A Gift from the Heart

You may remember this piece from one of my editions of Pennies from Heaven - when I post Mom's finishes. I fell in love with it and suggested that it would make a great Christmas gift.

Guess what?!?! She did!!!

Not only did Mom  make another, she actually stitched four nativities!

For herself, me, my sister and her only granddaughter!

We are all so lucky to call her Mom/Grandma!

I knew that I would never stitch this for myself - too many tiny pieces and different wools.

I love all of the details so much!

And of course Mom's work is perfect!

My sister, niece and I were debating whether the spotted cow or the fluffy sheep was our favorite ;)

Of course, if we weren't emotional enough, the back put us over the edge:

Even Dad thought Mom was crazy to stitch four of these mats.

I will treasure it always!!!

A Very Heartfelt Thank You to you Mom!

We all know that this was a gift from the heart.

I also had to share two other Christmas gifts:

Aren't these just the cutest pajamas?!

My niece found them for me! They are perfect and comfy too!

(and thanks to my Sis, Brother-in-law and nephew too!

All my gifts were awesome, but these were too cute not to share)

My favorite is the yapping pup!

I may have one or two yappy pups at home ;)

And my oldest son gave me these two awesome books!

Can't wait to find some time to really read them cover to cover.

" For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

~Matthew 6:21

Blessings, Patti

Pennies from Heaven ~ Volume 11 ~ Wonderful News!

"Flowers for the Table"

design by Rebekah L. Smith

We can't thank you enough for all the prayers and well wishes!

You can't possibly know how very much they have meant to us!

When Mom's surgery was postponed for 10 days, she used the time well and finished two projects. 

This one turned out so beautiful, that this project has moved up on my "to do" list!

"Follow Me to Bethlehem"

design by Bits & Pieces by Joan

Wow! Do I love the detail and textured wool on this!

I suggested that maybe Mom might want to make two more of this one ;)

Aren't the details beautiful?

The texture in the wool just perfect.

This week we received wonderful news!

Mom's cancer is in remission!

Our prayers have been heard!

Thanks be to God!

And thanks to all of you for including us in you prayers!

I have a finish to share as well...

"Bizzy Bee Table Mat" by The Little Red Hen

I hate to admit that I started this in 2012 and set it aside.

So glad that I picked it up again!

I made the matching pinkeep back in 2012.

Now they are both done!

My sister also had a finish when we were taking care of Mom - the cutest pair of knitted slouchy socks that were a get well gift for Mom - but of course I forgot to take a picture...sigh

Thank you again ever so much for your prayers and kind words!

Our relief to have this behind us is so great!

Mom, Dad and I all caught bad colds, sinus infections and/or bronchitis during Mom's recuperation ~ but this we know that we can handle.

So do not fear, for I am with you;

    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

~Isaiah 41:10

Blessings, Patti

July Offerings

 

Our home here on Winding Vine is now all decked out for the 4th of July. My offerings this month are patriotic themed. On all my patriotic offerings, I like to add at least a small piece of an old army blanket – a small salute to our armed forces.

 

 

My first offering is an Antique Flag Windowsill Mat. Based on a design by Bits & Pieces by Joan, this mat is made of all antique materials – an old army blanket, antique ticking, antique blue calico, and a neat old red, white and blue cotton thread. It is backed with a soft flannel and measures 14 by 5 inches. Antique Flag Windowsill Mat is offered at $30 plus shipping.   

 

If you are interested, just send an email to me at pgagliardi9@hotmail.com.

I can send a paypal invoice or I also accept checks and money orders.

 

The Vintage Cherries Pillow and Velvet Cherry Emeries are all sold.

If you would like a first peek at my offerings each month, simply send an email to me at pgagliardi9@hotmail.com and I will add you to my mailing list.

 

I will be back soon with a final strawberry themed finish and a 4th of July giveaway.

 

Blessings, Patti

International Quilt Festival Chicago 2013

 

 I am so thrilled that the International Quilt Show came back to Chicago this year after a several year absence. My sister in law, Joy, and I spent a lovely day there.

 

At the exhibit, the quilt above was my favorite. Journeying all the way from Japan, the colors and patterns mesmerized me. I loved the soft neutral palette and those off kilter log cabin blocks.

 

Here is a close up.

This is a border from another Japenese Quilt. The detail in the border alone was striking.

 



 

I loved the trees - a modern twist, yet still the traditional quilt blocks.

 

 

Another favorite - redwork combined with yo-yo's. This combination would never have occurred to me and its works so very well - like flowers surrounding those detailed birds.

 

I am not a quilter, but I truly appreciate the incredible workmanship.

 

The night before the quilt show, I had the opportunity to go to a trunk show and quilt talk by Lisa Bongean for the Northwest Suburban Quilters Guild.

It was such fun to hear her story and see her work up close and in person. It always looks even better than online. She shared a few designs that will appear in her next book as well as in Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine along with the antique that inspired her.

What a treat it was!

 

Of course I was so overwhelmed by the Merchants Mall at the quilt show that I didn't take any photos. Some of our all time favorites were there like Country Threads and of course Primitive Gatherings (where I purchased Lisa's Just Picked Table Runner), but it was so much fun to discover some new designers as well!

 

The ladies at Plays with Wool were so helpful as I had difficulty deciding which kit to buy.

Click here to see their designs and why I had trouble deciding ;)

 

The Little Red Hen had a wonderful full booth that we walked through several times.

I can only imagine that their shop must be delightful judging from their booth! I think I need to find my way to Muscatine, Iowa ;)

You can read more about their shop and designs here. 

The Bizzy Bee Candle Mat and Pin Cushion kits just had to come home with me!

You can see them here. and they carry the teeny tiniest buttons I have ever seen. They are under the scissors in the photo above for use on the Heart in Hand pincushion kit.

They were so friendly that I didn't want to leave their booth! 

 

 

While Bits & Pieces by Joan wasn't a new designer to me, as I have stitched a few of her designs in the past, I now see her pattern company in a whole new light!

What a delight! Joan was so encouraging and accomodating even as I overstayed my welcome in her busy booth ;) Seeing all of her designs live and in person - I wanted them all! Most designs she had in complete kits, even with the frames, and her prices were reasonable.

Click here to see what I mean :)

Thanks Joan for being so sweet as I agonized over my purchases!

(Anyone who knows me, knows how long it can take me to decide lol)

 

So I managed to spend the rest of my budget in her booth. :)

 

It is such a joy to be around people that like the same things that you do and to feed off of each others excitement and enthusiasm. What a blessing of a day!

 

I have been under the weather all weekend, but haven't minded. Just spending some downtime and enjoying my purchases and my memories.

 

Blessings, Patti