Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Bittersweet Sisters Trip~The End & A Giveaway


While on our trip, we did a few joint projects.
Nicki led this project - decorating bittersweet orange mugs!
We each signed them all, noted the occasion, and decorated with a little bittersweet, of course.

What a great souvenir that will generate wonderful memories each and every time we use them!


Carla led this project bag tutorial.
Carla and Wendy completed theirs ~ just perfect!


I led a tutorial on pinch pockets using vintage fabrics from my stash.


Carla also created this sweet patriotic multimedia art for each of us along with a strawberry made of antique wool paisley ~ LOVE!

We were so lucky that Nicki enjoys cooking and cooked many of our meals. My intent was to photograph each wonderful meal, but, overcome by the delightful aromas, the idea of photographs were never even a thought in my head lol.


After a lovely Sri Lankan dinner, I remembered, but our plates were all empty :) so here are the pots.


Each and every dessert was also incredible, but again I only managed to photograph this caramel crunch ice cream cake after the fact. It was so delightful that I made it for my family the day I came home. We enjoyed it while watching the lunar eclipse and it was gone in a flash!


I also made a few stops on my way there and back...
Plaza Antiques in Dyersville, Iowa and 


Willows in Dubuque, Iowa.

My purchases:


A shallow graniteware pan, an interesting old storage jar, a leather collar box dated 1879, a souvenir abalone antique dip pen in the original box, a tarnished silver serving tray from The Palmer House hotel in Chicago and a velvet pillow.


I loved all the colors of velvet and the embroidery between the squares.

Well, thank you for joining me on my journey!
Since you have been so kind with your comments, I thought I would host a little giveaway...


A little pinch pocket made of vintage fabric and lined with the wool of an antique army blanket.
I made this while having my little tutorial and thought someone might like it as a souvenir of "joining us" on our trip.

This giveaway is open to all. Simply leave a comment on this post or email me at pgagliardi9@hotmail.com with "Bittersweet Giveaway" in the subject line.
And tell me, what are you working on right now?
One random winner will be selected on Friday, October 23rd.

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect."
~Romans 12:2

Blessings, Patti

41 comments:

annie said...

A lot of great remembrances, so glad you had a wonderful time.

Such wonderful projects, and that cake, wow!

Please count me in on the giveaway.

Sandy's Stitching said...

Love the bible verse.... Would love a opportunity to win the cute giveaway.
Stitching sled Christmas ornaments from Foxwood designs... Leaving to go to retreat in Myrtle Beach.... So many memories are made at retreats.
Sandra

Marilyn said...

What a great idea with the mugs.
All of you taught and learned some great projects.
The food looks good too!
You acquired some great antiques too.
Right now, I am finishing up Ghoul Tidings by Plum Street Samplers.
Please enter me in your giveaway.
Thanks!
Marilyn

Three Sheep Studio said...

Your velvet pillow is divine !
At the moment, I am working on a paisley wool applique for a class I will be teaching.
Thanks for the giveaway !
Rose

Anonymous said...

Looks like you had a great time on your travels!
thank you for sharing all the wonderful projects.
I am working on cross stitch ornaments for my family.
thank you for the giveaway.
Pam
pam1228@aol.com

Lillian Carol said...

I really love to "come along" with you on your travels....you always have the best posts and pictures that you kindly share with us! Not really working on anything in hand, having neck issues! Thank you for your giveaway.....love your pinch pockets!

Rita said...

It looks like you had a wonderful trip!

Please enter me in your giveaway. Thanks for the chance!

I'm currently working on a PS fall design (not enough coffee to remember the name right now) and a model.

Colleen said...

What a wonderful getaway...best of friends, stitching, crafting, and a lot of laughing, I'm sure! Looks like so much fun!
Colleen

The Bear's Blog said...

Good Morning, I am a new follower and a member of Wool 'n Folk, welcome to the group. I love your choice of Bible verses.....

Please include me in your wonderful giveaway.

Vickie said...

What special gifts and memories you all created together. I love the pillow you found.
I would very much like to be included in the giveaway. I am not currently able to stitch! I had to stop this week. My wrist is hurting badly. I will next be making up two small gifts.

Anonymous said...

Have loved sharing your blog as you traveled to meet with your Bittersweet Sisters. And I feel blessed to not only meet them, but spend a day with them. they are special and talented ladies. Blessings, my friend. Barb Albrecht (fellow stitcher and lover of all things prim. :) ♥

pj said...

Patti
So glad you girls had fun! Your trip looked great and you always find treasures! You were in the area I grew up...Dubuque and then Dyersville! Beautiful country! The girls all looked gorgeous too....I know they are fun! Thanks for the pics. I am headed to Arizona today and can't wait to spend time with Tanya and Linda.

Fall is fun time to stitch Halloween but this year I am doing more for Thanksgiving! Thomas by Nitforgotten is at the top of the Wips right now!

Stay in touch! P

Barbara R Lang said...

Hi Patti. Love your blog! Would love to win your pinch pocket! Have been drooling over these for awhile. Currently I am working on PS All Hallow's Eve and Country Sampler Stacy Nash Jacks House Pinkeep. Barbara Lang

paulette said...

SCORE!! You found some lovely things at the antique shop...that velvet pillow is gorgeous!! I am working on a baby quilt and am quilting a scrap happy quilt plus stitching wool pennies in the evenings! Ahh to be an octopus!! Your little pouch purse is adorable...thanks for the chance to win it! All the best!
Paulette

Glenda said...

I have enjoyed seeing pictures and reading about your trip. Bittersweet memories of my sisters. There were five of us and we had took a weekend each year of antiquing but now there are only three of us. I love the little pinch pocket. I am working on the a rug hooking challenge at this time.

Unknown said...

What a wonderful time you all had and all the projects are amazing. I would love to win. I am working on a flannel tumbler quilt for granddaughter. And embroidery for another quilt. Thank you for this opportunity and good luck to everyone

Jillbea said...

what a fun trip!! Love going on our retreats and always looking for new ideas. Your little pinch pockets look very interesting! Is there a free pattern? Looking forward to our retreat on November 4!

sandy from BC said...

What a great trip you had. Would love to win your pinch pocket, great idea.

Phyllis said...

Love seeing all the pics from your trip...such fun! I've never seen a pinch pocket, so would love to own one. I'm doing some counted cross stitch stockings in miniature for my tree.

Simple Pleasure said...

Hi Patti!
That was sure an amazing trip...so glad you had the opportunity. I marvel at how much you area able to accomplish.
Right now, I'm stitching Christmas ornaments for my grandchildren...for Emma, I'm commemorating her start of Kindergarten: for the boys(twins)...it's the Yankee and Mets logo.
I was so enjoy winning your sweet giveaway...
Busy Hands...Happy Heart
Patricia

marie said...

Thanks for share your trip with all of us, it was most interesting. Your give away is wonderful and would love to win it.

Sandi said...

What a lovely collection from your trip. My ongoing project right now are Bird Dance blocks and also an original design of some wool leaves.

Your pinch pock is lovely tanks for a chance to win it. Heading off to a retreat where appliqué designing will be a focus and maybe sewing some swap block. Lots of UFO's to work on. Have a great weekend.

susan hemann said...

what a wonderful trip! right now I'm working on a primitive raggety ann for my new granddaughter to drag around. She will be 1 on Halloween. Plus a fabric collage owl for my daughter for Christmas. Just finished making Baba Yaga.

linda said...

I loved going along your yearly adventure! I wait every Oct for you to post about it. The mugs are wonderful. It is so odd that you went to Iowa to find a Chicago antique! Love all your posts and already can't wait for next year. Thank you for sharing.

Anonymous said...

HI,sounds like you had a great time!
Thanks for sharing a great giveaway!
msstitcher1214@gmail.com

Krissy B. said...

I'd be thrilled to win the pinch pocket but what I'd like more is to someday meet you in person! I live up on the range and I know you're further south but I'd love to see the beautiful things you make in person. When planning a road trip I'm going to try to connect with you! So much in common and so close. Your blog has inspired me in so many ways and I always look forward to it. I'm working on the Out of Hands rug hooking challenge right now and a stitchery by Heartstring Samplers. God bless you for sharing your talents & words. Krissy B.

Debbye said...

Thanks for taking us along on your trip. Love the mugs and the little bags. I'm currently have six or seven WIPs going. I'm crazy, I guess, but one is a map of Alabama for my son-in-law (Sue Hillis design), two Kathy Barrick projects, a freebie from 'Samplers and Santas', one of the Abecedarian designs by Blackbird Designs, and a gorgeous autumn sampler from "Just Cross Stitch" magazine. Please enter me in your drawing! debbyetate@gmail.com.

quilter47 said...

I really need to try to make one of these pockets sometime but dont think mine would equal the quality of yours. Thanks again for sharing your wonderful pictures.

cheryl boyer said...

Wow really seems like you had a wonderful time! All of you made such beautiful items,and the food looks great too!:-) :-) love the pinch pocket:-) :-)

gypsyelves said...

Great time had by all, it sounds like! I'm starting a SAL, Alpha charts by Sheepish Designs. It will be great when I ever get it done.

Rugs and Pugs said...

You always have the best times and come home with wonderful treasures!
Can you please share that ice cream recipe? YUM!
Hugs :)
Lauren

michele said...

I love travewling and shopping with you on line. I would have all the things you picked up along the way.
MICHELE

village folk art said...

Such a sweet and useful giveaway ... Please include my name Thanks, Barb

Ronnie said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful trip, and have some treasures to remember it by. Thanks for the chance to win a pinch purse, I love pinch purses! A friend of mine is a designer of embroidery patterns, I help make samples for her to have in several shops, so that is what I'm working on.

Anonymous said...

I love this little pinch pocket. I have no idea how they're made but they are certainly intriguing.

After finishing a few larger pieces, smalls are looking good right now. I just started 'Jack in the Hat' from Threadwork Primitives and I've been busy enhancing my wool stash. So many ideas and not enough time.

It's so nice seeing what the sisters are up to this year!

Lisa Schindler said...

Love all your creations! I'm hooking a rug right now designed by Maggie from one of her books.

Anonymous said...

I've enjoyed reading about your adventures! Wish I was there! Right now I'm working on making a dozen pin cushions as wee thank you gifts & interchanging, depending on my mood, with small cross stitch ornaments. I must always have a needle & thread of some sort in hand!
Thank you so much for a chance at the give-away....I adore this little pinch pocket!
Maureen (mgw070 at rogers dot com)

Jenny Wright said...

I enjoy reading your posts and find your Bible verses comforting and inspiring.
Thank you,
Jenny

Fran said...

I am working on a few punch needle Christmas ornaments and Belsnickel Santas. I love reading your blog and seeing all of your beautiful creations. Thank you.

Vicki Jo said...

Thanks for the giveaway! Right now I am working on three things -- I have finished the top of a Halloween quilt that contains nine blocks created by friends; I am working on a T-Shirt quilt for my grown son; and I am making a fabric art wall hanging for my friend's birthday, turning some of her own beautiful words into a poem. Thanks for asking!

Barb said...

Missed the giveaway...but can you share the ice cream dessert recipe? It looks wonderful.