Pennies from Heaven ~ Volume 8

 Would you like to see Mom's latest creations?

My sister and I made a quick trip down for President's Day.

The penny rug above is a Mom original. 

No pattern, just a desire for a penny rug in shades of green.

So beautiful and subtle in monochromatic tones.

Do you see the hexagon design? A hint at what else Mom has been working on... 

As always, here stitches are absolutely perfect. Mom has a way with color!

 This is a Maggie Bonanomi design from one of her books.

I stitched this one as well, but in a different color palette.

Again, so lovely and subtle in the colors that she chooses.

Mom is also working on a block of the month by Heart to Hand.

 Even more beautiful in person.

 "Hollyhock" by The Wooly Lady

So beautiful in its simplicity.

Mom has started working in a new medium - English Paper Piecing.

She has a stack of flowers completed, but I thought I would share just a few of the colors/patterns that she is working with. Can't wait to see what this will become!

 

My sister also brought along her projects...

Pam's working on a knitting technique called color blocking.

So pretty! I love the color combination of gray and mint green. I'll have to remember that combo ;)

 

Pam was practicing the technique on smaller projects first and made my parents can cozies. So pretty! She also made me a bottle cozy. I'm such a bad sister that I forgot to take a photo! Grrr.

I'm so jealous that my sister always makes beautiful items that are useful, too! Mine just lay around...

 

Planning to head back down to my parents in just a few days, but I don't think that there will be anything new to share already :)

 

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
~1 John 3:18

 

Blessings, Patti

*The Art Tramp*

 

 Are you familiar with the beautiful work of David Schump, also known as The Art Tramp?

He does beautiful work that I have admired for quite a while.

His website can be found here.

And his blog is located here.

 

Recently, I decided to treat myself and purchased his

Heart Scissor Holder with Heart Handled Scissors.

 

 The workmanship is absolutely stunning!

The scissor holder comes on a long ribbon so that you may wear it while doing your needlework.

The scissors fit inside just perfectly.

 

Well, like anything I adore, I can't have just one. So....

I placed another order.

This time for an item I have been coveting for a long time.

 

David's Heart in Hand Thread holder and velvet heart pincushion! Be still my heart!

It is even more special as the pattern was a tracing of David's mother's hand before she passed...

 

 

My photos don't do David's work justice as we are in the midst of a winter storm and it is dark and dreary, but believe me these pieces are oh so lovely in person!

The antique mother of pearl button in the center of the wood pennies is etched and so detailed - a perfect match to the piece.

 

And I couldn't stop there...

 

 

 

David also offers a miniature double sided heart scissor holder!

So, of course I had to order that as well...

 

 

Don't they look so sweet together?!

 

This one is miniscule!

Half the size of my first one.

This one is double sided with layers of hearts on both sides.

 

 

 The inside of the heart is painted a rosy red to match the ribbon.

The scissors are a mere 2.5 inches and fit inside perfectly once again.

 

The two heart scissor holders are so different and I am so happy to have them both :)

 

 

These treasures make me smile :)

Thank you David for creating such lovely and meaningful art!

 

 

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
~Jeremiah 29:11-13 

Blessings, Patti

A Finish and a Fun Find

"Hand and Heart Hanging Pinkeep"

from the "Little Stitches Handwork Club"

By Lori Brechlin for Notforgotten Farm

I had so much time stitching this piece!

Since I am selfish and not giving this finished piece to a "friend" as originally charted, 

I decided to change the word to "faith".

I added a little antique key and ribbon bow. 

 And a second little ribbon bow to the back.

It makes me happy :)

 I recently found a great Ball jar of old buttons at an antique mall.

It looked like a great collection of old buttons and the price was reasonable. 

 I've slowly been going through the jar 

delighting in each little button.

 At the top are some of the more unusual buttons that I found in the jar.

I think that the buckle at the very top may be lead or zinc.

There is a great selection of bone buttons.

 and vegetable ivory

and some great porcelain underwear buttons.

I'm enjoying the process of just going through a handful here and there.

Who know what else I will find in that jar :)

"Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us."

~1 John 4:11-12

Blessings, Patti

Prairie Schooler ~ February

Well some months I will have more Prairie Schooler finishes to share than others.

I guess I'll have to go through my patterns and find more "February" related Prairie Schooler designs to stitch :) 

I finished Abe and George last year on President's Day and was happy to bring them out again this month. I "primmed" them up and was happy with how they turned out.

(from Book #160 "February")

 I finished these many, many years ago and they still come out each year...

That's it for February, I'm wondering what I have for March...

"I love you, Lord, my strength.

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;

    my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,

    my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."

~Psalm 18:1-2

Blessings, Patti

A Little February Stitching...

 

This time of year my stitching is sporadic at best. It gets pushed to the side along with blog posting and reading, Facebook, baking and all those other things that I enjoy.

It's busy season at work and the hours that I'm not working, I'm doing laundry, errands and all the other chores.

This is when I really enjoy my train commute - those 20 to 25 minutes are "me" time!

 

I've so enjoyed my time with Holly, but now that we are fully into February,

I've decided to let her take a little rest, as this project was calling my name:

 

Notforgotten Farm's newest kit for the Little Stitches Handwork Club!

This design called to me immediately begging to be stitched!

The only time that it is being touched is on the train, but it is enough to make me happy :)

I'm hoping to have it finished by Valentine's Day.

~*Please note that the fun thread holders shown above are by Lori Brechlin of Notforgotten Farm and can be found here.*~

 

After I finished cooking our spread for the Super Bowl, I started a new wool project.

I'm loving the old-timey look of the old wools and aged string.

 

This is a kit by Cee Rafuse of Early Style Penny Rugs.

Not good for a crowded commuter train,

it is waiting patiently for me by my stitching chair at home...

 

My posts will continue to be sporadic for a bit, but I am looking forward to busy season coming to a close and some sense of routine returning...

 

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts."

~Deuteronomy 6:4-6 

 

Blessings, Patti

February Offerings

Greetings! The month devoted to Love is here! My offerings this month are inspired by beautiful antique wool paisley that I recently received. And these hearts don’t shout Valentine’s Day, but rather can be enjoyed all year long…

My first offering is “Love Never Fails” Thread Board based on a design by The Primitive Hare. This piece is both lovely to display and useful. I added amber mother of pearl rings for holding threads on one side.

On the back I included an army green wool pocket for embroidery scissors (not included) and a brown ribbon tie to keep them safe and secure. There is also a burgundy wool hand with antique paisley heart needle and pin keep. The front is complimented by the antique wool paisley and an antique key. It has a base of thin mat board, so that it is stiff and can be propped up on a shelf or table. It measures approximately 6 inches by 6 inches (not including the rings) and is completely handsewn.

“Love Never Fails” Thread Board is offered at $49.

I’ve made a pinch pocket this month as well – with my own heart and hand motif. This pinch pocket is perfect for a small spool of thread, a small pair of embroidery scissors, and even a few other notions. It measures approximately 4 inches across and 3 inches tall. Items are stored safely inside until you gently press the two corners together to open. The pinch pocket is backed with the same antique wool paisley as is featured on the thread board and is lined with the same army green wool. As with all of my offerings, it is completely handsewn.

~*Pinch Pocket is sold. Thank you ever so much!*~

My next offerings are Antique Paisley Hearts.

Heart #1 measures 4 by 5.5 inches with a thick batting front that can be used for a pincushion. It is backed with an army green wool and a burgundy heart pocket for embroidery scissors (not included) and a brown ribbon tie.

Heart #2 measures 3.5 by 4.5 inches with antique paisley on the front and back. It is lined with brown tweed wool and forms a scissor pouch. A brown ribbon and antique shoe button form the closure.

Heart #3 measures 3.5 by 3.5 inches with a thick batting front that can be used for a pincushion. It is backed with an army green wool and a burgundy heart pocket for embroidery scissors (not included) and a brown ribbon tie.

 ~*Antique Paisley Hearts are sold. Thank you ever so much!*~

I also have a few other heart items looking for a new home.

“Hands to Work Heart to God” measures approximately 6 by 7 inches. It is based on an old Stacy Nash design with a few added motifs. It includes an antique glass headed pin holding a stack of antique buttons. It is backed with an antique quilt square. Signed and dated by me in 2008.

~*Hands to Work Heart to God~pending sale. Thank you ever so much!*~ 

“Redwork Sampler Pillow” measures approximately 3.5 by 10 inches and is accented with a piece of antique coverlet. It is based on a design by Tina Woltman.

~*Redwork Sampler Pillow is sold. Thank you ever so much!*~

Finally "My Valentine Heart" pillow measures approximately 8.5 by 8.5 inches. It is based on a design by Simple Goods Stitched by Jennifer. It is backed with a burgundy ticking and wool heart.

My Valentine Heart is offered at $22.

        If you are interested in purchasing anything, just send me an email at:

pgagliardi9@hotmail.com  

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

Happy February and Happy Valentine's Day!

Blessings, Patti