Bernina Lady Newsletter: September 2008

Summer has gone by so fast this year. Labour Day weekend has come and gone. I was surfing the Bernina websites the other day and came across a little video that you all may enjoy. I am unable to watch it because of dial-up internet services but those of you with high speed will be able to see it.

Remember last month I went on and on about Bernina University and the launch of the new 830? You can almost experience what we 900 dealers saw first-hand. If you go to Bernina8series.com you can see the webcast of the launch of the new machine.

If you go to the Bernina Blog, make sure you check out this blog titled Agent 008: The Red Case Caper; this was the little movie we watched to see the President of Bernina of America  steal the new machine from Switzerland. Note the little bit of humor with the Vikings flying the plane. Let me know if the Ruby slippers are at the end of the film - you won’t miss them. Those of you who I’ve spoken to in the last month have heard gales of laughter from me over this little movie. Hope you enjoy.

My new schedule is up on my website now under “on the road.” I am looking forward to seeing you all again. This past year has been remarkable and the support from “my girls” unwavering. It’s been a wonderful way to bring Bernina to you. The support from shop owners has been tremendous and all are welling to help me in this endeavour. Please remember that if you need anything from your local Quilt Shop, just ask. All the owners are more than willing to bring in items that you are requesting. They are there for you as well.

As you are all aware The Cotton Patch closed the end of June. The Cotton Patch was kind enough to host me once a month. I am looking for a new locale in Halifax/Dartmouth area.

Limited Edition “White Pearl”

Bernina has introduced 3300 limited edition White Pearl machines. This is a blinged-up Activa 230. Each machine has been individually hand painted. The Activa machines are wonderful machines to sew with as your full time machine or as your class machine; they have a powerful DC motor and are loaded with features. This machine comes with a compact florescent light (pure white light) which is not normally on the Activa 230. There are more than 70 different feet available for this machine. There is a downloadable white pearl motif and further information available from this site. I was able to get my hands on one of these little gems and it will be coming on the road with me for all to see.

Upcoming Events in Sept.:

I will be in the Arena over the Gala Day events in Berwick on Monday Sept. 1 from 11-5. I will be at Quilts by the Sea in Blockhouse on Sept. 9. Also, Sept. 12 and Sept. 13 will when I’m at Bargain Fabric Outlet in PEI. KVG Quilt Show has allowed me to set up a booth there as well on Sept. 18-20. Works in Progress day will continue on the last Wednesday of each month at Avonport Discount Fabrics. This is your day to come and sit and stitch and enjoy the socialization of quilting while accompolishing something. I will be at Avonport Discount Fabrics again on Sept. 26 to demonstrate Bernina machines and products.

I hope that you had a wonderful summer and that September weather here in the Maritimes will be warm and sunny. Looking forward to seeing you all.

Jeanne, Your Bernina Lady

FOR SALE:

One Hoop It All for Husqvarna Designer SE plus Quilter’s Square Double Wide hoop (allows to embroider for a 12″ finished square block). Please contact Jeanne at 902-538-0026.

Oops…Subscription Glitch

Good morning everyone,
Today is August 9, 2008 and it seems you all received a February 2008 Newsletter. It seems the service we use to distribute the Bernina Lady newsletters had a bit of a hiccup and sent an old post by accident. The last Newsletter that was posted and sent was July 2008. There will be another one the end of this month.

Sorry for the untimely surprise. It’s still summer.

Jeanne
Your Bernina Lady

Change of Dates for Harbour Quilt Company Visit

Seems I have had problems with dates this week.

Would you be so kind as to note that I will be at Harbour Quilt Company on Saturday July 26, 2008 for Kim’s Christmas in July? This will be your chance to drop by and check out what the new 830 is all about!

Sorry for the error.  I posted the incorrect date in my latest blog post.

Too good to be true

Kansas City, Kansas City here I come. Two newsletters in a month.  What is this world coming too?  A few newsworthy items to share with you:

Bernina Celebrate 8!

This is the latest promotion; All the specials and promotions from the Spring is in Bloom sale are continuing as Bernina Celebrate 8! These offers and promotions are only available to Dealers who are attending the launch of the new Bernina 830 at Bernina University in Kansas City.  Your Bernina Lady is really going to Bernina University this year (July 15 to 21).  I am so excited I am practically busting out of my skin. For those of you that have known me over the years you can just imagine how excited I am.  I have packed a lot of classes into the few days that I am there so be prepared to many new ideas.  The Bernina Celebrate 8! Promotion ends July 31, 2008.

You may sign up for the webcast of this new machine launch at the Bernina USA website.  This machine is touted to have 70 exclusive features and the longest extended arm of any home sewing machine.  I can’t wait.

Road Trips Coming Up

The Bernina Lady is New Brunswick bound on July 3 at River Gallery demonstrating the Bernina Products on July 5 and 6.

Sande Gunning, owner of River Gallery and I, are committed to bringing Bernina to New Brunswick.  Sande will now carry a 440 Quilter’s Edition so that you may pop in and see it.  Demo’s are also available.  The 440 Quilter’s Edition is by far the favourite machine for sewers and quilters.  It is nicely priced during the Bernina Celebrate 8 promotion.  The 440 QE is available as a machine only, or as a sewing embroidery machine.  Would you like to add embroidery later on?  This option is available for you.

Sande will also be carrying a small inventory of Bernina feet and accessories to tie you over until the next Bernina Lady visit. I will continue to visit on a routine, scheduled basis. Drop in on either of these two days.  Other machines will be available to view and try and you can see our latest creation: A sweatshirt created with wool and some fancy stitches.  I’ve called it “Bernina meets wool.”  Sande also has some yummy hand-dyed wools which I will attempt to make into a mini needle punched landscape.  It could be interesting to see the final creation.

Incase the next Newsletter is delayed for any reason, I’ll let you know now that I will be at Harbour Quilt Company on July 26 with machines.  Drop by and check out what the new 830 is all about.  Demonstrations will also be available this day.  This is Kim’s annual Christmas in July Event.

Bernina Club Classes are almost over for this semester.  They will resume in September.  These classes are available to all Bernina owners and they are free if you purchase your machine from The Bernina Lady.  A small charge applies if you purchased your machine elsewhere.

Work’s in Progress will continue at Avonport Discount Fabrics on the last Wednesday of each month over the summer.  This is a day for all sewers (not just Bernina owners) to drop in and sit and stitch on any project they are currently working on.  If you need a little extra help or inspiration I will be there to guide you.  It’s a drop-in kind of day so you can stay for the full day (9:30-3:30) or come by for the morning or afternoon.  What a wonderful way to spend a day with fellow quilters, sewers and our machines.  If you would like to borrow a machine for the day, please contact me ahead of time.

The next Newsletter will be all about Bernina University.  Until then, have a marvelous June.  If it’s raining outside, sit with your Bernina. This is right up there with reading a good book and having a cup of tea. And remember: If I am on the road, Carol is always available by phone or email (she checks my emails while I am away).  My husband also listens to voicemail and contacts me should the need arise.  I’m thinking he’s liking being a “Bernina Man.”

Stolen Quilts

All quilters can really relate to this event. It is our worst nightmare. It is our hope that the more we pass this news along, the more successful the outcome may be. I have received many e-mails about this event and I would like to pass it on to you.

Valerie Hearder, fellow quilter, teacher, published quilter, quilt artist, is well known to all of us here on the East Coast. Val had her quilts stolen while travelling in Newfoundland for Quilt Canada. To quote an e-mail I received; “her art isn’t just a hobby, it’s her life and it’s irreplaceable.”

You can see the article on CBC’s website here.

An update from Val, as posted on the internet list “QuiltArt” where Val is a member….

“One of the quilts is on my homepage top right - purple with yellow gold - flames in the centre - it actually belongs to a collector - I’d just borrowed it back for a show.

Also, in my gallery section, one of my African Skirts called “Fertility”. Also a quilt called “Tropic of Capricorn” - a major work from my African Skirt series.

My work is distinctive, so should anyone see works that look like mine on eBay please contact Constable Coady of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary in St. John’s Newfoundland immediately - they have ways of tracking down the sellers. Constable Coady said my best hope is to spread the word.

I am far from home and not with my computer so I can’t keep abreast of my emails or update my website here.”

If you see quilts for sale, please, ALWAYS look for a signature/label and be very suspicious if the name of the artist does not match the name of the seller. Ask to see proof of sale/ownership.

It is my intent by having this information sent out to my contact list that we can get this information distributed world-wide. If you or someone you know spends a lot of time on the web, have them keep an eye on eBay and other auction sites. If you see anything suspicious, please e-mail Teri (Val’s friend) at teri@fiberandthread.com or contact the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary directly at 709-729-8000.

Thanks,
fellow quilter
Jeanne

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