Saints Among Us Read Online Free PDF Page A

other fabrics suitable for garments made a maze of the interior floor space. Sewing notions, threads, other needlework accessories and craft kits were on display as well.
    In the middle of the shop was a large table for cutting patterns and laying out projects. As Jane approached, Sylvia straightened from the quilt she had been working on, massaging her lower back with both hands. “I bet I can guess why you’re here.”
    Jane grinned. “I bet you can. I’m sure my aunt Ethel asked you for your input on this crafts fair.”
    “Actually, I volunteered.” Sylvia smiled back. “I think it’s a wonderful idea, and I’ll be more than happy to help.”
    “Oh, good. You’ll be my very first committee member.” Jane pulled a notebook from the capacious bag she had slung over one shoulder. “The next thing I’d like to do is pick your brain for the names of crafters who might be interested in participating.”
    “Do we have to call them?” Sylvia sounded apprehensive, and Jane remembered that although Sylvia was a successful business owner, deep down she was rather shy.
    “No, I told Aunt Ethel I would generate a list, and she promised to find me some other volunteers to begin inviting them.” Jane rolled her eyes. “We’re going to be quite busy as it is, organizing craft ideas for the congregation to work on.”
    “All right.” Sylvia began listing the names of local crafters whom Ethel could contact, while Jane dutifully scribbled down every name. When they finished, Jane put aside the list to give to her aunt.
    “Now we need some ideas for crafts our church members and friends can help to make,” Jane said.
    “Why don’t we start with the people we know we can count on to make their specialties,” Sylvia suggested. “Several members of my intermediate crochet class might help. One lady makes those cotton dishcloths that everyone loves, and I bet we could get someone to donate a baby layette for the raffle.”
    “That’s a wonderful idea.” Jane started a new list. “I also have a suggestion: Louise has a piano student whose mother always brings cross-stitch to work on while she waits for him. The child’s name is Bobby something-or-other’”
    “Oh, you mean Bobby Pfiffer. His mother’s name is Monique. She comes in here for DMC floss all the time.”
    “Yes, that’s it. The last time she was at the house, she was cross-stitching Christmas ornaments. I thought perhaps we could ask her to lead a group of cross-stitchers to make some simple ornaments.”
    Sylvia rushed over to a rack of craft items. “Here!” She waved a package at Jane. “These are little, gold plastic heart frames. Helpers could cross-stitch simple designs and frame them with these.”
    “That’s a great idea!”
    “And oh! Here’s another thought’I could design a simple cross-stitch pattern of Grace Chapel. I bet they would sell like hotcakes.”
    Jane was writing madly. “I’m sure they would. What else could we do?”
    “Mabel Torrence makes gorgeous knitted scarves. You know the ones everyone is wearing these days, with feathery and metallic threads, and super-soft luxury yarns? I’m sure there are other members of the Seniors Social Circle who knit. Perhaps Mabel would organize a group of them to make scarves.”
    “I’d buy one,” Jane declared as she wrote down that idea. “I think they’re beautiful.”
    “I also have a pattern for a microwave bag that bakes potatoes just like the oven does.”
    “Really? How does it work?” Jane was instantly intrigued. While she had a thousand uses for the microwave oven, she generally used it to aid in her preparations and rarely relied on it for the finished product. There was just no substitute for an oven-baked meal.
    “I have no idea. I saw one being demonstrated at a craft show last summer. The potato tasted exactly as if it had been baked, so I bought one of the bags and took it apart. I was sure there had to be some special lining, but it’s just a