Fun & Finishes

Gosh, Advent Season is flying by! Where does the time go?!

Well, I have to admit that I didn't go straight home after the wonderful Spirit of Christmas Past Show...

There is an antique mall right off the highway in Gurnee, IL that I always wanted to stop at, but never had.

I decided now was the time!

Aren't the angel ornaments above awesome?!

I had forgotten how wonderful it is to visit an antique shop at Christmas time!

I knew that I should be going home to do chores, so I hurried through just stopping to take a few pictures...

Now looking at the pictures I wish that I would have taken the time to check prices on some of these treasures ;)

Who doesn't love German Putz sheep?!

And look at this wonderful collection of Santas!

This picture is blurry, but too cute to exclude...

I may have hurried, but I did find a treasure or two to bring home...

Two German metal deer - I've been thinking about these since I saw several at the Primitive Shows last month and have an idea for their display...

And a poinsettia pyrography box to add to my collection as the price was too good to pass up!

Stitching is slow this time of year with so many holiday preparations.

But here is a finish:

"Deck the Halls Sewing Tray"

limited edition kit by Stacy Nash

The little candles on the feather tree just make my heart sing!

I only made one small change to her apron switching the stripes to snowflakes. 

It will be hard to put her away when Christmas is over...

And I finished this fun towel kit that I purchased at Country Loft in La Mesa, CA.

I'm so happy to finish something from my major spending spree in California!

I am behind in my posting and hope to be back to share a quick trip that I took before Thanksgiving!

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: 

The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, 

and will call him Immanuel."

~Isaiah 7:14

Blessings, Patti

One Day Shop Hop~My Purchases

So many of you have asked to see what I purchased on my one day shop hop in California :)

It was a quick trip, so my husband and I only had carry on bags. I had to keep this in mind as I shopped...

I love Quilts By Cheri and have followed her website and blog.

It was such a joy to see so many of her designs completed as models at the shops.

So of course many of her patterns came home with me!

From Country Loft above - these will be ready for next autumn I hope :)

 

And these were purchased at Country Loft too! So stunning in person!

And a few more that I picked up at Fat Quarters Quilt Shop.

Also from Country Loft, French General ribbon, a few mini charm packs, and two of their new Christmas kits - A Quilts by Cheri penny rug and a wonderful wool applique towel kit (the design is the latest craze - a red pick-up truck with a Christmas Tree).

More patterns and English Paper Piecing from  Country Loft

and I was so happy to find a few patterns by JoAnn Mullaly.

The Fall Branch model was gorgeous!!!

Of course I purchased the Buttermilk Basin pattern after seeing it in progress and Briar Root Primitives is a new designer to me - loved the fireflies in the mason jar!

At Temecula Quilt Co. I had to purchase their wonderful ruler boxes! 

And a few other notions as well.

At Grand Country Quilters, I found the wonderful "sherbet" pack of pastel wool. And at Fat Quarters Quilt Shop I found the great chenille rickrack and wonderful blown glass snowman scissor fob :)

Of course I had to bring home a few souvenirs for my mom too ;)

And I still managed to zip my carry on closed!

"May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light."

~Colossians 1:11-12

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