A Quick Trip to Galena, Illinois

Just four days after returning from From Our Hands ~ Creative in Ohio, 

I was on another quick trip.

Our Stitch Club went for a long weekend to Galena, Illinois.

I think that the last time we went as a group was 2011 - way too long!

We rented a house in Eagle Ridge Territory and were able to enjoy these lovely views.

The weather was so nice, that I was even able to stitch outside for a while.

We all worked in a variety of mediums

from wool applique and penny rugs to English Paper Piecing and knitting.

I loved the feedsack print Lucy Boston squares!

I even had a finish or two.

"Rabbit Warren"

by Notforgotten Farm

complete with her little bunny thread board

I started this a few years back and am happy to have it finished to enjoy this spring.

I also finished this:

Spring Robin Sewing Kit

by The Woolen Willow

I bought this kit many years ago.

It has several needle pages.

On one page I added a heart pocket for my scissors.

 

And on the back cover is a blue robin egg pin keep.

We stopped to shop at Lucky Quilt Company in Pecatonica, Illinois on the way.

Aren't these so sweet? Do you see the tiny angel zipper pull? And the pretty flowered tape measure?

And we stopped at Yellow Creek Quilt Designs where I had fun spending a gift certificate that I won last fall. I love the leather and aluminum cross bracelet. And who can have too many scissors?! Mom and I tried out the Tim Holtz scissors this past weekend and they are fabulous!

On the way home I thought I would stop at a favorite antique mall. My memory did not remember too clearly and it was 15 miles out of the way. What's 15 miles (actually 30 miles there and back) when antiquing. At least I found something after that drive ;)

Oops a favorite photo bomber of mine - Hi Peanut!

I found this fabulous carved wood pin cushion and some wonderful needle packs.

The large package of crewel needles says "War economy pack".

I did some online research and found this exact pincushion - antique treen 19th century pair of walnut miniature pin cushion bellows - English circa 1870.

The tip is broken off, but I don't mind. 

Here you can see where the pins are stored.

Ladies, we must go back again next year!

There is still time to enter my little giveaway. You can find it here.

planted in the house of the Lord,

    they will flourish in the courts of our God.

They will still bear fruit in old age,

    they will stay fresh and green,

proclaiming, “The Lord is upright;

    he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”

~Psalms 92:13-15

Blessings, Patti

A wonderful 48+ hours...

There is hope that spring may finally be here!

Last weekend I made a quick trip to Galena IL with my stitching buddies.

I found these crocuses there and they made my heart smile.

We rented this lovely home for the weekend ~ lots of room for us to spread out our stitching projects.

On Saturday we took a road trip that led to 3 states - Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois.

Our first stop was Yore in Gotham, Wisconsin. A lovely primitive shop that now stocks wonderful wools and yarns, too!

Then it was on to Country Sampler in Spring Green, Wisconsin. I was so excited to be there that I forgot to take photos :)

Finally it was on to Dubuque and the Cotton Cabin Quilt Shop and...

Willows - I love the ribbon on their basket on the front door.

I found so many lovely wools and patterns:

And this great Pansy prunes crate.

I plan to use the crate and this box on my work table to organize patterns. I found lots of tiny treasures and 3 great 48 star flags nailed to their wooden dowels. There's another piece of coverlet and ticking... a strawberry makedo... and a funky little bunny cookie cutter, too.

I love this heart shaped pan! Not sure whether I will hang it or place it, but the little scallops spoke to me.

I planned to show you what I was working on while there, but it is a gift and I realized that the recipient might read this... so it will have to wait.

It's amazing what you can pack into a weekend ;)

Blessings, Patti

A Stitching Getaway

Last weekend our stitch club had our annual getaway to Galena, Illinois. The weather was good ~ sunny all weekend but cold. We obviously have a ways to go until spring...


It's a beautiful hilly part of the state and we enjoyed the scenery. We did some shopping in Rockford, Illinois on our way there. And we decided to take a day trip to Dubuque, Iowa right on the Mississippi River ~ something we've never done before. It was definitely worth the ride and will now be an annual part of our trip.

We did a little shopping in Cable Car Square. And were surprised to see...

Cable cars! They are closed for the season, but still were fun to see. We hear that this is the way Santa arrives on the Friday after Thanksgiving.

We stopped at The Cotton Cabin Quilt Shop and found it to be a delightful shop.

Our favorite shop was right at the base of the cable cars...

Willows! Wow! I could have spent the entire day there and still wouldn't have seen everything! It was a wonderful mix of antiques and home decor ~ with lots of incredible ideas on how to display them throughout your home.

In every room and around every corner I found a stunning vignette that I just loved.

This was my absolute favorite scene and one that I daydream about since :) I love that tower of metal document / cash boxes.

Here are the treasures that I bought from Willows. I couldn't leave without a metal document box and I loved the red wire handles on this one. They were displaying compotes under glass cloches and I thought this pewter one would fit perfectly under mine at home. The little iron candle holder is new and was on sale for $4 ~ how could I pass it up? And this vintage red, cream and blue ticking will be sure to show up in some patriotic creations this summer.

Here is my start at a tower of document boxes. My newest one is on the bottom. Mine will never be as big as the one at the Willows as I've been collecting the smallest ones that I can find :)

Between the Cotton Cabin and Quilters General Store in Rockford, I picked up some new fabrics. I have lots of hand-dyed wools, but this time I found the wool plaids calling to me along with some wonderful fabrics by French General and a Lincoln print as well.

I found two frames on sale - one had grained and the other a pale blush (just pleading for a spring time stitchery.)

I found a few patterns that I couldn't resist either. I really hope to stitch up the two bunny patterns on top before Easter. Well, I can dream can't I :) ?

Back at the house we rented in The Territory, our talented friend Cathy gave us a class in scrapbooking. We started with our club photo from our Christmas Party and the wonderful supplies that Cathy brought. It's interesting how each one turned out just a little bit different...

Mine is in the middle of the middle row. Mine has a big blank space in the lower right hand corner where I plan to tie on an antique skeleton key with a ribbon. Once I do I'll take a close up photo and share it...

It was a wonderful weekend filled with memories to cherish.

Blessings, Patti