"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

"Exploring Folk Art With Wool Applique And More"

We were so thrilled that Rebekah's latest book was released while we were together at 

Country at Heart in Rock Falls, Illinois.

Exploring Folk Art with Wool Applique and More

This is a  special book for mom and I, as Rebekah and Kelsey asked us to be a part of it!

Mom and I had the opportunity to make one of the projects in the new book 

"All-in-one Basket" before the book came out!

Mom and I were both thrilled with each of the colorways we received - Rebekah and Kelsey know us well. :) And we were featured in the Gallery of Projects in the book!

It was truly a family affair

We weren't able to get together with Rebekah and Kelsey for a photo shoot

so my youngest son took the pictures and received a photo credit in the book :)

Here is Mom's finished basket cover - she used 

Valdani threads and a few beads.

and here is mine. I used Rustic Wool Moire Thread.

We are both thrilled with our baskets!

You can find the amazing basket for purchase here. It's wonderful!

I know that I have only focused on one project from the book, but this book is chock full with many wonderful projects and each project featured is done in wool applique and another needlework medium.

We saw all the models at the class at Country at Heart and there are so many that I want to create!

Thank you ever so much Rebekah and Kelsey from the bottom of our hearts!

It has meant so much to Mom and me to be able to share in this special book with you!

From one mother/daughter team to another Thank You! :)

I am off to spend some time with the Bittersweet Stitching Sisters, 

so you know that I will have a lot to share when I return :)

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, 

so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

~Romans 15:13

Blessings, Patti