Usefulness

"Usefulness"

By Lori Brechlin of Notforgotten Farm

strawberry threadkeeper by Notforgotten Farm

I started stitching this as soon as it was released in 2015.

So happy to complete it this year during strawberry season.

That sweet little strawberry caught my eye immediately!

Such a unique little addition!

I used the same long stitches to finish off the seams.

Strawberry season started wonderfully this year - lots of rain and cool sunny days brought back thick plants with tons of flowers.

But sudden steady high temps, brought it all quickly to a halt and we only harvested about 5 pounds.

Still enough for one batch of Strawberry Lush - the dessert of choice for the men here on Winding Vine.

Therefore God also highly exalted him 

and gave him the name that is above every name,

so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

~  Philippians 2:9-11

Blessings, Patti

From Our Hands ~ Creative 2018 ~The Classes

Mom and I took the same classes this year at From Our Hands ~ Creative.

And the classes were amazing!

We didn't finish any of our class projects while there,

and unfortunately I haven't been able to pick mine up since I've been home.

Our first class was this wonderful wooly sewing book with Rebekah L. Smith. 

Our second class was this beautiful Wooden Heart Wool Pocket.

And get this - the heart was made by Peter Brechlin 

and painted by Lori Brechlin of Notforgotten Farm!!! I was so excited!

Our last class was Lamb on a Hill Sewing Box with Lori Ann Corelis.

Isn't this so sweet?! I love the beautiful Lehay Shaker Box, too.

This year, we also had optional mini classes at night.

I took this gorgeous bracelet class with Kelsey Anilee Smith.

It also is not yet completed. I can't wait to finish it and wear it!

Kelsey has these kits available in her Etsy Shop. You can find it here.

And my final mini night time class was this Pear Needlebook with Stacy Nash.

Mom took it too. and guess what?

We finished it!

I was so happy with it, but thought it was missing one little thing...

Seeds on the inside :)

I'll share my finishes as I complete them. Hopefully I can pick them up again one day soon!

I still have a few more posts to share before my little giveaway, so stay tuned.

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

~1 Thessalonions 5:15

Blessings, Patti

A Joyous Easter

Christ is Risen!

Christ is Risen Indeed!

It doesn't feel much like Spring here in Chicago.

When I left for church this morning, it was 28 degrees! Brrr!

So I must create a little springtime indoors.

And here is a bit of the springtime that has been under my needle lately:

Pineberry Lane's

"Wool & Flax"

for Dyeing to Stitch's "Quaint Country Ladies" Club

along with a sweet sheep threadkeep by Lori Brechlin for Notforgotten Farm

The stitching is done. Wendy created a wonderful finish for this,

but I have a few possible ideas to make it unique.

"Rabbit Warren" by Lori Brechlin of Notforgotten Farm 

along with another of her wonderful thread keeps.

I started this in 2016 and decided that this is the year to finish it!

And I am working on a bit of wool, too...

"Rabbit & Hen Wall Quilt"

by Carried Away Designs

I have almost all the pieces stitched down 

thanks to the 17 inning Cubs game on Friday night!

Then it will be on to all the embroidery that goes into this wonderful wall quilt.

The baking is done.

We are home from church

And soon it will be time to celebrate Easter with family.

I wish each of you a very Joyous Easter filled with Blessings!

but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! "

~Luke 24:3-6

Blessings, Patti

Holly's Debut

"Holly"

By Lori Brechlin for Notforgotten Farm

I was going to add many more antique mother of pearl buttons, 

but I think more butons would have taken away from the design.

I am so happy that she is completed

and I think that she is too!

I will keep her out as long as winter continues here on Winding Vine.

I had a wool winter finish as well:

"Snowflake Catcher"

Designed and kitted by Primitive Gatherings

I just love the wool for the wood paneled car :)

These finishes are so appropriate right now as this is the view of my back yard:

Nine consecutive days of measurable snow here in Chicago for a total of 18 inches.

Although no snow days for me. The commuter train line was right on time.

February isn't even half over, so I think that I'll work on some Valentine designs next...

 If I speak in the languages of humans and angels but have no love, 

I have become a reverberating gong or a clashing cymbal. 

If I have the gift of prophecy and can understand all secrets and every form of knowledge, 

and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains but have no love, I am nothing. 

Even if I give away everything that I have and sacrifice myself, but have no love, I gain nothing.

~1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Blessings, Patti

~March Offerings~

Greetings! I am having fun so far on my year long challenge of repurposing antiques!

My first two offerings this month feature old whisk brooms picked up at estate sales. Both whisk brooms are based on designs by Lori Brechlin of Notforgotten Farm. The whisk broom sleeves are backed with sweet calicos that I picked up on a recent road trip and feature a wool applique heart. The whisk brooms measure approximately 10.5 inches by 4.5 inches.

~*Both brooms are sold. Thank you ever so much!*~

My final offering this month is based on a design by Jenny Hoffman for Country Rustic Primitives. Since my name is Patti, I felt the need to have at least one St. Patrick’s Day offering! This pinkeep pillow measures approximately 5 inches by 5 inches.

It is backed with the same cotton print as appears on the front and features a wool heart shaped pocket for your scissors with a ribbon tie to keep them safe and a wool four leaf clover for luck. This pillow, like all of my offerings, is completely handsewn.

~*Sold. Thank you ever so much!*~

Blessings, Patti

A patriotic finish and a bit of time in the garden

Thank you ever so much for the kind and generous spirit of Lori Brechlin of Notforgotten Farm!

This 4th of July finish is "Flag Maker" and Lori is sharing this pattern for free on her blog!

You can find this pattern along with many other gorgeous freebies here.

Thank you ever so much Lori!

And I am loving my little flag threadholder by Notforgotten Farm as well :)

It was a quick and fun stitch.

I made it into a little threadboard

and on the back...

I used antique ticking and calico to create a flag.

It has been a wonderful summer for the garden!

The coneflowers and black-eyed Susans are huge!

Earlier this season I found these incredible succulent wreaths at the nursery.

I just had to have one!

Wouldn't it be gorgeous hanging on my garden gate?

Luckily I looked at the price tag as I was putting it in my cart.

They were each over $100!!!

Yes, gorgeous, but not in my price range.

I went home without them.

The next week, I was at our town's farmer's market 

and found something in my price range...

Succulents in a chicken feeder!

Too cute!

I didn't put this one back, and it came home with me!

It is so sweet and I love it just as much ;)

I have chosen the way of faithfulness;

    I have set my heart on your laws.

~Psalm 119:30

Blessings, Patti

A little stitching progress

 

 "Queen Bee Needle Poke"

from Little Stitches Handwork Club by Notforgotten Farm.

(with a few minor tweaks)

 

 

I am so thrilled with how this came out along with the little hand-dyed pins too.

I added a little antique bone ring on top in case I decide to hang it.

 

This was definitely worth the effort of stitching on smaller count linen

on the train, bus and water taxi ;)

 

I also tweaked the back a bit...

 

 

I decided to add layers of cardboard and batting inside rather than stuff,

and then I did a bit of wool applique to match the front.

 

 

I think the back turned out pretty well, too.

 

Next up:

 

 

Another Lori Brechlin design, "Usefulness"

(and another Notforgotten Farm thread keeper, of course lol!)

Please forgive the wrinkles, I just pulled it out of my purse...

 Speaking of my purse, this project won't fit in it much longer...

Yellow Creek Quilt Designs, "Stars in the Garden".

I've been making paths and stitching my completed flowers and stars together.

It will be slower going when I no longer bring it with on my commute. It's getting exciting watching the parts come together...

 

 Thank you ever so much for all your prayers and well wishes for Mom and our family!
It's frustrating to wait another 10 days for surgery,
but as my friend Jo Ann put it - 10 more days to pray!

"But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

~2 Peter 3:8-9

 

Blessings, Patti

Whatcha Working on Wednesday and a winner

 

 A finish!

An abbreviated version of "Spring Bird" by Lori Brechlin of Notforgotten Farm 

finished as a little pillow in a tombstone shape.

Lori and her husband, Peter also created the sweet robin threadholder available in their Etsy shop.  

 

 I backed my little pillow with a great vintage springtime fabric and edged it with vintage rick rack both found at an estate sale.

 

 

Now in my hoop: "Queen Bee Needle Poke" from Little Stitches Handwork Club by Notforgotten Farm.

And another of Lori and Peters' threadholders (I'm addicted!)

 

This stitch has been a bit of a challenge for me. A smaller count linen than I am used to ~ a bit difficult on moving trains, buses and water taxis, but I am determined to see it through and finished ;)

 

I know that I am going to love it when it is done!!! 

 

Thanks to all that entered my little Downton Abbey giveaway!

It is so hard to pick a favorite character and I agree with all those named:

Dowager Countess, Cousin Isabelle Crawley, Anna, Cora, Mrs. Hughes, Tom Branson, Mary and even Isis!

I even liked Thomas Barrow when they occasionally showed the soft heart that dwelled deep inside his often mean exterior...

 

Thank you to the 25 entries! And the winner via random.org is Ann, who said, "Mrs. Crawley always held her tongue when she encountered the Dowager... Grace under fire and a working woman too boot." I love it :)

 

Thanks Ann! Send me your mailing address and your little Downton Abbey tea sampler will be on its way...

 

"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there,

the Lord Jesus Christ,  who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control,

will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body."

~Phillipians 3:20-21

 

Blessings, Patti