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

Bittersweet Sisters Fabric Challenge

Do you remember a month ago when I mentioned the Bittersweet Sisters fabric challenge? You can read about it here. The challenge was for us to create something with Lori Brechlin of Notforgotten Farm's wonderful Bittersweet fabric.

Well, here is the big reveal ;)

 I created 6 little sewing boxes - one for each of us - filled with a little group of antique textiles for our crafting, a wool heart, and a wooden acorn. I was so thrilled with the plant markers that I bought this past summer from Wendy of Pineberry Lane that I asked her to make 6 bittersweet spoons. I love the way the spoons turned out!

Nicki sure was busy! Look at all the lovelies that she made from her bittersweet fabric!

Wow! I loved them all, but that Bittersweet crafting apron is really something!

Here you can get a better peek.

And look at this! Carla said the Bittersweet fabric reminded her of wallpaper - perfect for this lovely wallhanging. The border fabric looks just like an antique combed wood frame. And that's not all!

She also used the fabric for gifts for all of us!

This sweet little sewing bird box is just wonderful!

The bird is made of the Bittersweet fabric and look inside!

So many treasures! The box itself is lined with Civil War newspaper. And also inside - these wonderful scissors, a spool of our favorite faux suede ribbon, wool acorns, and from the fabric - a thread holder, needle holder with an assortment of Carla's favorite needles all labeled by size and type, and the tiniest little packet of morning pins. Did you notice the vintage pins and antique buttons on the pincushion as well? So many details that I have been frequently admiring and oohing and aahing over! 

Kim made us each this wonderful personalized heart based on a design by our favorite designer - Maggie Bonanomi! It is right at home on the doorknob of my hutch in my dining room :)

and look at this wonderful packaging holding one of the gifts from Wendy!

a soldered charm holding the Bittersweet fabric with sweet little embroidered hearts!

I put it on immediately and have been wearing it almost every day since!

Such a great way to keep my Bittersweet Sisters close to my heart!

And that is not all...

 can you believe that Wendy also stitched one of these wonderful bags for each of us?!?!

This design is by Nan Lewis of Threadwork Primitives who was also a TDIPT Sister of mine :)

And isn't the finishing awesome? 

The finishing was done by Faye of Carolina Stitcher. 

You can read about her finishing of this project here.

Faye, your work is absolutely wonderful! And I especially love the winding vine on the hanger ;)

And I can't forget Linda!

She wowed us all, by creating not 1 or 2 but 5 of these incredible boxes!

(Linda, we think you need to make one more for yourself!)

How incredibly appropriate is this design?!?!

The colors are gorgeous and so is the ribbon trim.

But wait - take a look inside!

The box is lined with our Bitttersweet fabric and wonderful vintage buttons!

Linda also made a soldered ornament of us witches and brought us each back a candle from her trip to Paris. 

(Oops! and the paper tag of us witches is by Carla. Stored in the box so it wouldn't get crushed on the way home.)

I think I am one of the most blessed women on earth to be included in such a wonderful, generous group of talented women. I love you all! I think that I kept putting off this post as it seems to wrap up the Bittersweet Sisters Gathering 2013 and I really don't want it to end. I miss you all. But I guess as soon as we can catch our breath it is time to start planning Bittersweet Sisters 2014.

And if anyone out there is still following along, the fun doesn't end!

Next up is the Country Sampler Star Party and then finally will be the big giveaway of my trip gift bag...

Thanks for letting me share this special time with these special ladies!

"From his abundance, we have all received one gracious blessing after another."

~John 1:16

Blessings, Patti