This is the most fun I’ve had for Christmas in a long time! The kids are at the perfect age to really enjoy this holiday and celebrate the joy of all that’s going on. They, like me, love the lights and decorations and the bustle the season brings. Today was their Christmas show at school, they have their list and wrote their letter - and are not so patiently waiting for Santa next week. Every night Kayden, the middle triplet, asks “Is Santa coming tonight? Is Rudolph coming too?” Is is as sad as it is cute. I am lucky to report they all basically want the same thing with only some variation. This year it is all about hockey!

For me and the rest of us that aren’t all done with shopping TONIGHT is the Last Minute Shopping party. Claire and I are plugging away at setting up and all the handmade products are great! You will love them too! They are all made by local crafters and some of the gift options included: very cute baby hats, wine bottle cheese trays, jewelry, handbags, belts, papercrafts, silky scarfs, dog coats, little girl dresses, hand towels… and more! I hope you can make it this evening. We are also holding a coffee Saturday morning form 9-11am for those of you who can’t make it in. I hope you will join us and celebrate the season either tonight or Saturday.

We also have a great selection of gifts for you to request of your loved ones, or to pick up for someone special. We have ready made beginner knitting kits, kits for kids (boys & girls), fun teacher gifts, needle sets, reference books and gift certificates! We will be closing at 5 Christmas evening so make sure get in here before times runs out! (7 days left!). We will also be closing early New Year’s Eve and closed both Christmas Day and New Years Day.

Our mitten contest is underway and you have some awesome choices to vote for! When your in next make sure you pick a pair and cast your ballot. Mittens are also a great last minute gift to knit, as are chunky scarves, cowls and wraps. We are happy to help you pick out the last minute gifts you still need to make!

So… I hope you all enjoy the last weekend of running around and make time to sit and relax. Happy Holidays!

See you soon!

Annissa

Last Minute Shopping Party

Thursday, December 17, 2009

6-9pm

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Special Coffee Morning Shopping Event by Popular Demand

Saturday, December 19th from 9-11am

Join this special event featuring a fabulous selection of handmade gifts from local crafters.

Tuesday(12/15) 10-9pm
Wednesday (12/16) 10-8pm
Thursday(12/17) 10-9pm
Friday (12/18) 10-9pm
Sat (12/19) open at 9am-6pm
Sunday (12/20) 12-6pm
Monday (12/21) 4-8pm (we’re usually closed on Mondays)
Tuesday (12/22) 10-8pm
Wed (12/23) 10-8pm
Thurs (12/24) 10-5pm
Friday 12/25 - Christmas Day - Closed

Regular hours until:
Thursday Dec 31 10-5
Friday Jan 1 Closed

All other dates and times are as usual.

My hands are cramped for cranking out these last minute gifts for Christmas! But I know how much they’ll be appreciated so I keep plugging along… what we crafters do for those we love! Last week I told you about my School Spirit Scarf for my sister so here it is! Using Magnum in Bright Yellow & Black, I cast on 15 stitches, row 1 knit across, row 2 knit 3, p9, knit 3, change colors and repeat throughout. Before you know it you’ll have an awesome gift for someone full of school spirit! The response has been overwhelming and many of you are taking this quick project on for a last minute gift too. Yesterday Anne was nice enough to forward along her version of the school spirit scarf. We didn’t have both her colors in the Magnum so she opted for Lana Grande and Sheep Shop and worked a garter stitch pattern lengthwise. Here’s her picture next to mine.

Many of our Mittens for the Contest are in (you still have time to drop your mittens off) and I hope you find some time to come in and take a look and vote for your favorite one. Here’s a group photo and soon each one will be posted on our blog site.

Interweave is offering a rebate of $5 on purchases of their books and magazines. I have attached a copy for you and we have more in the store if you would like one. While you’re in check out the Nantucket Bags that just arrived - they make the perfect Christmas gift. We also have gift certificates and a good list of gift options in various price ranges. Send them in for you or let us know what you would like….

Last Minute Shopping Party is NEXT week, Thursday, December 17 from 6-9pm and then we’re hosting a Last Minute Shopping Coffee on Saturday, December 19 from 9-11am for those of you who can’t make it in mid-week. Most of the items will still be on display through the weekend if you get inspired. Please join us for what I think will be a very festive evening or awakening morning (does that make sense?). Between now and then our sale items will still be on sale so we can make room for our Last Minute Shopping Party. We are still accepting a more vendors for this event.

Lastly, we have our class listing online and a one-night sewing event. Think about signing up for the Quick Amy Butler Reversible Chef’s Apron - This easy, quick sew project is geared towards beginners, new sewers and folks just looking for a night out to sew! This one night class includes all materials to make a reversible apron in two of our very cool Amy Butler prints. Join this one night class on Tuesday, December 16 from 6-9pm for $30.

We have a few special hours to help support you during this holiday season… We will be open late many evenings (call ahead) and on Monday, December 21 from 4-8pm. We will be closing early on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve and closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Our website will have more specific times - - but call ahead and we will make sure to be here for you!

I hope to see you soon!

Annissa

I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and were lucky enough to enjoy a few days off from work. We’ve been busy at the shop getting our Christmas decorations up - - and I have to say they look fabulous! The tree is huge (although we could use a few more ornaments) and Paul did a great job on my window boxes. I love Christmas. I love everything about Christmas. I love the glitter and lights and decorations and even the craziness of shopping. I love get my kids excited about Christmas and the general good feeling of generosity and extra kindness that seems to be contagious during this season. Simply, I am a fan of this season!

So the mittens are making their way in so come on in and vote for your favorite pair - - one vote per visit. We’ll get pictures posted as soon as we can so you can admire yours and theirs. If you still have your pair bring them in so we can show them off.

Our clearance table is still bubbling with great yarns and a huge discount. There is a good selection of $2 a ball yarns and the rest are 50% off… good amounts still available in Debbie Bliss Aran, Noro Maiko and Louisa Harding Grace. These will only be on clearance through December 16.

We’re starting to collect applications for our Last Minute Shopping Party on Thursday, December 17. Save the date to come shop and join us as a vendor with your homemade goods! We want to display, promote and sell your beautiful, handmade crafts. Some of what we have coming in include: beaded necklaces, handbags, sewn scraves, knitting accessories… and so much more! Please participate as a vendor and reserve the date to celebrate the season with us!

There are a few last minute classes too. If you would like to make a last minute sewn gift, join me on Tuesday, December 15th to make a reversible Amy Butler Chef’s Apron. All materials included for $30. Or, come in on the next two Tuesdays to knit a Bella Hat with Claire…. or start a pair of socks this weekend with Katie. Julie is teaching a one-night decorator pillow class on Wednesday, December 9 from 6-9pm. If you want to get a jumpstart on Christmas vacation we have a a three day craft/sew/knit/crochet bonanza for kids. This school vacation week “camp” will be held on Tues-Thurs, Dec 29, 30 and 31 from 10-12:30. We’ll include all the materials and a snack for $75 per child. This camp is geared to kids ages 8-12yo.

We also have a few fantastic knit projects for a last minute gift. I would recommend my own pattern for the Sculptured City Cowl in the gorgeous Blue Sky Bulky Wool/Alapca. This is beautiful gift that will only cost you $24! This is perfect and QUICK (if I do say so myself..)

Another last minute gift I’m making is for my youngest sister, Sarrah. She is a senior in high school and her school colors are yellow and black (Boston Latin Academy). I’m using Cascade Magnum to make a chunky striped school spirit scarf for her. I am using two skeins and one is enough so I will use the extra to either make a second one for her best friend or maybe coordinating mittens. I made a solid scarf in this a few weeks back for a shop model and using size 17 needles, this scarf took no more than 2 hours!! That was a seed stitch pattern, so a stockinette scarf should take no time at all! If any of these interest you I would be happy to put your colors on hold or drop them in the mail to you… let us know!

Wow! I said a lot this week. So join us this weekend or next week for a quick class, stop in to get some clearance yarn, or make plans to shop our Last Minute Shopping Party.

Annissa (here’s me in my Sculptured City Cowl)