Saturday, March 30, 2013

A Blessed & Joyful Easter

 
I am posting a little early as tomorrow will be a busy day:
Church, Easter celebrations, taking our oldest back to college and then posting my update to TDIPT Mercantile later in the evening.
 
I had to share this antique milk glass Easter egg that I just recently purchased. I loved how the cross was grained like wood.
 
Wishing you and your family a Blessed & Joyful Easter!
Christ is Risen!
Christ is Risen Indeed!
 
Blessings, Patti  

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Hosanna!

 
"Jesus is coming! Pave the way with branches!
Jesus is coming! Hosanna!"
 
I love Palm Sunday with the wonderful music and waving of palms.
I know there is a somber Holy week ahead, that will end/begin with the joy of Easter. 
 

My Easter decorations are up along with my little collection of rabbits. One day I hope to add an antique German rabbit candy container to my collection. :)
 
Thank you ever so much for the wonderful response to my St. Patrick's Day giveaway!
There were 94 entries in all.
I used random.org to select the winner:
#86 - Sandi from The Primitive Skate
Sandi, send me your mailing address and I will send the little sewing slipper your way.
Thank you to all for joining in the fun.
 
 
I was supposed to pick the winner on Friday, but I was distracted by a Folk Art fair where I purchased this sweet painted wooden bowl.
It helps me to think spring while more snow is heading our way.
 
I'm off to work on my offerings for TDIPT Mercantile at the end of the week.
Blessings, Patti


Thursday, March 21, 2013

Happy Spring!

 
With windchills below 0, it certainly doesn't feel like Spring here in Chicago.
And so I will content myself with stitched blooms
 
 
And lovely daffodils purchased from a shop.
Knowing that Spring will arrive in its own due time.

There is still time to enter my St. Patricks Day giveaway.
Please see my post below.
 
Blessings, Patti

Sunday, March 17, 2013

St. Patrick's Day Giveaway


I'm Bohemian and my husband is Italian, but here in Chicago everyone celebrates St. Patrick's Day - they even dye the Chicago River green.
Since my name is Patti, and since I have somehow managed to hit 350 followers (Could it be possible that 350 people actually look at my blog from time to time ???)
It is time for a giveaway!
 


My giveaway is a little leprechaun slipper,
not really, it is a sweet little sewing slipper from a Stacy Nash pattern featuring vintage army green wool, a little cream velvet edge and an antique mother of pearl button.
Inside you will find a little spool of thread, a thimble, an old key and a few antique buttons.
 

 
As always, this giveaway is open to everyone.
To thank all of you followers out there, you will receive an extra entry, just let me know that you are a follower.
So tell me, what are you listening to lately? I have Mumford & Sons, the Lumineers, Philip Phillips and the Goat Rodeo Sessions on repeat and am looking for something new to listen to.
 
Either comment on this post or send an email to me at pgagliardi9@hotmail.com with March Music in the subject line. I will pick a winner on Friday, 3/22.
 
I will leave you with a picture of a neat antique needle case that I found recently.
Definitely in the color of the day. 

 
Let the trees of the forest sing,
let them sing for joy before the Lord,
for he comes to judge the earth.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
~1 Chronicles 16:33-34

And thanks to all of you that take the time to look at my blog and comment - it means the world to me!
Blessings, Patti

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm

 
"I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm"
design by Heartstring Samplery
 
I don't usually stitch big projects. My stitching time is quite limited between a full time career as an accountant, a mom to two teenagers, keeping a house and occassional volunteer work at church. So when I do stitch I usually stitch small projects that I know I can finish. But Beth Twist of Heartstring Samplery keeps tempting me with her wonderful large designs! 

 
I started this piece in 2010 when it came out. I stitched on it during the Groundhog's Day Blizzard of 2011. And I continued stitching it for two more years.
This isn't Beth's entire design, that would have taken me another year at least :) but I stitched all of the words and selected my favorite bands to go between them.


After spending so much time stitching it, I took it to Michael's to have it framed. There is a gentleman that works there that has helped me twice before. He always selects something out of my comfort zone, that I really am happy with. I have learned to trust him.
 
I was looking for a rustic black or silver frame. But he wanted to double mat it and picked a more traditional frame. He selected a narrow black mat and a linen mat in the exact same color as the linen I stitched it on. The frame is black and a tarnished silver. I thought it was too ornate from the side. But then I realized that straight on, when looking at the stitchery, it is fairly plain. When you walk past it at an angle then you see the detail and it draws your eye to it.
He did it again and I am happy with the results.
 

 
I thought it appropriate to share today as we have yet another snowstorm here in Chicago.
Two Tuesdays in a row, I have had to pick up my son who is on crutches in a snowstorm to take him from college to visit his Orthopedic Surgeon. He dislocated and chipped his ankle while skateboarding. Good news is that he is healing and hopefully after two more weeks the cast might come off.
The silver lining - driving down Lake Shore Drive along Lake Michigan in a snow storm - nothing is more beautiful! And spending time with my son in bumper to bumper traffic with plenty of time to talk :)
 
Thank you Beth! You have inspired me yet again with your wonderful designs!
You can read Beth's blog here.
And you can see here lovely designs in her Etsy shop here.
 
If you are in the path of this snowstorm, please stay safe!
Blessings, Patti