Hello and Happy New Year! All kinds of good things are going on at
Paganoonoo:
I've accepted an invitation to go to Ohio and
film 3 segments for It's Sew Easy, the nationally
syndicated sewing show. I am honored and thrilled with this opportunity to
newly introduce many stitchers to the concept and benefits of upcycling.
We film in early February and
episodes will air sometime over the summer. I will keep you posted as to
dates. The program is shown on PBS affiliate stations, and also on the
web and their YouTube feed. I've never done TV
before so I'm a bit nervous.
The following week I will also be participating in a TV panel of fiber
artists for a local Santa Cruz show, Step Into Fashion. Air
date TBD. The production is affiliated with a benefit show put on by
Palo Alto Medical Foundation in early April. Paganoonoo will have a
booth, more details to come.
I'm thrilled to have been selected to teach
again. The topic is transforming a unisex t-shirt into a more
feminine silhouette. The class will coincide with the release of
a new pattern, the Ellie Shirt. An example is shown above. It will
also include a trunk show of various other upcycled t-shirts.
It is open for registration now, #2710D
Transform
Your T-shirt with Upcycle Sewing, $20.00
Speaking of pattern releases the long, long overdue Rebecca Shirt Dress will also be released at the expo. Anne and Ellie have been proofing the final
patterns and test sewers are trying out the instructions right now!
Here
are some in-process shots and Rebecca herself modeling the prototype.
 |
| A knee length version of the Rebecca Shirt Dress. Looks great below the knee too! |
Many of you have probably
noticed I’ve not posted much lately. I’m
still working very hard on Paganoonoo but I have spent a considerable amount of
time on my “day job” in medical device regulatory compliance consulting during
the last 6 months (pads the bank account). Our son was married
in out backyard (a wonderful day). And a number of other scheduled shows and
events have kept me on the verge of burnout.
While I would like to think I
am the Energizer Bunny, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, I do in
fact suffer from anxiety and depression (long family history). Most of the time I’m able to productive but
then there are “crash days” (ask my husband). Thanks to family and friends, I have a great
support system that helps pick me up when I’m down and stroke my head when I
need it.
Over the last 6 years, my
best friend has been battling cancer and the fight is just about over. We are very close and
seeing her move towards the end has been painful to watch and I’m very glad her pain will be soon over. She's promised to record some short video clips I can watch when I need a dose of BFF.
Why am I talking about all of
this?? I want to promote transparency
for those in the same kind of battles I’m in.
Knowing I’m going to lose my very dear friend has made me think about my
own future and legacy – I’m still youngish, but you never know. Paganoonoo/upcycling is my passion. I’m
committed to having all stitchers try upcycling at least once, have a
successful experience and add it to their toolkit – together we can make a huge
difference for the planet and each other.
Thank you for your patience and enthusiasm.
I hope to see you in Puyallup. Happy Upcycling!! Michelle
