Boxwood & Berries~on the way

I have so much to share about this incredible retreat and so many photos that I am trying to break it up into smaller posts, or it will take me forever to post and you forever to read :)

The drive from Chicago to Spring Green, Wisconsin is about 3 1/2 hours. But there are so many great stops along the way that it took me 7 hours and I still felt a bit rushed.

At one point I took a wrong turn and drove past the beautiful home pictured above. I was so glad that I turned the wrong way! The porch wraps around and the pumpkins continue around the side of the house as well. I've never seen so many pumpkins at one home!

The colors and scenery were so pretty that I drove slower than I usually do just to take it all in...

Here are the treasures that I found in my travels including the coverlet I used in the background and the two tickings under the great staved wooden bucket marked Spaulding & Frost, Fremont New Hampshire (a cooperage founded in 1874).

I was a tied up a bit with picture taking as I had a helper today... :)

Once arriving at Country Sampler, I had a bit of time to do a quick tour of the store and then it was on to dinner at the Feed Mill in Mazomanie WI. It was great fun to meet some of the women of the first session and I was so sorry to miss those that had to leave before dinner. The excitement and anticipation was building! And I was so happy to hear many of them say that Stacy's sewing basket would be simple and fun to construct, although I didn't quite believe them ;)

Well, I'll post this now and will try to get my thoughts and photos organized for Day 1!

Blessings, Patti

I'm back with a winner

I'm back from an absolutely perfect time at the Boxwood & Berries retreat at Country Sampler in Spring Green Wisconsin!
The weather was gorgeous, the projects were thrilling, and every person involved was a true kindred spirit!


I can't wait to share it all with you. First I need to get caught up a bit at home and work. Then organize my thoughts and photos. I promise to be back really soon to share it all with you...

Tonight my oldest son drew the name for the winner of a copy of Prims magazine.
The winner is... Kathy H. (no blog)!
As soon as I receive your address the magazine issue will be on its way...

Thank you ever so much for all of your kind & generous comments! They mean so much to me! I wish that I had a copy to send to each of you. And for those who emailed about a possible pattern for the cross stitch pillow and leaves... it is something that is definitely on my "to do" list, just need to find the time...

Please stay tuned for a full report on Boxwood & Berries :)
and another giveaway in early November :)

Do you love these pumpkins and gourds? These photos were taken at Peck's Farm Market East in Spring Green, Wisconsin - definitely worth the trip!

Blessings, Patti

Boxwood & Berries ~ here I come...

The bags are packed and loaded in the car.

It's time to head north to Boxwood & Berries at Country Sampler in Spring Green, Wisconsin.

I look forward to this in anticipation all year long...

I just can't wait for the wonderful classes with Maggie Bonanomi & Stacy Nash. My homework is done ~ just in time. Of course, I added a few tweaks... a few color substitutions... a long dog to honor our sweet Orion...

a black cat in memory of our sleek Bucky.

If you want to read about Boxwood & Berries from last year while I am gone, I had 6 long posts that start here :)

And don't forget to enter my Prims magazine giveaway in the next post down. I'll be drawing a name when I return...

Until then... Blessings, Patti

A Thrill, an Honor and a Giveaway

A Thrill!

My dream has come true! I've always dreamed of having one of my creations published and now that dream has come true!

Prims magazine has published a 10 page feature on TDIPT Mercantile. The talented Karen Brady Hammontree of Brady Bears Studio has written a lovely article about TDIPT Mercantile that accompanies the 10 pages of lovely creations by TDIPT Mercantile artists.

It is such an honor to be included with such a group of talented, nuturing and supportive artists. I was so pleased to see my creation featured on the same page as Suzanne Davis of Pear Tree Primitives. In addition to being an incredible painter, Suzanne was so encouraging in helping me to take the plunge into starting a blog and originally submitting my work to TDIPT. Thank you always & forever Suzanne!

This is the piece that I submitted and was published.

Ever (adverb) 1.at any time 2.increasingly 3.used as intensifier 4.always
Ever Thankful. That’s how I feel about my many blessings.Thanksgiving Day, one day, just isn’t enough. Instead it is a constant theme of my life ~ deeply embedded and heartfelt.

To celebrate this thrill and honor, it is time for my next giveaway...

The Prims Magazine Autumn 2011 issue (a $14.99 value). Then you can have the opportunty to read the entire feature on TDIPT Mercantile and see all of the lovely primitive folk art featured in this issue.

Simply post a comment on this post or send me an email at pgagliardi9@hotmail.com with TDIPT/PRIMS in the subject line. I will draw a winner on October 12th.

Thank you so much for letting me share my excitement!

Blessings, Patti Gagliardi

Welcome October!

Another new month means time for the TDIPT Mercantile Update! Be sure to stop by and see all the lovely offerings froms the TDIPT artists!

I had fun creating autumn treasures this month. You can take a peek by clicking here.

I just realized that I am at 250 posts, so I think that it is time for another giveaway! That will be in my next post, so stay tuned...

It's time for me to decorate the house for fall. Judging from my favorite blogs, I think that I am the last one to do so!

Have a lovely autumn weekend.

  

Blessings, Patti Gagliardi

Hello Autumn!

Stay tuned...

I'm finishing up my offerings for the TDIPT Mercantile update

and will be sharing soon.

And my next giveaway will be coming up as well.

Blessings, Patti

And the winner is....

The winner is Wendy of Ravenwood Whimsies!

Congratulations Wendy!

For her prize, she choose the Golden Harvest Cupboard Tuck Pillow.

Stay tuned, as there will be another giveaway in October. And I already know what it will be :) So be sure to stop by at the beginning of October to find out.

Thank you so much for participating, There were 51 participants in this giveaway and I cannot thank you enough for your kind words, the new followers, and all the kind souls that listed my giveaway on their blogs. I wish that I had the time to respond to all of you personally.

Have a wonderful week!

Blessings, Patti