Final February Finishes & A Winner

For most of the month of February, I have been working on

"Where The Heart Is"

a design by Rebekah L. Smith and kitted by Attic Heirlooms.

The design took a bit longer with all the blanket stitches and embroidery stitches, but is definitely worth it.

It also has multiple layers and keeps building up.

With the unusually warm February weather, I was even able to work on it for a bit outside while the pups enjoyed running in the yard.

Finally it was time to add the scalloped border.

Once it was blanket stitched, the last touch was to add stars, back it and add a tag.

I was so excited when it was completed, that I wanted to take a picture right away.

Of course my helper/shadow came running to help:

Peanut, you are a very handsome boy, especially with your haircut,

 but we can't see the whole mat.

My son had to hold him for me to take the picture :)

Here it is completed!

And tagged. I always like to add something that was happening while I stitched it.

I also had a cross stitch finish

"Endless Hearts" by Threadwork Primitives

And now it is time to pick a winner of my little giveaway.

It was so much fun to read what type of needles you like - lots of fans of John James and Bohin needles! Also mentions for DMC and Hiroshima needles and Primitive Gatherings needles too. There were mentions of sizes too from #10 milliners to straw needles. The Clover Black Gold #10 needles came up a few times for English Paper Piecing. I probably shouldn't admit that within 15 minutes of trying a black gold needle I snapped it in half. I guess I'm a bit rough on my needles! Maybe I should give them another try. It's fun to try different needles since it isn't a big investment. I have to say, that like others who posted, I usually have a tendency to use whatever needle I grab first for handsewing, EPP and wool, but I now find that I just can't cross stitch without my favorite John James Petite ;)

Thank you so much for the 38 entries! I wish that I could send each of you a pack of new needles! Today's winner through random.org is #5 Mary Anne F! Mary Anne, you are a no-reply blogger, so I cannot contact you directly. Please send me an email at pgagliardi9@hotmail.com by March 6th with your mailing address so that I can send out your prize.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

~I Corinthians 13:13 

Blessings, Patti

Indiana road trip part 2

Where has the time gone? Has another week really flown past? Oh well...

I tried to be good on our little day trip, but there were so many wonderful items to choose from at House of Stitches! I did limit myself to two new patterns.

Isn't this Plum Blossom linen so pretty and different?

I'm thinking it might be perfect for a spring pin keep.

And I needed to stock up on my all time favorite needle.

They are tiny and very short, so I have convinced myself that they help me stitch faster lol!

Love these new magnetic Stitch Dots and who can resist a Blackbird Design with a house and strawberries :)

Don't you love when you find a design and can go home with all the supplies to start it that very night? I do ;) So very satisfying to start right away even if it isn't finished yet. 

At Cotton Cottage Quilts, I couldn't leave without a Lucy Boston kit - loved the patriotic colors in this one. And the fat quarters in the middle have already been put to work in my offerings for March.

And here is my little giveaway from my day. I loved the fat quarter with the "Blessed are..." and a package of my favorite needles along with a few free graphs. 

Simply comment on this post or send an email to me at pgagliardi9@hotmail.com with "Giveaway" as the subject and tell me - What is your favorite needle for your favorite needlecraft?

I'll pick a winner on Monday, February 27th.

 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

~ 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

Blessings, Patti

A Day Trip in Indiana

Last Saturday two friends and I decided that cabin fever had set in and that we needed to get away for a few hours. So, since the weather was cooperating, we hopped in the car and drove to Indiana.

Our first stop was LaPorte, Indiana and House of Stitches! 

I have been there once before and loved it, so I was eager to return!

Look at the linen wall! So many beautiful colors and counts!

And an amazing selection of threads and fibers too!

I love this collection of samplers.

It is a big store that is chock full of cross stitch goodness!

This Valentine display is right inside the front door,

so I didn't get very far before I was stopped in my tracks ;)

So many designers that I love are represented in the many, many charts.

It is a wonderful store with a wide variety of products. If you'd like to see more, you can check out their website, blog and Facebook page.

After a wonderful visit with the kind shop owner and shop gals and purchasing our treasures, we had to refuel. We had some yummy sub sandwiches and headed to our afternoon stop: 

Cotton Cottage Quilts in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Such a sweet cottage with lots of rooms.

You know that the Lucy Boston wall with wonderful EPP caught my eye! 

Each room of the house had a different theme, from batiks to modern to reproductions.

I loved the reproduction room with the pretty antiques on display.

And the old firplace mantle makes a lovely display.

Even some of the more modern lines caught my eye.

I loved the character of the old house and the wonderful and inviting shopkeeper and shop gals.

Cotton Cottage Quilts also has a website and Facebook page. 

Such a lovely day!

If you find yourself in Northwest Indiana, I would be sure to stop by both shops for a visit!

I'll be back soon with my purchases and maybe a little giveaway too :)

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

~ 1 Corinthians 13:6-7

Blessings, Patti

Happy Valentines Day!

Wishing you a Happy Valentines Day!

design by Kathy Barrick

(I like that my husband and  I have the same initials.)

Thought I would share a few more Valentine displays.

Sewing pocket design by Stacy Nash for Country Sampler Girls Club 

and dove created by Stacy Nash

I believe the hearts are old Maggie Bonanomi designs - I created them many years ago.

My latest addition!

A creation by Cee Rafuse of Early Style Penny Rugs

I love the colors, design and especially the wool binding!

Thanks Cee for adding the sweet label!

I went on a little road daytrip with friends on Saturday and come home to these. 

I love their rosey pink color!

I am blessed with a very sweet husband!

I'm working on a few Valentine projects that didn't get finished in time -

one wool and two cross stitch. I hope to finish soon and will share them when I do.

To me, Valentine's Day isn't a romantic holiday, but rather a day to let those we love know how much they mean to us - family, friends, pets, co-workers. Even to celebrate our love of God. For at least one day, to surround the world with love and inclusion rather than hate and divisiveness.

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love,

I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge,

and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,

but do not have love, I gain nothing.

~1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Blessings, Patti

Be Mine, Valentine!

I had such fun decorating for Valentine's Day this year!

The past autumn I found the wonderful divided carrier with heart shaped handle. I never had a chance to put it out, so now seemed the perfect time. I found the little stool over the summer at our town's outdoor antique show. The stool was a perfect little stage for my tote. 

I filled it with hearts that were a Maggie Bonanomi club kit from many years ago. 

I also recently bought this little antique red tote and had such fun looking for little things that would fit inside. (The white battery candle looks so much prettier and softer at night when lit and flickering.) 

I decided that antique sewing tools in Valentine colors would be perfect inside.

And then I remembered my teeny tiny LeHay shaker carrier that I picked up in my travels.

Perfect for small  mother of pearl buttons, tiny embroidery scissors and a tarnished silver thimble.

Now that I look at it, I guess you might be thinking that these aren't typical Valentine decorations...

but I do have some of those as well.

The wool applique on the top shelf is a favorite of mine - I used an antique lace cuff from a blouse.

On the bottom shelf I have a battery candle in the antique cranberry glass vase and it looks so pretty at night.

The first thing I see in the mudroom as I come in the back door ~

while two pups excitedly bark and dance around my feet :)

The antique sconce is one of the first antique purchases that my husband and I made after we were married. My dad rewired it for us and it works beautifully. The bird nest wreath is by Norma Schneeman and the wool applique is my original design.

A little paper fun from some years back.

It is hard to see, but the red paper has little mica flecks...

Do you decorate for Valentines Day?

For the word of the Lord is right and true;    he is faithful in all he does.
The Lord loves righteousness and justice;
    the earth is full of his unfailing love.

~Psalm 33:4-5

Blessings, Patti

~February Offerings~

I have decided to challenge myself this year! (Instead of a resolution J) I have a large bin of antiques that I have acquired over the years with the intent of repurposing them. I’ve decided that each month this year I will select at least one antique from the bin and will create something for one of my offerings.

This month it is a neat old one piece rolling pin that I picked up at an estate sale. Using an old quilt for the base, I used an old pale pink blanket to create the heart and hand motif. “Hand and Heart shall never part, when this you see remember me.”

I thought it would look sweet with some old heart shaped cookie cutters on a kitchen windowsill or shelf. The rolling pin measures 3 inches by 19 inches. 

“Remember Me rolling pin” is offered at $40
~*Sale pending.*~

.

My second offering this month is based on a design by Pineberry Lane.

It is accentuated with a few sweet heart pins and a little wool heart. It measures approximately 4 inches by 6 inches.

It is backed with the same cotton print as appears on the front and features a wool pocket for your scissors with a ribbon tie to keep them safe. This pillow, like all of my offerings, is completely handsewn.

“Token of Affection” pinkeep is offered at $45.

~*Sale pending.*~

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.

Blessings, Patti