90—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, December 22,1979
Sherry Kalbach -
Sherry Kalbach’s home resembles one’s image of
Santa’s workshop, as though lots of tiny elves were at
work creating Christmas fantasies. In reality, it is Sherry
alone who is working with all the fabric scraps and pieces
of leftovers which will become tree ornaments,
decorations or gifts.
Sbeny is probably as talented as any elf, and her home
at 535 West Walnut Street in deona reflects the many
projects she works on. A librarian on maternity leave
from the Lebanon School District, Sherry admits that she
likes to be busy and always has many projects going. She
and her husband Ray have a Vh month-old daughter
Marta, but even with an infant to care for Sherry insists
that, “It is only a matter of how you organize your time.”
She says the “organization” characteristic is one that
reflects her profession, adding, “I like to organize and
plan things. You must have the interest and you must
make time. To enjoy making crafts you must also have a
certan amount of dexterity.”
While she says she has always liked arts and crafts,
Sherry says she has been doing them intently for the last
seven years and in quantity for just the last three years.
Christmas is a great time of the year for a craftsperson,
and Sherry says, “I love to make Christmas ornaments.”
Her home has two trees, one a large “antique” artificial
tree, and a smaller tree to hold and display the ornaments
shehas-created. She says, “Our friends telLus the tree is
’pathethfand it is always a big joke, but it’s the only tree I
know that I can line the branches with all my
&
Making quilts is one way to reduce the pile ot
fabric scraps a sewer acquires through the years.
These Holly Hobbie dolls are each different and are
designed from fabric used by Sherry.
r ■*"
a talented Santa’s elf
BY SALLY BAIR
Staff Writer
Although she says she feels people may find her
“weird,” it is true that she saves almost everything “with
potential. I have a big cupboard that is filled with things,
but it is very orderly. I save a lot of unique things.” -
It gives her great joy to create ornaments for friends,
and she says all the tiny details attendant to such small
ornaments is no problem for her. “I enjoy doing small
work.”
One of her ideas most looked forward to by her friends
and acquaintances is a Christmas card which doubles ds a
Christmas tree ornament. 'Dus is the fifth year she has
sent such a card, which sometimes requires that she make
an envelope to fit. She has made a gingerbread boy, and
angel, a decorated ball and stocking. This year her
creation is a mouse complete with a pipe cleaner tail. She
mailed herself one of the cards to be sure the tail would
come through the mail intact. Her cards, incidentally,
were all completed before the birth of her daughter.
How does she acquire all the things she uses? She, of
course, collects many items from her own household use,
and her friends give her things they think she can use. She
buys necessities at local craft stores and watches closely
for sales on items like felt and other notions which will be
usable. She said red, green or white felt is always in
demand in her crafts, so she never heistates to buy it by
the yard when on sale. “I don’t go looking for stuff,” she
says, but it’s obvious she’s always on the lookout if a
bargain comes her way. She purchases a large supply of
nckrack when a local store discontinued m notions. She
tries to purchase ribbons and buttons at outlet stores.
“Sometimes I substitute another item when I think it can
work.” An idea she is currenlty developing are ways to
-r
decorations.” She has dreams of decorating a 16-foot live
tree someday. In the meantime, the artitical tree is a
beautiful showcase for ornaments of every description.
This year, as always, she made a lot of ornaments, but
she also received a lot of ornaments (and new ideas)
through an idea she got from friends. Sherry held an or
nament exchange party, and invited 16 people, all of
whom agreed to make 16 identical ornaments for the
guests. “You must invite people who are really interested
in this,” Sherry states.
Her party was held one afternoon several weeks before
Christmas and about one half hour was devoted to ex
changing ornaments and asking questions of the person
who made them. Sherry said no patterns were brought,
because there was time afterward for detailed instruction
if anyone was really interested. Each guest also brought a
snack, scissors and glue, and Sherry provided for centers
for making more ornaments while snacking and visiting.
Sherry comments, “It was a smash Success. I think it was
just great.”
With such a variety of ideas displayed in Sherry’s home
and in her presentations, one wonders where she gets all
her ideas. She said, “I read a whole lot of magazines and
books and I trade ideas with friends. The craft magazine I
like best is “Decorating and Craft Ideas.” I take off on
other ideas, and I am always looking around for good
ideas. I am kept busy all year;”
Sherry has not yet found time to attend any of the
numerous bazaars sponsored by various organizations at
Christmas, but is planning to go next year with her
V&mesiead c ti/oies
daughter. She feels it’s a good way to get new ideas and
inspiration.
(Turn to Page 96)
The dieter’s answer
to the gingerbread
house is a lovely cottage
made with pine cones,
corn husks and small
twigs.