And so it begins...

 

The marching band played!

The children cheered!

 



 

The King and Queen even made an appearance!

 

The Bittersweet Sisters arrived in Osage, Iowa!

(Arriving during the Homecoming Parade was so appropriate :) 

 

We took up residence above The Stitchery Nook.

A wonderful and very large shop, perfect for picking up needed supplies and the first two items in the giveaway gift bag - the Just Cross Stitch Ornament Issue and the cutest little snail measuring tape that you ever did see. 

 

The retreat center above the shop is the newest and roomiest that I have ever stayed in. After staying for several days, I never want to leave!

 

We stopped in a new bakery "Taste" for a little snack, yum!

 

This cute little shoe store has the most perfect shoes for a needleworker and I just couldn't resist: 

A pair of boiled wool slippers with applique that are oh so comfy and a pair of clogs with wonderful and unique buttons - I was so glad that they had my size!

 



 

Then it was on to The Flower Gallery!

We loved this shop last year, a feast for the eyes and the nose.

We couldn't wait to see what artist, Carol Herman had created this year!

 

 

There were lovely items displayed inside and out.

And here is the treasure that I purchased this year:

 

I just loved the red barn board and the Indian corn.

 

The most wonderful surprise came later that evening, when Bittersweet Sister, Nicki gifted each of us with a custom made piece by Carol Herman!

 

Bittersweet vines painted on shaker boxes - each unique.

Be still my heart!

I will treasure it always...

 

I guess that I should end for now before I bore you, but I have so much more to share :)

Blessings, Patti

On the road again...

 

I am back from the Bittersweet Sisters Gathering in Osage, Iowa.

Words can't express what a wonderful and inspiring trip it was!

Just over way too soon... Unfortunately, I can't share more now.

 

My homework is done (see above) and my car is packed and I am hitting the road in a few short minutes for the Star Party at Country Sampler!

I am hoping to start sharing my adventures with you on Monday.

Stay tuned as I have been picking up little goodies along the way and when I am finished telling you about these trips, there will be a giveaway so that you can feel like you came along as well :)

 

Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

~Proverbs 19:21

 

Blessings, Patti

Off on another adventure...

 

I don't have any new offerings this month as I have been preparing for an adventure.

The second annual Bittersweet Stitching Sisters gathering.

(You can look at my posts last October to see our first gathering or simply search my blog for "Bittersweet Sisters")

 

Are you familiar with Spoonflower.com?

Well, last year Bittersweet Sister, Carla, found this wonderful bittersweet fabric by Lori Brechlin of Notforgotten Farm on Spoonflower. 

 

She shared it with all of us and a fabric challenge was born.

We are each to make gifts for the group using this fabric.

We had all year to work on them. Of course, I waited until this month.

 

And this month I also designed a little original wool project for us to work on.

 

I've also been working on some stitching homework.

A day after I return from the Bittersweet Sisters Gathering, I will be heading to The Country Sampler in Spring Green, Wisconsin for the star-studded Star Party! 

Whew! What a great two weeks!

 

Stay tuned for a full report!

 

 

I felt bad that I didn't have any offerings for my mailing list friends. So I had a little giveaway for my mailing list only. Congratulations to Sharyn! She won her choice of any one item in my Etsy shop. She chose the pillow pictured above.

If you would like to join my mailing list and be the first to see my newest offerings, simply send me an email to pgagliardi9@hotmail.com and I will add you.

 

After my adventure, I will have a giveaway for my blogging friends :)

 

"Be glad, people of Zion,
rejoice in the Lord your God,
for he has given you the autumn rains
because he is faithful.
He sends you abundant showers,
both autumn and spring rains, as before."

~Joel 2:23

 

Blessings, Patti

A final Summer finish

 

"Summer in Bloom"

by Blackbird Designs  

from their book, Maria Selby Humphrey - 1831

 

I love the soft, aged, muted colors on this piece.

 

The little butterfly just makes me smile :)

 

I edged it with a  R&R hand dyed rickrack.

 

Designed as a pinkeep drum, I just stitched my favorite motif and created a pillow instead filled with natural cotton batting.

 

"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more

in knowledge and depth of insight..."

Philippians 1:9

 

Blessings, Patti

Collection #5

 

Thank you so much for all of your lovely comments to my last post, "Life is hard..."

Each of them brightened my day as did your ideas of simple things that help:

a good cup of tea, comments from blogging friends (I certainly agree!), books in the mail (any package in the mail!), petting a dog, having a purring cat on your lap, stitching, and the Book of Psalms

just reading the list makes me smile :)

 

Well as you can see, Collection #5 isn't exactly prim, but it does brighten my bathroom both day and night. My blue glass insulators and blue Ball jars contain timer candles that shed a soft glow at night.

 

My newest collection are old glass bottles to serve as bud vases ~ from mustard, Alka Seltzer, extract, honey and aspirin. Filled with my favorite flower of the day - zinnias. I love those with lots and lots of petals. $5 spent and lots of happiness received :)

 

I don't think that the honey bottle is antique, but I loved the embossed bee skep!

 

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Wishing you joy!

 

"When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done,

he was glad and encouraged them all

to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts."

~Acts 11:23

 

Blessings, Patti

Life is...

 

Life is hard.

Some days, weeks, months, years are just plain rough.

So you plod along, knowing that things will get better.

 

It's at those times that I notice that the little things can help,

even if only for a moment

a hug

a smile

a kind word

a little hand work

a lovely blog post

a new book by Lori Brechlin, Blackbird Designs or Maggie Bonanomi

 

 

I hope that this blog has been one of those little things.

Your blogs, comments and emails have definitely been that to me :)

 

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart!

I have overcome the world.”

~John 16:33

 

Wishing you peace.

Blessings, Patti

p.s. To the many that have asked... the design in the photo is Blackbird Designs' "Summer in Bloom" from their book, Maria Selby Humphrey - 1831. It is stitched on the suggested linen - 28 ct. Dill by Picture This Plus. Hopefully I will have a finish to share soon... 

Autumn Arrives!!!

 

The highly anticipated and eagerly awaited

"Autumn at Notforgotten Farm" has arrived!

Be still my heart!

 

I've been sneaking almost continous peeks at it all weekend long :)

It was well worth the wait! I just can't wait to stitch "Turkey Trot" ~ it has been calling to me since I opened the book the first time. "Gathering Basket" is making me think I might just have to take up hooking for this project alone! And the sweet "Calico Shoe Thimble Keep" has got me wondering how I might just squeeze it into my day - it can't take too long to make, right ;)

Oh Lori, please tell me that you will be doing books for all four seasons ~ that would make me oh so happy!

 

In the autumn theme, I just had to mention...

I've grown pumpkins and gourds several times and the flowers always looked like this: 

 

My sister-in-law, Joy had given me apple gourd plants this year.

And I was so surprised when the flowers opened and looked like this:

So sweet and delicate! I am loving the flowers, but didn't get any gourds :(

I am still hopeful that maybe one is hiding in the garden that will be found when I clean things out...

But even if there aren't, I've really enjoyed these sweet flowers.

 

"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