*Garden Rabbit*

When Mom and I were at Wheaten Woolens last year, I spied this sweet rabbit on the back of the shop door. I didn't buy it and I have been thinking about it ever since...

Luckily Beth Anne's Wheaten Woolens has a website and I was able to order it this spring. :)

I recently finished it, so here it is: 

"Garden Rabbit"

design and kitted by Wheaten Woolens

I am thrilled with how it turned out!

Beth Anne has a kit with all the lovely wools and I also ordered Rustic Wool Moire Thread to match.

I had a little fun adding X's on the vines and a few little added stitches on the buds and berries.

It was a joy to stitch while enjoying the bright spring colors.

And this sweet face urged me along to finish :)

I'm so glad that this sweet rabbit is now here to stay at my home. :)

There is one more day until I randomly select the winner for my little giveaway.

Don't forget to enter here.

But now I am always with you,

    for you keep holding my right hand.

You will guide me with your wise advice,

    and later you will receive me with honor.

~Psalm 73:23-24

Blessings, Patti

A Quick Trip to Galena, Illinois

Just four days after returning from From Our Hands ~ Creative in Ohio, 

I was on another quick trip.

Our Stitch Club went for a long weekend to Galena, Illinois.

I think that the last time we went as a group was 2011 - way too long!

We rented a house in Eagle Ridge Territory and were able to enjoy these lovely views.

The weather was so nice, that I was even able to stitch outside for a while.

We all worked in a variety of mediums

from wool applique and penny rugs to English Paper Piecing and knitting.

I loved the feedsack print Lucy Boston squares!

I even had a finish or two.

"Rabbit Warren"

by Notforgotten Farm

complete with her little bunny thread board

I started this a few years back and am happy to have it finished to enjoy this spring.

I also finished this:

Spring Robin Sewing Kit

by The Woolen Willow

I bought this kit many years ago.

It has several needle pages.

On one page I added a heart pocket for my scissors.

 

And on the back cover is a blue robin egg pin keep.

We stopped to shop at Lucky Quilt Company in Pecatonica, Illinois on the way.

Aren't these so sweet? Do you see the tiny angel zipper pull? And the pretty flowered tape measure?

And we stopped at Yellow Creek Quilt Designs where I had fun spending a gift certificate that I won last fall. I love the leather and aluminum cross bracelet. And who can have too many scissors?! Mom and I tried out the Tim Holtz scissors this past weekend and they are fabulous!

On the way home I thought I would stop at a favorite antique mall. My memory did not remember too clearly and it was 15 miles out of the way. What's 15 miles (actually 30 miles there and back) when antiquing. At least I found something after that drive ;)

Oops a favorite photo bomber of mine - Hi Peanut!

I found this fabulous carved wood pin cushion and some wonderful needle packs.

The large package of crewel needles says "War economy pack".

I did some online research and found this exact pincushion - antique treen 19th century pair of walnut miniature pin cushion bellows - English circa 1870.

The tip is broken off, but I don't mind. 

Here you can see where the pins are stored.

Ladies, we must go back again next year!

There is still time to enter my little giveaway. You can find it here.

planted in the house of the Lord,

    they will flourish in the courts of our God.

They will still bear fruit in old age,

    they will stay fresh and green,

proclaiming, “The Lord is upright;

    he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”

~Psalms 92:13-15

Blessings, Patti

From Our Hands ~ Creative ~ 2018 ~ The Giveaway

Finally! The time has come for my little giveaway ~

accumulated on my trip to Yellow Springs, Ohio for the From Our Hands ~ Creative retreat.

Some yummy wool, a Rebekah L. Smith ruler and waxer, a pretty note card from Lori Ann Corelis, some hand-dyed pins from Stacy Nash, a mini-charm pack from Fabric Shack and a sweet little bee plant poke picked up on my travels.

In order to enter, simply leave a comment on this post or send an email to me at pgagliardi9@hotmail.com with Ohio giveaway in the subject line and tell me what needlework project you are working on this holiday weekend. Or maybe you aren't with parades, memorials, gardening and graduations keeping many busy ~ that's ok too!

I'll pick a random winner on Friday, June 1st.

Thank you Lori Ann Corelis, Kelsey Smith and Rebekah L. Smith for another fabulous retreat!

We enjoyed every minute and appreciate all the effort in putting this together.

And thanks to Stacy Nash and Donna Bennett for increasing the fun!

Finally, thanks to you for letting me share the journey.

How great are your works, Lord,
    how profound your thoughts!

~Psalms 92:5

Blessings, Patti

From Our Hands ~ Creative ~ 2018 ~ The Ride Home

Mom and I took a roundabout way home heading from Yellow Springs, Ohio to the outskirts of St. Louis, Missouri. It wasn't exactly "on the way", but it was oh so worth it!

Mom and I wanted to stop at Calico Moon.

We had been there once before and loved it. You can read about it here.

Unfortunately, they are in the process of closing their store, 

so we wanted to be sure and visit one more time.

Mom found this wonderful lamp and a nice piece of wool.

While I brought home these lovely quilt samples.

I think that they may be designs by Bonnie Sullivan.

I love the bees!

And look at the wonderful shamrocks quilted in the corners.

But my coveted treasure is below:

Isn't it gorgeous! My very first spool cabinet!

I love the details on the sides.

When cleaning it up, I found some cardboard lining the bottom of the drawer.

When I gently pulled it up and turned it over I found this:

So precious! And the colors are still so vibrant. I put it back in the drawer, 

but right side up so I can enjoy it.

Both drawers were filled with treasures.

I'm not sure if the thread is original to the cabinet, but it is all Coats thread, so it will stay where it is :)

Scissors, hoops, buttons and needles were also among the treasures.

It is right at home on top of a low bookcase. 

I thought I might store my rustic moire wool thread or my overdyed floss in the cabinet,

but I hate to disturb the antiques that it came with.

So I guess I will leave it as is for now...

 What an amazing trip! Thank you so much for being patient with me and following along.

My next post will be for the little giveaway, you won't have to wait too long!

For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord;
    I sing for joy at what your hands have done.

~Psalm 92:4

Blessings, Patti

From Our Hands ~ Creative ~ 2018 ~ The Antiques

At the recommendation of several friends, Mom and I visited the Heart of Ohio Antique Center this year. It was hard to get a picture of this mammoth building!

It is 122,000 square feet!

With 1,425 booths and showcases!

I have been to some big antique malls around the country, but I have never seen anything like this!

There were some amazing antiques to see.

This huge tramp art book case had to be six feet tall.

A lovely hooked rug with three dimensional flowers.

I loved the graphics and colors.

This lovely unfinished sampler in the standing hoop was stunning, but way more than my budget.

Someone had a wonderful collection of Victorian blown glass Easter eggs.

It covered two shelves of one case.

Mom found some neat treasures to take home, including an egg from the collection.

And so did I.

I also found this beautiful box.

I loved the painting on it.

Then I opened it up.

It was a sewing box with two original navy velvet pincushions,

a compartment with it's original lid, and a removable spinning thread holder.

The thread holder raises for easy use and then lowers for storage.

I was curious about the painting of the nation's capital in the velvet mat in the lid,

so I gently removed it.

It is a collectible Clark's thread card!

Perfect!

We also had a wonderful afternoon visiting Waynesville and Lebanon, Ohio with our friend Nancy Knight. With homes filling up, sometimes it's hard to decide which items to bring home.

I can't end this travelogue without sharing our stop on our way home.

It was a great way to end our trip!

Then I will have my little giveaway....

It is good to praise the Lord
    and make music to your name, O Most High,

² 

proclaiming your love in the morning
    and your faithfulness at night

Psalms 92:1-2

Blessings, Patti

From Our Hands ~ Creative ~ 2018 ~ Yellow Springs

Since we were returning to Yellow Springs, we had some favorites that we wanted to return to. 

But we also wanted to visit some new places as well.

One night Mom and I decided to try Ye Olde Trail Tavern.

Such a neat building!

With a lot of history.

And look at this cozy scene inside.

Do you see the framed etching over the fireplace?

It's Abraham Lincoln and family.

Since I had recently returned from Asheville, North Carolina where we visited a micro brewery or two, we stopped at Yellow Springs' own brewery.

I had a few tastes and bought some to take home for souvenirs.

Mom and I also had fun at Urban Handmade featuring the wares of a variety of artists.

Mom and I each bought rings here as well as a pendant for my sister.

All were made by Matt Cole

The "stones" in the settings were so very unique!

Nobody would ever guess - but they are actually from recycled bowling balls!

What a conversation starter!

We enjoyed our new finds, but also had to return to some favorites including Ellie's, Sunrise Café,

Bentino's for pizza!

And yes, we absolutely had to return to Young's Jersey Dairy!

I can tell you that their Buckeye Sundae was absolutely amazing!

And yes I did eat the entire thing.

Although I asked them to make it as a single scoop instead of a double and to leave off the whipped cream. My attempt at trying to be good lol ;)

Next up are the antiques!

 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances;

for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Blessings, Patti