"It's a Major Award!"

In December, Zappy Dots held a Twelve Days of Christmas giveaway on Facebook.

I entered this photo of how I used one of their needle nannies in a finish.

I was absolutely thrilled when I found out that I won the grand prize!

I felt just like the father in the move "A Christmas Story"

and wanted to shout, "It's a Major Award!"

When the box arrived, it didn't say "Fra Gee Lay" ("It must be Italian") on the side, but I knew that it contained precious cargo...

It wasn't a leg lamp, but it was even better... 

Look at all these wonderful treasures! 

I just love all that they sent and am going to enjoy them so much!

I'm sure you will see them all in future posts.

Thank you  Zappy Dots for your generous grand prize!

Just a few days later, Mom and I each received another unexpected box in the mail.

This one was from Rebekah & Kelsey Smith.

In early December, Rebekah & Kelsey hosted

"Wool & Friends: A Christmas Gathering"

in Ohio to celebrate a book launch of their newest book.

Mom and I were unable to attend, so they sent us the table favors!

Aren't they so sweet?

Wonderful homemade potpourri, a sweet ivory bottle brush tree to enjoy all winter

the prettiest cookie that I ever did see and

Me - a contributor?! So special!

You can see more about where Rebekah & Kelsey will be by checking their website here.

Most of the Bittersweet Stitching Sisters decided to participate in an ornament exchange this Christmas and I thought that you might like to see them:

From Nicki to Linda

From Wendy to Nicki

From Carla to Wendy

From Linda to me

and here is what I stitched for Carla.

"Yuletide Shanty" by Plum Street Samplers

Since she doesn't put up a tree any longer, I decided to finish hers as a pincushion

in a little tart tin.

  

It was my first time doing this type of finish, but 

Vonna of The Twisted Stitcher walked me right through each step with her tutorial here.

Thank you so much for sharing Vonna!

Well I promise that this is my last Christmas post and I will be moving on now ;)

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, 

which were just as they had been told.

~Luke 2:20

Blessings, Patti

A Blessed Thanksgiving

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving filled with blessings!

I have two new finishes to share:

"Gobble Gob"

by Plum Street Samplers

These turkeys just make me smile!

"Bountiful"

by Pineberry Lane

2018 Quaint Country Ladies Club

for Dyeing to Stitch

Here are some vignettes that I shared on Instagram & Facebook:

a collection of vintage salt and pepper shakers

vintage Gurley candles

a favorite over one Cross Eyed Cricket piece from 1999

Another oldie but goodie over one

and a Maggie Bonanomi class project from years ago...

and I finished this sweet freebie from Stone Street Stitchworks!

It was charted for DMC, but I converted it to fancy floss.

I guess it will have to be fully finished for next Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving from here on Winding Vine to each of you!

Enter his gates with thanksgiving

    and his courts with praise;

    give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;

    his faithfulness continues through all generations.

~Psalm 100:4-5

Blessings, Patti 

A Few Fall Finishes

"A Bowl Full of Scaries - Scary Two"

by Plum Street Samplers

I had such a fun time stitching this piece and 

I think it looks great with my black squirrel by Lori Ann Corelis of The Spotted Hare.

My grandfather had black squirrels living in his neighborhood

 and we enjoyed watching them together.

This piece and Lori Ann's squirrel bring back those sweet memories...

"Harvest Chalk  Full"

by Hands On Design and Priscilla Blain

Another fun stitch! I loved Priscilla's finish, so decided to follow her lead...

So happy to have these two fully finished. I have a few more autumn pieces that I finished stitching and hope to fully finish before Thanksgiving.

Well, I am now caught up to the Bittersweet Sisters annual trip and will begin sharing that next week!

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

    for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful,

    for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart,

    for they will see God.

~Matthew 5:6-8

Blessings, Patti

A Prairie Schooler Year ~ May

My year of Prairie Schooler finishes from over the years continues.

And time just keeps slipping by...

Completed during my "over one" stitching period...

Stitched way back when and I still enjoy it...

Another over one stitchery. This little fob is one of my favorites.

I love the detail and shading in this Canadian Goose.

The fob is two sided and here is the other side:

Can't decide which side I like better!

already this fob is 15 years old...

and this isn't a Prairie Schooler, but I just had to share this favorite for Memorial Day:

Design is a freebie from Plum Street Samplers.

'When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

In God, whose word I praise—

in God I trust and am not afraid.

    What can mere mortals do to me?'

Psalm 56:3-4

Blessings, Patti

I'm back!

 

My favorite week of the year is over...

Our week "unplugged" in the woods of Northern Wisconsin.

 

But as an accountant, I like to take things in order and realize I never shared our family trip from July.

 

I hate to admit it, but our sons and I have never been to Washington D.C.

My husband was there on a quick trip once, just long enough to know that he wanted to go back and see more.

We knew that we had to rectify this and we really wanted to visit as a family.

 

We stayed in Georgetown. Filled with lovely restaurants and...

 

 

interesting shops.

 

Just down the street was the home that John F. Kennedy lived in while running for President.

 

 

The home that Jackie Kennedy and her children moved into immediately after his assassination.

 

 

And the home that she and her children lived in until the tourist traffic became too much for them.

 

We spent one day visiting all the monuments

 

How powerful and moving they are!

 

especially the Vietnam Memorial

 

and those heartfelt treasures left there.

 

We saw the White House from afar

 

And the Washington Monument

 

The Supreme Court Building was beautiful and powerful.

 

We saw the Capital Building both inside and out.

 

And the Library of Congress as well.

 

 

I think that was my favorite building. I've always loved libraries!

 

The monuments at night were stunning as well.

 

And very emotional.

 

 

Day 2 was spent visiting as many museums as we could.

Visiting and viewing the important documents -

Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, and the Constitution at the National Archives.

The Star Spangled Banner that inspired Francis Scott Keyes.

 

And not so important items that were fun, nonetheless :

 

 

Edith and Archie Bunker's chairs :)

 

We spent time at the Botanic Gardens

 

 

And the wonders they held, both large

 

and small.

 

 

Day 3 was spent at Arlington National Cemetery.

 

The changing of the guard in 95 degree heat and 100% humidity.

How do they do it?!

 

The never-ending graves were profound and moving.

Such an incredible sacrifice!

 

Our final stop was Mount Vernon.

I kept thinking - Now I need to stitch Plum Street Sampler's George and Martha! :)

 

It was such a blessing to experience and share this quick trip with our family.

We were all moved and have a new appreciation for our incredible country.

It may have its faults, but we are blessed to live in the U.S. of A.

 

I did finish a bit of stitching on our trip, but this post is long enough.

I will share it another day :)

 

But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

~2 Corinthians 10:17-18

 

Blessings, Patti