Penn Oaks Newsletter-February 2023
President's Note
Come on February, hurry up!
I feel like I have been in hibernation or something; maybe there was a blip in my band width; whatever, I think I am back now. We have some great things coming. So let’s get to it.
As a sort of history buff, I am looking forward to our Zoom speaker this meeting. We will need a brief business meeting, though.
Here’s the deal, we are getting a terrific response to our Jenny Doan meeting. Thanks to Jen for handling the money issue. I need to all to think about a couple things related to this. It will be an opportunity to try to entice new members, so I think we need to consider providing refreshments. I think the guild could buy some cookie trays or whatever, so we can chat with the visitors. I would be great to have Show and Tell, especially if you have a little story about the item – it was the first time you tried the technique, or it is a old one you finally finished, or there were problems you conquered.
Please think about something you have wanted to try, but need a buddy to start it. For instance, I have some applique projects/kits left (I donated several earlier) but I can’t get started. I need some hand holding. I think that is one of the services we can provide to each other.
At the Board meeting, we will discuss the refreshments for March. We will also be discussing the plans for our April sew along meeting. We will have the meeting space beginning at 1pm. We want to set up stations for making the string quilts. Rita Marie, with help from several others, has made kits from the donated fabrics which will be available to you if you want to make a different pattern as a charity quilt. You may remember, we planned on donating the strip quilts to charity for the challenge. However, we wanted to use up the donated fabrics as well. We are cutting strips from the scrap bags and some of the fabrics. We will have them sorted by colors and you can take as many as you need at the sew along.
There was more I wanted to say, but I forgot. Let us know what you think any time. Love to you all!
Carolyn
Programs
The History Of The Sewing Machine
A Tale Of Intrigue & Espionage
2022 Board
President - Carolyn Davis / Jamie Loncaric
Program Chair - Donna Daley
Assistant-Deb Houck
Treasurer - Rita Marie Smith
Recording Secretary - Angela Brant
Corresponding Secretary - Nancy DeTeodora
Membership - Elizabeth Young / Sarah Reindel
Ways & Means - Jen Burke
2022 Quilt Guild Challenge - Rikki Newlander
Quilt Challenge, Hospice Quilts and Quilts for Kids
Rikki Newlander and Rita Marie Smith
We will be working together to cut and provide strings to guild members participating in making quilts for the challenge, hospice patients and Quilts for Kids.
If you would like strings, please let us know: rikki.newlander@gmail.com or ritasmitty308@gmail.com. Since the next 3 guild meetings will be zoom only, please contact us to make arrangements to meet you with the strings. They can also be brought to the getaway. Rikki is willing to cut more muslin foundation squares (8 ½”) if needed. Just let her know. The fabric we are using is from our sale held at the Covenant Presbyterian Church. It was felt that this was an excellent use of the fabric. Not sure as yet but there might be some yardage for backing. Will let you know.
Basic requirements for the Quilts for Kids were in the last newsletter. Quilts for the hospice are lap size (40” x 40”.) There are many examples and videos of string quilts online if you are not familiar with them. Our blocks finish at 8” squares, are so easy and come together quickly.
A little bit of sewing on our part will certainly brighten someone’s day.
Bits and Pieces From The Textile World
1. A Visit to the New Michaels Concept Store
Michaels recently announced a transformation of two of their stores in an effort to “re-imagine the optimal maker shopping experience.” Eager to see what this might entail and since the newly designed stores are near my home, I donned a mask and made a visit to the store in Plano, a north suburb of Dallas. Michaels is America’s largest arts and crafts retail chain and is based in Irving (near Dallas).
Michaels recently announced a transformation of two of their stores in an effort to “re-imagine the optimal maker shopping experience.” Eager to see what this might entail and since the newly designed stores are near my home, I donned a mask and made a visit to the store in Plano, a north suburb of Dallas. Michaels is America’s largest arts and crafts retail chain and is based in Irving (near Dallas).
First impression
My first impression is that the store has a wonderful new look and feel, yet still feels like Michaels— in a good way. I’d read the press release so I knew the new elements they’d focused on and I could easily pick out the notable changes.
It feels more open, fresher, and brighter. It’s more welcoming for a leisurely browse. It’s more organized and less cluttered. The press release highlights “lower fixturing that allows customers to easily view and navigate our full store.” It really does! Tall aisles and shelving have been moved to the edges leaving the center part of the store more open.
My first impression is that the store has a wonderful new look and feel, yet still feels like Michaels— in a good way. I’d read the press release so I knew the new elements they’d focused on and I could easily pick out the notable changes.
It feels more open, fresher, and brighter. It’s more welcoming for a leisurely browse. It’s more organized and less cluttered. The press release highlights “lower fixturing that allows customers to easily view and navigate our full store.” It really does! Tall aisles and shelving have been moved to the edges leaving the center part of the store more open.
The entry area.
The yarn corner.
The maker space
One addition to this Michaels is a Maker Space. The one I visited was outfitted with a big screen tv playing craft tutorials near a long table. There were no chairs or people in the space, possibly due to social distancing requirements.
The Marker Space also has a sink and a rolling cart with supplies and tools. (Maybe the supplies and tools are free to use? I couldn’t tell.) There is a bank of lockers for pickup of online orders, a convenient option allowing for a contact-free transaction. For a business owner sourcing supplies, the locker pick-up may be an especially efficient option.
One addition to this Michaels is a Maker Space. The one I visited was outfitted with a big screen tv playing craft tutorials near a long table. There were no chairs or people in the space, possibly due to social distancing requirements.
The Marker Space also has a sink and a rolling cart with supplies and tools. (Maybe the supplies and tools are free to use? I couldn’t tell.) There is a bank of lockers for pickup of online orders, a convenient option allowing for a contact-free transaction. For a business owner sourcing supplies, the locker pick-up may be an especially efficient option.
The table in the Maker Space
Trend hubs
The new design also includes “trend hubs.” Ceiling hung grids mark the spaces. Focused lighting and accessible display cases invite shoppers to browse. I counted four of these “trend hubs.” One focused on art with stacks of blank canvases, paint, and markers. The other three were full of Halloween and fall decor. Since there was additional fall decor throughout the store, it seemed like a missed opportunity to put other product lines in some of the “trend hubs.”
The new design also includes “trend hubs.” Ceiling hung grids mark the spaces. Focused lighting and accessible display cases invite shoppers to browse. I counted four of these “trend hubs.” One focused on art with stacks of blank canvases, paint, and markers. The other three were full of Halloween and fall decor. Since there was additional fall decor throughout the store, it seemed like a missed opportunity to put other product lines in some of the “trend hubs.”
Inventory adjustments
I spoke with a Michaels employee about the changes and she said it took a while to get used to, but customers and employees like the feel of the new design. She said some of the product inventory lines have changed. In some departments where they used to carry several options for the same product, now they only have the best selling option. But in other departments, they are carrying more products including more sewing machines and high-tech products. She said if you’re looking for products no-longer available in the newly-redesigned Michaels, you can still find them at the other stores in the Dallas area.
I often browse books and magazines at Michaels but they aren’t included in the new design. Frankly, since I rarely actually purchased books or magazines and, like many crafters, I get most of my ideas online, maybe it’s not surprising they’ve been removed.
It will be interesting to see how some or all of the redesign may be incorporated into other locations. Though I’d give the redesign overall positive marks, I don’t plan to go back. For many reasons, including the pandemic, I’m shopping less at brick-and-mortar. If I really needed something, I’d go to a Michaels closer to my home. If I wanted an inspiring experience browsing a fresh space with beautiful displays, I can think of other preferable options.
I spoke with a Michaels employee about the changes and she said it took a while to get used to, but customers and employees like the feel of the new design. She said some of the product inventory lines have changed. In some departments where they used to carry several options for the same product, now they only have the best selling option. But in other departments, they are carrying more products including more sewing machines and high-tech products. She said if you’re looking for products no-longer available in the newly-redesigned Michaels, you can still find them at the other stores in the Dallas area.
I often browse books and magazines at Michaels but they aren’t included in the new design. Frankly, since I rarely actually purchased books or magazines and, like many crafters, I get most of my ideas online, maybe it’s not surprising they’ve been removed.
It will be interesting to see how some or all of the redesign may be incorporated into other locations. Though I’d give the redesign overall positive marks, I don’t plan to go back. For many reasons, including the pandemic, I’m shopping less at brick-and-mortar. If I really needed something, I’d go to a Michaels closer to my home. If I wanted an inspiring experience browsing a fresh space with beautiful displays, I can think of other preferable options.
2. The Spellman College Museum of Fine Art in Atlanta will be showing Bisa Butler's Black American Portraits February 8-May 15.
