Star Party~Day 1~Part 2

After our class with Lori, we broke for lunch at The General Store.

We had a bit of time to enjoy Spring Green and do a little shopping.

It was such a lovely day.

I loved this back door on the White School House.

Our afternoon class was with Maggie Bonanomi.

She brought along all of the models from her newest book, "Another Place and Time"

The piece above, "Maggie's Wool Sampler" was right in my line of sight all afternoon. I loved it in her book, but in person I could really appreciate the depth and character that the old worn feedsack added to the piece. It is definitely on my to do list now.

I didn't take any pictures while we worked on our class project as it kept us busy.

But we were able to complete it!

I love how old it looks! The linen flowers, old ribbon and antique tin type - each of us had a different tin type and they were all so wonderful! We stuffed them full of sawdust and they have such a great old feel. I love the color of the velvet as well.

After class we had a break as the School House was readied for our dinner party.

It was a lovely day and a perfect time for a walk.

Then it was time for The Star Party Dinner Party to begin...

All of the shop girls were there to join in the celebration.

Jeanne presented her beautiful "133 Jefferson" round robin quilt from her newest fabric line, "Jefferson County".

And then Blackbird Designs gave a wonderful presentation of their quilts through the years.

We oohed and aahed over each and every quilt.

No one wanted the evening to end.

What a special day!

Each of us received a little treat of autumn flavored candied almonds and a neat and oh so unusual corsage.

It was time for a good night's sleep to be ready for Day Two!

Blessed is the one

who does not walk in step with the wicked

or stand in the way that sinners take

or sit in the company of mockers,

but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,

and who meditates on his law day and night.

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,

which yields its fruit in season

and whose leaf does not wither—

whatever they do prospers.

~Psalms 1:1-3

Blessings, Patti

The Star Party begins...

 

And so we arrived at my absolute favorite store, The Country Sampler in Spring Green Wisconsin!

As we walked up, others were taking their pictures in front of the mecca and so Bittersweet Sister, Kim and I joined in.

 

 

The Star Party was a big group and we were split into two classes - our first day was spent at the pretty White Schoolhouse.

 

I loved the old details and high ceilings and the huge windows let in plenty of natural light.

 

And we had pretty views as well.

 

Our first class was with Lori Markovic of La D Da.

If you ever have an opportunity to take a class with Lori, be sure to do it!

She is so kind and always wants to help to be sure that you go home with a finished project.

She brought with a trunk show of her designs.

Each piece lovelier than the next...



 

Inspiring to look at while we stitched away.

 

Lori is a kind soul and such fun.

I hope that Lori didn't mind that the rebels from Chicago had to change things up...

 

Kim and I aren't so good at following directions and had to make ours unique ;)

 

One class done and one project finished!

 

"Trouble and distress have come upon me,

but your commands give me delight."

~Psalm 119:143

 

Blessings, Patti 

On my way to the party...

I decided to head to the Star Party at the Country Sampler in Spring Green, WI a day early so that I could make some stops along the way...

My fist stop was J.J. Stitches & Co.

Such a warm and inviting shop.

A wonderful selection of wool displayed in great antique wood crates.

And fat quarters displayed in antique graniteware pans - be still my heart!

And so my shopping begins: 

Some fat quarters of repro fabrics, flannels and wools, a pattern, some great linen by the yard and the best vintage trims. A piece of vintage trim will be included in my giveaway goodie bag (that still hasn't occured yet)

Next stop was to a town that I had never visited before - Lodi, Wisconsin

There were several sweet shops, my most favorite of which was Cottage House Primitives,

where I bought the most wonderful frame.

Another big draw for me was discovering that Lodi is home of Susie the duck.

This sweet little town has a babbling brook that runs right through the center of town and under Main Street.

A peaceful little spot with vending machines that dispense duck food to feed to Susie's descendants.

This sweet little fellow took to following me around hoping for a handout.

He quickly got bored with all the picture taking.

Then I realized it was time to move on to my favorite area antique mall where I found this treasure:

This little worn velvet ladies shoe. When you pivot the back of it, you reveal...

a little sewing kit with compartments for scissors, needles and a thimble. I didn't even hesitate and knew that it was coming home with me.

I love the faded green velvet, but when you open it you can see that it was originally a striking royal blue velvet.

Another item that I couldn't resist was:

This sweet, very worn and loved mohair bunny with shoe button eyes. He makes me smile to see how well loved he was - so well loved that much of  his mohair is simply worn away.

And it is hard to get perspective in this picture, but I also purchased a rather large pair of stork scissors. 

Before I knew it, it was time to finish the drive to Spring Green and let the Star Party begin!

"Give thanks with a grateful heart

Give thanks to the Holy One

Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son

And now let the weak say, "I am strong"

Let the poor say, "I am rich

Because of what the Lord has done for us"

Give thanks"

~Don Moen

Blessings, Patti

Are you a Mary's Sampler SAL fan?

It seems that Christmas is starting too early for me this year - the commercials on tv, the Christmas decorations and music in the store. I am a little bit old fashioned and prefer to celebrate Thanksgiving in all of its autumn splendor and start my Christmas decorations and celebrations the day after Thanksgiving.

That being said, I am doing a little early celebrating this year with Plum Street Samplers.

Paulette Stewart has been so kind and generous to create this wonderful stitch along and to publish it for us for free!

When I first heard about it, I thought that I wouldn't be able to keep up with a weekly stitch along and that I would pass. When I saw the first week - a sweet tiny little Joseph and Mary, I knew I had to join in. Luckily I was at the Bittersweet Sisters retreat so I just ran down to the Stitchery Nook and picked out my fabric and threads. I was able to stitch week one and two while in Iowa and week three in Spring Green, WI. I like to read the week's bible verse and stitch that week's installment either right before or after church. But some weeks it takes me until the next Saturday night. I love the anticipation and guessing what the next installment might be. I am glad for this time for quiet reflection on the true meaning of Christmas before the rush begins...

It's not too late to join in the fun. You can find all of the installments on the Plum Street Samplers blog.

Thank you Paulette for this wonderful Stitch A Long. It has truly been a wonderful gift!      

And I couldn't resist sharing this sweet face of dear Orion sound asleep on my oldest son's leg. My son came home from college for the weekend with an awful cold and I think Orion was trying to help him feel better :)

"God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’"

~ Job 37:5-6

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