Garden Club Notes

We met at Nolley Methodist Church, Palmer Hall, at 2 p.m. on January 9, 2024.

Present were: President Donna Justiss, Lisa McCann, Mica King, Nelda Tarver, Beth Zoller, Judy Baker, Cynthia Bradford, Denise Grissom, Audrey Maxwell, Jenna Faye Justiss, Jennifer Loe, Barbara Germany, Barbara Murphy and Glenda Cooper.

Our President, Donna, called the meeting to order and Beth gave the club prayer. A business meeting was conducted. Cynthia read the minutes and Lisa gave the treasurer report. Audrey gave the corresponding secretary report.

Lisa and Mica were our hostesses and they had the hall decorated with a theme of white winter wonderland. The centerpieces were vintage, small, cute figurines in snow. Our dessert was white angel food cake with whipped cream topping.

Audrey gave us garden hints on taking care of poinsettia and some of its history. The name came from an ambassador to Mexico in 1928. The plant is indigenous to Mexico and flourishes in southern climates where it can grow into shrubs or small trees. In our climate, the plant may be put outside after the temperature does not get below 50 degrees. Closer to Christmas, the plant may be put in a darker place to encourage the red colored leaves.

Our program speaker this month was Renae Kelly. She told us her story and experiences in working with leather. Starting as a small child, she was around horses. Leather equipment, “Tac,” was needed for riding and at times needed repair. It was after she retired from teaching school that she decided to try leathercrafting. She bought raw leather and started with her first leather purse. It did not take her long to start making many items, including wallets, Bible and book covers, keychains, knife sheaths, guitar straps and purses large and small and different styles. Many items are personalized and the leather can be oiled, waxed and glossed.

Accents can be added by stamping, tooling, dyed and painted. A carpet bag was made with some leather from western chaps. There were examples of her work and also pictures of things she had made previously. She gave each of us a bookmark with many beautiful stamped designs. If we wanted our initials stamped on the bookmark, she stamped them for us. We appreciate Renae sharing her art of leatherworking. Contact her at Renae Kelly at RK Make Leather or (318) 403-0923.

We also want to wish Barbara Germany and Sis Welch a Happy January birthday.