Worth the wait?? Giveaway

"Old Heart Pin Keep"

Design by Maggie Bonanomi

"Buttonwood Farm" Book

When I saw that I had hit 200 followers, I was so surprised that I wanted to have a special giveaway. My thought was to have the drawing on Valentine's Day. But as usual, time got away from me and I am just getting to it now. I've created this heart pin keep with all vintage/antique materials - my absolute favorite piece of ticking, old wool blankets and quilt batting and vintage seam tape. I hope that you find it worth the wait...

Speaking of "worth the wait", now is the time of year when I am anxious for spring to arrive. I'm always waiting for those first early signs of spring.

My favorite sign of spring?

1. When the first bouquet of daffodils arrives at the florist. I just have to buy it and continue buying them whenever I see them as they are my favorite springtime flower and I know that their season is short.

2. The arrival of the first robin. At my house we are all on the lookout, and when we see the first one, I pull out a little pillow that I made that says "first robin of spring" and display it for the rest of the season. (Once that robin arrives, I'll share a photo of the pillow.)

So to enter this giveaway, tell me:

What is your favorite sign of spring that is absolutely worth the wait :)

Either comment on this post or send an email to me at pgagliardi9@hotmail.com with "Worth the Wait" in the subject line.

I will draw the winner with a random number generator on Monday, February 20th - Presidents' Day.

Thank you so much for joining me on this blogging journey.

It truly has been a blessing to meet so many wonderful kindred spirits!

Blessings, Patti

A Merry Valentine

Based on "Scattered Hearts"

design by Jo Ann Mullaly

"Primitive Quilts & Projects" Spring 2012

I've always thought of Valentine's Day not as romantic holiday, but as an extra day to let our family and friends know how much we love them.

And to celebrate the greatest love...

A Winding Vine Design

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

~John 3:16

Wishing you a Happy Valentine's Day!

Blessings, Patti

A few finishes...

"Auld Lang Syne"

freebie by Heartstring Samplery

(featuring the initals of my grandparents in memory of days gone by...)

It's been a busy time... Busy season at my full time job as an accountant with lots of extra hours. Busy with the February 1st update on TDIPT Mercantile. Busy with a few special orders.

But somehow I still have to fit in a few finishes to keep myself sane :)

"Mary's Pinkeep"

by Stacy Nash Primitives

a Country Sampler Girls Club Kit

I had a lot of fun with this piece. It was designed with the crowns and an initial under each crown representing a family member. I decided to make it a family tree - the parents above the crown and the child below - the crowns representing my husband, me and both of our sons. When it was just about complete, I realized I forgot a very important family member - our dear dog Orion... so at the last moment I added an "O" in the bottom right hand corner with a crown for him too!

"My Valentine"

Simple Goods Stitched by Jennifer

I am still planning a special giveaway this month. It's just been delayed a bit as I haven't created the item that I plan to giveaway yet... so please stay tuned.

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike."

~Matthew 5:43-45

Blessings, Patti

*Welcome February*

February is here!

With a focus on love and heartfelt sentiments...

TDIPT Mercantile is now updated with new offerings by all of the first of the month artists.

Click here to read about my new offerings.

What a difference a year makes...

Last year on this day we were in the midst of an incredible blizzard here in Chicago. Yesterday we had a high of 60 degrees!

"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. " ~Deuteronomy 6:5

Blessings, Patti

Words & a winner

Oh what fun this giveaway was!

So many inspiring words:

giving, mercy, believe, fun, patience, tolerance, appreciation, faith, thankful, more, blessings, simplify, half-full, organization, inspiration, peace, journey, contentment, finish and focus.

What a wonderful world it could be if everyone focused on these words...

There were 30 comments and emails and the random number generator picked #15:

Melissa of Farm Field Primitives!

Congratulations Melissa!

I'm planning a special February giveaway to celebrate my 200+ followers. I know exactly what I want to make, I just need to find the time to make it :)

I have another piece that I have decided to part with... Stitched in 2000 and custom framed, it's a great piece that celebrates winter and Valentine's Day. It measures about 8.5 inches by 8.5 inches.

Offered at $40 plus shipping.

Feel free to email me at pgagliardi9@hotmail.com for more information.

Eventually I will get it up on Etsy.

Thank you again for sharing your "words" with me. and now for these final words:

“As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” ~Genesis 8:22

Blessings, Patti

This & that, A word & a giveaway

"Auld Lang Syne" free design by Heartstring Samplery (in progress)

This is a busy time of year for my day career as an accountant. Lots of overtime working to close books and prepare year-end financials. Unfortunately, it cuts into my creating and crafting time. I have so many ideas floating through my head and occassionally being jotted or doodled, but little time to actually create them.

It ocurred to me that I haven't had my January giveaway yet and wanted to put that up right away. I also noticed that I somehow I hit 200 followers! I can't imagine that there are 200 people out there that want to see what I do... but somehow there is. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! It somehow validates what I create with my heart and my hands. If time cooperates, I have something special in mind to create for my February giveaway in celebration. For January, I will be giving away the two vintage heart pillows with heart keys ~ one for you and one for a friend (or feel free to keep them both lol) I will pick a winner with a random number generator on Saturday.

Sneak peek - TDIPT Mercantile February 1st offerings

Lately I've noticed many bloggers are starting the new year with a word rather than a resolution. I like that idea. Resolutions come and go, but a word you can come back to again and again during the year. I thought for a while and couldn't come up with a word, but recently one popped into my head and I knew that it was it! "Presence"! Living in the fast paced city of Chicago, I find myself constantly in motion multi-tasking as much as possible. This year, I want to be more "present" in the moment. Focusing on the person speaking, focusing on the task at hand. Not thinking about the next item on my "to do" list or what I rather be doing. I know that it won't always work, but it will be my focus and a reminder...

So for the giveaway this month, as always, either comment on this post or drop me an email at pgagliardi9@hotmail.com with "Word" in the subject line and let me know what word you would like to focus on this year. I can't wait to hear your ideas.

"I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus."
~1 Timothy 1:12-14

Blessings, Patti

p.s. Just had to add this! A new Maggie Bonanomi design sighting in the Winter 2011 issue of BH&G Quilts & More ~ "Pocket Posy" wool bag. Congrats to Maggie! And good news for us Maggie fans ;)

Another Winter Walk in the Woods...& items for sale

"A Winter Walk in the Woods Candle Mat"

(c) Winding Vine Designs

I had so much fun with those trees, that I started wondering how it would look as a round candle mat. A great place to put my favorite timer battery candles :)

Tomorrow I think I will get a chance for a Winter Walk, not in the woods, but in downtown Chicago. They are forecasting our first snow. I kind of hope that they are right...

I hope to be back shortly to share an incredible swap that I was recently a part of...

Also, I wanted to mention two items that I have decided to part with. I'll be listing them on Etsy in the next few days, but feel free to email me with any questions...

"Peace on Earth" Sewing Book

You can see more photos here.

$45 plus shipping

"Sleigh Bells" make do pillow

You can see more info here.

$42 plus shipping

Blessings, Patti