Aberdeen Winterfest 2009

Our holiday arts and crafts show, Winterfest, takes places every year the weekend before Thanksgiving. This is the one show I participate in. It's fun to be part of the annual event, enjoy the music and food, and visit with friends and neighbors.

I so enjoy looking on my work of the past year with a feeling of accomplishment. I'm grateful for the opportunities to be creative and do what I love to do.

I've worked at trying new, original designs this year. The display is beginning to have it's own "Betty" look, and I've gotten great comments and sales on the new designs.

This year we "bit the bullet" and purchased a canopy and lighting for the display. My husband, Skip, adds the expert lighting and set-up touches.

Knitters, Etc., January 2009

Neither snow nor rain nor sleet. . . can keep the knitters from gathering in Aberdeen! Despite slick roads across the Dakota prairie, we had a wonderful turnout for our January get-together at the Red Rooster.

Two new Heidi's joined us, one driving in from Eureka and one from Ipswich. Kathleen Taylor also made the trip from outside Redfield, 40 miles away.

At our December meeting, Sheryl put out the call for Special Olympics scarves. Our group knit and crochet 16 scarves for the cause. How fun to see the variety of designs!

We always enjoy Susie's creative contributions. On Friday morning she decided to craft something to bring that afternoon. Here she is with her recycled sweater creature/creation. Gotta love those eyes! Suzie is wearing a freeform crochet vest she's working on.

Susie also shared some of her hand painted heart creations.

As I looked around our circle on Friday, and saw all the laughter, conversation, and idea-sharing, I felt truly grateful to be part of this extraordinary group of creative women.

Knitters Gather in Aberdeen

The "Knitters, Etc" group has been meeting monthly in Aberdeen for close to 10 years. We're grateful to have a wonderful place to gather: the Red Rooster Coffee House on Main Street. Owned by Dan and Kileen Cleberg, the Red Rooster is a sponsor of art and creativity in Aberdeen, a place where all can gather and be welcomed.

Here's Dan, ready to put out some more fresh fair-trade coffee.

It seems there's always a special spirit of community and joy when we gather at Christmas. Every eye got a bit misty when Kathi Taylor shared that her newest book would be dedicated to our group. It's been inspiring to see Kathi's creativity and productivity as she prepares her felting and knitting books for publication.

Kathy modeled this beautiful hand-knit sweater, all made from her handspun. What fabulous colors!

LaRheta and Cassie worked together for years and retired together. Their minds are still on the same wavelength:

We had a good laugh when we heard how they downloaded the same embroidery pattern and made these sweatshirts without the other one knowing!

At every "Knitters, Etc." meeting we have Show and Tell,to share recent projects and ideas. Here, Jean and Karen admire Roberta's work on a prayer shawl.

Aberdeen Winterfest 2008

It's been great to be back at this year's Winterfest, a once-a-year opportunity to connect with so many in our community. We had a few inches of snow the evening before, to set the stage for this holiday event. Here are photos of just a few of the artists:

Tammy Weber of Aberdeen, holding one of felted bags
in the booth she shared
with Dana Locken and Carolyn Eaton.

Carolyn (right) knit the wonderful dress that Dana is wearing!
They're taking a healthy snack break with apples.

Here are some of their Nuno felt pieces and Dana's hand-dyed yarns.

Kelly Knispel of Groton holding roving from her handspinner's flock,
in the Prairie Fiber Arts booth. Kelly and her mother, Marie McClintic,
own Natural Colored Wool Studio in Groton.

Annikki Martilla of Frederick, SD displays samples her traditional Finnish weaving.
Annikki's weavings and handknits are available in her Etsy shop.

Andrea Wagner knitting two socks on one needle.
Andrea knits and spins on a drop spindle as she walks through Winterfest!

Every year Bernard Fishbach of Mellete, SD
bring his wooden "Twiddlers" for children.

Bernard is a master wood-turner.
He makes the wonderful wooden knitting needles
that I sell in Betty's Loft,
and drop spindles sold by Kelly and Marie.

Here are Monica Seaton (left) and Marcy Fritz
with some of their purses. Marcy's 90-year old grandmother,
Ione Green, lines the wool purses, sews the fabric ones,
and embellishes with embroidery.

Nancy Oliver is back with her stained glass artwork.
Nancy and I shared several years together as Scout Leaders.
Now, with one in medical school, two in college,
and one in high school, Nancy has a bit more time on her hands!

And here I am. Thanks to my husband, Skip, and son, Ryan,
for helping set up the booth. I couldn't do it without them!

Getting Ready for Winterfest!

For most of our 20 years in Aberdeen, I've participated in Winterfest the weekend before Thanksgiving. Winterfest is a juried art show with fine art, folk art and crafts, sponsored by our Arts Council and Recreation and Cultural Center.

Today I took the an afternoon of vacation from work and started organizing yarns and finished projects to display and sell. Here are some samples:

Handspun yarn

Hand-Dyed Yarn

Bulky Knit Hats with Crocheted Flowers

Lyra Hat

Koigu Panta

Crocheted Scarves

And "scrap" scarves from yarn leftovers and samples.

Let's hope for good weather and lots of traffic at Winterfest!