Keeping Busy

With my oldest son on a mission trip to Guatemala, I'm trying to keep busy and not focus on how much I miss him and how much I'm worrying.

Luckily, this Sunday was our once a month Stitch Club meeting. Don't you just LOVE Cathy's finished needle punch creation above?! The finishing is just perfect! I love how she matched the flowers and used a vintage wooden box. We were all coveting it :)

And Aileen had a great finish, too - I love the fabric!

I worked on a little wool applique.

And we celebrated Joan's Birthday.

Happy Birthday Joan!

Yesterday I took my youngest son and his friend to the Shedd Aquarium.

It's been a while since we were there.

We had fun looking at all the amazing sea creatures.

This little penguin in the Oceanarium was so sweet.

And today I had another finish:

I added a little needle keep from a vintage blue wool blanket to the outside...

And I added a little scissor pocket from the same blue wool on the inside.

"Country Sampler Queen of Spring Sewing Roll"

by Stacy Nash

Good thing I finished this club kit as I have the next Stacy Nash club kit waiting in the wings :)

Hopefully this week will continue to pass quickly for me...

Blessings, Patti

~~~Peace & Calm~~~

The Transformers 3 filming has moved across the river. We can now get in and out of our offices easily and we are only occassionally interrupted by the sounds of major machine gun battles and explosions.

Each year when we go on vacation, I find a topic that inspires me and I find myself taking endless photos of the subject. One year waterlilies, another waterfowl, yet another trees.

This year I was inspired by the sky.

Constantly changing...

Each view more beautiful than the next.

Storms, sunsets, clear skies...

A bald eagle silhouetted in the fading sunlight.

Cotton candy clouds on an endless joyful summer afternoon.

When you have sons, you find yourself doing things that you never planned to do in your life. On this vacation it was...

Renting ATV's from Clam Lake Power Sports in Clam Lake, Wisconsin for a day on the trails in Chequamegon National Forest! Wow! The trails were rugged and challenging for this newbie, but I just loved it! A fun family activity that we could enjoy with our teenage sons. Who knew that I would actually love it and look forward to returning to again next summer!

Here are a few more of my finds... The jar lids, tins and keys are destined for future folk art creations... Isn't this crazy quilt beautiful?! The embroidery work is incredible. It's a cover for a sleeve ironing board. I'm not sure exactly how I will display it, but knew that it had to come home with me. Maybe someday I'll find an antique sleeve board that it will fit.

When I saw this flag, I knew that it was the perfect souvenir from a 4th of July trip.

I also found these lovely Civil War era utensils. Not sure where or how to display, but I just love to hold them, admire their workmanship, and think of the stories that they hold.

Finally, another vacation finish ~

my interpretation of:

Red Geraniums Table Mat

by Primitive Gatherings

Our oldest son has left on a mission trip with 25 youth and adults from our church to the Western Highlands of Guatemala. I know that this will be an incredible opportunity for all, but being a mother I can't help but worry. Prayers are greatly appreciated!

The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they display knowledge.

~Psalm 19:1-2

Blessings, Patti

xxx Destruction & Devastation xxx

This is the scene that I encountered when I arrived at work on Michigan Ave in Chicago today...

An earthquake?

A terrorist attack?

A freak explosion?

No, none of the above...


Simply the movie set for Transformers 3.
Can you believe that all this was set up last night?

I'm not sure who the actor is in the center pointing.

This actor's name is now confirmed - Patrick Dempsey (aka Mr. McDreamy) - Thanks Audrey ;)

On his left (in the blue shirt) is director Michael Bay. The two women in white shirts and black pants are make-up artists.

Here are Shia LaBeouf and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley while filming a scene.

But don't worry! All will be safe! Here come...

The SWAT team! Running across the Michigan Avenue bridge.

And wait....

Here come some of the Transformers!

It's interesting to see movie magic. Here is Patrick Dempsey again, walking away from a Transformer (I've been informed by my youngest son that this is NOT Optimus Prime as I had written before as he is now dead. Oops! Sorry!) On the left is a pole with a cardboard cutout on top standing in for the computer generated Transformer robots.

Can you imagine running in those stilletto heels???

Actually if you look closely, she runs in flats and then changes back into the stillettos - good idea :)

And that concrete isn't as heavy as you would think ;)

All is supposed to be cleaned up and gone by rush hour on Monday morning.

That's hard to believe, but I guess it might just be a little more movie magic...

I promise my next post will be more calm and quiet!

Wishing you a lovely weekend!

Blessings, Patti

We're back...

We're back from our annual trek to the North Woods...

A wonderful time of peace and quiet...


Hiking and sights...

Fishing and quality family time...

In a cozy little cabin on the water.

***Priceless***

"Botanical Wool Runner"

design by Maggie Bonanomi

I found time for stitching and a few finishes including this class kit from 2004, recently unearthed.

(I thought I might finish it as a bell pull, but think I like it as a dining room table runner for now...)

And we did a bit of antiquing and flea marketing. This granite ware bread pan was a fun find put right to work for my stitching supplies...

As much as we enjoyed this trip it is so good to be home!

I'll be back again soon with more finishes, finds and photos...

Blessings, Patti

July Brings...

“Hot July brings picnic joys,
Firecrackers for girls
and boys.”
~Around the Year by Tasha Tudor

It's that time again... The TDIPT Mercantile artists are updating their offerings.
Stop by and take a look at all of the creativity...

These are just a few of the items that I am offering on my page...

How beautiful this land we love

We cherish all good people of
With pride we call this home our own

Oh how our seed of freedoms grown
American is what we are

Our time has nurtured us so far
For truth and justice we do strive

Our laws are meant to not deprive
We know we’re not the perfect place

As we are of the human race
In God we trust along our way

His goodness near, both night and day
So please do stop and pray awhile

Ask help in facing each new mile
And now I’ll end with words so clear

Concerning freedom we hold dear
Let Grateful Thought – Well Deep Inside

For Soldiers Brave – Our Country’s Pride

~This Land We Love by Roger Robicheau

Wishing you a 4th of July filled with fireworks and fun!

Blessings, Patti