A Winner & more treasures

Thank you so much to the 43 people who responded to my giveaway and question as to a fair price for my original milk painted trunk! The answers ranged from $45 to $425 with an average of $200. It's rare to find a trunk like this in the Chicago area, but if/when you do I think they are going for about $300. So now would you like to know how much I spent???

Well, when I looked at the price tag I almost hyperventilated when I saw it was $35! I was trying to keep my cool, when the owner approached. She said that she really needed to find a new home for it, so she would let me have it for $10! It was all I could do not to faint on the spot!!! And my husband still thinks that I spent too much! LOL! He really doesn't get it... he loves antiques, but says it just looks like someone took some old wood in the garage and hammered it together to create a box to hold tools. And I say, Exactly! A make do!

Well, the winner of this month's give away is...

Penny of the blog, Little Pen Pen. I just love the dachshund in her blog banner :)

Be sure and check back early next month for my Christmas Give Away! I have plans for it already :)

Recently I picked up another treasure at a local Estate Sale:

Isn't this old wool tongue rug just awesome? I love the four rosebuds on either end - each stitched in a different technique. I wonder if the wools are from men's suits? And the red trim is in wonderful shape. I treasure it knowing all the hours that someone put into it. It was the last day of the estate sale, so instead of the $45 on the price tag, I purchased it for $20 :) Oh how I love a good deal!

And I'll leave you with a picture of my Thanksgiving mantle:

I made a little maple leaf garland and more candle rings. They are about a week old and starting to curl and dry... The best part is they don't need to be packed away, just mulched and recreated next year. The beautiful paper cutting on the left is by Beth Twist of Heartstring Samplery. She mentioned on her blog that she is papercutting again and I just can't wait to see!

If you will be in the Bartlett, Illinois area this weekend, my sister-in-law is having her annual craft show and bake sale. (I'm baking my mom's famous melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookies as we speak.) Just drop me a note at pgagliardi9@hotmail.com and I will send you the address and directions. The show will be on Saturday, November 19th from 12 - 3, but come early ~ she usually sells out!

"I will praise God’s name in song
and glorify him with thanksgiving."

~Psalm 69:30

Blessings, Patti

Boxwood&Berries~Day 3

Day 3 has arrived! Today was filled with smaller projects, but each of them just as special!
We started with Maggie Bonanomi's Angel Wings! Maggie gave us an assortment of papers from old books and ledgers. We had such fun reading snippets from days gone by...
I thought that the wings were going to be too big for me to display and store at home. Maggie was so gracious to sketch out a smaller set of wings for me and help me to adjust the little paper feathers. I just love the finished project! Here it is:

I think that they will just stay out now until after Christmas as I love them so :) Hmmm, maybe I'll leave them out for Valentines Day as well!

Today Selma also helped us to frame sweet little photographs as ornaments. This technique was demonstrated by Blackbird Designs last year and this year we had the opportunity to make one. I'm not sharing mine right now as it has inspired thoughts of Christmas gifts... Jeanne and Selma will be doing these ornaments as a Make it Take it during Country Sampler's Christmas Open House in November. Click here to learn more.

Maggie also shared her fabulous prim ideas for holiday gift wrapping and gift giving. I loved the idea of fresh greens to cushion your gifts instead of tissue ~ a feast for the eyes and the nose!

And old mason jars! What a great way to give a gift! Maggie's ideas seem endless and are always a delight!

Who wouldn't love to open a gift like this on Christmas Day!!!

After lunch, Jeanne organized a special treat for us! Involving this beautiful basket of leaves...

Pat McCorkle, a local of the Spring Green area, came in and shared her special talent... Maple Leaf Crowns! Pat likes to create them in public places for others to enjoy, then shares them with strangers and friends alike! What a lovely way to "pass it on" and share the beauty of nature's autumn bounty!

She mentioned giving them to strangers that show an interest in what she is doing and the fun and joy of watching their surprise as she hands over a crown.

She also leaves crowns on unadorned pumpkins on doorsteps. Imagine the fun when the homeowner comes home to realize their pumpkin has been having fun ;)

She shared with us in hopes that we will keep the Maple Crowns alive and will pass it on as well...

Here is Nel wearing her new crown.

And Selma gathered a few leaves for a crown of her own! Beautiful!
I made a little candle ring out of maple leaves. And have now realized that I haven't taken a photo to share... I will definitely be sharing this idea and passing it on in the autumns to come...

*sigh*

Just one more day of Boxwood & Berries to share. Then it is time for goodbyes and the long wait for another year... Thanks for sharing my journey! Until next time...

Blessings, Patti