August Phoebe Meeting at Marcella's

The most amazing part of the meeting was Geri's talk about her huge California history project for the Sonoma elementary schools this spring. Over the years Geri has taken this and other similar projects above and beyond the level of elementary doll-making. By donating much of her own private stash, and items donated or made by her and her artist friends, she assembled hundreds and hundreds of individual components for the kits the students would use to create historically costumed dolls representing numerous native American Indian tribes. From supplying hand made doll bodies and sculpted heads, to adding furs and fabrics sew into clothing, plus tiny bows and quivers of arrows, jewelry, and on and on, the amount of work involved is impossible to comprehend. And, Geri conducted this event the very day before she was to enter the hospital for major back surgery and was experiencing a great deal of pain. We certainly hope all those teachers and students realize how lucky they were to have someone like Geri to make their event so very special.

Calendar of Events 

August 24, (Saturday), 10:30 A.M., "Remembering Mary." It will be held at Siempre Verde Park, 455 Park St., San Leandro. Informal gathering—you may bring snacks to share.

September 14, (Saturday), 10 A.M. to 4 P.M., Phoebe Meeting at Marcella's. This will be an activity event with three activities to participate in: fabric origami (Harlene and Kathy); how to wire tins (Anne); book binding (Jennifer). The shoe challenge will be due. Create anything that includes a "shoe." Please bring a bag lunch. Also bring a bone folder, non-sharp tapestry needle, needle nose pliers, and an Altoid tin, if you have them (if not, some will be available at the meeting). 

October 12, (Saturday), 1 to 6 P.M., Phoebe Meeting at Christ Episcopal Church in Alameda. This will be our annual potluck/gift exchange to celebrate the Phoebes' 32nd anniversary. Bring a sweet or savory dish to share, and, of course, your gift for the exchange if you participated. 

November 9, (Saturday), 1 to 4 P.M., Phoebe Meeting at Colleen's. Harlene will offer enrichment.

Flat Doll Challenge

Some newly completed flat dolls were brought to the meeting. Above are Linda's cute articulated paper dolls, including a lovely Asian beauty.

Marjorie's flat doll adorned this sweet quilted fabric piece. A clever idea. 

Sue created this beautiful mermaid using amazingly beautiful paper. Really exceptional!

Show and Tell

How we all envy Geri's extensive stash of art supplies! Digging through her card-making supplies, she found so many beautiful die-cut pieces and parts to assemble these 3D pop-up cards. By pulling ribbons or sliding various parts of each one, the lovely hidden messages are revealed.

Elizabeth's latest fired ceramic piece is in its final stages. This large assemblage features a ceramic clay sculpted face of Jacob Marley (the first ghost in A Christmas Carol) attached to a wooden door. When completed, she will be entering it to be juried for an upcoming art show in Grass Valley. We are all hoping she makes the cut!

Marcella has amazing patience and attention to detail! This small doll quilt includes tiny patchwork squares made from Marcella's long-saved quilting scraps. It will be donated to the "Stitch'n for Kids" hospital project. Such bright and happy colors!

Marcella recently visited our dear former Phoebe, Laurie, who moved to Portola. Laurie, who excels at doll-making and clay sculpting, gave Marcella this mask she had sculpted.  Lucky Marcella!

Sally continues to amaze us with her fabulous embellished gelli prints decorated by stamping, stenciling, and free-hand doodles. She does them on various surfaces (see last month's post). Pictured here are a zippered fabric purse (top) and two booklets made with coated and uncoated paper. 

We loved Shawn's hand painted top. She purchased the cotton blank from Dharma Trading and used a variety of fabric paints in soft, cool pastels to execute her original surface design. 

Sue has been taking more on-line classes on "Curious Mondo" on YouTube. This over-the-top masterpiece—a witch on a broomstick, complete with a raven on her wrist, shows just how talented Sue is at sculpting with polymer. To see more of the exquisite detail, check out the photo below.

And, Sue has also whipped up these precious character dolls. Wonderful costuming.

Zanaib has been obsessed with gelli printing, also. She has been spending every free moment creating papers, cards, books, and stickers— not only embellished with metallic and glitter paint, but some are embossed, too. So beautiful and amazing. Between Zanaib and Sally, it is awfully tempting to go buy a gelli plate and join the fun!

We loved the dragonfly pin that Harlene (who usually specializes in butterflies) made and wore on her shoulder to the meeting! Exciting, unexpected, perfect!