Short on Space

 

"American Beauties"

design by Maggie Bonanomi

for Quilters Station class

 

The second I saw this piece I fell in love. The gorgeous red pops with the deep blue calicos, checks and tickings. Be still my heart. I called Quilters Station right away.

 

In the meantime, I decorated my house for the 4th of July and realized that I have 7 large patriotic penny mats/runners. (Most designed by Maggie Bonanomi) They cover my kitchen table, dining room table, the couch backs (except the leather couch as it won't stay up lol) and my larger ottomans. Were would I put this one?!

 

In true make do spirit, I realized that if I took 9 inches off the length, it would fit across the back of an upholstered chair. I fit all the motifs from the original one except for the initials. It is a bit "scrunched", but I think that it works :)

 

 

I will be back on August 1st, which is creeping up on me way too quickly. I will have a few final late summer offerings partially inspired by the photo above. I am thrilled that my friends, the gold finches, have returned. Sunflowers and coneflowers are blooming and so they are happily eating the seeds.

 

"Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures."

~John 10: 9

 

Blessings, Patti

Collection #2

Some items I collect because they are inspired by a hobby (strawberry emeries in Collection #1),

other items I have no idea why I collect.

This is one of those items ~ Antique pie crimpers

Why do they appeal to me? I enjoy baking, but don't make pies that often.

I think there is something about them that exudes a folk art quality.

I have seen pie crimpers with metal wheels, but they don't appeal to me as much. So far, I have only purchased all wood pie crimpers. My first one was purchased at a garage sale for a dollar.

Recently I found a pie crimper with a bone wheel - now that is one that I would like to purchase, but it was not in my budget that day. I will keep my eyes open for another ;)

I also have to share a recent unusual antique purchase found at a favorite shop, Winterberry in Tuscola, IL, when visiting my parents: 

What is it, you ask?

I have no idea!

But I just had to have it! It is made of antique velvet and consists of 60 individual diamonds all sewn together by hand. The velvet appears to be covering cardboard or some other type of board.

In some ways it reminds me of antique puzzle ball pincuhions.

It is fairly large, about 9 inches across.

I think about the patience that someone had to piece and sew it all together and have it all fit just so!

I did a little online research and found that it is a moravian star. I found a similar piece here at a UK museum. The UK example was smaller and is a pincushion.  

I treasure my new found piece of antique folk art and wonder about its story. On two of the sides all the brown velvet nap has worn away with just the black base fabric remaining. Was it left too long in the sun? Handled too much? Just one more story that adds to the intrigue :)

"Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.

Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely,
who conduct their affairs with justice."

~Psalms 112: 4 - 5

Blessings, Patti

Slow & Steady Progress

 

I spend most of my creative time on small projects - something I can start and finish fairly quickly so that I can start a new project :)

Since the 4th of July, I have been working on two larger projects and so I don't have too much to show...

 

A Maggie Bonanomi class piece from Quilters Station.

I wasn't able to attend the class :( and so they shipped it.

 

and "Summer at Hollyberry Farm" by Stacy Nash.

Even my abbreviated version is going to take a lot of time.

 

I'm thinking I might need to squeeze a quick stitch project in there just to keep me going. 

 

On Friday night I had the joy of watching a wonderful performer at Ravinia.

You can't tell who it is from this photo, but maybe you can see in the next:

 

 

Sheryl Crow!

Wow! What a smile! She put on an incredible show! It is interesting to people watch at a show like this. Some people really grooving to the music and others quietly watching. But at my favorite song, every single person was on their feet and swinging and clapping.

"Soak up the Sun" has that affect on people. :)

My favorite part:

 

"It's not having what you want
It's wanting what you've got"

I try to remember that every day :)

 

Wishing you a sunny and comfortable week!

Blessings, Patti


Just a quick reminder...

 

The coupon for 20% off in my Etsy Shop expires tomorrow.

Use coupon code JULY4 to receive the discount.

Or email me at pgagliardi9@hotmail.com if you don't have an Etsy account.

 

Here are just a few of the handmades and antiques that you will find there.

 

I hope that everyone is staying safe and as cool as possible in the current heat wave.

The weekend is almost here ;)

 

Blessings, Patti
p.s. Happy 54th Wedding Anniversary to my Mom & Dad! Sending lots of love your way!

Collection #1

 

Hello, my name is Patti and I am an addictive collector.

Why own one of something when you can have many?

Once something catches your eye, you can't help but buy more.

I come from a long line of collectors and have learned from the best

(Hi Mom & Dad ;)

 

Not long ago, I posted about the Best.Estate Sale.Ever. you can read more about it here and here.

I mentioned that I would like to share come of my collections after being inspired by the incredible collections at the estate sale. So here is my first collection - antique strawberry emeries. I have only been collecting them for a few years. When I bought my first two, I remembered that I had one or two tucked in an antique sewing cabinet that I have. So I pulled them out to join the group.

 

Here is my most recent purchase for this collection:

 

An incredible petite antique sewing basket that came with a tiny little ditty bag and pincushion both tied to the basket and three sweet strawberry emeries.

<3 :="" love="" p="">

 

I think that this little emery is my current favorite.

(now that I look closely at these photos I think it needs a lint roller :)

 

I'll try to post a new collection each week.

At that rate, I think I will be sharing collections for a few years lol!

 

 "I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”

~Psalm 91:2

 

Blessings, Patti

A Finish, a Winner & an Offer

 

Scissor Fob

World of Small Club Kit #2

design by nikyscreations

 

I just love when these little packages arrive all the way from Italy!

Oh how fun and nice and quick to stitch.

 

Raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes, sweet corn

fireflies, blooming gardens, pools, firing up the grill and kids out of school

all of the wonderful things that summer brings

unfortunately it also brings heat and humidity and mosquitos, too

 

Thank you so much for the 33 entries into my little 4th of July giveaway!

Using random.org, the winner is #31 -

Lori@AppleGroveTreasures!

Lori, send me your mailing address and I will send out your little package.

 

I couldn't let the rest of you go away empty handed,

so if there is something that you have been thinking about in my Etsy shop, I am offering a coupon for 20% off - for one week only, through July 19th. Simply enter JULY4 in the coupon area.

 

I have been picking raspberries almost every day from my little bramble - they seem to be enjoying the heat and humidity :)

Enjoy this lovely summer weekend!

 

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone,

but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” 

~Matthew 4:4

 

Blessings, Patti

Stars and Stripes

 

"Stars and Stripes" from "Betsy's Stockings"

design by Plum Street Samplers

 

Each year on the 4th of July, I simply must stitch something patriotic. It makes me happy to stitch in red, white and blue while waiting for darkness to fall and the fireworks to begin.

 

I bought this design the moment I saw it and knew this was the design to stitch on the 4th of July. I love how the little quilt motifs remind me of fireworks.

I edged it with this great old red, white and blue string that I found some time back...

I chose to finish it as a rectangle rather than a stocking.

 

I just love Betsy's dress :)

Since it was a long holiday weekend and this was a quick stitch, I decided to start my abbreviated version of Stacy Nash's "Summer at Hollyberry Farm Sampler" as well. Not enough done to share anything interesting yet :) I may still be stitching that one next 4th of July (even with my abbreviated version lol).

 

And I'll leave you with a pic of my work home decked out in its Stars and Stripes finery!

 

You still have a few days to enter my giveaway by clicking here.

 

"America! America! God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea."

Blessings, Patti

A Long Time Coming...

 

"The Strawberry Collection"

by Beth Twist of Heartstring Samplery

(photo shown with permission.)

 

A long time ago (June 2012), I fell in love with an inspiring pattern.

I had to stitch it right away.

 

Everything else just had to wait.

 

And so it did. 

The sweet strawberries stitched up very quickly.

and then it sat,

and sat,

and sat.

 

Finally, it couldn't sit a moment longer and demanded to be finished immediately.

How could those sweet strawberries sit in a dark box with no one to admire them?

 

And so they came back into the bright summer daylight and became:

 

a sweet sewing collection

 

A scissor fob, perfect for a pair of antique scissors,

 

A long pincushion filled with crushed walnut shells, perfect for weighing down a cross stitch pattern in a soft summer breeze,

 

 

and a little sewing book with an antique bone ring and a piece of old ribbon to close it

 

An antique fruit fabric backing them all

and inside the little book a place for needles, scissors and pins.



And they lived in my sewing basket happily ever after :)

 

Thank you to Beth Twist for continuing to inspire me with her delightful patterns. You can visit her lovely Etsy Shop here.

 

There is still time to enter my little giveaway for a little homespun heart and wrapped votive candle here.

 

"Lord, you have been our dwelling place
throughout all generations.
 Before the mountains were born
or you brought forth the whole world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God."

Psalm 90:1-2

 

Blessings, Patti

An Independence Day Giveaway

 

Winding Vine Designs Original

Antique grainsack & antique coverlet candle wrap around a battery operated votive

Antique homespun heart with antique ticking patch

 

Happy Independence Day!

To celebrate, I would like to offer this little handmade giveaway.

 

Here on Winding Vine, I know that the 4th of July has arrived as I am picking ripe raspberries from our little bramble and our tangle of shasta daisies are blooming profusely!

So tell me what is the sure sign of summer for you?

 

 

As always, my giveaways are open to everyone.

If you are not a blogger, just send me an email with "Signs of Summer" in the subject line to pgagliardi9@hotmail.com

 

You may have up to three entries in this giveaway:

1. Comment on this post (or send me an email.)

2. Let me know if you are a follower (have you checked out Bloglovin? I like it!)

3. Let me know if you are on my mailing list.

 

I will pick a winner next Friday, July 12th.

 

Wishing you and your family a safe and fun 4th of July filled with picnics, parades and plenty of fireworks!

 

Blessings, Patti 

July Offerings

 

Our home here on Winding Vine is now all decked out for the 4th of July. My offerings this month are patriotic themed. On all my patriotic offerings, I like to add at least a small piece of an old army blanket – a small salute to our armed forces.

 

 

My first offering is an Antique Flag Windowsill Mat. Based on a design by Bits & Pieces by Joan, this mat is made of all antique materials – an old army blanket, antique ticking, antique blue calico, and a neat old red, white and blue cotton thread. It is backed with a soft flannel and measures 14 by 5 inches. Antique Flag Windowsill Mat is offered at $30 plus shipping.   

 

If you are interested, just send an email to me at pgagliardi9@hotmail.com.

I can send a paypal invoice or I also accept checks and money orders.

 

The Vintage Cherries Pillow and Velvet Cherry Emeries are all sold.

If you would like a first peek at my offerings each month, simply send an email to me at pgagliardi9@hotmail.com and I will add you to my mailing list.

 

I will be back soon with a final strawberry themed finish and a 4th of July giveaway.

 

Blessings, Patti