Fall Pumpkins

Crab Apple Hills pattern

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This 12 1/2" diameter pumpkin has one embroidered segment that heralds "Autumn" with a garland of sunflowers. Two wool appliqued, embroidered & beaded segments, one with ruffly marigolds and the other rosehips. One patchwork segments & two crazy pieced segments with eleven small Autumn & Halloween images to embroider.

Fun to make..... above is our rendition of this fall pumpkin pattern. The wonderful earthy colors gives the feel and look of fall. The cording winding around and up is braided for the stem. Hand and, or machine embroidery, and applique' images give liveliness to the configuration ....One we genuinely admired was Cindy's addition of a squirrel.

Magnificent to behold all together,don't you agree?

We have purchased several Crab Apple Hills Patterns and find them pleasing. Would recommend their patterns highly.

Nettie Needles

"Reets' Rags to Stitches" pattern

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We now have our own guardian of sewing essentials in our "Studios". A place for everything with pocket holders on her back for additional sewing supplies. She is so whimsical and folksy, you can't help but smile.

The SoTA Girls have been making and collecting pin cushions....Jody saw this unique pattern, thought it would be perfect for us all to make one by CN.... each perform to perfection...even one extra..., Rhona is first (with the Hawaiian lay around the neck) Kathy is next. Jody made a small version also, and following hers is Cindy who use a dress she wore to her prom (that would be a few years back...hehehehehe... Sherry made the next two...yes she like it so much she made two...Really she made one for her Mom who's name is Nettie...Sweet...Last is mine. A must for clicking and enlarging to see them..Lots more to tell about Chocolate Night.....Going to call it a night thouggh zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

The Ol' Blogger

"The Flapper Bag."

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Sandy, Marie, and Marsha (neighbors of Jody's ) dropped by......so we ate and then came the share and tell....One of our favorite pastimes.

Now I have always heard about making a silk purse from a sows ear, but the SoTA Girls are making purses from brassieres.

A bra has over the years contain many exciting and surprising things.... A spy's secret notes, for example, at least in the movies. ..Or toilet paper and even rolled-up socks.....well maybe when we were much younger....giggle
But now, bras can contain all those, plus house keys, a sack lunch, cell phone...get the idea..

The goal was to use ones "artistic talents" and bring awareness to early detection for breast cancer...

We each gave a memento to one another that was to make them a keepsake.. A tiny flower from Sherry, penny from Kathy, darling little figurine from Jody, and little biddy face charm from Cindy... Each ones first letter from their name off a keyboard from Rhona. A Celebrate Life patch from me.....Only rule was to use all these items in making them.

They did not have to be completed until next years Chicago trip....Three of us couldn't wait... we finished ours. With all the fine hand embroidery, fringe, beading and memento's.They remind me of the 1920-30's. Therefore I have tagged them "The Flapper Bags".

Can hardly wait for the other three to be unveiled...Of course there will be pictures and posting.....The Ol' Blogger

A place for memory makings

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If Jody's mission was to make our Chocolate Night a memorable one. She defiantly can have bragging rights..The atmosphere of the deck was truly heavenly.. The fire from the corner wood stove putting out its warmth just for us. Candles were lit (talk about beautiful after dark), pillows on all the comfy furniture. The last of the seasons flowers still blooming and music playing softly. Not sure how she managed it :-) but rain began to fall around midnight like showers of blessings from heaven... the falling patter of rain falling on the tin roof of the deck.......relaxing...Chocolate Night at Jody's .."A Place For Memory Making".

Love to all, The Ol' Blogger

P.S. The Noah's Ark on the railing was built by Bill...Not Noah...I think this one makes 3 or 4 he has made. He is as creative as his loving wife.

Forkin Mania

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Cindy and Kathy brought their husbands tools, Jody drug out Bill's, and Sherry brought her own (Sherry has a fetish about tools .. I think you might even go so far as to call it an addiction...:0)...We all went to work...Our first project for the evening was flattening fork's and spoon's for our forkin projects. The sounds (not always in sink) rang all through the neighborhood. Occasionally the sound of "Ouch" could be heard as the hammer came in contact with a finger instead of the silverware....Be sure and notice the Elder....Chocolate Martini in her hand .....mouth moving as she takes on the job of foreman over the work crew....:0)

I can't believe I didn't get a picture of our forkin frames...Did any of you get one? Will take a picture of all the forkin dolls when completed.

We had a surprise visitor... Jody had invited Judith to come join us...she learned a new use for a hammer..She is the one in the purple wrap in the above pictures. We did so enjoy her.....

More to come....The Ol' Blogger

Chocolate Night

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So who says you're too old for sleepovers once you're married, anyway? Not the SoTA Girls..Every fall we toss our cares to the wind and gather at Jody's for the night. What a great friend she is....We arrive in our PJ's and house slippers, ready for relaxation, reminiscences and rejuvenation. There is always plenty of food, drinks, crafts and giggles galore. This year was no exception...

We have tagged our yearly get together "Chocolate Night". Which comes complete with a flowing chocolate fountain to dip fruit, marshmallows,gram cracker, etc...There was Chocolate cheese cake, Chocolate cupcakes... chocolate edible roses, even Chocolate Martini .....yes we did have other foods..

The next few days I will be sharing some of the fun we had...The Ol' Blogger

From Seed to Shining Seed

Last years quilt all finished and returned from traveling around the United States.....Thanks to "The Twelve Months of Christmas Shoppe" has another place of honor to hang. SoTA Girls has lovingly decided to offer this quilt for sale. $400.00

Each block was created with seed packets in mind. Hence the name "From Seed to Shining Seed". The design....a Cindy and Kathy original ...was hand drawn and colored with crayons before giving to us to add our details. We hand embroidered the blocks, doing hand beading for more detail . A thin line of piping was added by Kathy to each block which adds pizazz.... Lined Prairie Points provide a unique border of jagged edges and contrasting color to the outer edge of this treasure.

This completes this section on our exhibits at "The Twelve Months of Christmas Shoppe"

We have our yearly "Chocolate Night" this Thursday..We all gather at Jody's house and sew, eat, talk, and laugh all night. So I will have plenty to tell Friday...well maybe more like Saturday. So till then, Love to all, The Ol' Blogger

Exhibit Wall

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Pat was kind enough to allow us to use part of the exhibit wall to display last years Hoffman Challenge traveling items.

One would be the center of attention with this colorful hand-knitted design from Cindy. This piece is a work of art, a bright, soft, roomy purse individually hand-crafted from a combination of 1/2 inch strips and fun fur...She never throws anything out...She had a beaded necklace she had been hanging on to..By couching it to the rim ....it found a perfect home.. The 2007 Hoffman Challenge Fabric was also used for the lining.

This is a better picture of Cathy's "Green and Purple Haze. Which one can read about under the posting "Green and Purple Haze". Both items traveled in 2007 and are for sale..

Be sure and check out our exhibits at the "Twelve Months Of Christmas".

Veve's Money Bags

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I decided to make a purse so one can carry their quilt around with them...My snowmen are appliqued, one is french knots, one is embroidered...I sewed tiny white glass beads on the snowflake back ground. There is one pocket on the outside, several inside pockets.. The closer is a zipper. This completes the Snow Friends Series...

Rhona's Quilt

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"Snowflakes are kisses sent from heaven"...seems to decribe the heart of this quilt.... Listen up as Rhona shares her story "I bought the pattern thinking it would be a good one to use for our challenge. When I showed it to my older grandson Nicholas, he said "Grandma, you need to make 2 - 1 for me and 1 for Lucas" (my younger grandson). So being the good grandma that I am, I had to do it. Since the full size pattern is so large, I decided to make a small version for the shop. I haven't finished the boys' quilts yet. Maybe for Christmas....."

Rhona..... believe in magic... I am sure they will be ready to keep those babies warm....Love to all, The Ol' Blogger

Sherry's Quilt

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Had to take two pictures to get all of this quilt in..The wall behind kept me from being able to back up.:<) Click on to see better.
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Snowflake fabric in many of the blocks, borders, and with the snowflakes buttons spread all around....You can almost hear these happy snowmen exclaiming from this festive quilt..."snow, glorious, snow!"

Sherry wrapped her joyful snowmen in coats, cosy hats and toasty mittens so they are ready for even the coldest of winter. She used antique buttons, Swarovski crystal beads to decorate their clothing and for eyes, and mouths. An extra added touch.... is the carrot button noses.

Yes, Sherry's quilt also is for sale at the "Twelve Months of Christmas Shoppe"
When it's cold outside, this quilt will warm you right up and chase the winter chills away.
Snow that is all for tonight....The Ol' Blogger

Cindy's Quilt

Click on picture to see all the details

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Frosty the snowman would love to frolic with all these needle felted snowmen. Cindy applique' scarfs, vest, hats, mittens etc.... with items taken from her stash. Which included flannel fabric left over from shirts she has made Kent.... from old sweaters....Silk scarves and silk ribbons..and many other fabrics.

The snowmen noses are hand embroidery. Beading was use for the eyes, mouths and clothing details.

Button snowflakes are scattered all about. The quilting on this beauty is machine embroidery snowflakes.

This quilt among some of the others is for sale at the "Twelve Months of Christmas". Would make a lovely gift for those snowmen lovers. Brrrrr winter is right around the corner.... The Ol' Blogger

Blow your own

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Throughout the year, Glassworks in Louisville Ky. offers the opportunity for participants to enter the glassblowing studio where they can create one-of-a kind hot glass pieces with the assistance of resident artists. SoTA Girls have taken some of these classes. The first one was a Christmas ornament last year. The second class was a chocolate kiss in Feb.. They were magnificent.

Saturday Sherry, Cindy and Jody took the pumpkin class. Above is Jody with her instructor showing her how to twirl her glass. Next she's really concentrating on twisting the tube. Would have loved a picture of her blowing.....she would never have allowed me to post it on the blog.....By the way was she the one who blew so hard the first time she blew her ball off the tube.
Opps I better watch it or she will fly me a screaming email..... Will take a picture when they get them..They send them after they have cooled....The Ol' Blogger

Couldn't Resist

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I know I said the next few days would be our exhibits at the Christmas Shoppe, and I will still be posting those just as I said.. I couldn't resist doing these now..Sherri sent me these pictures plus a couple more that I will post tonight.

Saturday these three, Sherry, Cindy and Jody went on a outing together.. The rest of us couldn't or decided not to go. That is one of the neat things about being a SoTA Girl, if some doesn't go, no one gets upset. They just talk about us...:0)

The girls stopped at the Spaghetti Factory in Louisville Ky......, to enjoy the delicious food, charming atmosphere,and to dine amid fine antiques, collected from around the world. They loved the door so much they took a picture. I can see why.... it is gorgeous... They talked someone into taking a picture of the group while there. Sherry on the bottom step, middle is Cindy, of course at the top would be Jody (The Elder). :0) Really a great picture.... Next posting will give the reason for this outing.... The Ol' Blogger

Snow Wonder

Snow Wonder
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Kathy's quilt is the one I am showing and talking about today. She felted her snowmen. FELTING is an age-old craft. Which is odd to me because even as old as I am I had never heard of it till the girls introduced me to it:<).... Basically, this is using felting needles to push the top layers of wool into a deeper layer .. it is felting without soap or water.

I emailed Kathy a few questions about her quilt and here are her answers.... First I asked how did you make the silver stars?...."The silver stars are foiled…(no, not with aluminum foil, but that’s what it looks like). The foil comes in lots of colors, on sheets of a kind of plastic. There is foil glue you put down, then, when dry, you rub the foil sheets over the glue and voila!! A foiled star, or whatever". Now isn't this neat... we have learned something new..or anyway I did.

Then I asked what is the wispy under the snowmen...."The wispy stuff under the snowmen is the angora wool that Sherry got for us last year at the Fiber Show at Corydon. I just took little wisps and felted them on, just to give the snowmen something to stand on".

The quilting was done by machine. The background is snow covered trees. Lots of sparkle and being very playful just add to this winter scene. Kathy's work always blows our mind...
This quilt is not for sale...

The Twelve Months of Christmas

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All year the SoTA Girls work on the same design applying each ones special touches. Then we reveal what we have created and exhibit them at the "Twelve Months of Christmas Shoppe".

This marvelous shop is located on 16th st. in Bedford, Indiana. For such a small community this shop truly has the big city items in a charming small town atmosphere. Owner Pat Hutchinson has created a beautiful shop by arranging all her exhibits in unique settings. Please drop in...it is a shop worth seeing. You will find lovely items to decorate for the Holidays.

I will be showing what we have on display here over the next few days. The pattern we each used was "Snow Friends".

Today's quilt is Jody's "Grandchildren Are Snow Much Fun". This darling wall quilt is done with many,many french knots which gives the feel and look of snow. There is a snow girl for Audrey. A middle size snowman for Benjamin. A large snowman for Max. This is a quilt one must click on to see all the details. Where she tied this quilt also has the look of snowflakes. The edges have been couch with fantasy yarn. Jody as usual has created a precious piece of art. Of course this one is not for sale.

By the way Max will be leaving for the Navy real soon. We are all so proud of him, after all we have watched him grow into this fine young man. When he is was little he spent many sewing day with us. Always smiling and entertaining us. We all wish you the best, Max.

That's it for today. Love to all, The Ol' Blogger

Showcase of a Masterpiece

Affairs Of The Heart
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Rhona was at a Quilt Show with her daughter April who saw a quilt she loved...It had white background with blues....Now April loved it and wanted one just like it....except she wanted black background and she really would like bright colors...you know just like the one they saw...:0) Rhona made her..."Affairs of the Heart" This quilt has 36 applique' blocks, each containing a Heart Motif..... Mothers always pleases... so Rhona gave her... her hearts desire.... This quilt is very festive and cheerful which should be the description of all our hearts... April will have a quilt that will also be a memory of their outing. Rhona this is a masterpiece!

Sorry I cut out the pictures of the ones holding the quilt. Just as I snapped the picture one of them was talking or something...and the picture of her wasn't very becoming..Shshsh don't tell, but she is the oldest of our group...so we tend to over look her...Really she is gorgeous and very classy...I would hate to spoil her imagine with this picture. Remember mum is the word tho... The ol' Blogger

Sherry's Paper Dolls and Quilt

Remember by clicking on pictures you get a better look..

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Rhona, and Cindy looks on as Sherry holds up the embroidery paper dolls she is making for her grandgirls for Christmas. While we were at Micheal's looking for beads for our "Forkin Dolls". Lo and behold Sherry found a great buy on the case she is holding which will be perfect for putting these cuties in. She has clothes to embroidery for each. I only got a picture of the girls. She has boys too. I have a hunch her grandboys will be playing with them too. :<)
Cindy is helping hold up this quilt Sherry created. She incorporated three different patterns to make this one. "You Are Loved" ," Sweet Dreams Angels" "ABC" designs from Bareroots. In the pastel squares there are beautiful hand embroidery with applique designs. For the borders she hand embroidery the "ABC" in small pastel squares and made a four patch block. On the outside border she hand embroidery a green vine all around this darling quilt..Imagine the sweet dreams under this quilt on a winter night. Speaking of which I think I will call it a night and go dream of our next Fun Meter Fill Up . Love The Ol' Blogger

Baby Cakes

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Who doesn't call their own grandchildren by fun and endearing nicknames? Absolutely everyone does it! Some that come to mind...Crabby Cakes, Sweet Pea, Monkey, Peanut and Pumpkin... you get the idea.

Well this Grandma (Jody) is making this darling crazy patch memory quilt for her only granddaughter Audrey. She has hand embroidery all of her nicknames in this quilt. I don't remember them all but the ones that stand out in my mind are...Baby Cakes and Lou Lou... This child will cherish this for years to come. Will be blessed to always know the loving nicknames attached to her...

This is 2 of a series of 3 Jody is making her. Series 1 was a quilted book with snapshots. Sweet pictures like the one of her crying cause Grandmother gave her an unwanted bath. Normally she loved baths but not this day.. Oh my the look she gave her grandmother for this was truly precious. I think the title "Stitchin Witch" without the Stitchin might describe the look. Although she was only a few months old.:0)

Jody is holding this precious quilt and Sherry is sitting beside her. She has the quilting to do.. which she will do by hand...And the binding to finish but was good enough to let us see the work in progress. The O' Blogger

Green and Purple Haze

Kathy wasn't able to join us on this trip...she had to work. But her 2007 Hoffman Challenge Quilt was. After having traveling around the United States for a year and getting home in Sept. Kathy was gracious enough to allow Cindy to take it on another trip to share with others. Another Cathy, held up "Green and Purple Haze" while Cindy told the story of this quilt. Vesta Lou and Sherri are looking on. The picture doesn't do it justice I am sorry to say. But by clicking to enlarge one can get a little better look.

I might add that this quilt, our group quilt and a purse (that Cindy entered) are all back home and are on display (and for sale) at "The Twelve Months of Christmas Shoppe". This darling little shoppe is on the town square of Bedford, Indiana. If in the area drop in. The store is absolutely beautiful...Pat has truly out done herself in getting the store ready for the season. Love The Ol' Blogger

Flamingo Wall Art

Cindy has a cousin who turned 60 on Oct. 4 and lives part time in Florida. In keeping with the "Great American Flamingo Fling", Cindy made this Flamingo Wall Quilt for her.

Really her cousin should consider herself blessed...she could have gotten the classic lawn flamingos, or a flamingo aloha shirt, flamingo picture frame, flamingo angel ornament, flamingo toilet bowl brush holder or the wildly popular "Stupid Flamingo Hat."

Click on the picture and you will get a better look at all the darling flamingos and bead work she put on it. We know she is enjoying this gift of love....Happy Belated Birthday to Cindy's Cousin... From the SoTA Girls....

Country Kitchen

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This country kitchen was cheery and welcoming. As in my grandmothers’ time, this kitchen is the heart of Judith's home. That was evident by the way her kitchen opens to include the dinning table with many sitting areas surrounding the hub of everyday activity. Her dinnerware isn’t stored in the upper cabinets. Instead are placed on the old wood cook stove beside the overstuffed chair..which seems to say" Lots of Love Lives Here". The pictures I took do not do this house justice. These are the last of the farm pictures...do have more show and tell pictures of our wonderful day...I will get to them, The Ol' Blogger

More of the Farm

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Truly this dear old farm should be in Country Magazine or on HGTV. To me, country style is friendly. It’s casual. It can be tailored to fit your tastes and your lifestyle—and that is exactly what Judith has created. It tugs at ones heart with all the furnishings and colorful collections.
Her grandson suggested the idea of having theme rooms and she has incorporated that in a grand way. Take for instance the Christmas room. It invites you to linger and sing a carol or two even though it is fall.
I wanted to claim this bedroom but it was already spoken for. :0) I honestly can see me curled up for a long winters nap in this room. Love to all, The Ol' Blogger

Convergence Quilt

While at Judith's we had show and tell.

First picture is the results of Sherry taking the latest poncho craze to a new level with this pretty, asymmetrical poncho that drapes gracefully off one shoulder. She made this out of fabric from Cherrywood. Which is hand dyed cotton fabrics that has the look of suede. Yes... she hand strung all the beads on this beauty.

Now that wasn't enough for her she took the scraps and made a fall purse as an accessory for her Patched Poncho.

Jody, Rhona, Cindy and Sherry had taken a class by Ricky Tims. Here is Sherry with the quilt she made as a result of having taken this class. The name of the quilt is "Revelations". The fabrics for this quilt were by Phil Beavers. Jody and Sherry took classes from him and learned how to paint fabric...By clicking on the picture you can get a better look at this beautiful piece of art. That will be all for tonight. The Ol' Blogger

Porch

When we first got to Judith's we sat on the side porch and ate a cup of soup..and visited with our new friends. That is the back of Judith who is heading in to check on something...Sitting in the rocker is Vesta Lou, who entertained us with wonderful stories. Listening to her made you just want to sit at her feet and lay your head in her lap and dream. What a treat she is! Sitting beside her is another Sherri, sitting by the railing is Nita.

In the second picture standing beside Vesta Lou, is Helen and sitting on the porch is Cathy. It seems Shelia, Jody (Judith's daughter-in-love) and I did a good job of hiding from the camera. Sorry to say I don't have a picture of them...But I will do better in Dec...We have been invited back to see the farm in all its Christmas Cheer....We found all these ladies very charming and interesting. Lives crossing and building memories all on the porch in the atmosphere of long ago. That's it for today be back tomorrow. The Ol' Blogger

WOW

There are not words to describe the beauty of this day. We were invited with another group of ladies to a friend of Jody's. Judith shared her home, family and friends with us today. These are just a few of the pictures I took. I will add more but still I can not do it justice with my words or pictures.

The house was as sweet and inviting as its owner. Every nook and cranny had stories to tell. It was so charming and peaceful. There were if, I remember correctly, 3 porches.. all with many surprises. On the front screened in porch was a framed picture of the sweetest elderly lady snuggled among a basket filled with yarn balls...that made you just want to suck her precious cheeks raw. By exhibiting this picture this way, you felt as if you knew her and she warmed your heart. Love to all The Ol' Blogger