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Sunday, November 27, 2011

Choose & Cut Christmas Tree Farm You'll Love

Happy belated Thanksgiving! 

I intended to do a Thanksgiving post, but my almost 17 month-old decided to drop both his morning and afternoon naps simultaneously this week and throw the Biggest Tantrum Witnessed in the History of Motherhood.  In T.J. Maxx.  With a store full of shoppers.  You might have seen us.  I was the mom who abandoned a cart full of merchandise to haul my son (kicking, screaming, and flailing arms) in the football hold through the nearest exit.  I did not see you because I was averting eye contact with every living being. 

Needless to say, blogging didn't make it on the to-do list. 


 
But tantrums aside, we had a fabulous family day today driving into the Blue Ridge Mountains to this Choose & Cut Christmas Tree Farm.  Driving up to North Carolina has been a tradition that Bo and I started as newlyweds and each year we've chosen a different farm to explore.  Sometimes we just hop in the car without a plan and see where we end up, but this year, I did a little research to find a farm that Monkey would love.  It did not disappoint.  Not only did we have acres of beautiful Frasier firs to choose from, but we also visited with Santa, miniature donkeys, goats, chickens, and ducks.  There is also a free hayride offered that views a 100-year old historic log cabin. 

Here are a few pictures from our excursion - hope to get pictures up of our decorated trees later this week. 


Stopping to fuel up at a Mexican restaurant prior to finding the perfect tree











Helping Daddy string the lights on Mc's playroom tree

Since I didn't get to blog last week, I have many exciting things to share.  Here are some upcoming posts:
  • McCord and I have a clumsy visit to the world of Ikea
  • New blog head!  A high school friend (thank you FB for bringing us together!) of mine has thoughtfully designed a new blog head for High Cotton Handmade
  • Updates on our bathroom renovation (we have a toilet! and antique dresser/vanity will be installed this week)
  • I plan to make a few Ruffle Knit Wraps next week and list them on etsy ($27 each).  Let me know if you'd like to place an order for Christmas.  If you've spoken to me about this already, I'll be in touch.  Assuming all fabric is in stock, here are the color options: cranberry red, tangerine, citrine green, chocolate brown, charcoal, and bright/rosy pink.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

What A Thrill!


The Fall Festival was exciting, thrilling, and exhausting!  As we prepare this week for Thanksgiving, I can't help but reflect on the day and how thankful I am for the amazing support and encouragement I've received from family, friends, and complete strangers to grow this little dream.  This little girl was one of my first customers and she absolutely made my day.  She immediately fell in love with the green and pink giraffe and claimed it right away.  She walked it over to the other giraffes in the booth so her giraffe could "talk" to them and then she skipped off eager for the next adventure.  What a fulfilling and deeply gratifying experience to see her and others enjoying something I created. 

Here are two shots I took before the doors opened.  Can you believe my sister and I went all day manning the booth without getting a single picture of the two of us? 





For those of you who visited my booth on Saturday, for all of you who have offered words of encouragement, and those of you who have been following this dream of mine via blogland and facebook, thank you. 

I am truly grateful. 

I plan to take a few days off for Thanksgiving and then list a few random items I have left (and some new creations) on my etsy site in time for Christmas.  Stay tuned and I'll announce here first before listing items. 

Friday, November 18, 2011

Sneak Peek: High Cotton Booth

Tomorrow's the Big Day for the Fall Festival.  My mom and sister came up today to help me price items, inventory, and do some last minute sewing.  I couldn't have pulled it off without them.  Here are a few shots from the day.  If you're out and about tomorrow, stop by my booth.  I'll be at St. John's from 9 am - 3 pm.  

Here's my sister, Cam, setting up the display

Raw cotton arrangement my mom put together for the event




Newest feed sack tote with sisal straps, button closure, interior pocket, and lined with Shumacher's High Voltage chevron on the inside



Thank you Aiy for all of your help!
Here's one of my favorite items - finished today (nothing like the last minute).
Vintage Needlework repurposed into modern, preppy pillow - $32


Reverse side


Thursday, November 17, 2011

Burlap Pillow Collection

Just a few pillows from the Burlap Pillow Collection.  Each pillow features a repurposed burlap coffee sack graphic on the front and designer fabric on the back.



...and many thanks to my pillow stylist!



Sunday, November 13, 2011

New Prduct: Vintage Lamp with Fabric Covered Shade

High Cotton Handmade is gearing up!  Only 5 days before the Fall Festival


Stop by the booth on Saturday to check out this vintage lamp with fabric covered shade. 


Until then, we're busy, busy!


Saturday, November 12, 2011

New Products: Ruffle Knit Wraps and Feed Sack Tote




Ruffle Knit Tops to use as a wrap or a scarf



Feed Sack Tote features sisal straps, magnetic snap closure and  chunky buffalo check lining.  Three interior pockets.  

Reverse side


Wednesday, November 9, 2011

The Dump Truck & Other Announcements


And a quick update:

1 - The Fall Festival is less than 2 weeks away and Aiya has come to my rescue to keep McCord while I sew, sew, sew! 

Latest projects from the High Cotton studio:
  • tote bags made out of vintage feed sacks,
  • graphic pillows from repurposed burlap coffee sacks,
  • ruffle knit scarves,
  • babushka dolls,
  • and more bad boys' belts (pictures of all to follow soon)
Thank you Aiya for loving McCord and keeping him entertained!

2 - Our downstairs bath is making some progress - sheet rock went up yesterday and tile floor goes down next week.

3 - McCord's going to be a big brother!  We're due May 22nd! 


Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Halloween

Hope you had a super duper spooky Halloween.  Our's was especially amphibious this year.  Thank you Liza for loaning us your frog costume!





Hat's off to moms who make their children's costumes.  Here are some cute photos from a sewing blog I follow.