Boughs of Holly

A Little Late Night Decorating....

Seeew...this past Saturday we re-opened Pickleweed. My mom, Stephen and I stayed until 4am while our staff member, Nancy, remained until well past midnight! Getting a store ready is kind of like packing for a vacation or moving to a new home. Who really packs days or even weeks ahead of schedule? If you do...then we need to keep you busy with shopping! My mom never ceases to amaze me as just when I think she's totally ready to throw in the towel, a burst of energy arrives at 1am and oh...let's decorate another tree! This is the moment I know we are all in for a long night. In fact, I was out window washing in the bitter cold at 3am. There is a definite stillness in the crisp winter air and our town seems a bit magical in the silence. It made me giggle as I thought about the people in those few lone vehicles passing by. They must be thinking, "Who the &@#$ washes widows at 3am?" Seeew...if you ever are passing through our historic town on a cold winter's night, legend has it that occasionally a farm table, Christmas tree or a set of stackable bins crosses the street.

All total...the "Mothership" has decorated ten (eleven if you consider the one for Homespun & Holly) Christmas trees between the two stores and I believe we may have one more on the way. It's kind of like the Octo-Mom, except we are creating trees. We do still have work to do in the back of Pickleweed, and I of course still have a ton of work to do at Holly (remember the farmhouse?) ...but we'll get there. Perhaps I'll show you the ten different trees a lil' bit later. For now...here's a glimpse into our little gift shop known as Pickleweed. 

We have two windows for "Pickle"...the one pictured above and this one....

Oh how I miss these windows for display! Faithful Holly Berries (that would be you) may remember that Pickleweed was once home to Hollyhill. 

Just inside the front doors....we've got a lil' bit of green and gold. I love green and gold and I love the lodge section of Hollyhill Quilt Shoppe. Seeew...we combined the two inside the front entrance with this....

Remember how I told you about the lady who I overheard say..."I don't know what anyone would do with a quilt in their home?" Well, here's another idea. We've displayed one of our favorite holiday quilts from a previous year above the fireplace as a backdrop. The white tree is full of gold Old World ornaments and over 500 icicles...which are available inside the store. B.T.W. If anyone wondered what the hold up was for re-opening...it was those 500 icicles. The one in the window has about 400. So um...we can blame the icicles. Mmmk? 

Speaking of quilts, we have incorporated quite a few quilts throughout the store to provide warmth. There is something about the madgesty of a quilt...especially during the holidays! The quilt below is from the Thimbleberries Pine & Rose Cottage collection. We do have a few kits available and the quilting courtesy of Melissa Hoffman on our sample is stunning! Of course I love the tree and you will find many of the ornaments and decorative accents available for sale only at Pickleweed!

 

Who would have thought to use garden signs in a tree combined with Old World Cardinal ornaments? Um...my mom. I went to a local chain near my home, known for home decor, and um....as I looked at their trees I thought, "That's all?" But I get it...elaborate trees take time! Don't you just love red and green? And p.s....the snow is very realistic! We sold out of the snow in a just a few hours on day one. Hmmm...maybe we should re-order? 

It's definitely starting to look like a farmhouse in here! Especially with all of the ribbon! That's right...Pickleweed has plenty of quality holiday greenery, ribbon, candles and seeew much more! You'd be surprised what we've got tucked into this small space! 

Now before I leave for this evening...I've got to tell you I have a thing for candles. I love them. This year we not only have our slow burning candles such as this....

But we also have these....

The very popular LED candles that use a remote control! You can leave them on all night and don't have to worry about the place burning down! I saw Nate Berkus on one of the shopping networks last week (I guess he has his own brand) and would you believe our price is just as grand as Today's Special Value? Ba ha ha ha ha ha ha. 

If you would like to visit Pickleweed Hill, it is located across the street from Hollyhill Quilt Shoppe & Mercantile at 1873 Willamette Falls Dr. in the historic Willamette district of West Linn. Pickleweed Hill is now an "Occassional Store" which means it closes and resets with the change of seasons. Currently our hours are Tues. - Sat. from 10am-5pm from November 25 through December 23. 

Alright...it's time for me to retire for the evening. Please remember our stores are closed November 22-24. We will re-open on Friday, November 25! 

Here's to plenty of holiday inspiration and a lil' bit of green and gold! ~ Brian

 

Taking A Break From Christmas For The Moment....

Seeew...I'm taking a little break from Christmas for a moment. I don't really like wasting a blog post on Shoppe hours and other info, as that is what our website is for....but it has come to my attention that there are quite a few that don't read email and don't read our website...but alas read the blog. Yay! Seeew...I am reminding everyone that our stores are closed Tuesday, November 22 through Thursday, November 24 to observe the holiday.

This is a yearly tradition for my mom and I. It is our way of thanking our staff for a job well done. Since we are open Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving, this gives our employees and ourselves, time with our families. We are thankful for the great team of staff who serve you each day. People don't realize how much they do beyond greeting you at the front door. They process orders from our website, they pre-pare our pre-cut Fat Quarters and 1/2yd cuts to be ready at your convenience, they study and prepare our kits all the while balancing the needs of our customers. Each one of them brings something different to the table and we love them! Above all...they deal with me. I'm very particular, constantly ask them if they are straightening and much like Clark W. Griswold's father-in-law, point out that the little lights...are not twinkling. I drive them to the edge...daily. 

The quilts you see here on the blog are from Sandy Gervais' "Awesome" collection for Moda. And right now...you can save by ordering either one of them by clicking here. Since we only have a couple of each remaining I've reduced the price and am planning to remove our fall section soon for an all new look! These prices are only good on-line so order now! Didn't Monica do an adorable job on the quilting of the panel quilt? Seeew cute! You can find coordinating fabrics in our Fall Clearance section by clicking here. Savings! Savings! Savings! Everybody is grateful for savings! 

Now....I'm going to show you something upcoming...but you have to promise not to get too excited. Sometimes the men are forgotten at Hollyhill. Let's face it, they bring you out here to the Shoppe, sit at the back table ever-seeew-patiently, and let you become fabric hoarders. Well...the "mothership" has put together what I like to call...the "Man's Quilt" out of Primitive Gatherings new collection of flannels for Moda called....Wool & Needle Flannels. 

The color scheme for this "Man's Quilt" is using the aged tan's and navy's. It will be luscious and I must say the hand on these fabrics is to dye for! Get it? Dye? Ha ha ha ha.  I'm not revealing the pattern until our sample is back from being pieced. In addition, Moda is currently out of stock on some of the prints we have re-ordered seeew...I can't tell you a date of availability yet. But trust me, I'll show you right here on "Boughs of Holly" first! 

Oh...I almost forgot...here's a new quilt sample that just came back from our long-arm quilter, Monica! "Once Upon A Time"....we've got the kits available here.

The fabrics are from Kathy Schmitz's Full Circle for Moda. 

Alright...I will be back with more fun a bit later. In case I get extremely bloated from my T-Day dinner, I'd like to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving and would ask that you all...take a moment, slow down and enjoy the present! 

*Be sure to make the Apple Cake with the free recipe below in the previous post entitled, "Apple Cake For All."

Here's to a bounty of inspiration! ~ Brian

Apple Cake For All!

Our Once Upon A Homespun Christmas Open House runs from November 19 through December 3 (except for the days in which we are closed, Nov. 22-24). Watch for details in your snail mail. Remember that?

Seeew...the "Mothership" and I have a little treat for ya'll. Priscilla...our precious assistant and caterer (who has her own biz on the side of doing all she does for us) has released her secret recipe for that delicious cake she made for this year's "Homespun & Holly"....

Here comes that Oprah voice...."Apple cake for ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!"

I know. I know. Calories. Trust me....thanks to Priscilla, I don't even need to indulge in that most thankful feast next Thursday. You know the one. The one in which we bow our heads before we gorge? Between birthdays and events, Priscilla keeps me nice and plump for the holidays. Yes. I'm a turkey. I was walking up the stairs of the building the other day and I thought, "@%$*." Please. I then went to bed the other night and I was mortified when I discovered indentations from my belt! EEEEEEEK! 

But it's all for you....our little "Holly Berries." I let myself go....for you. Tired as all get out...but it's all for you. BA HA HA HA HA HA HA. 

So here it is...the recipe for Priscilla's Apple Cake! If this Apple Cake doesn't make your loved ones come home, I don't know what will! In fact...I think it's time for another favorite holiday tune of mine (I only have like 525 of them)....

 

Don't forget...c'mon home to Hollyhill's "Once Upon A Homespun Christmas" Open House starting Saturday, November 19! Loves it. 

Apple Cake w/Brown Sugar Caramel Glaze

 For the Cake:

Pam Cooking Spray

3 c. all purpose flour

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

½ tsp. ground cardamom

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

3 Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored and cut into little cubes

1 c. packed brown sugar

1 ½ c. canola oil

1 c. granulated sugar

3 lg. eggs, room temperature

3 tsp. vanilla extract

¾ c. chopped pecans (optional)

 

For the Glaze:

½ c. unsalted butter

1 c. packed brown sugar

¼ c. heavy cream

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray 12-cup Bundt pan with nonstick spray. Sift flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt into a medium bowl.  Transfer 3 Tbsp. flour mixture to Bundt pan and tilt to coat thoroughly.  Set aside.  Place apples into another bowl and toss with 2 Tbsp. flour mixture.  Combine brown sugar, granulated sugar, canola oil, eggs and 3 tsp. vanilla extract in mixing bowl.  Beat for about 3-5 minutes until mixture is thick.  Gradually add remaining flour mixture.  Fold in apples and optional pecans into batter; transfer to prepared pan.

Bake cake for 1 hour.  Transfer cake in pan to cooling rack.  Let stand while making brown sugar caramel glaze.

For Glaze:

Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat.  Whisk in brown sugar, then cream.  Continue to whisk until glaze is smooth and blended and comes to boil, about 5 minutes.  Whisk in vanilla (mixture will bubble) – remove from heat.  Spoon 1/3 c. hot glaze over warm cake in pan.  Let stand until topping is absorbed into cake, about 15 minutes.  Turn cake out onto platter.  Pour remaining warm glaze over cake.  Let stand until cool.

Here's to lots of holiday inspiration! ~ Brian 

Taking The Kids Out For...A Drive.

Seeew.... my mom and I rarely ever take a day off. But when we do....the kids come with us on road trips! 

Here's Sophia....precious...even after her very expensive eyeball surgery. She loves the Real Housewives series and Millionaire Matchmaker.

And here is Maggie (other names include Maggie May-May and Mags). She belongs to my mom. She has two, but the male...Toby (Tobias, Mr. Claus, etc.) freaks out in the car. Maggie is more of a Disney Channel kind of girl. I can't help but hear her little voice say, "Mommy?"

Here's to more holiday inspiration coming up! 

~Brian

3rd Annual Homespun & Holly Re-Cap!

Seeew...today I took a day off! My neighborhood is in the Northwest section of downtown Portland and it is absolutely beautiful in the fall. I wouldn't know this because I'm like...never home! I had a delicious meal at Elephants Delicatessan and I went to Pottery Barn and bought a new chair for my desk. Oops. I don't have to check email on my knees anymore! 

Is this what it feels like to have a day off and do something for myself? I don't think neither my mom nor I know what this feels like on a regular basis. It didn't hurt that I added in some new holiday songs to my car itunes! Um...don't you just love Michael Buble? His version of Mariah's "All I Want For Christmas" is luscious! 

  

Everyone should know by now that those jolly "Holly Days" are quickly approaching and it is my favorite season of all. Our "Once Upon A Homespun Christmas" holiday season kicked off last weekend with our annual "Homespun & Holly" event! 

This annual event gathers together a very large number of Holly Berries to create four hand-made projects from some of our favorite designers. This year we were pleased to have Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill Designs, Terri Staats of Sweet Treasures, Karla Eisenach of Sweetwater, and Debbie Busby of Wooden Spool Designs, join us on this day of good cheer!

I become the "Father Of The Bride" during events in a way that I missed capturing each moment of the event in pictures.  In simple terms: I run around for hot dog buns. Seeew, let me try to recap for a moment.... 

I wanted to keep our guests on their toes by asking our staff to keep everyone in the "Shoppe" until it was "time." How did they know when it was...."time?" Well...in the spirit of the Mothership's "Go big or go home"....I selected one of my favorite holiday soundtracks and flew in Mrs. Claus (on a private Lear jet...o.k. it was a reindeer) to announce the big moment! It appeared to have worked because I heard the stampede of eager feet racing up the lobby staircase!

And then it began! 

Guests at Anne Sutton's table (Bunny Hill Designs) were treated to this adorable wool pillow....

Next up...a visit to Karla Eisenach's (Sweetwater) station where our guests were making these festive gift card holders....P.S. Karla and her daughters have some of the greatest labels ever! The "Mothership" ordered quite a bit seeew look for them soon! 

Now...envision giving the gift of "Holly" by stuffing these card holders with a gift card from Hollyhill Quilt Shoppe & Mercantile! Our gift cards are available in store, over the phone or via our website by clicking here. Oh...and look at the adorable framed Christmas Subway Art the gals of Sweetwater made for our Shoppe pictured below and here.

Here's Karla in front of our two "Bitsy Buttons" quilts made using Sweetwater's holiday collection, "Countdown to Christmas." We still have a few kits left and they are available in the red border or the white border. Terri has a great picture of Karla's station here. Sweetwater's newest collection, "Hometown" is also now available in our other store, "Thoroughly Modern Holly." 

I always love a good Jelly Roll quilt and Sweetwater's "Holiday Twist" is simple and quick! 

Over at Wooden Spool Designs, Debbie Busby created this adorable wool tree skirt as her project. Just like Debbie herself....the project was precious! Here you can see four of her guests eagerly putting their project together. Debbie also created the nametag for this year's event. Terri has a picture of the name tags over here on her blog.

And finally...Miss Terri Staats of Sweet Treasures. Terri's project was this little framed Christmas tree on burlap backing. She added a little bling for that extra sparkle. Simple and fun!

When our guests weren't up in the classroom, they were down in the "Shoppe" shopping! Take a look at our new Bunny Hill section inside the "Shoppe." The photo is courtesy of Anne Sutton herself!

You'll find this section over in our new area, "Thoroughly Modern Holly." Yes, it's true. That section which so many people kept referring to as the "Annex"...now has an official name! As we evaluate how we will staff and operate this side (as it is a completely separate location in our building with its own inventory), it is currently open 1pm-5pm, Tuesday through Friday and 10am-5pm on Saturday. 

Now...it's late and I must get to bed. The Shoppe has much left to do this week before our Once Upon A Homespun Christmas Open House Saturday, November 19 through Saturday, December 3 (closed November 22-24 in addition to our regular Sunday & Monday). Seeew...I'll just leave you with these pictures of our classroom after another successful event!

Here's to inspiration and don't forget to deck your halls...with fabrics from Holly! ~Brian

The 3rd Annual Homespun & Holly Is Underway

Seeew....after many nights of little to no-sleep (due to a certain farmhouse landing on me), "Homespun & Holly" is underway. This event kicks off our "Once Upon A Homespun Christmas" holiday season which includes our "Once Upon A Homespun Christmas" Open House on Saturday, November 19. That is the day in which we will unveil the grand-re-opening of our seasonal gift shop "Pickleweed Hill!" 

Now...my dear little "Holly Berries"...I don't have all of the pictures I desire at this point seeew I will be back later with more...

Happy Holly-Days! ~ Brian

Um...Is This My New Place To Sleep?

Hollyhill's  "Once Upon A Homespun Christmas" Open House and Pickleweed's Grand Holiday Re-Opening is Saturday, November 19, 2011

Seeew....the day has come. My little Holly Berries...the Farmhouse....has arrived. The "Mothership" has officially outdone herself. Remember in the last post how I told you we were putting in a Farmhouse? Well...

"Ma? Pa? That you? I'm in here makin' my soap to clean up before the big day." 

Seriously...I might as well go blind, learn sign language and hum to this....

 

Only here at Hollyhill I suppose. I said to our assitant Priscilla, "No quilt shop does this" to which she said, "Um, no other decorative shop does this." Wait until you see the tree in the classroom! 

And now...three days...until "Homespun & Holly." Things are going to be busy for the next few days, seeew we will be holding up our internet orders for an extra day or two. 

If you were not able to get into Homespun & Holly....I will let you in on a joyous secret...our "Once Upon A Homespun Christmas" Open House is on Saturday, November 19. And now...I will be in here and I am NEVER coming out. ~ Brian

Um...We're Puttin' In A Farmhouse!

 

Seeew....it's quickly approaching my favorite time of year! Oh how I wish decorating for this season was as simple as waving my hand. The clock is definitely ticking. If the quilts would just leap into place with some magic dust, I'd be in heaven. Oprah...Martha...Disney...they all make it look seeew easy. Here's the truth...unless you have a staff of 30...it isn't.

For those of you who have been reading my blog since this craziness all began, you may recall that I once explained my mom's philosophy for our "Shoppe"..."go big, or go home." I still laugh because it completely says it all about us. We don't do anything small. Ever. She blames me. I blame her. We kind of do a lot of this together. Whenever she has a "big" idea and shares it with me I usually respond with a..."Ohhhhhh. That would be cool. We could even do...." Other times I'm like..."$=@%$#." I bring my complete authentic self to work every day. Never have I said I was a complete angel. 

B.T.W....if you love this three dimensional tree quilt using fabrics from Basic Grey's Jovial collection, click here! 

As the idea grows we get a little carried away. At some point she'll simply say to me, "O.K. Sparky." A comparison to Clark W. Griswold of Christmas Vacation fame. I can't help it. I love Christmas! Seeew...in the spirit of the season I figure it's time to announce our biggest addition yet.

Yes...my dear "Holly Berries"...we're puttin' in a farmhouse! I guess we are kind of like Clark putting in a swimming pool....except in my fantasy...a jelly roll hits my window pane. 

 

I love preparing for the holidays, but I hate the process at the same time. In our homes we can make the biggest mess ever. But when you are a store...you have the added pressure of keeping things that are not-quite-ready hidden so folks aren't going through your things! 

Seeew....where are we putting this farmhouse? For those of you who visit us often...you may recall this area of our "Shoppe"....

See the edge of the green rug? Yep...it's going right there where all of our Jan Patek and Kansas Troubles fabrics are kept.

And yes...it's an actual farmhouse...that you can walk inside! And guess when this is all happening? On Wednesday, November 9! Three days before our "Homespun & Holly" event! How is that for stress? 

Seeew...if you see a body bag leaving through the Shoppe doors...it's just me. I just ask that they do not zip me up. Creepy! You can be rest assured I went peacefully and in the company of quilts. 

Now...what is happening at Pickleweed? Well, I am glad you asked. Pickleweed is our seasonal gift store and will open and close with the change of seasons. We have had Picklweed closed for a month now as we have been doing a little remodeling.  While it's still under construction and our grand re-opening is on November 18, I can show you just a bit at what we've been up to...

First...Jan had a new register area built.....

In her spare time she has even been decorating all of our decorative trees ....(I think she's up to eight between the two stores)....

And re-setting the entire store....including Harvest & Thanksgiving....

A traditional red and green Christmas!

I once heard a lady who came into the Shoppe say, "I don't know what anyone would do with a quilt in their home..." Um? Well...let me show you. Accent the theme of a tree by throwing in a quilt with a similar color palette behind or just off center of your tree. It's rather magical. Even at Pickleweed we have brought the warmth of the holidays into the store by using some of our famous holiday quilts!  

Just a tip from your little holiday angel. Who like seriously...hates this. But loves it. But hates it. But loves it anyway. 

And P.S. This holiday season you will find lots of holiday decorative items including Dept. 56, Old World Christmas ornaments, holiday scented Aromatique, decorative garlands, wreaths,  holiday ribbon and much, much more! 

Over at "Holly" (a.k.a. Hollyhill Quilt Shoppe & Mercantile)....you will find me pulling my hair out and prancing around as we bring to you quilts like this all new quilt using one of Joanna Figueroa's patterns and the new French General collection, "Fa La La La." 

Our "Once Upon A Homespun Christmas" Open House and Pickleweed's Holiday Re-Opening on Saturday, November19! If there is one store you visit this holiday season make sure you stop in at Hollyhill Quilt Shoppe & Mercantile and Pickleweed! 

Alright....I'm another year older today and need my rest for the upcoming arrival of the Farmhouse. I will be back with more. This doesn't even cover half of it! Wait until you see what's coming up next! 

Here's to lots of holiday inspiration and don't forget to deck your halls...with "Fabrics from Holly! ~ Brian

P.S. It's My Birthday.

Seeew...look who dropped by to wish me one of the happiest....

 

I  decided I would take a break today. 

Be back soon. 

~Brian