Weekly Update - May 23, 2015

Another week without Micki, as she attended her son's wedding and then dog-sat while they were on their honeymoon.   We look forward to her return next week.

Lu Karatzas ran the meeting this week and she did a great job.  She also demoed how to make a cloth and zip bag case, which has many uses such as a travel jewelry holder, a sewing notions holder, crochet needle bag, and as one lady mentioned, a fishing tackle holder.

Several women also continued to work on the scrappy quilt project I initiated last week. We are getting lots of little blocks matched up and sewn into bigger blocks. I won't be at the meeting on Saturday but will be back the following week. In addition to whatever Micki has planned for June 6,  I hope next Saturday anyone interested can start designing donation quilts from what we have.

Show & Tell:

Nancy Cartlidge started us off with a great tote bag she made from place mats she picked up at Walmart.

Lois Rose showed her latest quilt.  This was made from a kit. The kit was on sale 50% off so she got 2 and turned it into a twin size quilt.  The pattern called for aplique leaves, but she substituted machine embroidered leaves and also showed her machine embroidered label on the back.









 

 Eileen DiSanto showed a baby quilt made with a circus panel for a great-nephew.   Love those panels!

She also showed a butterfly baby quilt that she is still working on.  The butterfly pieces are mostly vintage fabrics.

Ruth Campbell was busy making cat hammocks this week. 

(BTW, I am planning a delivery to the animal shelter the week of June 8th, so anyone who has cat hammocks, dog beds, old towels, or newspapers, the June 6th meeting would be a good day to bring them in.  I am also planning to drop off pillowcases and quilts at the Domestic Violence ans Sexual Abuse Center, so it will be a good time to bring anything going there in as well. Ed.)

Alice Meuneir was working on sandwiching a quilt last week and she showed the beautiful finished product today.

Before starting her demo, Lu showed 2 fabric trays she made after last week's demo They came out great!


Next she showed a cooler bag she made for when she is playing tennis out in the Florida heat.This is a simple bag to hold a zip loc bag filled with a mixture of 1 cup rubbing alcohol and 2 cups water.  When she gets warm she plans to slip this down the front of her blouse to cool her off. The cloth bag keeps the liquid from seeping through.

 Lastly, Lu showed a piece she iscreating sewing together her leftover blocks.

 Here is Lu showing the sample case for her demo.



And Joan Thomas completed her bag before the end of the meeting. Nice work Joan!

Weekly Update - May 16, 2015

Micki is away this week and next, attending her son's wedding.  Hope everything is going well and they are having a great time.  I filled in as M.C. for this week's meeting and Lu Karatzas will fill in next week.

We had a light turnout this week, but it was a great afternoon anyway. Fewer people allowed us to interact with each other more.  I love the larger group that usually comes out, but this was a nice chance to work closely with each person.

Show & Tell:

Lois Rose only had 2 machine embroidered in the hoop bookmarks to show.  She claims to have a few larger projects in the works despite a very busy schedule over the past few weeks.

 Elen Hein was busy this past week.  She showed a completed fidget quilt, a cat hammock, a dog toy, and a hand-sewing caddy neck scarf. 

 Lu Karatzas was next (she hates to go first even though she's usually the first to sign up for show and tell). She proudly showed her first ever crochet project -a lovely scarf.  Lu is teaching herself to crochet and is enjoying this new craft.

Lu also showed how she has enhanced her fabric scrap bag to include a pocket and a scissor holder.  Nice additions!










 Last week I brought in several stacks of fabric cut into various size squares and challenged anyone interested to match them up and sew them into larger blocks.  Lu took me up on it, took a pile home, and came back with the finished squares.



Several other ladies were busy matching squares both last week and this week.  We now have lots of sets of 4 little squares ready to be sewn into blocks.  Once we get all these little squares together we will be able to start designing some nice scrappy quilts.  

Kathy Nichols showed a lovely qult she made for her grandson.















After show & tell, Kathy dived into the project of sewing little blocks into big blocks.  We are making great progress.

 Donna Risman gave an impromptu demo of my favorite table runner again. (See

Show & Tell - October 18, 2014)  We convinced her to run a workshop for this project at a future meeting.  Anyone who would like to do this, start looking for some border fabric and when you find one you like, get about a yard and a half, and you'll be ready for that project.

She also brought in a beautiful quilt top that was made by a woman who has passed away.  This quilt incorporates doilies, ribbons, and lace as well as fabric.  Donna has the task of finishing it with backing and quilting and was looking for our suggestions. 

For a project this week I showed the group how a travel tray can be made so it packed flat but snaps at the corners provide vertical sides to keep jewelry, keys, coins, etc.  in place.  We had some challenges with the snaps.  I found 4 different kinds to try, but the sew in ones seem to work the best.  I had 2 different sew in ones, but the stand-alone metal ones worked best. The ones that press in like rivets are difficult to get lined up, even using the tool designed for that. A hammer actually seemed to work better.  We didn't try the plastic ones designed for baby clothes because it looked like the would work best on thinner material.

Next week Lu will be running the meeting. Continuing with the travel theme, she will be showing how to make jewelry zip lock storage cases.  The dimensions for the fabric are as follows in case anyone wants to use their own fabric, but we have lots they can use as well as ribbons.  Lu will bring a box of gallon size zip lock bags to share.

Jewelry holders:

(2) 10 1/2 x 9 inch fabric
(1)  10 1/2 x 9 inch piece of batting

(1) 9 x 1 1/2 inch matching fabric ( 1/2 ribbon can also be used)

(1) 30" long ribbon.

(6) gallon size zip lock bags  (Lu will bring these)

We will also continue to work on creating scrappy quilts out of our donated fabric.  I am looking forward to seeing how many quilts we can turn these leftover fabrics into. As before, the finished quilts will be donated to the Marion County Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Center.

Hope to see you all next week.

Lois

Weekly Update - May 9, 2015

Hi Gorgeous Gang of Women, greetings on the eve of our departure for our younger son's wedding.  Our USN Lt Commander son Cory and his fiancé Liz will be married on Sunday at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD.  Yes, the groom and his groomsmen will all be in their dress whites, including our older son, Scott who is a LT Commander in the USCG.  Our two grandsons Anthony and Reed will be ushers and they are so excited to be putting on their new suits and strut their stuff.   Our daughter-in-law Rachel who is a LT Commander in the USCG will be wearing several hats and handling all the loose ends behind the scenes.  Mac and I have our duds ready, rehearsal dinner all set including speech, so on Sunday, May 17th we plan to relax and take in as much enjoyment as possible.  Put all the stress, ups and downs, and all around in a box and just enjoy this moment in time with our sons and all they've added to our lives with their spouse choices and grandsons.  God is good and we love Him.

I did have a small drama this week... well it started last week after a couple awful tests - the really yucky ones - you know the ones - couple days later I didn't feel better but started feeling worse... then on the weekend, I kind of knew something up, didn't act on my hunch Monday, but after bad night, for sure Tues. (today) morning called to get appointment because I was sure diagnosis of UTI... that got confirmed and with prescription of Cipro in hand... hopefully in couple days this drama will be over.  Whew!  I almost didn't call this morning, but thankfully wasn't that dumb (this time!) because sure enough in couple days somewhere between here and VA and MD, I'd be hunting up an urgent care somewhere.  Good grief, hey! 

But my health wooes are minor compared to a couple of our members and yes, I'm going to name names because I want you to put these ladies in your thoughts and prayers and keep them there.   These two are sweethearts, near and dear, and deserve just the best wishes possible.  So Lois Rose and Audrey Philips, please know that we are going to keep you in prayer for strength and healing until each of you tell us that all is well and all is good again.  Both these ladies have spirits and faith "that can move mountains", and I praise them for all their goodness.

Next two weeks are all set for demos that will be fun - this Saturday is Lois Rose  (Ed. note: you don't need to bring anything except your sewing machines or the willingness to do a bit of hand stitching this weekend.  I will have all necessary supplies for you.) and following week will be Lu Karatzas - so yes, the club is in good hands.  Thanks in advance ladies for stepping up again!!  You are great!!   I know that your sweet personalities alone will make for fun meetings, but I'm sure you'll dazzle everyone with your sewing crafting skills as well.

Show & Tell:  Just like with this weekly update and it's lengthy "opening statement", last week's meeting sort of was "off track" (and as Lu likes to say, "no track") because we started right in with the "Frilly Scarf" demo and making fun.  Thanks to Nancy Cartlidge for getting there really early, helping me sort and put stuff in order, and then sewing up the demo scarf.  And, while doing all that, Nancy even greeted a couple ladies who came in the room to see what we were doing and look at the assortment of fidget quilts that we had out on one of the side wall tables.  One of the ladies picked out on of the fidgets for her mother and also took a few additional ones along to give to the facility in Indiana for the memory care unit where her mother is located.  Pretty nice, Nancy!!  Before meeting got started, another couple came by to pick up fidget quilts for the lady's sister in a memory care unit and they also took along a small assortment of fidget quilts for the memory care facility.  Ladies, you and your caring talents were praised to the hilt by these people picking up fidgets.  It's amazing how valued this charity work is to the recipients - for us the fun is creating and making and receivers consider them gifts of love.  Sew.... after all that prep and before meeting stuff, then demo and making scarves, we finally got to show and tell time!

Mary Ann Emrich - some great pillows and kitty hammocks! - as always - thank you & purr on

 

Lu Karatzas - Quilts - full and twin - terrific backing choices & labels!!

Lu Karatzas (again) - finished frilly scarf hat embellishment - her village is holding monthly dinner with theme "derby at the race" and Lu made a special hat to wear by placing the frilly scarf beautifully around the brim - very derby vogue!







 (Ed: This label says "PURPLE is the color of CHANGE The EARTH TONES keep you GROUNDED  May this quilt bring you comfort")

Kathy Jones - (1) wine bag - made from sleeve "scrap" leftover from the shirt conversion aprons - perfect for mens gifts - add a necktie/bowtie, (2) a 2nd shirt sleeve made into a gift bag, and (3) hat - nicely made but Kathy warns that hats can be challenges (hint here... one of the reasons you've never seen one demo'd by me during Fabric Fun's past 5 years!!!!!).

 Ellen Hein - baby quilt donation - nicely done!!  Ellen used one of my stash of pieced quilt tops to add batting and backing and quilt it up.  I love this... thank you... and any ladies who want some practice... I did mention a "stash" of pieced tops - ready, willing and able to be handled!!

Ellen also showed off the frilly scarfs she made at the beginning of the meeting.

Carol Riggs - cat hammocks - yea! - thanks!! - purr purr on... oh, and LMOL herself - Little Miss One-Liner had a good one this week zinging in with "we're in the army now" because the cat hammocks were kamo fleece - okay, you had to be there to get the humor in it - but good!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patty Cooke - a finished frilly scarf, light & airy - most feminine looking one made.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nancy Cartlidge - finished a frilly scarf - actually I think 2!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kathy Nichols - made two frilly scarves - her granddaughters are coming and she made one for each - Merin and Ella

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ladies, please remember that we are willing to send/mail fidget quilts to facilities around the country, so when you are away or back "home" and see a need, please don't hesitate to contact me or Lois Rose.  We're happy to put together an assortment, pack a flat rate box, and send it off. 

(Ed. Note:  I received a repeat request for 10 fidgets for the Citrus Rehab in Hernando and delivered them on Tuesday.  Carol McCarthy, head of the Alzheimer's  Family Support Organization for the tri-county area also requested some more fidget quilts to bring to the meetings with her and I gave her 6 more. I am now out of patriotic/military quilts again and very low on masculine ones, so if anyone who wants to make more like this, they would be greatly appreciated.)

On our shelves, we have a supply of sewn up empty doggie beds ready to take home to stuff and bring back, or ready to stuff right there during meetings.  And there is a supply of precut kitty hammocks ready to be sewn with straps in corners.  Easy peasy!!  Cats and Dogs and Dogs and Cats in Marion and Sumter Counties shelters are happy cuddlers!!  (Ed.: I know, lots of editors notes this week, but want to fill you in.  I delivered 10 doggie beds and 16 cat hammocks, a bag of towels, and some newspapers to the Marion County Animal Shelter today (Wednesday).  As usual, they were very happy to receive them.)

For all the men and women who are active duty police and fire personnel, God bless you.  When you are able, please offer a kind word and thank you for their service in our communities.  They are now the front line on fronts from internal and external forces.  We need to cherish them and bring respect back to service.  Remember how we all felt after 9/11/2001... it is not good to watch what is currently going on... these professions need our support and thanks.  God bless America, Amen.

God bless our troops here and everywhere, too.

As always, I'm proud to be this club's leader and appreciate the time and talent you all share in our sewing crafting fun, God bless,

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

Club Leader, Fabric Fun Arts & Crafts

Weekly Update - May 2, 2015

Hi Fabric Fun Ladies:

Finally setting at computer this week to send out our club's weekly email to share the fun meeting last Saturday.  Big News - Audrey Philips is here!!  Yes, our fun club butterfly is now becoming a full-time resident over here in The Villages.  It was absolutely terrific to see Audrey, yes pretty hat on!, come into the room last Saturday with her two beautiful and very nice daughters, Lynn and Vicky!! The two energetic girls immediately got to work helping in any way they could (honestly! we all appreciate you two girls!!) and spent the entire time sorting fabrics and cutting fabrics for doggie beds and kitty cat hammocks - all three hours +.  Audrey is renting (up north Calumet, I think) but they are looking to purchase within 6 months.  Audrey  brings tons of inspiration and experience to our group and just is fabulous social sewing crafter to know and work with.  But, in prep of move over to The Villages, Audrey did over-extend herself and is settling in over here already in doctor's care.  Let's all please pray for Audrey's speedy return to full strength health.  It may be just tweaking meds needed or getting her heart to settle down after a lot of hard work moving... whatever is needed, get well Audrey and please remember... It's always a beautiful day in The Villages!! 

Show & Tell:

Kathy Jones - Fractured Art - two pieces done! One is butterflies wallhanging and the other is adorable cupcakes - might be finished as a pillow.  As usual, Kathy tries out a technique or pattern in different ways and used two different sizes for the strips. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lu Karatzas - kitty hammocks - TEN!  Excellent sharing of your talents and time and extremely wonderful caring for the felines who will enjoy them.

(She also showed a sample of the travel case she plans in demo while Micki is away.) ed.

Jane Swafford - placemats - the wedge pattern used - very nicely made

Lois Rose - another scrap bag, another embroidered project-this one a soft book, another quilt nicely quilted using in-the-hoop embroidery quilting, stitch in the ditch and a whole bunch of other options... key word here - another used 3 times because honestly, most of us can't figure out when this gal sleeps, though she says she sleeps every night 10 pm to about 6 am, we can only imagine she's wired her machines so that she hits go or start sequence and they work along thru the night for her.  No joking ha ha!!

 

Marty Rhyne - wow'd us with another one of her "Tell" sharing - sorry ladies, I was unprepared, did not start writing from the beginning of her talk, realized half way thru - oh darn, I should have been writing all this down - yes, it was like that - bedding stuff, kitchen stuff, fun stuff, stuff, stuff, stuff.  Marty's not afraid to give stuff a try!!  FYI, Marty's pilot son is due to return from Middle East very soon - keep praying for her military son and all our military here, there and everywhere - they are incredibly awesome!

 

Ellen Hein - dog beds - finished and stuffed and some forms sewn ready to stuff - thank you so much for keeping the "assembly line" going.

Eileen DiSanto - shared one of the 18 sets of "Christmas Tree Napkins" she's in process of making.  These are adorable to make, easy, make just beautiful gifts for any and everyone.  I've attached 3 pdf's for you and there are you tube videos to watch, especially if you have problems understanding the "folding" to make the "tree" from your circle or 1/2 circle depending on what construction process you choose to use.

Thanks, Eileen, for sharing a Christmas inspiration because that sure is where were going for June and July - Sewing Christmas in June/July - quick gifts and fun ideas to make ahead for the holidays.  The club has tried and true ideas we've gathered over the last 5 (almost 6) years, but we can always use more - whether you are here in town or away at your other homes, please don't hesitate to send us your suggestions, ideas, what's fun for you.  It's the "spice of life" for this club's fun and success... that whether it is a simple, easy or harder more advanced item, always we love the inspiration - it's amazing to then hear and see the roomful of ladies run with the sewing crafting ideas to do this, or try that and make it "our own" piece.

We are in the midst of historic times and ISIS is here on American soil, the homeland is at risk.  It is more and more important every day that we the people elect leaders of character to send to our state capitols and our nation's capitol.  Don't wait until election day next November 2016 to get involved and decide which lever to pull and definitely not the automatic D or R, this one is too important and we really need to do it right and not let the main stream media make up our minds for us.  We have too many resources available to us that we can do our own investigation and know in our hearts the right way to vote.  It's not too early to be watching this carefully.  Pray for our military strength and perseverance and our country to remain strong with all our states rights and individual freedoms.

Take care, be good and God bless,

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

Club Leader, Fabric Fun Arts & Crafts