By Sandra Thames/Community Columnist

Every Thursday morning from 10 a.m. to noon, a group of ladies meets at the First Presbyterian Church in Alabaster and put their knitting, tatting, spin yarn, cross stitch, embroidery and crocheting skills together to create some very lovely items. Much of their work is often done for church and community projects and some is done for their own personal use.

Right now the group is working on a project to create some 30 prayer shawls in cooperation with Helena United Methodist Church. This is just one in a number of projects in which the group might be involved.

Many variables come into play in the creation of their work to include item weight, different designs, an assortment of colors, and other factors. Some of their finished creations are light and bright and some heavier and “woodsy.”

Normally, the group is comprised of 10 (more or less) ladies who have the unique talent of being able to “chat” and work at the same time. I really enjoyed the time I spent with these ladies in doing this article and chatting about everything from current interests, dreams for the future, cruises and trips taken and being planned, and a variety of other topics.

This group is comprised of ladies whose ages vary from 30 to 72 and who come from varied backgrounds and past and present jobs.

One of their “members” (anyone can come and all are welcome), Carol Campbell, passed away recently and this group of ladies already has a nice memorial gift planned for her home church.

Kimberly Shepheard, Linda Harris, Elizabeth Cottle, Alberta Coulter and Kathy Hardin are shown in the picture. Several members were absent including Jean Seitz, Georgia Houston and others. Charlie Major (Elizabeth Cottle’s service dog) was also present and very well behaved.

Perhaps you are interested in these crafts and would like to visit, inquire or join the group. You furnish your own supplies and enjoy a pleasant couple of hours each week. If interested call Linda at 401-3512.

After “class,” a favorite spot to eat results in a shared lunch. The group has been meeting for over four years now so they must be doing something right.