Happy Halloween!

We interrupt our Bittersweet Stitching Sisters travelogue to wish you a

Happy Halloween!

"Old Black Cat and Friends"

by Pineberry Lane

I stitched these sweet pillows last October, but didn't fully finish 

until my week with the Bittersweet Stitching Sisters.

I thought that the little English Paper Piecing hexies added a little fun to the finish :)

"Hallowe'en Jack Sewing Roll"
by Stacy Nash

I finished stitching this piece two years ago, but wasn't sure on how to fully finish. With my Bittersweet Stitching Sisters for support and inspiration, it is finally finished!

I made a few tweaks on this design ~ adding a grinning Jack and taking Stacy's lead and adding more hidden objects in the bottom border. My favorite is the teeny tiny mouse in the bottom right hand corner. 

Here is Stacy's original design.

And just this week I had one final Halloween finish:

"Bittersweet & Broomsticks"

by With Thy Needle and Thread

(an abbreviated version)

My second "Priscillafied" finish! Inspired by Priscilla Blain of The Real Housewives of Cross Stitch.

I used another $3 wooden pumpkin plaque from Target and set off the cross stitch with a great homespun plaid that I found at Country Sampler. A bow and some berries and I was all set!

I'm trying to finish up a final Halloween wool applique design 

and then it is on to Thanksgiving stitching!

We now return to the Bittersweet Stitching Sisters travelogue...

Hope everyone enjoys at least a little favorite Halloween candy today!

For it is by grace you have been saved, 

through faith—and this is not from yourselves, 

it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.

~Ephesians 2:8-9

Blessings, Patti

A winner and a little stitch work...

 

I'm so sorry for the delay in selecting a winner!

Unlike Peanut and Leia, I haven't been resting and relaxing, but rather life has been crazy busy!

But there will be more about that in my next post.

 

I had 56 entries in my giveaway and it sounds like most of you are like me and would really like to try English Paper Piecing. Using random.org, the winning number was #35 - Lee Anne!

Congratulations Lee Anne!

Unfortunately, you are a no-reply blogger so I am unable to email you. Please email me at pgagliardi9@hotmail.com by Saturday so I can send off your prize.

Thank you all for participating.

 

 

Between the lovely trip to Yellow Creek Quilt Designs

and following Mrs. Holder's Hexagons on Temecula Quilt Company,

I was anxious to try my hand at those teeny 1/2 inch hexagons...

So I pulled out a mini charm pack of "Union Blues" by Barbara Brackman and got started.

(I thought I should test the waters before delving into my beautiful "Stars in the Garden" kit!)

My first little flower turned out ok and I found it fun!

So I added a ring, like Mrs. Holder.

 

 

So far so good! Let's try another...

 

Oh, I am liking this!

Then all too soon, my mini charm pack was all used up.

Hmmm, how should I finish it off?

With a bit of brown and blue tweed wool, of course!

 

Is it wrong, that I move it around the house so that I could admire it? ;)

 

I added a perle cotton blanket stitch around the edge and called it done.

 

 

I was so pleased!

I immediately pulled out the "Stars in a Garden" pattern and read all the directions...

Off I go!

 

 

And in no time, my first start is done!

On to the next! Oh my... this is addictive!

Hold on wool applique and counted cross stitch, I haven't forgotten about you...

More about those projects in my next post.

 

Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

~Romans 8:34

 

Blessings, Patti

Pennies from Heaven ~ Volume 6 (should be Vol. 7!)

When I visited my parents last month, I was able to see Mom's latest finishes.

I'm sure that I shared this one before, but it is now officially finished.

And I can't stop looking at it and admiring it!

Maggie Bonanomi's "Settlers Pride" is such a stunning design!

When Mom saw the photos last time, she did a little minor perfecting before backing it. 

Can you believe that she did this entire project in 7 weeks?!

Once backed - she added this running stitch along the edge - love it!

"Follow the Sun" by Woolkeeper

Such beautiful wool!

And it looks so perfect on the back of this rocking chair.

"Wool Applique in Neutrals" from "Another Place and Time"

Another gorgeous Maggie Bonanomi design.

Love the monochromatic color scheme.

Here is one of Mom's originals.

And here is where it lives - perfect!

Another of Mom's originals - love the snowflake charms!

Design by Laurie Simpson 

in Primitive Quilts & Projects book "Wool Applique - Volume 2"

This piece is replacing the sunflower on the back of the rocking chair for Christmas.

I love the ticking candy canes! Perfect!

While I was there, Mom decided that she wanted to learn English Paper Piecing.

It's no fun to make just a single flower, so Mom and I sat down and made these: 

We each finished a little pincushion.

Of course Mom took to EPP like a fish to water.

We didn't start these until later in the evening and probably spent as much time laughing as we did stitching. We stayed up way too late, but had so much fun!

I wouldn't be surprised if my next visit I get to see some EPP projects 

by Mom in addition to wool applique ;)

Here's some perspective to see the size of our little pincushions.

I might just need to make a few more...

Great job Mom! I always love all that you do!

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

    for his steadfast love endures forever.

~Psalm 136:1

Blessings, Patti