A Morris Dance Nine Patch Quilt. Seeew... It wouldn't be right if I let Mother's Day go by without some dancing to this tribute! It's my favorite iconic "mother" of the silver screen! Joan Crawford. I can't help but gravitate toward this montage each year. The dramatic faces combined with "Mama Mia" make for some good stuff. Get up from that sewing machine and shake that Charm Pack! And uh... if you need to organize your wire hangers or scrub a bathroom floor...feel free! No judgement from me...the girls will be cleaning chandeliers tomorrow night seeew um...let that OCD out!... Continue reading

Seeew... Let's just say my office here at the Shoppe is not really an ideal "creative space." My office is located underneath the main staircase and next to the men's restroom. Need I say more? During the day I hear lots of stomping from the stairs to the second floor of the building and at night I get, singing, whistling, and the sounds of a continual flush from the restroom. Odd that I rarely hear the sound of running water in the sink. You know what that means, right? Someone isn't washing their hands. Seeew....to avoid all of the distractions... Continue reading

Seeew... The "Mothership" and I have been heavily invested in a mega-sized project since January (which is why I've been absent from the blog-o-sphere). This project has special meaning to me as it relates to all-things "Boughs of Holly." We love giving everyone a quality experience in which to shop from and I have a feeling this will be spectacular when finished! Stay tuned or follow us on Facebook for more clues! In the meantime, we are looking forward to meeting seeew many of you from around the world this May when the International Quilt Market for retailers, fabric and... Continue reading

Seeew... Give me a beat! Uh-oh. Is someone getting...nasty? Sittin' in a quilt shop...thinkin' nasty thoughts.. Our small box signs make a great gift at your next quilting retreat. You can't beat the gift of laughter. "Norma Jean" is the quilt in the background. Better be a gentleman...before I show you what we've got... That's right...let me show ya! Nasty...nasty boy...workin' round the clock...uh oh you nasty boy. Nasty...nasty boy...hangin' a few fun signs... oh you nasty boy. I don't like no nasty stare....don't like a nasty gasp!.... The only nasty thing I like... is a nasty laugh.... Will this... Continue reading

Seeew.... The "Shoppe" is servin' up some 'Easter Realness" this Spring! The "Mothership" created a few cute year 'round Easter displays to compliment our Bunny Hill selection of fabrics. I'm not entirely sure what we've been feeding the livestock around here...but uh...isn't that chick adorbs? It's cute but classic at the same time. If you can't make it out to the Shoppe, you can purchase our Easter decor items at Hollyhill Quilt Shoppe on-line. I know I've been M.I.A. from the blog scene but I will let you know all about it later on! For now though I have got... Continue reading

Seeew.... For those of you who missed it, we had a "KiKi" here at the Shoppe as part of our Super Bolt VIII festivities on Sunday, February 3 2013. This is how I like my events. With just a spoonful of sugar called...FUN! Everyone who turned out was in great spirits and there was laughter and smiles. We wouldn't have it any other way. Seeew...what exactly is a "KiKi?" Well my dears...it simply is a party for calming all your nerves. Of course during our "Kiki" we were spilling tea and dishing just desserts one may deserve in the form... Continue reading

Seeew.... We...are...back. Yes...the "Mothership" and I have landed. That's o.k. Don't get up. You just keep spinnin' on that spinnin' wheel. On our way into Portland I caught this gorgeous glimpse of Mt. Hood (above). Isn't it a visual stunner? I can always smell it in the air...even if it is circulated air in the plane cabin. Tuberculosis anyone? Seriously, Oregon is a scenic wonder! I can't help feel a sense of pride that I can call this place "home." This year, with the arrival of the Spring International Quilt Market for retailers and our 2013 holiday season, the "Mothership"... Continue reading

Seeew... Merry Christmas to each of you on this joyous night. All of us here at Hollyhill Quilt Shoppe & Mercantile hope each of you had a wonderful Christmas day and we wish all the best for you in 2013. We of course thank all of our fans, whether you visit us in person or virtually through the blog and our website! We've been doing this for eight years and have enjoyed getting to know seeew many of the regular faces that visit us each day! There is much sadness going on in our country at this time. It seems... Continue reading

Seeew... You may remember Mrs. Claus was on extended holiday over the last month. She arrived for the parade on December 8 and then stayed over for our Once Upon A Homespun Christmas a week later. I'm always amazed at the town folk on parade day. Everyone and I mean EVERYONE outside is a "believer." But of course....there was a lot of "talk" too. And it wasn't about presents. While the grand lady from the North was here, I felt bad as we really didn't have any place for her to stay. It was seeew random. Showing up with an... Continue reading

Seeew... Do you like my bowl? It's vintage. Pretty fancy huh? I once admitted over on our Facebook page that I was OBSESSED with it. And I am. To date in my iPhoto, it is the single most photographed item here in the Shoppe with well over 100 pictures. I know. Next time I complain about a shortage of time, just remind me about how much time I wasted with this bowl. It was all done...to inspire you fine people. When I first laid my eyes upon this bowl a heavenly light shined down to the voices of...no, not of... Continue reading

The all-new Blitzen quilt kit is filled with whimsical snowmen in a frosty landscape of snowy whites, enchanting aquas and the merriest of reds and greens! Kits available. Seeew... Not only did I photograph our new "Blitzen" quilt this weekend, but I even had time to emerge out of the farmhouse and chop some wood. I also decided to check the mail box and inside was a letter from that wonderful lady from the North. Yes, her. The one who helps the big guy for that big day. Mrs. Claus. She wrote to tell me she's looking forward to the... Continue reading

Seeew...Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We are thankful for all of you who enjoy the blog and support the Shoppe in person and on-line. We hope that after you have finished that Thanksgiving meal you can settle in with some Pumpkin Pie. Remember, the Shoppe will be closed through Friday, November 23. And don't forget...shop small and support Small Business on Saturday, November 24, 2012. Now go on...gobble, gobble and we will see you after the holiday break! ~Brian Continue reading

"Lanterns lighting up the town...peace on earth is all around...." Seeew... It's over. It came and went. In a blink of an eye. The 4th annual "Homespun & Holly" has come to a close. 2 days. 100 women and a handful of talented designers! Oh-seeew-much fun. What I love about this event is that everyone brings their best to the table. Everyone delivers. Homespun & Holly is a festive gathering that tells us Christmas time is finally here...and it really is my favorite time of year! Do you love? I'm not kidding, I listened to this song at least 80... Continue reading

Seeew... I know. I know. More works in progress. I said in the last post that I would rather just wait until we were finished with all the holiday accents, but I just couldn't. I said it over on our Facebook page and I will say it here too...we thank all of our loyal fans and customers for their support of us being closed on Sunday & Monday. And sometimes, we even need an extra day or two. If we were open seven (7) days a week, we wouldn't be able to have the assistance of a few elves that... Continue reading

Seeew... Believe me when I say we are biz. It sometimes looks like a hurricane hit in here for days on end...and then poof, somebody works until 4am and magically all the problem spots disappear. Wrapping up pumpkin ornaments until the sun rises (yes...I said "rises") doesn't exactly thrill me. I'm starting to question the profitability of holidays like Halloween as lots of effort is put in by many only to have someone say, "When will your Christmas be on sale?" Um? *Sigh* Anyway, Homespun & Holly" is now only 9 days away. We'll have a full house with visiting... Continue reading

Seeew... Shake my hand. C'mon quilters....won't you shake a poor sinner's hand? "It's the green...it's the green...it's the green you need, and when I look into your future, it's the green that I see!" Yeeeeeessssss. And that green my dears is SAVINGS. Who doesn't like to save a lil' bit of the green? Though "Show Me Your Spooky" has come and gone, I still have got friends on the "other side" which means we are extending our spooky savings through Saturday, November 3 and because the spirits need to materialize, we will remain open until 6:30pm on Halloween night. B.T.W.... Continue reading

Seeew.... Welcome....to "Show Me Your Spooky III!" The haunting day is tomorrow, Saturday October 27 2012! "Show Me Your Spooky" is our annual "Draw Your Own Discount" party and we throw in some additional fun along the way! Don't forget, we have special Shoppe hours of 12pm until 8pm. Two special performances at 4:45pm & 6:15pm. Prize giveaways at 7pm. B.T.W. Someone was summoning the fog with his spells. It's late and I have a few last displays to clean up in addition to like...uh eating my dinner? If you want further details about the event, you will need to... Continue reading

Seeew.... Happy Holly-Ween to all! My apologies if I have...err, 'frightened' you. We have been submerged in several projects for the upcoming festivities. While the "Mothership" has been wrapped up with preparations for "Homespun & Holly", I've been hanging out with a few gals in black attire who wanted me to share with you this important message... "This tale is one to tell as we sit around our cauldron and cast a spell. Hear thee now to all who visit us on this night, you'll be visited by four witches who offer you savings before their last flight!" Yessssss. Come... Continue reading

Seeew... Yes. I'm alive. And yes, I am getting back to "Boughs of Holly." The merging of our additional space back into our main Shoppe space is finished. Do I still have work to do? Absolutely. But I'd rather not get into Shoppe talk right now. I need a break. Since our Shoppe opened seven years ago, vacation time has been extremely limited. I'm also not one to really travel during the summer as I'm not a fan of weather over 75 degrees. You can always layer up to warm up, but how much can you really take off to... Continue reading

Seeew...I am still plugging away at the "Shoppe." The move of our farmhouse uprooted the entire store. We are also merging all of our fabrics from our former, "Thoroughly Modern Holly" shop space into the main "Shoppe." So uh...let's just say I am getting my sleep and eating well. I've got the place sealed up like Fort Knox and no one is getting through my security. The section pictured above used to be Bunny Hill's section, but now as you can see it belongs to Blackbird Designs and Laundry Basket. The "Mothership" is taking a definite interest in the combination... Continue reading

Seeew.... We moved the farmhouse today. What farmhouse? This one. P.S. That is not me but I was more than happy to supervise. Did you see that? No...not that. THAT! The scratch! In the floor! The "Mothership" is going to have my head! I've been sitting here like Cinderella singing "Oh Sing Sweet Nightingale" as I apply Old English. Now all I need are some bubbles to appear around my head and some nice mice to say "Howdy doo." I know. I know. How many quilt shops go to this effort to entertain you? I'll say it...not many. As you... Continue reading

Seeew....have you heard about this? It's the "Mothership" and I's little way of celebrating our very own version of "Holly-Ween." O.K. well maybe it took a little more swindling from me to get her on my side about it, but she's down with it. Especially when she heard me tell her a choreographer friend of mine knows the moves to Thriller. Do you like to boogie? What about Thriller...do you know the moves? If I recall, we had a couple of ladies in here wanting me to show them my dance moves awhile back...maybe you all would like to join?... Continue reading

Seeew...I've been taking a lot of time off from "Boughs of Holly" lately, because it's about that time of year when I need time to think. And I won't lie...I happened upon an epic journey last week that was just...wild! It was a journey which reminded me that sometimes you just need to get out of your comfort zone, your box, and experience something completely off the charts! Do that thing you never thought would be possible. Was it luck? I don't know. Luck is sometimes defined as the moment when preparation meets opportunity. I'll tell you all about it... Continue reading

Seeew....I'm caught up with lots of extra work this week, seeew...this is going to be simple! Look what is available now! Bunny Hill Design's Merry Merry Snowmen Quilt Kit! Limited quantities available now! Yes, the long overdue "Turkey Red" solid we were waiting for finally arrived and our kits for Merry, Merry Snowmen are now complete! We have a limited number of kits so hurry in and get yours today or order yours on our website. Remember what I said before? Sometimes we get held up too! Our piecer, Lisa, is working on our own sample now and we look... Continue reading