Just what the Doctor Ordered

My blog is my happy place. I choose to keep it positive whenever I can.

Sometimes real life intrudes and I share a bit of that too. As many of you know last year was a rough year for our family. Family health issues and Dad's passing took a tremendous toll.

I was hoping and praying for a quiet 2017, but that was not to be.

Mom and I have both been dealing with health issues since the beginning of the year.

Each of us trying to get an accurate diagnosis and trying to handle and lessen so many symptoms.

But I think that this coming week we will both be moving towards healing!

I am taking Mom to her first ever needlework retreat!

We are heading to Yellow Springs, Ohio for

From Our Hands and Hearts ~ Creative!

I am so looking forward to a week with Mom doing what we love and are passionate about.

And being surrounded by other needleworkers who feel the same.

Not to mention spending time with the super talented and inspirational
Lori Ann Corelis, Rebekah L. Smith and all the other wonderful teachers!

Above I have share my finished:

Civil War Sewing Basket

designed by Stacy Nash

with my own little tweaks from last year's retreat.

I wanted to finish this before attending this year's retreat!

Mom and I have been busy prepping this year's homework before leaving.

The two photos above are for a class I am taking with Stacy Nash.

And more homework for a class with Rebecca L. Smith.

I think that this week is just what the doctor ordered ~
Time away to rest and spend following our passion.
And time for Mom and I to hopefully heal.

I'll share our journey on our return.

 You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? 
For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written:
“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’”
So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.
~Romans 14:10-12

Blessings, Patti

International Quilt Show 2017 ~ The Shopping

So after much agonizing at all the wonderful vendor booths, what did I bring home?

Well, of course I had to purchase more of my new favorite thread - Rustic Wool Moire!

Just look at these luscious colors!

And who can resist a few pieces of antique ribbon and an old velvet heart pincushion?

Not me ;)

At Yellow Creek Quilt Designs, they displayed this wonderful antique quilt made of elongated hexies and their interpretations in smaller sizes.

Paper Pieces has created special paper pieces and an acrylic template for them to recreate the antique - named Yellow Creek Kindred Hexies! Love! I also bought their Boston in Bloom kit - the design appears in Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine Spring 2017 issue. You can see it here.

Ok. I admit it, I went a little crazy! I love these new Primitive Gatherings patriotic designs! The tumblers are all precut and I am going to create using English Paper Piecing. I couldn't decide between the thimble size and the regular tumbler size... So I bought them both *sigh*.

I first saw the beautiful model of "Garden Memories" at Olde World Quilt Shoppe in Arizona and regretted not purchasing it. I was so happy that Red Button Quilt Company had the kit!!! Such beautiful colors and packaged so prettily. Again, since I only handsew and don't own a sewing machine, I plan to adapt to EPP.

I guess it was an EPP kind of day ;)

(By the way, The Olde World Quilt Shoppe just brought their kit shop online! You can check it out here. They have wool bundles, too.)

But never fear, you know that I had to go home with something wool ;)

My major purchase of the day:  

From Sew Cherished, I purchased the full kit for Cricket Street Wool's

Harvest Wall Quilt!

Here is the model:

Let me just say that each and every wool in this piece is gorgeous and absolutely pops against the wonderful backgrounds! It was even more stunning in person!

I better get my fingers busy! I want to start everything, but need to finish a few WIP's first!

I think I covered a lot of ground in three hours! And I went home at closing very happy!

 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.

~John 10:14-15

Blessings, Patti 

International Quilt Show 2017 ~ The Quilts

In addition to the vendors, there is also a fabulous quilt show.

This was the incredible centerpiece as you walked in the door.

"Northwood Awakening"

a 25 foot wide Photofiber landscape artwork 

A combination of photos and quilting created by

Steve and Ann Loveless of Frankfort, Michigan

Absolutely stunning!

I would love to take a walk in these peaceful woods.

There was a wonderful display of red and green antique Christmas Quilts.

A book has been published on these beauties.

You know that this quilt caught my eye ;)

Some quilts are more like artwork!

This was a challenge where all used the same yellow in their quilt.

One of my favorites ~ a combination of quilting and EPP.

LOVE!

And this was where I spent the majority of my limited time.

It's amazing how much the quilts change based on color and placement!

So bright and happy!

I think that this one was my favorite!

Similar, yet so different.

Such a joy to see so many hexies!

I'm not a bright person, but these quilts make me smile.

Different ideas for borders as well.

This was a stunning art quilt, the single bolt of lightening and range of textures - oh my!

I loved this town and its fence border,.

An Emily Munroe quilt.

This work of art really kept me mesmerized:

Something about the organized crookedness and the stories that each square told. 

The stitching was amazing.

The colors of this quilt were captivating as if emanating light from within.

And a final quilt that is just my style

I'll be back with a final post of the Quilt Show to share what came home with me :)

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

~Romans 10:9-10

Blessings, Patti

International Quilt Show 2017 ~ The Vendors

Earlier this month, the International Quilt Show came to Rosemont, Illinois, just outside of Chicago.

I was able to go, but only had three hours to spare.

It's amazing what you can accomplish in 3 hours when you set your mind to it ;)

I'm always drawn to these retro feedsack prints, even though they aren't my usual style.

Amazing shades of wool

I was so thrilled to see that Dawn Shuck of Sew Cherished in Branson, Mo. was back!

I spent so much time in her booth last year and I think I spent even more time this year!

Sew much wooly beauty that it is so hard to take it all in!

Some are her original designs and some by other favorite designers.

How can I ever decide what to take home?!

Patterns, kits, wool, thread and all the extras for finishing - Dawn had it all!

Another booth that I was introduced to last year returned!

Red Button Quilt Co.

I just love the red and cream combo and the teeny tiny red buttons that she uses on so many of her designs.

The Olde World Quilt Shoppe that I visited in Arizona carried a lot of her patterns

and I was just as overwhelmed there too :) 

I'm not a quilter, but love the additions of wool and EPP included on many of her designs ~ I think they could be adapted to my abilities...

Again how to choose!

Such a sweet grouping!

Love those little flower pots and tiny wool flowers!

And guess who was right next door?

Her talented daughter's company ~ Blueberry Backroads!

Amazing needlework talent runs in their family :)

Such a sweet set of snowmen!

Believe it or not, after shopping, I was able to quickly take in the Quilt Show as well, and even have some photos of the amazing quilts. I will be back with those soon!

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another,

for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.

~Romans 13:8

Blessings, Patti