Osage 2017 ~ Part 4

So with a week at the wonderful retreat center at The Stitchery Nook,

What did we work on?

My focus was working on Maggie Bonanomi's "Bountiful"

from the 2016 Country Sampler Boxwood & Berries event.

I didn't finish it, but I did make a lot of progress!

Still hoping for a finish before Thanksgiving.

I also made some progress on Maggie Bonanomi's "Autumn' Choice"

from Country Sampler's Girls Club 2016.

I decided to add veins to the leaves using Rustic Moire Wool Thread so it is taking a bit longer.

Nicki shared her progress on this wonderful hooked rug - design by Ewe and Eye.

And another Ewe and Eye design in progress and hooked by Nicki.

Linda is working on this stunner!

Where the Cows Come Home

design by The Cottage at Cardiff Farms

and kitted by Calico Hutch Quilt Shop

WOW!!! Is all I can say and it is even more stunning in person.

I have to share close ups of some of my favorites.

Who am I kidding?! They are all favorites! 

The fabrics and wools are all so perfect for the design.

Most aren't stitched by Linda yet, but merely fused and they are already gorgeous!

*sigh* You just want to walk into the scene.

Don't you love those teeny tiny sheep?!

And wait until you see what one single Bittersweet Stitching Sister accomplished in less that a full week!

Kim put the binding on this gorgeous 1930's style feedsack fabric quilt.

Here is Kim with her sweet Halloween quilt that she also put the binding on.

Just in time to enjoy this Halloween!

These cute needle punch designs are now all uniquely mounted and ready for Kim to hang up.

And would you believe that Kim also finished all of these sweet pinkeeps and pouch?!

Way to go Kim!!!

I think that you have set a new Bittersweet Stitching Sisters record of most finishes at a single retreat!!!

Congratulations and enjoy all of your wonderful new finishes!

I think I have a post or two left from out trip and then my traditional trip giveaway...

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

~Ephesians 5:1-2

Blessings, Patti

Pennies from Heaven ~ Volume 16

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

Over the weekend, it was Mom's birthday, so we took a quick trip down to celebrate.

Mom has been busy this winter and had lots of finishes to share...

"Is It Spring Yet?" design by Maggie Bonanomi

Kitted by Blackberry Primitives

Mom's is on top and mine is on the bottom.

How appropriate just about now :)

I always like to see how we do things a bit differently.

I love Mom's daffodil leaves on top.

On mine (bottom) I did two eggs in wool and one in velvet.

Mom (top) used a black button for the eye

I used a scrap of wool.

I think that they are both keepers!

"Early Family Sampler" design by Cee Rafuse of Early Style Penny Rugs

Mom did this one to celebrate our family.

I love how she slightly stuffed the people. She adjusted it to have two daughters five years apart :)

(I'm the little one.)

She also added a turtle and a rabbit as we had those as pets growing up.

"Wild Hares and Hollyhocks" design by Kathy Cardiff for Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine, Spring 2016

I love the plaid background and the beads that she added to the flowers! Lovely!

My personal favorite!

Maggie Bonanomi for Country Sampler Girls Club 2016.

I have this kit in my stash and must complete before fall.

Mom's work is absolute perfection!

"Pinecones" design by Carolyn Snyder for Cricket Street Wool

Love this! All the textures and dimensions!

And all those embroidered pine needles!

February Hexi Word Door Greeter

by Buttermilk Basin

Isn't this awesome!

Mom added tiny seed beads on each of the blocks.

I love the added detail that they provide.

Mom had made hearts runners for my sister and I and now she has one of her own.

I love the wools that she chose.

And finally, Rebekah L. Smith's "Wooly Pocket" kitted by Attic Heirlooms.

So sweet hanging on a peg rack.

I did catch a sneak peek of Mom's next project, shhh! Don't tell her that I peeked! ;)

Although I have several wool projects in process, I decided to start a new project for our little road trip to Mom's. I'll be back with that soon!

There is still time to enter my little Arizona trip giveaway. Be sure to go here to enter!

  Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

~John 11:25-26

Hope your birthday was a happy one, Mom! We sure enjoyed it!

Blessings, Patti

A One Day Shop Hop~Stop #1

Last week my husband and I were able to take a quick trip to San Diego, California. He had a one day conference, so I had one day to visit as many shops as I could :) Oh boy! Did I shop!

As soon as I knew that we were going, I had to see how far our hotel was from a shop on my bucket list ~ I was in luck! It was less than 30 minutes away... Can you guess which shop it is?

The Country Loft in La Mesa, CA!

Oh my! My heart started racing as soon as I pulled up and saw the sign. Could I really, truly be here?

This sweet little craftsman home with it's welcoming white picket fence *sigh*

I just wanted to move right in and I hadn't even entered the door :)

Sweet vignettes greet you as you walk in the door!

All you can do is stand in one place and try to take it all in...

Home decor, wool, embroidery, quilts ~ this store has it all.

And it is all displayed so beautifully!

I think that I started hyperventilating at this point!

How will I ever make decisions on what to buy?!

I just love how the supplies are displayed in antique fixtures!

I heard a joyous fellowship taking place in another room and had to take a peek

Several ladies were taking a class.

They were all very sweet and allowed me to take pictures :)

The lovely lady on the right (I've forgotten her name - sorry!) was working on this lovely table mat:

A Buttermilk Basin pattern - you can rest assured that this pattern came home with me.

The classroom area was filled with beautiful models

 Enough to take your breath away...

They are starting Maggie Bonanomi's "Village Green" as a block of the month. The colors are softer and subtler in person and I am finding myself tempted...

And the house is not the only space to be explored...

Out back is a wonderful antique shed.

Everything is displayed so beautifully!

So inspiring!

And inside was filled with wonderful primitive treasures.

Oh why was I traveling with only a carry-on bag?! :(

*sigh*

And I loved this great stone fireplace in the garden. 

Wouldn't it be great to pull a stitching chair up next to it?!

I can't tell you what a thrill it was to see JoAnn Mullaly's Crazy Quilt in person!

I'm sorry that photos can not do it justice.

I still can't get over the amount of patches, wool applique and above all the incredible embroidery!!!

Those little flowers and that house - oh my stars!!!

And the work by Cheri Payne was also exciting - oh how I love that owl!

And the work of Cottage at Cardiff Farms!

How can one shop contain this much beauty?!

Everyone at the shop was so kind and welcoming!

I felt like I had come home.

(And their suggestion of visiting Little Italy was spot on, but I'll share that fun another day)

If you ever have a chance to visit Country Loft, run don't walk! 

You will love every minute that you are there.

And if you can't get there in person. you can visit them:

at their online shop here

their blog here

Facebook here

(They will be having their Christmas open house this weekend, I wish that I could go back ;)

Thank you ladies for such a lovely visit!

I think that at this point, I could have headed home perfectly happy and content,

But this was only the first stop...

I'll be back to share more soon...

"Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy

    before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

    for his steadfast love endures forever."

~1 Chronicles 16:33-34

Blessings, Patti