Patriotic Pinkeeps

"Patriotic Fan Pinkeep"

Notforgotten Farm's

Little Stitches Handwork Club

Here is my vacation finish! I am so happy with it :)

On the back I added a piece of the vintage flag ribbon that I just bought at Country Sampler.

Then I raided my antique pincushions for some neat pins to add.

I will be keeping this close by my stitching chair so that I can enjoy it.

Can't wait to see the project for October!

I also finished these patriotic pinkeeps:

These were from the Inspired Summer Seminar with Paulette Stewart of Plum Street Samplers at The Inspired Needle.

I had such fun with these and really enjoyed adding the pin designs.

I think I will be doing that again it was so much fun!

I also finished stitching "Liberty Inn" and will be taking it to the framer on Saturday.

I will unveil my abbreviated version once it is all framed :)

Time to start my offerings for the end of the month. 

I'm loving the ideas and hope that they turn out as sweet as I envision...

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

~Joshua 1:9

Blessings, Patti

How I spent my summer vacation...

Our summer vacation was spent in the northwoods of Wisconsin.

A week spent in heaven that sustains me for the year.

We spend a lot of time canoeing and kayaking.

One day was spent on the Brule River traveling north to the mouth of Lake Superior.

It was fascinating to see the smooth water of the Brule on the left (after spending a few hours traveling through some lovely rapids) and the waves of Lake Superior on the right.

We spent time fishing on the Chippewa Flowage.

And were rewarded with enough crappies for a fish fry.

While out fishing, we found an old cemetery on one of the islands.  

I love the white birch bark against the bright blue sky.

And this little birds nest perched precariously over the water.

It was interesting how the gnarled roots are still reaching and stretching.

I had to stop along the roadside to admire this sight.

Do you see the butterfly at the far right?

I was fortunate enough to spend my birthday on vacation and we celebrated with a four mile hike.

We stopped at Morgan Falls

 

and then proceeded on a rustic trail through roots, rocks and streams 

climbing up and up

to St. Peter's Dome - the highest point in Northwest Wisconsin.

During my quiet time, 

I read this novel - a great summer read.

I did a little wool work.

And a little stitching as well. 

I don't count this piece as quite yet finished as I have a bit of tweaking that I would like to do.

I'll share my finishes when they are complete.

I hope that I can maintain this feeling of peace and contentment through the year...

"Be still, and know that I am God..."

~Psalm 46:10

Blessings, Patti

Happy 55th Anniversary!

Recently, my sister and I headed down to central Illinois to celebrate a very special day ~

our parents 55th wedding anniversary!

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!

I know that it hasn't always been easy. I'm sure there are parts that you wouldn't want to relive again,

but you taught us about the strength of a marriage commitment meant to be kept until death do us part.

That if you can hang on through  the tough times, there are better times around the corner!

I'm planning for DH and I to meet that milestone as well...

It was fun for us to spend a weekend together, just the four of us.

We enjoy having our husbands and kids join us, but sometimes just the four of us is just right!

We spent an afternoon in Arcola, IL ~ home of Raggedy Ann and Andy.

Some lovely shops are there

Olde Brick Wall

The Primitive Goose

The Antique Emporium, which covers the entire second floor.

We had fun reminiscing about this President's set that we once had as kids.

Whatever happened to that?!

We think that you received them from a visit to either a gas station or a grocery store, but can't recall which.

And here are the treasures that came home with me:

This wonderful toleware painted bread tray - I have plans for the bottom that is very chippy.

I also have plans for

This wooden divided box. 

I also bought the blue and red coverlet piece to use in my creations, but once home I realized that all the edges are blanket stitched in a wonderful old red wool yarn and now I can't bear to cut it :)

While on our visit, my mom decided to pass on some of our family treasures.

My sister received a great Steiff monkey puppet that our grandfather gave our grandmother when they were dating. We remember them making us laugh with that puppet when we were small.

Our grandmother was also very active in the Eastern Star (masonic temple) and she received many of her treasures from those days.

And I received:   

Our great-grandmother's bible with a wonderful celluloid cover and metal hardware and closure. Dated 1887, it is written in Czech/Bohemian. In the back she wrote about the births and one death of her children - the dates, times and places. Each of her four children were born in a different home, but all in Chicago. I received her rosary - she was the last generation of Catholics as the subsequent generations are Lutheran. I'm not sure why... (and then I converted to Methodism in 2000). And fittingly enough I received her treasured stork scissors! I can't tell you how meaningful these treasures are - heartfelt treasures are the best!

Congratulations Mom & Dad!

I hope that you enjoyed your anniversary weekend as much as Pam and I did!

"If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

~ 1 Corinthians 13:1-7

Blessings, Patti

Opinions appreciated and a winner

 

I haven't had much time for stitching lately, but when I have a moment or two this is what I am working on...

"Liberty Inn" by Plum Street Samplers for The Inspired Needle's Summer Seminar

 

On Paulette's original design, she backstitched around the quilt stars on the house.

Right now I am agonizing...

Should I back stitch the stars on the house so that they really stand out?

Or should I leave them as is for a more subtle approach? 

 

I've been agonizing about this a lot and can't seem to make up my mind :)

What do you think?

(I am realizing now that the sun was too bright in this photo and the colors look very washed out on the screen, but you get the idea.)

 

Thank you to the 43 entries in my giveaway!

It was fun to hear what you like to hunt for when antiquing.

Random.org selected #40 as the winner - Lorinda from Massachusetts!

Congratulations Lorinda! I will get your package on its way shortly.

 

I've been traveling a bit more and celebrating some special occasions that I hope to share soon.

Just need to find a bit of time...

 

"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it."

~1 Corinthians 12:27

 

Blessings, Patti 

July Mantle and More...

My goodness, where does the month go?

I seem to always be posting my mantle when it is almost time to take it down :)

My July mantle features my almost always present antique punched tin lanterns (the one on the far left has a punched star design ~ appropriate for the month), an antique eagle snowbird, an antique red iron barn star and Rowe pottery in patriotic designs.

The bunting is a Maggie Bonanomi design (a Country Sampler Girls Club kit from several years ago) made of gauze and wool.

On the hearth, antique bunting and aged flags.

The graters contain timer candles that glow so pretty at night.

Also on the hearth, a Maggie Bonanomi flag mat and a pillow that was also a Country Sampler club kit.

Two more Maggie kits and assorted antiques.

Hmmm, I'm realizing that July is my Maggie month.

I did this one years ago, but still love it :)

And a last Maggie design.

48 star antique gauze flags with Rowe pottery from their historical collection.

Antiques with my latest piece of antique flag bunting along with my own Winding Vine Designs original velvet cherries.

There is still time to enter my giveaway, just click here.

"But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it."

~1 Corinthians 12: 24-26

Blessings, Patti

Stitch Camp Finale & a Giveaway

All too soon, the final day arrived. 

I had to show you that Faye of Carolina Stitcher was with me in spirit at the camp - I used the wonderful project bags that I won in her giveaway and received many compliments :) I thought it was so appropriate as Faye had used a Stacy Nash design :)

One of the best parts is time spent with kindred spirits - both new friends and old.

I had the pleasure of meeting so many wonderful stitchers (& designers) from places as far away as California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Arkansas, Pennsylvania and New York!

It is also so inspiring to see the wonderful finishes and works in progress that people bring with

Fran brought with this incredible hardangar runner that she is working on. 

 At the end of the camp, Jeanne and Stacy had a drawing of the "overachievers" - those that finished their book construction and tray sides - there were several of us. I was so thrilled when they drew my name!

This is what I won:

A lovely pinkeep made by Stacy herself!

What a treasure that I will cherish!

Thank you Jeanne and Stacy for such an incredible camp!

If you ever have the opportunity to attend an event at Country Sampler, Go! You won't be dissappointed, and will create memories to last a lifetime.

You can't be at Country Sampler for four days without doing some shopping.

Here are my purchases:

I bought a few wool kits for Maggie's last book and couldn't resist a great deal on "The Maine Project"

by Blackberry Primitives. I have been thinking about it for a while and it was on sale so I couldn't pass up the kit. I think there are a few left here in case you can't live with out it as well. :)

On my way home, I took my time and did a bit of antiquing. 

Thought I would share a few things that caught my eye, but that I didn't buy...

Love the textures

and the patinas.

This is what did come home with me - a tramp art frame (to be used for some stitching), antique velvet, a flower frog to hold antique thimbles and my favorite find! An incredible rughooking - the wool strips so fine that they are almost as narrow as yarn. The colors and detail are wonderful. It is framed in wood and can go right on my wall.

Isn't it fantastic? And the best part:

On the back is its history along with...

a newspaper article from Maine on Ethel Fitzgerald, the woman who created it.

I am just thrilled with this find.

I think it will be pretty hung with a find from a few years ago.

A watercolor of a similar mill found at an Estate Sale.

You have been so kind with your comments while I rattle on and on, so I would like to have a little giveaway.

Since I now have the kit - I have an extra pattern for the Maine Project along with three pieces of different vintage wool army blankets. 

This giveaway is open to everyone. Simply leave a comment on this post or send me an email to pgagliardi9@hotmail.com with Maine Project in the subject line and tell me - what are you looking for at antique stores these days?

I will pick a winner on Sunday.

"Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many."

~1 Corinthians 12:12-14

Blessings, Patti