focus

Maggie Bonanomi Egg

Lately I've been a bit overwhelmed.

It's busy season at my day job and I'm working lots of overtime.

My oldest son is a junior in high school and the college planning & tours are daunting.

I have a creative deadline approaching and just can't seem to get started.

My journal of creative ideas is chockful, but late each night as I try to prepare projects for my train ride, I can't seem to focus. I find myself spending time on the computer or watching mindless t.v. instead.

Rabbit Hill Primitive bunnies

I think part of it is the weather. Although the calendar says spring and the sun is occassionally shining, the temps aren't getting above freezing. It's been a long hard winter and I think if it would warm up a bit and I could get out for some fresh air and see some fresh shoots of life, my focus might come back...

Feedsack Eggs by Gatherings

So, to try and hurry things along, I did a little spring decorating this weekend.

It might not help the weather but it certainly helped my heart! "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." ~Matthew 6:34

Blessings, Patti

A few finishes...

Spring Posy Bag

design by Maggie Bonanomi

Some weeks go by with nary a finish and others are more productive...

This Maggie Bonanomi design was from Country Sampler's Willows & Early Blooms retreat last spring. It is supposed to be a wearable purse in springtime colors, but as usual I couldn't help myself from making some changes... I always need a really big purse to carry all my "stuff" so I thought I would use it as a project bag instead. The original springtime colors of the design were very pretty, but I've been in a very monochromatic mood lately, so I changed it to shades of taupe (I hope that Maggie doesn't mind!)

The back needed a little something, so I added a little bunny & a flower to keep him company.

And on the inside I added another robin ~ seems like I put one on all my projects lately ;) I used a snap rather than a button and button hole to hurry things along.

I have to admit, I almost wished I owned a sewing machine to put this together, but I reminded myself that I hand sew so that I slow down, relax, and enjoy...

"To My Sweet"

Country Sampler Club Kit

by Stacy Nash

It's a little after Valentine's Day, but I finished this and am now ready for next year :)

"Little Irish Sampler"

by The Sampler Girl

Isn't this design sweet?! A perfect stitch for St. Patrick's Day. It is a very generous freebie design by Tanya of The Sampler Girl and you can find it here.
I can't decide how to finish it up ~ frame it? make a pillow? or a little needle and scissor book?

What do you think?

Enjoy the SuperMoon tonight ~ their won't be another full moon this close to earth for another 20 or so years. Unfortunately, here in Chicago it is obscured by clouds...

"O Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

His steadfast love endures forever!"

~Psalm 118:1,29

Blessings, Patti

A few antiques for sale...

I'm trying to unearth my craft table which is currently under a pile about 3 foot deep of treasures. In trying to organize, I'm realizing that I can't keep everything... So here are a few things that I think that I need to let go. I plan to list them on etsy, but thought I would put them out here first.

First up (above) is a piece of tan, khaki and red coverlet that I purchased on ebay. It measures 38 by 21 inches and has a few age spots. Price is $18 plus shipping.

Email me at pgagliardi9@hotmail.com, if interested.

I am happy to share more photos if you like...

Blessings, Patti

A Perfectly Primitive Weekend

This weekend has been a blast!

In addition to starting a new Maggie Bonanomi design (above), I visited my parents in central Illinois and together we attend not one, but three perfectly primitive antique shows.

The first to open was Homesteaders on the Prairie in Arthur IL. They did a lovely job with the entrance and the anticipation climbed!


Once inside the entry tent, you were greeted by these wonderful flags and sweet bluegrass music...

I was thrilled to get to meet Lizzie Arakelian of Lizzie's Cabin. She writes the wonderful "A Simple Woman's Diary" in "A Simple Life" magazine. Everytime an issue arrives in my mailbox, the first thing that I do is flip to her diary and read it immediately!

I was hoping to meet Jill Peterson, who I admire so, but she was unable to attend. My mother and I each made some purchases and then it was on to our next show - Country Spirit in Arcola IL.

Here it was such a joy to meet Kristine Berg Doss, Jeremy Doss and Dan Weaver of "A Primitive Place" magazine. I felt like I knew them from their blogs and forums... How fun!

The evening was coming to a close, but I knew that there was more coming...

The next morning we attended The Gathering on the Prairie in Arthur IL

As soon as we walked in the show, a piece from across the room absolutely took my breath away:

I had to go look at it right away! Isn't this hooked rug absolutely stunning! The form and colors are out of this world! It was sold, although even if it wasn't I would not have been able to purchase it as the cost was astronomical. But I was so happy to be able to view it and the dealer was so kind to allow me to photograph it.

My absolute favorite booth was ___ (darn, of course now I have misplaced his card... As soon as I locate it I will add the name.)

Oh how I wish that I could have purchased everything in his booth!

The silhouettes, frakturs and calligraphy were simply stunning and he was so kind to allow photos.

My mom made a few purchases at the shows:

This beautiful antique basket is in beautiful shape and her new wooden bowl looks just great here.

I picked up a few coverlet pieces and my mind is whirling with ideas...

I also picked up a few baskets:

Can't wait to put the handled basket in an Easter vignette. And the tiny berry basket will be perfect for some antique strawberry emeries that I picked up...

I've collected sock darners for a while and have never seen one with printing on it before... The needles store inside the handle and can be shaken out through the tiny hole. Some day I'll have to share photos of some of my favorite sock darners...

I also couldn't resist this antique primitive wooden box and a few pieces of folk art. Two chicks and an egg from great old hemp fabric, a folk art bird and a chalkware rabbit.

Now the fun part ~ finding just the right place for each of my treasures. It snowed all the way home and the roads were pretty slick, but at least it is spring time in my heart and in my new treasures...

Things have been so hectic at home and work lately. This little getaway was just what I needed to recharge and get ready to face another hectic week.

I hope that each of you had a perfectly primitive weekend as well!

Blessings, Patti

Happy 4th Birthday TDIPT Mercantile!

March has arrived and the artists at TDIPT Mercantile have updated their offerings.

This is a special month as we celebrate TDIPT's 4th Birthday!

And it is you who can receive the presents!

Stop by the TDIPT Mercantile Blog to see all the lovely gifts and learn how to win!

The more you purchase, the better your chance to win ;)


If you stop by my page, you'll see a spring time windowsill pillow

and several sweet needle books.

Be sure to take a look at all the other wonderful offerings as well!

I feel so blessed to be a part of this wonderful supportive group of artists!

Happy March to you!

Hopefully Spring is almost here!

Blessings, Patti