Final Fall Finishes & Thanksgiving

Buttermilk Basin's 

"Year in Stitches Collection - November"

I know that Advent Season has begun and the candle of Hope has been lit, but since it is still November I thought I would share a few final fall finishes...

Buttermilk Basin's 

"Live Simply - November"

I love turkeys, so these first two finishes were such fun for me :)

Buttermilk Basin's

"Basin Banner - November"

Can you believe only one more month and this series will be complete?!

"Goode Stitching Witch Sewing Tray"

by Stacy Nash

(this was a limited edition kit by Stacy)

I tweaked the pattern just a bit - making the house smaller and adding my favorite lantern from another Stacy design.

"House on Pumpkin Hill Pinkeep"

design by Stacy Nash for Country Sampler's Girls Club

I changed out the fabric to something I could see better while commuting.

I also had to share my tiny harvest - yep this is all the Indian corn that I grew (not much) and one single pumpkin. But still enough to make me happy and fill my wooden bowl.

Early Thanksgiving morning found me at the McDonald's Thanksgiving Day Parade in downtown Chicago.

I had a perfect seat in the second row of the grandstand.

I still love the big balloons!

These southern belles were so sweet.

And of course Star Wars was represented!

(Our family already has our tickets for opening night!)

I loved this cement truck dressed up like a turkey ;)

And Arthur was there :)

I always liked that show when the boys were little.

But the high point of the parade for me was the Maine South marching band

Here come the Hawkettes!

The drum majors and the band.

And here is my very favorite sousaphone player (tuba)!

My youngest son!

Great job!

So much fun to watch them march down State Street that great street!

One difficulty of having a parade in The Loop - how to get those giant balloons under the El?! (Elevated train tracks.) Their only solution is to deflate him. Don't worry, Arthur made it through the entire parade, they were just getting him back to the truck.

I am way behind on my blogging and have much to share including my Mom's latest finishes. 

I'll try to get back soon!

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God."

~Colossians 3:16

Blessings, Patti

Prim Paradise Purchases

I found some fun treasures on our trip.

A pair of tiny German paper mache candy containers with metal feet. 

They don't stand very well, so I just give them something to lean on :)

A wonderfully old papercutting mounted on a marbled book cover under bubbly old glass in a wonderful folk art frame purchased from Joe Cardetti of Kracker Barrel Antiques.

Don't mind Peanut who was trying to help me :)

This precious little hooked rug that mirrors the current conditions outside.

Finally a sewing bird of my very own!

I've wanted one for as long as I can remember.

This one is in fabulous shape with all pincushions intact.

When I held it, I knew that this was the one to come home with me :)

And finally this fabulous treasure!

Each and every side features a different 1930's fabric.

What really struck me was the size!

Each diamond measures 1 by 1.5 inches and the entire Moravian star is 3.5 inches tall!

Can you imagine working on something so tiny?!

Mom bought two tomato pincushions (I wonder if a new collection is starting?)

I love the velvet one on the right from Jacque Bradford.

And it's been a while since I shared a pic of the pups.

Poor Leia on the right had surgery and 20+ stitches. 

She's been working on recuperating.

Good thing she has her brother Peanut to take good care of her :)

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise.

    Give thanks to him, bless his name.

For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever,

    and his faithfulness to all generations."

~Psalm 100:4-5

Blessings, Patti 

Prim Paradise ~ Autumn 2015

A week ago today, I was off on another adventure ~ a visit with my parents and the seven primitive shows of central Illinois. We made it to four of the seven before I ran out of time and money :)

The first booth that we visited was that of Maggie Bonanomi at the Rural Life Show.

Of course everything was beautiful!

And every vignette was stunning!

Inspiration throughout!

At the other Rural Life location, I saw this beautiful penny rug. I loved how it was mounted and hung.

Beautiful handwork with a story all its own, but it also reminds me of modern art hung in this manner.

Just loved all the tiny Noah's Ark animals.

And these tiny houses - oh my!

At the Homesteaders Show we saw this unique roller washboard - I have never seen anything like it.

Some beautiful hooked winter scenes...

Each prettier than the next...

I loved this simple scene - the flickering electric candles on the tree were amazing!

Some neat architectural wall art and the display rack reminds me of a Christmas Tree that could be really fun to decorate with old wooden spools of sewing thread.

Next it was on to Gathering on the Prairie.

A wonderful selection of antique pincushions

And another favorite booth - that of Jacque Bradford

She always has incredible sewing items.

The roll on the left still has a nib of its original waxer!

Always so hard to choose!

I want it all lol!

There's something about these lace up shoes... I'm still thinking about them!

There are so many other fabulous booths at these shows!

I've realized now that I didn't take any photos of  my other favorite booths

 including Ginny Henson and Joe Cardetti :( 

Sometimes I get so excited, I forget to take pictures.

I still have to share my purchases and my Mom's latest finishes.

But this weekend I am heading out once again ~ my sister and I are headed to Wisconsin to visit her daughter (my niece). That is if the weather cooperates. We are in the midst of our first winter snowstorm. Fingers crossed we will get to go!

O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!

~Psalm 95:1-2

Blessings, Patti

Thrilled to Share!

 

I am so thrilled to share that I have a project in the Winter 2015 issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine!

 

 

I can't tell you how much it means to me to be in the same issue as some of my all time favorite designers:

Lori Brechlin of Notforgotten Farm

Rebekah L. Smith

and Stacy West of Buttermilk Basin

 

And when I visited Fat Quarters Quilt Shop, I discovered that Michelle Joyner, the owner of the shop designed the gorgeous quilt on the cover! How wonderful!

 

 

It was such fun to see the "behind the scenes process".

 

 

When photos started appearing from quilt market in Houston, it was such a pleasure to see my project was there :) You can see it in the upper left hand corner.

I may never get to Houston, but my project did :)

 

If you would like to purchase a copy of this issue (or better yet, subscribe), you can do so here.

You can also find it at your local quilt shop.

And yes, you can even find it at...

 

 

Barnes & Noble.

Yes, I was a dork and had my son take my picture there. :) I guess you can tell I'm a bit excited lol.

 

I will be hosting another giveaway soon (maybe related to the magazine ;)

I've been out of town yet again, visiting my parents.

So I'll have some more of my mom's lovely work to share soon.

 

Thanks for letting me share my joyous news!

 

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.

~Psalm 119:10-11

 

Blessings, Patti