Annual Meeting

Although the calendar says September, Christmas was on our minds at tonight's meeting.  The theme was Christmas gifts, with each person bringing along instructions or samples of quick and easy items to make for gifts.  With the holiday season approaching faster than we realize, we can all use some fresh ideas for crafted items to give away.

Strawberry sachet

  Pat brought samples and a pattern for a strawberry sachet that can be filled with your choice of dried herbs and spices.  Great for scenting dresser drawers, linen closets, stored suitcases, or just freshening the air.

Peggy showed us some slippers made from old jeans and a storage box that is stiffened between the fabric layers with cardboard from cereal boxes and the like.  Great way to sew green!

If there's a pet on your gift list, how about an ribbon-covered elastic collar to dress them up for the holidays?

Slippers from old jeans

Pet collar

Storage box

Connie brought along a clever traveling jewelry tray.  It appears first as a flat piece of padded fabric with ribbons at the corners.  But bring the corner ribbons up to tie together, and it forms a tray to keep your jewelry organized when traveling.

Maura brought a pattern for a quick knit cap that can be made in sizes from infant to adult, and easily embellished or personalized for the recipient.

Linda contributed a stack of magazines with many quick and easy ideas for all sorts of gifts for all occasions.

We had some items for show and tell, ranging from t-shirts and dresses to quilts and wall-hangings, "tablecloth" skirts, handbags and a little stuffed house-mouse.

In other news:  the location for our Make-A-Difference-Day program is still up in the air but will be announced soon.  Some exciting news had to do with the upcoming Annual Meeting scheduled for November 4 from 12 to 4 at Arbor Ridge in Hopewell Junction.  The cost is $30 and includes a sit-down dinner.  There will be several choices for entrees, including a gluten-free one.  If you have dietary restrictions, please indicate on your registration form and Arbor Ridge will accommodate you.  The featured speaker is Gretchen Hirsch, author of Gerties' New Book for Better Sewing.  She will present a brief trunk show and program.  Lots of prizes are up for grabs, so plan on attending for a chance to snag some swag!

2012 Dutchess County Fair - ASG Booth & Member Ribbon Winners




Linda Clark, Mary Steigler, and Marilyn Martin pose in our fair booth.


This year's Dutchess County Fair offered the Hudson Valley NY ASG Chapter an opportunity for a booth in the Arts and Crafts building to highlight who we are and what we love to do.  So not only did we have samples of items we have made in the past at our famous Sew-In's, projects done with the Neighborhood Groups, and community service projects, but there was also a table set up with a couple of sewing machines to encourage fair goers in the youth categories to stop by and try sewing a Halloween bag. 

 

Marilyn assists one of our young participants.

 

SUCCESS!!

  

Two more young participants...













I hear that we were such a huge success that we have been asked back next year!   

Now on to our Ribbon Winners.....

Teddy DeLorenzo won 3 Ribbons for her beautiful and whimsical witch; First Place in Embroidery, Best Senior Article, and Chairman's Choice Award. Isn't she just amazing!  

She wears the traditional pointed witches hat and cape, carries a spell book and a handmade broom.  Her hair is made of yarn.  She sewn, glued, and embroidered, Hair made of yarn. She wears a lined skirt made of squares sewn on-point. There is also  shirt, vest, belt, bloomers, petticoat, stockings, and shoes. She was dressed on dowels and glued to a stand. Body was made and stuffed.

Teddy's Inspiration: "I like a challenge!"

Peggy Norton won 2 Ribbons for her Toile jacket....First Place and Chairman's Choice Award.  Check out how she fussy-cut her patch pockets and front pieces to match the print when it was completed!

Judy Longacre won

First Place Ribbons for each

of these items;

child's jumper embellished with

handmade piping, black crepe

6-gore skirt (with flipped up

bottom), and pillow with

ruched edging.



Her zip up jacket below made in batik fabrics also won First Place.

 Mary Steigler won 2 First Place Ribbons for her teddy and sock monkeys....aren't

they just so cute??!