So Much to Learn

I spent way more time in town yesterday than planned. I ran in to drop off a check at one of the husband’s suppliers; normally, I pay bills once a month, but he ordered a sizeable number of new concrete forms recently and we wanted to get that invoice off that supplier’s books and ours. While I was in town, I stopped in at the quilt store and visited with Tera. We haven’t seen each other in months. The store was hosting a Claudia Dinnell machine embroidery workshop. Claudia teaches at our store at least a couple of times a year and her classes are always sold out. I think there were close to two dozen women (and their machines) in the classroom yesterday. The store owner wanted to know why I hadn’t signed up for the class—now that I have a machine with an embroidery module—but I have a limit of learning one unfamiliar technique per week. 🤣

Claudia designs huge, involved projects, but she also offers smaller ones. After I figure out how to monogram with the 880, I’ll probably move on to one of Claudia’s less ambitious designs, like these coasters:

I might be ready for one of Claudia’s workshops the next time she comes to Kalispell.

Tera and I caught up and made plans for Sew Expo 2025. She already has it in her calendar. We haven’t traveled together since Sew Expo 2023 and it’s past time for us to take a trip.

I also talked to the store owner and her daughter about upcoming classes. Ashlee, the daughter, is managing the store’s social media accounts and she asked if I could make a video to help promote some of my classes. I have a sneaking suspicion I am going to get dragged into video production, even if I go kicking and screaming. There is a reason the podcast is audio and not video—video production is so much more involved. If I do it properly, it’s going to involve me getting better lighting and finding a place to film. Ashlee wants just a 30-second clip to promote classes, though, so I came home and figured out how to record one on my computer. It only took me half a dozen takes to get one I liked. (Only.) We’ll see if it is what she wants.

I’ve had some requests for video tutorials or a video podcast. I don’t want to do tutorials. If I ever go to video podcasting, that will automatically cut down the number of podcasts per month—probably by half—because of the time it will take me to learn the editing software and do the editing itself.

I sometimes wonder if people think I have staff. I am a solo operation. I am a very organized and productive solo operation, but there is only one of me. Believe me, I wish I could clone myself.

Because I spent more time gadding about yesterday than planned, I really need to buckle down today. I’ve got to complete my Sew Expo class submissions for the approved classes. I have to record next week’s podcast. I need to make more kits for my next thread class. I have to get the job list finalized for the pie social so we can start recruiting volunteers. And I want to start getting classes on the schedule for late 2024 and early 2025.

We’re supposed to get more rain today, so I’ll have an excuse to stay inside and work.