Saturday, April 14th, 2007
Red Hat Sow and Sew Sisters "Twice Nice" Clothing Drive and Dessert & Tea Openhouse!
Vice Queen Connie Anderson invited the whole gang to her lovely home again for this FUN day. Who could have imagined that somebody could take a little brown bag and turn it into the cutest little interactive embellished mini scrapboook? Well, our very clever and talented Co-Queen Rhonda could... and DID!!! And she's showed us how!!! They'll make perfect little gifts. Then From 1 to 3:00 pm, as a our little way to say Thank You, for the many generous offers of donations and support we had gotten from other Chapters, we hosted a "Nice Twice" Desssert and Tea Open House for other Red Hatters in our area! This program who collected, The Women's Empowerment Program of Loaves and Fishes, provides homeless women with training, mentoring and support in order to obtain and maintain employment and offers homeless women a chance to discover their strengths, establish hope and develop job seeking skills.

We were all absolutely FLOORED to see the bags and boxes stacked to the ceiling all over Connie's living room after we sorted the donations! Wow! The response for this project was so overwhelming!

Those Sow and Sew Sisters attending were Co-Queens Rhonda and Colleen, Vice Queen Connie, Justene, Jean, Jo, and Nancy. Other Chapters represented were the Red Hot Sacratomatoes (Bea Sanderson, Sally Horkey and Carol Sweet), the Friendly Fun Lovin Dozen (Andie Aguirre), the Long Tall Sallys (Amy Lore-Doremyer, Linda Turnipseed, Cindy Baier, Patti Berglund), the Sac Red Hatters Lynne Ganas and Beth Self) and honorary Sow and Sew Sister, Brenda Meadows.

Friday, March 23rd, 2007 The March "Bored" Meeting Chat & Chew at Sizzlers in Roseville on Douglas was really a fun afternoon. Attending were Co-Queen Colleen, Vice Queen Connie, Candy Eiferd, Jean Stephens, and Honarary Sow and Sew Bea Sanderson.

Saturday, March 24rd, 2007 Northern California Queen & Vice Queens Meet & Greet in Elk Grove, CA at the Elk Grove Senior Center was a Huge sea of Red and Purple. Hats with feathers and bows, sparking do dads and fluffs... and the Royalty pranced to and frow with dignity and pride. Attending were Co-Queen Colleen who had was a vendor with her Once Upon A Family and Heritage Makers products and assisted by Vice Queen Connie who also had the opportunity to pass out flyers about the upcoming Diabetes Walk in Sacramento in October. Connie and Colleen collected a whole carload of clothing and goods from the Queen's to donate to the Women's Empowerment Program of Loaves and Fishes. Co-Queen Rhonda and Nancy... the famous Sister Act Photography... were there as vendors as well. Snapping photos of the Royals individually and in groups as they chose. Rhonda and Nancy were the smash hit of the day and we heard so much talk about how nice the photos they took turned out! Wish everyone could have been there!!!

On Saturday, March 10th, 2007 we enjoyed our Sow and Sew Sisters Sew-cial and St Patricks Day Potluck. Hostess were Co-Queen Rhonda and Nancy Lentsch and Connie Anderson once again was gracious in inviting us to her lovely home to meet. Nancy had met an inspiring Girl Scout at Meissners, Jennifer Brothers, who was working on a gold award project with Girl Scouts. Jennifer coordinated a special sewing project of "Weighted Blankets". To a child with a sensory disorder a weighted blanket can be their best friend. A weighted blanket provides security for any age but especially for juveniles anywhere from the ages of 2-18. Her goal was to get 24 blankets. We enjoyed a delicious St Patricks lunch and cut & sewed little "bean bags" to insert into Jennifer's weighted blankets. Attending were Co-Queen Rhonda, Nancy, Connie, Justine, Jo, Valerie and myself, Colleen.

Saturday, Feb 10th, 2007 Project Linus Sew-cial and Valentine Theme Potluck
Vice Queen Connie and Jo were the sole "blanketeers" by working on Project Linus blankets for children... Bless thier hearts! Connie hosted the day graciously at her home because I had to go out of town. On Saturday,Feb 17th, which was National Make A Blanket Day I turned 19 Baby Quilts to Meissner Sewing Center in Rocklin.

January 2007 Girlfriend Get-Together
When? Saturday, January 13th, 2007
From 11 to 3:00 pm
Where? Strings Italian Cafe on Fair Way in Rocklin
Plan: This meeting was originally scheduled to be hosted by our precious sister Jo Munyer who was going to teach us to tat, but because of a death several of us met at Strings Italian Cafe in Rocklin to firm up the 2007 Calendar. Attending were Justine, Jean, Nancy, Vice Queen Connie and Co-Queen Colleen. Co-Queen Rhonda also was not able to attend due to attending a funeral of a close friend.

December 9th, 2006
The Red Hat Sow and Sew Sisters Christmas Party & Potluck Appetizer Luncheon was held at Connie Anderson's lovely home in Citrus Heights. Attending and all dressed up in our Holiday finery were Co-Queen Rhonda, Nancy, Jo, Valerie, Justine, Ricki, Connie, Candy, Co-Queen Colleen and new member Jean Stephens. We missed our sisters Colleen O'Conner who couldn't get out of the nasty job of w-o-r-k, and members Pat Wilcox and Pernecia Heinemann were ot of town visiting family. Connie deserves a "Above and Beyond The Call of Duty" medal for hosting so many events cause both Rhonda and I live in apartments! We love ya Connie! After a nice Potluck luncheon, we made our Sow and Sew Sister Name Badges that Rhonda and Connie had designed. Really cute! Each month when a member attends a function and wears her name badge she will get a new charm to glue onto her bandge. Everyone had brought a $10.00 wrapped Christmas Gift for the exchange and we had a ball opening them up and picking if we wanted the one we chose or someone elses. We didn't have enough time to draw for our Secret Sister, but will do that next month at Jo's Tatting Party. Sounds like a Hoot to me!!!

Friday Dec 1st, 2006
... Connie, Jo, Justine and I met for the December "Chat & Chew" and delivered the 225 Christmas Stockings that we made to the Mustard Seed School in Sacramento. After they unloaded our cars at the warehouse, we were invited to go take a tour of the school. It was colorful, well stocked and felt so homey. It sure made us all feel good to see the hand painted themes all over the walls... inside and out. Books galore and kids photos plastered all over the walls of current and past students. It was a wonderful and touching experience. We all chatted over lunch about our hopes to continue being of service to this worthy cause and even talked about participating with other departments of the school. Wish we could be a fly on the wall to see the happy faces of the kids when they get their stockings!

Saturday, November 4th, 2006 Our Coronation, Member Initiation & Candy's Red-uation Ceremony was held at Mimi's Cafe (across from the Galleria Mall in Roseville, CA.) We arrived in Full Regalia at 6:00 p.m. for the fancy schmancy dinner and had a BLAST! The renewing and new Sow and Sew Sisters tool their vows of Silly-Busy, and let their hair down after months of service... truly labors of love... for our community. Another special exception for this day was that our husbands (or special friends) were invited too and was good to show them kindof what our meetings are like and get to know the other halfs of some of our members!!!

Attending... Colleen & Steve Johnson, Rhonda White Davis, Nancy Lentsch, Connie & Don Anderson, Candy & Harry Eiferd, Jo Munyer, Ricki Zarelli and Granddaughter Staci, Pat Heineman, Justene DaCosta and Maralynn (Justene's guest. Members Colleen O'Conner and Jo Munyer were not able to attend due to illness.

The January 7th, 06 Red Hat Sow and Sew Sisters Multi Chapter Event that was hosted by Tayo's Fabrics and Quilts in Fair Oaks was a Huge Success, thanks to those who volunteered to prove that Red Hatters can have hearts as big as their hats. Over 100 (102) warm fleece scarves were made and will be donated this month to W.E.A.V.E. (Shelter for battered women and their children). The Sow and Sew Sisters inspirational theme for Jan was Living The Fruitful Life. Our sincere thanks to those who came to volunteer their time and talents and to Tayo's for their awesome support! Shop owner, Sheena Mealey, was so supportive of our efforts and we want to send her a HUGE HATS OFF THANK YOU!!!! www.tayosfabrics.com

January Volunteers... Wanda Green, Carrie Lane, Nancy Wilbur, Shirlee Daniles, Donna Carroll, Sharon Edwards, Rhonda White Davis, Valarie Bohling and Nancy Lentsch. Queen Sow and Sew, Colleen Johnson, was out of town attending a family funeral.

The February 4th "Our Heroes and Sheroes!" Patriotic Valentines Card Crop Party hosted by Mad About Scrapbooks in Citrus Heights turned out to be so much fun! We all worked like busy bees lovingly hand making the cards that Rhonda and Sandra had made up for us to complete. Sixteen different designes and who could pick out the cutest?!?!?! All in all by the end of the month when we send them out, there will be 250 cards to mail... Whooo Hoooo! We kept in mind during the day all of the men and women in the military who are fighting so hard for our country and have given up so much.

Februry 4th Volunteers... Colleen Johnson, Rhonda White Davis, Nancy Lentsch, Carrie Lane, Sandra Duvall, Jo Munyer, Lila Anderson, Linda Covert, Carol Paycer, JaNiece Paycer and Judy Cowin (Queen Scarlet O'Hatters of Escalon).

March 4th's “Bored Meeting” Brunch at Venita Rhea’s followed by our monthly service project of Wood Block Birdhouses which will be donated to Nursing Homes or Homebound Seniors in our area was a huge success and so much fun taboot! Darling little bird houses of all colors and embellishments were made by the creative hands and helpful hearts of our members. A big thank you to Beverly's for their donation of a meeting place! Joy, our monthly inspiration theme was had by one and all who attended and we thought of the joy that these little heartfelt gifts would be for those who recieve them too.

Thank you to March Red Hat Sow and Sew Sisters Volunteers: Rhonda White Davis, Colleen Johnson, Carrie Lane, Wanda Green, Valarie Bohling, Jo Munyer, Carol (Ladies of Amazing Grace Chaper in Fair Oaks) and Carolyn, a customer from Beverly's who so lindly joined us after ooooing and aweing at the projects and our red hats!!!!

April 15th, 2006
Thanks to Sheena, owner of Tayo's Quilts and Fabrics in Fair Oaks, the Saturday April 15th 2006 Operation Santa-2006 Sow and Sew Sisters Social was a HUGE SUCCESS!!! We were all in awe as one by one and two by two the volunteers marched into Tayo's sewing work-room with arm fulls of donated fabrics and gifts for the troops and sewing machines and supplies in tow. With each batch of 25 completed Santa Sacks there were whoops and hollers and all total, we completed 226 Santa Sacks at the Sew-cial that day. Giggling as we sung Crazy Red Hat Christmas Carols at our breaks and enjoying a delicious potluck, we had a great time all day! By the time we start our next Sew-cial and those who took home Santa Sacks home to finish, we have 300 plus to kick off the day on May 6th at Bearpaws and Hollyhocks Quilt Shop in Sacramento!

Red Hat Hugs and Thanks to the volunteers who participated:
KC Foster, Rancho Cordova
Robbie King, Sacramento
Sharon Muir, West Sac
Mary Lake,
Sandra Keith, Fair Oaks
Penny De Marko, Diamond Springs, Red Hatter Grannies
Lynn Ramsey, Fair Oaks, The Red Roses
Kendra Wheat, Folsom, The Red Roses
Linda Turnipseed, Fair Oaks, Long Tall Sallies
Candy Eiferd, Forest Hill, Red Hat Sow and Sew Sisters
Connie Anderson, Cirtus Heights, Red Hat Sow and Sew Sisters
Valerie Bohling, Sacramento, Red Hat Sow and Sew Sisters
Carol Shuey, Lincoln, Fun Lovin' Dozen
Elaine Norlund, Lincoln, Fun Lovin' Dozen
Joyce McCusker, Sacramento
Sandra Duvall, Roseville, Red Hat Sow and Sew Sisters
Karol Martin, Sacramento
Rhonda White-Davis, Red hat Sow and Sew Sisters & Amazing Women of Fair Oaks
Nancy Lentsch, Sacramento, Red Hat Sow and Sew Sisters & Amazing Women of Fair Oaks
Colleen Johnson, Rocklin, Red Hat Sow and Sew Sisters

May & June, 2006
Many of the The Red Hat Sow and Sew Sisters attended a celebration luncheon on Saturday June 24th and wanted to share the BIG News to those of you who were not able to join us!!! The final count was 1,333 Santa Sacks completed for our Soldiers in Iraq!

For most folks, it is a little early to be thinking about Christmas.. But not for our Red Hatted Gals! We are not only "off our rockers", so to speak ... we have been busy! As our Chapter motto says "Sowing seeds of faith, family, frienships and fun!"

With members and volunteers throughout Placer County, Sacramento County, Yolo County and as far away as Reno to the East and Fremont to the West, although the Chapter is based in Rocklin, we've have been thrilled to share our combined talents and energy and meet such wonderful people along the way. The support and generosity from the community have made us feel needed and useful.

With special thanks Bayside Churchs' Operation Santa 2006, to Sheena, owner of Tayo's Quilts and Fabrics in Fair Oaks, Lindy from Bearpaws and Hollyhocks quilt shop in Sacramento, Torries in Roseville, Fair Oaks Open Bilble Church, and Mad About Scrapbooks in Citrus Heights the who donated workshop spaces for the months long sewing and scrapbooking worskhops, 2006 Operation Santa-2006 Sow and Sew Sisters Sew-cials were a HUGE SUCCESS!!!

Like the parable of the tiny mustard seed, our motto "Sowing seeds of Faith, Family, Friendship and Fun" will guide us and inspire us to plant seeds of kindness where ever we go. We will Bloom Where We Are Planted no matter where that might be... facing challenges of health, finance or circumstances... We know that anyone can count the seeds in an apple but only God can count the apples in a seed!!!"

The Red Hat Sow and Sew Sisters have been humbled to be asked to help with this project and would like to thank those many many individuals as well as business for thier helpful hands and willing hearts who were invoved in Operation Santa 2006 and the Red Hat Sow and Sew Sisters Santa Sacks for Soldier that will help to make this Christmas merrier for those who so honorable answered our country’s call to duty!

Thanks again one and all!

Sept 9th, 2006 Sacramento Walk for Diabetes!

Twenty two Red Hatters from 7 different Chapters joined to walk for this worthy cause, Including our members... Sandra Williams, Colleen, Steve and Erik Johnson, and faithful friends from the Red Hot Sacratomatoes Chapter who joined our team! We were able to raise 265.00 plus for the cure. For more information on America's Walk for Diabetes, please visit www.diabetes.org/walk.

And go to the link section to the left to view the team page for Red Hat Sow & Sew Sisters Friends & Family Team! Whooo Hoooo!!!!

July threw October,28th, 2006 The Red Hat Sow and Sew Sisters of Rocklin would like to acknowledge send a note of Thanks to all of those members who participated with the Sock It To Me Sew-cials for The Mustard Seed School. The community showered us with an ourpouring of help, hope and compassion in accomplishing our goals of 225 handmade and embellished Christmas Sockings filled to the brim with goodies for The Mustard Seed School in Sacramento for homeless children. The culmination of this months long project in association with National Make A Difference Day on Oct 28th was a huge success and we're all looking forward to actually assembly line stuffing these darling handsew and decorated stockings. It was truely a labor of love. Sew-cials were held over June, July, August, September and October where we hand made these precious stockings and embellished them with bells, ribbons, appliques and pom-poms... each one was darling! Luncheons were given in coordination with the Sew-cials where we charged attendees $15.00 and all of the money collected went toward the stocking stuffers.

We would also like to acknowledge the many community donations that made this project a HUGE SUCCESS!!!

Owners of The Meridian and Rocklin Ranch Apartments Homes in Rocklin ~ who've generously sponsored our group with a beautiful location for many of our Sew-cials and Stocking Stuffing Celebrations

Cub Scout Den 11 of Pack #29/Rocklin led by Jeff Sherer ~ Bandaids

Custom Word Printing/ Rocklin ~ Make A Difference Day Certificates

Dr Erik Wong D.D.S./ Sacramento ~ toothbrushes

Embassy Suites/Sacramento ~ bath products

Marriott Courtyard/Roseville ~ bath products

Super Cuts/Citrus Heights ~ combs

US Coast Guard Auxiliary ~ color books

California Raisin Board ~ raisin packets

IHOP/Roseville ~ color crayons

Sacramento Police Dept ~ pencils

Mystery Contributors ~ pencil sharpeners & Candy

Citrus Heights Police Dept ~ pens

The Mom's Club of Rocklin North ~ card games

Hills Physicians ~ sunscreen

Sandra Williams ~ stuffed animals

KB Productions ~ toys

And Thank You too to the many many other generous contributions from individuals who have attended our Red Hat Sow and Sew Sisters Sock It To Me Sew-cials or just sent in donations to support our efforts for The Mustard Seed School's homeless children project. From those monetary donations we've been able to purchase the following items for each of the 225 Christmas Stockings... 225 tube socks, mittens, stocking caps, candy canes, and "Snowman Soup" packets (hot chocolate, Hershey kisses & peppermints).

And once again, another HUGE Thank You to the many members of The Red Hot Sacratomatoes from Citrus Heights who've supported us with not only compassionate hearts but helping hands!!!