Is it wrong to love a snowman? :)

Each year when I take down the Christmas decorations, I suffer from twinkle light withdrawals.

I love how clean the house looks, but can't quite put all the wintery decorations away...

So I leave out the non-Christmas snow globes with a few white lights and greenery...

and I leave out my vintage bottle brush trees for a little winterscape vignette.

And I leave out a few snowmen in wintery scenes.

This year I bought a snowman from Lori Brechlin of Notforgotten Farm.
When I saw him I was quite smitten and knew that I had to buy him for my own.
But when he arrived via the mailman and I had my first peek in person,
IT WAS LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT!

Pictures just don't do him justice. From his hogscraper base to his wool top hat he is perfectly prim and aged in just the right spots. I find myself moving him from room to room, telling myself that I am looking for the perfect spot for him. (Actually I think that I just like to have him near by...) So I must ask you... Is it wrong to love a snowman? I certainly hope not! Soon the first hints of spring might arrive and he just might melt away! So I will enjoy his company in the meantime...

Blessings, Patti

A winner?

Niky of Niky's Creations recently sponsored a fun contest. She offered a free design and invited people to complete it and send photos to her. Then she randomly selected three finishes to win a prize.

I finished my rendition of "Evergreen" as a little needlebook.

I added a few wool squirrels to the inside for storing pins and needles.
I didn't win, but now that I think of it I did...

As I have this lovely needlecase to enjoy!

Be sure to stop by her blog to see the other finishes - wow! The creativity is just amazing!

Blessings, Patti

Welcome 1.1.11!

It's January 1st and time for another update on TDIPT Mercantile!

You can view my offerings here.

"I found that snowflakes were masterpieces of design. No one design was
ever repeated. When a snowflake melted... just that much beauty was gone,
without leaving any record behind."
-Wilson A. Bentley

Snowflake Bentley and his innovative microscopic photographs of snowflakes were my inspiration this month.

I started with a vintage wool scarf and appliqued ivory wool snowflakes on it.

It can be used as a table runner or be worn as a scarf.


I also created another windowsill pillow based on a pattern by The Stitcherhood.
Please be sure to take a peek at all the lovely offerings at TDIPT Mercantile.

Did you enjoy your New Years Eve? We went to dinner with our friends then came back to our house and played "Imagine If" - we laughed until we cried - I love those kind of games - and those kind of friends ;)

They brought us these darling little bowls - aren't they just perfect? I just love them!!!

It is feeling more like winter in Chicago today - yesterday it was 59, today it is 29.

I think that I'll start taking down the Christmas decorations today... and putting up a few winter/snowflake decorations.

Wishing you all a Blessed 2011!

Blessings, Patti

!~Wishing you a Happy New Year!~!

Wishing you a Happy New Year filled with blessings!

I'll be back tomorrow with new offerings on TDIPT Mercantile!

Please be safe with your celebrations tonight.

We will be go out for dinner tonight

then play games while waiting for the ball to drop ~ a family tradition...

Blessings, Patti

Merry Christmas from Chicago!

Merry Christmas to all!

I am sorry that I have been MIA. I have been seriously under the weather with a horrible case of the flu - I had a fever that peaked at 102.7 and lasted for days.

Luckily the fever broke and I began to feel better just in time. We had a quiet Christmas Eve and hosted dinner for 25 today, Christmas Day. Our guests have gone home and I just wanted to share a bit Christmas from Chicago.

A few weeks back, we attended the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Parade.

We were excited to see and hear Wilson Philips (above) and Crystal Bowersox (American Idol) perform in the parade.


I love those big balloons and would love to be a balloon handler some time...

I also visited the Christkindlmarket several times.

It always puts me in a happy holiday mood!

I'm always mesmerized by these paper stars, but have never bought one...

These gingerbread cookies are almost too pretty to eat :)

I did buy a new ornament for our tree - a dachshund of course, to celebrate Orion joining our family!

Please keep the reason for the season in your heart :)

"The shepherds went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying and
praising God for what the angels had told them, and because they had seen the
child, just as the angel had said."
-Luke 2:20

Blessings, Patti

Christmas Decor

I've made a conscious effort this advent season to simplify the holiday, both in decor and gift giving. I wanted to focus more on the true meaning of the season.

It has helped a bit, but the holidays are still hectic and can't be as simplified as I'd like.

But I think that the simple decorations have helped to lend a sense of peace and calm.


I love the combination of rustic wood & wire, aged mercury glass, and tarnished glitter.

I've added lots of candles and in the interest of safety and forgetfulness, I've found that I really love the flameless candles ~ especially those with built in timers :)

The beautiful fabric box is a Stacy Nash project from last year's Boxwood & Berries. The sampler for inside the top of the lid is still not stitched, but I still love the box just as it is...

Some traditions had to stay and just couldn't be simplified, like our collection of nutcrackers.

I just found this great vintage Marshall Field's gift box that I couldn't pass up for 70 cents ~ it brings back lots of memories of visiting the store with my grandparents.

I'll try to post again soon with photos of Christmastime in Chicago.

"Good Tidings Mini Christmas Sampler"

design by Nancy Woodson

I did have one stitching finish during our winter storm this weekend.

This lovely design is a freebie and can be found here.

Wishing you a simplfied advent season!

Blessings, Patti

December is here!

December is here and it is time to open that first little window of the advent calendar!

Christmas will soon be here!

The artists at TDIPT Mercantile have updated their offerings - be sure to go take a peek!

My offerings sold quickly - thank you so much for your support!!!

We are having our first snow of the season here in Chicago ~

it is swirling but not sticking to the ground ~

just enough to get me in the holiday spirit!

Blessings, Patti