Friday, November 20, 2009

Come and Visit us - Christmas on the Farm!

Archwood Green Barns
1st two Sundays in December
December 6th & 13th
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. both days
(Snow Date - December 20th)
Intersection of I-66 (exit 31) & Rt. 245
The Plains, Virginia

Local farmers, crafters and artisans will be offering a wide selection of locally grown and hand-crafted products at the Ninth Annual Archwood Green Barns "Christmas on the Farm" show and sale. The Barns will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for the first two Sundays in December. As usual, we will have a snow date in place, December 20th, in case of inclement weather. Many of your favorite, weekly vendors will be with us, as well as several new vendors with exciting gift ideas for the Christmas season. We will be offering fresh-cut, premium Fraser Firs on both Sundays, as well as wreaths and roping for all your holiday decorating. Hot drinks, cold desserts, chili, barbecue and much more will be available for lunch, as well as many samples of the products for sale in the barn. For the second year in a row, we will have 2 barns full of vendors to help you find the perfect gift for everyone on your holiday list. A live nativity, a petting farm and much more are in the works. Additional events are being planned, and more vendors are making arrangements, so please call for further details.


"Visit with Santa"
12 noon - 2 p.m. on both Sundays
Tired of the rush at the mall? Kids too tired to wait in line for a few moments with Santa? Avoid the confusion and spend quality time with the family while you visit with the jolly old elf! Bring your camera for all your holiday pictures. Take a family portrait in front of the evergreen trees, pose with the Alpacas from Hidden Views Farm, or capture the magic of secrets whispered to Santa. The perfect picture awaits you at the Barns.

Join us and share the Holiday Spirit with the following farms and businesses:

Bits of Fiber
Warrenton, Virginia

Elegant and fun are two great ways to describe the work of Chantal. A new vendor this season, she brings lovely hand-felted items in a wonderful variety of colors and textures. Scarves, hats, jewelry and much more are here for the choosing. And rest assured, a gift from Chantal is an unique work of art that you will treasure for many years to come!

Hidden Views Farm
Nokesville, Virginia
Looking for the perfect gift for the holidays? Homemade alpaca garments, yarn, hand-carded fiber and felted alpaca treasures made from Hidden Views Farm Alpacas will warm the heart of anyone on your holiday list! Come meet the alpacas that provide these luxurious items - weather permitting. Hidden Views Farm will also be providing baked goods using the farm's fresh eggs, including homemade egg noodles, variety of pies and Christmas cookies. Pick up an ultra warm alpaca garment for the holidays, and be sure to pick up a hot, homemade lunch before you leave! Please visit www.hvfarmalpacas.com for more information about the farm.


The Orchid Station
Barboursville, Virginia
This family-owned and operated business supplies all your orchid needs, including blooming orchid plants, ceramic pots and planting medium. Bring in your holiday gift list and take home the perfect gift for family, friends and co-workers. This is one gift that will be appreciated for many years to come!


Grandma Honey's Pantry
Midland, Virginia
A brief description of this farm's products would be totally unrealistic! Evergreen wreaths, swags and roping with beautiful florist bows will be available to decorate your home. Fresh milk, home-made butter, free-range eggs, goat cheese and fall vegetables are just the beginning. Home canned veggies like Grandmother used to make, sweet jellies, fudge and candy, and baked goods will be available as singles or put together in beautiful gift boxes. Cookie boxes filled with various festive Christmas treats will also be available for the first time. Come browse the selection and pick out a delicious gift sure to please even the hardest to buy for person on your list. Find everything you need to make your families Christmas wishes come true! Special orders are always welcome!


Tasty Fixin's
Spotsylvania, Virginia
Come in and try canned foods with a kick! Hot pepper jellies, pickled watermelon rinds, garlic jelly and wine jellies are just a small sampling of the culinary delights that await you at Tasty Fixin's! Beautiful poinsettias, fresh herbs, Norfolk Pines, Christmas decorations and more will also be available.


Midtrees Farm
Bealton, Virginia
Order your favorite cut of beef for a warm winter's dinner. What could be better than a savory beef stew to take the chill out of a long night? Maybe a tender pot roast with carrots and potatoes. Or pick up steaks for New Year's Eve, whatever your pleasure! And if you're looking for large orders, call ahead!


Dromore Designs & Celtic Rootes
Charlottesville, Virginia
A wide variety of exotic items await you on the McGregor's tables. Hand-made jewelry, crafted from semi-precious and native stones will be available. Most of the stones are cut and polished by hand, and many are native stones of Virginia. If jewelry isn't your thing, peruse the hand made knives by Malcolm. The handles are made from exotic woods that are high density and resistant to water. Most of the woods are from the Everglades, but you will also find woods from Brazil, and Ebony from Africa. The blades are high carbon steel from antique tools and swords. Everything offered is a unique art form, as well as utilitarian and functional.


LynnVale Studios

Gainesville, Virginia
A local, cut-flower grower will be returning this year with wonderful decorations for the holiday season. Andrea will be supplying you with hand-made, locally grown, artisan wreaths and swags for all your holiday decorating. Pick up potted Paper-whites and Amaryllis for a living centerpiece. Beautiful bows adorn the wreaths and can be made to order for your perfect holiday decoration. Visit www.LynnVale.com for more information, and to preview her wonderful products.


JBM Creations
Upperville, Virginia
Too busy to make your holiday gifts this year? Come visit with someone who isn't! Brenda will amaze you with hand-painted ornaments, beautiful arrangements, wreaths and more. Come shopping for the family, and be sure to pick up the perfect arrangement for your own holiday decorating.


The CheeseCake Garden

Dumfries, Virginia
Gourmet assorted cheesecakes will be available to tempt your sweet-tooth. Sweets of all kinds will be available for take home, or special order that perfect combination for your holiday entertaining. Chocolate dipped confections will tease your palette, or take home a tray of candies, cookies or brownies! Gift baskets are available, so come find a "dessert for every occasion."


Creations by Marlene
Lancaster, Virginia
The perfect gift for the lovely ladies on your list will be found with Marlene. Beautiful, hand-made bags of every size and pattern will be available to choose from! Colorful hand bags, snazzy shoulder bags, and more will be available. And if you have the perfect gift in mind, dress it up in a beautiful purse that is sure to please all!


Usbourne Books
Haymarket, Virginia
G
ive the gift of reading this year, it will last a lifetime! Usborne Books are the leading children's educational publisher in the United States. >From fairy tales to modern science, Usborne Books engages all ages and all types of learners. To see all 1300 award-winning titles, Internet-linked reference books, games and interactive kits please visit www.UsborneEducates.com
. Usborne Books are the books kids love to read!


Salsa Las Glorias
The Plains, Virginia
Enjoy the home-made, authentic Mexican food lovingly prepared by Lilly. You can't beat a hot lunch of chile rellenos, fried beans, tamales or salsa. Take home a bag of fresh chips with tasty salsa for your dinner party, and tres leches for dessert. Your taste buds will thank you!


Gypsy Hill
Vienna, Virginia
Expecting a houseful this holiday? What better way to satisfy everyone than with a host of appetizers sure to please the pickiest partier! Come find everything you need for your party, from cooking spices to quick holiday appetizers. Sample the varieties, and take home a taste treat for your friends and family.


Made by Mel
Gainesville, Virginia
Mel is hard at work creating wonderful gifts for the entire family. Hand-beaded jewelry is just the beginning at this table. Earrings, necklaces and bracelets are displayed with pride along side of ID holders and fanciful bookmarks. There is a treasure for everyone when you get something made by Mel!


Angela King
Fairfax, Virginia
Who has time to shop for the perfect dressing for table and shelf? Stop searching and find the perfect pattern to decorate your home. Table runners, basket liners, potholders and more will make your home feel festive as you prepare for holiday entertaining. Come look for yourself, and find a special gift for others as you browse. Come by for a long look, and go home with a treasure you will love for holiday seasons to come!



K's Corner Crafts
Warrenton, Virginia
Kathryn and Pauline will be bringing their best to help satisfy your Christmas List this holiday season. Browse the ornaments, scarves and more to see what catches your eye as the perfect gift for mom or aunt, but be sure to pick up something for yourself while you're there! Many wonderful things will be available to choose from!

Karri's Addictions
Triangle, Virginia
Yummy! That's the only word to describe the bounty available in this stall. Savory cheesecakes make a perfect appetizer. Turtle cheesecakes, white chocolate Macadamia nut cheesecake, and many other delicious items will be offered both by the slice, and as beautiful desserts fit to grace any holiday table. Sample the first weekend, and put your order in for the second!

Bit O' Nothin'
Barboursville, Virginia
Re-decorating your home? Come pick out the perfect painting to grace the walls of your home. Lucy will be bringing out her best work to help bring the country into your home. And if you've spent too much time working on the home, take a break and take a walk! Start with one of the many walking sticks that are hand-carved and waiting to inspire the athlete in us all.


Maggie's Pottery (December 6)
North Garden, Virginia
Returning for the first time this year, Maggie will be available for only one day this holiday season! Be sure to come and shop for the best way to display all of the wonderful treats you will be picking up to eat. Platters, bowls, condiment trays and more will be hand-craft, painted and glazed to help each holiday hostess serve their guests in style. Be prepared to be told how wonderful your table looks when you have Maggie's Pottery on display!

Herban Avenues (December 13)
Lovettsville, Virginia
In the crazy rush of the season, take some time to pamper yourself with a stop at this family business. While everyone is shopping for friends and family, take a little time to sample the herbal products available in this stall! Find the perfect soaps and lotions to soften your skin, lip balms for cold weather, and herbal teas to soothe the mind. You'll be glad you came by!

The Glass Turtle (December 6)
North Garden, Virginia
Dressing up for a holiday party? Find the perfect accessories designed by Debra. Necklaces, earrings, bracelets and more will dazzle the eye and please the pickiest person on your list. Glittering colors and patterns will help complete every outfit. One day will not be enough to decide which pieces will be perfect for you!

Magic Mike's BBQ
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Don't bother to pack lunch! Find the perfect hot meal with Mike. Slow-cooked beef brisket and perfect pulled pork make wonderful sandwiches. Salt potatoes and coleslaw round off the meal and leave you wanting more. Eat in, take home, or buy in bulk to serve later! You just can't miss when you eat with Mike!


Agnes Very Very
Verona, Virginia
Hot and steamy, bagels can't be beat for a quick snack or a light lunch! Agnes Very Very produced Organic Bake'mmmmm bagels with a patented process that allows you to bake them fresh, golden, crisp bagels anytime, in minutes! Come find out all the details, and enjoy the product of their labor!


C. Hess Orchard
Martinsburg, West Virginia
No holiday would be complete with fresh baked pies and tasty vegetables. Find all that you need at this farm's table. Apples and pears are hard to beat for holiday desserts. Squash and potatoes are the center of every holiday table. Get them fresh and tasty and feel your creative cooking juices start to flow!

More vendors are being added daily, so be sure to put us on the calendar! Come the first Sunday to see what we have, and bring your friends back the second to show off where you've gotten your wonderful holiday gifts. We hope to see you at the barns!


Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Another scarf



a little scarf, just enough to tie it or wrap it around your neck once. Love these blue colors they remind me of a beautiful beach somewhere. Will be listing it on Etsy in the coming week and it will be up for grabs at the Xmas market.

Monday, November 16, 2009

More Christmas stuff for the Christmas Market and Etsy Shop!



The pixie/Christmassy hat I knitted with an acrylic yarn so it can be tossed in the washing machine and the dryer.

The little owl I needle felted with sheep's fleece and Alpaca fleece. They are both in my Etsy Shop so check it out if you like to see more pictures of the hat and the Owl.

I'm bummed ... yesterday I cut one of my fingers at work with the exacto knife. It's pretty deep and hurts when I bump into things. We wrapped it up pretty good and used a butterfly tape on it so I didn't need to get stitches. It's so darn inconvenient especially since I'm trying to make all these things for the coming markets. At least it's on my left hand, it could have been worse if it had been my right one. I can still knit ... although a heck of a lot slower then normal and the fuzz of the yarn gets stuck on the tape! I can felt, halelujah! Only thing I totally can not do right now is crochet, maybe in a couple of days when I can put a regular bandage on it I can manage. Anyway, typing is alright except when I have to type certain letters since it's my pointing finger that's got the booboo. Alright enough feeling sorry for myself ... my finger is starting to hurt so I'll stop for now.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Christmas is coming soon!








So I had to get into the Merry Spirit and knitted a Child Christmas Tree Beanie! Then I decided it was time to try needle felting some little penguins, like 4 inches tall I mean by that. He looks awfully fuzzy in the pictures, he doesn't really look that fuzzy in real live I must say ... or maybe I need to get a pair of glasses to take a better look? I just put him in my Etsy store, as well as the Christmas Tree Beanie.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Busy, busy, busy ...



Ahhhhhh, my head is just buzzing with tons of ideas for new creations. I really really really need 100 hours in a day, but ... I can only work on 3 things at a time. I usually have my sitting down project going, which is either knitting or crocheting for TV and join the family time. While I'm making dinner I'm usually back and forth from the kitchen to my studio (which is just around the corner from the kitchen, really convenient) where I have sewing, needle felting, embroidery things going on. Then down to the basement for longer periods of time for wet felting. Some of the smaller wet felting projects I do on my kitchen counter. Anyway, I only have 28 days to get ready for our two Christmas markets in December. I need to felt a bunch of scarfs, some purses, knit and crochet a couple more hats and I made the mistake of starting to needle felt some snowman and various animal ornaments. I must say they are so darn cute I want to keep some for myself! I wasn't too sure how they were going to turn out, but they did turn out oh so pretty if I say so myself! Wade and Sofie both love them, and trust me if something doesn't look right or isn't something to get excited about, they are the first ones to let me know! When I was at Michaels the other day I found some tin cans to match the ornaments, perfect for putting them in and keeping them safe and selling them at the markets in December. Anyway, buy some special one of kind hand made presents this year! Come and visit our Christmas Market at the Archwood Green Barn in The Plains. Hope to see you there!

The pictures are of a beanie I made when I lived in Alice Springs. It's about my journey from Belgium, to the USA to Australia. I used merino sheep and camel fleece to make it. I made a special hat box to keep it in so I can pass it on to Sofie. I told myself to felt at least one hat for the Christmas market. I love making hats like that and by that I mean the shape (cloche like) and big soft bows and flowers.