CATS booklets

Oops - forgot to check it out earlier - Unfortunately, the CATS web site hasn't been updated yet with the new offerings. My guess is that the info will be available online pretty soon.

Phyllis

I emailed them earlier this week and got a response from Tasha. She said books were going out to members this week. Unfortunately, it's impossible to become a member from the old info on the web (well, not impossible to become a member, but impossible to register for the festival). With my luck (since this will probably be my only chance of going), any of the classes I'd want to take will all be filled by the time they get the site updated and my registration in. In that case I will be one *un*happy camper!

I also expressed my unhappiness about the site being so out of date. She said they are working on that. I just hope it's soon!!! I'm keeping my eye on it.

Joan

Joan,

I'm not sure I understand your dilemma with CATS Registration. CATS has specific dates for registration for each location.

According to the 2006 Show Book (received it in mail today): Las Vegas - Member Registration begins January 31,2006 General Public Registration begins February 7, 2006 Nashville - Member Registration begins April 18, 3006 General Public Registration begins April 25, 2006 Hershey - Member Registration begins June 13, 2006 General Public Registration begins June 20, 2006

You can send in your member registration fee for 2006 with your registration. You cannot register on line. I believe you will eventually be able to print a registration form online, but you will have to fax or send it in.

I would recommend calling the CATS office for specific questions, as I have found them to be very helpful.

Now, I must go make a cup of tea and pour over my CATS book!

Marianne (in rainy, gray WA state -- GO SEAHAWKS!!!!!)

I believe the problem is for those of us who aren't members. Only members get the registration books in the mail. Until they get their website updated with the class listing for this year, non-members won't even know what's available. I'm thinking about going to either Nashville or Hershey so I have time to wait for them to work on their site. Any non-member who wants to go to Las Vegas is hoping to get lucky.

Now I just have to wait until I hear from my high school class reunion committee to see when we are having our 20th this summer.

If you want to register but don't have a booklet in the mail then the website is useless as they have not updated it - it still has 2005 classes. If you were to try for Las Vegas you have only a week or two to get this information before registration begins.

Try giving the CATS office a call and ask them to send you a booklet. I'm sure for a small fee they will send the book to non members. Receiving the book is a perk of being a member, as is early registration.

Members do pay for these perks, so you might find it worth your while if you are going to attend each year.

Happy Stitching.

Marianne

In the past, I've ordered a book for $3.00. I need to call and get one soon, as I'm not a member anymore. But I'm only going to Hershey, so I still have lots of time!

Betsy in PA

I was surprised that the site had not been updated yet with the first registration so soon but I will also be going to Hershey so for me there is no hurry. My first run through of the booklet has pouduced a list of about

10 or 11 potential classes. That will get narrowed down to probably 5 or 6 once I filter out the time conflicts and get a chance to see the color pictures of the projects. Beverly B

I plan on becoming a member but the membership registration (and locations) form on their site is for 2005. I want a registration form for 2006! I did ask and they said they'd send a book when I register, but I want to register *now*, on a form with current info, so I can get classes in LV, which is really only just over 2 months away.

I feel they are really doing a disservice to *potential* members when their info is so old and useless. Not to mention it being totally annoying! The 2006 info *should have* been on their site soon after the 2005 classes were done (months ago) or the new locations/dates announced, also month ago. I found out on here in October (thanks, Phyllis) about the LV site. Now I just want to register for classes

*as* *a* *member*!

Joan

I'm not trying to excuse or justify the problems you explain here, but I did want to point out that this is a VERY "bare bones" organization. I'm sure the CATS office staff (read that Tasha) is doing the very best she can, with all the duties she has to perform.

With the decline in the number of attendees (as well as stitchers in general) a lot of budgetary adjustments have had to be made to keep the Stitching Festivals alive. I am so thankful that Marilyn, Liz , Lori and the Grip-It folks are still willing to stand behind the concept of the Stitching Festivals - for all our sakes. I wish things were different, but at this point in time everyone suffers because of the decline in the industry.

Just in case you are interested in taking a closer look at the classes I will be teaching, please check out my website:

I have pictures of the actual projects posted there, as well as information regarding the class (actually more than is included in the CATS booklet.)

Thanks for your interest and I hope to see you in LV.

Phyllis Maurer

Phylis your class pieces are really nice this year. I wanted to take the Kogin but it conflicts with a Bargello class I wanted even more so I guess I am going to be 'stuck' with the Sollerosom. Fortunately I am not going until Hershey so I may change my mind between now and then. Beverly B

Thanks for the reminder, Phyllis, that it's very easy for me to sit here and criticize and complain about something of which I know nothing! :) I guess I will try and send in the old registration form for just my membership and include a note asking them to please send a book ASAP so I can register *somewhat* early for the LV classes. Guess I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed for a couple of weeks.

Thanks for reposting this. I had looked at it back in Oct. (I think it was) and am glad for a second look at it. Hardanger and temari balls look promising!

Same here!

Joan

You made a good choice - Sollerosom's a bit more challenging and offers a lot more possibilities for personalization than does Kogin.

Kogin's very addictive after a while tho - I can't seem to stay away from it for too long.

Thanks for checking them out.

Phyllis

Joan -

I'm sure Tasha would be glad to accept your registration on an old form and send you a current booklet. She's an amazingly helpful and efficient person.

Thanks for checking my site out. I'm a bit confused about your comment re: Hardanger. Hardanger isn't one of the classes I will be teaching at CATS. I figure since there are several other talented designers offering classes in Hardanger, I wouldn't spend my time with that technique. There's just too much to learn to take my time to explore a technique that's already well known. But I'm sure the other teachers would be glad to have you sign up for their classes.

Phyllis

Actually, I found out yesterday that there's a link to the new reg. form under Classes (but not Membership), so I got that (my membership fee) sent out yesterday. :) I've just emailed her, informing her that I've sent my reg. $ and asking about the possibility of her sending out a book now. I'm keeping my fingers crossed! :)

There have been a couple of other updates on the site, too, so I know she's working on it.

I took another look at your site and see my mistake; I looked under "Class portfolio" instead of "What's new". I'll have to take a closer look at that tomorrow. I really don't know what they offer at these shows, so I'll have to wait for the book (or more updates to the site) to see what all will be offered. I know my time there is going to be very limited.

Thanks again, Phyllis!

Joan