Christmas, Holmstad Bazaar

Judy Larson, Skilled Needleworker

Judy Larson

Judy was a nurse at Covenant Living at the Holmstad for 25 years. After retiring, she and her husband, Don, decided to make Holmstad their home.

Needlework has been a hobby of Judy’s for many years. Residents and Bazaar customers look forward to seeing what Judy has made for the Bazaar each year.

You can meet Judy in the Creative Arts Shop during the September 30 Holmstad Bazaar. She’d be happy to share ideas about needlework with you.

Her 2023 Christmas Tree Skirt

This year, Judy created a 60″-wide felt Christmas tree skirt. The skirt has been left uncut in case the buyer wants to use it on a table. Depending on the wishes of the buyer, Judy will cut a slit into it to use under a tree.

Judy is also offering this hand-embroidered dresser or side table scarf on September 30. It measures 16″ by 40.”

Christmas, Judy, Larson, needlework

Holmstad’s Creative Arts Center is the “Happy Place” for Many Residents

Darlene Miller, Co-chair of the Bazaar’s Creative Arts Shop, is making a fabric book for toddlers.

From February through August, more than 50 residents create over 300 different items to sell in the Creative Arts Shop. Linda Anderson and Darlene Miller lead this team of residents who are generous with their time and talents to create items that bring joy to others. Linda Anderson shares, “For many residents, the Creative Arts Center is their ‘Happy Place’.”

You’ll find seasonal décor for fall and Christmas, several afghans, children’s toys, toddler fabric books, baby and children’s wear, a variety of adult knitted and crocheted hats, scarves, and gloves.

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Shop for Beautiful Gifts Made by Our Resident Woodworkers!

Our Holmstad Wood Shop has well-crafted wooden toys, holiday décor, and various home and garden items. Click on the Artisans section to learn more about the featured woodworkers and needlecrafters who are selling what they’ve made this year for the Bazaar on September 30.

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Fall & Holiday Wreaths By Ellen Askren

Ellen Askren

Ellen has been making wreaths for 19 years. Most of her work is for sale in a local Geneva IL gift shop. When Ellen moved into Covenant Living at the Holmstad, she realized her skills could benefit the Holmstad Bazaar. She has made two seasonal wreaths that will be for sale at the Bazaar on Saturday, September 30, from 9 am – 3 pm.

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Ellen’s Fall Wreath Will be Offered on September 30

Ellen’s Colorful Holiday Wreath

Wooden Puzzles and Planes, Trucks, Automobiles, & Animals!

Shop for new toys and puzzles in the Wood Shop and in the Creative Arts Shop. The Book & Puzzle Shop and the Flea Market have pre-owned toys and puzzles.

Wooden Puzzles

These wooden puzzles are created by Ron Diller, son of a resident. Pieces range from 1” to 1/8” thick, 2” to 15” tall, by 2” to 20” long. Most of them will stand up for ease of display. Some are framed for travel or can be placed on a coffee table to entertain guests. Learn more about Ron and his woodworking skills in the Artisans section.

Wooden Toys

These sturdy vehicles were also crafted by Ron Diller.

This is one of resident Wilbur Zirk’s sturdy pull-toys for preschoolers. He’s making the bunnies in pink and blue. Learn more about Wilbur in the Artisans section.

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Knitted, Crocheted, Stitched and Hardanger Needlework

Residents have been hard at work since last February, preparing children’s clothing, toys, hats, mittens, scarves, and afghans for you on September 30. Also look in the Artisans section for the feature on Allan Dempsey and his Hardanger needlework. He will have his own shop at the Bazaar.

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A huggable variety of toys are being made for the September 30 Bazaar

Colorful stuffed toys — There are stuffed toys in several sizes at the Bazaar.

Penguin Stacking Learning Toy

There will be Turtle Matching Toys at the Bazaar. Each mother turtle has 22 babies tucked inside. Children can match the colors found on the babies’ tummies. There are 11 pairs included in each set.

Turtle Matching Toy

Gifts

There is a lovely assortment of baby afghans in various sizes that would make treasured gifts.

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Hardanger needlework – Resident Allan Dempsey learned Norwegian Hardanger needlework 41 years ago. Several of his pieces — such as various small hearts — will be for sale at the Bazaar on September 30. Each of the hearts start as a solid piece of fabric. Read more about Allan and Hardanger in the Artisans section of this website.

Clothing

These are samples of the knitted winter hats and scarves that residents are making for the Bazaar. The first is a sparkling red infinity scarf. Below are samples of knitted booties and sweaters. Both come in various sizes.

Two of the styles of winter hats for adults and children

Around the Home

Embroidered dresser, buffet or side table scarf by Judy Larson is 16″ X 40″

There are a variety of shopping bags to choose from.

Find small children’s bags that are just right for carrying treasures.

Holmstad residents have not forgotten your pets! They’ve made reversible cat mats (16” X 20”) that are washable. There are Snuffle Mats to keep your dog busy finding treats you’ve hidden among the strips of fleece. Find several other creative pet toys.

On September 30, find two sizes of mobile phone holders. These provide a convenient hands-free prop.

10″ Square Wine Cork Trivet

Nuts! Great for Baking, Holiday Entertaining, & Gifts

15 Varieties Offered at the Nutty Ladies Nut Shop on September 30

Holmstad residents will be selling Terri Lynn deluxe nuts, dried fruits, and candies at the September 30 Bazaar. This year, they’re offering 15 varieties including raw and roasted nuts, granola, and nut and fruit mixes.

Deluxe Mixed Nuts (no peanuts)

These are popular Christmas gifts for those you want to remember but don’t know what to give.

Giant Malted Milk Balls

Until you’ve tried these, you haven’t tasted the best! They make great stocking stuffers.

Fancy Mammoth Pecan Halves

Most raw pecans are expensive and small. These are very large, sweet, and reasonably priced. Raw light walnuts will also be available.

Colossal Pistachios

Great for snacking — these are especially fresh and easy to open.

Heart Healthy Nut Mix

Also offered on September 30 are Harvest Medley, Sweet & Salty Trail Mix, and Milk Chocolate Bridge Mix.

Giant Whole Cashews

Resident Marsha Christie declares, “The roasted cashews are huge and so sweet. They are the best!”

Jack Franklin Designs New Christmas Ornament for the 2023 Bazaar

Jack Franklin’s Christmas Ornaments Make Thoughtful Gifts

Woodworking has been a hobby of Jack’s since he was a teen. Since moving to Covenant Living at the Holmstad nine years ago, he has taken up wood turning. You may have purchased his cherry and walnut bowls and serving pieces at the Bazaar but in the last three years he has concentrated on turning sea urchins into ornaments with hand-turned wooden finials. A few small green sea urchin ornaments are remaining for sale on September 30. But Jack is pleased to introduce a new ornament this year.

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The New 2023 Christmas Ornament

Jack hollows each wooden sphere before adding a hand-turned finial and inserting a battery-operated tea light. The light is on a timer with six hours on and 18 hours off. The battery is replaceable for many years of enjoyment.

You’ll find Jack’s ornaments in the Wood Shop at the Bazaar.

Just Finished — 45.5 ” tall Candle Stand

Jack had a long piece of solid cherry. He did not want to spoil the beauty of the graining by dividing it into smaller projects, so he created this 45.5” tall solid cherry candle stand. The cup at the top holds either artificial flowers (shown) or a battery-operated candle of up to 3” in diameter. There is only one for sale in the Wood Shop.

Ron Diller’s Wooden Puzzles & Toys

& Toys

Ron Diller Brings Joy to Kids & Parents with His Wooden Puzzles

Ron Diller is an accomplished woodworker and the son of a Covenant Living at the Holmstad resident. He has again graciously donated several wooden puzzles for the September 30 Bazaar.

Ron reports, “I’ve been producing these puzzles for seven years and through the years have used existing patterns and developed some of my own patterns and designs. Some puzzles are painted, and others left natural wood.

“Seasonal puzzles (Christmas, Halloween, Easter, etc.) are my favorite ones to make and I try to come up with different designs every year. They’ve brought a lot of joy to kids and parents, and I enjoy coming up with new designs as I continue to produce them.”

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Ron’s Wooden Puzzles & Toys

The pieces of Ron’s puzzles range from 1” to 1/8” thick, 2” to 15” tall, by 2” to 20” long. Most of them will stand up for ease of display. Some are framed for travel or can be placed on a coffee table to entertain guests.

Holiday Ornaments

The 2023 Holmstad Bazaar Wooden Ornament

Resident Jack Franklin hollows each wooden sphere before adding a hand-turned finial and inserting a battery-operated tea light. The light is on a timer with six hours on and 18 hours off. The battery is replaceable for many years of enjoyment. Find out more about Jack in the Artisans section.

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There are a few of the popular green Sea Urchin Ornaments still available! These are small and would be lovely on a small tree or hung on a wire stand.

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