Country Sampler Stitch Camp 2017 ~ Day 1

I was so happy to be back at Country Sampler in Spring Green, Wisconsin. 

I hadn't been there since September and it was far too long!

As much as I wanted to go inside and start shopping, 

I was running late and had to go straight in to class!

Time for Stitch Camp to begin with a class with Stacy Nash!

I found my seat and my kit.

Then I was quickly distracted seeing that Stacy had brought her friends ~ the Animal Crackers!

Even sweeter in person!

Here were the Stitch Camp class models.

Stacy's attention to details are amazing!

I loved the little X's on the side trim.

All too soon, class was over and we were famished!

Luckily Selma Bennett was the camp cook and tonight was Mexican night - Yum!

I was able to finish the strawberry pinkeep and the pin disc while at camp.

I started the tray last night and will share when completed.

I went to bed that night very happy and anticipating Day 2!

 “Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.

~Jeremiah 32:17

Blessings, Patti

On the road again!

I'm hitting the road first thing in the morning!

This time for Stitch Camp at Country Sampler in Spring Green, Wisconsin.

This year the teachers are Stacy Nash and Needlework Press.

We had homework for our Needlework Press class - an antique reproduction sampler.

Happily mine is done and ready to go!

I also had a finish this holiday weekend!

"Peacock Peacock Needle Keep"

by Stacy Nash for Country Sampler Girls Club

http://www.sgcountrysampler.com/girls-club/

I finished mine a little differently ~ as a thread board.

I have to say that I overdosed on the color pink in the 1980's and haven't been a fan since.

But this piece changed my mind about pink!

I stitched this in the spring and loved it! I even added some pink mother of pearl thread rings ;)

And here is the back:

A soft red velvet needle keep tied to the thread board for safe keeping.

I'll be back to share about Stitch Camp ~ I don't think that I'll even have time to get homesick ;)

“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
    make known among the nations what he has done,
    and proclaim that his name is exalted.
Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things;
    let this be known to all the world.

~Isaiah 12:4-5

Blessings, Patti

Happy 4th of July! and a winner...

(Winding Vine Designs originals) 

I hope that each of you are enjoying your 4th of July!

We are having a wonderful weekend and enjoyed a beautiful fireworks display last night. 

(The Wrigley Building ~ my work home)

Thank you to the 60 entries in my little giveaway!

So much fun to read how you are spending your day  ~

Family and Friends

Parades, Parties and Picnincs

Swimming, Baseball Games, Movies and Fireworks 

and always a favorite - stitching in the air conditioning!

Using random.org, the winner was #11 Debra G.!

Congratulations Debra G.! Your package will be going out in the morning mail.

I always like to work on something patriotic on the 4th of July:

So I started a new Maggie Bonanomi design while sitting in the garden...

And a new Pineberry Lane design as well...

I hope to finish them this month and then they will be ready to display next July :)

Wishing you each a lovely 4th of July!

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.

~Psalm 33:12 NIV

Blessings, Patti

Distracted, but one finish

Earlier this year, I was diagnosed with an inflamatory auto-immune illness. Since March I have been on steroids which have decreased pain and increased energy. At the same time I have gained quite a bit of weight and found that while energized, my focus isn't the best.

I made a bit of progress on a Notforgotten Farm project, but then quickly switched to:

Starting a Pineberry Lane project.

I did have one project that I stayed focused on and finished:

Stacy Nash's

Rose Garden Sewing Basket

I'm so thrilled with its finish!

I didn't switch much up on this one.

I only changed for a different Stacy horse that I preferred and added a single rose to the bottom.

I also had some sweet rosebud fabric that I aged and used for finishing.

I think that this was a vintage fabric that I found along the way

and I aged it with walnut crystals for those that have asked.

A sweet complement to the stitching.

It really is a tiny little treasure.

Here's hoping I can focus on finishing something else...

Tomorrow I will pick a randow winner for the little giveaway.

There is still a few hours to enter here.

The Lord will keep you from all harm—

    he will watch over your life;

the Lord will watch over your coming and going

    both now and forevermore.

~Psalm 121:7-8

Blessings, Patti

A little antiquing

When Mom and I were in Wisconsin last month for a family wedding, we decided to hit an antique mall on the way home. Mom bought a wonderful old army blanket and I found these two treasures.

The clasp on this box is broken, but the painting is so beautiful.

And I loved that a name was painted on the back.

With a quick Google search, I found that Mr. & Mrs. N. B. Newnam were part of the establishment in 1838 of the Methodist Episcopal Church Society in Talmage Corners in LaGrange County, Indiana. The church was started with a membership of 14.

I wonder if this beautiful document box once contained papers related to the church...  

I also bought this doll sized dry sink. So sweet!

It looks very similar to a regular sized dry sink that I have from my parents.

I'll have to share a picture of both of them together one day...

Since that day, I did have a chance to stop at another antique mall.

Here are the treasures that I found there.

While I am not a fan of womens shoes (I have bad feet that are always sore), I love antique shoes and related items. My great-grandfather was a shoemaker for the Mooseheart Orphanage. (I have his old foot sizer.) I collect old shoe forms (mainly childrens) and "shoe" sewing items too. 

I'll have to share my collection one day.

Although I have some wooden children's shoe forms, this is the first time I've seen a matched set.
I love all of the nail/tack marks and signs of wear... 

They were priced individually, but I thought they really should stay together after all these years.

The price was right, so they came home with me.

Then there was the crewel work on top of this red wooden stool! Oh my!

The needle work and the story that it tells! I was smitten immediately.

I picked it up and couldn't put it down! Wow! To be able to do crewel work like this!

So these are my latest treasures that I just had to share with you.

Just looking at these pictures bring a smile to my face.

Is it wrong to walk around your home and admire your collections?

It sure makes the dusting more enjoyable lol!

There is still time to enter my little giveaway!
I will be picking a winner on July 3rd. You can enter here.

The Lord watches over you—
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon by night.
~Psalm 121:5-6

Blessings, Patti

Catching up ~ A Trunk Show

Last month Inspired Needle Ltd. in Lemont, Illinois 

hosted a trunk show from Hands On Design.

Pictures are always good, but seeing stitched models in person are even better!

I loved this group of bee designs titled "Just Bee: Bee More"

"To The Beach" series 

Love the Chalkboard designs!

"Good Ship Sampler" aren't the ships in the bottles neat?

And the models that really caught my eye 

Of course they had to go home with me!

I love that it was kitted up with everything that I need to do the finishing just like the models!

All I need to supply is the threads :)

Here's hoping there will be a Spring and Summer design in this series...

And since I haven't included any pics of the pups lately, (and it has been noticed lol)

here are Peanut and Leia in a double decker pose. 

They usually are laying on this couch in our home office while I sit at the desk and post on my blog. 

Hoping that I will finish soon and pay more attention to them ;)

There is still time to enter my little giveaway. 

You can find the post here.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—
    he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.

~Psalm 121:1-4

Blessings, Patti

Wheaten Woolens ~ The Shopping

In addition to shopping Wheaten Woolens, folk artist Ginny Henson was again set up with her amazing folk art, antiques and topiaries.

Ginny has an amazing green thumb and her topiaries are like works of art. 

Magical creations where garden fairies would love to live.

Variegated leaves always seem to call to me...

Mom bought this sweet bird from Ginny.

And I bought this sweet bunny. I also bought the old tin box in the middle from Ginny. The box on the bottom has held my sewing notions for years and I loved how Ginny's box stacked perfectly. I have several magnets on the inside lid of my box, so the stack holds together quite nicely.

I bought this lovely hand-dyed linen from Rebekah and some pretty notecards from her daughter, Kelsey Anilee.

And what did we buy from Wheaten Woolens, you ask?

Well, Mom and I had quite a bit of fun!

Here are Mom's wonderful purchases.

An awesome handmade basket by Cyndy Simmons

and a sweet handmade sheep with old square nail legs.

And a fabulous selection of wool.

And look at my awesome basket made by Cyndy Simmons!

Thanks Mom for such a wonderful surprise!!!!

I bought this wool applique kit designed by Beth Anne.

The colors are gorgeous and I love that braided finish!

I tried to resist buying wool, but some colors are too hard to resist ;)

And hand-dyed velvet had to come home with me too. I'm thinking some pumpkins my appear from these in a few months... 

And you know that I couldn't resist that amazing collection of Rustic Wool Moire threads! 

My collection certainly grew in one day lol!

And here is where you can join in the fun:

A giveaway of a little charm pack of Wheaten Woolens hand dyed wool and a bonus...

I accidently purchased a spool of Rustic Wool Moire thread in a color that I already own,

so you can have a chance to try it out :)

Please leave a comment on this post, or send me an email to pgagliardi9@hotmail.com 

with WW Giveaway in the subject line and tell me...

What will you be doing this 4th of July?

I will pick a winner on July 3rd using random.org.

Thanks for joining in our trip!

Thanks also for your continuing prayers and positive thoughts!

Mom will be starting chemo this week and

my sister-in-law, Joy will have her second round of chemo this week.

Mom has her wool projects prepped and Joy has fabric for a new quilt,

so I think that they are both all set!

He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
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 40:29-31

Blessings, Patti