Hi Everyone
Yes, it’s that time of year again. Time to starting thinking about the holidays. I know, for many of you it’s still too early. Now that the temperature has cooled here and the leaves are changing color, I’ve succumbed. A third reason to stop fighting and just accept the inevitable is that our holiday catalog is on it’s way to you as we speak. We’ve already go it up on line for you to preview.
One of my favorite things about our holiday catalog is the cover. It’s the one cover each year that doesn’t feature a garment. Instead, it tends to have a more whimsical flare. Our first holiday catalog featured Wooly:

I love Wooly right down to his Susan Bates Crystallite Needle Nose. All holiday covers are measured against Wooly. We’ve done okay since then:



The sweater in the gift box is my least favorite. Not the sweater itself, that I love. The cover is just not exciting or full of fun.
Last year as we were finishing the catalog, I had a “vision” for this year’s cover. I told the team what I wanted, they all smiled nicely thinking (a) this is a year away, stop bugging us already and/or (b) you have lost your mind.
Needless to say I was stuck on the concept and refused to let it go. Finally in late summer, while on vacation, I received a snapshot from Mary. I guess they decided I wasn’t going to give up and that they better come up with something. The design was PERFECT! Kirsten, our in-house designer readily admits this project nearly pushed her to the brink. This from the woman who can knit lace, walk around the office and chew gum/carry on a conversation without missing a beat. Trying to design something whimsical or even worse, cute was almost too much. But she did it and I love the results:

I love the penguins, which was my request – the polar bear is just an added bonus! I *heart* this cover. I cannot wait to have it framed and hanging in my office. Of course, the catalog is filled with lots of great gift ideas too!
What do you think of this year’s cover? How is your holiday knitting coming along?
Enjoy!
Kathy