A little stitching progress

 

 "Queen Bee Needle Poke"

from Little Stitches Handwork Club by Notforgotten Farm.

(with a few minor tweaks)

 

 

I am so thrilled with how this came out along with the little hand-dyed pins too.

I added a little antique bone ring on top in case I decide to hang it.

 

This was definitely worth the effort of stitching on smaller count linen

on the train, bus and water taxi ;)

 

I also tweaked the back a bit...

 

 

I decided to add layers of cardboard and batting inside rather than stuff,

and then I did a bit of wool applique to match the front.

 

 

I think the back turned out pretty well, too.

 

Next up:

 

 

Another Lori Brechlin design, "Usefulness"

(and another Notforgotten Farm thread keeper, of course lol!)

Please forgive the wrinkles, I just pulled it out of my purse...

 Speaking of my purse, this project won't fit in it much longer...

Yellow Creek Quilt Designs, "Stars in the Garden".

I've been making paths and stitching my completed flowers and stars together.

It will be slower going when I no longer bring it with on my commute. It's getting exciting watching the parts come together...

 

 Thank you ever so much for all your prayers and well wishes for Mom and our family!
It's frustrating to wait another 10 days for surgery,
but as my friend Jo Ann put it - 10 more days to pray!

"But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

~2 Peter 3:8-9

 

Blessings, Patti

May I ask for a favor? *Updated*

**Thank you ever so much for all your prayers and well wishes!

Unfortunately surgery has been postponed for 10 days.

We will try again. Thank you!**

Today I am heading back to my parents for a visit.

I know that Mom has a finish or two to share with me for another edition of "Pennies from Heaven" posts.

 Unfortunately, this visit won't be for fun.

After six months of doctors visits, tests, and exploratory surgery,

Mom has been diagnosed with cancer.

The prognosis is hopeful, once she has surgery tomorrow. 

We are focusing on the silver lining...

The past six months, the four of us (Me, Dad, Mom and my sister, Pam)

 have been able to spend more time together than we have in years...

A Blessing for sure.

May I ask for a favor? Could you please say a prayer for Mom (Jill) this week?

Each and every prayer would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

"The Lord will keep you from all harm—

    he will watch over your life;

the Lord will watch over your coming and going

    both now and forevermore."

~Psalm 121:7-8

Blessings, Patti

Wheaten Woolens & a little giveaway

So this is the progress that I made on "Wooly Star Table Rug" during class.

Construction makes me nervous, so I was glad to get this part completed. (And it wasn't as difficult as I thought with a great teacher and several helpful table mates - thank you!) I'm confident that I can finish the rest. Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to pick it back up since I have been home, but hopefully I will soon.

Here is the wool and hand-dyed velvet that came home with me.

And I couldn't resist this sweet little wool pin that Beth Anne made - so darling!

This beautiful wool applique is an original piece by Ginny Henson and is based on an antique hooked rug. I hope that I didn't drive Ginny crazy as I went back to look at it a dozen times before ultimately purchasing it ;) And I am so glad that I did! 

I purchased this wee needlebook from Rebekah.

My husband and I had a black cat when we were first married. Buck the cat lived to the ripe old age of  18.

Here is the inside. A page for needles and pins and a heart pocket for a pair of scissors.

These treasures are by Rebekah's daughter Kelsey.

Isn't the necklace pretty? I can't wait to wear it!

Thanks for joining me on my day trip to Iowa!

I'd like you to share in the fun, so here is a little charm pack of beautiful hand dyed green wool to match the beautiful greens in Barry & Beth Anne's garden.

Simply comment on this post or send an email to me at pgagliardi9@hotmail.com with "Giveaway" in the subject line and tell me what is your favorite part of the month of June?

I will draw a random winner on July 3rd.

Tomorrow I am heading back down to Mom & Dad's, but there will be more on that tomorrow.

"but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint."

~Isaiah 40:31

Blessings, Patti

Wheaten Woolens Continued...

At lunchtime, we left the barn and walked through the lovely gardens

to the incredible 1860's farmhouse of Barry and Beth Anne.

Even on this short walk there was plenty of beauty to be seen and enjoyed.

I better weed my gardens when I get home ;)

I knew that it was going to be oh so special before I even walked in the door!

Beth Anne's husband, Barry was kind enough to give us a tour of their incredible home and allow us to take photos.

Gorgeous displays in every direction. 

With beautiful large scale views 

And stunning tiny details...

With lovely views from every window

This vignette was a stunner that stopped me in my tracks

It was fun to see our shared love of the artwork of Rebekah and Ginny on display in their home.

I have one of Ginny's little mice on display with a folk art elephant at home myself :)

Their displays are formed with artistic elegance that captures their beauty

I think that they love birds as much as I do!

Of course the hooking / sewing room was my favorite

Be still my heart!

Thank you Barry and Beth Anne! The stories behind your collections made them all the more precious. And sharing with us your private spaces is a gift that I treasure...

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.

~Thessalonians 3:3

Blessings, Patti 

Wheaten Woolens

 

Where does the time go?!

I've been back from a fabulous day trip for almost two weeks and haven't found a moment to blog about it...

 

This is the wonderful stone barn of Wheaten Woolens in Davenport, Iowa!

 

It gets its name from the wonderful resident Wheaten Terriers, Murphy and Abby.

Such sweeties, always available for a pet and a smile.

 

Wheaten Woolens is a small homey shop filled with things we love!

 

A fabulous selection of wool - love these neutrals.

 

Beautiful yarn and scrumptious hand-dyed velvet. 

 

Patterns and antiques to set the mood.

 

 

I love this basket!

Why didn't I go back for a second look?!

 

Beauty in every corner...

 

 

This display features kits for Rebekah L. Smith's best selling book, "Wool Applique Folk Art" and to the right is a display of the wonderful antiques and folk art of Ginny Henson.

 

The stone part of the barn is usually the store, but it was transformed into a classroom for the day.

 

We were surrounded by inspiration!

 

 

Oh how I wish that I rug hooked as I just love this design!

Gorgeous antiques reproduced as patterns!

 



 

Watch where you walk! There are wonderful rug works of art everywhere!

 

I even found my seat in class inspiring *sigh*

 

And here is the class project that I was here to work on!

Rebekah L. Smith's "Wooly Star Table Rug"!

Rebekah also offered "Wooly Nesting Bird Sewing Caddy" as an alternative, but of course I forgot to take a photo :(

 

Rebekah presented all the models from her book, "Wool Applique Folk Art".

Oh to see them in person! The details are just amazing!

 

I wanted to go home and start all the projects right away!

 

And the stone barn was the perfect setting to view them.

 

I need more hours in a day to accomplish all that I would like!

 

Ginny Henson, folk artist on left and Beth Anne Smiley, owner of Wheaten Woolens on the right -

Two gracious, delightful and inspiring women on a very hot and humid Iowa Summer day.

 

Well, I still have much to share about my day trip, but it will have to wait for another day...

 

"Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,
    who daily bears our burdens.
Our God is a God who saves;"

~Psalm 68:19-20

 

Blessings, Patti