"Pure & Simple"

I've been blessed to have been taking classes with Maggie since 2001.

Maggie Bonanomi has an iconic unique style that is so identifiable.

It is timeless and beautiful ~ reminiscent of antiques and inspired by nature.

For seventeen years her style has touched by heart and continues to do so.

Not many artists can accomplish that.

I am so happy that Maggie has a new book out!

"Pure & Simple" inspired by the Seasons is available May 1.

I was blessed to have early access to her book and I can tell you that it is marvelous!

A full year of seasonal projects and then some. I think that each and every project is a "must do".

Mom and I have completed a few of the projects from her book.

It's fun to see that even when we do the same project with most of the same materials, they still come out slightly different and unique.

This is one of my favorite projects from the book.

Mom has finished hers.

It is so beautiful in person, I think I need to be sure to finish mine for this autumn.

This is another sweet project from the book - perfect for Christmas and all winter long.

 This is Mom's version.

And this is mine.

I think that Maggie's style is so timeless that it works with all home styles - from primitive to traditional to modern.

Mom finished this project as well.

Maggie encourages you to take the elements and arrange them in a way that is pleasing to you. 

Mine is all prepared, but not yet stitched. 

Mom and I both find that Maggie's patterns are the most relaxing to work on. Once prepped, Maggie's technique of whip stitching allows you to relax and enjoy.

I have already picked the next project that I want to make in her book:

Isn't this perfect for May Day!

You can pre-order Maggie's new book "Pure & Simple" here.

The heavens declare the glory of God;

    the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

~Psalm 19:1

Blessings, Patti

Almost time!

Our homework is done.

Our bags are almost packed.

It's almost time to return to Yellow Springs, Ohio for

From Our Hands ~ Creative! 

Mom and I had the same homework and it is fun to see how different it looks.

Mine as the heart and Mom's has the pennies.

I'll be sure to take pictures and share the fun when we return.

One thing I ask from the Lord,

    this only do I seek:

that I may dwell in the house of the Lord

    all the days of my life,

to gaze on the beauty of the Lord

    and to seek him in his temple.

~Psalm 27:4

Blessings, Patti

A few finishes of my own

It's finished!

Pineberry Lane's

"Wool & Flax"

for Dyeing to Stitch's "Quaint Country Ladies" Club

along with a sweet sheep threadkeep by Lori Brechlin for Notforgotten Farm

Last year I picked up some antique tatting in Iowa and thought it would look so nice with this piece.

Wendy of Pineberry Lane had a wonderful finish designed for this piece - a  lovely pouch with the perfectly coordinated polka dot fabric, but I had a different idea...

So I made it into a pillow to display with...

Some little Putz sheep and one lead sheep.

I can't wait for Wendy's next Quaint Country Ladies Club kit!

I also finished "Wooly Flower Bag"

by Rebekah L. Smith

I love the color of the hand-dyed linen bag.

It was a quick stitch and now I am so excited to use it.

I'll be doing that soon as Mom and I will be leaving on a trip in a matter of days!

I'm hoping to have a few more posts before we head out...

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

Pennies from Heaven ~ Volume 20b

Now this finish is a bit out of Mom's usual comfort zone, but oh so fun!

"Kinda Fishy" by Tracy Trevethan Designs

There is a lot of detail in each fish

And some bright beautiful colors.

Lots of layers

Mom did a great job!

And I love her backing and binding fabric - perfect!

Aren't these too cute?!

Mom saw them right before Easter and whipped them up so fast!

"Harry, Elmer and George Wabbit" by Cricket Street Wool

They make us both smile.

Hard to decide which one is the cutest.

Their little faces are so silly

and you have to love those teeth!

And I love all the textures in the wool!

I have a few finishes to share, but nowhere near as many as Mom!

and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

~Romans 13:9-10

Blessings, Patti

Pennies from Heaven ~ Volume 20a

Gosh, I have visited Mom twice since my last Pennies from Heaven post 

and Mom has so many finishes to share!

Mom received this wonderful silver tray from my sister for Christmas and got started right away making mats for it.

This one contains excerpts from Primitive Gathering's Flower Garden Crazy Table Mat

Such a wonderful variety of flowers!

Mom created this one using shamrock's from my own

Winding Vine Design's March Mat

This one is an excerpt from My Red Door Design's Love Pillow.

I bet that Mom will have one for every month before the year is over ;)

Mom has also completed all the kits from Country Sampler's Maggie Club for 2017.

Yikes! I haven't even started one! I better get going on mine.

This is Spring.

 Country Sampler's Maggie Club  Summer 2017

 Country Sampler's Maggie Club  Autumn 2017

and  Country Sampler's Maggie Club Winter 2017

I love them all and really don't know why I didn't get mine done.

So much to stitch and so little time!

And believe me that Mom has more finishes to come...

 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

The Biltmore of Asheville, North Carolina

You can't go to Asheville, North Carolina without visiting The Biltmore Estate.

It's the largest private residence in the USA.

The Biltmore was built in 1895 and was the home of George Washington Vanderbilt II. 

I loved the Wintergarden right inside the front doors.

And the Great Hall.

We were lucky as they were having an exhibit with the costumes from the movie, "Titanic".

A beautiful home and beautiful costumes.

I was attracted to the piano on the right and the wonderful Victorian paisley scarf that covered it.

I've been collecting antique paisley just like this!

It has been almost 30 years since my last visit and it was fun to share with my husband and sons.

This was Kate Winslet's dress that she wore at the very front of the ship with her arms outstretched.

After touring the house, we toured all of the gardens.

It was a lovely day for walking and enjoying the countryside.

The daffodils were blooming and the conservatory was stunning!

Once you walked inside the conservatory, you're struck by the warmth, colors and fragrance.

Big and little delights around each corner.

Such stunning orchids

And exotic flowers.

I drank up as much springtime as I could knowing that we were returning to the cold 

and that spring at home was still some time away...

I have many of my mother's needlework finishes to share and a few of my own as well. 

I'll be back soon with those!

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

~Hebrews 12:2-3

Blessings, Patti