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Friday, February 26, 2016

Workday and Day Meeting in February


Shown above are two completed snakes the Phoebes made to donate to Stitching for Kids.


February 19 was a busy day for Phoebes. The morning started at 10 A.M. with an outreach project—making cloth toys—followed by lunch and a business meeting at 1:00 P.M. At the meeting Gerri explained the workday program, Stitching for Kids, made possible by a group that meets the first Wednesday of every month at the Cotton Patch in Lafayette. They make soft toys, doll clothes and accessories for children who are in hospitals for long stays.  Each girl on the list gets a doll and a wardrobe of outfits and accessories for the doll. The group also makes dinosaurs and snakes, and a roadway with small cars for the boys. So, the Phoebes joined in and created some items to donate to the project (see more photos below).

 

Calendar Of Events 

February  26-28 (Fri/Sat/Sun), 10-6, Bead and Boutique Arts ShowHilton Concord. $10 entry, parking free. Go to www.beadandboutique.com

March 1 thru 31, Phoebe "Tilda Exhibit" at the Castro Valley Library. We are pleased to once again exhibit our dolls in the beautiful glass case at the entrance to this library. Be sure to drop by sometime during the month if you possibly can.

March 11-13 (Fri. 12-6/Sat.10-6/Sun.10-5), Gem FaireAlameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton. $7 entry, parking $10.

March 5, Phoebe "Make It and Take It" at the Castro Valley Library. This is a free event for library patrons of all ages to assemble and adorn stump dolls. Contact Diane to volunteer.

March 17, Thursday, Phoebe Meeting6:30 to 9:30 P.M., Alameda Education Building, Hayward. Bring your doll or art piece made from the "noodle" strips of fabric you picked up at the January meeting. Bring a bowl of noodles for yourself for the pasta potluck. Help yourself to the spaghetti sauce provided at the meeting.

April 21 (Thursday, 9 to 4), Laurie Scott Cloth Embellished Necklace Workshop. Many different techniques will be explored. Contact Colleen at colleen.patell@gmail.coto sign up, and send her a check to make sure your space is reserved.

April 21, Thursday, Phoebe Meeting6:30 to 9:30 P.M., Alameda Education Building, Hayward. Pick up a spool for the challenge due in June. Use it to make any type of creative piece.

May 19, Thursday, Phoebe Meeting, 6:30 to 9:30 P.M., Alameda Education Building, Hayward. Dolls for the Petaluma Exhibit will be due.

June 23, Petaluma Doll ExhibitThis is a two-month invitation only and juried exhibit, and we are proud to be invited as a club for the second time. Many internationally known doll makers will exhibiting, as well as conducting workshops. More details to follow. Our dolls will be due at the May meeting.

June 16, Thursday, Phoebe Meeting6:30 to 9:30 P.M., Alameda Education Building, Hayward. Spool Challenge will be due. 

Work-day Photos


 
Colleen led the sewing group—who had brought their sewing machines and many scraps of fabric—as they created soft toys for the children 
 

Above are examples of the snakes in progress. And, below are some really cute fish waiting to be stuffed.



Below are examples of the dolls and doll clothes the project creates to give to the girls.






Show and Tell


 
Rosie brought her doll from the Elenor Peace Bailey workshop. She used an Elenor pattern she already had but had not made before, Suzie Shopper.


 Suzanne also used this pattern, and you will note both dolls have their handbags and are ready to "shop 'til they drop!"


Betts brought some exquisite items from her fabulous collection...many obtained on her numerous trips to Paris.

She also brought lovely creations made from items in her "stash."


Absolutely over-the-top beautiful!!!

 
 


Kathy showed off her colorful and expertly sewn quilt.


And Anne brought her notions challenge doll made with snaps, hooks and eyes and  zipper.


Bonnie has been busy making collages and adding her original embellishments.


Harlene created this necklace from wire, which seems like a difficult thing to do. Every stitch is so perfectly even.


Colleen has sewn this amazing "I Spy" baby quilt, with motifs to be used while playing "I Spy" with the little one.


Rosie showed us her skating "Dancing Fool" from the Kate Church workshop. Love those skates!


Above is Linda's "Me,Myself and I" doll from Elenor's workshop. She hasn't sewn on the hands yet, but she has created a lot of possibilities.
 

  And above is Linda's Pinocchio "Tilda" doll to be displayed at the Castro Valley Library exhibit.

Monday, February 8, 2016

Elinor Peace Bailey Started Out Our New Year with Joy and Laughter!

 
The January evening meeting was preceded by a day-long doll workshop, "Me, Myself and I" conducted by Elinor Peace Bailey. Elinor, a founding member of the club and creator of the famous "Flying Phoebe" doll pattern after which the club was named, treated us to a glorious day filled with wit, humor, insight into her background, tips, tricks and techniques in sewing and doll-making, and a wealth of sage advice and philosophy she has developed during her life and artistic journeys. For many of us, it was the most fun-filled class we had ever taken and proof is evident in the broad smiles in the photo above. See more photos of the class and Elinor and her creations in the following post.

Calendar Of Events 

February  18, Thursday, Phoebe Workday and Daytime Meeting10 A.M. to 4 P.M., Alameda Education Building, Hayward. Daisy will lead an outreach sewing project in the morning (bring your lunch and your sewing machines and any fleece scraps you have that are 5 inches wide or larger). Lunch and the business meeting will start at 1 P.M.

February  18-20 (Thurs/Fri/Sat), San Mateo Quilt ShowSan Mateo Convention Center. Free entry, parking about $10.

February  26-28 (Fri/Sat/Sun), 10-6, Bead and Boutique Arts ShowHilton Concord. $10 entry, parking free. Go to www.beadandboutique.com

March 1 thru 31, Phoebe "Tilda Exhibit" at the Castro Valley Library. We are pleased to once again exhibit our dolls in the beautiful glass case at the entrance to this library. Be sure to drop by sometime during the month if you possibly can.

March 4-5 (Fri/Sat), Scrapbook ExpoAlameda County Fairgrounds. Go to www.scrapbookexpo.com for details.

March 11-13 (Fri. 12-6/Sat.10-6/Sun.10-5), Gem FaireAlameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton. $7 entry, parking $10

March 5, Phoebe "Make It and Take It" at the Castro Valley Library. This is a free event for library patrons of all ages to assemble and adorn stump dolls. Contact Diane to volunteer.

March 17, Thursday, Phoebe Meeting6:30 to 9:30 P.M., Alameda Education Building, Hayward. Bring your doll or art piece made from the "noodle" strips of fabric you picked up at the January meeting. Bring a bowl of noodles for yourself for the pasta potluck. Help yourself to the spaghetti sauce provided at the meeting.

April 21 (Thursday, 9 to 4), Laurie Scott Cloth Embellished Necklace Workshop. Many different techniques will be explored. Contact Colleen at colleen.patell@gmail.coto sign up, and send her a check to make sure your space is reserved.

April 21, Thursday, Phoebe Meeting6:30 to 9:30 P.M., Alameda Education Building, Hayward. Pick up a spool for the challenge due in June. Use it to make any type of creative piece.

May 19, Thursday, Phoebe Meeting, 6:30 to 9:30 P.M., Alameda Education Building, Hayward. Dolls for the Petaluma Exhibit will be due.

June 16, Thursday, Phoebe Meeting6:30 to 9:30 P.M., Alameda Education Building, Hayward.
Spool Challenge will be due. 


June 23, Petaluma Doll ExhibitThis is a two-month long, invitation only, juried exhibit and we are proud to be invited as a club for the second time. Many internationally known doll makers (including the Frouds) will exhibiting, as well as conducting workshops. More details to follow. Our dolls will be due at the May meeting.

Workshop Photos
 

During the workshop, Rosie and Suzanne discuss Rosie's thrilling opportunity to create one of her amazing necklaces for Elinor.
 

Elinor, shown with Suzanne, was so generous in sharing her skills and knowledge with all of us.


Colleen is giving the creation of her doll her full concentration!

 
As are Marcella and Geri, who are enjoying the experience.
  
Elinor's Presentation and Trunk Show
 

The highlight of the meeting was Elinor's trunk show. She brought huge suitcases of her dolls, both old and new, and we could appreciate her aesthetic and her vision to create figures that show a variety of sizes, shapes and attitudes, and demonstrate her artistic eye in combining color and pattern.

 
It was truly a wonderland of amazing figures... tributes to her endless creativity and originality. 


Shown above is the frame of a chair she is currently in the process of making and an example of her personal "Me, Myself and I" doll. Elinor even treated us to some of her original, humorous poetry and sang a rendition of "Hello Dolly" in her beautifully throaty voice! She elevated our moods and we left the meeting later, still smiling. Thanks for a delightful day and evening, Elinor!!!


Colleen brought this item to the meeting for the raffle. Watch for more exciting items to be raffled off at future meetings.
 
Show and Tell at Meeting
 
 
Above is Colleen's doll from the workshop, which features an original Elinor-drawn face. Elinor offered the opportunity for each of us to have her create her interpretation of our face on one of our cloth heads. We were thrilled to have this personal memento to keep.

 
Colleen has been busy working on more ceramics, and the assemblages above and below feature her latest ceramic heads and hands.
 

 
Above is Donna's doll from Elinor's workshop, and below are two of the finished "Dancing Fools" figures she made in the Kate Church workshop.



"Butterfly Catcher"


"Tripping Around Paris"

 
 
 
 
 


 

A Merry Christmas Was Had by All



The annual Phoebe Christmas Party and Potluck took place at Mary's community clubhouse on Sunday, December 13 at noon. It was a bright sunny day (not like the rain last year) and all who attended had a fabulous time enjoying the wonderful array of delicious food and desserts, the fellowship, and the gift exchange. Thank you so much Mary, for making it all possible.


The gifts this year were delightful. Thank you to all who participated and spent so much of your time and talent to make it a great success.


These photos show examples of those wonderful gifts and the joy and gratitude of the recipients.