"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

From Our Hands ~ Creative ~ 2018 ~ The Giveaway

Finally! The time has come for my little giveaway ~

accumulated on my trip to Yellow Springs, Ohio for the From Our Hands ~ Creative retreat.

Some yummy wool, a Rebekah L. Smith ruler and waxer, a pretty note card from Lori Ann Corelis, some hand-dyed pins from Stacy Nash, a mini-charm pack from Fabric Shack and a sweet little bee plant poke picked up on my travels.

In order to enter, simply leave a comment on this post or send an email to me at pgagliardi9@hotmail.com with Ohio giveaway in the subject line and tell me what needlework project you are working on this holiday weekend. Or maybe you aren't with parades, memorials, gardening and graduations keeping many busy ~ that's ok too!

I'll pick a random winner on Friday, June 1st.

Thank you Lori Ann Corelis, Kelsey Smith and Rebekah L. Smith for another fabulous retreat!

We enjoyed every minute and appreciate all the effort in putting this together.

And thanks to Stacy Nash and Donna Bennett for increasing the fun!

Finally, thanks to you for letting me share the journey.

How great are your works, Lord,
    how profound your thoughts!

~Psalms 92:5

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

From Our Hands ~ Creative 2018 ~ Shopping The Mercantile

My first stop in shopping was Rebekah L. Smith's booth.

These are Mom's purchases - lovely wool, a journal with a wonderful page saver bookmark made by Rebekah and a little needle minder kit.

I also bought some lovely wool from Rebekah.

My favorite is the one on the bottom - 

you need to take a closer look:

Isn't it gorgeous with all those wonderful colors?!

Mom and I both bought a Lap App. We tried them out in class and found that we really liked them. I usually work on projects while sitting on the couch and this helps a lot with my posture, not being hunched over. It adapts to so many positions. On the left is a wonderful piece of a vintage tablecloth that Rebekah overdyed with walnut dye. Also a needle minder kit, two hand-dyed linen bags - I love the one that I recently made and have some ideas for these two. And the basket on the right oh my!

I am so thrilled to add this to my collection of Rebekah creations.

So pretty and useful! I love birds and the moment I saw it I couldn't let it go :) 

Mom's first stop was Heartwells. She had admired the lovely antique spool holders with newly made pincushions last year and was hoping for one this year. She bought a beauty! She also got a tiny sweet tomato emery and some pretty wool from Crows on the Ledge.

And guess what?!?

Mom gifted me with a spectacular antique spool holder by Heartwells with this sweet squirrel!!!

Can you see his teeny tiny velvet acorn? He is so very sweet!

I am blessed and thrilled to have him. 

Thank you ever so much Mom!

And I had to purchase this sweet tiny dachshund pincushion with her tiny bone and a tiny tomato emery to match Mom's. 

Doesn't the pincushion look just like my sweet Leia?

Yep, they both sure are sweet :)

This lovely necklace was made by Kelsy Anilee Smith.

And I certainly didn't have any self-control in Stacy Nash's booth lol.

Do you see the tiny pin wheel with the robin that Stacy made?

I also bought these wonderful scissors from Lori Ann Corelis.

Kim Stout had a wonderful booth filled with antique sewing tools and lovely creations she made herself. Two thread wheels, two needle cases, and an Amish Stumpwork tin pattern were the treasures that I acquired in her fantastic booth.

And this was just the first night of our retreat! There is so much more to share before I have my little giveaway :) Next up - The Classes!

 Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

~1 Thessalonians 5:13-14

Blessings, Patti 

Wheaten Woolens ~ The Shopping

In addition to shopping Wheaten Woolens, folk artist Ginny Henson was again set up with her amazing folk art, antiques and topiaries.

Ginny has an amazing green thumb and her topiaries are like works of art. 

Magical creations where garden fairies would love to live.

Variegated leaves always seem to call to me...

Mom bought this sweet bird from Ginny.

And I bought this sweet bunny. I also bought the old tin box in the middle from Ginny. The box on the bottom has held my sewing notions for years and I loved how Ginny's box stacked perfectly. I have several magnets on the inside lid of my box, so the stack holds together quite nicely.

I bought this lovely hand-dyed linen from Rebekah and some pretty notecards from her daughter, Kelsey Anilee.

And what did we buy from Wheaten Woolens, you ask?

Well, Mom and I had quite a bit of fun!

Here are Mom's wonderful purchases.

An awesome handmade basket by Cyndy Simmons

and a sweet handmade sheep with old square nail legs.

And a fabulous selection of wool.

And look at my awesome basket made by Cyndy Simmons!

Thanks Mom for such a wonderful surprise!!!!

I bought this wool applique kit designed by Beth Anne.

The colors are gorgeous and I love that braided finish!

I tried to resist buying wool, but some colors are too hard to resist ;)

And hand-dyed velvet had to come home with me too. I'm thinking some pumpkins my appear from these in a few months... 

And you know that I couldn't resist that amazing collection of Rustic Wool Moire threads! 

My collection certainly grew in one day lol!

And here is where you can join in the fun:

A giveaway of a little charm pack of Wheaten Woolens hand dyed wool and a bonus...

I accidently purchased a spool of Rustic Wool Moire thread in a color that I already own,

so you can have a chance to try it out :)

Please leave a comment on this post, or send me an email to pgagliardi9@hotmail.com 

with WW Giveaway in the subject line and tell me...

What will you be doing this 4th of July?

I will pick a winner on July 3rd using random.org.

Thanks for joining in our trip!

Thanks also for your continuing prayers and positive thoughts!

Mom will be starting chemo this week and

my sister-in-law, Joy will have her second round of chemo this week.

Mom has her wool projects prepped and Joy has fabric for a new quilt,

so I think that they are both all set!

He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.

~Isaiah 40:29-31

Blessings, Patti