Lesson Learned #5

 

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you know that I craft on my commute to work each day via train and water taxi or bus.

Over the years I've learned a few lessons about working with needles, beads, thread and fabric on moving vehicles. (Type lesson learned in the little box in the upper left hand corner to read about them all :) 

I've been working on wool applique on my crafty commute lately. I know a lot of people have different techniques for holding their pieces in place from basting, glue to staples, but I am old fashioned and prefer to use pins - long quilting pins for the large pieces and small applique pins for the smaller pieces.

 

The other day, right when I walked in the office, someone stopped by and needed a report that I had taken home to review the night before. I hurried to my briefcase and jammed my hand in for the report. Of course the long quilting pin had poked through my project bag and went right into my right index finger under my nail about halfway up my nail.

Yikes!

I know it isn't the worst that can happen, but it really smarted as I pulled it out...

Today's lesson learned - be really careful when reaching into a briefcase with a project full of pins in it...

 



 

I think I'll switch to cross stitch for a while...

Blessings, Patti

Early Signs of Autumn...

inspired by "Fall Garden"

design by Tonya Robey of Mad Hen Primitives

published in Fall 2012 issue of "Primitive Quilts & Projects" magazine

I love sunflowers! The perfect late summer/early autumn flower.

Following the sun with their flower faces and the perfect golden hue reminding us of the autumn colors yet to come...

This was a rughooking design, but since I don't hook, I translated it to wool applique instead.

I love all the early signs of autumn that you shared!

Cooler, crisper mornings and evenings

animals beginning to store up their winter food

goldenrod and chrysanthemums

apple and pear picking

fallen hickory nuts and acorns

football season

cicadas

V's of Canadian geese flying north

Back to school

Shortening days

I can feel it! Can you?

Thank you ever so much for the 51 responses and emails.

Using random.org, response #25 was selected - Debbie of Plainfield, IL

Congratulations Debbie, your package is on its way...

I can't believe that a full year of giveaways has gone by... My thought was to do it for a year, but it has been so much fun, I think it will continue. It might not be as regular as it has been, but when I think of something or make a little special something, there will be more... stay tuned!

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

~Philippians 4:4-7

Blessings, Patti

Coneflowers

"One Lone Coneflower"

design by Jan Goos of Goos Nest

published in Primitive Quilts and Projects Magazine Spring 2012



This is the project that I thought I would finish during our vacation in California.

I didn't finish then, but it is finished and being enjoyed now :)

Although this table mat may feature just one lone coneflower, my garden has a plethora of coneflowers. I think that I have become a collector of coneflowers:



"Green Envy"

 

"Tomato Soup"

"Fragrant Angel"

just to name a few...

And of course my garden wouldn't be complete without the traditional purple...
They are my current favorite flower.
Most mornings I wake up to find the goldfinches perched on the flowers eating their seeds :)
One morning there were five goldfinches at once!

There is still time to enter my August giveaway... Be sure to read the previous post.

 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are."

~Matthew 6:28-29

Blessings, Patti



Joy & August Giveaway

Joy!

 The weather has cooled and we don't need the air conditioning on!

The windows and doors have been thrown open!

I've been able to spend some time in the garden

and the Autumn issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects has arrived!



Even more joy, when I realized that my finish of Jo Ann Mulaly's Scattered Hearts and my little note are published inside!

I thought a copy of this wonderful magazine would be lovely for my August giveaway, but was thinking that a lot of people that read my blog probably already have a copy... so I thought I would add a few other things as well...



Magazine size pieces of my five favorite vintage wool blankets and pieces from three of my cutter quilts, a newish tomato pincushion and strawberry emery and a pair of sweet stork scissors that I picked up in my travels.

Now you'll have some crafting supplies as well as the magazine :)



So tell me... What is your favorite early sign of autumn?

As always, my giveaway is open to everyone, simply leave a comment on this post or send an email to me at pgagliardi9@hotmail.com with "Early Signs of Autumn" in the subject line.

I will post a winner on Saturday, August 18th.

Wishing you a lovely week with early signs of autumn :)

Blessings, Patti

Where I went...

Thanks for playing along with my attempt at "Where's Patti/Waldo?" :)

Our first stop was - Yosemite.

It was absolutely lovely, but the valley was a bit crowded, so after seeing some major sights, we moved off the beaten path.

We took a lovely hike up to Elizabeth Lake in Tuolumne Meadows

elevation = 9,487 feet

Being from Chicago, the altitude affected me and I was a bit slower than my family, but I made it!



Stop #2 - Sequoia National Park

Wow! These trees were awe inspiring and I think the best part of the trip.

Somehow I need to translate them to wool ;)

Back in my original post, at the base of the tree in the background, the colored dots are people - to give you an idea of their immense size.

Next we stopped in Morro Bay.

We were all intrigued by this fishing village and truly enjoyed the wonderful fresh seafood!

Picture #3 was Big Sur on Highway 1

where we stopped to enjoy the Elephant Seals - so ugly that they are cute!

We visited Hearst Castle and were amazed at the opulence.



Next up was Monterey with its wonderful aquarium, Cannery Row and our favorite the tidal pools at Pinos Point - where we saw crabs, snails, hermit crabs and starfish



Yes, that is my youngest son way up on that rock...

Picture #4 was Pidgeon Point Lighthouse on our way to our final stop:

San Francisco!

The final picture I showed was Fort Point, built during the Civil War. It is located under the Golden Gate Bridge. We saw all the usual stops including Alamo Square and Lombard Street. Took in a San Francisco Giants game and enjoyed several hours in the stunning de Young Museum. I could do an entire post with all the wonderful inspiring photos of the art that I took there!

We spent hours enjoying the sea lions! Their antics were so fun!

I took 750 photos, but tried to limit this to just a few so as not to bore you ;)

This trip meant so much to me. With our oldest son leaving soon for college, I know our family trips will soon be coming to an end. Not that they don't want to go, but as they get older everyone's schedule gets harder and harder to coordinate. We almost couldn't get the time for this trip.

So when I found this bracelet, I knew that it was the perfect souvenir for me!

"My Heart is Full"

by Lisa Leonard Designs

I was a big fan of her jewelry and blog before I went to California wearing the pieces that I own almost daily. So when I found myself in her hometown of the lovely San Luis Obispo, I knew what I wanted to look for. When I saw this piece at Hands Gallery I felt that it said it all.

I can't end this post without a little stitching...

When I packed my projects (before I even thought about packing clothes), I thought that one wool project wasn't enough. I didn't have enough time to  pull together another project, so I packed two cross stitch projects as well.

Needless to say, this is just about all that was done - at the airport to and from.

Each night I would pull it out, only to find my eyes closing before making a stitch ;)

Too much fresh air, good food and the bestest company!

Thank you so much for letting me share my memories in this long winded post!

I'll be back soon with my August giveaway as a reward :) as soon as I can put something together.

Wishing you all a full heart and memory making times!

"My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

~Colossians 2:2-3

Blessings, Patti



Where am I - final?

We are sitting at the airport waiting for our flight to Sweet Home Chicago. It's been a wonderful trip, but we are all ready to head home and see our dear Orion. We were so lucky to have my brother in law house sit for us. Orion has been able to stay in the comfort of his own home while we were away.

I'll be back in a day or two to let you know where all we have been. (Must get started on the mounds of laundry we have created first!)

Blessings, Patti

p.s. Maybe this photo is an easy guess as to the city?

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Where am I #4?

I realized that if I put up photos of the city I am in right now, you would know exactly where I am :) so this is a photo on the way to the city. We are heading home late tomorrow night and then I can upload more photos and share where I have been.

I brought 2 projects with me, but only worked on them on the plane... I guess We have been having too much fun! By the time we get back to our room at night I fall asleep right away with the needle in my hand :)

Blessings, Patti

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Where am I #3?

We are halfway through our trip and I have forgotten all about daily responsibilities :)

Enjoying the moment! We are heading back to civilization and more family fun.

Blessings, Patti

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