Torn...

I'm torn...

Thanksgiving is over and Christmas is quickly approaching.

I really want to continue working on my abbreviated Turkey Hollow by Stacy Nash,

but my Christmas stitching season is here...

Now that I have a turkey completed, he keeps telling me not to put him aside...

And then there is this:

Maggie Bonanomi's latest club kit!

It was perfect for the three hour car ride to my parents' house for Thanksgiving.

I'm so close - should I keep on going and finish it up?

The Boxwood & Berries project is calling me back.

So hard to decide! Decisions, decisions...

Many of you asked about the stapling method that I have started using.

It was great for the car. I just use a regular stapler and roll the wool up to get to the center. 

I did put a long arm stapler on my Christmas list.

After I stitch an area,

Then I go back and bend the staple in half with my finger nail

Then the staple pops right out.

I took the tiny tin box that I just bought at the primitives show. 

I put a magnet sheet in the bottom of the box and am using it for my used up staples.

This way I won't accidentally spill them all over.

Well, I don't think there will be much stitching today as I am trying to finish decorating for Christmas. 

Back to work tomorrow and time is ticking... tick tock!

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

~Colossians 2:6-7

Blessings, Patti

November Mantle & More...

I'm a traditionalist.

I like my turkeys for Thanksgiving decorating and will wait until after Thanksgiving before taking it down and starting the decorating for Christmas :)

I'm still working on Thanksgiving projects on linen and wool as well...

This month's mantle features reproduction paper mache turkeys, 

wooden pumpkins made by my dear sister in law, Joy, 

a faux bittersweet vine and autumn colored lights.

The autumn leaves are all gone now, but I am still enjoying those colors inside.

My Gurley turkey candles

(Thanks Carla for my newest!)

A quiet little corner.

A few more long-time favorites

My little collection of turkey salt and pepper shakers.

And a cross stitch piece featuring my favorite hymn.

And although these photos were taken before Halloween, I just had to share...

The corn shocks and indian corn on the front door were grown in my garden.

I was so excited to find these two pumpkin stacks at the local farmers market.

I'm still enjoying them, but this weekend they are destined for the compost pile...

Wishing each of you and your families a safe and blessed Thanksgiving!

I have so much to be thankful for!

"We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;

He chastens and hastens His will to make known;

The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing;

Sing praises to His Name; He forgets not His own.

Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,

Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine;

So from the beginning the fight we were winning;

Thou, Lord, were at our side, all glory be Thine!

We all do extol Thee, Thou Leader triumphant,

And pray that Thou still our Defender will be;

Let Thy congregation escape tribulation;

Thy Name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!"

Blessings, Patti

Pennies from Heaven Vol.2

Four months ago, I visited my mom and shared her beautiful penny rug creations.

(You can read about them here.)

Well, you won't believe what Mom accomplished in four months!

Isn't this one a beauty?!

I can't get over the work in all of those tiny pieces!

After this, Mom decided to move on to some seasonal penny rugs:

The oranges of the pumpkins pop so beautifully against the black.

Such lovely work.

And just look at this one:

 

This design is by Shawn Williams of Threads that Bind.

So lovely!

I love the cutwork!

So Mom moved on to the next holiday and created this large Christmas mat.

The addition of the silver snowflake buttons were such a clever idea!

And this holly mat is so pretty as well.

Mom has a great eye for color :)

My sister and I put our "orders" in for the next penny rug!

Isn't it great?! Perfect for Valentine's Day!

So simple and simply perfect!

We return back to Mom and Dad's for Thanksgiving on Thursday ~ 3 weeks from our last visit.

We teased Mom that we want to see what she can create in those 3 weeks :)

We have a lot of talent in our family and that includes my sister, Pam!

Pam knitted and felted these wonderful slippers for my mom and me!

Aren't we lucky!

They are beautiful, comfortable and oh so warm!

Aren't we lucky?! 

She also made a pair for her daughter, Angela.

Pam, now you need to make a pair for yourself so that all the women of the family can wear matching slippers!

I mentioned that I would be saving mine for special occassions :)

I think that Thanksgiving Day qualifies for a special occassion!

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, 

since as members of one body you were called to peace. 

And be thankful."

~Colossians 3:15

Blessings, Patti

Prim Paradise Purchases

On this trip to "Prim Paradise", or the central Illinois primitive antique shows, I think that all my purchases were sewing related.

I found this great pincushion made of all different colors of velvet. The three balls in the middle that make up the pincushion are a bit mushed. When I have a bit of time I thought I would see if I could puff them up a bit.

I also purchased this puzzle ball pin cushion and tiny tin box. You can't get a feel for the scale here, but the puzzle ball is 2 1/2 inches across and the tin box is 1 by 1 1/2 by 2 1/2 - so sweet!

This wood box is super prim and has seen better days. I loved the hinges and am thinking of covering the wood or at least the top in needlework or antique fabrics...

Here is my purchase from Maggie Bonanomi.

I loved that this pinkeep is made of all old fabrics.

And finally my big purchase

well, actually it is fairly small :)

The dealer thought that this piece was civil war era.

A leather sewing kit.

Once opened it has several pockets.

My favorite part - the initials - J.A.B. and M.C.P.

Who were they? Maybe young lovers?

In the center is a pincushion with well worn needle pages attached.

Such a pretty plaid. And thread wrapped round pieces of paper.

The little side pockets created by lacing fabric over old order forms.

And in one of the pockets was a paper of the tiniest pins that I have ever seen.

Oh I wish that I knew the stories that these pieces could tell!

"With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth.

I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.

I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.

I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word."

~Psalm 119:13-16

Blessings, Patti

Prim Paradise

Last weekend was spent in Prim Paradise with my sister and my parents.

The first stop was the Rural Life Show in Tuscola.

And the first booth we visited was that of Maggie Bonanomi.

Her booth was as beautiful and inspiring as you would expect.

Such lovely treasures.

The best treasure was getting to visit a bit with the phenomenally talented Maggie and her sweet and personable husband, Harold.

This lovely show is in two locations and also features the beautiful booths of Steve Shelton and Ginny Henson. I missed them both, but enjoyed their booths :)

Then it was on to the next town... Arthur

Homesteaders on the Prairie is charming before we even made it inside.

A great photo op for my mom and my sister.

Dad was home resting up for a late night of visiting :)

Here we started getting in the spirit of the upcoming holidays.

These sweet pics came from the booth of 

The Olde Homestead.

You can see their shop...

by clicking here.

(The pretty lantern above went home with my mom :) perfect for a timer pillar candle...

On Saturday we returned to Arthur for 

The Gathering on the Prairie.

It's days like this that you wish that you had won the lottery :)

So many treasures looking for a home.

And you wish it was coming home with you :)

There seemed to be an exceptional number of sewing treasures this year.

That made me happy!

This may be the most beautiful sled ever!

The shows were fantastic! There were two more shows in Arcola, but we ran out of time.

Coming up I'll share my treasures that came home with me

along with another installment of my Mom's latest penny rug finishes.

"I seek you with all my heart;

do not let me stray from your commands.

I have hidden your word in my heart

that I might not sin against you.

Praise be to you, Lord;

teach me your decrees."

Psalm 119:10-12

Blessings, Patti