May I ask for a favor? *Updated*

**Thank you ever so much for all your prayers and well wishes!

Unfortunately surgery has been postponed for 10 days.

We will try again. Thank you!**

Today I am heading back to my parents for a visit.

I know that Mom has a finish or two to share with me for another edition of "Pennies from Heaven" posts.

 Unfortunately, this visit won't be for fun.

After six months of doctors visits, tests, and exploratory surgery,

Mom has been diagnosed with cancer.

The prognosis is hopeful, once she has surgery tomorrow. 

We are focusing on the silver lining...

The past six months, the four of us (Me, Dad, Mom and my sister, Pam)

 have been able to spend more time together than we have in years...

A Blessing for sure.

May I ask for a favor? Could you please say a prayer for Mom (Jill) this week?

Each and every prayer would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

"The Lord will keep you from all harm—

    he will watch over your life;

the Lord will watch over your coming and going

    both now and forevermore."

~Psalm 121:7-8

Blessings, Patti

Pennies from Heaven ~ Volume 6 (should be Vol. 7!)

When I visited my parents last month, I was able to see Mom's latest finishes.

I'm sure that I shared this one before, but it is now officially finished.

And I can't stop looking at it and admiring it!

Maggie Bonanomi's "Settlers Pride" is such a stunning design!

When Mom saw the photos last time, she did a little minor perfecting before backing it. 

Can you believe that she did this entire project in 7 weeks?!

Once backed - she added this running stitch along the edge - love it!

"Follow the Sun" by Woolkeeper

Such beautiful wool!

And it looks so perfect on the back of this rocking chair.

"Wool Applique in Neutrals" from "Another Place and Time"

Another gorgeous Maggie Bonanomi design.

Love the monochromatic color scheme.

Here is one of Mom's originals.

And here is where it lives - perfect!

Another of Mom's originals - love the snowflake charms!

Design by Laurie Simpson 

in Primitive Quilts & Projects book "Wool Applique - Volume 2"

This piece is replacing the sunflower on the back of the rocking chair for Christmas.

I love the ticking candy canes! Perfect!

While I was there, Mom decided that she wanted to learn English Paper Piecing.

It's no fun to make just a single flower, so Mom and I sat down and made these: 

We each finished a little pincushion.

Of course Mom took to EPP like a fish to water.

We didn't start these until later in the evening and probably spent as much time laughing as we did stitching. We stayed up way too late, but had so much fun!

I wouldn't be surprised if my next visit I get to see some EPP projects 

by Mom in addition to wool applique ;)

Here's some perspective to see the size of our little pincushions.

I might just need to make a few more...

Great job Mom! I always love all that you do!

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,

    for his steadfast love endures forever.

~Psalm 136:1

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

Pennies from Heaven ~ Volume 5 Part 1

Well yesterday's blog post was not to be.

My photos and blogger were not cooperating. 

But today is a brand new day and things look like they are working...

Mom had so many finishes, that I will be splitting it into two posts of loveliness :)

The top photo is a Maggie Bonanomi design from one of the Needl Love Thread books.

This wonderful patriotic penny rug is by Primitive Gatherings and the kit was a Mother's Day gift.

Great job Mom! I love how she used binding around the edge. She finished it on Flag Day and noted it on a tag on the back.

And it looks lovely on her entry way table!

This is another Maggie Bonanomi Needl Love Threads book design. 

We both did it in different color ways and it looks so totally different!

You can see my version here.

This sweet mat is A Piece of Work design.

Here is one of my favorites this visit!

Made from an absolutely gorgeous kit by Cee Rafuse.

It's the first time Mom did the feather stitch and of course it is perfect! Would we expect anything less ;)

The colors are so subtle and aged - be still my heart!

This stunner is Botanical Wool Runner by Maggie Bonanomi.

You can find the pattern here.

Mom did it in this wonderful tonal mode of ivory and green that really shows off the intricate design.

You just have to see it close up!

*sigh* Sew beautiful!

Lucky us! It lives in my parents guest room, so my sister and I got to sleep with it at the foot of our bed.

And one final bright happy piece before I close tonight...

An abbreviated version of Garden Row by Threads the Bind.

I hope you enjoy Mom's work as much as I enjoy sharing it!

What a joy to have a crafting family :)

"to aspire to live quietly, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we directed you"

~I Thessalonians 4:11

Blessings, Patti