2023 has come and gone and it's time for a fresh start. Before we know it, Valentines Day will be here. The high points of this month's meeting were planning activities and events for the coming year, such as assigning enrichment sessions for the monthly meetings and planning a design for a challenge Valentine card that will be due at the February meeting.

Betts got our imagination stimulated by conducting an enrichment session that featured bins full of her "All About Hearts" collection. So many items featuring hearts—including buttons, trims, lace, stamps, boxes, papers, fabric, ephemera, words, sayings, and so many beautiful heart-themed arts and crafts she has made or collected. Then, she handed out to each of us a kit with blank cards, envelopes, and bits and pieces of decorative items we could use in our design. Thank you, dear Betts, for your inspiration and generosity!

The challenge this month was something "Wintery" and some of the Show and Tell photos are examples that represent the theme.

Harlene made and handed out special LOVE pins to members. Thank you, Harlene, for your thoughtful gift.

Calendar

February 10 Meeting, (Saturday), 10:00 A.M. to 4 P.M. at Marcella's. We will be having a Play Day and a Potluck Lunch (please bring savory and healthy dishes). The Play Day activity will be all about needle felting. A supply list will be sent out to everyone before the meeting. Colleen, Geri, and other members will be supplying some materials, but if you have roving, needles, etc. in your stash, start rounding them up. The challenge (not an exchange) for February is a Valentine card.

March 9 Meeting, (Saturday), 11:30 A.M. at Marcella's. Drop-in social get-together will start at 11:30 A.M. to 1:30 P.M. Business meeting will start at 1:30 P.M. Harlene will be presenting the enrichment session.

Show and Tell

Colleen displayed this lovely decorative tabletop piece that consists of melted and fused glass shards that are displayed on a wooden table lamp stand.

Her spice tin people are adorable and are designed to hang on a wall.

Their sculpted faces are so cute!

Colleen has also been busy with watercolor painting and created these great cards, including two wintery scenes.

Jennifer has been focusing on creating books and experimenting with various techniques such as adding 3 dimensional decorative pieces, using various binding styles, and adding tabs and tags.

One of her books is about herself and her brother and has photos and mementos to capture memories. She is planning another book which will celebrate the life her late father and will be titled "The Edgar Chronicles."

Barbara has completed a beautiful "soft book" inspired by a class with Anna Corba. It is the first in a series to be entitled "My Little Dresses." The pages are made from fabrics, and she used her printer to print the vintage text.

Sue used a Christine Shively pattern to create this dainty cloth doll. She is dressed in winter colors.

Suzanne models the new scarf she crocheted to keep warm during the winter cold. Harlene made a lovely new vest made from a dresser scarf. What a clever idea!

Donna displayed her watercolor painting of a wintery scene.

Since we will be felting next month, several members brought examples of felted items they have made. Sue created both of these remarkable items that surely took a great deal of time and effort!

Anne has quite a collection of felted items. Her daughter made some of them (the animals), while others she has made and collected over the years.

Pretty sure two of these (top 2) are collected and the one on the bottom and below are an Anne originals.

This "wintery" Santa Clause was made by Anne and is an example of the stuffed animals and dolls she made when she worked for the DAKIN stuffed doll company. She designed and made all sorts of dolls, including Santas, bears and a bunny, some in hot air balloon baskets. She gave this Santa to a friend, and more recently received a photo showing that her friend still had it and treasured it!

Marcella displayed several of her dolls. They are amazing and include felting. Labor intensive, like most of the Phoebe dolls!

Daisy's "Winter Dragon Rider" is the perfect choice for a Winter challenge and a felting example. So original! Kudos!

Exquisite cards and tags are Geri's specialty. These examples (above and below) show the blend of die cuts and a wealth of special embellishments made from a variety of papers, ribbons, fringe, fabric and a multitude of materials.