Homespun & Holly Recap

Wow! What a weekend! "Homespun & Holly" has come and gone but I think everyone would agree that it was "oh-seeew-much" fun! We of course, look forward to doing it next year! It amazes me how fast an event can happen after months and months of planning! Even throughout the last week, my mom, Steve and I had been working well into the night decorating and making sure we covered every detail. This of course was on top of daily business for both "Hollyhill" and "Pickleweed." It is not uncommon for us to arrive at 6am and leave well after 10pm. Garlands, trees, hanging the newest quilt samples, merchandising the plethora of gifts and fabric collections...and then to keep it organized....it all takes time.

The idea to host this delightful event came last summer when my mom (Jan)  sat down with Debbie Busby and Deb Coates to plan fall classes. We started brainstorming of ways we could create a warm and festive experience for all to enjoy. We then approached Terri Staats of Sweet Treasures and Judith Locke, and even more ideas were sprung! The end result, an event full of holiday cheer!

Both Jan and myself would like to thank everyone who helped make this event possible. A thank you goes out to Debbie Busby, Deb Coates, Terri Staats, and Judith Locke for lending their talents to inspire. We'd also like to thank Melissa Hoffman and Leilani Chartier for all of their assitance in helping us with the event set up and finalizing the last minute details. The ladies of "Homespun & Holly" enjoyed a wonderful buffet catered by our own Priscilla Koczian! Her catering business is called, "Dinner Is Served" and I seriously want her to pack my lunches...daily.  Priscilla also helps us out at Pickleweed Hill, so you will be seeing a lot of her! Finally...a special thank you goes out to our staff! They are the ladies who help you daily, who greet you and welcome you and who help us make Hollyhill Quilt Shoppe & Mercantile such a great place to shop! Thenk you to Linda, Dorian, the two Nancy's, Deb, Louise and Pat! They did a great job in making sure everyone participating in the event had everything they needed!

So if you are new to our "Shoppe" you may be asking, "So, what did these ladies do at Homespun & Holly?" Well...there were five workstations throughout the room. The ladies rotated every hour to a new station where they learned a new holiday project that could be completed within an hour.  For example, at Terri Staats' location the ladies learned how to make their own flock of whimsical Christmas trees using fabrics from a Layer Cake! "Seeew cute!"

Long-time customer, Debra Stewart has got this tree building stuff...down!

 

 

At my mom's location (which was at the far corner window) she had everyone working with red work as they stitched holly onto a kitchen towel. Seeew festive! (P.S. I wasn't allowed to touch those towels until the event!) Turns out that I had a fan...in Sandy Newman! Here, Sandy is willing to show us her towel in progress!

 

Now with every event we have at Hollyhill Quilt Shoppe & Mercantile, there are always new products to inspire! And just like last year when we unveiled our popular Snowman panel quilt (with fabulous quilting by Monica)...the featured item seems to disappear fairly quickly. So what was the most sought item this year????? It twas a most magical pillow...that shined bright, with a Merry Christmas to all...and to all...a good night! Isn't it cute? Thank you to our staff member, Dorian McBride, for making our "Shoppe" sample!

This adorable Santa Claus Pillow can be found at Hollyhill Quilt Shoppe & Mercantile!

At 5pm the "Ladies of Homespun & Holly" were treated to a delicious buffet in our new event room located downstairs across the hall from the "Shoppe." It was here that they were greeted by the one and only, Mrs. Claus! Of course, she enjoys the "Men of Hollyhill" and chooses to hang with Stephen as they celebrate her arrival with a photo-op!

 

Here's to more inspiration from "Homespun & Holly"....in a bit! - Brian

Comments

[Stacy]

How did you do the trees? They are adorable!!
Stacy

[Brian]

Hey Debbie Busby! O.K. so now I've got this blog thing going...what do we do next? Addison was super cute today! Glad you had another great Wooly Wednesday Club. I'm so confused as to how you are posting comments on here. Is it through Facebook or do you now have a blog on here too?

[Debbie Busby]

Hey Brian....this was so much fun!!! Thanks for all your HARD work and ALL THE TIME you put into this!!!! It was just what I needed to get me in the holiday spirit!!!

[Teri LaVoy]

Oh, that looked like so much fun. I wish I could have attended. I will be looking for it next year. The blog is great. Thanks for doing it.