Our 2013 Holiday Show

We finally have things back in order after our

2013 Holiday  Show and Sale.

This was our fifth year,

and I think one of our most special shows.

We call ourselves the 

"Friends of Buttermilk Cottage"

and each year, 

for the weekend before Thanksgiving,

the ten of us 

turn my house into a boutique,

present our work from the year,

and host a show and sale.

Fiber is our specialty.

Our work ranges from practical,

to whimsical.

Several of us love to up cycle.

There are some amazing things you can

create with used sweaters!

But newly knitted sweaters can also be found here!

My hand knitted sheep ornaments 

and some Sweater Pillow covers.

My sister Nancy was into succulents this year.

Felted dryer balls by Karen were new this year and will

probably be in many Christmas stockings!

Nancy's newest passion is

felted wreaths from up cycled sweaters.

Some of Reneau's turned wood mushrooms.

Ann, who started keeping bees a few years ago,

has developed a wonderful line of soaps, lotions and balms.

Marianne has been developing her

jewelry line and produces some wonderful things.

Ann's honey is the best I have ever tasted and was

totally sold out by the end of the show.

We could even supply your gift decorations with 

Elisabeth's sweet tags.

Over view of the living room, umm... boutique.

Carolyn's newest design this year is the "Leisa Wrap."

Some of my Sweater Pillows.

Each year I make spiced nuts,

and brownie kits.

Hand made ornaments are always a specialty at our show.

These are hand knitted, beaded ones made by Anne,

and some of my up cycled sheep ornaments.

We always have a wonderful selection of bags.

This is one of Katherine's felted ones and

one of Carolyn's felted ones.

Manning the show

once our customers arrived.

Hope you've enjoyed these glimpses of this year's show.

It was a wonderful event!

Linking this week to:
Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch
Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House

My Quilted Pillow Holiday Collection

(Today I am repeating part of a previous post.
It was originally published December 20, 2010.
You can find the original post here.
I'll explain why at the end.)

I adore quilts.

In my "next" life,

I might even become a quilter.

However, knitting is my passion in this life.

Therefore, I don't make quilts.

I have made a couple in the past, so I know what

a major project one is.

Thus, I've contented myself with making quilted

pillows instead of full sized quilts.

I've limited my quilted pillows to Christmas ones.

Several years ago I decided

I would make one new design each year,

then in a few years time,

I would have a lovely collection

to bring out at holiday time.

This is the first one I did.

I always quilted the year the pillow was made

somewhere on it,
so I can tell you without a doubt, 
this one is from 1991.

Here is 1993's pillow.

Unfortunately, I did not continue the tradition to present,

but, I did do it enough years to accrue a nice collection of
Christmas pillows.

This Celtic braid pillow is from 1994.
That was the first year I was part owner in a yarn shop
with four other dear friends.
Each of them got one of these pillows that year.
(That was almost like making a full quilt!)

This is one of my favorites.
You can see the year, 1995,
quilted in the center.

Now,  my reason for reposting...
I love my collection of quilted holiday pillows.
However, these days I am in a smaller house
and find my holiday decorating has
become a bit more streamlined.
These pillows are too special
to keep packed away,
so I have decided to let them go.
So, if you'd like to purchase 
one of them, please visit my
Etsy shop
and read about each one.
Perhaps each one will find
a new home to help decorate
at holiday time! 

What Became of All Those Holiday Sweaters...

...we ALL used to wear?

My sister Nancy, I'm guessing about 25 years ago...

 ...wearing a sweater I knit for her.

At that time I had a knitting business called

"White on White."

This was my nifty label,

designed by my friend Mark.

This sweater was very popular

and I knitted a boatload of them.

Back to my original question,

"What did become of those sweaters?"

If they're lucky they get re purposed into fun holiday

up cycled  "sweater pillows!"

The thing about a well made, hand knit sweater

is that is will last forever!

By the way, I had one too!

Nancy and me proudly wearing our holiday sweaters!

(I have loved sheep for a very long, long time.) 

A little confession...

I still have mine and manage to wear it 

a least a time or two during the holiday season.

But that's okay because...

Hold the phone!

They're making a comeback!

Have you seen the current,

December 2013 copy of

GLAMOUR Magazine?

Linking with:
Time Travel Thursday at Brambleberry Cottage
Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home
Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch
Make It Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House
Give Me the Good Monday at Rain on a Tin Roof