Seminar 2009

Seminar 2009

June 15-21, 2009

Concordia University, Portland, Oregon

They “Came to the Circus” and They Didn’t Want to Leave

AN OVERVIEW OF SEMINAR 2009

BDEIG Seminar 2009 – “Come to the Circus” was, by all reports, a blast and very well attended. Of the 109 members who came, 22 stitched with us for the very first time. There were 63 classes taught by 20 different teachers and designers, and they filled 11 classrooms during a week like no other in Brazilian embroidery.

Everyone seemed to enjoy the many things that were going on, such as Show and Share, Merchant Mall, which I might add was filled with eager buyers along with the night that we filled the balance of the 4^th floor with outside Merchants. Then there was the night that we had a Crazy Head Gear contest. What creative people we are blessed to know.

Another feature that capped a week of ingenuity was the opportunity for our members to “Dress the Hippo on a Tightrope". Each person received printed fabric with a delightful little (or large, depending on your frame of reference) hippo in a tutu, dressed her in beads, sequins, rhinestones or floss and hanging her from a clothesline in the East Dorm Lobby. Ballots were distributed and each voted for their favorite.

These activities were the work of seven committee planners and their 21 helpers, who put in many long hours to make this an unforgettable Seminar.

I am also proud to say that we presented the Portland Shiners’ Children Hospital with hundreds of books that were collected by our members.

It was sad to see the end of a wonderful week filled with classes, stitching, hugging, exercises, and puzzles, along with the joy of being with all of our fellow Brazilian embroidery stitchers and friends each evening in the East Hall lobby. I also know that we will all miss the wonderful sing-along during the closing banquet of BDEIG Seminar 2009.

-Agnes Davis, BDEIG Seminar Chairman 2009

Seminar 2009 in Pictures