Road Trip and a winner

Two of the past three weekends have been spent down at Mom's.

When I was down for Veteran's Day weekend, we decided to take our first road trip together!

We went to Calico Moon in Lebanon, IL.

I have been wanting to go for a while and I am so glad that we went!

They don't allow photos inside, but let me say that it was wonderful!

The first floor is primitive home décor and the second floor is a quilt shop filled with wooly goodness.

Mom bought these gorgeous wools for a project that she has since finished!

You will see it soon in another edition of "Pennies from Heaven".

I made purchases on both floors of the shop :)

I bought this gorgeous platter by Red Oaks Pottery.

I first learned about this pottery on my trip to The Country Loft in California and always regretted not purchasing a piece. Now I have a platter of my very own!

I also bought this folk art bird make do - I love the fabric and the fun bun-like tail.

and I purchased some fabric and wool upstairs.

When we went back for Thanksgiving, my sister made these wonderful table decorations/favors - knitted pumpkins!!! Aren't they awesome?!

I love their colors, ribbing and little knitted stems!

These are the three that went home with me :)

It will be such a treat when I pull them out next year!

Veteran's Day weekend I finished this sweet little mat.

I love the plaids and the orange and turquoise together.

"Seasonal Mini" by Willow Wood Market in Bemidji, MN

I purchased the kit at the Hayward WI quilt show last summer.

Thanksgiving weekend was a treat as I didn't have to drive!

So I brought along this little kit which was a bonus from Maggie Bonanomi at Boxwood & Berries this year.

and here it is all finished - my rendition.

There was a pretty ribbon that held the kit together, so I had to use it on the mat.

I love the antique fabric for the acorn and bird wing - an extremely worn velvet with just the tiniest bit of fluff left to it... The binding and backing is one of the fabrics that I picked up on our road trip.

Well, the moment that you've been waiting for...

Thank you ever so much for the 39 entries in my little giveaway!

It sounds like we would have fun traveling together as we all like to make similar stops on our travels to hunt for treasures :)

The winner is Julie of Me and My Stitches! Congratulations Julie!

Your package will soon be on its way. I found out that Julie has a wonderful blog herself that you can visit here. And she also has a wonderful web shop here. I may have had to do some shopping while I was there... Just saying...

I still have to share the rest of my time with Mom these past few weeks full of primitives and pennies. Hope to post that soon.

I also am working on some new offerings for the first time after a break of a few months. They may be a day or two late, but will appear soon.

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also ye are called in one body;

and be ye thankful."

~Colossians 3:15

Blessings, Patti

A Blessed Thanksgiving!

Abbreviated version of Turkey Hollow Farm Sampler by Stacy Nash.

I actually finished stitching this piece two years ago, but finally just got it framed. 

I love the inner suede mat and the outer silk mat and the warm wood frame.

It is larger piece than what I usually stitch.

 I have been enjoying it each day of this autumn season.

I want to wish each of you a thanksgiving filled with blessings.

I am posting this a bit early as first thing in the morning we will be heading down to Mom's house.

It will be tough this year without Dad, but we will be together to remember and be grateful for the time we had...

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations.

~Psalm 100:4-5

There is still time to enter my little giveaway here.

Blessings, Patti

Pennies from Heaven ~ Volume 14

Before Dad's diagnosis, Mom and I decided to do another stitchalong.

This time it was Buttermilk Basin's Pumpkins in the Sunflowers.

It's fun to see how we start with the same pattern, but have different visions for it.

I used a dark flannel base with more primitive colors.

Mom chose a neutral toweling with a bit lighter colors.

Although we both chose the same pumpkin windowpane and the same checked brown for the center of our sunflowers! :)

This was the first project that we both finished after Dad passed...

Maybe not our best work, but it definitely was a bit of healing when we put needle and thread to wool again...

I love to look at the similarities and the differences.

We both used a button for the crow's eye.

In just a few days it will be time to pack them away.

I think that we will have to pick out a stitchalong for the new year, Mom!

You crown the year with your bounty,    and your carts overflow with abundance.

~Psalm 65:11

Blessings, Patti

Boxwood & Berries 2016 ~ Part 3 and a little giveaway...

I thought I would share my shopping...

At Country Sampler I found some great repro cottons, velvet, and trims.

And some wonderful hand dyed linen and patterns, too.

They had some great French General variety packs that I couldn't resist after all the French General inspiration ;) I was thinking this might be great for some EPP hexagons...

The Bittersweet Sisters took a little trip to JJ Stitches after I had to leave.

They were so sweet and generous

- they bought me the Bounty turkey kit!!! Love it! Thank you Sisters!!!

I did a little antiquing on my way up.

Love the hexagon shaped jar filled with vintage threads and two antique pin cushions - too sweet to pass up.

Thanks for joining me on my quick little trip. Here's a little giveaway that I picked up:

A fat quarter with matching chenille trim and a lace trim I bought at Country Sampler and two skeins of Japanese thread from French General.

To enter, simply leave a comment on this post or email me at pgagliardi9@hotmail.com with "B&B Giveaway" in the subject line. And tell me what do you like to look for in your travels?

I'll pick a winner on Saturday, November 26th.

The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders;    where morning dawns, where evening fades,
    you call forth songs of joy

~Psalm 65:8

Blessings, Patti

Boxwood & Berries ~ Part 2

Day Two of Boxwood & Berries and we were greeted by this pretty sight at our seats.

Our day with Stacy Nash!

Our project - an entire sewing ensemble.

Love this wee sewing basket and persimmon fob.

The three part tray features my favorite summer fruit - strawberries.

Sew many sweet details.

Love them all.

In the evening, our group headed over to Frank Lloyd Wright's Talesin Visitors Center.

Where we dined in this beautiful room.

And here is the entire Boxwood & Berries group. 

Day 3 and we are ready to start our day with Maggie Bonanomi.

Our stunning project!

I just love the wonderful colors.

And all the awesome details.

I was able to stay for instructions before the calls came with two simultaneous medical emergencies for two different family members in two different parts of the state and I was off and running.

I may have missed the second half, but I am so grateful to have spent time with my Bittersweet Sisters at our favorite needlework gathering.

You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds,    God our Savior,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
    and of the farthest seas,
who formed the mountains by your power,
    having armed yourself with strength,
who stilled the roaring of the seas,
    the roaring of their waves,
    and the turmoil of the nations.

~Psalm 65:5-7

Blessings, Patti

Boxwood & Berries 2016 ~ Part 1

In September, the Bittersweet Sisters attended Boxwood & Berries.

A beautiful time of year to be at the Country Sampler in Spring Green, WI.

Our talented teachers.

It was a five day event, but I was only able to attend for 2 1/2 days.

I was so grateful to be there, even for that amount of time.

It was a wonderful respite before the stressful days ahead.

The schoolroom is always so inspiring.

Beauty surrounded us.

Gorgeous needlework that made your fingers itch to create...

Kaari Meng of French General was our first teacher.

It was so interesting to hear her story and to see how she goes about curating her fabric collections based on antiques.

So many beautiful antique fabrics!

At each place setting we found these lovely bags.

Filled with neat notions.

And here was the day's project.

Traditional Japanese Sashiko embroidery on antique French fabrics 

mounted on our French General linen bags.

Oh what a thrill to go through all of these beautiful antique French fabrics, choosing just the right pieces for our own bags.

Kaari and her friend Mogul.

Here you can see how far three of the Bittersweet Sisters got on their projects that day...

Mine is in the middle. I'm sorry to say that it hasn't been picked up since, but I will definitely complete it as a souvenir of that lovely day...

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;

    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

He will call on me, and I will answer him;

    I will be with him in trouble,

    I will deliver him and honor him.

With long life I will satisfy him

    and show him my salvation.”

~Psalm 91:14-16

Blessings, Patti