Star Party ~ Final Installment

All too soon, it was time for our final Star Party Class with Blackbird Designs.

When they presented our class project, my first thought was "absolutely stunning!"

My second thought was "absolute terror!"

As you know I am a cross stitcher and wool appliquer (and this project incorporates both).

I am definitely not a quilter.

As I looked at those little hexagons, I thought that there is no way that I will be able to make this.

Lucky for me Barb and Alma were extremely patient, especially when they saw the terror in my eyes. :)

They sat right beside me and walked me through English paper piecing.

Can you believe that I actually got this far:

And you know what?! I actually had fun with it! 

Who knew! I never would have attempted anything like this if it weren't for Country Sampler's Star Party and Blackbird Designs! Thank you both so much for expanding my horizons!

Hopefully I will find some time in the near future to continue working on the project and to have a finish to share with you.

These were some of the treasures that I purchase from Country Sampler while at the Star Party.

I also purchased a wonderful ribbon to include in the giveaway gift bag.

Hopefully it will be sunny tomorrow and I can photograph the complete giveaway!

It was so much fun to see friends old and new at the Star Party. It was especially nice to meet a few online friends in person! I have corresponded with Rita and Susan online for some time and it was oh so special to meet them in person and now have faces to put with the names :)

When class was over, I had to stop briefly at my favorite spot along the Wisconsin River to take in the views.

  

The Frank Lloyd Wright Visitors Center is so pretty across the river.

The sand bars were so inviting, but it was time to head home.

On my way, I received one final gift...

A flock of Sandhill Cranes migrating south for the winter. 

There were hundreds of them. 

Endangered in the 1940's, what an incredibly special sight to see them thriving now.

I pulled over to the side of the highway to take it all in and to savor the moment.

Thank you so much for allowing me to share and relive this special time.

The giveaway is coming soon, so please stay tuned.

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;

let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

Let us come before him with thanksgiving

and extol him with music and song.

~Psalm 95:1-2

Blessings, Patti

Thankful People

Bittersweet Sisters Project by Carla

"Come, ye thankful people, come

Raise the song of harvest home"

  

"All is safely gathered in,

Ere the winter storms begin."

design by Lori Brechlin of Notforgotten Farms

"God our maker doth provide

for our wants to be supplied;

Come to God's own temple, come,

Raise the song of harvest home."

~Henry Alford 1844

Wishing you and your family 

A Blessed Thanksgiving!

I am truly blessed!

Blessings, Patti 

Star Party ~ Day 2

 

We awoke to a lovely morning for the second day of the Star Party.

This year we stayed at the Spring Green Motel.

 

My favorite part were the resident chickens. The Star Party was in October and I thought this chicken was the perfect Halloween bird :)

 

There was even a rooster with a matching chicken pecking right beside him.

 

Our second day was spent in the Country Sampler Schoolroom.

I loved this wreath that greeted us.

 

and inside there were inspiring vignettes everywhere.

 

Our morning class was with Stacy Nash and she brought along a trunk show.

 

The piece that really blew me away in person was "Mustard Seed Manor Sewing Book"

 

Isn't it wonderful? The finishing is so unique!

The pictures don't do it it justice - in person it is simply terrific.

Lucky for me Country Sampler had it all kitted up and it went home with me :)

 

And here is our Star Party project with Stacy:

 

I just loved the colors!

We spent our class time putting our pinkeep drums and strawberries together so that once we were home we could do our cross stitching and wrap it around the drum. How clever is that?!

 

Once I finished my drum and strawberry, I realized I had enough leftover velvet and wool to make a little strawberry as well.

 

Since I have been home I've been able to complete the cross stitch on the train and now have a finish:

 

Being that I always have to change a little something, I left out the year 1820 and added a rabbit instead...

 

 

You have been ever so patient as the business of life has meant that it has taken a month and a half to blog about my trip. I have one more post about the final afternoon of the Star Party and then I will FINALLY have my giveaway. I am hoping to start it this weekend :)

Thank you for being so patient with me.

 

"Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
    let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving
    and extol him with music and song."

~Psalm 95:1

 

Blessings, Patti

Star Party~Day 1~Part 2

After our class with Lori, we broke for lunch at The General Store.

We had a bit of time to enjoy Spring Green and do a little shopping.

It was such a lovely day.

I loved this back door on the White School House.

Our afternoon class was with Maggie Bonanomi.

She brought along all of the models from her newest book, "Another Place and Time"

The piece above, "Maggie's Wool Sampler" was right in my line of sight all afternoon. I loved it in her book, but in person I could really appreciate the depth and character that the old worn feedsack added to the piece. It is definitely on my to do list now.

I didn't take any pictures while we worked on our class project as it kept us busy.

But we were able to complete it!

I love how old it looks! The linen flowers, old ribbon and antique tin type - each of us had a different tin type and they were all so wonderful! We stuffed them full of sawdust and they have such a great old feel. I love the color of the velvet as well.

After class we had a break as the School House was readied for our dinner party.

It was a lovely day and a perfect time for a walk.

Then it was time for The Star Party Dinner Party to begin...

All of the shop girls were there to join in the celebration.

Jeanne presented her beautiful "133 Jefferson" round robin quilt from her newest fabric line, "Jefferson County".

And then Blackbird Designs gave a wonderful presentation of their quilts through the years.

We oohed and aahed over each and every quilt.

No one wanted the evening to end.

What a special day!

Each of us received a little treat of autumn flavored candied almonds and a neat and oh so unusual corsage.

It was time for a good night's sleep to be ready for Day Two!

Blessed is the one

who does not walk in step with the wicked

or stand in the way that sinners take

or sit in the company of mockers,

but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,

and who meditates on his law day and night.

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,

which yields its fruit in season

and whose leaf does not wither—

whatever they do prospers.

~Psalms 1:1-3

Blessings, Patti

The Star Party begins...

 

And so we arrived at my absolute favorite store, The Country Sampler in Spring Green Wisconsin!

As we walked up, others were taking their pictures in front of the mecca and so Bittersweet Sister, Kim and I joined in.

 

 

The Star Party was a big group and we were split into two classes - our first day was spent at the pretty White Schoolhouse.

 

I loved the old details and high ceilings and the huge windows let in plenty of natural light.

 

And we had pretty views as well.

 

Our first class was with Lori Markovic of La D Da.

If you ever have an opportunity to take a class with Lori, be sure to do it!

She is so kind and always wants to help to be sure that you go home with a finished project.

She brought with a trunk show of her designs.

Each piece lovelier than the next...



 

Inspiring to look at while we stitched away.

 

Lori is a kind soul and such fun.

I hope that Lori didn't mind that the rebels from Chicago had to change things up...

 

Kim and I aren't so good at following directions and had to make ours unique ;)

 

One class done and one project finished!

 

"Trouble and distress have come upon me,

but your commands give me delight."

~Psalm 119:143

 

Blessings, Patti 

On my way to the party...

I decided to head to the Star Party at the Country Sampler in Spring Green, WI a day early so that I could make some stops along the way...

My fist stop was J.J. Stitches & Co.

Such a warm and inviting shop.

A wonderful selection of wool displayed in great antique wood crates.

And fat quarters displayed in antique graniteware pans - be still my heart!

And so my shopping begins: 

Some fat quarters of repro fabrics, flannels and wools, a pattern, some great linen by the yard and the best vintage trims. A piece of vintage trim will be included in my giveaway goodie bag (that still hasn't occured yet)

Next stop was to a town that I had never visited before - Lodi, Wisconsin

There were several sweet shops, my most favorite of which was Cottage House Primitives,

where I bought the most wonderful frame.

Another big draw for me was discovering that Lodi is home of Susie the duck.

This sweet little town has a babbling brook that runs right through the center of town and under Main Street.

A peaceful little spot with vending machines that dispense duck food to feed to Susie's descendants.

This sweet little fellow took to following me around hoping for a handout.

He quickly got bored with all the picture taking.

Then I realized it was time to move on to my favorite area antique mall where I found this treasure:

This little worn velvet ladies shoe. When you pivot the back of it, you reveal...

a little sewing kit with compartments for scissors, needles and a thimble. I didn't even hesitate and knew that it was coming home with me.

I love the faded green velvet, but when you open it you can see that it was originally a striking royal blue velvet.

Another item that I couldn't resist was:

This sweet, very worn and loved mohair bunny with shoe button eyes. He makes me smile to see how well loved he was - so well loved that much of  his mohair is simply worn away.

And it is hard to get perspective in this picture, but I also purchased a rather large pair of stork scissors. 

Before I knew it, it was time to finish the drive to Spring Green and let the Star Party begin!

"Give thanks with a grateful heart

Give thanks to the Holy One

Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son

And now let the weak say, "I am strong"

Let the poor say, "I am rich

Because of what the Lord has done for us"

Give thanks"

~Don Moen

Blessings, Patti