Christmas
is a time to capture memories and celebrate the season with family and
friends. It's a season of entertaining and gift-giving, creating and
decorating. The Main Street Cotton shop welcomes you to this holiday
season with ideas and hints to help make your Christmas a memorable one.
Liven up your room with decorations that fit your home. Add fresh pine
bough sprigs to the hutch, tuck them in amongst the bowls and goblets; fill
a clear vase with fresh cranberries and add pine boughs for an instance
centerpiece; frame one of your favorite small holiday quilts to hang above
the mantel or set on a table easel; make a new tablecloth and napkins to
coordinate. Using the new
Berry Patch plaids, all you need to do is measure your table, add for an
8" drop, stitch 1/2" in from the edge and fringe and you have a new
Christmas cloth. Do the same for the napkins, I like to make mine 18"
square, and you are set to entertain.
This year, start a tradition of early gift-giving.
Whether it is a gift for St. Nick's Day, a Sunday of Advent or just because,
everyone likes those unexpected gifts. For a quick gift-wrap, sew two
pieces of
Snow Country fabrics, right sides together, leaving an opening for
turning. Turn, press and wrap around a galvanized bucket using a large
rubber band to hold the fabric in place. A 45" square works great for
a 5-6 gallon bucket filled with treasures. For the quilter, a kit,
book, pattern or fabric collection are always gifts of joy. For the
cook, how about a package of Christmas napkins, the new Merry Christmas
cookbook from Gooseberry Patch, spices or oven mitts made by you.
Don't forget to make them for the kids... they'll think Santa came early.
If you are thinking ahead to next year, or maybe you have
time yet for this year, also in the
Thimbleberries
Holiday Collection book is our favorite
tablecloth, Christmas Patches. A look that will fit the whole season
and into the winter. Our Main Street Cotton Shop mug, filled with fat
quarters, fits right into the stocking that needs to be filled.
Another great stocking stuffer is our Thimbleberries Holiday Gift Pack of
patterns. The pack consists of a bed quilt, throw, table runner,
wall-hanging and stocking pattern. A $38.00 value for only $17.95.
Don't forget all the great books available for the holidays. The
newest book, Berry Patch Quilts arrived just in time for Christmas, along
with Berry Blossom Throw and Berry Blossom Queen
kit.
Pint Size Traditions,
Collection of Classic Quilts and
Beginner's Luck continue to be best sellers. For a Christmas
coffee table book, give
Finishing Touches,
Classic Country Christmas or
Christmas Cottage. All three of these books have great decorating
ideas. If you still can't decide what to give, a
Gift Certificate from the Main Street Cotton Shop is always appreciated.
Last week, we had our annual Christmas Remembered in
Hutchinson and Christmas by Candlelight in Redwood Falls. Winter
arrived with a 6" snowfall and the events were almost magical.
Carolers strolled the luminary-lit streets, Dick and Dan (our team of horses)
trotted through the streets pulling the sleigh full of adults and children.
The live nativity was bundled up in winter attire as the evening really
cooled off. When I walked outside, I at once felt like I was stepping
back 50 years. The downtown was alive with shoppers, visiting on the
street corners, sharing holiday greetings and sipping hot cider. It
was a wonderful way to begin our holiday season.
