From Our Hands ~ Creative 2018 ~The Classes

Mom and I took the same classes this year at From Our Hands ~ Creative.

And the classes were amazing!

We didn't finish any of our class projects while there,

and unfortunately I haven't been able to pick mine up since I've been home.

Our first class was this wonderful wooly sewing book with Rebekah L. Smith. 

Our second class was this beautiful Wooden Heart Wool Pocket.

And get this - the heart was made by Peter Brechlin 

and painted by Lori Brechlin of Notforgotten Farm!!! I was so excited!

Our last class was Lamb on a Hill Sewing Box with Lori Ann Corelis.

Isn't this so sweet?! I love the beautiful Lehay Shaker Box, too.

This year, we also had optional mini classes at night.

I took this gorgeous bracelet class with Kelsey Anilee Smith.

It also is not yet completed. I can't wait to finish it and wear it!

Kelsey has these kits available in her Etsy Shop. You can find it here.

And my final mini night time class was this Pear Needlebook with Stacy Nash.

Mom took it too. and guess what?

We finished it!

I was so happy with it, but thought it was missing one little thing...

Seeds on the inside :)

I'll share my finishes as I complete them. Hopefully I can pick them up again one day soon!

I still have a few more posts to share before my little giveaway, so stay tuned.

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

~1 Thessalonions 5:15

Blessings, Patti

From Our Hands ~ Creative 2018 ~ Shopping The Mercantile

My first stop in shopping was Rebekah L. Smith's booth.

These are Mom's purchases - lovely wool, a journal with a wonderful page saver bookmark made by Rebekah and a little needle minder kit.

I also bought some lovely wool from Rebekah.

My favorite is the one on the bottom - 

you need to take a closer look:

Isn't it gorgeous with all those wonderful colors?!

Mom and I both bought a Lap App. We tried them out in class and found that we really liked them. I usually work on projects while sitting on the couch and this helps a lot with my posture, not being hunched over. It adapts to so many positions. On the left is a wonderful piece of a vintage tablecloth that Rebekah overdyed with walnut dye. Also a needle minder kit, two hand-dyed linen bags - I love the one that I recently made and have some ideas for these two. And the basket on the right oh my!

I am so thrilled to add this to my collection of Rebekah creations.

So pretty and useful! I love birds and the moment I saw it I couldn't let it go :) 

Mom's first stop was Heartwells. She had admired the lovely antique spool holders with newly made pincushions last year and was hoping for one this year. She bought a beauty! She also got a tiny sweet tomato emery and some pretty wool from Crows on the Ledge.

And guess what?!?

Mom gifted me with a spectacular antique spool holder by Heartwells with this sweet squirrel!!!

Can you see his teeny tiny velvet acorn? He is so very sweet!

I am blessed and thrilled to have him. 

Thank you ever so much Mom!

And I had to purchase this sweet tiny dachshund pincushion with her tiny bone and a tiny tomato emery to match Mom's. 

Doesn't the pincushion look just like my sweet Leia?

Yep, they both sure are sweet :)

This lovely necklace was made by Kelsy Anilee Smith.

And I certainly didn't have any self-control in Stacy Nash's booth lol.

Do you see the tiny pin wheel with the robin that Stacy made?

I also bought these wonderful scissors from Lori Ann Corelis.

Kim Stout had a wonderful booth filled with antique sewing tools and lovely creations she made herself. Two thread wheels, two needle cases, and an Amish Stumpwork tin pattern were the treasures that I acquired in her fantastic booth.

And this was just the first night of our retreat! There is so much more to share before I have my little giveaway :) Next up - The Classes!

 Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

~1 Thessalonians 5:13-14

Blessings, Patti 

From Our Hands ~ Creative 2018 ~ The Mercantile

This was my 4th year of attending From Our Hands ~ Creative

and it continues to be such a joy, anticipated all year long!

The Mercantile is usually the grand finale, but this year it was the beginning of the event.

Of course the night of the Mercantile I was way too busy shopping to take pictures. ;)

Luckily the teachers kept their booths set up all week.

But their tables are a little bare after all the shopping that was done on the night of the Mercantile!

Above is Rebekah L. Smith's booth after being decimated by our shopping lol.

This is Lori Ann Corelis' booth 

Doesn't she create such a lovely display?

Kelsey Anilee Smith (daughter of Rebekah) had a sweet booth 

demonstrating all of her artistic talents.

Donna Bennett of Crows on the Ledge had a booth filled with luscious wool.

and hooked rug and applique supplies as well.

And last, but not least the always inspiring booth of Stacy Nash.

Looking at these pictures, makes me want to go shop it again lol!

The Schomburgs, Debbie Hartwick and Kim Stout also had booths at the Mercantile, 

but alas no pictures of those.

Do you wonder what Mom and I bought?

You will have to wait for my next post to see :)

And don't forget, I'll be having a little giveaway at the end of my travelogue.

Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work.

~1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

Blessings, Patti

Here one minute & gone the next...

Mom and I had such a wonderful time at From Our Hands ~ Creative!

I have much to share and a little giveaway is coming as well.

But first I am off on another quick trip with stitching friends of mine.

Time flies when you are having fun!

I did get my mantle decorated for May.

My garden is calling me to prepare and plant.

Everything is late this year with our cold and snowy April.

I'll be back soon!

 For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;

 The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;

~Song of Songs 2:11-12

Blessings, Patti

"Pure & Simple"

I've been blessed to have been taking classes with Maggie since 2001.

Maggie Bonanomi has an iconic unique style that is so identifiable.

It is timeless and beautiful ~ reminiscent of antiques and inspired by nature.

For seventeen years her style has touched by heart and continues to do so.

Not many artists can accomplish that.

I am so happy that Maggie has a new book out!

"Pure & Simple" inspired by the Seasons is available May 1.

I was blessed to have early access to her book and I can tell you that it is marvelous!

A full year of seasonal projects and then some. I think that each and every project is a "must do".

Mom and I have completed a few of the projects from her book.

It's fun to see that even when we do the same project with most of the same materials, they still come out slightly different and unique.

This is one of my favorite projects from the book.

Mom has finished hers.

It is so beautiful in person, I think I need to be sure to finish mine for this autumn.

This is another sweet project from the book - perfect for Christmas and all winter long.

 This is Mom's version.

And this is mine.

I think that Maggie's style is so timeless that it works with all home styles - from primitive to traditional to modern.

Mom finished this project as well.

Maggie encourages you to take the elements and arrange them in a way that is pleasing to you. 

Mine is all prepared, but not yet stitched. 

Mom and I both find that Maggie's patterns are the most relaxing to work on. Once prepped, Maggie's technique of whip stitching allows you to relax and enjoy.

I have already picked the next project that I want to make in her book:

Isn't this perfect for May Day!

You can pre-order Maggie's new book "Pure & Simple" here.

The heavens declare the glory of God;

    the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

~Psalm 19:1

Blessings, Patti

Almost time!

Our homework is done.

Our bags are almost packed.

It's almost time to return to Yellow Springs, Ohio for

From Our Hands ~ Creative! 

Mom and I had the same homework and it is fun to see how different it looks.

Mine as the heart and Mom's has the pennies.

I'll be sure to take pictures and share the fun when we return.

One thing I ask from the Lord,

    this only do I seek:

that I may dwell in the house of the Lord

    all the days of my life,

to gaze on the beauty of the Lord

    and to seek him in his temple.

~Psalm 27:4

Blessings, Patti

A few finishes of my own

It's finished!

Pineberry Lane's

"Wool & Flax"

for Dyeing to Stitch's "Quaint Country Ladies" Club

along with a sweet sheep threadkeep by Lori Brechlin for Notforgotten Farm

Last year I picked up some antique tatting in Iowa and thought it would look so nice with this piece.

Wendy of Pineberry Lane had a wonderful finish designed for this piece - a  lovely pouch with the perfectly coordinated polka dot fabric, but I had a different idea...

So I made it into a pillow to display with...

Some little Putz sheep and one lead sheep.

I can't wait for Wendy's next Quaint Country Ladies Club kit!

I also finished "Wooly Flower Bag"

by Rebekah L. Smith

I love the color of the hand-dyed linen bag.

It was a quick stitch and now I am so excited to use it.

I'll be doing that soon as Mom and I will be leaving on a trip in a matter of days!

I'm hoping to have a few more posts before we head out...

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

~Romans 10:9-10

Blessings, Patti