Our November meeting became so much more when we started our enrichment session with Daisy. It was more like the playdays we used to have when we gathered to craft. During the session we followed Daisy's instructions to create Mandalas by painting rocks with beautiful designs. More information to follow!
Calendar
It's that time of the year again and we are looking forward to another festive Christmas celebration at Barbara's studio. It will take place on Saturday, December 13, from 11 AM until 2 or 3 P.M. All you have to do is RSVP at least 5 or so days prior to our gathering and bring a small pair of scissors and a gold leafing pen if you have one. Barbara does all the rest, including a fantastic meal, treats, and a fun crafting session. Don't miss it! The address was sent in Barbara's email.
November Enrichment with Daisy
It seemed everyone enjoyed making mandalas. We only had to bring some round pencil erasers to print the dots, and Daisy supplied the rocks, paints, items to make various size dots, examples, and explained the technique.
Daisy helped Suzanne R and all of us to gather our materials.
Then she explained the techniques and possibilities.
Shawn, Bunnie, and the rest of us were eager to start painting.
We quickly became engrossed in our work.
And we found we could include a bit of happy chatter while we worked.
Daisy and several others brought mandalas they had previously made.
And below is a photo of some that were finished before our session ended. Looking forward to more being completed at the next meeting.
Show and Tell
Susanne D proudly displayed one of her recently completed quilts. Beautiful colors, intricate designs, and surely a lot of hard work.
And included another one she finished a short time ago. Her quilts are amazing! Thank you for sharing.
Shawn collects numerous items and then turns them into unique pieces of art like this folding shade wall hanger. So creative.
Daisy created these fabric cats using some of her beautiful batik fabrics. She was inspired by Laural Birch's cat designs.
Colleen is currently immersed in melting and reshaping glass. She uses several techniques, including shaping them in bowls and molds. Fabulous!
She also recently took a quilting class and learned how to weave fabric strips and create quilts and mats like the one above.
Donna decided to use the tag challenge to create more of her greeting cards and continue to do so in order to use most of the tags she has collected over the years.
Rosie was visiting friends in the Bay Area last month and joined her friend in decorating pumpkins by filling them with various plants. What a unique and clever idea!
Tips and Tricks
Betts' November challenge was to share tips and tricks. Caroline's tip was to read a pattern all the way through at least two times before you start--even if you have made it before. She has learned the hard way and that recutting or unpicking stitches is not fun.
Jennifer suggests buying Exacto blades in bulk because they dull so quickly.
Betts listed the many ways we can spread joy and do good deeds and acts of kindness.
Colleen 's advice is to always use the best fabric, such as Pima cotton, for cloth doll parts.
Anne suggests turning your project up-side down to get a better perspective or see if something is askew.
Donna revealed how to find out if your fabric is made with synthetic fibers, that melt if you carefully use a match or better yet, a candle (have a small bowl of water nearby). Synthetics will melt into a bead while natural fibers will burn and turn to ashes. You can carefully seal a raw edge of a synthetic ribbon or fabric by carefully passing the edge through the flame.
She also discovered that if your gold leafing pen's nib dries out you can hydrate it with alcohol (not water). Use an eye dropper to add a bit into the cap, close, and stand it vertically in a cup or small bottle overnight. Ink pads can be revitalized by spraying a bit of water, or alcohol on the pad and seeing which works.
Elaine's tip is to get a cordless hot glue gun. You can find a HOTO brand on Amazon for $23,
Marcella's tip is to use invisible thread for beading small projects and it's great for bobbins also. If it is too difficult to see, double it.
Geri suggests that when using a die-cut tool, wrap PRESS'NSEAL wrap on the magnetic mat so that your paper pattern comes out clean.
Suzanne D's advice is complete those UFO's (unfinished objects) you need to complete!
(A special thanks to Elaine for taking the minutes and standing in for Sue while she was out of town. It was an outstanding job, and so quickly published!)
