Our Tree Stump will soon be “Hilltop Guild Woman”

On November 17, 2020, Faye Braaten, the “Chainsaw Mama” started carving our large Ponderosa Pine Stump into a proud Hilltop Guild Woman. The top of this 30″ diameter tree toppled over during a windstorm in the fall or winter of 2019. A donation was made to the Guild to cover the expense of having this talented artist from Loveland, Faye, design and create Hilltop Guild Woman. Hilltop Woman will be joined by several craft items and forest animal friends before she is completed.

Faye said the process would take about three days to complete. By the end of the first day she was doing detail sanding on the sculpture’s head and face. It was fun to watch her work her magic. Guild Woman should stand proudly for many years to come – welcoming member, friends and guests to Kelley House.

Winter President Kitty Burton chats with Faye as the artist sets up her scaffolding and readies her chainsaw and tools.
The sun is already setting behind the trees as Faye uses a leaf blower to clean sawdust from her work area.
Blowing bits of sawdust from Hilltop Guild Woman’s neck.
Smoothing out those wrinkles with a sander. Hmmm. I think she is onto something there.

You can see many more of Faye’s creations at her website: http://www.chainsawmama.com

Check back soon to see photos of the finished product. And have a blessed Thanksgiving next week.

Final Mini-Bazaar of 2020

Saturday, September 12 was the Hilltop Guild’s third and final Mini-Bazaar of 202o. Like the two previous Mini’s, this one was a big success. The early September snowstorm’s blanket of white from earlier in the week was only a memory and the sun and blue sky made for a perfect day.

Our COVID affected summer season was very different from normal ones and we missed seeing all of our members and friends weekly. We were glad, though, to gather for our fund raisers. Between discouraging the visiting BEAR and repairing his/her damage to the windows and interior, our members and “honeys”were kept quite busy. It was a banner year for Ponderosa pine cones, small rodents (mice, chipmunks, squirrels, etc,) and miller moths. We hope that next summer will bring a more “normal” season for the Hilltop Guild in what will be our 73rd year.

Check out some pictures from this fun day. Caption creation has evaded me, but the pictures tell the story pretty well…..

Haircuts at Hilltop!

On Saturday, September 12 at the 3rd Hilltop Guild mini-bazaar of the summer, haircuts will be offered for a flat $20 per head.
Vickie Nolting of “Hair on Wheels” aided by Shauna Sutton will be giving cuts from approximately 10 a.m. To 1 p.m. All money raised will go to the Guild’s scholarship fund serving students from Lyons to Estes Park.
Additionally, baked goods, jams and jellies, embroidered tea towels, quilts, books and rummage items will be for sale. The bazaar will open at 9 a.m., rain or shine!

Mini-Bazaar #3

The Hilltop Guild
Our third Mini-Bazaar of 2020 will be
SATURDAY – SEPTEMBER 12, 2020
from 9 am – 2 pm
Available at our mini-bazaars: Boutique, weaving, books, white
elephant, collectibles, homemade candy, jelly, “country kitchen”
baked goods.
Pay with cash, check OR credit card (new this summer!)
Sale proceeds will go to our general fund for maintaining our properties.
Excess proceeds will go to local scholarships and community support
and our other philanthropic endeavors.

July Mini Bazaar

The Hilltop Guild Mini Bazaar, held on the second Saturday of July, was a success! We had a steady flow of customers from beginning to end, but the bazaar was never crowded. Masks were worn by all and social distancing was achieved for both staff and customers. We thank our community for coming out and supporting our mini bazaar! We will move forward with our second Saturday of August Mini Bazaar, which will occur on August 8th from 9:00 am until 2:00pm. This bazaar will feature our baked goods, candies, jellies, our Boutique with weavings, quilts, knitting, crafts, cards and more. Our White Elephant, Boys Toys and Books will also be open for browsing. We have received new donations, so there are fresh finds. The Hilltop Guild received generous donations of fine arts pieces from Wild Basin and another private estate. Some of these artworks will be available for purchase by our customers at our August Mini Bazaar. There are beautiful watercolors, painted photographs, and signed and framed prints. Prices for the fine arts will range from $25-$150. Please drop by and view these wonderful works.

The White Elephant is currently not accepting donations. We are full to the brim with generous community donations. If we sell enough goods to make more room, we will begin to accept donations again. Please watch this website or our articles in the “Wind” for updates.