I'm Just Sayin

Connie Fanders is the Director of Education and Training for BERNINA of America where she leads a team of talented educators to develop trainings on BERNINA products, inspirational projects sewn on a BERNINA and test products that are in development.

Connie took the 52-Week Photo Challenge in 2016 and decided to repeat it in 2018. Here is a short interview about her experience. 

Challenge: Flowers/Macro, by Connie Fanders

R: What prompted you to sign up for the photo challenge class?
C: I’m a very beginner at taking photos plus I knew nothing about Lightroom and Photoshop. This was an un-intimidating and motivational way to learn and work within my schedule. It also provides a new way to be creative and a diversion from my work routine.

R: You submitted photos almost every week. As a very busy executive for BERNINA, how did you manage juggling your job with a fun/learning experience?
C:This was definitely a weekend project. Every Saturday morning I would look at the challenge and by Sunday night it would need to be ready to post. Many times I didn’t want to go far from home to take the photo so I had to get creative with what was in my house or in the yard.

R: What was the most difficult part of the class?
C: Finding the time to give a lot of thought to the challenge and plan the photo. I loved reading the new challenge each week and would start to think of the possibilities but then time wouldn’t allow me to search for the right shot.

R: Is there any particular challenge that stood out to you - memorable?
C: Drive pans. I had no success with this technique and really struggle to decide what is a good photo.

R: Was there any take-away from the experience that stays with you today?
C: Take a step back and look at your surroundings, photo opportunities are all over the place. The photos you take become a diary of where you have been, what you have done and who you enjoy.

R: Once didn’t seem to be enough so you signed up again to retake the course in 2018. Tell me why?
C: The first time it took the course everything was so new to me. Since I had to limit my time to the weekends for this project I would have one opportunity to take the challenge photo each week. After I took a series of photos I would go to Lightroom to fine tune the image and wish I would have taken it at a different angle, different setting etc but I didn’t have time to go back and re-shoot. Many weeks I felt I wanted to do it over.

The second time I took the course I had the first experience behind me and could more thoughtfully plan the photo and knew more of how to adjust the camera setting. Every challenge lesson I feel I understand more about the process.

R: What advice might you share for anyone considering participating in the next 52-Week Photo Challenges?
C: Do it!

Challenge: Decay, by Connie Fanders

Challenge: Forks, by Connie Fanders

Challenge: White on White, by Connie Fanders

Enrollment for 2019 Photo Challenge Class is open now.

visit: www.photoclassforyou.com

70% off Deadline is December 2, 2018

50% off Deadline is December 19, 2019

Challenge: Panorama, by Connie Fanders

Update July 5, 2018

CLARIFICATION AND NEWS!

Yes Autumn Rock (our 40 acre parcel) burned - it's devastated.

Yes, Yellowstone Creek Ranch (2500 acres that is home to several of us - an HOA - is burned - devastated.

All these days I have said in the posts, we had a 5% chance that the house might have survived.

I got the word this afternoon - the HOUSE SURVIVED! In the middle of armageddon the house survived!

AT RIGHT _ BEFORE AND AFTER

Update July 3, 2018

AUTUMN ROCK BURNS!

Justin and I were together atop a high ridge about 4 miles away as our dream went up in flames. It only took the raging beast about 20 minutes to consume our 40 acres and it rolled down the ranch consuming all 2500 acres in maybe 3 hours. We are fine. Here is a link to my Facebook post. 

Update July 2, 2018 - 

FIRE UPDATE: I received this photo on Sunday evening - about 8 hours ago. It was taking by friends who have parcels on the ranch. They were there watching/waiting. Due to the severity of the situation - after this was taken - they left.

Our house at Autumn Rock can be seen in the bottom of the photo. My best guess is that when this was taken it was about 100 yards away.

The second photo shows the house and how it sits in proximity to the trees/fuel. Of course all those are out of frame on the image with fire. The additional overview was taken by Justin about 12 hours before the image with the fire. But I add it here to give you perspective.Within minutes for sure the house was either surrounded or engulfed and there may be no way to know for a while.

Posted Sunday morning, July 1, 2018

On Wednesday, June 27th a small plume of smoke was seen rising over the mountain ridge west of La Veta, Colorado. The guess by those seeing it from La Veta would have been a fire in Forbes Park. Indeed it was - but it was such a small cloud.

The fire grew quickly to over 2000 acres and over the next 24 hours turning into a monster that devoured everything in its path over the ridge. But then it crested the ridge and began a descent down the slopes toward our small town - population only 800. 

The entire town was in danger of being engulfed, but firefighters managed to create enough fire break to make that attack manageable. The growth to the north and south and west continues to be fast and erratic. 

As a result, the new mountain house (Autumn Rock) that Justin and I just built and finished in March this year - on a parcel we purchased in 2002 - is now facing the inevitable. 

In three days it has grown to 41,000 acres and is considered zero percent contained. 

The full account can be read here. EDITED TO ADD: But the updated results are up at the top of this article

Justin took this photo from the deck of our house in La Veta just 28 hours after the initial smoke plume. 

(60” x 60”)

Those who know my Rhapsody quilts know two things:

     1. These quilts are stunning show-stoppers, and…

     2. They are far easier to make than they look.

 

This new short-term block of the month (three months) will begin May 1, 2018. Those purchasing a kit or pattern will have free access to the video tutorials. The videos will contain the step by step instructions for the methods I use to simplify the process as well as tips for assembly that will help you make the quilt faster and more accurate than traditional methods. 

 

TWO BEAUTIFUL COLORWAYS

The Court Jester colorway is based on the colors of traditional Hungarian folk wear. This variation explodes with bright and cheerful colors and is sure to please those who prefer saturated colors and luminous fabrics.

 

The Wizard’s Wardrobe colorway is a tonal color option that is earthy, rich, and inviting. The subtle changes of color create a magical and mystical mood. The dusty and muted colors make this option feel like an antique tapestry that was made from plant-dyed fibers.

REGISTER HERE FOR QUILT LUMINARIUM

QUILT LUMINIARUM IS COMING TO THE RIO GRAND VALLEY

It is being held in conjunction with the RIO GRANDE VALLEY QUILT GUILD (read about the guild).

The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Quilt Guild is comprised of approximately 350 members. It is a very active guild whose members participate in the many opportunities offered by the guild.

Each November through March, members have the opportunity to take a Schoolhouse Class, that is taught by peer members and/or a class offered by National & International Quilting Teachers, who come to teach and then give a lecture at the general membership meeting.

Also, the guild has the following programs: Military Service Quilts, Community Service, and Youth Education.

Military Service Quilts
Volunteer members sew quilts that are presented to Veterans and/or Active-Duty Military in appreciation for their service, dedication & sacrifices. The quilts are presented to full-time Valley residents only. In 2017, over 200 quilts have been presented. Sew Days are scheduled per month, when possible, where volunteers bring their sewing machines and talent to create these quilted works of art.

Community Service
Our guild members are very active with Community Service. Our guild donates quilts to over 40 organizations in the Rio Grande Valley. As of the end of the third quarter in 2017, the guild has donated 4,908 items, for a total 17,418 hours. The donated time and items are valued at $126,289. As our guild grows, so does the Community Service.

Youth Education
In an attempt to encourage the art of quilting, the guild has begun a Youth Education program. The youth, aged 6 to 15, have been making Christmas stockings, bags, wallhangings and quilts. The community and Texas Agri Life have been actively involved in this by donating sewing machines, volunteering to help the youths learn to sew, use sewing machines, hand sewing, and using patterns.

The RGV Quilt Guild's Quilt Show
The RGV Quilt Guild's Quit Show will be held Friday, January 26, 9am-5pm, and Saturday, January 27, 9am-4pm, at the South Padre Island Convention Centre, South Padre Island, Texas.

Scheduled events:

     Victoria Findlay Wolfe, International & National Teacher & Lecturer
     Double Wedding Ring Pillow Class Friday, January 26, 1-4pm
     Partial Seam Herringbone Pillow Class Saturday, January 27, 9am-12pm
     Lecture, “Creativity and Play”' Saturday, January 27, 1:30pm

     Ricky Tims, International & National Teacher, Musician, Photographer
     Lecture, “Design and Composition of Quilting & Photography, Friday, January 26, 10:30am-12pm
     Music Concert: “An Evening with Ricky Tims”, Friday, January 26, 7-8:30pm

Lisa Erlandson, Quilt Appraiser and Lecturer
Lecture: “The Old LadyWho Swallowed the Fly Was A Quilter”

There will be a sewing room at the Rio Grande Valley Quilt Guild's Quilt Show on South Padre Island, Friday, January 26, and Saturday, January 27, where individuals will be able to sew quilt blocks to be made into a quilt for any of the above programs.

The Quilt Show will also have:

Over 300 quilted items on display
Opportunity Quilt
Youth Education
Vendors
Classes
Speakers
Fashion Show
Military Service Quilts Presentations
Military Opportunity Quilt
Community Service
Boutique
Door Prizes

Ricky Tims will be giving his 2-day Quilt Luminarium at South Padre Island Convention Centre Sunday, January 28, and Monday, January 29.

For further information: rgvqg.com and/or rickytims.com