Author Archives: Margaret

American Sewing Guild National Conference

Posted by Margaret on April 27, 2011 — Leave a Comment

I am thrilled at having been chosen to be the Keynote Speaker for this year’s American Sewing Guild national conference. The conference will take place August 19-22 in Los Angeles, CA. What an honor!

Posted in General, In the News

Newsletter April 2011

Posted by Margaret on April 5, 2011 — 2 Comments

Welcome, Spring!
My goodness, this has felt like a long winter! Here in Wisconsin we’re finally seeing the little plants peeking up and crossing our fingers that the recent flurries were our last.
It sometimes seems as though the Sewing Machine Project is a beautiful plant [...]

Posted in General, In the News

Retired Kraft Employees Volunteer for the SMP

Posted by Margaret on March 29, 2011 — 2 Comments

Not long ago I spoke at a local Rotary Club meeting. I always end my presentations discussing ways that people can get involved with The Sewing Machine Project.One of the Rotarians approached me after the meeting and said he had a great team of volunteers-retired Oscar Meyer/Kraft employees.
So yesterday this wonderful group met me at [...]

Posted in General

New Orleans March 2011

Posted by Margaret on March 22, 2011 — Leave a Comment

I am writing this post from the back porch of a house in New Orleans. This trip came together quickly…so many connections lingering, machines to deliver…it was suddenly clear to me about a month ago that the time to visit was now…so I made plans to spend this week in New Orleans.
It’s hard to describe [...]

Posted in General

SeaHope and Sewing With Nancy

Posted by Margaret on March 20, 2011 — 1 Comment

Nancy Zieman has been so generous with her time and attention surrounding The Sewing Machine Project. Recently, while I was in Las Vegas, I had the chance to spend some time with Nancy and catch up. She suggested that we tape a Nancy’s Corner segment about the SeaHope partners project. Just a few weeks later [...]

Posted in General, In the News

New Orleans City Council

Posted by Margaret on March 17, 2011 — Leave a Comment

The New Orleans City Council issued a proclamation today recognizing the work of The Sewing Machine Project. Cherice Harrison-Nelson went with me to the meeting to receive the award.
I love this city. I love these people. I ache for the hardships they’ve endured. I admire how New Orleans continues on through everything as a jewel [...]

Posted in General, In the News

The story continues…

Posted by Margaret on March 15, 2011 — Leave a Comment

I received a machine and a generous financial donation today with this note…
I am honored and humbled by any and all donations that we receive but some really strike me as they tell such a story. I love to imagine the story of a machine…the generations of people who use it, the projects it helps [...]

Posted in Donor Stories, General, Personal Stories

What the world needs now…

Posted by Margaret on February 14, 2011 — Leave a Comment

I was with a group of women one night last week and the conversation went to a very odd place. One of the women began talking about her distrust of other cultures, of a general feeling of…for lack of a better word…fear. And it wasn’t pretty. As I listened I felt my stomach begin to [...]

Posted in General, Personal Stories

Sewing With Nancy

Posted by Margaret on February 9, 2011 — Leave a Comment

The Sewing Machine Project was featured on the Nancy’s Corner segment of Sewing With Nancy in 2010. Better late than never, here’s that clip!
Sewing With Nancy

Posted in General, In the News

Takes my breath away!

Posted by Margaret on December 15, 2010 — Leave a Comment

The Sewing Machine Project post office box is such a source of good things! I get so excited whenever I open it to find a personally addressed envelope inside…something other than bank statements and government documents. Sometimes there are little notes giving props for the work we do. Sometimes there are envelopes with donations enclosed. [...]

Posted in General