Monday, March 31, 2014

Lovely Oregon


Spring was in full swing in Oregon. I was so excited to see the tulips, daffodils and trees all in full bloom. When we left Chicago, we were still below freezing and spring felt so far away... 
In Oregon, I saw daffodils everywhere and loved the roadside self-serve daffodil stands. Since I was driving and we were under a tight schedule, I was unable to stop for photos, but I can still see it clearly in my mind's eye.
The purpose of our trip was to visit Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon.
We spent a lot of time meeting with folks and touring the campus. I was quite impressed (and I think that my son was too). At the end of the day, we were lucky enough to get a tour of a tree farm about an hour away.


 The views of the coastal range were lovely.


The timber operations were amazing.


I loved the smell of the fresh sawn wood.


Notice the tower in the upper right corner? It didn't look too far up...



Until we got up there and looked back down to where we had been.


Do you see the baby trees? 
This parcel was cut two years ago and the seedlings are happy and growing.


Our guide, a colleague of mine, was so kind and stopped frequently so that we could take in the lovely scenery.


We didn't want to leave, but it was time to head to Colorado.

"All the lands are at rest and at peace;
they break into singing."
~Isaiah 14:7

Blessings, Patti

Saturday, March 29, 2014

A whirlwind tour...



My oldest son and I are back from our quick trip to Oregon and Colorado.
We had a bit of free time on our first day and had to choose between sightseeing in Portland or the Oregon Coast. The coast won, although we wish that we had enough time to visit both.

The Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area in Newport, Oregon was gorgeous.


The lighthouse was first lit in 1873 and still maintains its stately presence.


The cobble beach is so unique. I loved the sound of people walking on it and the waves clinking the rocks together ~ grey stones worn smooth by so many years. They were quite difficult to walk on, but definitely worth the effort to get to the incredible tidal pools.


It was late in the day, so our time was limited as the tide came in, but still we were able to see many sea anemones and star fish in a variety of colors.


The coast reminded us of our trip to northern California two years ago.
 

We were so fortunate to have such a beautiful day to enjoy the coast. 
Two days later they received 8 inches of snow in the coastal range that we drove through to get to the coast.


I had to share this beautiful view of Mount Hood from the plane as we flew into Portland, Oregon. 
My son had the window seat and saw it first. I was going on and on about the lovely scenery and he just kept smiling and saying "wait for it..." 
Wow! As a midwestern flatlander I was quite amazed at the majesty. 
I'm used to very tall buildings, but very tall landforms are amazing! 

"Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them;
let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.
Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes,
he comes to judge the earth."
~Psalm 96:12-13

We had a few more spectacular stops along the way, so I will be back soon to share more.

Blessings, Patti

Friday, March 21, 2014

Country Sampler Heart Pinkeep Finish



When this Country Sampler Girls Club Kit arrived in the mail, I was so excited to get started.  
But being me, I just couldn't leave things alone :) I envisioned it in a softer, muted pallete.
I tweaked a color here and a color there and this appeared:


I think it is the winding vine on this design that really got me ;)


The dog somehow morphed into a dachshund (I wonder how that happened? lol)
And a lock and key seemed appropriate and appeared.


I planned to age my piece using Stacy's lovely technique, when I remembered some linen rickrack that I had picked up. I was thrilled when I realized that it matched the linen perfectly!


Then I remembered this love letter fabric that I picked up along the way and thought it would look so sweet on the back.


A hand dyed textured pink wool covers the seam where I turned my heart right side out.

I hope that Stacy doesn't  mind my little tweaks. Her incredible designs always inspire me to stretch my wings just a bit :)

"Respect everyone. Love the community of believers. Reverence God. Honor your ruler."
~1 Peter 2:17

Blessings, Patti 



Tuesday, March 18, 2014

March Mantle and More...


March is more than half over and I forgot to show you my mantle...


Two of my antique lanterns atop a favorite antique teal green box
A favorite Maggie Bonanomi Country Sampler Club project complete with antique paper
Two Maggie Bonanomi topiaries with my favorite folk art box and a great little mercury glass votive holder
And a Stacy Nash Country Sampler Club project


When March rolls around, I often think of sheep - I think it is the old saying 
"In like a lion and out like a lamb"
(let's hope that it holds true!)
The glare on the glass detracts from the beauty of a piece that I am so blessed to own
Lori Brechlin of Notforgotten Farm created this wonderful paper cutting that she then painted with watercolors. The shading in the sunflowers is gorgeous. 

Maggie Bonanomi daffodils made in a class years ago.
(Can you tell that I am a big fan ;)

Well, I have a question that I am hoping that some of you might be able to help me with...
Our oldest son has decided to change majors and universities.
And so, he and I are off on a whirlwind trip to another part of the country.
We will be visiting Portland, Oregon; Corvallis, Oregon; Denver, Colorado and Fort Collins, Colorado.
We won't have much time, but if you have a favorite place to eat, see or visit, I would love to hear!
( I might be able to squeeze in one quilt, wool, stitchery or antique store if it is really worth the trip ;)
Please do share!

I am trying not to think about this too much as these places are so very far from Chicago, but more than anything, I want my son to be happy :) We leave this weekend and it should be very interesting as I have never been to Oregon or Colorado.


When we get back, it will be time to take March down and decorate for April. Time sure does fly!


Stacy Nash original creations.


The treasure that lies within.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
~Romans 15:13

Blessings, Patti

Friday, March 14, 2014

Perfectly Prim Purchases


I'm so excited to share my purchases from the central Illinois primitive antique shows that I attended.
I may be sick of winter and snow, but I simply couldn't pass up this wonderful single ice skate :)
I will happily pack it away to discover again next winter :)
At one point it was painted silver, which has mostly faded away, but I loved how it adds to the patina.
And who can resist a few pieces of reasonably priced ticking! You can never have too much ticking!


I was so thrilled to find this wonderful tin quilt template!
It was a dangerous weapon to carry through the show as it kept poking holes through the bag. 
My plan is to hang it in a window, but I haven't quite gotten that far yet.
It is a nice size - about a foot across or so. 


This autograph book is not in the best shape as the covers are falling off, but the treasures were inside...


"Carrie" had friends and family sign this book from 1870 - 1890.


She added poignant notes as time passed.
(Note the addition of "deceased" near the binding.)


The hand writing and sentiments are lovely. She also included a few newspaper birth and wedding announcements as well as obituaries next to the applicable signatures.
I'm sure I will share more as I spend some time reading through it... 

And I simply can't attend a show without looking for sewing necessities...


Do you recall the photos from Jacque Bradford's booth?
Well, I found this wonderful velvet carrot emery in her lovely booth.
I also couldn't resist another well aged and used velvet pincushion along with the best patriotic needle case.


Inside is an advertisement for C. D. Kenny Co., a coffee and tea proprietor who arrived in Baltimore in 1872. 


I also couldn't resist this tiny German bunny.
I had to photograph him with the pincushions and emery so that you can see how tiny he is :)
I love his fragile little wooden legs.

I also added two new pieces of folk art to my collection:


An original painting from the phenomenal Anne Child and a tiny pin box by the talented Steve Shelton.


I fell in love with a few of Anne's paintings (actually all of them), but Adam & Eve in Sunflowers won out for the wonderful antique frame. Especially when I realized the frame was from Florence, Italy where my husband and I vacationed many years ago...

You can see photos of Anne's lovely home in Jill Peterson's wonderful book, The Settlement.
 

I was thrilled to see Steve Shelton at the show again as I love the painting that I bought from him at the last show. This tiny little pin box spoke to me - the painting and drawings could pass for an old wallpaper box.

Well, thank you for letting me share my new treasures,
I am enjoying them so!
Is it wrong to say that I can't wait for the November shows? lol!

"Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness."
~Lamentations 3:21-23

Blessings, Patti

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Trying to Believe...

 
On Monday we hit 50 degrees and I was certain that spring was finally on its way.
This morning I woke up to this:

 
Yet another winter storm and now I'm not so sure....


Temps significantly below freezing and another 5 inches of snow.
That brings us to a total of 79 inches for this winter season.
 
 
I will keep repeating my new mantra and then maybe I will begin to believe it again...
"No Winter lasts forever
No Spring skips its turn..."
 
"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven"
~Ecclesiastes 3:1
 
Blessings, Patti

Saturday, March 8, 2014

A Bit of Primitive Heaven...


Where does the time go?! I have been back a week and haven't had time to blog about my trip. 
(The 12 hour days at work this week haven't helped ;)

The shows were phenomenal as always. The spring shows are smaller, but I still manage to spend more than my budget lol.  I took a few photos of a few booths to share:


This grouping of needlepoint pictures really caught my eye. The four small pictures represent the four seasons. But alas, none of them went home with me.


I was happy, as always, to see one of my favorite folk artists in Tuscola at "A Rural Life" - Ginny Henson. She has wonderful antiques and most of her creations are made with antique materials. 


I am thrilled to tell you that Ginny has a new website:

You can also click here to see some of my past purchases from Ginny.
Although now that I look at it myself, I realize that it isn't pulling up all the blog posts as I didn't label them correctly. You can also click here to see if Ginny has any upcoming shows in your neighborhood.


I get to see Ginny again next month! 
She will be at the Spring Country Folk Art Festival at the Kane County Fairgrounds March 21 - 23, 2014.
I can't wait :)


I also spent a lot of time in the wonderful booth of Jacque Bradford.
Jacque had some truly wonderful antique sewing necessities.


I could have spent my entire budget in this little corner of her booth!


And look at these wonderful silhouettes - be still my heart!
Jacque has a Facebook page and will be at several more shows this year:
Art & Antiques at Osage Farm April 26, 2014 in Charleston, Illinois
Country Antique Market July 12, 2014 in Bishop Hill, Illinois
A Gathering on the Prairie November 8, 2014 in Arthur, Illinois (I will definitely be there!)


So many beautiful treasures and never enough money lol.


Although the photo didn't turn out well due to the glare on the glass, I just had to share :)
Two of my favorite places at once.

I will post again soon with the treasures that I found.

"Listen closely, you who diligently work for justice
and look for the Eternal One, for what is fair and true.
It would be good for you to look back, look to the place from where you came,
the rock out of which you were shaped and the quarry from where you were mined."
~Isaiah 51:1

Blessings, Patti