WEB LAUNCH REPLAY Originally we had planned to “blog” only until the Husqvarna Viking Designer Diamond came out however some have encouraged me to continue this “blog” and to maybe include a project or tips? What do you think?
There is a place for you to leave comments at the bottom of the “blog”. Simply click on (number) Comments and you will find comments from others and a box to leave your comment. I promise to read them all but may not be able to answer them all. We did have a couple of questions on the last comment page. Bev from Hamburg, NY asked if her Designer SE has a trade-in value. I feel confident it does and suggest you visit your Husqvarna Viking Dealer for this information. “Anonymous” asked if the soft luggage set is coming with the Designer Diamond. The large soft side embroidery unit carrying bag is included with the Designer Diamond but for a limited time, the large Designer Diamond machine soft luggage carrying bag with wheeled cart comes only with the Designer Diamond machines purchased by dealers at Husqvarna Viking Convention. So if you want to take advantage of getting both bags free, hurry in to your Husqvarna Viking Dealer!
I promised to share some pictures from Husqvarna Viking Convention. We headed to San Antonio early for the exciting training for the Husqvarna Viking Education group. Many had not seen the Husqvarna Viking Designer Diamond before coming to this training and everyone “fell in love” immediately! They absolutely loved the new Ultimate Interactive Screen. This is the largest, brightest and highest resolution color screen in the sewing industry!
Everyone was also impressed with the ease of operation and user friendly features of the Designer Diamond. They loved the new Design Positioning and Design Shaping and of course the space!
Each Educator stitched and embroidered for two full days then helped set up all the Designer Diamond sewing and embroidery machines for the convention!
The new Husqvarna Viking Family Portrait Embroidery Software program is fabulous! Here Julie Mallory, Embroidery Software Training Manager teaches the Educators how to create their “family tree”. Whether you are into family history, genealogy or just want to create one-of-a-kind gifts for special people and special occasions, this program is for you.Simply enter the names, date of birth, death, communion, etc. (there are many options) and then select the style of lettering, layout of the “family tree” (not a real tree—there are many layouts to place your information into wonderful embroidery pieces) and embroider. You can even import information from other genealogy programs.
The best part is that you can combine pictures with the information in your “creation”. You can print pictures on printable fabric or better yet, the Husqvarna Viking Family Portrait Embroidery Software includes a very powerful tool, PortraitStitch, to take pictures and turn them into picture embroideries!
During the Notions Commotion at Husqvarna Viking Convention, Andrew Kaymer of VSM Software Ltd. presented me with a fabulous Hausmann-Youngberg Family Quilt. It was a complete surprise and I was overwhelmed as I saw the PortraitStitch pictures of Herb’s and my great-grandparents, grandparents, parents, children and grandchildren all in PortraitStitch with birth and death dates and more.
Click here for more information on this program
I know this picture below is blurred but this is how it felt at the Grand Opening Launch of the Designer Diamond!! Well over a thousand people “poured” into the Grand Ballroom for their first look at the Husqvarna Viking Designer Diamond. Do you see your Husqvarna Viking Dealer here?
The evening included a Fashion Show of incredibly wonderful garments all embroidered on the Designer Diamond with exciting and new Husqvarna Viking embroidery designs! Husqvarna Viking has always been known for beautiful, quality, upscale embroidery and our designers have outdone themselves with the new designs on the Designer Diamond and the new collections for all Husqvarna Viking models of sewing and embroidery machines. Be sure to check out Cutwork Finesse, Special Effects Butterflies and the incredible Embellish with Yarn designed to be embroidered with the new Yarn Couching Feet which are sold as an accessory for free-motion and embroidery yarn couching!
Another highlight of Husqvarna Viking Convention was the Gallery of Sewing Art. Maybe you were a part of this? Husqvarna Viking stores across North America sent in incredible creations for this gallery. Evelyn, my Administrative Assistant and “right hand person” organized the display and cared for the gallery during convention. All entrants were treated to breakfast on Wednesday and the winners were announced for each category.
I couldn’t resist taking a picture of this “art” on the ceiling in the Convention Center. From a distance I thought it was made from thread spools but when I got up close it was actually pop or beer cans. Wouldn’t this be an incredible piece made from thread spools??
Herb and I left convention early to go to the first Jenny Haskins Academy for Accredited Teachers. When Jenny and Simon announced this special training, it filled immediately so they added a second week. A total of 100 people (50 each week) stitched from 8:30am to 9:30pm learning exclusive Jenny Haskins techniques and creating fabulous projects to teach.
Husqvarna Viking provided 50 Designer Diamond sewing and embroidery machines for this school and they performed fabulously. Jenny really puts a sewing and embroidery machine to the test with her techniques and the Designer Diamond was up to every technique and every project. The students loved all the new features!
Sandy Votaw, Husqvarna Viking dealer from Sandy’s Fabrics & Machines in Kennewick, WA was one of the students and is excited to bring all the projects and techniques home to her customers.
It is always fun to meet people who share my enthusiasm for sewing and for sharing the joy of sewing with others. Kate pictured above took home her Designer Diamond and Jenny and I autographed it on the back!!
Husqvarna Viking Educator Jared Collins attended the tutor school too. Jared will be traveling this year presenting Husqvarna Viking programs so watch for him to come to your community as he has “sew” much to share. Don’t you love his embroidered shirt!!
Here is the group from week one.
Here is the group from week two.
During the first week I flew to Arlington, TX to speak at Martha’s Sewing Market on Friday night. Herb stayed back in Knoxville to help with the Jenny Haskins event. It was really great that Stephanie came week one and Cathy B week two to assist. Everyone learned the Designer Diamond almost immediately so we were mainly being sure they had what they needed to do their project.
It was exciting to see so many sewers “adopt” a Designer Diamond at Martha’s Sewing Market! Martha and I autographed them on the back. What a smile on this new owner as she and I try to balance the huge Majestic Hoop! The box is so big it does not fit in a suitcase! (Ask me how I know that!)
The Threads of Love Ministry was at Martha’s event and Husqvarna Viking provided Sapphire sewing machines for people in the exhibit hall to sit down and mak
e one of the little “preemie diaper shirts” you see on the wall. When I first arrived in the booth a lady came in with the diaper shirt she had made and asked if we would put an embroidery on it. Well, these little shirts are so tiny that most embroidery designs would overwhelm them so we programmed a heart stitch into memory with FIX stitches before and after to tie it off (plus the Selective Thread Cutter to cut at the end) so the sewers could place little heart “embroideries” on their diaper shirts. The proportion of the single heart decorative satin stitch was just the right size to “embroider” the shirts. Sometimes we forget about our decorative stitches and all the creative opportunities they bring!
It is always fun to meet the families of our sewing friends. Hope Yoder, famous for her wonderful heirloom embroidery collections and patterns brought her two daughters to Martha’s Sewing Market.
Herb and I just returned home from our 4 week “flurry” of activity but will leave today for southern CA to see our new granddaughter. Herb has not seen her at all yet so we are really looking forward to this first leg of the trip. Then on to northern CA to celebrate the 4th of July weekend at All Stars games with grandson Britton, age 10 and traveling baseball team games with grandson Bret age 13. We will also celebrate several birthdays!
As we enter the July 4th week, I give thanks for our country and all the opportunities and blessings it provides. I also want to recognize and give thanks for all the men and women in the armed forces serving our country. God Bless America! Land that I love!
More about the Designer Diamond and QBot next time!
Until then, Happy Sewing!
Sue H
23 comments:
Sue,
I definitely want you to keep blogging here. First off, I bought the Diamond and I personally want to see what you make with your own machine. I assume you had to have one. Second, it's nice to see all the neat places that you travel. So please keep blogging.
Robin C in Virginia
Yes Sue, keep blogging as I too love seeing anything you can share about the new designer diamond. I have been lucky enough to put one on lay-by and cant wait to get it home.
Hi Sue. I met you at the Jenny Haskins Academy. I didn't buy a Diamond there but since arriving home decided to purchase one from my local dealer. This will be my fourth HV machine. Your helpful insights are largely responsible for my decision to purchase one (especially since I have a relatively new Pfaff). Anyway, can you tell me whether my HV Fabric Mover with Stitch Regulator will work with the Designer Diamond? Thanks again, Charlotte (Stillwater OK)
Hi Sue,
Just love your blog. Keep 'em coming!
The Designer Diamond is everything you said it would be - and - "SEW MUCH MORE" that it must be seen to be believed.
I purchased the Designer Diamond the day they arrived in my dealer's store. It was love at first sight and is only getting better and better.
It might be fun to share ideas with other Designer Diamond owners. I made a semi-sheer floor length table cover with the yarn couching foot and new embroidery designs. It is absolutly stunning!
Phyllis M in Ohio
Please continue to BLOG. Love your spirit. You are Viking shining star!
Please make the time to keep blogging. Your enthusiasm and energy inspire and entertain. Blog not only about the new Diamond but also about the other great products of HV and the things that can be done with them.
Sue, I heard about your little vist en route to Chicago and I just want to say that Viking rocks and so do you! (and I cannot wait till my Diamond comes home in a few weeks! I never had a diamond ring, I'll be married 30 years soon...and I'd much rather have THIS diamond than a ring!)
Dear Sue (and you are a "dear" as you've probably been told),
Thank you for all you've done and continue to do to encourage all of us to continue creating, sewing, crafting, embroidering, and being good stewarts with our machines and talents! I appreciate how you and Herb get about the country so much, and I enjoy reading about your activities with sewing friends and your family.
We've met twice -- and I've heard you sing a beautiful hymn at one of the Martha Pullen dinners. I feel like you're a personal friend. We live in Sequim, Washington, and whenever I drive past the Dairy Queen on Washington Street I think about you because you told me your sister once owned that place. (I think she now owns just the Dairy Queen in Poulsbo -- and I know you were there not too long ago for a family member's graduation.) See? I do think of you as a friend.
I'd like to thank you for "loaning" the new Designer Diamond to Jan Henning. Like many of us, she'll really enjoy the machine -- and you know how much knowledge she'll share with us, too. I purchased my new DD two weeks ago from Silverdale, WA, and love it, of course! Thank you for everything.
Kathy Owens in Sequim, Washington.
Please don't stop your blog. I have been enjoying them very much. I love every Viking machine I have which is 4 so far. I need to wait a bit to afford the Designer Diamond but I plan to have it!
Tips and projects would be nice to have along with tidbits of your life. How you and Viking got together? How did Herb handle your traveling when your children were at home and he was working? Just keep up the good work.
Pauline
Yes Sue we all want to read your blog - I would miss it. I managed to catch the repeat boradcast and knew I had to have one. I am in line for the August delivery. BTW thanks for the "little visit" on the way to Chicago a lot of ladies and one special one are grateful.
Maggie
This is a PS - Yes Sue I agree with Kathyandken - a big thanks for the "loan" of the DD to Jan Henning - you have helped a great lady help a whole big bunch of us Viking ites. She really deserves to HAVE a DD - she does SO much good work with helping us on the Yahoo groups all for free and making her wonderful CDs.
Maggie
Keep on Blogging. Read last nights post on VikingDD--so glad that Jan
got a DD, hope she can keep it. She is a valuable asset, as are you!
Mary in OR
Sue,
Thank you so much for your 'fun' blog site. You are and amazing person with so much inspiration and enthusiasm, it's beyond belief!! I also want to extend a huge 'thank you' for the surprise you recently gave to Jan Henning. It made me cry and the comments that have appeared on the Designer Diamond Yahoo Group are a testimony to you and to Husqvarna Viking.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!
I love reading your blog. It always excites me to find there's been a new entry. Please keep up the great work!
Sue - where did you get the idea for the wonderful cream and white lace stole/wrap you are wearing - I assume you made it! Its gorgeous
Maggie
Sue, I just read on the DD yahoo list site that you and Herb had dropped in on Jan Henning to deliver a Diamond to her to "test drive." All I can say is WOW! Everyday it seems more and more companies become greedier and greedier. Viking's generousity and your very kind spirit give me hope that someday the bottom line will give way to the heart line in all that we do. I would like to contribute to the purchase at a special price of Jan's DD as I'm sure she'll be giving the DD a very good home for a long time. Please let me know where to send the check. And as you say (very) Happy Sewing. Best regards, Yvette Boehnke (my email address is daisy90630@ca.rr.com...My DSE, Ms. Elizabeth would like to have a baby sister DD but she has to be patient...these things take time.LOL)
Dear Sue
Please keep your blog going, I love to come and read about everywere you have been. I know you must be very busy, but a little snippet here and there can go a long way.
Thank you so much for calling on Jan, that was so wonderful of you.
Please enjoy your time with your Grankids
Best Wishes
Kath UK
Do keep blogging. Your blogs give us inspiration as well as information. Thank-you for the time and talent it takes to create and share the sewing joy.
Julie-Ann
Thanks to Viking and Sue for lending a Diamond to Jan for use. She is so helpful with the weblist on Yahoo.
Also wanted to you know I love your blogs. I have watched all of your shows on TV and it is the main reason I bought my SE. Now my dealer is having a hard time (and I don't think he'll ever get it) away from me.
Please keep blogging.
Fellow Ohioan,
Pam
Thanks for all that you have done for Viking. Hope you will have some DVD's on the Diamond withsome new projects . I picked up my Diamond 1 week ago and love it.
I am also very happy that you are letting Jan Henning try out one. She has been a great help to myself and others. I do hope that Viking will give her this machine as she really deserves one.
Keep blogging I enjoyed see the fun side of Sue. I am using this means of saying THANKS for what you did for Jan Henning. I have used her tips allot.
The Lord Bless You!
Sue, Thanks for the delivery of Jan's Diamond. Can we contribue to the cost? I met you and Jan and a Martha Pullen school in the Detroit area a few years ago. What a treat! MY Diamond should be in my the middle of July (which is about now). I was not going to buy one UNTIL I saw it. Jody Hooker is a friend and when DH heard that Jody is "REALLY EXCITED" about it he said I should have it as long as Jody is so happy with it and says it so wonderful.
Please keep blogging Sue. I really enjoy hearing of your travels and coming Viking adventures for us all. I love my new Diamond. I also want to thank Viking and you for recognizing Jan Henning's contributions to the Viking family. It speaks worlds about the commitment Viking makes to its customers and their knowlege and enjoyment of sewing.
Donna
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