TDIPT update for April

TDIPT is now updated for April offerings! Click here to read the details on my offerings for the month.

Last Sunday I put up my Easter decorations while the snow was blowing... As soon as we have a sunny day (and I'm at home during daylight hours) I'll take some photos to share with you... (Ah, the life of an accountant ;-) )

Remember ~ tomorrow is April Fool's Day ~ don't let anyone fool you!

Blessings, Patti

Thoughts of Spring ~ Looks like Winter

My thoughts may be filled with Spring:

But when I opened my curtains on Sunday, I saw this:

Spring is coming, I know that it is... but sometimes I get a little impatient.

The one good thing about a Spring snow ~ it doesn't last long. Even when it falls quickly and heavily and turns into 6+ inches, you know that it will melt just as quickly.

The boys and I decided to take a ride to our favorite store - Half Price Books. It's always a treasure hunt ~ you never know what type of jewel you will go home with. My oldest son found an alternative rock cd for $3. My youngest son loves audio books and listens to them while he plays. He takes them out from the library and listens to his favorites over and over again. Audio books are very expensive - Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince is $75 at our local bookstore. Imagine our delight when he found it for $12.50!! Woohoo!

Don't worry, I found a treasure, too!

"Labors of Love ~ America's Textiles and Needlework, 1650 - 1930"

by Judith Reiter Weissman and Wendy Lavitt

A $50 book for $7! Now I just need to find the time to read it...

We all went home happy for under $25 total.

Be sure to stop at TDIPT tomorrow night about 9:00 p.m. or so to see the latest offerings from all the artists. For my offerings think tulips, rabbits and old keys, of course...

Blessings, Patti

Country Folk Art Festival

This past weekend my sister-in-law Joy and I attended the semi-annual Country Folk Art Festival. We always look forward to this show - a chance to see some of our favorite artisans and to meet new artists and view their works as well. This is a high quality show that always inspires us. Someday maybe we will have a booth there... something to aspire to...

The night before I always like to anticipate what I may see and hope to find. This time I was hoping to find another Adam & Eve piece to add to my collection...

It always so hard to decide what to buy -
I always find more than I can afford :-). Here are my treasures from this visit...

I just fell in love with this sweet little chick on an architectural remnant - he is so soft. He is created by one of my favorites - Ginny Henson.

I always go home with at least one piece by painter Chris Robinson. This show I purchased two - a wonderful six drawer combed cabinet (both beautiful and functional) and this unique ball. Chris used an old softball and painted a crazy quilt on it with a little motif in each patch - one says "Be inspired" and I certainly am!

And I did go home with a new Adam & Eve piece by Sue Skinner of SJ Pottery. I have several of her pieces - I love how her sgraffito work tells such wonderful stories.

I love the lid on this piece - the top of the tree, the serpent and the apple, and a little bird who has the serpent by the tail...

Everytime I look at this piece I see more details - a little rabbit here and a sweet bird there.

I'm so thrilled with my purchases! Now to save my money for the next show...

Blessings, Patti

A Shepherd's Bush Retreat

Last weekend I had a wonderful time in Downers Grove, Illinois at the "Weekend with Shepherd's Bush"! My friend, Jan and I attended the two day workshop and spent the night at the hotel where it was hosted.

We registered early Saturday morning and received a great goodie bag...
I love the little travel "ort" box and Shepherd's Bush tape measure. My favorite was the Little Gem scissors - I've been admiring them online.

We saw lots of old friends on the way to class. We found some seats and started to settle in when someone asked if there was a seat at our table. It was our dear friend, Kim!!!! What a lovely surprise! We were speechless! We had been away together in Galena just a few short weeks ago and she never mentioned that she would be taking the class with us! She wanted to surprise us and surprise us she did!!!


About 50 people attended the workshop, which worked out great. It was fun to meet other stitchers, and we still were able to have one on one time to ask Tina and Teri questions.

Ou first project was "My Land" with Tina. (I forgot to take a photo of the finished piece.)
I just love the colors on this piece. The specialty stitches are a lot of fun. Jan and I worked on it after dinner and this is how far I got...




Aren't the specialty stitches pretty?

Late in the day, we received a surprise - a quick make it take it project with Teri. This darling beaded scissor fob for our new Little Gem scissors! How fun!

On our lunch hour, Jan, Kim and I grabbed a quick Chicago style hot dog at Portillo's where Kim introduced me to the Cake Shake. Everyone in Chicago adores Portillo's chocolate cakes, but I never knew they had a cake shake... A thick chocolate shake with bits of chocolate cake and frosting, too. Yum!!! Good thing I don't live or work too close to a Portillos :)

After lunch, we went over to Tomorrow's Heirlooms shop. I had never been there before and my oh my did I have fun! We shopped quickly, but I found lots of wonderful items that I just couldn't live without. If you are in the Chicago area, be sure to stop by. I'm sure that you won't leave empty handed.

On Sunday, we had class with TeriThis sweet little pincushion! More beautiful colors! Here is how far mine came along...

Tina and Teri were such delightful and informative teachers.

Look at the fun specialty stitches in the flag...

The women of Tomorrow's Heirlooms were delightful hosts and had a lovely Shepherd's Bush Shop set up in a suite in the hotel. I think we all fueled the economy for the weekend - to the best of our ability!

Here we all are - me, Tina, Jan, Teri, and Kim.

I think that a good time was had by all!

I hate to admit, but I haven't had a moment to pick up the projects since the class. I've been preparing my April TDIPT offerings and creating a birthday gift for a special someone (hi mom :-) ) I hope to pick them back up this week and will keep you posted on my progress.

Blessings, Patti

Welcome Spring!

In just a few short hours, the Vernal Equinox will be here!

I love living where the seasons change. As they pass, I always find myself so excited to welcome the new season.

Small glimpses of spring have appeared in the garden...

I know that in a few short weeks that lovely spring green will be popping up all over.

Hope you are enjoying spring's arrival in your little corner of the world!

It's been a busy week, but this weekend I hope to share with you some photos and thoughts about the ~*WONDERFUL*~ Shepherd's Bush class that I attended last weekend...

Blessings, Patti

You're invited!

to a Birthday Party!

Guess who's turning 2?

It's hard to believe the TDIPT Mercantile is turning 2 yrs old this March, but what a grand 2 years it's been with you!

To celebrate the special occasion, our artisan's are putting their best foot forward during the entire month of March.

Stay tuned for some amazing offerings on the Merc.

Join in the fun and festivities and of course, register for some awesome prizes to be given away! Don't skip a beat - make your way over to the Merc and get registered today!

Sign up for our monthly newsletter; it's full of refreshing news, insider photos, delicious recipes and so much more.

BUT WAIT ... Here's another opportunity for you – Make a purchase anytime during the month of March and you DOUBLE your chances in the drawings!

We want to share the love, so don't miss out on our grand party!

Drawings will be held on March 20th!

Click here to sign up for the TDIPT newsletter!

Click here to see the fabulous Birthday Party prizes!

Don't wait and don't hesitate!

If you still have time, stop by my TDIPT page here for more information on these offerings...

Finally, I had to share a few finishes. Some new needlework necessities - a needlebook and pinkeep with designs by Tanya of The Sampler Girl and a scissor fob of an old Prairie Schooler design.

I had to have some new needlework tools for my exciting weekend! This weekend I'll be taking classes with Tina and Teri of Shepherd's Bush! Woohoo! I can't wait and will be excited to share the experience with you next week!

Blessings, Patti

Spring has arrived!

In a U.S. Priority Mail shipping box! (Unfortunately, there is still no sign of spring outside.)
The TDIPT artists are in the midst of our spring swap. This time we were assigned swap partners and put together a swap box including a handmade item. I would be thrilled to receive a swap box from any of the TDIPT artists, but I must say that I hit the motherlode with my phenomenal box from Audrey of Bay Rays Child! Audrey is a true folk artist and has the most generous heart! I've been waiting for sunshine to take photos that would do this swap justice, but the gloom and rain just won't end... Since I can't wait to share any longer, here are the photos using the flash...


Don't you just love this bunny, basket, eggs and nest?! If this doesn't get you in the mood for spring, I don't know what will. Audrey also include some delicious cookies and chocolates, but those are gone already :) Don't worry, I didn't overindulge, my husband and sons helped.

Audrey and I share a love for antiques and I am so blessed that she bestowed these treasures on me! I've been admiring pewter pieces for quite a while, but didn't own any - now I own four! Do you see the sweet pinkeep box? Inside were the four unique thimbles. I've been really drawn to keys lately and now have two more to add to my collection! The brass key is imprinted Sears - isn't that cool?!

I was hyperventilating by now, but wait here's something to give you heart palpatations:

Aren't these birds absolutely incredible??? I adore birds and robins are my absolute favorite. This picture doesn't do them justice, but I'm sure they will appear on this blog again when the sun eventually comes out. The workmanship is phenomenal - look at their tails and the highlighting around their eyes! Can you believe how lucky I am?? And wait, there was something else in my treasure swap box...

Meet the lovely Miss Byrd! I have to say that there were tears in my eyes to think that Audrey made Miss Byrd and her lovely birds for me! I am so very blessed! The details in her face and her hair are unbelievable. I need to take a close up of her detailed fingers holding the sweet nest with momma bird. The folk art bird next to her is made of fabric that matches her dress.

WOW! I really can't get over all of these lovelies! If you can't find me in my house, I'm just wandering admiring all my lovely gifts!

Here is the whole motherlode:

Thank you so very much Audrey for your thoughtfulness and generosity - you really know exactly what I love! Take a peek over at Audrey's blog

to see my swap box for her. And be sure to visit her selling blog and her TDIPT page to see more of her wonderful creations.

Audrey, I can't find words to express how thrilled I am and to thank you enough for sharing all this with me!

Blessings, Patti