Kountry Krafter's Annual Christmas Feast and Gift Exchange

At our December meeting, the table was laden with all sorts of homemade goodies. We enjoyed a feast and fellowship with all our members and our extended members. Then we gathered about the gift table and shared handmade gifts and baked goods with each other. It was a wonderful time to reflect upon our year and upon the year to come.

Here are some of the gifts we shared:

November: Planning for Next Year, and Stampin' Up with Kari

In November, Kountry Krafters met to plan activities for the upcoming year. They were joined by members of Potpourri and Cane Creek. They decided to do things like beginning quilting and making a pumpkin arrangement. A full lineup will be posted after our December meeting where everyone will come together to feast, fellowship, and exhange small handmade gifts at our annual Christmas celebration on Dec. 2, 2014.

After the meeting, Kari held a card workshop, and members created six Christmas cards.

The club also assembled a basket of little gifts for a fellow club member undergoing chemotherapy and presented another member with a love offering after she lost her home to fire.

Karen's Surprise Craft: Felting

For our October meeting, Kountry Krafters tried their hand at felting. Here are some of the results.

Circle Flowers from Fabric

Joanne taught us how to make fabric flowers to embellish scissor cases, hats, or anything that needs a little dressing up. First you use a rotary cutter and mat to cut the circles out of the fabric. You need five or six of the same color. You fold the circle in half, right side facing out, and do a running stitch along the circular edge. Then you pull the thread tight. You should leave your doubled thread long enough to hold all the petals. When you have all your petals sewn, you join them at the center. To cover the stitching, you add a button which can be sewn on or glued. They are fun and easy to make.

Choosing fabrics and buttons

Christmas in July: Stone Coasters

Kari taught us how to make rustic Christmas coasters using stones squares, her favorite stamps, and a special ink that adheres to stone and ceramic products. Here are some of the ones we produced.

This is what the original stone looked like.

Christmas in July: Glitter Ornaments

Kari taught us how to apply glitter to the inside of clear glass Christmas ornaments. First you squeeze a puddle of a product called Glitter It in the bottom of the ornament and swirl it around until it covers the inside. Place a paper towel on the table to catch excess. Then pour the desired color of glitter in the ball and shake it all around until the insides are completely covered. Let dry and put the hanger back on the ornament. This is an excellent idea because the glitter doesn't come off on everything when you use the ornaments. We created blue, purple, and iridescent white for use on peacock trees, and some used the traditional green and red Christmas colors. This was a fun, quick, and easy project.

Little Baskets

For our June meeting, we assembled at Joann's barn again to make what she called a "little basket." The handle is part of the basket instead of being added later. I would rate the difficulty as medium, but all baskets are hard for me personally. Here are some of the beautiful results.

Arm Knitting

Karen learned to do arm knitting off You tube videos. She then taught us how to make a scarf using this technique and bulky yarn. It's a little more difficult than the Swerve scarves, but not much. You can make one in less than an hour. It takes two skeins of yarn.

Don't Bug Me: Natural Bug Repellent Spray & Soap

The club members made melt and pour glycerin soap with essential oils useful in repelling insects such as gnats, flies, and mosquitoes. While the soap set, we made bug repellent spray by mixing the same essential oils in a base of witch hazel. After we enjoyed a wonderful snack, we turned out the soap from the molds and packaged it in shrink wrap bags. To finish off, we placed the soaps and spray in a small basket covered in cello wrap and embellished with colorful ribbons. It is a great gift idea or a useful product at home. It sure beats the chemical alternatives.

Swerve Scarves: Hand Crochet

The Kountry Krafters model their scarves 

made by hand crocheting Red Heart Swerve Yarn.

Claymates After Firing

Betty's Breast Cancer Awareness Mug

Carolyn's Dalmation Cup

Kathi's Ornaments

Arbra's Necklace Made From Glass

Becky's Chicken. Remember, it was green at first.

Dianne's Owl Cup

Kari's Charms

Juli's Leaf Dish

A Night Out at Claymates

At our February meeting, we gathered in at Claymates in Dillsboro to create a unique piece of painted pottery. We pondered and fretted over our clay selections, and then our palettes of paint. Then we settled in to painting, chatting, snacking, and making arrangements to pick up our fired pieces later. It was great fun meeting at a different venue and welcoming new friends to our group. Here are some pictures "before" firing. Coming soon, the "after."

Believe it or not, this pale green chicken will be black & white spotted.

This nubby mug will be smooth and shiny.

This little girl will be spotted and smooth.

We worked and snacked.

Juli painted an egg tray in springtime colors.

Kari painted ornaments.

Shelves laden with greenware tempt you to make future visits.