Pom Pom Ideas + Thinking About Thanksgiving!
Hello Colorful Friends:
A quick note today to remind you all about our First Ever Open Farmhouse/Open Studio Event this weekend. I've been a busy little bee, making, making, making. A bit of holiday decorating too. I've shared some photos of my pottery process at the end of this email.
It has been a long time since I have done an event like this - in fact, the last time was at our house in Pepperell about twenty years ago. Wow! Part of the reason for putting on this event is to share our Colorful Farmhouse and its decoration with my readers. It has been a very big year here and this seems like the perfect way to celebrate it with all of you.
Many of you are probably wondering if it is worth a drive since we live out in the hinterlands. I think I can honestly say yes. You will get to see the handmade decor of our farmhouse which has been featured in many publications this past year. There will be a chance to pick up unusual holiday gifts too. Here's what I will be selling:
Handmade pottery made and painted by my own hands
Handsewn Linen Dishtowels - Exclusive designs by me
Oil Paintings
Handpainted Lampshades
Antique Assemblage Lampbases
Notecards and Postcards
Crewel embroidered pillows
Signed copies of my books
Mark and Julia will be selling our farm-raised lamb for your holiday meals. BRING A COOLER TO TRANSPORT THE FROZEN LAMB.
My neighbor Alicia will have her art studio open and is selling all kinds of her fantastic artwork at a range of prices. Read more about Alicia here.
Our friend Deborah Garner will be selling antique collectible textiles, handmade jewelry, and scarves. Read more about Deborah here.
Our neighbor Debbie is bringing her handmade wreaths for sale too!
We are only 2 hours from Boston and 1 1/4 hours north of Hartford - just off of Rt. 91.
Here are the directions to our farm.
OPEN STUDIO/OPEN FARMHOUSE
Saturday December 5th 10 to 4
Sunday December 6th 11 to 3
In other news, I'm working on a few Christmas Stockings for some new little people I know. Two of the stockings will be together for a long time so I want them to look good paired on a mantle. I took both my Christmas Stocking designs (info below) and mixed them up. This is what I have so far. Now for some embroidery and pom pom love. I hope the little people will like them as they grow.
And because it wouldn't be a newsletter without a good link or two....
• I am loving Mariko Paterson's ceramcs. I listened to a great podcast interview with her here.
• Mary Newcombe was a British painter who lived from 1922-2008. You can see her work here. There are several paintings of beautiful sheep.
• Susan Anderson just put out a new simple to knit man's hat pattern. Just in time for some quick gift knitting. Check it out here.
• My sister Laurie shared these beautiful one of a kind bags, shoes and more made from antique Turkish kilims. What a fantastic holiday gift.
• There are some beautiful photos of Fair Isle sweaters here.
I hope to see some of you this weekend!
With colorful best wishes,
Kristin Nicholas
Mugs and small platters before the first bisque firing
Ceramic mittens before bisque firing
This pottery is all done and ready to go. I've been a busy bee.
My neighbor Alicia's gorgeous painting
My friend Deborah will be selling her incredible jewelry.
Christmas Stockings Featured in Yankee Magazine.
Kristin's Colorful Christmas Stockings features 5 different designs that use only one color per row. If you are a newish knitter and frightened of stranded colorwork, I highly suggest this design. ORDER PDF FOR $12 HERE. Or order on Ravelry here.
Kristin's Creative Christmas Stockings is a bit more traditional in design, it features stranded colorwork in many different motifs. There are even extra charts for you to use to design your own version. Each of the styles is given in 4 different sizes. ORDER PDF FOR $12 HERE. Or on Ravelry here.
One of my favorite designs for quick knitting projects for the whole family. I call it The Quarters Cap and the pattern is available for $5.00 on my website here. Or on Ravelry here.
Learn how I make colorful pom poms. Use up your odds and ends and make beautiful garlands for holiday decorations and gifting.
This is the first video of our farm and farmhouse produced by Houzz.com. In it, you will see our sheep, our dogs - including Winston, chickens, family, and colorful home.