Thanks for the beautiful day!

Well, the day was a little windy and cold and we had to regularly hold down the tents and our stuff, but what a fun day it was at the Whispering Hills Garden Center Holiday Market yesterday! Thank you, thank you, to all who came out and made the day a beautiful one.

holiday market 2a

The sun was strong all day, the traffic was constant, people were fun, friendly, and interactive, local musicians graced us with their music, and I had great neighboring vendors. Crescent City Cajun‘s yummy food, Pop’s Premier Kettlecorn, and Kiera Confections kept everyone full of tasty treats.

Silly me left my camera card at home and thus had to make do with some simple phone pics, but here’s a shot of the baby-blanket corner of the booth and part of the wall-of-photos.  As I mentioned in my last post, this was my first outdoor show and the whole tent thing was a bit intimidating. But the genuine offers of help from highly skilled friends and family set me free to just have fun. Thank you, everyone! Also fun: I wore the green sweater-coat I made for my own birthday a couple years back. It just makes me happy.

[Note the stuffed cat lying down on top of the basket. He kept falling over in the wind. One customer, after several unsuccessful attempts to get him upright, finally said, “I think it’s nap time” and just let him be :). ]

Sheep Shearing Day

I’ve had tomorrow’s plans written into my calendar for a year — it’s Shady Side Farm’s Annual Shearing Day in Holland, Michigan. I’m going!

sheep shearing 1

I met Lona of Shady Side Farm either on her blog (Farming in the Shade) or mine — I can’t remember exactly how the contact started. But we share an interest in wool and in Holland (the Michigan Holland — she lives there, as do my eldest daughter and her husband). AND, just to make the connection even more fun, Lona’s daughter is married to my son-in-law’s friend. Small world, right?

sheep shearing 4

Anyhow, when I learned last year that she and her husband open their farm up to let folks come watch the shearing, I had to save the date. What a great chance to see the start of the process of turning the incredible “fur” of sheep into amazingly functional, warm, and beautiful things. I’m grateful to those sheep for sharing.

sheep shearing 3

Hopefully I’ll come home with some good pictures to post here. In addition to the shearing, there will be some skilled folks spinning wool, doing circular knitting of socks, needle felting, and giving plenty of education. It’ll be fun.

Find more information on Shearing Day here. Maybe I’ll see you there?

sheep shearing 5

All photos from Farming in the Shade at http://shadysidefarm.blogspot.com/.

Holiday Open House!

 

You are invited to a

 

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE

EXTRAVAGANZA!!

Sunday, Nov. 4, from Noon to 4 p.m. in Arlington Heights, IL  (email greensheepjo [at] gmail [ dot] com for the address)

 

Participating Vendors include: 

Bob’s Wine Bottle Lights

Embelysh Inc.

Marcia’s Cards

M.E. Designs

Mini Massage by Back In Balance

Peace Beads

RL Photography

The Green Sheep

Usborne Books

Willow House  Jewelry by Sara Blaine

Willow House Style For Home 

Zee’s Tees

My friend Kathy, who I met over a Green Sheep blanket, is hosting this wonderful open house in her own home. I’m honored to be a part of it! If you live in the area, please come. Email me at greensheepjo [at] gmail [dot] com to get the street address. There’ll be refreshments and raffles in addition to a wide assortment of gifts. You’ll find great ideas for family, friends, teachers, hostesses, and even you. We’re all working hard to put on a great day for you!