Monday, November 28, 2016

"Smiles and Happiness are truly catching.!"

"Smiles and Happiness are truly catching." 
~Johnny  Gruelle

Last year was the 100th anniversary of Johnny Gruelle's  first Raggedy Ann and Andy book, so it seemed a fun theme for good friends to put together.
Kathy, Lynn and Carolyn
Getting the tree bag set up first.  When the festival is over the tree bag goes around the whole tree and because everything is wired on, it can be transported easily to it's new home.  There is tons of Creative Energy in the air at the festival - it is so exciting to be there and to see all the amazing trees that are decorated in a few hours . . . but we know that hundreds of hours have been spent designing and creating the ornaments and display items that go around and on the tree.
Dennis, Vila, Lynn, Carolyn and Anne
 Dennis came along to put the re-bar that is required on the tree.  The
Festival rules are changing a little, but it makes it easier for those volunteers who transport the trees to their new homes.

Raggedy Ann and Andy
 Lynn sewed our Raggedy Ann and Andy ~ don't they look like they are just waiting to go under the Christmas tree?
Carolyn, Dennis and Vila
 Each joining section of the tree has to have rebar that is wired in.  The ornaments all have to be wired onto the tree as well as the lights.  Our tree was pre-lit, so we could skip that tedious step.  
Carolyn, Carol, Vila and Lynn
 Getting ornaments and wire ready to go!
Anne, Carol, Carolyn and Ardis
 And the fun begins!
Anne, Kathy and Ardis
 Most of the ornaments we have made during our Humanitarian service meetings during the past year.  The candy cane sticks were purchased at the craft store.  
Ardis and Anne
 The tree is decorated with Raggedy Ann and Andy stockings, Ann and Andy faces, cloth balls, red felt hearts, yarn spools, and peppermint candy sticks.
Anne, Carolyn, Kathy, Carol and Ardis

With the Rag Tree Skirt
 Sandy put together our Rag Tree Skirt Quilt
"Smiles and Happiness are Truly Catching!" ~ Johnny Gruelle
 Kathy and her daughter made the chalkboard quote as well as putting the names on the wooden sleds.
Our finished Raggedy Ann and Andy tree!
 The tree is delightful, bright and fun!
side view

Vila, Lynn, Sandy, Anne, Carolyn, Ardis, Carol and Kathy

The Festival of Trees bidding is tomorrow, Tuesday, November 29th.  The Festival opens to the public Wednesday, November 30 and runs through Saturday December 3.  It is at the South Town Expo Center in Sandy, Utah.

Sunday, November 20, 2016

"I served and saw that service is joy." Kahlil Gibran


"I slept and I dreamed that life is all joy. I woke and I saw that life is all service. I served and I saw that service is joy.” 
                                                                   ― Kahlil Gibran

Sewing kits ready to be assembled
 Monday, November 7th we met at Carolyn's home for a combination of service projects.  We are finishing the last few things for our Festival of Trees Christmas tree, working on items to sell in the Festival Gift Shop.  We collected and put together 16 sewing kits for the Give Utah Refugee Connection for  families that have moved to this area.  We also worked on Shape Toys that are placed in School Kits and sent to schools throughout the world through the Utah Humanitarian Center spearheaded by Roseann Gunther and the Launfal Foundation.
Jan, Vila, Lynn, RaeLee, Paulette and Ardis
 These ladies are working on the cute tags that go on the water bottles for the Gift Shop at the Festival of Trees Gift Boutique.
RaeLee, Paulette, Ardis, Jan, Vila and Lynn
The finished product






















 "I used to be a man of snow,
Now I'm a bottle of H20!"

All boxed up and ready to go to the Festival
Kristen and Susan
We had a few ornaments left to work on for our Christmas tree for the Festival of Trees tree..  Kristen and Susan made Raggedy Ann and Andy stockings.  Kathy and Sandy worked on Raggedy Ann and Andy ornaments.
Ann and Carolyn


   We assembled 16 Sewing Kits for the Give Utah Refugee Connection.  These sewing kits contain scissors, thread, needles, safety pins, straight pins, measuring tape,and  buttons.   These kits are given to refugee families that are settling in the Utah County area.



 We also worked on Shape Toys that are sent with School Kits to schools throughout the world.  The shapes help children learn colors as well as shapes. These kits are assembled through the Utah Humanitarian Center spearheaded by Roseann Gunther and the Launfal Foundation.


Carolyn, Vila, Ardis, Paulette, Jan and Kristen ~ Sandy behind the camera.
We enjoyed a delicious potluck luncheon .  
Everyone is welcome to join us in this fun few hours of service. 

Our next meeting will be held Monday, November 28th as we go up to Salt Lake City to decorate our tree for the Festival of Trees