
Monday – Saturday, 11- 6
Sunday, 12 - 5

"Map and Directions"




 


Berkeley California has always been known for their wackiness.  But there is a softer more sophisticated side to this city and nowhere is it more pronounced than at ACCI Galley on Shattuck Avenue. 

Like their Facebook page and follow to see more of what they have to offer:
https://www.facebook.com/ACCIgallery



















Remember a few weeks ago when I talked about Melissa Arnold, textile artist and and inventive creator that taught our scarf felting workshop?  At this gallery where some wonderful felt scarfs, made by another designer that we were able to take a closer look at.  It was nice as my mom and friend Roberta also took the class so we talked about techniques and color and how well made these scarfs were.

 

 

 Tom Chen is by far one of the most creative artisan in the Gallery on this trip.  I loved these clever and very creative paper mache sculptures of dinosaurs, and  imaginary creatures.  There is a lot of work put into each piece and they are also boxes that open up for a special something.  The prices ranges from 145.00 for the small ones to 265.00 for the one I'd love to get Richard. 






You can see some of Tom Chen's work at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Critters-Tom-Chen/

Or his website Website	http://www.curiousdinosaurs.com



hisis the one get Ri