Of Course Heaven has a River of Chocolate...

Do you remember parties and events only a couple of years ago? Parties without chocolate fountains? How did we ever cope without them? This wonderful contraption has been apart of our Chocolate Night for some time..

We are drawn to it like bees around a honey pot..We can not stay away..We work our way around each dip. Stop...admit how guilty we feel, then carry on around again..We envision heaven with a river of Chocolate.. Can we blame the Chocolate Fountain for turning grown adult women into children at play? The Ol'Blogger

Carmen Part 2

I know she is side ways...On my pictures she right, but when I go to put her on here she flips..so guess that is the way she wants to be. Sherry made the stand for Carmen and the hand works rack...Amazing, we are all so proud of Sherry...You did good girl...The Ol'Blogger

Carmen Part One

Debbie, Brian and Kevin faces show all our reaction when Sherry unveiled the marionette she created.. Sheer delight...While some of us was in Danville,Ill taking a class by Brian Haggard, She filled her time working on this amazing master piece..

I can't even begin to describe her and all the work that went into Carmen (which by the way) is her name...All the detail is so unique..from the top of her head, all the way down to her shoes.. She was made from fabric then using regular house paint, the body was painted and let dry several days.If I remember correctly it took her around 3 weeks to finish her...To get the full effect each picture needs to be clicked on to enlarge...

Using fake nails to give her hands a real look, she even made each piece of jewelry that adorns her..

The high heals brings and extra big smile, which one is doing the minute you lay eyes on her... To be continue tomorrow..The Ol'Blogger

Surprise, Surprise

I believe I would be correct in stating, since our children have long since, out grown believing in Santa Clause, we get more of a kick out of Chocolate Night. The expression as gifts are open seem to equal those of children after Santa has come and gone.. Sherry had been a busy little sneaky elf preparing a surprise for her SoTA Sisters..Kathy was first to open hers and we had to remind her not to let the cat out of the bag, as she squealed and clapped her percious hands..

Early in the day, Sherry had hung up the set she made herself as show-n-tell...Cindy had (not knowing she would soon have her own) ask "how much would it cost me to hire you to make a me set?" "$75.00" was Sherry's reply. giggle By the look on her face Cindy is pleased and surprised.. Whew, saved $75.00 :)

Rhona, the little turkey, turned her head to look at Sherry so all I got was the back of her head..Let me tell you she and all of us were thrilled.. Pictured below is the box open..In it was 13 of the little darling Halloween Stocking and our own little tea bag holder... Sherry you did super...Thank you again from all... The Ol'Blogger

Ready, Set, Goooooooo

It took me over an hour to down load pictures for our Chocolate Night. I am sure " You All" was so looking forward to picture of the actual event..But..I got a text from my Niece who needs me at 9 am today, and it is past midnight now, so I am going to need to get some sleep..I had several pieces of mending to get done yesterday, which I succeeded..So this will be short and sweet..
These pictures were taken on Wednesday before our great celebration. We gathered to clean and get everything set up.. Summer studio all arranged, we began attacking the patio..before we brought out the cushion...This is one of our favorite spots in the whole state of Indiana..

Glass even gets a good polishing...

As you can tell by Kathy's face we all enjoy the work day and can hardly wait for Friday to arrive..We did take time to do some sewing before the day ended..
Lots more to come in the up coming days..Good night..The Ol'Blogger

Fall Will be Ushered in with Chocolate Night

We will be welcoming Fall with our annual Chocolate Night on September 21 and 22. This up coming Friday and Saturday.With that, on each SoTA Sisters mind, I decided, this would be a great time to share this picture of Cindy T's mums she sent me last year.. Don't you agree they were beautiful?  On Wednesday of this week we will converge with helping hands on The Elder to assit in setting up the patio. One venue we all love to gather with a fire in the wood fireplace, soothing music playing softly, rain gently falling on the tin roof.. Also we will be getting the tables organized in our Summer Studio for our "All NIGHT" stay..Which I "presume true" we are to leave and come back on Friday around 4pm....but we could..... are available........ free.......nothing to stop us..... from......well starting early...like Wednesday night???? Wonder what The Elder thinks of this proposal??????? The Ol'Blogger

Keep on Knitting....

 Kathy shared with us awhile back, this knitting needle case, she had stitched together..One could organize all needle sizes and knitting supplies. This needle case can be rolled up and tucked in a yarn tote as easy transport for a knitter on the go. Kathy made hers 19" wide by 22" tall she was able to have 12 pockets.  With the extra height she made a fold over flap so the needles wouldn't fall out. She used a 2" strip for the casing on the pockets.  Also lined hers with a very thin layer of Thermore batting.  Bight and cheerful all knitting needles and supplies are safely waiting to be used...The Ol'Blogger

Brain Still in Over Load....

 What a treat for my eyes, when I stopped at Cindy T's on Tuesday..She never said a word about the table we were sitting by while visiting, when all of a sudden my eye was caught by the items on the table..My breath was taken away..The table was beautiful to say the least..Cindy had found this shoe at a yard sale, empty and crusty, she told Kent "I want that shoe".. After much soaking and scrubbing it was clean and shinning..When given a box of buttons from a friend. She knew where they could and would live...

 

Caddy Corner from the shoe in front of the lamp was this beauty. Yes, she had learned well from Brian Haggard and let her imagination go..Pieces of this and that Cindy created a one of a kind, her very own special pin cushion..Scissors hang from the Curly Q off to the side, a thimble rest in the bird nest on top, while the precious bird looks on..Check out the needle holder hanging from a leaf...I love it all..My words don't do it all justice,and this isn't all that adored that exquisite table. Just a little behind and to the other side of the shoe,,well just look below..

Cindy had taken a minture sewing chair (found at a yard sale) and recreated it into a delight for ones eyes...The sounds coming from my mouth and the size of my eyes were from sheer delight..Not that I was surprised that Cindy could do all this, from having seen all she has created in the past, I knew she was well capable..But my mind was still in over load from having, the week before, spent three wonderful days with her, Jody and Rhona at my first retreat. With Brian Haggard as our Instructor, and then being invited to his studio. Was more than my mind could handle..all my emotions came flowing out in Cindy's front room....giggle

All of the SoTA Sisters have been my inspiration for going on 14 or15 years..Now I can add Brian and all his lovely family to the list..I am truly blessed..Thank you all, The Ol'Blogger

Necktie Purse

 Old neckties may seem useless, but they actually make great material for many different crafts and fashion accessories.
 Cindy T.recycled hers into this trendy new handbag..Which I am sure will be a great conversation piece. Besides being eco-friendly for the green movement. The Ol' Blogger

Threads Of Time

Four of the SoTA sisters treated our selves to 3 day retreat in Danville, Ill with Brian Haggard. Left to right Rhona, Me, and Cindy..Front would be our Elder, Jody...This was my first stay over, and I had a wonderful time. We leaned some really neat techniques from our super instructer. I am still running it all over in my head..When we have finished our "Talking Quilts" (the theme of the class) I will post them..Threads of Time, Creative Sewing and Retreat Center was an ideal place..The staff and facility was excellent..One thing I did learn..on these retreats one doesn't get much sleep..giggle.The Ol'Blogger

BOO

Halloween is the biggest shopping holiday, second only to Christmas. Consumers spend billions in sales, proving that we love Halloween and all its trappings.  Rhona has created and now has this darling Halloween lap quilt to add to her Halloween  treasure trove.. Created with  a festive theme of orange,black,and white, grinning jack-o-lantern, black cat, bat and oh yes frindly ghost, this lap quilt come to life to welcome in the fall season.. Hope you all have fun in this up coming season..The Ol'Blogger