Mrs. Maguire's Garden

"Mrs. Maguire's Garden"

design by Pineberry Lane

I just realized that I forgot to share this finish.

It is a slightly abbreviated version of the original design.

I didn't have any trim that matched nicely,

so I added a bit of stitching to the seams.

I think that my husband and I visited Mrs. Maguire's garden on the 4th of July.

Don't you expect her to walk out any moment carrying her watering can?

I bow down toward your holy temple

    and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,

    for you have exalted above all things

    your name and your word.

~Psalm 138:2

Blessings, Patti

How I spent my 4th of July

Happy 4th of July!

It was a hot and humid one today on Winding Vine.

But we got up early and went for a hike, ran a few errands, and did a bit of gardening.

It's hard when the 4th of July falls on a Wednesday.

Just one day off in the middle of the week.

So I tried to ignore chores and have some fun.

"Red Geraniums"

By Maggie Bonanomi 

from her book "Buttonwood Farm"

I actually stitched this last 4th of July and just put it together

 so I could hang it on my front door today. 

The background is pieced from an old feedsack (can you see the faded printing?) and old ticking.

I used my favorite Rustic Moire Wool Threads.

I think they add a nice touch.

This is the second time that I made this piece.

The first time I made it was many years ago in a class with Maggie.

It looks so different in a totally different colorway.

This afternoon I sat outside for a bit, until I started to melt, and worked on a little 

patriotic English Paper Piecing.

It is a kit by Primitive Gatherings called "Honor Flag".

 Have you ever bought a pattern and then had to drop everything to start it immediately?

Well I did just that!

This sweet couple were calling to me! :)

Our town has their fireworks on the 3rd of July

which is a good thing so I can get to bed early tonight for work tomorrow :)

They were a delight as always. 

I was exhausted last night and really didn't want to go.

But we have a tradition with friends of dinner out and then fireworks.

I was so glad that I went!

How could I even consider missing 4th of July fireworks?!

We always enjoy them so.

I hope that you are enjoying a safe and happy 4th of July!

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,

    the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!

~Psalm 33:12

Blessings, Patti

Stitch Camp 2018 ~ The End

I had so much fun with the fabrics that I chose for the huswife and pincushion, 

that I decided to make a matching needlebook as well.

I used "Hexie Needle Case" pattern by Back Door Quilts 

Here is the outside of the needlebook.

I decided to piece the inside as well, although that isn't what the pattern called for. 

Complete with little wool pages for my needles.

I fussy cut a little hidden bird for the inside too.

And here is my entire set.

I'm so happy with how it turned out.

I'm tempted to make another set...

This is the antique sampler that we reproduced for class.

Last year I finished the entire sampler before heading to camp, but this year I did not.

It is fun to see how others changed their samplers up...

Kim produced a stunning beauty on 40 count linen over 2.

I love her added pine trees - perfect for a sampler from Maine.

And her Stitch Camp additions and personalization.

Frances added a lovely soft rose to her palette.

And Margaret added her personal information to the bottom rows.

I'm always torn when stitching reproduction samplers.

I read that to be a true "reproduction" it must be stitched the same using the same colors and linen and approximate size. If not, it is considered an adaptation.

I'm not really fond of stitching someone else's name and an old year.

I feel like I am trying to pass my new work off as an antique.

That someday when I am gone and all my stitching goes to Salvation Army or Goodwill someone might mistake it for an antique.

At the same time, if I substitute my name and date, 

I feel like I am claiming a piece that is not truly mine.

On this trip I had an "Aha!" moment.

I should  do both - honor the original stitcher that created it and recognize that I stitched it now.

My result - honoring Maria Davis of Bangor, Maine and her heartfelt sentiment of  "Live in peace with all men" and recognize that I am praying for the same thing 195 years later...

It may now be an adaptation, but I am pleased with the results.

Now all that is left is the hemstitching.

I found at camp last year that I truly enjoy hemstitching and want to finish more pieces using the technique, but I have not.

I hope to work on the hemstitching soon.

I'll share when I finish...

Thanks so much for sharing in my adventure!

It's always hard to leave Country Sampler and Spring Green, Wisconsin, but it helps to know that I will be returning this autumn.

I have another adventure coming in just a few weeks, but this one is closer to home.

Have I not commanded you? 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

Stitch Camp 2018 ~ Shopping for Treasures

Shopping is always a big part of my trips :)

Country Sampler has so many wonderful treasures, it's hard to decide what should come home with me!

Lovely fabrics

Home decor

Cross Stitch

Jeanne has it all!

I had fun going through all the treasures in the sales basement

and found these patterns that had to come home.

And a few new designs, too.

I had been contemplating this book for some time. But when Susan pointed out the lovely fabric and threads that it uses, I was smitten! I bought enough fabric and threads for three designs from the book!

Of course I had to do a bit of antiquing as well.

I had to take this picture for David Schump, The Art Tramp :)

It was interesting as it seemed that at this antique mall there were spool cabinets everywhere that I looked!

All different shapes and sizes

While they were all lovely, I am so very happy with the one that I own.

This framed piece caught my eye and made me smile.

I did find one treasure that had to come home with me...

This small cross stitched piece.

The linen is so small that I think that it is 50 or even 60 count!

What amazed me was that a thread was pulled where each line of writing was stitched.

Then it was meticulously re-woven back in!

At a time when supplies were few and far between the silk binding was carefully sewn on with the same red thread. And only in a few small places can you see that red thread in the binding on the front.

I did some research on the quote.

It was published by The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association on April 21, 1863 and around the same time by the Campbell County Baptist Association Circular Letters.

I was so excited to receive a few treasured gifts as well.

Thank you Barbara for the sweet antique child's shoe forms!

And thanks to Pam for the sweet Burt's Bees tin and goodies.

I think that it is calling to be repurposed as a sewing tin ;)

I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you.

~1 Chronicles 29:17

Blessings, Patti