A final Christmas from Chicago post

 

I just had to share one final Christmas post.

This is the view I see when I walk outside of the office each night.

 

This tree is new this year - a real tree that smells divine.

It took a team of men three solid days to put all of the lights on the tree.

I think it was worth it :)

 

 

The Wrigley Building is undergoing major renovations this year and the management company put up some pretty displays to distract from the scaffoldings.

 

 

I've been working in this building for over 22 years now and when I look at it I think "home".

(Well, my work home at least...)

 

"Wool Crazy - December"

design by Buttermilk Basin

 

When I was working on Orion's stocking, this was what I really wanted to be working on :)

I finished it late last night and am pleased with the way it turned out.

I'll enjoy it for a few days before packing it away for next year...

 

Wishing you a Happy and Safe New Year's Eve!

Blessings, Patti

The Light of the World is Born!

"For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

~Isaiah 9:6

 



 

The day before the night before Christmas, I was frantically working on Orion's stocking trying to complete it in time. I decided to watch my favorite Christmas movie - "Take Peace - A Corgi Cottage Christmas with Tasha Tudor". While watching and busily stitching, I suddenly remembered that I had purchased a lovely antique 1949 Tasha Tudor Christmas Card from Lana Manis of Honeysuckle Lane this past year. Even though it was 1 am and the stocking wasn't finished, I had to look for that card right that moment! Has that ever happened to you? Luckily I found it after about a 15 minute search and the stocking was completed soon after :) 

I thought my card was a sweet addition to this display of antique bottle brush trees and antique Putz sheep.

 



 

I will keep it out all winter long and come spring will have it framed for next year...

 

 

Orion was pleased with his stocking and in a split second had all of his presents torn open along with a few of ours ;) He loves to open gifts!

 

 

I have a weak spot for poinsettias and find myself buying several each year.

 

 

 Maybe it comes from being the granddaughter and great-granddaughter of florists. (Read more here.)

 

 

As soon as I can catch my breath, I have an idea of a special something that I would like to create for a giveaway.

But it will need to wait for another day.

Time to finish the clean-up from our 25 dinner guests and then back to work tomorrow.

 

I hope that your Christmas was filled with peace, joy and hope.

 

I am so blessed.

Merry Christmas!

Blessings, Patti



Something missing

 

Have you seen the lovely vintage flocked Shiny Brite ornaments on Robyn's Mugwump Woolies blog? I fell in love immediately! That weekend I stopped at my little local antique shop and came home with these. My own little collection :) $10 spent and I am one happy camper!

I like how this simple little corner turned out with two Schneeman pieces and some fresh holly from my sister's yard. 

 



 

My sons' reminded me that something is missing from our mantle.

 

 

This will be the third Christmas that our sweet Orion has been with us and still he doesn't have a matching Christmas stocking! They told me that this is the year that I must remedy the situation.

 

 

I'm still working on the black wool insert and then must assemble it all by hand.

Here is hoping that I have a productive stitching weekend as I am quickly running out of time...

 

Wishing you a productive weekend as well!

Blessings, Patti

Wishing you Peace

 

Wishing you peace.

To all those who lost loved ones in the tragic violence.

To all those who witnessed the violence and the loved ones helping them through it.

To all of the first responders that couldn't close their eyes to the horror, but had to do their jobs

and the loved ones helping them through it.

 

Wishing peace for all.

Blessings, Patti 

 

A final Autumn Road Trip

 

Have you read "Simply Vintage" magazine?

Well, I guess I shouldn't exactly say "read" as it is entirely in French. But this new magazine by Quiltmania is fantastic if you like quilts, applique and primitives.

I love the photos and patterns and can make out a few phrases here and there.

 

Imagine my surprise when I realized that they were featuring a lovely shop in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

That is the town where my niece lives and is attending graduate school! Time for my sister and I to take a road trip, visit my niece/her daughter and check it out :)

It was practically walking distance from her apartment!

 



 

The shop is called "Just a Little Bit Country" and the grounds enthralled me the moment we pulled up!

 

It was such a beautiful day that we just had to take it all in before even stepping foot in the shop.

 

Such an inviting entrance!

 

 

The Summer Kitchen was absolutely lovely!

And we hadn't even gone in the main shop yet...

 

 

What treasures lay inside?

 

 

The views out the windows of this lovely old home were so sweet.

 

 

And each room was filled with wonderful antiques and home decor.

 

Where to look first?!

And guess what?

Inside is the lovely "Log Cabin Rugs" with a large room filled with lucious wools and rughooking supplies!

 

 

*sigh*

I wanted to stay forever or at least bring one of everything home.

But I had to select a few treasures and leave the rest for another visit.

 

Here are the treasures that came home with me.

 

Hey Angela - I think that your mom and I need to come up for another visit soon ;)

 

Blessings, Auntie Patti

p.s. Isn't the first photo beautiful? My niece, Angela, took the photo and let me share it.

Thanks Angela!

December is here

 

Where does the time go?

December is here and I haven't posted since Thanksgiving!

I have lots of posts in my head, just need the time to post them :)

 

Thank you so much for your response to my December TDIPT Mercantile offerings.

Be sure to stop by and see all the other lovely offerings!

 

Before I leave, I have to show you the sight I found when I walked into the mudroom closet the other night...

 

 

 

Someone was trying to figure out how to climb up two more shelves to get to his toys :)

The closet door is now firmly closed so as to prevent further temptation.

 

Hope to be back shortly with a more interesting post on a recent day trip...

 

"He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end."

~Luke 1:32-33

Blessings, Patti

A Happy Thanksgiving!

 

The baking is done.

 

Next up is cooking a traditional meal for family.

 



 

My favorite holiday is here!

 

 

I love Thanksgiving!

 

I have so many things to be thankful for!

 



Including my blogging friends who inspire me so.

 



 

Thank you to all those that leave comments or send emails - they really mean a lot to me!

 

 

"Primitive Autumn Cabin"

design by Contry Rustic Primitives

 

I'm thankful for one last autumn finish.

 

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

~Colossians 3:17

 

Blessings, Patti

 



Time marches on...

 

 

"Old Mother of the Harvest"

design by The Little Stitcher

 

Can it really be a week since I posted?

Can it really be only one week until Thanksgiving?

 

I have show and tell that I would love to share, just need to find a few moments to do it.

In the meantime, the photo above is one of my latest finishes~ featuring antique handmade trim.

 

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."

~Colossians 3:15

 

Blessings, Patti

A "Quilt Sampler" day trip

 

Everytime I see a "Quilt Sampler" magazine, I immediately check out the table of contents in hopes of finding a quilt shop with wool closer than my current 3 hours away.

 

This issue I hit the jackpot! A quilt shop 45 minutes away that carries a selection of wool!

As you can imagine, at the first opportunity, I went for a road trip to:

 

 

Pieceful Gathering Quilt Shop in Fox River Grove, Illinois.

 

 

The outside was so cozy and welcoming that I couldn't wait to peek inside.

 

 

Yep! Wool and wool applique patterns :)

They even had a basket filled with antique quilt blocks for sale!

 

Owned by mother and daughter team, Carrie and Katie, everyone was so friendly and helpful.

 

Lots of eye candy around each corner.

You can read more and see more pictures from the magazine article here.

 

 

And here are the treasures that came home with me - wool, of course, some yummy flannels, a book, a wool pincushion kit and a few of those antique quilt squares.

 

Then a few short hours later it was on to our once a month stitch club.

Jan, our resident finisher extraordinairre brought her latest finish:

 Wow! Isn't it beautiful?!

 

And she had a few deliveries to make to other club members, as she finishes for others as well:

 

We were all amazed by her unique finish of these two needle punch projects that she combined for this wonderful hanger.

 

 

And this sweet pumpkin stand-up.

 

Don't you think that she should start a web business?

We keep telling her that she should, but that our projects should always take priority ;)

 

Blessings, Patti