Where I have been...

I can't believe that it has been 3 weeks since I posted!

Where has the time gone...

We made our annual trek to the northwoods - near Hayward, Wisconsin.


This is the trip that really recharges my batteries.

Quality family time spent in the great outdoors...

Then the day after we came home (the day I meant to spend doing laundry and grocery shopping) another big storm came through Chicago and did this:

Over 800,000 buildings were without power including us. Luckily crews came in from all over the country. A wonderful crew from Kansas and Missouri restored our power after 4 full days without power.

Luckily power was restored just in time for this heatwave!

What more could I possibly ask for?

Please be sure to stay cool and take care of yourself during this heatwave!

I'm a bit behind in creating, but will hopefully have some finishes to share soon!

Blessings, Patti

*Red*White*Blue*

Is there a combination of colors that stirs the heart more than red, white & blue?

I think not!

Where has the time gone ~ half a year is over already. During the second half of the year, I need to make a conscious effort to slow down and focus on the moment. To try to make it last...

Since it is the first of the month, it is also update time at TDIPT Mercantile! I am so happy the way the pillow in the photo above turned out. The design is by fellow TDIPT artist Nan of Threadwork Primitives. The moment I saw it, Nan had inspired me and I knew that I had to stitch it right away!

I also decided to share some of my favorite antique textiles and buttons by creating this original candle mat.

Be sure to view all of the lovely offerings at TDIPT Mercantile. You can view my offerings here.

Thank you for your wonderful response to my vintage material pin disks.

And your overwhelming response to my velvet cherry emeries!

In my minds eye I can see two velvety vegetables that I hope to offer on August 1st. If you would like a sneak peek once the prototype is done, just email me at pgagliardi9@hotmail.com to join my monthly mailing list. Now the trick is to translate them from my minds eye to reality :)

Wishing you and your family a Happy 4th of July! If you can take a moment, please say a prayer for our troops both at home and overseas. I'll also be saying a prayer of thanks for the blessings of living in this wonderful country!

Blessings, Patti

*Shine*

On Tuesday night a strong storm came through the Chicago area with 80mph winds. It was quick and fierce, knocking down trees and power lines. We lost power immediately and it stayed off for 48 hours. Traffic lights were out throughout our town and surrounding towns making travel difficult and we lost many branches from our trees. We had to throw away 4 large black garbage bags of food from our fully stocked refrigerator and freezers, but I can't complain knowing what other communities have been going through.

Thank goodness for battery powered Ott lights so I could keep on creating :) and battery powered booklights and radios came in handy too. And I found another reason to really like those battery operated timer candles :)

This weekend was perfect ~ sunny skies, nice warm temps and a steady breeze!

Life is wonderful!

"Shine, Jesus shine
Fill this land with the Father's glory
Blaze, Spirit blaze,
Set our hearts on fire
Flow, river flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth Your word
Lord and let there be light."
~Cliff Richard

Wishing you a week that shines!

Blessings, Patti

Sunny Summer Solstice

"Prim Rose"

design by Nikyscreations

Happy Summer Solstice! Hope you are enjoying the longest day of the year!

To celebrate, I am offering a coupon for free shipping on everything in my Etsy Shop. Just use SUMMER2011 in the coupon code or if you prefer, you can email me directly at pgagliardi9@hotmail.com to purchase.

I am also offering free shipping on the items remaining in my spring cleaning sale. You can find them here. Free shipping runs now through June 28th.

Enjoy your day!

Blessings, Patti

A few finishes & fun for $5

"Blessed Be"

design by Stacy Nash

"Strawberry Queen"

design by Stacy Nash

When I visited the cemetery the other day, I came upon an estate sale in an old Chicago Bungalow. I found these great little treasures there:I love the little granite ware berry pail and plan to use it for picking raspberries this year ~ for the first time ever my bushes are loaded with flowers and the beginnings of tiny berries. I'm not sure if the little pitcher/creamer is ironstone, but I just love it. Right now it is perfect with one large peony in it. Can you believe I bought all these goodies for $5? I was thrilled!

I also stopped at a little antique flea market in the center of town and found this at a booth:
The sweet lady there said that they were from her mother's sewing basket.
Another great deal at $5!

Wishing you a lovely day filled with finishes and finds :)

Blessings, Patti

In memoriam

Every Memorial Day I visit the cemetery. I alternate between the two cemeteries where my grandparents are buried. This year I visited my maternal grandparents at Bohemian National Cemetery in Chicago. Founded in 1877, it is one of two Chicago cemeteries on the National Register of Historic Places.

I have been coming here as long as I can remember, then visiting great-grandparents and other relatives buried here as well. It may sound odd, but it feels like home to me...


There are so many angels and masoleums here.
I noticed on this visit that most of the angels are holding a lily facing down. I think I need to research why this is...

It is such a peaceful place.

Except for this statue:

It creeped me out as a child and it still does.

But hopefully the family found solace in it.

On Memorial Day, I also pulled the wool for my next project:

Unfortunately, after a week I still haven't gotten any farther than that.

Hopefully I'll be able to pick it up again soon and will share some progress.

"We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus."
~Romans 6:9-11

Blessings, Patti

Strawberry Season

Strawberry Season has arrived!

Well, not the edible variety...

The strawberries in my garden patch are all green, but the velvet and wool kind are definitely ripe & ready!

The first of the month TDIPT Mercantile artists have updated their offerings - be sure to take a peek at all of the lovely summertime treats!

And click here to see more of my strawberry offerings.

Blessings, Patti