It's been a while since I've had the time to write on my blog. I guess that's a good thing, means I've been busy. So far the first 3 months of 2009 have been a blur of Inaugural gowns, costumes for the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company....Country Wife is eligible for a Helen Hayes Award and we're all crossing our fingers for a nomination! Lots of little and not so little jobs and now I'm into Prom season.
I'm working with several girls to create the prom gown of their dreams; and these girls can dream big! The gowns will be gorgeous when completed and I'll try to teach myself how to put photos up here for you to see.
I've been working on items to add to my Etsy store and with Jessica's help, a few of them are now up. Guess what!? My first Etsy sale was to a lovely girl in England! I learned all about customs shipping that one out. And now with my son in Iraq, I get to fill out custom forms a couple of times a month.
Since it's almost 3 in the morning, I guess I'd better go home and get some sleep. I promise not to take so long to write again.
Happy morning!

Join Us for a "Girls' Night Out -- Redefined!"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

COLUMBIA, MD – On Friday, March 6^th, Howard Community College will become the hippest place in town.

Salsa dancing lessons, massages, image consultations, cocktails, champagne, raffles, games, a silent auction, a fashion show and more await attendees of the The Business Women’s Network of Howard County’s “Girl’s Night Out – Redefined!” fundraiser. Being held in the Rouse Student Services Building at Howard Community College from 5:30 to 8:30 PM, all proceeds from this event will benefit BWN’s Life-Long Learning Scholarship Fund.

Every year the BWN awards scholarships to women currently in or re-entering the workforce, and any woman who lives, works or attends classes in Howard County is eligible to apply. Applicants may need to take classes or obtain certification to advance in their career, be planning a career change, or be re-entering the workforce after raising a family. “These women need to update skills in order to be attractive to employers,” says Marilyn Johnson, owner of the Laurel-based Marilyn Johnson Sewing and Design Studio and the main planner of the fundraiser. “Especially considering today’s economy, the importance of remaining competitive can’t be over-stressed.”

In May of 2008, BWN awarded three scholarships to local women in the amount of $1000 each, and hope to be able to award four scholarships in 2009. The scholarship funds are paid directly to the school or program awardees attend or plan to attend. Women interested in applying for scholarships can visit www.bwn-hoco.org.

Tickets are $45 for members and $50 for non-members.

BWN began in 1979 as "The Women's Network" with the goal of providing an informal networking setting for women. In 1992, the group refocused to provide a more formal networking organization and incorporated in November of that year.

For more information, contact:

Marilyn Johnson

The Marilyn Johnson Sewing and Design Studio

154 Lafayette Avenue, Unit E

Laurel, MD 20723

(301) 604-4139

marilynjohnson@sewingdesignstudio.com

Next Sewing Lounge is December 21st! Hide from the Holidays for an Afternoon!

Sunday, the 21st, from 1-4 PM, take a break from the holiday hustle and bustle to hang out, eat cookies, drink cocoa and make crafts. Bring your own projects or start a new one, sewing or not! Give some as gifts or keep them for yourself.

We'll see you there!

154 Lafayette Avenue, Unit E
Laurel, MD 20723

Holiday Sale!!!

From now until New Year's, all items in the Etsy shop are 15-20% off!

Happy Holidays!

Just In Time for the Holidays! -- The Online Shop is Open!

Hello, all! I hope this little check-in finds you happy and excited for the upcoming holidays! I'm getting excited myself, although sometimes it feels more anxious than joyous. Luckily, I have a solution for those who find themselves overwhelmed by holiday shopping -- my Etsy shop is now open!

Sure, online shopping is becoming all the rage these days, but I can offer you something those other big-box websites can't: I'm a person. I hand-make all of my items and I stand by them. I am reachable by phone, email and in person if you encounter a problem and I won't make you press '0' to speak to a customer service representative.

I am just beyond thrilled to be announcing the opening of my new Etsy shop, and I hope you'll take a moment to peruse through the retail items I've been working so hard on in between costuming shows. Below are some sample photos of the items for sale, and please take a moment to visit www.multitalentedmama.etsy.com

My Holiday Calendar

Hello, again! Can you believe Christmas is right around the corner?! Wasn't it just Easter? Anyway, I wanted to share with everyone the important dates coming up at the studio, as well as performances where you can catch a bit of my work and enjoy some holiday cheer in the process. I'll try to keep this as organized and readable as possible! Also, don't you just love this "thread tree" from All Sorts'? What a great idea!

Sunday, 11/16 - Sewing Lounge! A fun, drop-in chance to use professional machines, work on random crafts (no sewing required!) and get expert advice for personal projects. 1-4 PM, $10/hour, wine and hors d'ouevres.

Thursday, 11/20 - A FREE Performance of the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company's Salon Show At the Howard County Arts Center in Ellicott City, MD. Visit http://www.chesapeakeshakespeare.com/ for more details.


November 14-16, 20-22 - MAD Theater's "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" MAD is the Music and Drama Club at the NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, in Greenbelt, MD. Visit http://www.madtheater.org/ for more information.


Thursday, December 4th - New York City Fabric Tour Once a month I lead a small group around NYC's Fashion District to tour the shops and teach them the ins and outs of the industry from a professional's perspective. December's trip will undoubtedly be very festive, so join us! Call 301-604-4139 to reserve your spot!


Tuesday, December 9th -- On Purpose Network's Holiday Sale On Purpose Network for Women is holding their annual Christmas bazaar at the Hawthorne Community Center from5:30-9:00 PM. I'll be there selling my own designs and taking orders for custom work.

Saturday, December 20th -- Marriotts Ridge HS Madrigals Perfom at the National Gallery of Art I made the costumes for these amazing singers and am thrilled that they're going to perform at the National Gallery. I recommend getting your holiday shopping done early so you can avoid the mall and head down to... well, the Mall! The National Mall, of course! Performance is at 1 PM.


Sunday, December 21st -- Sewing Lounge! Take a break from holiday madness (trust me, my studio is a great place to hide!) and relax with other women. My daughter is making her famous (infamous?) mulled wine cider and there will be lots of fun holiday goodies, both to make and eat. Again, knowing how to sew is not a requirement. 1-4 PM, $10/hour, wine and hors d'ouevres.


Well, I hope that was decipherable and I hope to see you at one of these events! And, as always, you can visit www.sewingdesignstudio.com or call me at 301-604-4139 for more information.

Dates to Remember -- Sewing Lounge 10/19, NYC Trip 12/4

Hello, again!

Just a quick reminder, the next Sewing Lounge is Sunday, October 19th from 1-4 PM. Drop on in to work on your favorite pet projects or start a new one with materials from the studio. Knowing how to sew is NOT a requirement! We offer all sorts of crafts, using materials from fabric to food, and we'd love for you to stop by.

Rates are $10/hour, which includes access to professional machines, materials, refreshments, and a chance to pick my brain -- I love it!

Also, the next NYC Fabric Tour is December 4th. For details, please visit my website.

I hope you're all enjoying this gorgeous fall weather and the stunning colors emerging outside. I always feel inspired around this time of year and wish the same for you.

URGENT -- BWN Fundraiser Postponed

Things are being postponed all over the place!

First the McCain campaign, then the debate, and now the Business Women's Network scholarship fundraiser that was -- until recently -- this Saturday at Lime Kiln Middle School. Due to unforseen circumstances, we have had to reschedule the fundraiser for the spring, with definite dates to be determined.

Many thanks to everyone who helped in planning and coordinating -- we will be re-creating all of the same details in just a few short months, so keep your eyes open for word on the new date!

Join Us for a "Fashion-Forward" Fundraiser to Benefit Women's Education!

Hello, everyone! I wanted to pass along some information on my latest upcoming event -- I'm planning a fundraiser as part of the Business Women's Network of Howard County. They are raising money for their annual scholarship fund, so it's been a lot of fun and a great challenge to plan this worthwhile event! I've copied and pasted the press release below -- if you're interested in learning about fashion, make-up, color, wardrobe AND helping women progress in education, please consider coming!

We'll see you there!

_________________________________________

Business Women’s Network of Howard County Holds Fashion-Foward Fundraiser For Annual Scholarship Fund

Non-Profit To Raise Money To Benefit Women In, Or Returning To, The Workforce

Laurel, MD (August, 2008) -- Raising money for a scholarship fund can actually be stylish!

The Business Women’s Network of Howard County invites women from the Baltimore/DC area to participate in a fundraiser to benefit its annual scholarship give-away, on Saturday, September 27^th, from 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM at Lime Kiln Middle School in Fulton. The morning will include a complimentary breakfast, fashion show, rotating workshops on color, wardrobe, clothing fit, lingerie fit and makeup, followed by a complimentary buffet lunch.

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet past recipients and network with other local businesswomen, as well as learn from local experts how to look their best for their own career.

Each year, 3 life-long learning scholarships of $1,000 are awarded to women entering, returning to, or in need of help to progress in the workforce. Recipients are given the money to attend colleges, trade schools or certificate programs in order to advance their careers. Any woman who lives, works or attends school in Howard County is eligible.

The September 27^th fundraiser will use ticket sales to award these scholarships for the 2009-2010 school year. Tickets are $55 for Business Women’s Network members and $60 for non-members. BWN looks forward to treating you to a fashion-forward morning and benefiting local women in need.

BWN began in 1979 as "The Women's Network" with the goal of providing an informal networking setting for women. In 1992, the group refocused to provide a more formal networking organization and incorporated in November of that year.

Sewing Lounge Returns!

Remember those old sewing cricles from yesterday? They're back!

The Sewing Lounge at the Studio will start up again in September! It's a really nice treat for me to spend a relaxing afternoon with old and new friends just working on our pet projects. Bring your sewing, crocheting, knitting, embroidery -- whatever you're working on! And feel free to make use of the Studio's equipment if need be. These are some of my favorite events at the Studio, and I hope you'll join us.

The next Sewing Lounge will be September 21st, from 1-4 PM. Sewing Lounges will continue after that on the third Sunday of each month -- just in time to work on a special gift for the holidays (maybe for yourself!). Treat yourself to an afternoon off, just being creative in a nuturing -- and well-stocked -- space. We hope to see you soon!