Valentines Day Tea Party at Marcella's

 

In celebration of Valentines Day, Linda shared a photo of the woven paper hearts that her grandchildren made using Sue's pattern. Another thankyou goes out to Sue, who taught us how to make them and share the technique with others.

Calendar 

 March 11, (Saturday), 11 A.M. at Marcella's. Drop-in Social Get-together will be from 11:00 A.M. to 1:30 P.M. Business Meeting will start at 1:30 P.M. Bring your envelope necklace made with Rosie's pattern. We are so excited that Rosie will be here to lead a demonstration on embellishing it. Also bring your paper teacup from Geri's enrichment session for show and tell.

This is a photo of two completed envelop necklaces. The one on the left was made by Rosie using her pattern that Suzanne will be emailing out to everyone, and that we will be using. On the right is a similar one made by Donna who made up her own pattern a couple years ago.

What a delightful Tea Party!

Sue, Geri, and many other members brought delightful tea party pastries, sandwiches and treats for us to share. Some members wore hats and fascinators. Thank you to everyone who contributed. What fun it was!

Make and Take Enrichment with Geri

The highlight of the meeting was the enrichment session conducted by Geri. She brought a table full of die cut kits, beautiful embellishments, and a glue gun and liquid glue for us to use to make our own teacups. 

Show and Tell Button Cards

At our November 2022 meeting Betts brought bins of her beautiful button cards and challenged us to make some for ourselves, using vintage or interesting buttons we might have in our stash. It was our goal to show them at the February meeting. We had such a good turnout this month, and soon the examples of all the Show and Tell items were being circulated around the room in both directions. It got to the point where it was difficult to record the maker of individual items as they passed by. So, please forgive the fact the items shown in the rest of this blog are not identified by the maker. However, you will be amazed by all the truly original and beautiful creations in all categories that were presented. 

Show and Tell Hanger Challenge

February was also the month that Sharon had challenged us to complete a "hanger" using the sari fabric that she had handed out in September. While some choose to use the beautiful blue sari silk, others used fabrics that they had, or displayed hangers that they had made prior to the challenge. They are all wonderful works of original art to be treasured.

More Show and Tell

Sally once again amazed us with her artistic books and journals. 

The books were followed by a luggage train case with an interior she had decorated with beautifully colored paper that had been laminated. That was the piece de resistance of show.

Harlene handed out blank composition books at the meeting. She then challenged us to decorate them with original art both inside and out. The completed books will be due in May.

 

It was truly a remarkable and memorable day!

Happy Crafting to All!

A Very Merry Christmas Celebration!

 

What a wonderful Christmas party we had this year! It was the best ever, thanks to Barbara for generously opening her beautiful art studio, which was festively decorated with holiday decorations. It has been several years since we have been able to have a Christmas party, due to bad weather and to Covid restrictions and concerns. And even though a wild rainstorm was predicted, the Rain Gods mercifully held back the deluge until after we had safely arrived inside and lifted the heavy rain and wind when it was time to leave. 

Barbara was most generous in supplying the major portion of the meal by serving a delicious Chicken Pot Pie, other accompaniments and treats, and a fabulous Cheesecake, plus individual favors in tiny tabletop sleighs. Some members also contributed some savory and sweet items that created an amazing feast.

And then, Barbara went above and beyond by leading us in a tutorial for making very beautiful tiny and delicate paper shoes and supplying the materials to make them. 

THANK YOU SO MUCH, Barbara, for making all this possible and for bringing so much joy to everyone. 

Calendar 

 January 8, (Saturday), 11 A.M. at Marcella's. Drop-in Social Get-together will be from 11:00 A.M. to 1:30 P.M. Business Meeting will start at 1:30 P.M. Please bring your completed challenge item from Sharon's enrichment.

A Glorius Day in Barbara's Studio 

Below is a photo of some of various sizes of paper shoes Barbara has made.

And... above are examples of the fantastic creations she has made using bits and pieces of the vintage fabrics, trims, buttons, and papers. Her studio is a virtual inspirational art gallery.

While not all of us completed our slippers before it was time to leave, we are excited to be able to use the patterns and knowledge to finish these and to make more in the future. Once again, thank you Barbara for a very special day.

Anne, Caroline and Jennifer

Sally, Betts and Marcella

Caroline and Jennifer brought candy cane paper gingerbread men for everyone, as well as mozzarella cheese sticks decorated as snowmen. How fun is that!

This is one of the individual favors Barbara gave to each of us.

Former member Kelly, who has been on a four-month stay in London with her husband, sent us a photo of this intricate thread- embroidered portrait she has recently completed. Her work is truly amazing!

Rosie, our dear member in La Quinta, just sent a photo of 4 of the 20 individual and unique watercolor paintings she has just completed and turned into Christmas cards. They are certain to bring joy to their recipients. 

BEST WISHES TO EVERYONE FOR A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A NEW YEAR FILLED WITH JOY AND HOURS SPENT CRAFTING AND CREATING!

SEE YOU IN 2023

November 2022 Meeting

 

We were treated to delightful stories about buttons, as Betts shared her astonishing collection with great humor and expertise during the enrichment session. Her button cards are works of art that document history. Betts gave each of us a gift—a bag of supplies and instructions and ideas to make a button card. She also gave us a chance to rummage through her "poke box." What a treasure! Above are sample button cards Bett's has made.

Calendar 

 December 10, 11 A.M. to 2 P.M. (Saturday) Christmas Party at Barbara's Studio.  Barbara will lead us in celebrating the holiday season and also teach us to make a dainty paper shoe. Please bring a pair of scissors. You may bring a snack or something to share if you so desire.

January 8, (Saturday), 11 A.M. at Marcella's. Drop-in Social Get-together will be from 11:00 A.M. to 1:30 P.M. Business Meeting will start at 1:30 P.M. Please bring your completed challenge item from Sharon's enrichment.

Enrichment by Betts

Here are more samples of the button cards Betts has created by adding various collaged items from her stash.  

Here are more ideas for button embellishment. The very old book is a treasure she found at a flea market in Paris. Thank you, Betts, for your enlightenment and inspiration. 

Show and Tell

Geri displayed her collection of Halloween pins, some that she has collected and some that she has personally created. 

And Geri also shared examples of the exquisite greeting cards she has assembled so beautifully.

Betts brought some dolls that she has collected and some that she has made. She generously and freely offered them to members.

This is a photo of one of Donna's recent watercolor paintings.

 Caroline recently discovered some fabric in her stash that she had purchased a long time ago and used it to create this patchwork jacket. A very lovely and artistic creation.

 Jennifer framed this fabric nativity scene and then used some twisted metal mesh and wire, and fabric to make the hanger.

Barbara recently traveled to England for a class on hand stitchery conducted by Anna Corbas. She found the lovely old postcard in a small antique shop in Rye, UK for the journal, top right. She made the English stitcher pouch on the top left in a class by Mandy Patullo. And the dainty dress made from fabrics and trims was just for fun.  

Bonnie displayed her organizational skills by showing us how she has created reference samples that show her inventory of colors, rubber stamps, buttons and papers. That is ultimate organization!

Rosie and her daughter, Leslie, joined together to make 26 pints of guava jam. They had to de-seed the fruit before cooking, which was very time consuming. The jam turned out delicious! With the labels and colorful fabric covers, they will make wonderful Christmas presents. 

Rosie, who lives in La Quinta, has been participating in a local group to make kits for the "Dress a Girl Around the World" program. Here are examples of the finished dresses. The design has been updated since the Phoebes volunteered and sent many dresses to Africa. The dresses now have pockets, and a doll is also included.  Sally finished 5 new portrait and collage designs and used them as journal covers. Another great idea for gifts. 

Sue completed her gnome, plus another tiny, attached gnome. Note how she used the sock design for the facial features. She also made some little gnomes on sticks and created and beautifully painted the winged heart, part of a project she shared with her granddaughters. 

This is Sue's colorful Dia Des Los Muertas doll, 

aptly dressed for the occasion!