Time to unplug...

I'm so happy to have my Stacy Nash Stitch Camp Tray finished!

Now I can display the set :)

I really like the design - strawberries and patriotic bunting - two of my favorite things :)

I also finished a project that I was stitching on the 4th of July:

"Hurrah for the Red, White & Blue"

by Pineberry Lane

stitched on Murky linen by Picture This Plus

edged with vintage rickrack and I added a little antique patriotic pin that I had.

Soon I'll heading to the Northwoods and my annual time of unplugging technology

 and recharging body and soul.

Last week both pups had surgery and are now recuperating at home.

Leia has been good and not focusing on her stitches. 

Peanut has a tendency to lick his stitches, but the baby onesie seems to be a deterent - much better than a cone :)

Leia has also been distracted by the big hotdog that my Mom gave her for her birthday last month.

The only problem is that she never wants to put it down :) 

Peanut rather take it easy and nap whenever possible.

I hope that you each find time to unplug and recharge!

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;

    I will be exalted among the nations,

    I will be exalted in the earth.”

~Psalm 46:10

Blessings, Patti

Country Sampler Stitch Camp 2017 ~ The Shopping

The shopping at Country Sampler is, as always, inspiring!

So much to take in and so difficult to make decisions.

I want it all! :)

It's so nice to be there for a few days ~ time to mull things over and
go through the store a few times or more...

It seems that I can never have too many ribbons.
(And I had to share our sweet little nametags / placeholders.)

I had to come home with at least one new Maggie kit.

This is one of Vickie and Maegans' books - chockfull of wonderful designs.

Many of the models were on display during camp.

And a few more books that had to go home with me.

Models for both of these were on display at Country Sampler.

Even more wonderful in person.

I went back and forth on the "Berry Days" pattern

until I flipped it over and knew that I had to have it!

Love this bonus pattern for the sweetest coordinating needlebook!

Jeanne and her team at Country Sampler are well known for switching up colors - and the colors they picked for this Stacy Nash kit took my breath away - gorgeous linen, threads, wool, velvet and ribbon - absolutely everything to complete this pinkeep with its darling strawberries!

Can't wait to get started on it!

I didn't have time for all of my usual stops - this was a quick trip.

But I did have to stop at one antique mall for a quick run through.

I loved everything in this display.

And this old penny rug caught my eye.

These flowered centers were different.

Sew sweet!

And this is what came home with me.

I loved the stenciling and the interesting shape of this tin bowl.

And while I have similar pincushions, the patterned side was different and the price was right.

I couldn't leave this trip without sharing the lovely flowers at the Spring Green Motel.

The lighting was off on this picture, but I loved the unique birdhouse.

Every motel should have a chicken coop out back :)

I wish there was more free time to sit in one of the beautiful outside sitting areas.

There is a little pond hidden in the middle of this area.

 A pretty use for an old motorless truck.

Good bye Spring Green, Wisconsin!

I hope not to stay away so long...

 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

~Phillipians 1:9-11

Blessings, Patti

Country Sampler Stitch Camp 2017 ~ Day 3

All too soon, it was Day 3 and our final day of camp.

Supplies waiting for us as we arrived - what could they be for?

First up was the wonderful antique sampler that we had reproduced as homework for camp.

It was fun to see the changes that others had made to theirs.

Suzanne added "Summer of 2017"

Nancy changed up her colors to a more muted palette.

Frances did hers in all red.

I think that we all agreed that Kim (who Mom and I met in Ohio!) had the best sampler!

She stitched hers on 40 count linen over two threads and added her name, Stitch Camp, Country Sampler, Spring Green, Wisconsin, July 6 - 8, 2017.

She also added a scissor and a spool of thread! 

Isn't it fabulous?!?!

It's so fun to see everyone's take on the same project!

And here is mine all complete.

I really enjoyed the hem stitching.

Who knew?! I will definitely be adding it to projects in the future.

I thought about aging it with walnut crystals, but I'm not quite sure.

So I will enjoy it "as is" for a while.

You can see the hem stitching a bit better here.

I love how this old scissor fob that I made years ago is in the same color palette.

(I think that it was a Kathy Barrick design.) 

So happy for another Stitch Camp finish!

And there was one final project before the campers headed home.

The tiny little doll on the left is from the Civil War era or a bit after.

The one on the right is Maegan's reproduction.

Oh what stories this doll could probably tell!

At first I thought I might continue working on my hem stitching.

I'm ever so glad that I changed my mind and joined in!

Here is my little doll:

I just love her! And she was done in a flash :)

I had to include this picture - On our lunch break at The General Store

we were able to enjoy some beautiful live music!

Thank you ever so much Vickie and Maegan for so many wonderful projects and such a special camp!

And great thanks to Stacy Nash, Selma Bennett, and especially Jeanne Horton

and the Shop Gals for putting it all together!!!

Here are almost all the campers and camp counselors.

I think that we all possessed a contented heart!

I'll be back for one more post to share the ever fun shopping ;)

It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

~Phillipians 1:7-8

Blessings, Patti

Country Sampler Stitch Camp 2017 ~ Day 2

Day 2 of Country Sampler Stitch Camp our teachers were Vickie and Maegan of Needlework Press.

You can find their website here and their Facebook page here.

Camp cook, Selma Bennett, fixed up a delicious breakfast.

Vickie and Meaghan brought with many lovely models from their books and patterns.

Most are based on antiques in their collections.

I love the patriotic motifs in this one!

So many inspiring projects!

It's hard to pick a favorite!

And so many unusual and unique finishes!

Some done on tiny count fabric. Love!

Here are all the models for a camp classes!

Look at all these lovelies!

Most are based on antiques and it was so fun to see the original antiques as well.

All the campers enthralled with their tales.

Here are my finishes from Day 2

A fabric covered journal, a camp lanyard/necklace and a sweet little pouch to keep it in.

We also worked on decoupaging a box ~ something totally outside of my comfort zone!

I found it best to arrange things and then take a picture to try and see how it looked "overall" 

We spent a lot of time playing :) - cutting, selecting, adding, subtracting and rearranging.

My box is now done and I am excited! 

The box lid with the addition of an aged velvet pincushion as suggested by our camp teachers.

The front of the box with a suggested old spool of thread as seen on another antique work box.

I am so happy with the way it turned out and am happy that I stepped out of my comfort zone!

Would you like to see the inside?

I'm happy with the way the inside turned out as well :)

As I am writing this, I am thinking that I should write on the bottom of the box when and where it was created... I better do that now before I forget.

There is still one more day of classes to share!

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

~Philippians 1:3-6

Blessings, Patti