Highlights from Buttermilk Cottage's 2010 Fiber Show

The Holiday Fiber Show here at Buttermilk Cottage was last weekend.

I'll be spotlighting some individual work in the days to come, but for today, here are some highlights from the show.

As you enter the front door.

Knitted baubles!

A study in grays...

Our "check-out" counter.

Knitted, felted and quilted stockings.

View from the entrance into the living room.

Scarves,

Scarves, and

More scarves!

Christmas tree with knitted ornaments.

Jaunty hats!

The dining room table was a focal point of blue items.

Pillows on the window seat.

Quilts and afghans in the bedroom.

Fun jewelry.

More goodies in my office.

My idea board never looked so good!

More knitted purses.

Even the back porch was put to work!

I'm linking to the "All Things Merry & Brite" Party

Vinyl Wall Decals--How Easy is That?

Imaginary conversation in my head, when someone first sees my new kitchen artwork...

(them) "How gorgeous is that! How'd you do it?"

(me) "With a very steady hand..."

Just kidding. I would give credit where credit is due.

Earlier this fall while visiting my brother Rick

and his (very creative) wife, Terry,

I spied some nifty wall decals she had on her walls.

She assured me they were very simple to use.

Once I started looking for a place to "install" some,

I found loads of places.

I have several archways that cried out

for some sort of pretty script.

The back door would be the perfect place for an "Entre Vous..."

(Am I remembering my college French correctly?)
The doorway to my office could have my business' name...

the possibilities were endless.

I finally settled upon this wall in my kitchen,

above my small breakfast table.

Next step, finding the PERFECT decal.

I went to the "go-to" place, Etsy.

I have decided, if you can't find what you want at Etsy,

it either doesn't exist or you don't need it in the first place.
The choices are endless.

I found my "my" decal at Willow Creek Signs.

It arrived within four or five days of ordering it.

I kid you not, it took me about fifteen minutes

to have this project finished!

The instructions were clear and to the point.

It could not have been simplier.

The perfect sentiment about the kitchen!
You may have noticed I already have my kitchen Christmas tree in place.
That's ONLY because Buttermilk Cottage's
Second Annual Fiber Art Show and Holiday Sale
is this weekend.
Big doings here this week!
Have a good one!

I'm linking up with the following parties this week:
Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
First a Dream for the RE-Party
Cottage Instincts for Make It 4 Monday
Savvy Southern Style for Before and After

Fruit Flies in my Kitchen--It's a Good Thing!

It's a good thing to have these

fruit flies in my kitchen.

I unpacked this small ornament collection this morning

and they've taken up residence in my kitchen window

until after the holiday season.

Several years ago, I first found a couple of these ornaments.

Since then, whenever I happen upon one

I add it to my small collection of now six ornaments.

"Miss Strawberry," the newest addition,

was found the first year I moved into Buttermilk Cottage--

a good omen!

Stirring up the Christmas plum pudding!

"Miss Hospitality"



I love the whimsy of these ornaments.

Tea, anyone?

They're a little difficult for you to see, but they are now hanging in my kitchen window and make me smile every time I look up from the sink.

While I was at it, the Kitchen Fairy begged to go to his place in the other window, where he spreads sugar dust during the holidays!

And keeps an eye on the winter garden.

Bye!

I'm linking to the "All Things Merry & Brite" Party

and

the "Hooked on Holiday House Tours" Party

and

the "Holiday Feathered Nest Friday" Party

Sewing for the Holiday Show

I've been busy sewing and getting ready for the upcoming Holiday Show.

All my bags are now completed and I've just listed a new one in my Etsy Shop.

This medium blue check Katherine Bag is made with a heavy outer upholstery fabric and lined with a French inspired yellow and blue paisley. Remember this fabric?

I bought it last summer, unsure where I would use it.

The bag has a handy inside pocket.

Closure is with a loop and button.



The outside fabric is a patchwork of blues with some browns added to the mix.




Close up of the lining fabric.

I've also made some matching needle cases.

This case has 15 pockets for 14 and 10 inch straight needles.

Here's a 12 pocket case for double point needles.

Today I'm pricing and tagging.
The Holiday Show gets nearer and nearer!

Don't Forget!

Remember, we reset our clocks this weekend.
It is recommended that we routinely change the batteries in our smoke and carbon monoxide alarms during this time also. That means, stock up on your batteries this week, so you won't be caught short this weekend.
I recently had my furnace serviced and the rep reminded me about changing the batteries. Since I have changed the batteries regularly in the spring and fall, when the time changes, I asked him if it was REALLY necessary to do it twice a year.
He said that although the batteries were probably still adequate, considering what they cost,
don't risk it, go ahead and change them twice a year.
His suggestion for those batteries you take out-- store them in a jar and reach for them when you need to energize a less critical item.

Mixing it Up

I came across this little metal sign in an antique/treasure shop last week. Without a doubt, it is not old, just meant to look that way.

I was attracted to it on several levels. The colors are great in my kitchen, I love my coffee, which I often have with the morning paper (note the "newsprint" of the sign's cup), and it has the word "Paris" on it. So, it came home with me. I knew I'd use it in the kitchen, but did not have a specific location in mind. After playing with it in several spots, it ended up in this little corner.

That prompted a move of all the small kitchen appliances since this is where the food processor and mixer sat before the sign went up. Because the coffee maker got moved next to the sign (duh...) that meant the cabinet above had to be cleaned out, so the cups and saucers, mugs, coffee and filters could be nearby.

Does this happen to you?

You get one new thing and it turns your whole room around?

Change is good...sometimes.