Happy Halloween!

Leia and I wish you a Happy Halloween!

This Rae Dunn mug is perfect for my house - it looks like Leia dressed up as a vampire :)

"Witches Night Out"

by With Thy Needle and Thread

my latest Halloween finish!

 I had to have this Rae Dunn mug too ;)

My favorite Halloween shelf.

The little silhouette in the upper left corner is an antique from 1913.

The Spells pillow on the bottom shelf is an original from Stacy Nash from 2007.

"The Goode Stitching Witch"

This was a Stacy Nash kit from a few years back.

 I just bought the black strawberry waxer that Stacy's daughter Taylor made and I think it looks perfect with this sewing tray!

It looks sweet with a few antique sewing tools.

And here is the full vignette.

Here is an oldy but goody by Blackbird Designs.

The linen color is truer in the first picture, but here you can see the frame better.

Another Blackbird Design from the same book, stitched in the same year.

and a teeny tiny vignette with a piece I stitched even longer ago.

The black spool of  thread is just a regular size spool to give you an idea of the scale.

This was back in the day when I stitched everything over one.

and my favorite Schneeman Folk Art pumpkin head doll sitting amongst some antiques.

He makes me smile!

Well here in Chicago we are having a cold Halloween with up to 6 inches of snow in the forecast.

I guess if we don't get many trick or treaters, we'll just have to eat the candy ourselves ;)

Happy Halloween!

and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry

    and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,

then your light will rise in the darkness,

    and your night will become like the noonday.

~Isaiah 58:10

Blessings, Patti

Remembering Summer Days in the North Woods

Gosh, where has this month gone?!

I'm back from my fabulous trip with the Bittersweet Stitching Sisters.

I can't wait to tell you all about it, but want to catch up from my summer first. 

while in the north woods, we did some antiquing

I had this fabulous bonnet in my hand, but decided to leave it for someone that could display it well.

I didn't have room for these great pieces either...

but these buttons did come home with me

as did these embroidery cards

some fabric samples

needles from the Columbian Exposition in Chicago and a great pin disc.

We visited Copper Falls. We haven't been there for several years.

Love those roots

It's hard to capture the grandeur

and the sounds of the rushing water really makes it.

we went golfing

There were warnings that this was a steep hill.

Oh my! I felt like I was on a roller coaster!

Of course I stitched ;)

but tried to watch for the good shots to add my congratulations.

I spent as much time as I could in a kayak

enjoying the peaceful surroundings

I love watching the eagles

soaring above. And once when rounding a bend I startled

a loon bringing up his lunch

he decided I wasn't a threat and continued his fishing, bringing up the fish to eat.

I wish that I could do this every day...

such a stunning area.

Of course I had to visit and shop at Rivers Edge Antiques & Quilt Loft.

and I had to buy this pattern, because while on vacation I finished this:

"Summer Wild Flowers"

designed and kitted by Wooden Spool Designs

I love the wool and the backing / binding fabric is absolutely perfect!

I'm so happy with this finish :)

It's as pretty as my zinnias :)

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;

    I will be exalted among the nations,

    I will be exalted in the earth.”

~Psalm 46:10

Blessings, Patti

"Exploring Folk Art With Wool Applique And More"

We were so thrilled that Rebekah's latest book was released while we were together at 

Country at Heart in Rock Falls, Illinois.

Exploring Folk Art with Wool Applique and More

This is a  special book for mom and I, as Rebekah and Kelsey asked us to be a part of it!

Mom and I had the opportunity to make one of the projects in the new book 

"All-in-one Basket" before the book came out!

Mom and I were both thrilled with each of the colorways we received - Rebekah and Kelsey know us well. :) And we were featured in the Gallery of Projects in the book!

It was truly a family affair

We weren't able to get together with Rebekah and Kelsey for a photo shoot

so my youngest son took the pictures and received a photo credit in the book :)

Here is Mom's finished basket cover - she used 

Valdani threads and a few beads.

and here is mine. I used Rustic Wool Moire Thread.

We are both thrilled with our baskets!

You can find the amazing basket for purchase here. It's wonderful!

I know that I have only focused on one project from the book, but this book is chock full with many wonderful projects and each project featured is done in wool applique and another needlework medium.

We saw all the models at the class at Country at Heart and there are so many that I want to create!

Thank you ever so much Rebekah and Kelsey from the bottom of our hearts!

It has meant so much to Mom and me to be able to share in this special book with you!

From one mother/daughter team to another Thank You! :)

I am off to spend some time with the Bittersweet Stitching Sisters, 

so you know that I will have a lot to share when I return :)

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, 

so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

~Romans 15:13

Blessings, Patti