Egg Gatherer Sewing Basket

 Those of you that follow me on Instagram have been watching me stitch the sides of 

"Egg Gatherer Sewing Basket"

by Stacy Nash 

The bottom was supposed to be a mustard print cotton, 

but I thought the chicken and chicks needed a little rooster ;)

The mustard print that came with the kit would have worked fine for the outside of the basket as well,

but I remembered a fabric in my stash that I thought I would like better.

So sweet, but it was white and bright red.

It definitely would not go well.

So I aged the fabric with walnut crystals until it matched the linen and threads better.

It doesn't look very aged here.

 But here you can see the difference.

I think they go together pretty well now.

And here is the basket all put together.

I am pretty happy with it, if I do say so myself.

It's not perfect, but it's done!

(My mantra!)

And it looks sweet with my Shooner Pottery chicken

And with this little vintage pair. 

Another Stitch from my Stash project completed!

On to the next!

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
    And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy

and to walk humbly with your God.

~Micah 6:8

Blessings, Patti

Treasures from Blumen Gardens

Yes, you know me well :)

I didn't come home from Blumen Gardens empty handed. LOL!

The show was before Easter, I'm just behind on my blog posts...

I bought this sweet hand blown milk glass egg to add to my collection.

I bought this galvanized carrier and wood cheese box painted grey with little sections.

These will be for future finishes - just not quite sure for what yet ;)

I bought these sweet tiny treasures from Ginny Henson. 

I think I might use the little heart as a scissor fob :)

And here is my antique treasure from Ginny Henson:

Isn't this Easter egg simply gorgeous?!

I've never seen anything like it.

The ribbons are lovely.

And the inside...

is in perfect shape.

I love the paper lace edging.

So sweet and delicate.

It just had to come home with me.

I think it looks so sweet with my Velveteen Rabbit made by Ginny Henson years ago.

I sure hope that I can go to the Blumen Gardens show again next year.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.  Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

~James 3:17-18

Blessings, Patti

Blumen Gardens

Last month, before things started blooming, I visited 

Blumen Gardens in Sycamore, Illinois for the first time.

What a magical place!

They were having an antique and garden show that several people had recommended.

Don't you love the rustic beams with the pretty chandeliers?

It was time for me to go take a look

I loved the building - a factory built in 1869.

Such a great  setting!

And I got to visit and shop the booth of the amazing Ginny Henson!

Every item in her booth is always just perfect!

I wish that I could bring everything home with me :)

The grounds and buildings are all so lovely!

I must make a point of going back this summer.

Such a lovely getaway 

If only for a few hours

It does the heart and spirit good!

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Honor her for all that her hands have done,

    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

~Proverbs 31:30-31

Blessings, Patti

A Lovely Open House

You have heard a lot about my dear sister-in-law Joy and her fight with cancer these past two years.

She continues her journey and uses crafts for her therapy.

A week after Easter, she hosted a craft show and open house at her lovely home.

My mom, sister and I went to visit and to shop :)

My niece, Dana also creates beautiful signs that she shared.

It was warm and cozy inside, but outside we had a late spring snowstorm that day 

with 6 inches of snow!!!

Even with the snow I had to share Joy's wonderful garden art!

I love these barn quilts! Can you tell Joy is a quilter as well?

The pond and waterfall were so pretty even with the snow.

I love how Joy has barn quilts tucked here and there.

All are sealed so that they can be outside in the elements.

I love them all!

So what just had to come home with me?

This sweet garden bee,

My very own barn quilt,

A flag for the garden,

And the sweetest sunflower!

As soon as my garden is cleaned up and planted, I'll be decorating my garden as well. :)

Hopefully soon!

Strength and dignity are her garments;
    she smiles about the future.
 She speaks wisely,
    teaching with gracious love.
 She looks discretely to the affairs of her household,
    and she is never lazy.

Her children stand up and encourage her,
    as does her husband, who praises her:
 “Many women have done wonderful things,” he says,
    “but you surpass all of them!”

~Proverbs 31:25-29

Blessings, Patti

April Gifts

I was so lucky to receive some lovely gifts in April and it wasn't even my birthday lol!

First my BFF, Kim, drove to Colorado and brought me a souvenir from a stop that she made on the way home!

The Little Red Hen has been on my bucket list, but Kim brought The Little Red Hen to me! I would have been happy with the fun red tote bag alone, but inside was some spring green wool, navy wool and a kit for the cutest bunny ever! 

And here is my sweet bunny all finished!

I made a few tweaks, but left that sweet face just as it was :)

Thanks so much  Kim!!! I love it all.

A week later Mom and I went out to dinner and to see Irving Berlin's "Easter Parade" with Judy Garland and Fred Astaire at classic movie night at our local 1928 historic vaudeville (now movie) theater. She had made me a very special treat:

Isn't it absolutely fabulous?!?!?!

My youngest son and I have been growing milkweed and raising Monarch Butterflies since 2016 (you can read about it here.)

This butterfly is so realistic and beautifully stitched and beaded. I love those antennae!!!

Thank you ever so much Mom for this very meaningful gift - it will be treasured!

Then just a few days later, Mom made sweet favors for all the ladies at our Easter dinner!

Made from a design by Rebekah L. Smith. Aren't the beads on the eggs so sweet?

I am so blessed and thankful to have these special women in my life! 

There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

one God and Father of all,

        who is above all, through all, and in all.

~Ephesians 4:4-6

Blessings, Patti

Stitch from my Stash Projects ~ May

It's a new month and time to pick my Stitch from My Stash projects for May!

These months are flying by!

First up:

Egg Gatherer Sewing Basket Kit 

by Stacy Nash Primitives 

This kit was purchased in 2017. It is stitched on 35 count linen - smaller than I prefer, but necessary for the sweet diminutive basket! I will do my best to power through as it is so sweet!

Ode to the Ort No. 2

by With Thy Needle and Thread

OK, I may be cheating a bit on this one...

It isn't really from my stash as I just purchased it in March, but I can't wait any longer... lol.

Final project for cross stitch:

Indigo Lane

by With Thy Needle and Thread

I don't really think that I will be able to finish this one, but I hope to at least start.

I purchased this kit last year on a trip to Country Sampler. They have the model hanging and it is simply gorgeous. 

(And the thimble box bonus pattern is also darn sweet too! Maybe I will stitch that one next year...)

I am also hoping to participate a bit this year in Stitch Maynia 2019.

As you know I usually only stitch in season, but I thought this was a good chance to get a wee jump start on some stitching for other seasons. I definitely won't be starting 31 or even 19 new projects like most are doing, but thought that I would pick up an out of season WIP or two during the Stitch Maynia craziness ;) OK I "may" be kitting up an out of season stitch or two (or maybe even three), but we will see if I can stitch out of season at all lol.

And yes, it is not just about cross stitch here ;)

I must be honest and tell you that I did have a Stitch from My Stash fail in April.

I loved the Rabbit and Hen Quilt that I picked to work on, but just didn't have it in me to work on specialty stitches during a month that was really stressful at work and at home. 

I have packed it away until next year and instead will start working on  this:

"Nesting Time Table Mat"

kit by Primitive Gatherings

I purchased this kit back in 2015 and can't wait to get started!

I am being a rather ambitious as I also pulled this out:

"Songbird Sewing Pocket Kit"

by Rebekah L. Smith

This pattern was recently released by Rebekah L. Smith.

I took it as a class in 2017. All the pieces are cut and ready to stitch!

Time to get it finished up!

Wish me luck!

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, urge you to live in a way that is worthy of the calling to which you have been called, demonstrating all expressions of humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another in love. Do your best to maintain the unity of the Spirit by means of the bond of peace.

~Ephesians 4:1-3

Blessings, Patti