A Belated Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Where does the time go?!

We hosted several times in November & December and the months just slipped away...

I hope that everyone had lovely holidays.

I did get to the Christkindlmarket once this year.

And enjoyed it thoroughly.

Most of my stocking stuffers were purchased here.

The Christkindlmarket  feels so magical each year.

So many lovely treasures.

Such beautiful craftsmanship!

I am always so happy to put out my collection of miniature nativities.

And I enjoy the pretty sights in Chicago as I Christmas shop.

So pretty by day and night.

Leia was a big help in putting the lights on the Christmas Tree

And she is good at unwrapping gifts too! LOL!

 Meanwhile, as soon as Peanut's Christmas gift was unwrapped (a calming bed)...

he climbed right in and took a nap!

I did a bit of stitching through the holidays and have a few finishes to share soon...

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, 

and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

~Luke 2:8-11

Blessings, Patti

A Bonus Wool Project for March...

While I have been trying to focus on "Stitch from my Stash",

I did treat myself to a new wool project this month:

"Daffies in an Old Granite Pan"

design by Maggie Bonanomi

kitted by Blackberry Primitives

Mom and I decided to stitch this as a stitch along.

This is mine all prepped and ready to stitch.

And here is Mom's.

She used wool from her stash.

It is stitching up quickly and I hope to share my finish soon.

Last Saturday was National Puppy Day, so I thought I would share my pups.

They love their walks, but I think they love their naps even more.

Last weekend I was under the weather and took a little nap.

I woke up to this:

How is a person to move? And how could I possible get up?!

I think that they were trying to be "comfort dogs" ;)

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

~Hebrews 13:1-2

Blessings, Patti

Stitch from my Stash - the beginning

On New Year's Day, I spent part of my day picking my two projects for #stitchfrommystash

I had such a hard time choosing, that I selected three lol! First up:

"Snow Day"

by Prairie Schooler 

from Book #177 January

I have been wanting to stitch this one since January 2016!

I started stitching Prairie Schooler designs in the mid-1980's

and they have been one of my favorite designers ever since.

If I was on a desert island and could only bring charts from one designer - this would be it :)

Sadly, I can't even remember the last time I stitched a Prairie Schooler?! 

So this will be the month! 

Little Red Barn and Grandpa's Pick-up

from the Farmhouse Christmas series

by Little House Needleworks

this is the bonus project that I kitted up :)

I've seen so many finishes of this series lately that I am finally itching to start!

I will only be doing these two charts in the series and want them to be for winter rather than Christmas. 

My wool project for January will be:

"Snowy Days"

by Heart to Hand

Believe it or not this kit was purchased back in 2013!

And I have not worked on it since January 2016!

I think that I need to finish it this month!

Here is where I left off three years ago:

I sure hope that I can get it done and enjoy it yet this winter...

I've made a little progress on "Little Red Barn" already this week...

So many of you have asked for pics of the pups.

Leia was thrilled with the new toy that they received for Christmas!

A stuffed log with three stuffed squirrels inside that can be pulled out through holes in the log.

She wouldn't sit still for a picture ;) 

Peanut wasn't quite as thrilled.

Although he did steal a squirrel once Leia had pulled it out lol.

Peanut's favorite activity is snuggling with his sister.

Even when snuggling, Leia usually has a toy in her mouth. 

She just can't let go!

Peanut just doesn't get it :)

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

~Luke 2:16-19

Blessings, Patti

Nick of time

 

Buttermilk Basin's

"Year in Stitches Collection - June"

 

Phew! I finished just in the nick of time!

 

Buttermilk Basin's

"Basin Banner - June"

bound in gold velvet

 

If I was smart, I would start July right away!

 

This is just a quick post. I am getting caught up after my sister and I took a quick visit to see our parents. My mom has lots of wonderful new finishes for me to share...

but first I need to finish up and post my July offerings.

 

Of course, I can't close without a photo of the new loves in my life:

 

 

I love how Peanut and Leia love to snuggle and sleep together.

 

Don't let those sweet, "innocent" faces fool you. Now that they are really settling in, they are exhibiting their more mischievous side ;)

 

“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. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

~John 10:14-16

 

Blessings, Patti

Where does the time go?

Lesson learned after 30 years of commuting...

Don't take a water taxi during a flash flood warning.

Later I learned that the Chicago River rose 3 feet in 20 minutes.

Yes, I was on the water taxi during that 20 minutes.

At first we were in awe that the brand new river walk, which opened this month, was under water.

The currents were swift but the water taxi could handle it.

The amazing Wendella crew stood at the bow and watched our clearance as we passed under the many bridges. We were in awe when they announced we had a two inch clearance. We weren't so lucky several bridges later, when we got stuck. They maneuvered the boat well and turned us around. Remember the bridge with the two inch clearance? Well, it disappeared by the time we got back. After even more maneuvering and an hour later, we were docked back where we started. We had to sit in a puddle in the downpour of rain and jump down four feet to the dock. We were wet, but safe and sound on solid ground :)

That was the same night as the final game of the Stanley Cup.

I missed the first period, but was able to see our Blackhawks win!

Blackhawk flags proudly waving.

The next day I got a scoop that the Stanley Cup was visiting next door to my office.

They had painted the building for the occasion.

There is the Blackhawks' vehicle.

And there is the cup.

Prominently displayed in the window so that all the fans could see.

Or if you have connections, you can see it from inside ;)

I also recently visited the United Center home to our Blackhawks.

Not for a game, but to attend a Rush concert with my youngest son and his friend.

It brought back lots of memories from high school :)

It's hard to believe that Rush has been together for 40 years!

Our seats definitely weren't as good as they were for The Who concert!

So where is my stitching you ask?

It has been slow going...

Still working on my Stacy Nash Girl Club kit from Country Sampler.

And my Maggie Bonanomi Girl Club Kit from Country Sampler.

Why so slow?

I think it has something to do with these two:

I love how they walk pressed up against each other :)

And when one stops to smell something, the other one is right behind to see what it is.

They are quite entertaining, but full of high energy and demanding of our attention :)

I don't mind... most of the time :)

It's just when they are on my lap like this, I don't have the heart to move them when my stitching is just out of reach... For now, I'll just enjoy the moment and stitch later...

This weekend my sister and I are going to visit my parents. I'm sure that I will have another volume of "Pennies from Heaven" (and created by Mom) to share with you soon!

"but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

~Isaiah 40:31

Blessings, Patti