Nick of time

 

Buttermilk Basin's

"Year in Stitches Collection - June"

 

Phew! I finished just in the nick of time!

 

Buttermilk Basin's

"Basin Banner - June"

bound in gold velvet

 

If I was smart, I would start July right away!

 

This is just a quick post. I am getting caught up after my sister and I took a quick visit to see our parents. My mom has lots of wonderful new finishes for me to share...

but first I need to finish up and post my July offerings.

 

Of course, I can't close without a photo of the new loves in my life:

 

 

I love how Peanut and Leia love to snuggle and sleep together.

 

Don't let those sweet, "innocent" faces fool you. Now that they are really settling in, they are exhibiting their more mischievous side ;)

 

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me - just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

~John 10:14-16

 

Blessings, Patti

Where does the time go?

Lesson learned after 30 years of commuting...

Don't take a water taxi during a flash flood warning.

Later I learned that the Chicago River rose 3 feet in 20 minutes.

Yes, I was on the water taxi during that 20 minutes.

At first we were in awe that the brand new river walk, which opened this month, was under water.

The currents were swift but the water taxi could handle it.

The amazing Wendella crew stood at the bow and watched our clearance as we passed under the many bridges. We were in awe when they announced we had a two inch clearance. We weren't so lucky several bridges later, when we got stuck. They maneuvered the boat well and turned us around. Remember the bridge with the two inch clearance? Well, it disappeared by the time we got back. After even more maneuvering and an hour later, we were docked back where we started. We had to sit in a puddle in the downpour of rain and jump down four feet to the dock. We were wet, but safe and sound on solid ground :)

That was the same night as the final game of the Stanley Cup.

I missed the first period, but was able to see our Blackhawks win!

Blackhawk flags proudly waving.

The next day I got a scoop that the Stanley Cup was visiting next door to my office.

They had painted the building for the occasion.

There is the Blackhawks' vehicle.

And there is the cup.

Prominently displayed in the window so that all the fans could see.

Or if you have connections, you can see it from inside ;)

I also recently visited the United Center home to our Blackhawks.

Not for a game, but to attend a Rush concert with my youngest son and his friend.

It brought back lots of memories from high school :)

It's hard to believe that Rush has been together for 40 years!

Our seats definitely weren't as good as they were for The Who concert!

So where is my stitching you ask?

It has been slow going...

Still working on my Stacy Nash Girl Club kit from Country Sampler.

And my Maggie Bonanomi Girl Club Kit from Country Sampler.

Why so slow?

I think it has something to do with these two:

I love how they walk pressed up against each other :)

And when one stops to smell something, the other one is right behind to see what it is.

They are quite entertaining, but full of high energy and demanding of our attention :)

I don't mind... most of the time :)

It's just when they are on my lap like this, I don't have the heart to move them when my stitching is just out of reach... For now, I'll just enjoy the moment and stitch later...

This weekend my sister and I are going to visit my parents. I'm sure that I will have another volume of "Pennies from Heaven" (and created by Mom) to share with you soon!

"but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

~Isaiah 40:31

Blessings, Patti

Little Stitches Handwork Club 2015

I've belonged to Lori Brechlin's Little Stitches Handwork Club from Notforgotten Farm since the inception.

I always love the projects and this year's projects have been awesome!

"Garden House Pin Tuffet"

This lovely design inspired me to make some wool flower pins to match the stitched ones in the design.

I also added a few wool flowers to the back.

The beautiful green ribbon inspired a matching herringbone stitch on the seam.

I also finished the previous club kit:

"Folk Tulip Needlework Station"

The cross stitched design forms a little pocket that I lined with a flowery reproduction cotton.

I added a ribbon hanger to the top.

The little added pincushion and rusty pins were great accessories from Lori.

I added a few pale green thread rings to complete it.

 I am thrilled with the finishes and up to date for when the next kit comes out in July.

You can read more about Lori's wonderful club here and even join it here.

Leia and Peanut have been quite the handful.

You can't tell from these photos, but DH describes them as "unbridled enthusiasm" lol!

The sure look innocent when they are exhausted :)

"Sing to God, sing praises to his name;

    lift up a song to him who rides upon the clouds -

his name is the Lord - be exultant before him.

Father of orphans and protector of widows

    is God in his holy habitation."

~Psalm 68:4-5

Blessings, Patti

A sign?

This week I started working on 

Schoolgirl Sampler Spring Sewing Bag

design by Stacy Nash for the Country Sampler Girls Club

It's been more than 6 months now since we lost our beloved Orion. 

(You can read more about Orion here and here.)

We've decided that we are ready to open our home and hearts to adopt another rescue. 

We've been searching for a bit now trying to find the right fit for our family and lifestyle.

Today was the day!

Welcome Peanut and Leia!

A bonded pair - brother and sister.

We had no intention of adopting two, but how could you split this sweet pair?!

After a busy day of getting to know us, our home and the neighborhood.

they are worn out!

Good night Leia!

Good night Peanut!

Take a peek at my current project again...

Two dogs are charted on this piece, do you think it was a sign? :)

Make me a servant

Humble and meek

Lord let me lift up those who are weak

And may the prayers of my heart always be

Make me a servant

Make me a servant

Make me a servant today

~Kelly Willard

Blessings, Patti

Treasures ~ New and Old

This month some new treasures have found their way to my home.

I'm a big fan of Misi Axel of 1890 Gable House Goodes and shared my first purchase from her here.

I loved this beautiful mantel box and thought it perfect for strawberry season.

Her wallpaper boxes are aged to perfection - is it old? Or is it new?

And look at this gorgeous strawberry box!

It arrived with this beautiful burgundy ribbon and another little treasure.

Here it is in all its glory.

And here is the little treasure tucked under the pretty ribbon:

Perfect and monogrammed just for me :)

The moment you open a box from Misi, the lovely fragrance transports you to a happy place.

She tucks her lovely fragranced creations inside each box :)

Misi's sweet blog is here and her online shop is here.

And look at these new treasures ~ I love paisley :)

Lauren from the delightful blog, Rugs and Pugs created these for her booth at the Western Reserve Rug Hook In. I saw them on her blog and had my fingers crossed that she would have a berry and necklace left to sell to me :) I got lucky! They are even prettier in person :)

My sister and I recently visited a moving sale that an antique dealer / friend was having.

I found some lovely wool, coverlet and paisley for future creations.

and some spools, clothes pins and buttons that you never know ~ you just might need ;)

And finally this past weekend was our town's little antique show.

It's quite small, but I always manage to find a treasure or two...

This year it was a diminutive furkin, so short and squat.

It didn't work with my stack, but I'm sure I will find just the spot for it... 

I just read about this book on another blog! I can't remember which?

But the second I saw it, I snatched it up!

I also found this beautiful sewing clamp from Germany. I'd love to use it, but I don't usually sit at a table. For now I'll find a place to display it...

My stitching has slowed lately, a busy time of year.

Lots of projects floating in my head, just not enough time to create them.

Hopefully I will find a bit of time this weekend of a finish or two...

“Be still, and know that I am God!

I am exalted among the nations,

I am exalted in the earth.”

~Psalm 46:10

This is the bible verse that I picked for the year. I haven't been too good the first half of the year with "Be still" and focusing as I would like on my faith. I'm praying that I will better fulfill that focus in the second half of the year...

Blessings, Patti

This, that and a winner

I'm sorry for the delay in posting the winner of my little giveaway.

The week flew by and so did the weekend.

Last week, we celebrated a milestone for me - my 25th anniversary working for the same company.

The iconic Wrigley Building pictured above has been my work home for a quarter of a century. 

How could that be?

Here I am at the celebration. The years flew by...

This weekend had its share of laughter and tears.

A dear friend and member of our stitch club passed away. We celebrated her life on Friday. At 69, Karla left us way too soon. Praying for her husband Larry and all of her family and friends. I am so grateful that we had stitch club a short time before her passing and even got a group photo of us all.

My youngest son's best friend also graduated from high school this weekend and we were able to celebrate this milestone and the next chapter of his life...

I hope this isn't too morbid, but I wanted to share...

This weekend, I finished this memorial to our dear departed pup, Orion.

I used a tombstone angel by Kathy Barrick for the design.

I backed it with an antique Civil War era fabric that I had been saving and edged it with a vintage faded black rickrack. It is stuffed with sawdust and now resides next to my stitching chair.

Thank you so much for all the kind words in the comments for my little giveaway! I appreciate each and every one. There were 39 entries and using random.org, the winning entry was #23 - Fran Caswell.

Fran, please email me your mailing address and your prize will be on its way pgagliardi9@hotmail.com

"Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed."

~1 Corinthians 15:51-52

Blessings, Patti