Show & Tell - January 31, 2015

Hi Fabric Fun Ladies, couple special hellos - one from last week actually when I forgot to mention that Carol Planck was able to come to our meeting.  We were all happy to see Carol be able to get out of the house for something other than a doctor's visit, and we were very happy she got to attend a Saturday afternoon at SeaBreeze.  Keep improving, Carol, get your strength back because we need our "Queen of Bling" back in the house.  And it's great to see Kathryn Jeter looking terrific as always back at Fabric Fun and Joyce Snyder - who as always - came with her enthusiastic spirit of helping and sharing.  Update and this one is tough to give, Kay Flanagan has not been able to recover strength and mobility enough from the hip fracture and 2nd whammy stroke that paralyzed her left side to return home.  They knew it would be a lot to as of a 100+ year old body.  So the family is now searching for a nearby nursing home for Kay.  Please say a prayer that just the right spot opens up for her.  And of course as soon as I mentioned Kay's going to a nursing home, Joyce Snyder and Marie Bray immediately said that sounds like perfect opportunity for Fabric Fun Ladies to take our sewing crafting fun for a visit, i.e. like our Homewood and Mission Oaks days of visiting to share crafting time with the assisted living and wheelchair bound residents.  That will be our hope and prayer to have opportunity to again share some of our Fabric Fun time with Kay in her new residence in the future.  We'll keep you posted for sure.  In the meantime, Kay is still at The Villages Rehab but now in room 201.   Last Sunday, I took Kay a card which we all signed on Saturday, and she cherished each and every name as I read the sentiments and names to her.  She just says, "I'm so glad you found me."  I said of course we would!  That's how we feel about our members, we care and we share. 

And great to see Helen Lawrie who popped in to drop off a couple doggie beds and a fidget quilt - do not miss seeing these pictures on the blog!!  It is the cutest doggie rendition ever!!  Please pray for Helen as she continues to recover from the hand skin condition and now she has an added problem with her eyelashes that may require surgery.  I'm not quite sure of the exact name but it is a condition where your eyelashes grow inward.   Helen says it is not fun and just thinking about it makes me "see" what she means.  Get all better Helen because we want you back for every Saturday and that you can come and stay the whole meeting - you are so much fun to be around!! 

Suzanne Brown was able to come Saturday - she works every other Sat. at Sharkys Vac and Sew in Wildwood.  Suzanne said that Sharkys is planning a one-day end of bolt sale soon and she'll give us a heads up.  For sewing crafters and quilters, end of bolt is "golden" because that means you usually get a nice chunk of fabric for an excellent (better than discount) price.  I personally love end of bolts because it is usually just a little more fabric than I need or would have purchased (since my usual amount is 1 and 1/4 yard cut) and so I can count on having the same fabric to use in for more than one project.  And Sharkys has expanded his line of fabrics and we all know that he sells some excellent lines for $'s less than the "full size" quilting shops we visit.  Great example is his prices for Moda and Timeless Treasures - you can beat his discount even with a coupon.   What I admire most about Sharkys is its reputation for honesty and that comes the owner.

Attachments this week include the 2 patterns for Microwave Bowl Buddies that we will be making on Saturday.  Lois Rose will lead this demonstration and she is very good at these goodies.  Some of you have made them in the past, so please feel free to bring your creations to show off and chime in with your own "tips" and ideas.  We always learn something!  Ladies who have not made these before, they go together super duper easy - fun - and they are so useful in this modern age of microwave ovens.  No special cutting, no special seaming, just straight stitching up some square cuts of cotton fabric.  Key word - cotton - cotton fabric, cotton thread, cotton batting.  No polyester or nylon - even in the bobbin and no metallic accents on the fabric printing either.  It's not as complicated as it sounds.  There will be lots of samples and lots of fabrics, threads and batting to go around if you don't already have some. 

Also attached are pillow basics.  Couple weeks ago I included the "How to make a Valentine Wreath" pillow pattern (and it is attached again here).  So I'm including an excellent tutorial pattern how to sew together a basic pillow cover that works whether you are covering a 12", 14", 16" and so on size.  And another attachment "Coolest Trick Ever" is really just that - cool - and quick - read thru and you'll understand and then say... "Duh!"  So I showed how just making a "blank pillow cover" and using 3-4 pieces of felt, you could take the idea of the Valentine wreath, and change up for St. Pat's Day with Shamrocks, Easter with bunnies or colored eggs, 4th of July with stars, Summer flowers, Halloween, etc. etc.  In fact, attached is another pattern by one of the young artist's of today, Vanessa Christenson, with same idea using fall leaves.  FYI, she has a terrific website with lots of fun and easy sewing tutorials she shares.  It is said that the easiest way to change up or spice up your décor is by adding/changing pillows.  Here's how.

Show & Tell - great list this week - you all amaze...!

 

Cinda Asp - visiting us this week and shared her yoyo quilt - these are the really little yo yo's - so this is one lady who can do a perfect yo yo!!  And Cinda shared a rough edge (we sometimes call it faux chenille or raw edge) bag - it is a great tote size bag - made using charm squares (5" squares of fabric).  She created her bag pattern which is beautiful.   There are a couple raw edge tote bag patterns from various blogs and so we'll get a couple together and share in the future. 

 

Nancy Cartlidge - shared her done Midi Bag Project - Awesome work!!

 

 

 

JoAnn Colin - finished to donate a cat hammock (her very first project!) and shared her scissor holder made from potholder.  JoAnn said to use the cheaper potholders because the thicker ones are just too bulky to work with.   See, Lady, you are already on your way to creating and sharing tips!  That what we do!!   We are very proud of you!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BJ Herter - finished up the kitty cat pillowcase to turn in for Case for Smiles - fyi BJ is very allergic to kitties, so this was opportunity for her to have the fur-ball producers around (in fabric) without causing her allergic distress.  And thank you BJ, Sunshine Lady, for circulating card we signed for Kay!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pat Pipa - finished up 3 pillowcases for Case for Smiles ConKerr!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lu Karatzas - shared a quilt she made up using up all her batiks pieces and it is a terrific masterpiece with a beautifully contrasting border and binding fabric and nicely positioned fancy stitching to boot!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brenda Severa shared a gorgeous in-the-hoop embroidered wallhanging she's made. 

 

 

Ruth Campbell - turned in another cat hammock!  Pretty impressive how many of these wonderful goodies for felines that you've made each week! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elaine Krise - had her sewing organizer to share - with her machine all set up nicely and her sewing utensils handy and organized - great job! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Suzanne Brown - shared her infinity scarf and she did model it but her outfit didn't match well so we could not get the full effect - but lets just say with Suzanne's height and long neck, the longer version infinity scarf style is perfect on her.    Shorties like me with no necks just look on in envy...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lois Rose did tell me that Alzheimer Support Group did stop by to pick up a couple more Fidget Quilts this week.  I'm still hoping that we somehow get the word out to facilities in and around FL about these wonderful comfort quilts we make and love to give.  Lois has a large supply of Fidget Quilts for women but is running low on ones for men and patriotic.  So I'm thinking of holding a special Saturday or Thursday morning so we can put together Fidget Quilts with themes for men (like sports, fishing, cars, tools, etc.) and maybe make a few extra patriotic ones which in the past have been requested especially, too.  There's a few new ladies looking to make these for the first time which is I will tell you a fun and rewarding project to make.

Ladies, the list of Demonstrators is empty!!  No kidding - I encourage and urge you to consider dusting off one of the projects  you've done in the past and sign up to lead a meeting in the future with your demonstration. 

Feb. 14th - we'll be looking at making the wreaths using small squares/strips of fabrics - can be done with Styrofoam, straw or wire rim wreath forms in any size/shape.  I'll be posting the fabric requirements in next week's email.  The hardest part, or at least the part that takes the longest, is cutting up all the small pieces of fabric you'll be using. 

Special Prayer Request goes out for the husband of our member Eileen Navikas'.  He is now battling Kidney cancer and so we ask for strength and recovery for him as quickly as possible.  We miss you, Eileen, please know you will be in our thoughts and prayers. 

That's all the news to print for this week.   As always, be good, take care and God bless,  

 *´¨)
 ¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·'      Micki MacCumbee

 

Club Leader, Fabric Fun Arts & Crafts

Show & Tell - January 24, 2015

Hi Fabric Fun Ladies especially to all our club's snowbirds and butterflies who'll be making their yearly visits to The Villages and spend some time with us "frogs" on Saturday afternoons at SeaBreeze doing some sewing crafting fun.  This club really thrives on all you ladies who come to visit, share your projects and ideas, and yes, the social crafting fun you bring to our meetings is great inspiration.    For a small club, we are able to get a lot of charitable projects and works done regularly because of the energy everyone brings.  Ladies visiting, please know that there are always parts to projects that do not require having your sewing machines here.  We have sorting, ironing, cutting, more sorting, adding embellishments, just moral support is an ever needed part to the efforts.  And this club shares the accolades freely with our members just like the recent picture sent in to The Mix North by Lois Rose giving kudos to the club for quilts donated to Samaritan Inn in Leesburg.  And this week we were able to send 12 fidget quilts to a memory care unit in Naples, FL, where one of our members, Kathy Fort works.  It's because you all have provided a substantial supply of these wonderful, soothing quilts we make for Alzheimer and all memory care patients.  This does bring attention to the fact that most of the memory care facilities are really unaware of these charitable donations that we give freely known as "Fidget Quilts".  Lois and I have made a small postcard size info card describing these quilts, that they can be customized, that they are available for institutions and private/home patients, etc.  Lois has sent letters offering fidget quilts to a lot of facilities and there was a good initial response.  But we need to continue our outreach because each and every single time quilts have been donated, the facilities are over-the-top thankful and just praise, praise, praise how beneficial to the patients they will be.  We have thank you letters from all the places that describe how important Fidget Quilts can/are to the patients and even some of the careworkers who use the quilts as therapy/discussion aids.  Kathy Fort mentioned the quilts to at the facility in Naples, FL, and they never heard of Fidget Q's.  Once she personally described them, the facility personnel were enthused and requested some.  Moral to this story is... please don't hesitate to make these outreaches to family, friends, neighbors, other groups, or as in Nancy's case, where she works.  Fidget Quilts are great fun to make and their show & tell times are some of the best this club has enjoyed.  Let's get these things going again, it's so good knowing these little beauties provide hours of comfort.  This opening paragraph got really long, but it is a passionate cause.

Lunch & Learn was delicious and fun to look at postcards - particularly the finishing edges with zig zag and satin stitches.  I've attached two articles from blogs that have been condensed down and put into pdf form.  And attached are "postcard back" pdf that has several fancier options for the "business side" of the postcard where you write message and address.  Traditionally, postcard backs are printed on muslin, i.e., if you are able to copy and print at home, you could open the Adobe pdf document, put the printable muslin (there are a lot of brands, I like all of them sold at JoAnns now) that you put in the paper tray just like plain bond.  Then the postcard back prints on the muslin, and you can continue on and use it just like the "prepared muslin backs" I had available on Saturday.  OR, you can just use a plain heavier type (like card stock) backing in place of the muslin back.  Same thing - you could print the postcard backs of pdf on the normal card stock paper, but and sew like it is a piece of muslin.

Next Saturday - Jan. 31st - we sewing up the "chair pockets" for Kandie Stedman's son's 1st grade class at Barringer Academic Center in Charlotte, NC.  These are lower income students, the desks do not offer storage for their books/belongings, and so these chair pockets will provide pride and convenience to these young learners.  We've got the instructions, Kandie has made several already, will provide demonstration, and with lots of helping hands and sewers, we will be able to make a classroom full on Saturday - no doubt!!  I say helping hands and sewers - sewing machines - because if you don't have a sewing machine, please don't let that stop you from coming and participating - we need sorters, ironers, cutters, moral support - and hey! I'm happy to share my sewing machine when I'm not able to be sitting and sewing at it.  That's the fun!  "We all bring something to the party (i.e., our sewing crafting social time)!"

February 7th kicks off with microwave bowls - these are fantastic and easy - newbies you are going to love, love, love 'em!  Lois Rose will lead our demo time and there are some non-newbies who have had lots of fun making and giving these great projects who will be on hand to help and inspire the fun.  There are a couple "new twists" we these fun handy items.

We'll be sending out patterns and instructions that include supply lists.  I'll have some copies on Saturday to start handing out for ladies who cannot print at home.

Speaking of February - I'm attaching a new quick tutorial that is an easy Valentine wreath (pillow or other ideas) to make using plain felt hearts and cotton fabric - felt needs no finishing edges, it's cheap to buy, and easy to cut out.  This one is really great project that can be made in an afternoon.

Show & Tell:

 

 

Lois Rose - pillow case - Lois is such a kindred spirit in sewing - she likes my favorite pillowcase pattern - thank you!   Several other ladies might have * asterisks next to their names - you got it - they like the Burrito pattern.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elaine Krise - made 10! cases for Case for Smiles - she even went to her own scraps and purchased some more kid motif fabrics - and she used my favorite pattern, too!!  FYI ladies, if you need sewing advice, seek out Elaine because this lady is jam-packed with sewing experience, easy how-to's, tips, even about machine know-how.  She's quiet and small, but she's got big ideas to share.

 

 

 

 

Brenda Severa - made a couple beautiful Valentine projects - small wallhanging and tablerunner - good for you, Brenda!  Thanks for sharing!!

 

*Lu Karatzas - pillowcases - some of you will remember the beautiful musical motif fabric Lu had preparing for the choral event (her group won!) last year.  Lu finished up some pretty pillowcases using up some of those beautiful scraps.  Ladies, that why we love our "fabric stashes" to have it on hand and for we want to have this kind of fun.  I know I love my fabric stash! and so does Lu!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marie Bray - This one was so much fun to see - apron that Marie created the pattern sewing instructions and cute cupcake motif - be sure to check the blog for Marie's pictures - you then see the biggest ooh aah of the day with the knitted tea cozy.  It's probably the most adorable tea pot and cozy I've ever seen.  Wow, wouldn't a cup of good English tea taste fabulous sitting at the table with Marie's cut combo!!

Tea Cozy Marie received as a gift

 

 

*Nancy Cartlidge - pillowcases and dryer sheet blocks - good job on all these projects this week - it's so much fun for ladies to see projects come back for show & tell from demos - terrific fun on your patchwork squares!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kathy Jones - shared the beautiful infinity scarf she has made for herself.  Again, here is another one of our very talented club members and she always completes her projects with a special twist. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nancy Motrinc - gets my Wow Award for the week - she shared pillowcases, dryer sheet blocks and square and round coasters - Nancy had a lot of sewing crafting fun last week!!  I'm jealous and want to get busy!!  (personal note - no * for Nancy - my kind of gal!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mary Naz... - has one of the biggest hearts I've ever met - continues to make and donate cat hammocks.  Ladies, we are still short of our club goal of making 200 cat hammocks for Marion County Rescue Shelter - and we have a bunch more "hammock form fabric" to cut up and sew and lots of the corner straps prepared.  Please if you can pick up fabric forms and corner straps to take home and sew up during the week (in your spare time).  We are just one of the clubs that Mary donates her time to and I just say that's inspiration to me each week.  Thank you!

 

 

 

 

 

*Alice M - pillowcases - Alice, I got to apologize because I did not write down how many pillowcases you made up - I think it was more than one -   I'll have to wait for Lois' picture to really complete this little paragraph...  (I got photos of 2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As always, please keep our men and women of the military and their families in your hearts and prayers, especially those deployed in our name for freedom around the world. 

To all our members, I send my thanks for your time, talents and interest in this simple, fun sewing crafting club here in The Villages.  It was very personally gratifying to me to see Laurie Link at our meeting last week.  Laurie was the very first phone call I got after the club's notice was posted in the Rec News, so I've always said that Laurie is our club's 1st member. 

 Take care for now, be good and God bless,  

 *´¨)
 ¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·'      Micki MacCumbee

 

Club Leader, Fabric Fun Arts & Crafts 

Weekly Update, Charity Work, Kay Flanagan - January 17, 2015

Kay Flanagan - I read a brief update on Kay to members on Saturday, and yes, she is doing a lot of hard work, in therapy, improving some, but she has a long ways to go.  Please keep Kay continually in your prayers because ladies, you and our club is in her heart.  She lights up and smiles when we talk about the fun we've shared on Saturday afternoons, and she immediately remembers each one mentioned by name and so many have touched her life as she has ours. 

I got over to see Kay finishing up her lunch today, and then we shared a brief time in her room looking over all her beautiful cards lining the window, bulletin board, furniture, wall, on and on.  Shortly after we were back in the room, a young orderly came and asked if Kay wanted to attend the church service to begin about 2 pm, so that's what Kay and I did.  It was a wonderful little service given by a couple Chuck & Mary from Lady Lake Baptist Church just down from the Center on 466.  We sang a few hymns and then Chuck presented a Bible Study talk from 1 Thessalonians 5: 12-18.  Chuck's goal was to do versus 12-28, but he will continue his talk next week.  I'll just say this, as always, when studying scriptures there is new meaning, new insight, and new inspiration.  Kay and I held hands during the service which will be inspiration strength for me all week.  I've included the last 3 versus from today's bible study at the bottom of this email, because these are words to read, learn, and live by whether we are young or old, happy or sad, well or sick, they have meaning and a true. 

To our members who are Jewish or other religions, please do not be offended by my including that final phrase referring to Christ Jesus.  I did not include with any intent to offend, but merely believe that for those of us who are of Christian religions, this phrase is very important as part of the final instructions.  Exclude (don't read) the last three words if they are not your belief, and those 3 verses will still be as meaningful, inspiring, and truthful for you.

To visit or send cards to Kay, her address right now is Kay Flanagan, c/o The Villages Rehab & Nursing Center, 900 Country Road 466, Lady Lake, FL 32159 - Room 101.  Kay says they are very wonderful to her there but she longs to get home, lay in her bed, and see the big fan on her ceiling.  I pray for that day for Kay, too.

Dryer Sheets - those amazing 2 words... now used for foundation piecing to construct what is lovingly referred to a crazy quilt blocks.  I think of it as foundation patchwork, i.e., patching pieces of fabric together using seams on a foundation - sometimes this is muslin, sometimes water soluble stabilizer, and now in this case - dryer sheets.  And, your work has a very pleasant, almost breezy, smell, TOO!   All kidding aside - Lois's demo was very fun, she came with many dryer sheets and passed out lots of fabric scraps, so I'm sure we'll be seeing pictures on the blog in no time of many of these little squares.  Thank you very much, Lois, you're super!

What to do with the squares - Lois showed several examples of these and one was where a sewing crafter made a beautiful strippy quilt all with these dryer sheet blocks - what a hoot, hey...  I say!  Our club has several options for you, too, because this is very similar to the "out of the box" crazy patchwork piecing we have done in the past and lovingly called our "initiation piece or project".  So from the finished block, you can go on to make a small tote bag, an I-Pad cover, or a needlecase that is always handy in our sewing arsenals.  So have fun with this and need any suggestions, please just ask - we have a few for you.

Pillowcase Patterns - in addition to the club's 3 patterns attached last week, I'm including a pdf this week from All People Quilt website.  It is called Roll It Up and the pattern is almost a combination of my personal favorite very simple pillowcase pattern and the pattern charmingly named Burrito.  This All People Quilt pattern truly makes a beautiful pillowcase where the seam between the band and main fabric does not show and includes a very finished inside seam known as "French Seam".  I've included this pdf for you because page 4 of the pattern is an excellent visual on making a French Seam enclosure.  Ladies, this is a very good seaming method to learn and can be used in many other sewing pattern and patching situations.  It's almost worth trying for creating a very unique, sturdy and attractive quilt edge.  I might do that sometime on a small piece next. 

Charity Work - has continued to dominate the meetings this month with the inclusion of pillowcase construction for ConKerr (Tampa Chapter) Case for Smiles Campaign.  The room was abuzzzzzzz! yesterday with sewing after the three pillowcase demonstrations.  Yes - all three!!!

Next week is Lunch & Learn!!  Please bring a heart healthy pot luck item to share and we'll look at fun and easy Valentine and St. Pat's Day Postcards.  You can do make & take with these if you want to bring you machines - they work up fast and free!!    As always, no reservations necessary, so don't worry if you did not sign a sign-up sheet - no one pays attention to that thing anyway (ha ha) me included.  Just come for fun.

January 31st -- Very specific charity sew day - making chair pockets for Kandie Stedman son's classroom in North Carolina.  We're supplying the fabric, Kandie will lead the construction process, and with a bunch of machines and some fun sewing social time, we'll crank out enough for every child's chair in one easy afternoon.  This will be fun practice - and girls, I'll bring some ice tea from McAllisters in Brownwood - which is the best in The Villages!!  It'll be great way to spend our time at SeaBreeze.

Show & Tell - kitty hammocks and infinity scarves dominate - and that's a pretty cool thing for sure... here goes:

 

 

Carol Wolfhagen - made to donate 3 kitty hammocks - good job,lady

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lois Rose - shared her finished infinity scarf - very Rosie looking pink it is!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pat Piper - who is mom to 2 very lucky pooches shared the dog coats she made special - knitted - for her two, that go on very easily.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nancy Cartlidge - showed us a beautiful bright yellow fabric wreath and described its easy construction using 4" squares of fabric, a screwdriver and straw wreath.  (And instead of a straw wreath, it would be easy to use a white Styrofoam mold/form - so wreath or other shape would apply here.) We're going to make these wreaths one week in Feb. - see note below!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Linda Lynch - share a book cover and book she picked up at a craft fair and especially since she thinks this might be a good project for us to make at a future meeting - I agree (I'm including in note below beforementioned.)  Okay so the book was a cook book of sorts that is titled "50 Shades of Chicken" so I'll let you decide to pursue or not some of those recipes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alice Muenier - shared her 3 finished infinity scarves and one made using Minkee fabric purchased from Missouri Star Quilt Company.  (Marty Rhyne helped by modeling the orange one.) Well, there was a little discussion about how Minkee Minky is spelled.  I remember (for quilters) when this fabric first came on the radar screens and instantly the rage, even for machine embroidery work... it was definitely spelled Minkee (and MSQC still spells is Minkee on their website).  Joann's and some other internet outlets have used another version as Minky and in fact, even call label it "soft and cuddly" now for people who can't remember the name Minkee Minky or whatever.  It is still great fabric that some people love and some people shudder over.  So one of Alice's infinity scarves is just perfect for her next Arctic or Antarctic cruise.

 

 

Whatsamacallitt herself, Jeri Cerullo - shared her completed cat hammock to donate - so she takes kidding, she does demo'ing, and she sews for charity to boot - Jeri, you fit right into the Fabric Fun Ladies club.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marty Rhyne - Shared a Tell - and "blew me away" with it.  Marty shared various inspirations, projects and ideas like for her new house that she's received from all of you all each week.  I said she blew me away... so I didn't get it all down and could never repeat it as succinctly said as Marty, but her tell time was proof positive that we give and receive so much more than we realize in our sewing crafting social time each week.  Sincerely from me to you, on behalf of the whole club, thank you Marty for your membership and for putting to words how most of us feel.  Of very special note:  Martyy's son, Brian Desautels is deploying this week and so we all need to be grateful for his service and pray for his safe deployment and return to home as we need to thank and pray for all our men and women at home and deployed in our name preserving our safety and freedom.  See note below about Weeky Prayer Group that meets.

 

 

 

 

 

Carol Riggs - shared her best news of all - Welcoming grandbaby girl Tallulah on Jan. 15th weighing in at 7lbs 7oz - and Grandmom even had time to finish a cat hammock to donate - Congratulations, Grandmom Carol!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edie Cave - didn't time herself but she did complete cat hammock construction on her own - in fact - 4 perfectly sewn ones!!!! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February - Ladies, let's do project demonstrations for us, our homes, ourselves, gifts items, fun, easy, simple, quick, more fun, too.  That's my plan to share with you some fun stuff/patterns/demos each week and Lois Rose starts off on Feb. 7th demo'ing the very popular microwave bowls!  We'll still have emphasis on charity work - always - and in fact, I'll make arrangements for us to meet a couple weeks at least on the Thurs. morning time slot there in craft room at SeaBreeze.   And Saturdays always will still include all the charitable projects we keep ongoing all year long.  I'm a very firm believer in charity begins at home and we make a big impact with what we do.  Never ever hesitate to bring ideas and concerns to the table.

Weekly Prayer Group - Lastly, for those interested, there is a wonderful, faithful, friendly, unassuming group of men and women who meet weekly to pray for men and women of our American (and some Canadian) military forces, whether at home or deployed.  I made it to these weekly meetings for about 3 years but of last couple have not been to many because Mac now plays softball early Thursday mornings, so I can never get myself up and out that early to Spanish Springs, but it is a wonderful fellowship for freedom and our young volunteers who protect that freedom.  They keep a running list of all men and women deployed and to where, so for sure I'll be there next Thursday morning to add Brian Desautels' name to their faithful, prayerful list.  The group has no name, you just show up and you are welcome - Thursday's 8 AM at Veterans War Memorial Spanish Springs.  The names are read, prayers offered, sing the anthem and then head straight over to Perkins for warm coffee and other breakfast yummies!

One last note from me to our club treasurer, Donna Pachy, who is in her busiest season here as one of The Villages top real estate personnel and juggling emotional family situations that span across the whole country almost - We love you Donna, appreciate each and everything thing you do for us, love your talents, love your inspiration, and most of all that you keep me straight.  Please know many thoughts and prayers are with you and everyone you hold dear.

As promised earlier, these three scriptures provide true guidance as we all keep putting one foot in front of the other...to get to where we want to go.

 1 Thessalonians 5: 16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

 God bless each of you and your loved ones this week,

*´¨)
 ¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·'      Micki MacCumbee

 

Club Leader, Fabric Fun Arts & Crafts

Weekly Update, Show & Tell - January 10, 2015

Fabric Fun Ladies, thank you so much for positive response and enthusiasm for the kitty hammocks for Marion County Shelters.  We've got over 40 of these cat comforts made up, and many of you are working on more at home this week.  Lois and I will be delivering our club's first donations on Tuesday to the Marion County Shelter.  We'll let you know how that goes.  We will be delivering doggie beds, too.  Fabric Fun philosophy is no scrap gets left behind!  

(I dropped off 42 cat hammocks, 10 doggie beds, 2 kitchen garbage bags full of old towels, and a bag of newspapers Tuesday afternoon. The staff was very excited to receive these donations.  I took these photos of 2 cats sleeping in a cage in the front office. As you can see, the one in the top cage was very comfortable in a hammock.  Thank you ladies.  Lois)

Next Saturday, we'll begin another charitable effort for the year making pillowcases that go to ConKerr Case For Smiles, Tampa Chapter.  These are cheerful pillowcases given to children who have life threatening illnesses when they come into the hospital for their critical care treatments.  These pillowcases are given to help put hugs and smiles on their faces.  Attached (see email) are 3 pillowcase patterns comically called 1-Micki's Favorite, 2-Micki's Other Favorite, and 3-Burrito Pattern-a majority favorite.  I don't see it, lot of effort and still requires another seam after turned, but hey! I'm fair minded, so it is always included in our pattern options.  I will demo #1 and #2, and there will be pre-cut fabrics ready to sew up on Saturday and/or take home to sew up. 

The pre-cut fabric sets are for the charitable effort.  They are a good way to practice these patterns before you go out and buy your own fabrics to make special pillowcases for ones you love and yourself.  These make wonderful gifts for grandchildren, nieces, nephews, young-old alike, especially for holiday special times.  One fun idea, there's zodiac fabrics available and you buy the one for your grandchild(ren).  The kids love these a lot.

Buritto Pattern Lovers:  hopefully one of you will be happy to demo that pillowcase construction for the newer ladies.  I'll have fabric there for demo-ing this pattern. 

Pillowcases will be the 2nd demo for Saturday.  The 1st demo will be Crazy Quilt Blocks made using dryer sheets!  Lois Rose will be doing this fun demonstration for us.  It really fits in with the club's "initiation project" which is a crazy patchwork pieced project.  Sound hard - no, it is not.  It is just straight seam sewing, very easy to follow, and variations are encouraged!  This is a new twist to sewing and Lois will be leading us thru the fun.

Looking ahead - January 24th - Lunch & Learn - Heart Healthy Fare this month.  Learn - Valentine Postcards and other goodies. 

January 31st - Very Special Project Day - Chair Pockets for Barringer Academic Center, a public school in Charlotte, NC.  One of our members, Kandie Stedman, is making these self-designed chair pockets for her son's class that has some physically challenged kids.  The desks in the classroom do not have storage space for the student's books and belongings and are placed on the floor and you know how that's going to go...  So Mom Kandie has made a pattern and started making these chair cover pockets for her son's class.  We'll be using the upholstery pieces recently donated to the club and Kandie will lead us thru the very easy process to complete each of these chair pockets.  Ladies, it's a very quick sew, ingenious really, so you will find this pretty inspiring for other uses. 

February 7th Lois Rose will demonstrate the microwave bowls that are ever so popular and always good to have new ones around.  We'll have fabric requirements, etc. sent out so you'll be able to have what you need.  These sew up in an afternoon meeting, too. 

Show & Tell:

 Micki started us off by showing 2 wraps she made out of old t-shirts.  The neck opening becomes one sleeve, a sleeve opening becomes the neck and the bottom becomes an open side for the other arm.  Very cute and embellished with the couching Micki loves.

She also showed the Advent calendar she made for her grandsons.

Lois Rose - Ruler Bag - awesome embroidered Lion. (sic Tiger) FYI this is a bag totally designed by Lois to organize and carry her rulers and tools to/from classes and meetings.  Dog beds completed - these cuties are triangular sized.  Of course, we all laughed and said what are these for bad dogs to go sit in the corner, time-out beds.

Ruth Campbell - completed and donated cat hammocks - very nice quilted versions

 

 

Carol Riggs - Shared beautiful quilt project and an apron made for her M&M loving friend. 

Lu K - Doggie Bed donation

Betty Neary - Two throw pillows she made; one highlights Michigan her home town and one highlights Florida her new town.   We all relate to this!!

 

Linda Lynch - Cat Hammocks and Linda shared her learned process and highlighted need for reinforcing the corners.

Pat Pipa - Donated 3 Hammocks and 2 Doggie Beds she completed during the week even while she was not feeling totally terrific - Get all better, Pat!

 Mary Nazyiowicz showed off her completed cat hammocks.

 Maureen Wilson - 4 cat hammocks completed and donated!  Maureen also had a "tell" about doggie bed construction.  She made one for a friend's 4 legged canine and the sweetie got sick over the pillow.  Maureen's friend was able to clean the doggie bed by deconstructing, washing, and reconstructing.  So Maureen suggests when making special doggie beds for our own pets and friends, make an inner lining form that gets stuffed with the fabric scraps and then the outside form.  Makes sense, thus when doggie gets dirty or possibly sick, make it easy to launder and make fresh. (Sorry Maureen, for some reason I didn't get your photo this time.)

 Jeri "Whatshamacallit" Ceriello - Infinity Scarf and tote shopping bag she made using 2 placemats. 

Infinity Scarf Demo by Jeri - Thank you so much for this quick, fun, scarf demo.  It is a fantastic project and Jeri carefully showed each of the steps to construct.  These scarves are perfect for this time of the year, are attractive, and whether you have a short or long neck - works nicely and always look stylish.   We are writing up Jeri's instructions to put in pdf form and have some for hand-out on Sat. 

Meanwhile, attached is a similar idea scarf pattern called "Cowl Neck" that sews up pretty much the way Jeri's Infinity Scarf.  I've attached that pdf,

Ladies, please send out your prayers including our good fellow sewing crafter Sue Campbell for speedy recovery from disk in back of her knee.  We really miss your smiling face on Saturday afternoons.  Get better!

That's it for now, please let me know if you have any questions or comments.  It's always great to hear from ladies here and there. 

As always, be good, take care and God bless everyone,

 *´¨)
 ¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·'      Micki MacCumbee

Club Leader, Fabric Fun Arts & Crafts