From Our Hands ~ Creative *Classes with Rebekah L. Smith*

Mom and I had our first class with Rebekah L. Smith.

Everything she does has that distinct Rebekah look!

Even her supplies including this basket of ribbon are gorgeous!

We had homework to do ahead of time for her Wooly Box class.

I chose to use my favorite ~ Rustic Wool Moire Thread on mine.

I switched the sunflower and flag on mine and changed up some of the embroidery stitches.

Rebekah's finished sample on  top and my piece ready for class in the bottom.

With Rebekah's thorough and gentle teaching we were done in no time!

Here we are - me, Rebekah and Mom with finished boxes!

So much fun!!!

Mom and I are both so pleased with how our boxes turned out!

I've decided that my House Box is perfect for storing my growing collection of

Rustic Wool Moire Threads!

And here is our entire class with all of our boxes.

Rebekah's next book, Seasons of Wool Applique Folk Art, is coming out this summer

and will contain the instructions for making your own Wooly Box!

While Mom and I were working on our Wooly Boxes, my Bittersweet Sister, Linda was taking a full day class with Lori Ann Corelis to make a fabulous jointed mohair bunny!

Of course I had to take a peek.

I loved seeing the feather weight machines humming away...

But this was way beyond my abilities, I will just admire from afar ;)

I have to give a big shout out to Marly of Samplers and Santas!

I've loved and followed her blog for years. Earlier this year, she had a giveaway for two of her wonderful paper mache boxes that I have been coveting for quite some time ~ one box to keep and one to give away. I won! And Mom was the recipient of the second. The boxes were perfect for our classes. Mine fit my 5 spools of Rustic Wool Moire thread that I use for Rebekah projects, a pair of stork scissors and a tin of pins perfectly!

Thank you ever so much Marly for your generosity! We love our treasured boxes! 

On the second day, Mom and I took another class with Rebekah ~ 

Wooly Sewing Basket 

(complete with matching scissor holster)

To add to the fun, this class was also taken with Julie Kursave of the wonderful Wool Applique and Bits and Bobs groups on Facebook! Such fun to meet an online friend in person!

We didn't finish our Wooly Sewing Baskets in class,

but finished them soon after.

Here is Mom's:

I love how she added buttons - perfect!

And here is mine:

I had a lot of fun with the embroidery stitches.

I should have added the scissors for the picture.

Two projects finished from the retreat!

Always a good feeling!

I also took a class with Stacy Nash, but realized that I haven't taken a picture of my finished project...

That will have to be in my next post...

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

~Ephesians 4:32

Blessings, Patti

Stitching Fun & Adventures...

 

"Bird Out of the Bag"

design by Rebekah L. Smith from her book "Wool Applique"

 

I had so much fun stitching this design!

And I am thrilled with the results!

(I tweaked the design a bit on the bird, but not much.)

 

It's fun to play with embroidery stitches for a change.

 

And adding a bit of fill under some of the appliques for dimension.

 

I thought that the back needed a little something,

so I added a little patch from the leftover wool. 

 

And added a bit of embroidery, too.

 

This past week we had stitch club at Cathy's gorgeous home.

Knowing that we were coming, she decided to decorate her mantle for Halloween.

I fell in love!

 

 

Isn't it darling?!

I love those little spider web candles - too cute.

I kept disappearing to go take another peek - so much to see!

 

Cathy has a great eye and I love how she put it all together...

 

Love those owls!

 

 

Speaking of owls, our friend Susan completed this stitch.

I know that this is in my stash and now I need to locate it!

 

 

Completely off topic, but I had to share.

Monday was our 30th wedding anniversary and I was so surprised and thrilled to receive 30 roses at work from my dear husband! I am so blessed!

 

So I am sure that you are wondering where the adventure comes in...

Well, this weekend this bag will be coming with me as the Bittersweet Sisters and I are off on another adventure! If you search on my blog for "Bittersweet Sisters", you can find out about our past adventures. Or try clicking here and be sure to click on "older posts" at the bottom to see more.

 

I'll be back to tell you all about it and have a little giveaway, too.

 

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

~Philippians 2:3-4

 

Blessings, Patti



Blog Tour Book Winner!

I've had so much fun being a part of the blog tour!

I think you are all as excited about Rebekah's book as I am :)

I loved reading your comments ~ and there were so many of them!

In all 107 people commented or emailed to be entered.

Using random.org, the winning entry was #78...

Judy Zarlenga!

Congratulations Judy! 

Please email me at pgagliardi9@hotmail.com with your mailing address and your book will be on its way!

For those of you that did not win, you may purchase this lovely book here.

 

I had hoped to be able to share my progress on this project, but alas my bird will need to be patient for a little bit longer. I am finishing up my September offerings and then hope to work on this tote bag!

Can't wait!!!

Thank you all who entered the giveaway.

I have another giveaway in mind for September of something that I created...

"Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;

    let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

Let us come before him with thanksgiving

    and extol him with music and song."

~Psalm 95:1-2

Blessings, Patti

Blog Tour ~ final day

Today is the final day of the blog tour!

this week went by so quickly.

It has been a pleasure and a blessing to be a part of it!

Today's blog post is at Rebekah's very own blog ~ telling of her journey to create this lovely book.

And a final chance to win a copy along with some wool leaves...

Just click here to read and enter.

I'll be back tomorrow with the winner of my book giveaway...

Blessings, Patti

Blog Tour Day 5

Today's blog tour stop is with Cheri Payne of "Quilts by Cheri"

Cheri is a primitive quilter whose style is distinctly her own.

She often incorporates wool and sometime a little stitching.

I have several of her patterns on my to do pile :)

Click here to read her post and have another opportunity to win a copy of Rebekah's fabulous book.

And there is one more day left of the tour...

And one more day left of my giveaway, just click here.

Until tomorrow!

Blessings, Patti

Blog Tour Day 4

 

If you are a fan of teddy bears and other beautiful mohair fur and feather friends, no doubt you are familiar with the wonderful artwork of Lori Ann Corelis.

 

I am blessed to have a few of her wonderful works of art in my home.

Stop by Lori Ann's blog, The Spotted Hare for her post and another opportunity to win a copy of Rebekah's book. You can find The Spotted Hare by clicking here.

 

And my giveaway is still open on this post.

 

Blessings, Patti

Wool Applique Folk Art Blog Tour ~ My turn...

Almost a year ago, my friend Linda introduced me to the folk art of Rebekah L. Smith. I was immediately smitten. Her unique, distinctive style was immediately recognizable. The mark of a true artist is having an iconic style – and Rebekah truly has that. I was drawn to Rebekah’s use of aged and muted jewel tones – colors I didn’t know existed. And her use not only of the oft used whip and blanket stitches, but a larger array of embroidery stitches. Something I hadn’t really thought of in the primitive folk genre.

 Mom and I began following Rebekah’s blog and Facebook page. As soon as pre-orders of her book were announced, our order was placed. In the meantime, as we tried to patiently wait for the book, I had the pleasure of meeting Rebekah and attending one of her classes. She is a kind, gentle, caring soul as you would expect from her art…

Her book arrived and I was eager and apprehensive – could the book live up to all that I hoped that it would? The answer is - Yes, absolutely!

The book is helpful with techniques for processing and preparing your wool through completing your projects. Even more important to me are pictures and stories. I love a book that even when I can’t start another project, I can turn to the book after a long exhausting day and admire the photos and dream…

Whenever I see amazing projects, I wonder… where does the inspiration and ideas come from? I love that Rebekah shares the stories – photos of the antique inspiration and why she created what she did. It certainly feeds my soul, even when I don’t have the energy to stitch…

I’ve completed “For Needles and Thread: Sewing Caddy” and am thrilled with the results. 

I stepped out of my comfort zone with the embroidery and found that I actually enjoy it! I love how Rebekah stuffs some appliqués for dimension and then uses embroidery to accent it even more. The caddy is a beautiful yet useful creation – what more can you ask for…

I keep perusing the book front to back and back to front, trying to pick my next project… “A Patriot’s Rug” keeps catching my eye, but summer is waning and then my eye catches:

“Creatures of Habit: Blackbird”, how perfect for the coming days…

But still I debate… Mom completed one of Rebekah’s book designs as soon as the book was in her hands. She loved “Bird Out of the Bag”, but saw it in a different light… Mom completed the design twice and it became…

A lovely table runner.

Perfect on her entryway table.

And it will be my next project as well.

I’m ready to start stitching!

I'll be sure to blog about it once it is all finished!

I give this book a solid two thumbs up! It’s a book you can turn to time and again to inspire you. Thank you Rebekah for sharing your unique designs with us so that we may fulfill our own desire to create in that distinctive Rebekah style!

Rebekah and CT Publishing have been kind enough to host a giveaway so that one of you may receive a copy of Rebekah’s book.

This giveaway is open to all that live in the U.S. 

To enter, simply leave a comment on this post only 

or if you are not on Blogger, 

simply send an email to me at pgagliardi9@hotmail.com 

and enter “Rebekah’s book giveaway” in the subject line so that I can find it.

 I will pick a winner using random.org on the last day of the blog tour, August 29th.

Blessings, Patti

Blog Tour Day 2

Today is Day 2 of the Blog Tour celebrating the wonderful new wool applique book

by Rebekah L. Smith!

 

Please visit Doreen Frost of Vermont Harvest Folk Art.

You can find Doreen's blog here.

Doreen is an incredible folk artist herself and I really love her incredible punch needle designs. Since I don't do punch needle myself, I am thrilled to have one of her originals in my collection.

 

Doreen has also set up a wonderful Facebook group for those of us stitching our way through Rebekah's book. You can request membership here.

 

Be sure to stop by Doreen's blog right away -

she is having her drawing for a free copy at the end of the day!

 

I'll be back tomorrow for my turn :)

 

Blessings, Patti

The fun begins...

 

The fun begins today!

Day 1 of the Blog Tour celebrating the wonderful new wool applique book by Rebekah L. Smith.

Each day you will have the opportunity to win a copy of this beautiful book.

Today you can join the tour at the CT Publishing blog - click here.

 

Visit to learn about Rebekah's color inspiration and for your first chance to win a copy of her book.

I'll be back each day to let you know where you can visit next :)

 

Blessings, Patti

Pennies from Heaven ~ Volume 5 Part 2

Here is Part 2 of my Mom's creations. You have to remember that everything that I am showing has been created since March, when I visited last! Mom is amazing :)

My sister and I look forward to Mom's "throwdown" and we declare each one the best ever!

This is a Maggie Bonanomi design from one of her books. I love Mom's sparse use of red and how it really pops against the other colors.

I love how she added her town and state using all the wools from the vine :)

And you already know how I love winding vines ;)

 

The round penny rug was completed previously, but Mom created an oval companion.

I love all of the colors! 

And here is the home for the new oval mat.

The round mat is at home across the room under a large glass hurricane candle holder.

This little kit was a gift from me that she whipped up in no time.

As was this one:

So sweet!

Mom and I have talked a lot about the new Rebekah L. Smith Wool Applique book and waited for it with anxious anticipation. There was no doubt who would be the first in our family to work on a project from the book. 

Mom's first project from the book was an applique for a tote.

I love how the specialty stitches really add dimension!

Mom had her own idea for the design and decided it would make a great table runner.

Sew beautiful even in it's "in progress" state.

Imagine my delight when a mere week after we left she put this photo on Facebook!

All done and absolutely gorgeous!

While down in Illinois' Amish Country, we did a bit of shopping:

Miller's Dry Goods

and Yoder Lamps Antiques

Such a beautiful selection of crocks

and of course, lamps

feed sacks and seed sacks, too.

I behaved myself and enjoyed looking :)

I brought with some little gifts for our visit:

Dad received a book and some smoked fish from the fish shop that just opened down the street from my home.

Mom received:

A strawberry make do of antique wool paisley on a glass bottle purchased on my last visit. 

And for my sister:

A little pinch purse with her two kitties - one on each side - made to hold her knitter's counting rings.

And now one last finish of Mom's which includes the bible verse for this post:

Yes, Mom cross stitches too! I love how there is a cross on the right hand penny!

Well, now I am off to bed.

I leave for Stacy Nash Stitch Camp at Country Sampler in Spring Green, Wisconsin in just eight hours!

Better get a few hours sleep if I can!

I'll be back with a full report!

Blessings, Patti