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Tuesday, August 25, 2015

August Frog Prince Display at The Book Shop in Hayward



 
I hope everyone will have had the opportunity to visit our window display before it comes down on August 31. As usual, it is very difficult to photograph due to the reflection on the window glass. These photos do not do justice to the intricate display of mirrored ponds, lily pads, and plants that complete the scene.



All the Frog Princes were made from Betts Vidal's pattern. She has taught two workshops on this doll to Phoebes over the years. Included in the display are frogs by present as well as former members. Each one is an original interpretation of the pattern by the maker.
 
 
The reactions of the viewers and customers of the shop have been amazing. People have insisted on leaving notes for us, stating which frog is their favorite, or complimenting the display. We owe a big thanks to Sharon and all of her team who did the set-up of this display and contributed items that helped complete the scene.
 


And, thanks to all of you who contributed your wonderful frogs!
 

August Meeting


Sharon handed out paper cones at the July meeting and challenged us to make something from one. Daisy is shown here holding her decorated cone with a pop-up doll inside.
  
Calendar Of Events 
 
August, Phoebe "Frog Prince" Exhibit at the Book Shop, on B Street in Hayward. This is perhaps the best one yet—be sure to see it!

August, Contemporary Art Exhibit, Richmond Art Center, featuring art by artists with disabilities—baskets, quilts, clay structures, etc. Go to www.richmondartcenter.org for details. Closed on Mondays.

August 28, 29, 30, Annual Rummage Sale, Episcopal Church, 1700 Santa Clara, Alameda. 9 to 4 on Friday and Saturday; Noon to 3 on Sunday. This event is held at Daisy's church each year, and the treasures and bargains make this a "must attend" event. Sunday is super bargain day—you can get a bag full of wonderful things for only $2.

September 17, Phoebe Meeting, 6:30 P.M., Alameda County Office of Education, 313 W. Winton Ave, Hayward, CA. A Board meeting will be held before the meeting, starting a 6 P.M. The Tilda dolls, along with back stories and accessories, will be due at this meeting.

September 19 (Saturday), Barbara Redemer Doll Lecture, 10 A.M., Marin Needle Arts Guild meeting, Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1 Wellbrock Heights, San Rafael (Terra Linda). Free admission.

September24, 25 and 26 (Thurs., Fri., Sat), Pleasanton Quilt, Craft and Sewing Festival, Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton. Free admission. www.quiltcraftsew.com

October 3, Tinsel and Treasures Show, 10 A.M. to 4 P.M., Veterans Building, 400 Hartz Ave, Danville. Phoebe Sharon Martin will have fabulous items in her "My Little Friends" booth. 

October 3, Big Indoor Fall Flea Market, 8 A.M. to 1 P.M., Kenneth C. Aitken Senior & Community Center, 17800 Redwood Road, Castro Valley. www.haywardrec.org

 November 7 and 8, Christmas Craft Show, 10 A.M. to 5 P.M., Goose Cottage, 1610 Minturn, Alameda. Phoebes and former Phoebes will have wonderful gifts and decorations for sale.
 
November 9 and 10, November 12 and 13, and November 16 and 17. Three Kate Church Workshops, 2-days each. Class space is limited to 8 people per class. Contact Daisy at daisybkdoll@comcast.net for information.

November 21 (Saturday), Susan Else 3D Fabric Sculpture, 9 A.M. to 4 P.M., Marin Needle Arts Guild meeting, Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1 Wellbrock Heights, San Rafael (Terra Linda). $35/$20 materials. www.susanelse.com/workshops_lectures.php. She will be teaching quilting and collage techniques for creating fabric flowers, vines and leaves.

December, Phoebe Exhibit at the Book Shop, B Street, Hayward. Betts will be in charge. More information later.

January 2016, Phoebe Tilda Doll Exhibit at the Book Shop, B Street, Hayward. Sharon will be in charge.

January 21, 2016, Elinor Peace Baily "Me, Myself and I" Doll Workshop9 A.M. to 4 P.M. at the Education Building, Hayward. Contact Colleen at colleen.patell@gmail.com.
 

Special Presentation
 
Bonnie has been so busy creating wonderful envelopes and decorating them with amazing embellishments... her specialty! She brought a big box of them to show us the endless possibilities. Many sizes and shapes... they can be used for greeting cards, notes, or gift cards. Thanks Bonnie—you always inspire us with your original ideas.
 
 
 
 
Cone Challenge
 
Here are photos of the results of the cone challenge that
was due at this meeting.
 
 
Above is a fun little red French dunce cap Betts made by covering her cone with fabric and upholstery trim.
 
 
Guest Diane Lapp, who also attended last month's meeting, made a decorative ring holder that cleverly hides under her decorated cone.
 
 
Harlene's cone holds a colorful doll with a very cute face and bright orange hair.
 
 
This is a close-up of Daisy's pop-up doll. She made the hair by cutting up mesh garlic bags and attaching the pieces to the head.
 
 
Linda also made a pop-up doll in a beautiful cone decorated with precisely cut paper trims, and then she made a stand to hold it—incorporating an old bed spring she found in her friend's yard.
 
 
Marjorie had downloaded a Tilda pattern from the Web and found it was really too small to use for her Tilda doll challenge. So, she used the body parts on the cone and made a lovely standing doll. 
 
 
Zanaib decorated two cones by adding tapa cloth, bark cloth, knitted trims, beads and fibers.
 
Show and Tell
 
 
Sally brought sheets of canvas fabric (above) she had painted with layers of colorful acrylics—some of which she will use to make lined purses. She also displayed the gorgeous large quilt she designed, which she is in the process of finishing.
 
 
Guest Diane Ladd has put so much work into these fabulous gifts for her cousin's daughters. Each canvas mesh cross stitched box contains a doll and an individual wardrobe of tiny outfits made just for it. And, she decorated the tops with beautiful Irish crochet and butterflies.
 
 
Above is a photo of the same style cast resin bird as the one Elizabeth purchased from California artist Joanne Callander and brought to the meeting. Joanne's amazing original works can be seen on her Web site.
 
 
We were all so happy that Judy was back from Florida and could join us for the meeting. Above is one of the beautiful necklaces she recently made from copper wire and beads. This one features the coiled wire buttons she so cleverly makes.
 
 
Rosie shared with us the very cute polymer figure Judy had made and given to her. Rosie definitely is a "Queen of Art."
 
 
For example, Rosie continues to make a multitude of Christmas decorations, many to be used as gifts this year. She brought some of the members of the choir to the previous meeting, but her favorites (and ours, too) are these adorable nuns. 
 
 
Marjorie has just completed a doll she made from a Barbara Willis pattern. What a beautiful job she did!
 
 
Marjorie has already completed two Tilda dolls for the January window display. These are examples of the "pleasantly plump" Tildas.
 
 
 
 
Linda has been making tassels and woven fiber cords. Above are some of the beautiful examples of tassels she has made using a loom made from a small photo mat. They have seed beads added to each strand.  
 
 
Harlene discovered these pretty filigree pieces to add to her latest necklace of beautiful beads.
 
 
 
Former Phoebe Shawn Dubin paid us a surprise visit. It was wonderful to see her latest art projects, including this colorful quilted vest she is making for herself.
 
 
Above is a "gazing ball" yard decoration Donna made at former Phoebe Shirley Herring's mosaic studio. Several Phoebes and former Phoebes attended and learned so much about materials and techniques from Shirley. They not only had fun, but were so pleased with the finished projects (see below).  
 
 
Below are three necklaces and a bracelet Donna strung after attending a bead show in Pleasanton and finding some great bargains on bead strings and pendants.
 
 
  
 
  
 
The pendant in the necklace above represents Kwan Yin, the Chinese goddess and protector of women.
 
 
And, Donna also brought a collage she made at one of the numerous art play days she held for her thirteen-year-old granddaughters. They made similar ones to hang in their bedrooms (see below).
 

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

"Make It and Take It" Quilling at the July Meeting

Our featured artist at the July meeting was
Michelle Johnson, who demonstrated paper
quilling techniques. See "Special Presentation"
below for photos and details.

Calendar Of Events 
 
August, Phoebe "Frog Prince" Exhibit at the Book Shop, on B Street in Hayward. This is perhaps the best one yet—be sure to see it!

August, Contemporary Art Exhibit, Richmond Art Center, featuring art by artists with disabilities—baskets, quilts, clay structures, etc. Go to www.richmondartcenter.org for details. Closed on Mondays.

August 7-9, Bead and Boutique Art Show, 10 A.M. to 6 P.M., Hilton Hotel, 1970 Diamond Blvd, Concord. $10 admission; 200 booths.

August 20, Phoebe Meeting, 6:30 P.M., Alameda County Office of Education, 313 W. Winton Ave, Hayward, CA. The paper cone challenge will be due at this meeting. Also, bring your envelopes made from the pattern Sally handed out at the July meeting.

August 28, 29, 30, Annual Rummage Sale, Episcopal Church, 1700 Santa Clara, Alameda. 9 to 4 on Friday and Saturday; Noon to 3 on Sunday. This event is held at Daisy's church each year, and the treasures and bargains make this a "must attend" event. Sunday is super bargain day—you can get a bag full of wonderful things for only $2.

September 17, Phoebe Meeting, 6:30 P.M., Alameda County Office of Education, 313 W. Winton Ave, Hayward, CA. The Tilda dolls, along with story lines and accessories will be due at this meeting. 

September 26, Halloween and Vine, 9 A.M. to 3 P.M., Hermann Sons Hall, 860 Western Avenue, Petaluma. $5 admission.

October 3, Tinsel and Treasures Show, 10 A.M. to 4 P.M., Veterans Building, 400 Hartz Ave, Danville. Phoebe Sharon Martin will have fabulous items in her "My Little Friends" booth. 

 November 7 and 8, Christmas Craft Show, 10 A.M. to 5 P.M., Goose Cottage, 1610 Minturn, Alameda. Phoebes and former Phoebes will have wonderful gifts and decorations for sale.
 
November 9 and 10, and November 12 and 13. Two Kate Church Workshops, 2-days each. Class space is limited to 8 people per class. Contact Daisy at daisybkdoll@comcast.net for information.

December, Phoebe Exhibit at the Book Shop, B Street, Hayward. Betts will be in charge. More information later.

January 2016, Phoebe Tilda Doll Exhibit at the Book Shop, B Street, Hayward. Sharon will be in charge.

January 21, 2016, Elinor Peace Baily "Me, Myself and I" Doll Workshop9 A.M. to 4 P.M. at the Education Building, Hayward. Contact Colleen at colleen.patell@gmail.com.
 

Special Presentation
 

 
Our evening was definitely a new kind of enrichment, quilling. Michelle Johnson, shown here demonstrating a technique to member Marjorie, gave each of us a generous kit of colorful paper strips, tools and other necessary items. She led us in coiling and manipulating the strips into flowers and an assortment of designs and shapes. It was a relaxing, magical experience and I'm sure while most of us will not proceed toward mastering quilling, we certainly considered using this technique to make cute 3D embellishments for future paper projects.  
 

This photo and the three following ones are examples of the quilling techniques Michelle has mastered over the years. Look at each carefully, as the intricacy of her designs are truly amazing. 
 


 


 

Each item is truly a work of art and we give a great big "thanks" to Michele for sharing her knowledge with us and inspiring us to try a new and different art medium.

Challenge

The challenge for this month was to take one of the cigar boxes Sharon handed out in June and turn it into something wonderful. Some people wanted to embellish the box and use it as a container for small treasures, mementos, or a place to keep artist trading items from past exchanges.
 

This box is beautifully embellished with fairies.


This one is embellished with birds, butterflies and flowers.


Linda turned hers into a stand alone piece with an Alice in Wonderland theme.


Marjorie also made a circus wagon, but her theme was Pinocchio.  




Rosie used her talented graphic skills to make a mosaic design of colorful figures.


Here is a second box she is painting and it shows the painting stages as they progress.


Suzanne used her cigar box to make a birdhouse. She drilled out an entry portal and added driftwood and an A-frame roof.
 
Show and Tell
 

Daisy has already finished her Tilda due next month. Not only did she make a Tilda, but she made the whole family, including the cat! She entitled the piece "Popcorn,"  which the family is no doubt enjoying as they cuddle together to watch TV.

Stephanie also has finished her Tilda doll. So sweet... so many layers... a darling coat... an amazing hair style... and tiny painted slippers. Wonderful job, Stephanie!


Stephanie's jewelry making has taken a new direction this past month—button bracelets. Lovely! Each is constructed with wire and seed beads to make the bracelet base.


Barbara brought the doll she made in a Nicole Sayers workshop. Such a nice design using the drawer base. This lucky lady is dressed in finery made with those vintage Europen laces and trims Barbara is famous for collecting and using in her creations.


This close-up shows more clearly the intricate painting on the face. The interpretation of the face is clearly identifiable as Barbara's style and aesthetic. She always makes truly beautiful dolls.



Barbara also shared with us some of the dolls she has collected. These Egyptian mummy cats are so exquisitely embellished. Each is signed by the maker (see below).





And last, but by no means least, above is the amazing traveling doll, who accompanied Barbara on her last trip to France and Belgium. We followed the doll's European adventures on Barbara's Facebook page... viewing the sights, the people she met, and the wonderful vintage treasures purchased at the Paris flea markets. We were all so envious!


Bonnie brought her "Embellishment Queen" panel which showcases many of the multitude of techniques Bonnie has perfected and used on her dolls and jewelry over the years. I'm thinking I heard that Eleanor had a part in this, too.


Colleen always literally stuns us with the amount of items she can create in a single month. She is hands down the most prolific of our group. Above are some of the ceramic faces she recently made, as well as several of her fabulous ceramic balls.

And, here are two of Colleen's latest assemblages. These are made from a combination of original ceramic pieces, drill bits, shoe lasts, and other assorted found objects and wire.  The results of one of the most creative minds we all know.


Harlene, also a prolific artisan, shared with us her beautiful necklace made with polished semi-precious stone chips.


Kelly is busy preparing for her up-coming Christmas craft show at Goose Cottage in Alameda. She has been making more of her Cernit polymer clay fairy babies, as well as mermaids and elves.


This is one of Kelly's adorable sleeping elf babies sculpted from polymer.


Rosie completed her polymer clay girl from the Anne Klocko workshop. The details are off the chart! Intricate designs on the clothing, and even a cute pet bird. Wonderful!

 And, Rosie is busy, busy, busy... making polymer members of the choir singing Christmas carols, which she will be selling at the Goose Cottage Christmas Sale.