New Monthly Blog Post Series ~ 2016

For the past two years, I've had a monthly blog post series.

In 2014, I blogged each month about how I decorated my mantle.

You can view my mantle posts here.

In 2015, I blogged about a few Buttermilk Basin series that I was working on.

My year of Basin Banners are shown above.

For 2016, I've decided to celebrate my all time favorite cross stitcher designer, 

Prairie Schooler, in honor of their retirement.

I've been stitching since 1986 and have stitched Prairie Schooler designs on and off all through those years... I love their versatility and wonderful graphic nature.

The first Prairie Schooler finish that I would like to share isn't even mine!

It was stitched by Mom!

Mom stitched it to celebrate our first wedding anniversary and it has hung in our house ever since (and it always will!)

A true work of love.

Thanks Mom! Know that 30 years later, I still love this piece!

So here are my January Prairie Schooler finishes:

Wouldn't you like to move into this cozy cabin and do some stitching by a cracking fire?

Stitched over one back in 2002.

A little ornament that I bring out every January instead of hanging it on my Christmas Tree.

And my favorite little Winter scissor fob stitched over one in 2003 (when my vision was better lol).

The ribbon has seen better days, now that I look at it...

And I have decided that if we get a snow day in Chicago this winter, 

this is what I would start to stitch that day...

Wouldn't that be perfect?! One can only hope... :)

Now I'm wondering what Prairie Schooler finishes I will find when I pull out my February decorations...

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”

~James 4:14-15

Blessings, Patti

Winter stitching progress and a Winner

 

"Snowman Penny Rug" by Quilts by Cheri

is now complete.

 

 

A perfect home for it right under this little antique grater with candle.

 

I also completed the two blocks for "Snowy Days" by Heart to Hand.

 

I like the little bit of embroidery that sets it off.

 

And a bit on the stars as well. I think that I am now at the half way point.

 

I am so thrilled to have two models from the Primitive Quilts Winter 2015 issue living at my house!

In addition to my project, Lori Brechlin's "Threads in Time" now lives with me!!!

I am so excited - it is even more beautiful in person :)

 

 

And now for what you are waiting for...

Thank you ever so much for the 154 entries into my giveaway!

I can't thank you enough for all the kind words!!!

I wish that I had the time to acknowledge and respond to each of you.

It was so fun to hear what you like best about winter...

For most, it was the snow, as long as you were inside watching it by a fire/woodstove, drinking hot tea or hot chocolate and stitching/reading to your hearts content. The peacefulness of a new fallen snow was frequently mentioned as well as the beauty of red cardinals flitting so brightly against the white background. Of course there were a few who said the best part of winter is when it is over! Lol!

So the winner is...

#106 Lecia of Farmhouse Prims. You can follow Lecia's sweet blog here.

 

I will be hosting another giveaway in February of something that I created,

so be sure to stop back.

Thank you again for joining in the fun!

 

"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."

James 4:10

 

Blessings, Patti

A different style of folk art

When I've blogged about the Chicago Christkindlmarket, I've always featured the German booths.

The market features several other ethnicities and nationalities as well. 

 One of my favorites is the Russian Lacquer Art.

Each item is very detailed and a work of art. Many with Christmas or Winter themes.

I've purchased a few pieces over the years. The first piece I purchased at the very first Christkindlmarket 30 years ago:

This little scene spoke to me the moment I saw it,

but I had to go back three times before I purchased it :)

(I ate sack lunches for over a week to justify the purchase.)

You can't tell how small this brooch is from the photo above, so maybe this will help:

Can you imagine working with such tiny brushes?

This little scene is painted on a piece of mother of pearl.

It is hard to tell from the photos, but the shell coloring and luminescence adds a lot of dimension to this pin. I still wear it frequently and  think it was worth the sack lunches all those years ago :)

Several years back, I purchased this Russian lacquer box.

The colors were so beautiful and I loved the log cabins and the wintery scene.

There is a sweet little gold leaf border on the edge.

The inside reminds me of a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes :)

This box was my most recent acquisition.

Another peaceful Winter scene.

I loved the horse pulling the sled and the peaceful little creek and bridge.

It's hard to tell in the photos, but where the sun appears to be shining along the creek by the bridge ~ that is actually inlaid mother of pearl.

Another miniature work of art

with the signature red lacquered interior.

The Russian booth also had incredible birch bark boxes, but that is another story for another day...

I hope that you enjoyed my little collection ~ a little wintery pleasure on thisblustery day.

Prayers for my friends out east . Stay safe!

 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

~Matthew 7:7-8

And there is still time to enter my giveaway. I'll be picking a winner tomorrow evening.

Click here to read about the giveaway.

Blessings, Patti

A little Winter Stitching...

At the beginning of a new year, I am always ready to start a new "Winter" stitch.

To move on from Christmas and stitch something "Winter" themed.

I had this one picked out as soon as Lori published it!

"Holly" by Lori Brechlin of Notforgotten Farm.

I was so excited when I saw it on Lori's blog and ordered it right away from her Etsy shop.

And don't you love Frosty's Top Hat thread winder? It makes me smile :) 

A happier way to store my threads while stitching.

I worked my way to get to her face so that Holly can keep me company while I stitch.

I also started some Winter wool work. 

"Snowman Penny Rug" by Quilts by Cheri

(I thought I would see if I enjoy pennies as much as Mom does. Let's just say this is enough pennies for me.)

I also came across this kit.

I made this block a few year's back.

Now I have the next row of blocks ready for stitching...

I'm tweaking mine a bit to be more wintery so that I can display each January when completed.

And right now on Winding Vine, not only are our nights frosty, so are our days!

This was the temp without windchills as I drove to the train this morning. Brrrr!

    "and what does the Lord require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness,

    and to walk humbly with your God"

~Micah 6:8

Don't forget my wool kit giveaway is still going on in my previous post!

Blessings, Patti

Woodland Walk Kit Giveaway

Inspired by the peaceful quiet of a winter snow, this mat reminds me of the joy and wonder ~ beautiful and unique snowflakes gently falling, crisp clean air, that lovely crunch of snow under your feet…

I was so thrilled to have my “Woodland Walk” design published in the current issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects. 

To celebrate, I am having a giveaway of a wool kit using the same antique and hand-dyed wools (along with the brushed cotton backing) that I used in my original table mat. You will also receive a copy of Primitive Quilts and Projects with my pattern along with many other lovely patterns. 

This giveaway is open to everyone! To enter, simply leave a comment on this post or send me an email at pgagliardi9@hotmail.com with "Kit Giveaway" in the subject line (to help me find it!) and tell me... What is you favorite part of winter?

I will randomly select a winner on Sunday, January 24th.

 Since I had pulled out the twelve different wools included in this project, I also created a few very limited kits for sale. These limited edition kits are available for $30 plus shipping. If you need the magazine with your kit, I have copies available for $10. 

To purchase the kit, just send me an email. 

I can send a PayPal invoice or I also accept checks and money orders.

~*Please note: Only one kit remains available.*~

Thanks for joining in the fun and Good Luck!

"I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing."

~John 15:5

Blessings, Patti

A Stitch Club Christmas

 Our Stitch Club Christmas Party was held at Cathy's house.

She has such a flair for interior decorating!

This year's color scheme was red, aqua and white - so clean, but with a great vintage feel! 

 I love her newly finished quilt and just loved this pillow.

 Sweet little touches everywhere you look...

Cathy's Dad made all these wonderful figures for a Christmas village when Cathy was just two years old!

What a treasure!

 Aileen had some show and tell to share.

This sweet hedgehog pincushion was stitched by Aileen and finished by Jan.

And this fun truck pincushion was also a joint creation envisioned by Aileen and finished by Jan.

 We received some fun "pass around" gifts

including these two wonderful handmade, heartfelt gifts:

 by Cathy and Jan.

I brought little Temecula quilt ruler boxes for my "pass around" gifts. 

So many of the gifts were beautifully wrapped

like the pretty gift that Joan received.

 Cathy received these gorgeous mittens.

 and Jan received a stunning hand knit scarf.

I had fun wrapping Aileen's english paper piecing themed gifts in flannel fabric.

And included a handmade pincushion and pinch pocket.

In the gift exchange, my gift was from Cathy...

and I was so excited to receive the same pillow that I had been admiring in her living room :)

And this cute hot cocoa kit.

Thanks Cathy!

And thanks to all my stitch club pals!

It was another memorable Christmas Party :)

(See you on Sunday ladies!)

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.

~Ephesians 5:8-10

Blessings, Patti