* Birds & Berries *

"Nest"

Primitive Gatherings

Well, the real baby robins haven't hatched yet, but the needlework ones have :)

"Nest"

Primitive Gatherings

I loved this design so much that I had to create it twice. After doing it full size, I wondered how it would look if I shrunk the pattern and used a different background fabric. I'm happy with both results.

Chicago has been in a heat wave this week and the strawberry patch is ripening early.

I love everything about my little patch and it brightens my heart.

Each morning as I leave for work, I take a peek and see how everything is progressing.

Last year's crop from my little patch weighed in at 13 pounds 9 ounces.

Judging by how things are progressing so far I think we might beat that harvest this year.

I've pulled out my red velvets and red wools and have gotten busy creating.
My TDIPT offerings for June 1st will all have a strawberry theme.

I'm thinking some really aged and worn primitive strawberry emeries...

Maybe even a few green unripe berries as well...

Before you know it, we will be having our strawberry smoothies each night after dinner...

Blessings, Patti

Robin Redbreast

I love robins ~ they are my absolute favorite bird (although I have a soft spot for wild turkeys as well :) I'm not sure what it is about them ~ they seem like such a "homey" bird ~ sweet and motherly, not flashy. And I anxiously await them each spring.

For the first time in the 15 years that we have lived in our home, a pair of robins have decided to make their home here as well. Their nest is right outside our mudroom window, although you need to crain and strain to get a glimpse out of the window...


I don't know who was more startled to see who!

Each spring I celebrate the robins return by decorating my home with images of robins... This lovely painting is by Suzanne Davis of Peartree Primitives.

I love this old wooden breadbox painted by Chris Robinson. The sentiment states my thoughts perfectly...

This spring, I've added to my collection:

Isn't this robin family just amazing?!?!

TDIPT sister, Audrey Baker of Bay Ray's Child created this incredible piece.

The detail is just amazing. I expect Mama Robin to fly away at any moment...

And those sweet little babies...

Audrey also created these other robins a few years ago.

Another new addition for me this spring is this incredible mohair robin perched on an antique victorian wire basket turned pincushion. It is the creation of Cathy Pendleton of The Cheswick Company.

Some creations that I've created myself. The little nest pillow is based on a design by Maggie Bonanomi. Here's the original design:

This was created in a Maggie Bonanomi class a few years back at the Country Sampler in Spring Green, WI.

Another Maggie Bonanomi class creation from Spring Green. I can't recall what color the bird was supposed to be, but of course I had to make it a robin :)

I never thought of adding pennies & patches to the bottom and the tongues, but loved the way it turned out.

It's a busy piece, but I love the colors and pull it out every year when the robins return.

It's time to add a new robin creation this year. We especially need to celebrate the robins making a nest right next to our "nest" :)

Here it is in progress... not sure how I will finish, but I will be sure to share when I do!

"When a robin cocks his head

Sideways in a flower bed,

Does he hear the tiny sound

Of a worm beneath the ground?"

~Anonymous

Blessings, Patti

Etsy Update

Where does the time go?

I find myself composing blog posts in my head as I walk along the Chicago River to the train station. I have great intentions of posting when I arrive home. But by the time all are fed, the dishes are cleaned and homework completed... its time to move on to laundry, bills or baking.

*sigh*

I did take a few moments tonight to add some offerings to my Etsy page

If you find something that you are interested in, but are not comfortable with etsy, feel free to email me at pgagliardi9@hotmail.com

I hope that you find time to enjoy the things that you love. And hopefully I'll have time to post some of the blog entries in my head :)

Blessings, Patti

A Happy Mother's Day!

Wishing a Happy Mother's Day to all the moms and women loved like a mom today...

I am so very blessed to be mom to not just one but two boys that I adore. I thank the Dear Lord everyday for filling my life with these blessings!

Patti

Two more offerings

Based on a Maggie Bonanomi design, these little pinkeeps didn't quite get finished for the TDIPT Mercantile update on May 1st.

It's fun to see how a design changes just by changing the background color.

I will be listing these on etsy in a few days for $18 each.

~*The black Flower Urn Pinkeep is sold. Thank you ever so much*~

The Flower Urn on the antique flour sack is still available.

If you have an interest, feel free to contact me at pgagliardi9@hotmail.com

"And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."
~Matthew 6:27-29

Blessings, Patti

Bringing in the May

Let us take our baskets early to the meadows green,
While the wild-flowers still are pearly with the dewdrops' sheen.

Fill them full of blossoms rosy, Violets and gay Cowslips,
Every pretty posy welcoming the May.

Then our lovely loads we'll carry down the village street,
On each door, with laughter merry, hang a basket sweet.

Hey-a-day-day! It is spring now, lazy folks,
awake!
See the pretty things we bring now for the May-day's sake!


~ May-Baskets ~ by Evaleen Stein ~

Wishing you a lovely May Day!

Did you find a May Basket on your doorknob this morning?

If not, stop by TDIPT Mercantile. The artists have updated their offerings for the month of May.

I still have a few May Basket needle & pinkeeps left on my page.

I'm working on offerings for an update to my etsy page as well. Hopefully they will be added in the next few days ~ a few more spring and garden themed items along with a few more velvety carrot emery style pincushions as well.

Wishing you a May Day filled with flowers!

Blessings, Patti