I'm back!

 

My favorite week of the year is over...

Our week "unplugged" in the woods of Northern Wisconsin.

 

But as an accountant, I like to take things in order and realize I never shared our family trip from July.

 

I hate to admit it, but our sons and I have never been to Washington D.C.

My husband was there on a quick trip once, just long enough to know that he wanted to go back and see more.

We knew that we had to rectify this and we really wanted to visit as a family.

 

We stayed in Georgetown. Filled with lovely restaurants and...

 

 

interesting shops.

 

Just down the street was the home that John F. Kennedy lived in while running for President.

 

 

The home that Jackie Kennedy and her children moved into immediately after his assassination.

 

 

And the home that she and her children lived in until the tourist traffic became too much for them.

 

We spent one day visiting all the monuments

 

How powerful and moving they are!

 

especially the Vietnam Memorial

 

and those heartfelt treasures left there.

 

We saw the White House from afar

 

And the Washington Monument

 

The Supreme Court Building was beautiful and powerful.

 

We saw the Capital Building both inside and out.

 

And the Library of Congress as well.

 

 

I think that was my favorite building. I've always loved libraries!

 

The monuments at night were stunning as well.

 

And very emotional.

 

 

Day 2 was spent visiting as many museums as we could.

Visiting and viewing the important documents -

Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, and the Constitution at the National Archives.

The Star Spangled Banner that inspired Francis Scott Keyes.

 

And not so important items that were fun, nonetheless :

 

 

Edith and Archie Bunker's chairs :)

 

We spent time at the Botanic Gardens

 

 

And the wonders they held, both large

 

and small.

 

 

Day 3 was spent at Arlington National Cemetery.

 

The changing of the guard in 95 degree heat and 100% humidity.

How do they do it?!

 

The never-ending graves were profound and moving.

Such an incredible sacrifice!

 

Our final stop was Mount Vernon.

I kept thinking - Now I need to stitch Plum Street Sampler's George and Martha! :)

 

It was such a blessing to experience and share this quick trip with our family.

We were all moved and have a new appreciation for our incredible country.

It may have its faults, but we are blessed to live in the U.S. of A.

 

I did finish a bit of stitching on our trip, but this post is long enough.

I will share it another day :)

 

But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

~2 Corinthians 10:17-18

 

Blessings, Patti

A lovely day...

Today was a lovely day in so many ways.

Ginny Henson, a wonderful folk artist and antique collector had a sale at her home today.

It was just as I expected ~ gorgeous.

Her gardens were so pretty with bits of folk art here and there.

Such pretty views at every turn.

Inviting you to stay and linger...

Inside her house was just as inviting,

beautiful antiques and folk art at every turn.

Ginny even baked some delightful treats!

wonderful textures and colors...

Can I just move in? :)

So many lovely items for sale, it was hard to make a decision...

This heavy, iron architectural star came home with me.

And found a home in front of our fountain.

This gourd birdhouse made by Ginny found a new home on an iron bird hook, next to my lilacs. 

A large tin rabbit is at home in my strawberry patch ~ currently hiding behind the sunflowers...

Ginny always sells beautiful live topiaries. I'm not so good at indoor plants, but couldn't resist these little shoe forms filled with succulents and a Japanese kokedama ball in a vintage icecream dish.
(Wish me luck in their care ;)

And the star brick and glass cloche came home with me too :)

My new house plants are right at home on my kitchen windowsill above the sink to keep me company while washing dishes.

This wonderful lamp with tiny reflector is still waiting for just the right spot.

And Ginny's handmade sweet butterfly out of antique linen is right at home here on my little quarter-sawn oak cabinet.

You can find Ginny's creations here.

And Ginny's Facebook page is here.

Thank you Ginny for such a lovely day!

The perfect way to spend my birthday :)

"I seek you with all my heart;

    do not let me stray from your commands."

~Psalm 119:10

Blessings, Patti

Stitch Club Summer Fun

There's a new shop in town ~ Second City Quilt Co.!

And our stitch club decided that we should take a field trip.

What better way to get to know a new shop, than to take a class :)

Look at this darling shop!

I love the pressed tin ceiling and the pretty chandeliers.

Light and airy ~ the better to show off all the lovely fabrics.

Sarah, on the left, was our teacher and Becky, on the right, is the shop owner.

We had such fun in our beginner English paper piecing class.

Sarah had some great tips and tricks.

I think we are hooked and we will definitely be visiting again, now that we know how easy it is to get there.

Thanks Becky & Sarah for such a fun night!

You can find the website for Second City Quilt Co. here.

I also have to give a shout out to stitch club member, Aileen!

Aileen was on the team that created the Chicago Police Department "Quilt to Remember" - a quilt honoring all Chicago Police Officers - created from the police officers' shirts.

Wow! Way to go Aileen!

You can read more about it here.

We recently had stitch club at Aileen's house and I have to share the beautiful show and tell:

Kim finished this gorgeous quilt!

Love those French General fabrics!

Here are a few collaborative finishes - 

Aileen's stitching and Jan's fabulous finishing.

Aren't those bells perfect?!

Before you know it, Aileen will have this one out on display :)

I love this unique finish!

Think I might need to see if I still have any of these Bent Creek snow globes in my stitching stash...

So pretty and subtle!

And my personal favorite:

Isn't that "wood" fabric absolutely perfect?!

And Jan somehow found the time to stitch and finish something for herself :)

Love it!

Hope you enjoyed our stitch club fun!

"Happy are those who keep his decrees,

    who seek him with their whole heart"

~Psalm 119:2

Blessings, Patti

August Offerings

 

July has flown by like a whirlwind! Stitch Camp, a family trip and then catch up at work and home… I did manage to squeeze in one offering for this month:

The Antique Sewing Pinch Pockets last month were so well received that I created two more…

These pinch pockets are perfect for a small spool of thread, a small pair of embroidery scissors, and even a few other notions (these items are not included, but merely examples). Summer’s End Pinch Pockets measure approximately 4 inches across and 3 inches tall. Items are stored safely inside until you gently press the two corners together to open. Both pinch pockets are backed with the neat French newspaper print cotton as seen in the background and are lined in a mustard textured wool.   

 

Queen Bee (inspired by a Prairie Schooler design)

~*Sold. Thank you ever so much!*~

 

Sunflower (inspired by a primitivebetty design)

~*Sold. Thank you ever so much!*~

 

Blessings, Patti