Never grows old...

design by Stacy Nash

There are some designs that no matter how long ago you stitched them or how long you've displayed them, you never grow tired of looking at them.

Each time you do, they bring a smile to your face.

design by Blackbird Designs

Is it the color? The motifs? Or the combination of it all...

design by Stacy Nash

I'm not sure, but they definitely make me smile.

This is a newer finish that I think I will cherish for a long time to come...

The urn of flowers, the horse, the hen, the colors.

I just love it all!

My sister in law and I snuck over to a Sewing Expo in Schaumburg last weekend for the express purpose of the Primitive Gatherings booth. The lovely wools, flannels, and great large eyed needles were definitely worth it!

On the way home, I went for a quick run through an antique store and found some vintage trim, a wonderful little cast iron sheep and this great cookie cutter cube. I'm not sure how old it is, but I thought it was so different. Each side celebrates a different holiday with a chick, bunny, pumpkin, turkey, heart and star. How neat!

"And when you share your faith with me and work for life made new,

the witness of your faithfulnesscalls me to walk with you.

Walk with me, I will walk with you and build the land that God has planned

where love shines through."

~"Walk with me"

The Estate of John S. Rice

Faith We Sing Hymnal

Blessings, Patti

Happy Spring and a Sale

Happy Spring!

Although like most of the country, in Chicago it feels more like July!

Plants (& weeds) are busting out all over!

I was so happy to putter in the garden on Sunday -

the strawberry patch has been cleaned out

and I planted 5 planters with pansies and pussy willow branches.

To celebrate the first day of Spring, I am having a sale at my etsy shop.

Through the end of the month I am offering free shipping on any purchase - just enter SPRING2012 in the coupon code.

Don't have an etsy account? No worries, simply email me at pgagliardi9@hotmail.com

Coupon code is valid until March 31.

“So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these"

~Matthew 6:28-29

Blessings, Patti

Happy St. Patrick's Day

"March" by Winding Vine Designs

Inspired by Jo Ann Mullaly's "Scattered Hearts" design and my antique four leaf clover cookie cutter.

It's going to be a busy weekend, so I just wanted to stop by now and wish you a happy and safe St. Patrick's Day. It's a popular holiday here in Chicago with a big parade and the dyeing of the Chicago River a neon green. The dyeing of the river takes place right outside my office window, but I tend to stay away as the crowds can get a bit rowdy. So I will have a quiet but busy weekend in my neighborhood. Sometimes the river is still neon green when I return to the office on Monday morning. If it is, I'll try to take a picture.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

Colossians 3:12

Blessings, Patti

Easter Words & a Winner

"In the Bleak Midwinter"

design by Maggie Bonanomi

a Country Sampler Girls Club Kit

These giveaways have been such a blessing to me. Thank you so much for sharing all of your wonderful Easter words:

Alleluia, Assurance, Arose, Blessed, Blessings, Easter, Eternal, Faith, Glory, Grace, Halleluia, He Arose, He Lives, Holy, Hosanna, Hope, Jesus, Joyful, Love, Lilies, Lamb, Lenten, Live, Mercy, Peace, Rebirth, Rejoice, Risen, Resurrection, Saved, Saviour

Don't these words just make your heart sing?! I want to use them all! Each time I read a new comment, I felt like I received a gift. Thank you ever so much!

I used the random number generator at random.org (someday I'll figure out how to post the image). Of the 45 comments and emails, it selected #43 - Lana Manis of Honeysuckle Lane.

Congratulations Lana!

And thank you to each and every one of you for participating.

Keep an eye out for another giveaway next month...

Blessings, Patti

March Giveaway

I finally took some time to put together my giveaway for March.

I also loaded up a few items in my Etsy shop. Take a peek if you have a moment - there are a few antiques and a few handmades.
You can find a link to my Etsy shop on the left.

This month's giveaway is a little sewing vignette. The pincushion is made by me with a reproduction coverlet fabric, two antique abalone buttons and a little patch of early brown calico. I'm also including a vintage paper measuring tape, two wooden spools of thread, a vintage thread wheel, an antique brass skeleton key and a smattering of antique mother of pearl buttons.

I wanted to make a word pillow for Easter and was looking for a religious word that isn't too long. Any ideas? Let me know and enter this giveaway at the same time :) Either leave a comment on this post or send an email to me at pgagliardi9@hotmail.com with Easter Word in the subject line. I will pick a winner using a random number generator Friday night.

Blessings, Patti

*Early Spring*

I've put out some of my favorite early spring decorations.

Celebrating the yellows and greens of the season.

Neither my husband nor I are Irish, but it seems that here in Chicago, we all celebrate St. Patricks Day.
These beautiful cross stitch designs are by Tanya of The Sampler Girl.
The potted daffodils were a class with Maggie Bonanomi years ago. They've held up well through the years.

I wish that my outside bulbs looked as nice :) but they are only up an inch or two. This one is faux, but I thought it looked so real.

Another favorite design by The Sampler Girl.

(It's a free pattern that you can find here.)

I've put my bedcover aside for a bit...

I really want to finish up this project:

Hopefully I will have a finish to share soon :)

"He made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down."

"I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live."

~Psalm 104:19,33-34

Blessings, Patti

Happy 5th Birthday TDIPT Mercantile!

It is hard to believe that a new month is already here!

Spring is on its way!

And with it is a brand new update at TDIPT Mercantile!
Be sure to stop by and see all the lovely offerings.
You can see my Easter table mats here.
The Birthday celebration has begun! And will continue through March 22nd!

Be sure to stop at the TDIPT Blog to see the wonderful prizes available and all the ways to get your name into the big giveaway!

I'm so thrilled to be a part of this group of fantastic artists! They have all been a blessing to me! Good luck in the giveaway! I hope to see familiar names on the winners list!

Blessings, Patti