Thinking Spring...

I'm trying so hard to think spring...

But its hard when the snow continues to fall.

I've always loved primroses when I see them at the florist. But I've never bought any.

This time I broke down and bought two. I'm not sure how long they will last, but how could I pass them up for $1 each??? I may just have to go back and buy a few more. Maybe that will help hurry spring along...

I've started my TDIPT offerings for March 1st. And no, these are not olympic torches ;)



I started a little collection a while back of these vintage wool and velvet covered pins. Not sure why they appeal to me ~ maybe their make-do attitude? I'm not sure what they were for or why people made them. If you know, please be sure to leave a comment or email me.

It hit me this month, I could probably make my own...

Here's my first - part of another offering at TDIPT on March 1st.

This weekend is our annual girls getaway to Galena! I can't wait! My projects are already packed! I'll throw some clothes and toiletries in a bag at the last minute. (Can you see my priorities lol?) I should get back in time to post the new offerings on TDIPT. And hopefully I'll have some new treasures to share and a few finishes too.

No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, "Know the
Lord," for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,
says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no
more.
~Jeremiah 31:34

Blessings, Patti

President's Day finishes

It's been a good weekend. Having an extra day off of work always helps :)

I managed to clear part of my craft table off and now have a little room to work. It still has a way to go to be neat and organized (and photo worthy.) At least my bone and mother of pearl antique buttons are organized in jars...

The Valentine cookies were decorated and have all been eaten. As have half of the chocolates...

And I have two new finishes!

My "Snow Day" pinkeep (design by The Sampler Girl) is finished.



As is this table mat designed by Maggie Bonanomi. This was done with new hand-dyed wools. I'm thinking that I would like to try it again with antique textiles...

My pincushion had quite a workout this weekend.

I'm wondering if I have time to start a new project...

(Now that I look at this photo, it looks like I am committing some voodoo ritual for a broken heart. Be assured that this is absolutely not the case!! Just some eager finishing.)

Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove
all doubt.
~Abraham Lincoln

Books serve to show a man that those original thoughts of his aren't very
new at all.
~Abraham Lincoln

Aren't we so blessed to live in this country?

Blessings, Patti

St. Valentines Day

Wishing you a Merry St. Valentine's Day!

To me this day is not just about romatic love,

but love of parents & children,
love of family & friends,

love of four-legged family & friends,

and most of all

love of God

I thought I would share some of the antique Valentines that I've collected over the years.


The graphics are so beautiful and I wonder who they were given by/to...


They were obviously treasured and kept over the years.
And I continue to treasure them...

Matthew 22:37-39
Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all
your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

Blessings, Patti

A finish and two starts

Just in time I've finished this creation ~ "Love and be Loved" by With Thy Needle & Thread. I thought a lot about this sentiment as I stitched it. I think the more you love others, the more love comes back to you. When you feel lonely or unloved, show your love to others and it will come back ten fold.

I finished this piece with two antique skeleton keys and several antique mother of pearl buttons.

Of course now that I finished one thing it's time to start two new projects ;)

All the pieces are cut for Maggie Bonanomi's heart table mat. Let's see if I can get it stitched together for Valentine's Day!

I also couldn't wait another minute to start "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm" by Beth Twist of Heartstring Samplery.

Since I don't have an LNS, I had to rifle through my stash for fabric & thread. I settled on 32 count natural linen and Mascara by Weeks Dye Works. I don't usually stitch pieces this large anymore as my attention usually wanders. So I've decided to pick my favorite bands to stitch. This is the first time that I ever started anywhere but the center, but I thought it made sense...

Don't look too closely as I've already made a few mistakes...

I put together a *Snow*Day* playlist for my iPod to listen to as I stitch it.

I found 5 versions of this song on our home music library ~ versions by Frank Sinatra, Tony & Antonia Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday and a rocking remix by Kay Starr. I also added 28 versions of Baby It's Cold Outside, Let It Snow, Sleigh Ride, and Winter Wonderland. If we get more snow, it may be my fault :o

Well, I'm going back to watching the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics and hopefully finishing my "Snow Day" pinkeep.

Blessings, Patti

*S*N*O*W* *D*A*Y*

The first phone call came at 5:30 a.m. ~ the high school is closed. Then the phone rang at 6:00 a.m. ~ the middle school is closed. Needless to say it's a happy household this morning!

What was the first thing I did? Well, pull out the pattern "Snow Day" by Tanya Anderson of The Sampler Girl, of course! And then pulled my thread and fabric :) I spent some time with the boys in the morning. I thought it would be a good idea to give them time to plow the train parking lot and clear the sidewalks downtown. Then I needed to head in to the office for a few scheduled meetings.

I stitched on the slow train in and the slow train home and here it is...

Perfect to celebrate the day! I have a few ideas on finishing and will show you how it turns out...

As far as the snow, we here in Chicago had nothing like out east. Only 13 inches ~ barely enough for a snow day. About half the schools were in session and half were out. My boys were definitely lucky ;)

I thought you might like to see a snow day in Chicago, so I took a few photos on my way in. The top photo was the Art Institute. The one directly above is the Cloud Gate sculpture affectionately known as the "Bean" overlooking the Park Grill and the ice rink ~ not many skaters today.

Here's Wrigley Square in Millenium Park.

And the Pritzker Pavillion.

Tell me, how did you spend your snow day?

Hope you are staying warm and cozy!

Blessings, Patti