On the road again...

My homework is finished and my supplies are packed!

I still need to pack my clothes, but those don't matter to me much, 

so I will toss them in a suitcase tonight.

Tomorrow I am headed to Peninsula, Ohio for "From Our Hands ~ Creative"!

Can't wait to take classes from Rebekah L. Smith, Lori Ann Corelis and Stacy Nash.

And to see old friends and meet new ones, too.

I'm leaving bright and early and hope to make a few stops along the way...

So until I return, I'll leave you with a photo of my very first Lenten Rose!

(Thanks so much Jan for sharing from your lovely garden!)

"Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. 

I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever. Amen."

~Hebrews 13:18-21

Blessings, Patti

A Prairie Schooler Year ~ April

My year of Prairie Schooler finishes from over the years continues.

Time for April as the month is quickly coming to a close...

I made these two as a set.

A pincushion

And a key fob.

Robins are a favorite bird of mine.

Stitched over one on 22 count.

I added eyelet stitches for the flowers.

An oldie for sure. April showers always make me think of ducks :)

Stitched over one, this made a sweet scissor fob.

Another finish from my over one days :)

I'm looking forward to pulling out my Prairie Schooler May finishes soon!

 You were set free from an empty way of life. This way of life was handed down to you by your own people of long ago. You know that you were not bought with things that can pass away, like silver or gold. Instead, you were bought with the priceless blood of Christ. He is a perfect lamb. He doesn’t have any flaws at all.

~ 1 Peter 1:18-19

Blessings, Patti

Express Yourself!

Last weekend was our big event at church

Express Yourself Art Show Gala, Silent Auction and Day of Creativity.

It was a success!

In addition to some beautiful artwork in a variety of mediums, there were also three quilt artists.

This Baltimore Album square took my breath away!

It was made by my friend, Katie's late mother.

What an absolute treasure! 

Here is my little exhibit.

My older son exhibited his artwork and my younger son and husband attended.

Both of my pieces for the silent auction sold and went to a good cause.

It was a lovely evening!

The next morning we were up early for our day of creativity.

People moved freely between a dozen stations of make it take it projects.

I enjoyed teaching my little mug rugs.

While some hand piecing was being enjoyed at the next table.

After a yummy luncheon, we had our Sip and Paint taught by Sip and Paint Chicago.

Has Sip and Paint taken your area by storm? Here in Chicago it is the thing to do!

While it is usually a BYOB affair, here at church we all sipped on non-alcoholic punch.

This definitely was a good thing for this was my first time despite wanting to do it for a few years!

 Here is the painting that we all created. while listening to fun "oldies" music and sipping our punch, the teacher took us through each and every step.

We had our canvas on an easel, paints, brushes, water jar and a rag.

All set to go!

First a little white, yellow and orange...

add a bit of red.

(Wow! I'm not used to these bright colors! Definitely stepping out of my comfort zone!)

It was so much fun and while we worked on the exact same picture... 

No two came out alike!

Here is our entire group ~ Happy with our results!

So much fun to see three different generations all enjoying the chance to express our creativity! 

I was so blessed that Katie gave me these old Needlecraft magazines from 1929 - 1932!

What treasures!

Isn't this advertisement beautiful?!

Some things never go out of style...

like felt (or wool) applique

and hooked rugs!

I hope that you have a chance to Express Yourself!

I will praise God’s name by singing to him.

    I will bring him glory by giving him thanks.

~Psalm 69:30

Blessings, Patti

A New Winner and Springtime in Chicago

Well, I had to select a new winner for my giveaway, as the previous winner did not contact me.

So using random.org, comment #1 was selected - Barb, who said "Wow---can't wait to get to your shops...feel like you a pre-travel agent! Thanks for sharing. Going to Yellow Creek next month." 

Congratulations Barb! Please send me an email to pgagliardi9@hotmail.com with your mailing address and I will get your prize out to you.

Well, it has been an odd spring here in Chicago with most of it looking like this.

Each March is the wonderful Chicago Flower and Garden Show held at Navy Pier.

Since I haven't attended in several years, I decided that this was the year to go back.

They are open until 8 pm a few evenings, so I thought I would be good and walk the mile and a half from my office and spend two hours at the show. Once I arrived, I realized that they were closed. I picked a day where they were not open until 8:00 :( So I walked the mile and a half back to the office... grrrr. 

At least I got a bit of exercise, I guess.

Fortunately there is another, smaller Flower Show a few weeks later and this one is free ;)

The iconic Macy's on State Street transforms there 9th floor for two weeks out of the year for this flower show and the theme this year was America the Beautiful.

As soon you get off the elevator, the fragrance is divine!

It is amazing the work that goes into this free two week show.

This is a representation of the Statue of Liberty's torch.

Each geographic section of the United States was represented:

A New England fishing shack for the Northeast

The tropical southeast

The good old Midwest

I loved the props including this old wheelbarrow!

Isn't it beautiful?

I love the flower quilt square above the barn door

and the "garden plot" in the bottom left corner.

Where are Peter Rabbit and Mr. McGregor?

The southwest was also represented, but this was the show stopper for me...

How cool is the giant fallen tree to walk through?

And this sweet camper filled with flowers.

All too soon my lunch hour was over and it was time to return to the office.

But I definitely had a bit more spring in my step ;)

 For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;

The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land

~Song of Solomon 2:11-12 

Blessings, Patti

International Quilt Show 2016

 Last week was the International Quilt Show in Rosemont, Illinois, just minutes from my house.

Unfortunately, it was a very busy week so I only had about 3 hours at the show to power shop.

It is so incredibly inspiring and I thought I that I would share the inspiration with you.

I was so thrilled to see Carried Away Designs again! WOW!!! They truly do carry me away!

And the designer, Carrie is as sweet as they come.

How to ever make a decision when there are so many designs to choose from?!

 It was so hard to pick just one...

But this is what followed me home:

The bunnies and mother hen certainly called to me! 

And I know a certain phenomenal stitcher (that I call Mom) signed up for the incredible BOM in the first photo with the great blue heron in the middle :)

You can find Carried Away Designs here and her Facebook page here.

I bet you will have a hard time picking just one design too ;)

 Talk about inspiration! Sew Cherished just blew me away!

Dawn was so patient with me as I stalked her booth time and again trying to take it all in!

 I don't think that I have ever seen so many huge wool applique models in one spot!

So many that I have seen online were there in person. And even more stunning close up.

I start going into sensory overload pretty quickly! 

This display is the one that kept calling me back time and again. 

 I bought a few patterns that I have been considering for a while and some fun textured homespuns.

And from the display that kept calling me back:

 Dawn had a kit for "Wool Fall Crazy" that might have been a good idea...

And look at Dawn's own design! Wool and English Paper Piecing! Two of my loves combined!

If you would like to see more of Sew Cherished, visit their website here and their Facebook page here.

  

It was so good to see Jill and Vicki after being at their shop, Yellow Creek Quilt Designs,  a few short weeks ago.

Of course, I couldn't say hi without doing a bit more shopping ;) 

 I pre-ordered their new book coming out in May and am hoping that they will autograph it.

I bought their last book "Kindred Spirits" - it contains a companion piece to the Stars in the Garden that I am working on now! I love their packaged fabric "sticks" and couldn't resist another. And I have to try their favorite EPP needles. (Darn I just realized that I should have had them autograph this book, but I get a little giddy, when I am in these wonderful booths...)

Don't forget to visit Yellow Creek Quilt Designs website here and Facebook page here.

I also picked up a few miscellaneous items...

Kai scissors (my favorite) in both curved and serrated versions.

Superior thread bobbins - great for train stitching.

And the new Songbird Gatherings charm pack from Primitive Gatherings.

 Red Button Quilt Co. was another "new to me" booth.

 Wow so many lovely quilts!

But the area that really spoke to my heart was:

All this beautiful red and white! With wonderful tiny button accents.

You can see their designs in more detail at their website here and their Facebook page here.

Many of these booths will be in Paducah, KY next week. 

Wish I could go there and see them again LOL!

Well, I was out of money and almost out of time...

On my way out, I tried to take in a bit of the quilt show.

I was thrilled to see the Indigo Quilts from the Poos Collection.

We were not allowed to take photos, but there is a great write up in the current issue of Quiltmania Magazine #112 or you might Google for some images...

Here are a few quilts that caught my eye. 

 Unfortunately, I forgot to photograph the quilt information on this one.

I loved this original wool applique quilt. 

 Wish that I had more time to read the info on many of the quilts - so interesting... 

 The graphic quality of this quilt really caught my eye!

and look up close:

 It is all selveges!

And this quilt reminded me that Mom stitched it as well. I think that she should really consider entering hers in a quilt show and/or her local county fair...

In thinking back about my short visit, I realize that it is the time spent with the talented, kind and gifted designers that inspires me as much as the booths themselves.

I hope that this peek inspires you!

It surely inspired me!!!

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

~John 20:29-31

Blessings, Patti