SoTA - Society of Textile Artisans

BBs go to the Beach - Day One

2011-10-05T08:47:00.000-04:00

Well here we are - at the beach. We just couldn't believe all the fabulous colors! Look at Jody waving!

We took a break and went to lunch -this was the view from our table.

Then it's back to the condo to change and get a little sand between our toes (the view from our balcony)

The end of a perfect day!

and the beginning of another one -

Wish you were all here!!!!!!!!!!

Yahoo # 3

2011-09-08T23:06:00.001-04:00

Kathy received a quilting newsletter some years back, from the front of it, she designed these blocks. She has decided to now use this for a small table quilt to add to her July 4th decor..

Now if you aren't into quilting, crafting, you may ask what was holding her up..May not understand how all of us have unfinished projects..Its not that we don't know where to start, what to do, or it has become overwhelming..Perhaps, just wanted to start something new, which has happen to me more times than I want to admit..None of which were Kathy's reason, these had gotten lost in her stash, and other projects. You know, Out of sight out of mind. :)

Another thing to remember is that anything that is not finished is not meant to be finished at that time. You have to admit that sounds good. hehehehehehe When you finally get to it (sometimes a year or more later) your ideas (like Kathy) have changed and something new will come from these treasurers...
The Ol'Blogger

Yahoo # 2

2011-09-08T00:57:00.000-04:00

Kathy's 2nd "you always have other options "
This image was on the front of Kathy's dictionary. Inspiration comes from any where. For years Cindy,Beth and Starr was in blocks exchange. Leaves and items related to trees was the blocks they swapped. Kathy started this using those blocks..She is going to add to this and again make a small lap quilt..The Ol'Blogger

YAHOO # 1

2011-09-07T13:02:00.001-04:00

The next few days I will be blogging on unfinished projects Kathy found while reorganizing her studio.. This piece was "tumbling blocks" she had started sometime back.. I just talked to her and she has already appliqued this to fabric and is in the process of making it into a small lap quilt.. Can hardly wait to see what she is doing. Hopefully will get a picture of the finished project.. "The Elder always says, "YAHOO = (You Always Have Other Options) , don,t pitch."
The Ol'Blogger

Daddy

2011-09-06T01:03:00.001-04:00

My Daddy died in May the year I turned 8 in November, which has been 57 years ago. Just this pass year did I get to see this picture of him, which is the best one I had every see of his face. I sent the picture in an email to each of my SoTA Sisters, wanting to share with them. With out my knowing anything about this they created this wall hanging for me and presented it to me last Tuesday, while at the "Summer Studio". The bead on the hat pin is the color of my birthstone, the fabric was designed by Kathy, and all provided pieces for this lovely wall hanging. Girls this so touched my heart, I will cherish this always. I have drawn strength all this week from the love you all have for me and I know will continue too. Thank you and I truly love each and everyone of you. The Ol' Blogger

Unusual, Unique, and Uncommon.....

2011-09-04T22:18:00.000-04:00

I love this bracelet Sherry made from what I would consider uncommon.....using a metal zipper and large black and white beads..Not only is it bold and stylish, it is certain to add a little extra excitement to any outfit and will definitely get you noticed!
The Ol'Blogger

Beautiful Bead Board.

2011-09-03T21:57:00.000-04:00

We have here "The Elder's beading board..She brought this out and we all had a fit over it..So on Chocolate Night (which will be in September this year) she will be guiding the rest of us as we make our own..Did you know that King Tut had elaborate bead work in his tomb, including a pair of slippers and a hassock showing captive nations? My guess they would have loved to had a beading board as nice as Jody's..

I.U. Transplant Quilts..

2011-09-02T01:19:00.000-04:00

These are in the process of become lap quilts for I.U. Transplant Ward in Indianapolis. Kathy has been reorganizing her sewing studio and she found this half finished project so she added some borders and is finishing it..

This quilt is with a fabric she had purchased many years back..She had never found a home for it..by adding some others she created this beauty to be a lap quilt.

Another one in the making stages...These pictures just do not do them justices..They are breath taking in real time.. When sandwiched together and quilted all three will be on their way to touch a life, from Kathy.

Soviet Union Pin Cushion

2011-09-01T01:43:00.002-04:00

Pin cushion doll, Cindy found at an antique shop. She is hard stuffed in what might have been 1940's fabric, with blond hair, a detailed painted face. She stands around 4"high and is a little over 2' around I would guess.. Of course she is soiled and age colored, which makes her a great, different earlier doll for display.....Because pins were costly in earlier times, small boxes were typically used to store them. Pin cushions emerged in 15th century England, and by the 1800's were sold as common trinkets or gifts to commemorate events. They became novelty decorations in Victorian households, crafted in various shapes and ornamented with embroidery.

In the picture below, found on the bottom of her with "made in Soviet Union" stamped on there...

Ashley Visits (aka " Our Little Chocolate Chip")

2011-08-30T23:31:00.007-04:00

Today was wonderful, we all gathered at the "Summer Studio". The SoTA Sisters had a visit from their SoTA Sisters Niece Ashley.. She loved the swing, not too high..With a sweet smile the whole day and a giggle for us all, she said "High enough"..

She beaded making bracelet for Fancy Nancy's Dog...and smiling the whole time..What a doll..

Also did some stamping..and drew circles, ovals and used chalk to draw on the drive way. Ashley took Fancy Nancy for a stroll in the stroller. Ashley hurry back to visit with us again! Thank you for the Ashley Pops you made us they were delicious.. The Ol'Blogger

P.S Ashley made our day totally delightful, I've decided to call her our "Little Chocolate Chip" The Elder.

Bet they weren't made in China !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-08-29T22:59:00.000-04:00

Just two cute, I can't wait till tomorrow to put these on the blog. I have to go to sleep earlier tonight as tomorrow is "Summer Studio Day", so I can get up on time.. So here they are... Cindy sent me these pictures tonight..

She said and I quote..."I have been wanting to recover my 1960's card table and chairs for over two years.

I FINALLY got that accomplished. The fabrics were pieced together, then I used fusible vinyl by heat & bond to cover the fabric.

The frames were all painted black (they had been a brownish color that had become very scratched over the years.) Then the fabric was stretched over the bottoms, backs of chairs and table top.

These chairs and table were my Mom's- still have the Samsonite tags on them-the chairs were $8.98 each... wow that seems a little expensive for the 60's. But they are much more than that now.

I am sooooo enjoying getting some of the major projects done!!!!".
Told by Cindy, typed by The Ol' Blogger

Cousin are Wonderful...

2011-08-29T01:27:00.000-04:00

We have a picture of Sherry, Cindy's cousin, with her "head" planter. She enjoys plants and flowers so Cindy knew she would like this..It is a mold that you use with concrete, stains and embed a clay flower pot into. So Cindy created this fun and funky gift for 60th birthday...Hey, Cindy I am a cousin also, don't forget, I have a birthday coming up...giggle. The Ol'Blogger

"Adirondack Alcohol Inks"

2011-08-28T01:44:00.001-04:00

Cindy used "Adirondack Alcohol inks on her mail box...She said " it didn't exactly turn out like she thought- it was impossible to see the inks on black! I may go over the mailbox again with some other ink colors" she is not sure yet...Oh boy a new toy.,,

Bench Pillow

2011-08-27T14:50:00.000-04:00

Just got this picture this morning.... It IS FINISHED!!!!! And it is amazing....Love the fringe...Cindy this is a beautiful pillow...When you enter her front door this is what will greet you... The Ol' Blogger

Crazy Quilt Piece

2011-08-27T01:23:00.003-04:00

Cindy is working on this "Crazy Quilt Piece"..When finished it will be a pillow for her Grand Piano Bench.... Definitely this picture must be enlarged to see all the added embellishments... She liked Jody's that she made her sister, so well she decided it was a must for her bench... The Ol'Blogger

Old Ladder gets New Life....

2011-08-26T10:29:00.000-04:00

" The Elder" hates throwing out old ladders, but there does come a point when an old wooden ladder just isn't safe to use anymore..Old ladders, can be used for other things besides climbing however...Instead of tossing out this ladder she has painted and will be adding shelves like the bottom board to make this into the perfect book case....or a place to sit her favorite things....When she gets it finished and placed in her house I will add a picture in its new place...The Ol'Blogger

Friends Forever....

2011-08-25T19:28:00.000-04:00

Best friends are hard to find, harder to leave, and impossible to forget...This is so true with Jody and her friend Kay from their school years...Although miles has separated them, they have kept the friendship growing...Kay came for a visit and met all of us at "The Summer Studio"... We can understand how the friendship has lasted over the years..We were very impressed with Kay...Looking forward to her return...The Ol'Blogger

Zippora the Spider

2011-08-24T22:58:00.000-04:00

Interesting Fact about the spider from the web site Fun Facts about Spiders....Did you know that spiders cannot physically die of natural causes? If kept safe, a spider can continue to live and grow larger for a theoretically unlimited amount of time. In fact, in China there exists a collection of 'holy' spiders, hatched some 2,800 years ago during the height of the Mang-Tsun dynasty.

The Spider pictured here isn't going to die natural either..Sherry's hands created this beauty (if spiders can be a beauty) using metal zippers,black beads strung on wire with a dab of black felt...Which she pinned to the outside of the purse she made...

B151

2011-08-24T00:04:00.000-04:00

Sherry has her B151 done...Isn't it beautiful? I love the edges. Don't remember seeing that in the instructions. We got the pattern from "Fire Mountain".

Almost Diamonds......

2011-08-22T22:25:00.000-04:00

I just love these bracelets Sherry created. With the zipper parts and all the bead work she will sure to noticed when wearing these...

I found this interesting facts on the Internet about "Bracelets" so I am sharing...

Where did the name 'Bracelet' come from? The term bracelet originates from the Latin word 'brachile' meaning of the arm. Bracelets have been an item of jewellery loved by people for many years and can be dated back to the Ancient Egyptians of around 7000BC. These were not made out of diamonds but bones and wood and where worn to represent religious or spiritual matters such as scarab bracelets which symbolised rebirth and regeneration.

I love how she used the zipper pull in the one pictured below..The colors and design are perfect..The Ol'Blogger

Button,Button who has the Button.....

2011-08-21T22:43:00.000-04:00

I have no idea who's this is, but I took the picture last week at the Summer Studio, so I am assuming these would be "The Elders"..I love this jar and all the buttons in the jar...But then they could belong to Cindy as she was working on a crazy quilt pillow top for her Grand Piano...

Interesting Fact about Buttons....Compared to many other collectibles, buttons are very reasonable in price. Beautiful and fascinating buttons can be purchased for as little as a dollar or less. However, rare buttons may cost many hundreds or even thousands of dollars. And then there are the ones that came from a loved ones garment and they are priceless. The Ol'Blogger

Sherry's is done....

2011-08-19T22:30:00.001-04:00

Sherry has gotten her egg made for the little vase the girls got each of us on their trip to The Cincinnati Quilt Show.. It is darling...

Sherry's purse

2011-08-17T22:11:00.001-04:00

First Sherry hand embroidery the flowers and vines, then she turned that into this gorgeous, unique and stylish purse..Cindy is in the back ground.

Sisters Love....

2011-08-08T01:42:00.001-04:00

There is a Vietnamese Proverb- sisters are as close as hands and feet...Well, Jody has gone one step farther and with her hands created this beautiful Pillow for her sister...Yes, she hand pieced the whole pillow then did hand crazy quilting with lace, thread, and ribbons to say how much she loves her sister Phillis..Surly this will bring sweet dreams to a dearly loved sister..As with all Crazy Quilting Items, one must enlarge to see all the detail...The Ol'Blogger

Giving Back

2011-08-07T00:32:00.001-04:00

Kathy peeping out from behind one of many special lap quilts she has lovingly made...Wanting to use up some of her stash and share from her being blessed, Kathy decided back in January 2011 to make these special quilts to give to the I.U. transplant ward in Indianapolis. She has averaged around 3 a month since then..Her future Daughter-in-love, Laura, works on this ward..So Kathy lets her present them to those who are having transplants...She has shared some wonderful stories of how much this little quilts has touched others lives..Kathy is sharing these gifts of love to warm the hearts of those who are experiencing a rough time....That would be our Kathy, oozing with love for others always...We all love you Kathy...The Ol'Bogger

Seed Beads and More

2011-08-03T23:18:00.000-04:00

Bracelet with Seed Beads made by Kathy..Designer Esther Pollock Exclusively for Fire Mountain Gems and Beads.. Where we get a lot of our beads....Below is picture of all the jewelry Kathy has made for those who are in the wedding party for her son..Complete with the cool colors of the ocean with its sandy beaches where they are holding the wedding...The Ol'Blogger

Sugar and Spice

2011-08-02T10:49:00.000-04:00

Kathy is finishing up this baby quilt for a friend, Rachael's baby...The embroidery she has done is beautiful...Sugar and Spice...

Jitter Bug...

2011-08-01T02:10:00.000-04:00

Cloth with quilt block pattern printed on it, as opposed to a quilt pattern created by different pieces of cloth cut out and sewn together, is known as Cheater Cloth. Cheater cloth became available in the 1850's. The first cheater cloth patterns where imitation chintz patches. In the early 1900's, other patterns such as Log Cabin and Charm Quilts became available on cheater cloth. In the 1930's, Sears offered cheater cloth in patterns such as Dresden Plate. Double Wedding Ring, and Grandmother's Flower Garden. Cheater cloth is still being produced today and a bolt or two can be found in just about every quilt store.

Which Rhona found this one and really liked it..So she purchased it and has finished it now..Jitter Bug is the name of this cloth...This one makes me smile..Cheerful just like our Rhona...The Ol'Blogger

Fun Day at The Elders...

2011-07-31T22:37:00.001-04:00

The Elder is sewing away on her Featherweight..Below Sherry is checking one of the bags she is making for her grandchildren to keep their camping items in...

Cindy is busy cutting pieces for a quilt she is making to lay across her pillows. I believe it is to match the quilt she made...That is Kathy in the far right of the picture..She is working on the embroidery below..Which will turn into a darling purse...Bobbie, Kathy's Mom, joined us at Jody's on this day..the picture I took of her was all blurry so I have none to share..But we always love when she comes to visit...The Ol'Blogger..

Altered Book for Precious God Daughter

2011-07-30T00:09:00.000-04:00

I love this book.. Jody and Judith created for Judith's God Daughter.

An Altered Book which starts with Emmy's birth and goes through her teen years..Altered books have been defined as "any book, old or new that has been recycled by creative means into a work of art.". Here's an opportunity to use the text of books, old and new, to inspire loved ones...As they did with this one..Lots of precious memories..

Judith presented it to here June 2, 2011 for her graduation day...The Ol'Blogger

Hat Pin Cushions...

2011-07-24T16:20:00.000-04:00

We are so blessed...Judith got each of us these darling pin cushions....Our collection is growing...it is so nice, while in our craft rooms..to look around and see the love we have when our eyes fall on the different pin cushions...I picked the purple...as my sewing studio is lavender...Thank you sweet lady...The Ol'Blogger

Christmas in July....

2011-07-23T03:34:00.000-04:00

With the heat we are having, maybe sharing pictures of Christmas items Cindy has been busy working on, will cool us a little..:)

First photo is of Christmas stockings for Cindy's TX kids made out of recycled jeans and denim -

Second photo is the tree skirt to go with the stockings - again recycled jeans and denim

Third photo is a closer view - She used a waist band from a pair of jeans complete with belt loops to make the "closure" around the tree trunk. That would be our very own Cindy, doesn't waste anything..

Fourth photo is mamaw and Abbi in their "hello Kitty" nightgowns. Abbi chose the fabric for the matching PJ's

Friendship Braclet.....

2011-07-21T00:33:00.001-04:00

While Abbi was visiting she wanted to make a friendship bracelet.. Cindy sent me pictures of Abbi working on her "friendship" bracelet.

Nothing would satisfy her until she showed her how to make a friendship bracelet.

The first one they started was too difficult for her - so Cindy found an easier pattern that she made herself (with a little coaxing from Mamaw!)

So she ended up with two bracelets - one Cindy made and one Abbi made.

She is wearing them both here...She is a little doll...

Dream Porch....

2011-07-20T00:54:00.003-04:00

Cindy has been playing with her doll house again...She made the "Stain Glass Window" for it. Hanging from the porch..Pictured below you can enlarge and see the tiny pieces of stain glass she used - yes it is real glass pieces - the hand it to show the size - the darker photo is with the dollhouse porch light reflecting in the background.

The picture below is of the porch swing she created..Cindy used wire to form the shape she wanted then wove it (like a basket over under over under.... using linen thread - the type usually used in making jewelry - when finished I spray painted it white - all I could find was natural color linen and I wanted white :-)

..It is darling...The Ol'Blogger

Hoffman Challenge 2011

2011-07-19T00:31:00.000-04:00

Kathy has made and sent in this beautiful purse as her Hoffman Challenge entry...Named "Half Moon..She used fibers and beads with the fabric...

This is Cindy's Hoffman Challenge Named "Hanami Tsunami"..The name of the fabric Hoffman chose is Hanami.. The only picture I had of the whole wall hanging is really dark sorry about that..the one small one will give and idea of the colors.. Good Luck girls..I will let you all know how they did when they find out..The Ol'Blogger..

Happy 4th!

2011-07-04T15:39:00.004-04:00

First off I want to tell you all...that our own "Courageous Creative Cindy T", made this video and transferred to our blog by herself...Aren't we all proud of her? "Way to Go Cindy" ... The video and picture below are a wreath she created for the 4th of July for her front room...She is making one for each holiday..I asked her to video this one because a little patriotic man plays "Yankee Doodle Dandy" with drumming music..The wreath is turned side ways in the film but after the lyrics is a picture I was able to flip...

Yankee Doodle Dandy went to town

A-riding on a pony

Stuck a feather in his cap

And called it macaroni.

Yankee Doodle, keep it up

Yankee Doodle dandy

Mind the music and the step

And with the girls be handy.

Father and I went down to camp

Along with Captain Gooding

And there we saw the men and boys

As thick as hasty pudding.

Yankee Doodle, keep it up

Yankee Doodle dandy

Mind the music and the step

And with the girls be handy

There was Captain Washington

Upon a slapping stallion

A-giving orders to his men

I guess there were a million.

Yankee Doodle, keep it up

Yankee Doodle dandy

Mind the music and the step

And with the girls be handy

Be sure and enlarge this picture so you can get the full effect of all that Cindy has applied to the wreath...Happy 4th of July from "Cindy and The Ol' Blogger "

PS...sorry the picture won't enlarge...not sure why..Maybe our sweet Rhona can fix it...

Wall Hanging by Rhona

2011-07-03T02:05:00.001-04:00

This is a wall hanging. Rhona bought the pattern the week before Cindy took this picture...As Cindy reported when she sent me the picture...grrr-and she works! We all agree Rhona and Kathy never sleep! Rhona I love it...The Ol'Blogger

Complain Board

2011-07-01T00:21:00.000-04:00

This would be a picture of our "Complaint Board" created by "The Elder".... Compete with a Stitch-in Witches Head......We are allowed to post anything that bugs us..only to be used by the SoTA Girls...Not that I would ever have a reason to post on it...

Oops I have been caught on camera...I think I had a complain about "The Elder",,,which is the only rule we have, respect (her) always...I am sure it was a sweet, loving complaint...Is that allowed????? The Ol'Blogger

Summer Studio

2011-06-18T23:21:00.000-04:00

We had a wonderful day for the opening of the Summer Studio....The Elder has fixed a place in her garage for all to enjoy each other and sew on Tuesday and Wednesday...Complete with frig.,fans, and a a garage screen for the door to keep all critters out...

Phillis and Max joined us for the day...We enjoyed their company. I believe Max has become our first SoTA Brother...:0)

Corner Stain Glass....

2011-06-04T23:52:00.001-04:00

Cindy made this stain glass...I will let her explain..." Picture of a stained glass project I made one year ago for my niece that lives in Mooresville - it hangs between her living room and stairway
I finally got it hung two weeks ago :-\... " Cindy and The Ol'Blogger

Flowers to Glore....

2011-05-30T04:14:00.000-04:00

This posting is the front and back of Rhona's floral quilt that she bought the panels for at Bloomington Quilt Show and the border fabric at Cincinnati. Be sure and notice the bottom picture, and the way the quilting Rhona did shows on the back, neat..The Ol'Blogger

Senior Prom

2011-05-29T02:49:00.000-04:00

These pictures of my grandson's girlfriends corsage for her Senior Prom...Not sure but thing this is the last one for awhile..anyway till the twins get into high school anyway...The Ol'Blogger

Baby Block,,,

2011-05-24T02:26:00.003-04:00

Here are two pictures, top and bottom of a baby block Cindy made for a gift -it is in purple and pink for a little girl....lots of exploring for her, places to stick her fingers through and design with color to intrigue her..Blessed little one...The Ol'Blogger

PS Cindy used the new Magically Texturize that the steam iron makes the fabric draw up...Amazing..the girls purchased some of it for all of us...knowing we would want some also...

Shop Hop 2010

2011-05-23T01:10:00.000-04:00

Cindy has use the fabric that she got when we went on a Shop Hop last year...The shops suggested a wall hanging be made from the package of fabrics at each store..I believe she is the only one who has done anything with hers..Surprise its not a wall hanging, she made this purse...I like it better than the wall hanging they suggested..giggle..I have cut up the black fabrics with some from my stash for a purse, but that's as far as I have gotten...someday!!!! The Ol'Blogger

SoTA Outing..

2011-05-22T14:02:00.000-04:00

Saturday May 21 Jody, Kathy, Cindy and Rhona made an outing to Washington, In. for a fiber fest. They stopped by Phillis and toured her home...they loved her new decor...I don't think anyone was surprised, as she has been helping Jody with hers and it is beautiful....

The fiber fest had wool related items, roving, wool, and wool rugs etc. I am sure they purchase something..giggle.They also toured a flea market, where Rhona found a doll bed for Ashley...

Lunched at Chill Cafe which is owned by Phillis daughter and a friend. I was told the food was delicious..
Of course there was a stopped at the quilt shop..."Stitching Post."

When they dropped Rhona off they went in to see some completed items of hers..Someone took pictures so I will post those later..The Ol'Blogger

In the Beginning...

2011-05-18T02:48:00.000-04:00

I quilted this for a friend several years back, for her baby..This was taken at the baby shower..It was a cheaters panel...I believe..And it seems like "The Elder" had given it to me to work on when she first started teaching me to quilt..The Ol'Blogger

Friday the 13th

2011-05-17T03:12:00.000-04:00

We met for lunch on Friday May 13... Which made it a special day...MJ was able to join us..So glad to see her, had been awhile since we had seen her...Sherry wasn't there as she had gone camping with her family, first time for the season.:) We shared some show-n-tell and of course passed around money as we had gotten Kathy to order us all thread burners, and beads..By the way I love my thread burner, a neat new tool... Made plans for a up coming trip to Washington, In. for a fiber show and to visit with Phylis...Cindy had gotten us all a star fish, a pattern for an egg to go in our little cup for a pin cushion, and a needle punch pattern..Kathy had a beautiful new beaded bracelet in black and white she had made..and me with no camera sorry no picture..Tony surprised us all and joined us for lunch, we all love to get to see Tony, our special warlock...The Ol'Blogger

Fall Leaves...

2011-05-12T11:39:00.000-04:00

I like this picture..MJ made these fall leaves from beads...This was taken at Chocolate Night a few years back...She taught us all how to make them that night..

From the Past...

2011-05-09T23:47:00.000-04:00

In 1998 I made this, my first full sized quilt..this was my 2nd quilt to make..They took me to my first quilt shop...I remember being amazed at all the fabric..the girls helped me pick my colors...Jody, helped me cut out all the fabrics and got me started...when I was ready to sandwich it together, Bill put up tables in their garage and some of the girls helped me baste it together... I hand quilted it..The Ol'Blogger

Wonderful Mothers Day..

2011-05-08T23:58:00.002-04:00

Hope all Mothers had a great Mother's Day..My grandsons Nathan, and Evan spend the afternoon with me working on a homework project.They had read books for a literature class and then were to pick a character and make a clay image of it..

Evan's story was about a ghost so he choose the boy from the story and made him...We used a small piece of a wooden skewer to make him stand up...

Nathan choose a character that looked like Dumbledore from his story.. He wanted his man to be sitting on a throne...I was very pleased with the way they turned out...I gave instructions, showing them with a piece of clay, then they made theirs...It was a fun Mother's Day for me and something they will always remember.. Their parents treated us to pizza while the Figurines were baking in Nanny's toaster oven..giggle..The Ol'Blogger..

Dainty Delight....

2011-05-08T01:26:00.001-04:00

The beads in this bracelet Kathy beaded are so unique...She found these at a venders booth while in Cincinnati for the quilt show...clear on the ends makes the beads look tinier and very delicate.

I don't really know how to describe them...I do hope when you enlarge the picture you will be able to see their beauty...The bracelet is very dainty looking..I am hoping one of the girls who purchased these beads will give us a name and web site to check these out..to perhaps purchase our own...The Ol'Blogger

Summer Studio First Day Projects........

2011-05-07T00:29:00.000-04:00

Jody is working on a crazy quilt lap top she is making for her sister....Remember this is being done by hand...Her stitches are amazing....

Kathy works on a needle point or cross stitch, not sure what she is making...but know it will be very special..

Sherry is hand embroidery for a quilt she is working on... I have forgotten the name of the quilt...can I blame my age :)..

Sorry to say but the picture I took of Rhona beading a darling red and black necklace didn't turn out..but I will get one later, at least when it is done..

Cindy had to leave shortly after I arrived, for a recital for family members, so I have no picture of her work in progress..

Since I wasn't feeling great that day, I just watched their hands do their magic, so relaxing...
The O'Blogger

Brown Paper Bagging....

2011-05-06T00:26:00.002-04:00

My Sister Janna had this to say about my brown paper bagging.." Elaine, this is how people wall papered back in the 40s before real wallpaper. You are regressing!" First picture is work in progress.... My children were a little worried their mother had lost it completely, when I told them I was going to use brown paper bags to paper the kitchen, and I wanted them to save them for me to use... But when I finished they loved it even the two boys...Some thinks it looks like rocks, others say it looks like leather...My husband was thrilled the cost was very little..giggle..My Grandmother used to say "given enough time, everything old will become new again"! I did seal it with polyurethane, which I am sure they didn't do years back...Below is one wall complete...The Ol' Blogger

Saturday Summer Studio Set Up...

2011-05-05T00:09:00.000-04:00

The Elder had a gift for the SoTA girls.We have a new fireplace on the deck, Bill built for her, which she has always shared with us.... Aw, looking forward to fall with the warmth from the fire with the rain hitting the tin roof ....

Last Saturday was a work day...Now I was late getting there so I don't have pictures of them working getting our "summer studio" ready...The girls moved items, washed windows, and what ever else needed to be done...In the picture below they are enjoying the table they set up for us to work on projects...

If you look close in this picture you can see the screen "The Elder" bought for our summer studio...They all had this hanging before I arrived...now we can sit out with the breeze from outside and not be bothered from the pests...

I did get there with plenty of time for play time...will share pictures as to what each was working on later...The Ol'Blogger

SoTA are Fan's of Maxine

2011-05-04T01:08:00.000-04:00

The SoTA Sister do so love Maxine...we regularly share her sayings or cartoons with one another...Cindy using left over fabric Rhona had from the oven mitts she made us, created this Kleenex box.....Since Maxine only shops for her favorite people "Me, Myself and I"...would that mean only those favorite people can use a Kleenex from this box????

The Ol'Blogger

Busy Rhona

2011-05-02T22:23:00.000-04:00

Rhona got her donut pin cushion completed...

Below is two cake potholders she made also...She has been a very busy lady....

Another Gees Bend

2011-05-02T02:06:00.000-04:00

Kathy has completed her Gees Bend bracelet..yellow,peach, purples and a few other colors, dazzle ones eye when she wears this beauty..

Ashley's Bracelet....

2011-04-25T00:18:00.001-04:00

Rhona did her beading action to create this bracelet for little Ashley...It looks bigger in this picture than it is to fit her tiny arm...One of a kind for One of a Kind...The clasp is not on, as she waited till she could measure it for a perfect fit...The Ol'Blogger

April Showers...

2011-04-23T23:53:00.000-04:00

Rhona's April wall hanging...I decided this would be perfect for Easter tomorrow...If you remember she has made one for every month..With all the rain we have had, we should be blessed with May flowers.:) We hope you all have a beautiful Easter!

4th SoTA Sister Wall Hanging....

2011-04-14T19:59:00.000-04:00

Sherry has finished her "SoTA Sister" wall hanging...This makes Kathy, Elaine, Cindy and Sherry all finished..Still to come will be Jody aka "The Elder" and Rhona...Sherry has made hers with the black on two sides which gives added dept to hers..

Memories..

2011-04-03T01:33:00.000-04:00

The memory quilt I made Josh (my youngest)..Pictures from his school years, with family, friends and pets..The Ol'Blogger

Jamaica Wedding Gifts...

2011-04-01T16:36:00.000-04:00

Jamaica wedding coming up in January for Kathy's son..She making these bracelets for the girls in the wedding party..When looking at them they bring to mind the ocean...Kathy's amazing mind at work again..The Ol'Blogger

Faces Pressed again the Window Screen

2011-03-31T01:47:00.000-04:00

As you know, we are each making a SoTA Sisters wall hanging..I have finished mine, now it is hanging on my sewing studio door...I covered our pictures with tulle netting to add the screen look to my windows...This brings a smile as I walk by...The Ol'Blogger..

Scrappy Column Quilt

2011-03-30T03:12:00.003-04:00

Heath grew up with my son Josh and are great friends. Heath is married and their first baby, a girl, is arriving this May..So I created this quilt for her..I used Nancy (from Sewing with Nancy) column quilts technique. Basically it is made in columns and quilted as you go...Scrappy columns quilt is as the name implies, small amounts of leftover fabrics, folded into dimensional inserts, accents the easy to sew columns for this quilt.. With this I used those decorative stitches (the ones we tend to forget we have) to stitch the front panel to the batting..Which for this quilt I used flannel. The first column was all stitched right sides facing out..where the rest of the columns are added by placing right sides together front to front and back to back..Then flipping front over and back out you have it all together..With seam enclosed inside the panels, no need to add any thing to cover the seams. I added quilting by quilting in the ditch between the rolls..There is an array of texture,color,and little flaps and pockets for baby to explore...

The Ol'Blogger

Grandmother Who Lives Far Away..

2011-03-29T16:07:00.001-04:00

Rhona knitted mittens for Ashley...They match the hat, Ashley says "that was made by my Grandma who lives far away"...Even though Grandma lives far away, Ashely loves talking to her on the phone and receiving the gifts she sends in the mail. And she's thrilled when Grandma comes to visit or she gets to spend time at "Grandma's from Far Away"...The Ol'Blogger

Day Care Adventure....

2011-03-27T02:07:00.000-04:00

The Elders home became a hospital for Ashley's doll..It seemed there was an accident at Sweet Ashley's Day Care..giggle..Rhona did the surgery while we visited with each other at Jody's...Grandmothers are good for everything even repairs to broken dolls..

The Ol'Blogger

Distraction....

2011-03-26T02:44:00.001-04:00

If Jewelry takes people's minds off one's wrinkles...We are all set... Here are pieces of jewelry we have all made and had with us at Jody's a few weeks back...The Ol'Blogger

Tape Rolls....

2011-03-25T22:01:00.002-04:00

Cindy went wild with the insides of tape rolls...

First she created a bracelet, using zippers parts, beads and the bone face cabochon. Next she had one roll that she wondered what would happen if she beaded it..Well, it turned into a ring...Now pictured on the right is not the bracelet the ring matches, that would be the first picture..To tell you the truth I have forgotten who made the bracelet Cindy is wearing in the 2nd picture, but I think it is hers...The Ol'Blogger

Future Projects

2011-03-24T01:47:00.000-04:00

Fabric pieces the girls bought while at the Bloomington Quilt Show in March...Looking forward to seeing what they do with it...The Ol'Blogger

Spring has Sprung...

2011-03-22T15:49:00.000-04:00

Spring has sprung....and just in time Cindy has finished her spring pillow...The center block was hand embroider with a few pieces appliqued...The pillow is stunning to say the least...The Ol'Blogger

Elvis

2011-03-21T09:09:00.000-04:00

Being an Elvis fan....I wanted to make a Elvis quilt..The lady on the left was the school principal, where I worked, and the lady in the middle was the secretary..She also is an Elvis fan. Mrs Buckhan paid for all the supplies and I made this quilt for Vickie for her birthday.. I printed the pictures of him on fabric and walla we have an "Elvis Quilt"..The Ol'Blogger

Vesta Lou and Judith Shared our Special Day...

2011-03-19T02:52:00.001-04:00

Vesta Lou join us at Jody's last Saturday.. She is posing with some of the pieces of jewelry which we had with us..The bracelet matches her nail polish, lipstick and earrings she was wearing...Very pretty lady...We love when she and Judith join us..

Judith is modeling Cindy's special ring she made..Using the inside of a tape roll she beaded around...Leave it to Cindy to find a use for everything..giggle..The Ol'Blogger

Irene

2011-03-17T22:34:00.000-04:00

Irene sitting very proper with her cup and saucer ( which was made in Japan) Cindy made her with all the frills, necklace, pearl earrings and floppy hat...The fabric for her dress is made from a cousins wedding dress. Looking down , her legs are covered with,..yes "Black Fishnet Stockings" Shoes are made from black leather with gold trim and a rose on top...

After spending some time with us on Saturday, Irene seems to have lost her pose..legs uncrossed and knees bowed in...:)

Irene's jacket is made from a belt a cousin had in a yard sale and was going to toss...No way, with Cindy around...giggle She saved it till the perfect project came around..She cut the belt in half and made the jacket Irene is wearing.. Notice her hair in back, every detail so lady like....Great job, Cindy...The Ol'Blogger

Fabric Clock...

2011-03-16T21:36:00.002-04:00

I so love this clock...Stitched, shaped, layered, and decorated—you’ve never seen a clock like this. Time flies when you make one of these fun clocks!

Cindy created this clock out of her fabric stash...For the numbers she used buttons she had gotten from yard sales..She drew the pattern herself and put timtex between the fabrics to give it body...Technique she used was paper piecing..The Ol'Blogger

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Sweet Saturday....

2011-03-15T03:59:00.000-04:00

The Elder rang our SoTA Bell to get our attention for lunch..We were treated to a special day Saturday March 11 for lunch prepared by Jody and her lovely sister Phillis...Yeast rolls were raising for the final time before entering the oven to bake..They also prepared roast and potatoes with carrots, a picnic ham that was simple out of this world...salads, sweet potatoes...I know I am leaving something out...oh well you get the idea...Simply heavenly was the dessert ..Pictured below..The bureau was beautiful to fix one's eyes on..

Brownies, truffles they had prepared...hmmmmm Really the whole day was just wonderfully delicious... Love, laughter, and food with great friends...Will be sharing more from this day in the days to come..The Ol'Blogger

Crochet Treasure

2011-03-13T23:42:00.000-04:00

What a wonderful treasure...It was Sherry's grandmother, Myrtle who first introduced her to crochet..While in grade school Sherry helped her Grandma by placing the beads on the thread to crochet this beautiful necklace Myrtle made...Yes, Grandmothers can be thanked for first popularizing crochet and crochet designs...Since Grandma has gone on to Heaven to live, Sherry was blessed to get to take great care of one of her precious treasures...The Ol'Blogger

Annie & Kitty Days of the Week Quilt

2011-03-10T01:59:00.002-05:00

I hand embroidery each of the days of the week blocks and appliqued the top two blocks. I colored the embroidery blocks....Hand quilted with embroidery floss and used a running stitch...This quilt was made for this special little girl pictured below...My Great Niece...The Ol'Blogger

Quilt for Car....

2011-03-09T06:41:00.003-05:00

Look what I found when going through some old pictures...Front row: left to right Sandy and me...I made the purse sitting beside me..Back row: left to right..Rhona, Jody and Cindy..This was taken in 2002 at a Quilt Show we attended in Indy..We were intrigued with the quilt that was made to cover that car.. No, none of us made it and yes they did drive on the road with the quilt on the car... This was back when Sherry and I were still working...I must have taken a personal day and Sherry must have had to work...Or she may have been shopping at the Venders...She tends to get side tracked and misses the quilts..giggle...The Ol'Blogger

Santa

2011-03-08T19:54:00.001-05:00

A few years back, the PTO from the school Bev and I worked at ask me to make a life size Santa for the Principal Sara for Christmas... I said I would if Bev would make his clothes...I hate sewing clothes...Bev made his clothes, I sculpted his face from polymer clay, using sheep's wool for his hair, beard, mustache...I used hair I combed out of our dog at the time and used for Santa's eye brows. Kodo's hair was perfect for eyebrows..He has since left us for Doggy Heaven...Harold made the frame for his body from wood and I stuffed him with quilting batting....Sara would bring him to school and share with the students by putting him in the lobby...It was fun hearing the children talking about him..I made four of them all together. His head is removable which makes him easy to store...I lost count of how many little ones I made before my hands got where I couldn't kneed the clay anymore... Left to right...Me, Santa, Bev.....The Ol'Blogger

Love

2011-03-03T23:06:00.001-05:00

While looking at old pictures, I found some of quilts I had made years back...This one I made for my niece for her wedding... I used applique and hand embroidery...A reminder of their love and mine for them...She lives in South Carolina..So I don't get to see her but a couple times a year...The Ol'Blogger

Sherry's Christmas Bracelet

2011-03-02T11:29:00.000-05:00

Cindy is holding a bracelet Sherry made for herself for Christmas..She used green holly leaves and red holly berries on a cuff..

Cabochons Cuff Bracelet

2011-03-01T00:28:00.000-05:00

Another cuff bracelet I made...these are fun to make...I love the Cabochons...with three of them of different sizes I used size 11 &15 seed beads, tube beads, and a little of this-n-that I had on hand... The Ol'Blogger

Marc's Memory Quilt...

2011-02-28T00:28:00.003-05:00

Cindy used T Shirts her cousin Marc had collected over the years, to make him his own Memories Quilt..

Here we have his team picture she sewed into the quilt..

Cindy is pointing to a panel that has some of his accomplishments printed on it..

Marc's mother bought this throw and Cindy incorporated into the back of his quilt..The Ol'Blogger

Rag Necklace

2011-02-27T02:09:00.000-05:00

I braided three strips of 1/2 fabric and seed beads that I had strung..Then added in some large hole beads to make this necklace for my daughter Geri. The Ol'Blogger

Cindy's One of a Kind Pillar Doll

2011-02-26T16:03:00.001-05:00

Jody and Cindy took a class in 2006, Pearl Moon was their teacher who is originally from Australia...The class was held in Richmond Ky. Jody's doll disappeared while they were at the class....We only have Cindy's to admire.. She dyed the fabric, wool and hair..The face is made out of polymer clay..Feathers, bits of this-n-that makes this pillar doll one-of-a-kind...

Abby's Quilt

2011-02-25T00:50:00.000-05:00

This is Abby's quilt that Cindy made for her..These are to go on the bunk beds, Cindy refinished earlier in the year..We had an posting on them, with all the critters she had painted on them..

I loved all the blocks but this one really jumped out at me.."Grandma's heart is a Patchwork of Love." I would say is a quote that so fits Cindy...

The Ol'Blogger

Alex's Quilt

2011-02-24T23:49:00.000-05:00

Cindy has finished Alex's quilt for Grandma's house..She used twin needles to quilt on her sewing machine..

Close up of some of the blocks.

Valentine

2011-02-23T23:15:00.000-05:00

Just the perfect Valentine's Day gift to make for one's self...Kathy created bracelet using reds for Valentine's Day...But it is pretty enough she can wear it any day...I love this one...The Ol'Blogger

Spectacular Stitching......

2011-02-23T01:01:00.002-05:00

Picture one is 2 embroidered stockings Kathy is working on.....there is a set of 12...She is coloring them to add texture and contrast. She has plans to make 2 Advent Calendar quilts, 1 each for her niece and nephew.

The black baskets are 2 of 5 Kathy lightly colored and embroidering for a lap throw she is making with a piece of black toile.Toile, which is short for Toile du Juoy, is a pattern used in home décor. The repeated pattern is traditionally set on fabric with a white or cream background, and printed most often in navy, red and black. Of course when she finishes this we will picture here on our blog...So be sure and tune in for the unveiling...The Ol'Blogger

Why Handmade Jewelry?

2011-02-22T01:22:00.000-05:00

Cindy has finished her Gee's Bend bracelet..and it is really neat..

Also she had completed a bracelet and added fall leaves to the top..

Why handmade jewelry? If you would like the human touch to your jewelry, it is essential you take a look at something that is made from human imagination and human hands..Besides who want simply to walk outside and discover other people with your exact same necklace, bracelet or earrings on..One of the rewards of making your own jewelry,or purchasing jewelry handmade... friends and family will ask you about what you are wearing and you can inform them: these were created special and there's no other item quite like it...

It is made and assembled by a real person, giving it both character and quality..And almost always at a price less than what it is worth.. We all know you can not put a price on joy, love, patience's, and imagination that goes into each piece.. The Ol'Blogger

Mary Belle

2011-02-21T00:30:00.000-05:00

Handmade exclusively by Cindy, Mary Belle is one of a kind...Search from sea to shining sea, but you won't find another mermaid like this one.. ..Adorn with shells, necklace, bracelet and rings..Nails painted, luscious purple eye lashes...She is perched on her own rock..She will dazzle and delight young and old..The Ol'Blogger

February Fun Meter Fill Up Meeting....

2011-02-20T16:08:00.000-05:00

We met at Sherry's yesterday for our February Fun Meter Fill Up Meeting.. The chocolate birthday cake with the blue buttons and donut in front were made by Sherry..The other Birthday Cake is Cindy's finished...Donut in front of that cake made by Kathy. These are darling pin cushions to be add to their collections..

Was a fun filled day, for lunch we had pizza and salad bought by Sherry and Kathy purchased with money from unfinished UFO's..giggle Cindy worked on hand embroidery, Kathy was counter cross-stitching a piece, Sherry enjoyed coloring on a new quilt she has started..I started my Gee's Bend bracelet, which kept me up all night..I just kept thinking oh just one more..:) Will be sharing our show-n-tell the next few days..

The Ol'Blogger

Mom Made......

2011-02-18T22:54:00.000-05:00

My daughter Geri purchased this cross and the round turquoise beads and wanted me to make her a necklace.. Using some beads that was from a broken necklace and some turquoise beads I had, this is what I came up with...She was pleased..

The Ol'Blogger

Gee's Bend Style Bracelet

2011-02-18T00:34:00.000-05:00

Gee’s Bend is a small rural community nestled into a curve in the Alabama River southwest of Selma, Alabama. Founded in antebellum times, it was the site of cotton plantations, primarily the lands of Joseph Gee and his relative Mark Pettway, who bought the Gee estate in 1850. After the Civil War, the freed slaves took the name Pettway, became tenant farmers for the Pettway family, and founded an all-black community nearly isolated from the surrounding world.

The town’s women developed a distinctive, bold, and sophisticated quilting style based on traditional American (and African American) quilts, but with a geometric simplicity reminiscent of Amish quilts and modern art. The women of Gee’s Bend passed their skills and aesthetic down through at least six generations to the present.

Rhona saw this innovative cuff-style bracelet that is inspired by the acclaimed quilts of the women of Gee’s Bend, Alabama. She fell in love with it..so we are all making one..Sherry is the first one to get one done, and she made two...pictured above..Will post others as they finish...I haven't even started...The Ol'Blogger..

Scrappy Trails

2011-02-16T18:08:00.001-05:00

Scrappy Trails was made by Sherry..She used Civil war reproduction fabrics.... Union and Confederate women rallied to the war effort when the Civil War broke out in 1861.Southern women did what they could to help buy desperately needed gunboats. During the spring of 1862 the enthusiasm for this confederate project waned when naval defeats made it likely that seaports would fall to the enemy. And unfortunately the war that was supposed to "only spill a thimble-full of blood' drug out over four devastating years.It soon became obvious that there was a desperate need for clothing and blankets for Union soldiers. So it was decided that funds should go for medical supplies for soldiers instead of buying boats.The military had requested that quilts be made about seven feet by four feet, the convenient size for a military cot and bedding pack. By the end of the war it is estimated that over 250,000 quilts and comforts had been made for Union soldier.

Instead of binding Sherry sewed prairie points and then she hand quilted...Another beautiful quilt...

The Ol'Blogger.

Hand Sewing....

2011-02-15T03:57:00.002-05:00

There is always some hand sewing going on when we gather...We have snapshots of Kathy and Jody here working on some of theirs..Some of the reason for hand sewing..

1.Mobility: Take your project with you. To the kitchen table, a friends house, on the road and in the garden. Or as in this case to Brown-County

2.Sociability: We can visit with one another...One of our favotite things...

3.Helps finger dexterity and teach the values of patience...

4. Very relaxing,

Santa Picture was Hiding...

2011-02-14T13:27:00.000-05:00

Oops, some how I miss this one at Christmas...Better late than never, right...Our baby girl Sherry made this one...the flap is removable..So for Christmas this adorable flap was created by her...With all the snow we have had it seems Christmas is still with us, even though Sherry has long since changed her flap..giggle...The Ol'Blogger

Memories

2011-02-13T20:50:00.000-05:00

Random pictures from that special Tuesday in January at Brown-County...The one day we were all together there....Rhona cleaning up a bit..

Sherry and Jody checking things out...

Kathy and Sherry has found something that has caught their attention..
When we think of January we all have fond memories of our times there...The Ol'Blogger

Small but Splendid

2011-02-13T06:46:00.001-05:00

We were discussing Kathy hand appliqueing the Halloween Quilt, and Cindy mentioned this Sun Bonnet Sue block Kathy had done...So we had her drag it out for us to look at again...Oh, how does she manage the tiny pieces...we are very impressed always with her work...if you enlarge you will be able to get the full effect...The design of a playful girl with a big bonnet can be traced back to illustrators who worked in the late 1800s and early 20th century.The Ol'Blogger

P.S.- these Sunbonnet Sue's are about one inch tall!

Very Addictive

2011-02-12T19:18:00.000-05:00

Picture # 1: Kathy created this beauty...The face is purchased hand carved bone. It's glued to Lacy's Stiff Stuff and then hand beaded. When finished it's glued to the brass cuff and backed with ultra suede and finished with a row of beading connecting the top and back.

"The Man in the Moon" my copy of the bracelet Kathy made, is pictured below...

I named this bracelet "No Mo Snow Please" we have had one heck of a winter and like everyone else I have had enough...I used size 11 green and white seed beads to make this one...Then added buttons I had on hand... It closes with small snaps...The Ol'Blogger