Sunday, January 15, 2012

This & that, A word & a giveaway


"Auld Lang Syne" free design by Heartstring Samplery (in progress)
This is a busy time of year for my day career as an accountant. Lots of overtime working to close books and prepare year-end financials. Unfortunately, it cuts into my creating and crafting time. I have so many ideas floating through my head and occassionally being jotted or doodled, but little time to actually create them.

It ocurred to me that I haven't had my January giveaway yet and wanted to put that up right away. I also noticed that I somehow I hit 200 followers! I can't imagine that there are 200 people out there that want to see what I do... but somehow there is. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! It somehow validates what I create with my heart and my hands. If time cooperates, I have something special in mind to create for my February giveaway in celebration. For January, I will be giving away the two vintage heart pillows with heart keys ~ one for you and one for a friend (or feel free to keep them both lol) I will pick a winner with a random number generator on Saturday.
Sneak peek - TDIPT Mercantile February 1st offerings

Lately I've noticed many bloggers are starting the new year with a word rather than a resolution. I like that idea. Resolutions come and go, but a word you can come back to again and again during the year. I thought for a while and couldn't come up with a word, but recently one popped into my head and I knew that it was it! "Presence"! Living in the fast paced city of Chicago, I find myself constantly in motion multi-tasking as much as possible. This year, I want to be more "present" in the moment. Focusing on the person speaking, focusing on the task at hand. Not thinking about the next item on my "to do" list or what I rather be doing. I know that it won't always work, but it will be my focus and a reminder...

So for the giveaway this month, as always, either comment on this post or drop me an email at pgagliardi9@hotmail.com with "Word" in the subject line and let me know what word you would like to focus on this year. I can't wait to hear your ideas.

"I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus."
~1 Timothy 1:12-14

Blessings, Patti
p.s. Just had to add this! A new Maggie Bonanomi design sighting in the Winter 2011 issue of BH&G Quilts & More ~ "Pocket Posy" wool bag. Congrats to Maggie! And good news for us Maggie fans ;)

32 comments:

basketsnprims said...

Hi, Patti ~ Love your word and your sweet hearts. I'm a sucker for hearts, always have been and the prim ones are the best. My word for the new year is "giving". Of my time, to my family, to my friends, hopefully more to my bloggers, just being more "giving" this year and less focus on "me". thanks for your generosityl.
hugs,
pam

Jennie Lynn @ Appleseed Prim said...

My word for this year is "Mercy" and is used heavily in my crafting these past couple of months. I can be a little too judgmental of the people closest to me, especially when they fail to meet my expectations. I have to learn to be more forgiving and appreciate of all of my blessings.

Lillian Carol said...

Hi Patti....I think you have picked a wonderful word. Your post today echoes in my ear as I too feel the constant motion in my daily life. Something happened this past year at my work, just before Christmas, and your post made me think how I need to be more "present" too. It could only help me get through. Thanks for the wise word!
Hugs,
Lillian Carol

Sassafras and Winterberry said...

I've been intrigued with the year's word as well. Mine is "believe". I need to believe more in every aspect of my life. Thanks for having this giveaway! I love hearing everyone's word!
Hugs,
Courtney

paulette said...

Word?...hmmm...I think my word will be FUN..I want everyday to be FUN!
Thanks for making me think about what I want out of life!
P

Phyllis said...

I love the hearts! A good word for me would be "patience". Something I need more.

marie said...

The heart are so prim, and I have a special friend who would adore them. My word is tolerance, seems I need more of it.

marly said...

Adorable. Love those hearts. Please enter me in your generous giveaway! My word? Without too much thought....patience. But that may change when I have the time to pick a word!

Pamela said...

I love your "word", presence. Appreciation is my word! I need to appreciate all that I have in my life...my husband, my children and my granddaughter. I love your prim hearts and would love to enter your giveaway. Thank you for the chance.

nancy huggins said...

Love your Prim Hearts and would love to enter in the giveaway. Maybe the next time I come to Chicago to visit my Daughter "Nellie" we can meet someplace for Lunch (I Love Margies) I didn't know you lived in Chicago :)
I am in Central IL now about 40 miles South of Decatur.
My word for this year is goals

Carla said...

Love the hearts, Patti! The coverlet hearts are great, too. My word would have to be "thankful". I need to thank God every day for all the wonderful things in my life.

Wicked Faerie Queen said...

Patti, I would like to spend more time hugging those I love this year, and always actually. I posted that on my blog for New Years as one of the things I want to do MORE of. I guess really the word I have chosen for this year is MORE!

blessings & bliss
Sue

Shirlee said...

Please do include me in your giveaway Patti! You always make the nicest things : ) As far as a word goes, there are really too many to choose from : ) Blessings, Shirlee

Farm Field Primitives said...

Your hearts are adorable. My word would be blessings. To focus on all of the blessings around us each and every day and being thankful for each one. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway!!
~Melissa~

BumbleBeeLane said...

Those hearts are so pretty! My word would be Simplify and No.I ususally say yes to everything and it gets overwhelming at times I need to learn No and only do the things that really make a differnce.The Simplify I really need to just enjoy the simple things more and realize that the big picture isn't always all important.Warm Blessings!~Amy

Lauralee @ The Eclectic Stitcher said...

Love the inspiration you give me ~ you do exquisite work! 2011 was such a discouraging year for my family (financial, job, family/child issues) so I guess my "word" for 2012 will be "Half-Full" (maybe 2 words? LOL). I'm going to try to look at each situation as "the glass is half-full instead of "half-empty".

mckinney37397 said...

Love all your hand made projects. My focus right now is to clean and clear out junk and clutter so I think my word would be simplify in all aspects of my life. Please enter me in your drawing.

Jonette said...

I enjoy your blog and love hearts. My word for the year is organization. I want to organize every aspect of my life this year. Not just things, but also how I spend my time, etc.

primitivebettys said...

Patti, you are so sweet, kind, and caring. I love the idea of a word rather than a resolution. You picked a great one. <3

Your work is always wonderful. Your hearts are lovely.

Nancy in MT said...

To live in the present, not in the past or forget about the now, by worrying about the future. I'm glad you made me think of that. Love your hearts, the key is a special touch.

Allenz said...

Hi Patti...I just returned from the Urgent Care . My husband fell off his bike in the driveway and has 7 broken ribs. After returning from the pharmacy and getting him settled in his chair, I logged on to your blog. Inspiration is my word for you. Your are truly an inspiration in your generousity and creativity. Keep up the good work and thanks for your generosity.

Lynn

saltandpepper said...

I love the hearts you have created. My word for the year would be "Simplify."This I need to do for me, my family, and my home.
Thank you for your give-away.
Christine

Jean Barker said...

Hi Patti, what beautiful hearts to offer. I also love this post~ I don't make resoluions as they always go by the wayside, but a word to live by is a wonderful idea! I love the word you chose "presence" I to need to live in the present. My mind at times drifts from past to future and I catch myself wondering when I'm having conversations with others. So my word is "presence". Thank you for this wonderful word.
Blessings,
Jean

Ronnie said...

I really enjoy your blog, and I love the hearts, thanks for sharing.
My word for this year is peace,
that is what I want in my life.

Karen said...

Hi Patti - my word for this year is Journey. I need to make some changes and journey means progress or passage from one point to another - that's what I hope to do. I love those sweet little hearts.

Hugs - Karen

Lana Manis said...

Happy New Year, Patti!
I can't pass up a chance to win something you have handmade.
Choosing a word is a wonderful idea!
I think I'd choose "contentment". I want to be content with what I have, what I had, etc. That's not to say I will stay stuck in a rut, but that I will be content with whatever the good Lord sees fit to send my way this year. :)

Kathy said...

Hi there - Love your blog and the word for the year is Understanding. Have a wonderful and blessed day.

edie said...

Hi Patti, your blog never disappoints! Our church does something similar to this, and I've always thought it was a good idea. My word this year is "finish." Finish as in projects mostly, but also in open-ended commitments, too. Remember to take time to breathe during this busy work season. Thanks so much for sharing! edie

Anonymous said...

I thought about many words but i finally picked the word "focus" this year. Focus on what I am doing in the present and not being sooooo distracted. Somewhat similar to your word and thoughts.

Enjoy your blog and your designs.

Charlotte - a former Chicagoan now retired in SO CA.

Unknown said...

My word to focus on is "gentleness". I am trying to focus on being gentle and kind to even those that are not so easy.
thanks for the chance!
rjs682 at yahoo dot com

tmc480 said...

The word I will focus on this year is Patience. I am always in such a hurry to do things. I am focusing upon "being still" and waiting upon the Lord better than I have been.
tmc480 at yahoo dot com

ryanac32 said...

My word for the year is empathy. Our economy is in such a downfall and so many out there that are needing a helping hand or even just a call or smile to let them know you care.
ryanac32 at yahoo dot com