Celebrate and Create
We blinked and have arrived at the week before Thanksgiving – one of my favorite holidays. To make it better, South Texas is having weather – cold today – to make the Fall emotions come alive.
With this season, there is excitement in what we can create, wear, give and generally enjoy while snuggling up with a cat, coffee, and a Hallmark Christmas movie. Hopefully, the goodies in this newsletter edition will create inspiration – and you can sure tell what I want to start – all of it! A quick shot from this morning with Miranda looking awfully snuggly in front of the fire.
Before I dig into what to create, let me share holiday hours and what is happening over the next week. We will close the shop at 2 pm on Wednesday, 11/21 to get our baking done – and will be back open regular hours with jingle bells on for Friday, 11/23. AND on Saturday, 11/24 – Christmas in Comfort is happening in town (ending with the festive lighted night parade) and it is also Shop Small Saturday. Below is this year’s Shop Small bag (just arrived today), which will be free with a $75 purchase until we run out. Definitely reasons to have the car head towards Comfort.
Now to the fun part – the projects I want to create over the Thanksgiving week… Almost all are small and/or able to be worked on while having a conversation – and would be great gifts for Christmas….or will make a wonderful selfish gift for yourself….. I don’t have all the items on our website – but always feel free to call us at 830.995.5539, if you ‘need’ us to ship to you!
Knitting
I am hankering to knit something with Shibui Knits yarns…
The Ribbed Sleeve Scarf is created in Birch (three strands together on a US8) and is literally a long ribbed sleeve scarf. Awesome, right?! The pattern is free with the purchase of yarn. The scarf takes a total of six skeins. The scarf is knit as a sleeve to a sweater – in the round. (In the picture, you can also get a view of the new K2Tog enamel pins that have just arrived!)
If you don’t want to ply up a fine yarn into a bigger gauge, let’s just use Shibui Drift to create the Churchmouse Half & Half Cowl(worsted weight version). The cowl takes a US 8 needle and 5 skeins of glorious Drift – and has a tubular cast on – but after that, you are just knitting and purling until the tubular castoff. Neat and stylish!
Crochet
It is so easy to love crochet right now – the patterns are amazing and so fun. Scheepjes also helps with their array of great yarns and patterns. The new book, Folk, is filled to the brim with inspiration for decorations, garments, scarves, etc. LOVE the Christmas Cuddles in both Santa and Elf versions crocheted in Scheepjes Stone Wash XL. And I am already about a third of the way done with my Jingle Garland crocheted in Catona and Twinkle – and loving making it; I have taken to referring to them as Jim Tinglers a la The Grinch Who Stole Christmas….
Needlepoint
Yup – so easy to find multiple small needlepoint projects with Christmas around the corner! I am particularly taken by the Shelly Tribbey cookie cutter kits. In each kit you get the canvas, stitch guide, and a cookie cutter to put your finished ornament into. Brilliant. AND the designs and colors are the bomb.
And if you want a true non-holiday needlepoint, we have several canvases (both in 18 and 13 mesh) that fit into small credit card wallets – and how cool is that to finish your own needlepoint and be able to give it soon! I love this one with the American flag!
Cross Stitch
Brenda Gervais always makes the best holiday patterns… This year is no exception. The one that really caught my eye (and heart) is this adorable little snowman box – Candy Cane Wishes. We have the kit put together – and the little paper mâché boxes should be here this week.
And any holiday stitching would have more bling with the new DMC Etoile! This is six-strand cotton floss with a sparkle. We have beautiful tins with all 35 colors – as well as individual floss hanks.
Punch Needle and Embroidery
Our two additional crafts are getting amazing legs of their own! The projects don’t require counting of any sort – and are generally painting with fibers. Peaceful!
Threads That Bind have several patterns (with fabric) that are great small projects to give as gifts. I love this one that makes a jolly pin – Holly Wear. Perfect gifts for those on your list. (And the DMC Etoile would give just a bit of sparkle!)
We also have wonderful embroidery kits by Tamar – and this one is Christmas Forest that finishes up with a 4″ hook. The design is already pre-printed on the fabric – and the kit comes with everything with the exception of the hoop. Again, can you see yourself stitching as the Thanksgiving football games are on?!
As ever, I can always keep going, but I will stop now. Thank you for reading to the end and sharing in my excitement of great things that can be created over the next couple of weeks.
Our family wishes you a Happy Thanksgiving – and definitely one filled with love to spare!
If you want to switch up your menu this year, I have a suggestion! Penny brought in an amazing Layered Pumpkin Dessert that was to die for – and it may be a neat changeup for your table too! Only six ingredients and only a few minutes to make a yummy dessert.
