Pennies from Heaven ~ Vol. 4

Each time I go to visit my parents, I can't imagine that my Mom will have much more to share.

But she always does! :)

And I always think they can't get even better (how do you improve from perfection?), but they do!

First up in no particular order is a great triangle penny rug that fits perfectly in this wall basket. 

I love the colors!

Next up, just in time, this sweet Easter Egg mat.

Here it is with Mom's lantern and a daffodil egg that I made for Mom and Dad one Easter a few years back.

(I'm glad to see that she still likes it :)

Here's a different take on pennies.

It's amazing that with all the varied colors, they work so well together.

Even with all the overlapping pennies, Mom's stitches are still perfect.

And this is where it lives, under this pretty hurricane candleholder.

Mom was telling me that she was thinking about trying her hand at a tongue rug:

 

Of course it turned out lovely on her first try!

I think this is made from an old greenish-grey army blanket.

She found the perfect spot for it in her extremely organized craft corner.

(A trait unfortunately that I did not inherit.)

The bird pinkeep and the flower pinkeep are both made by the very talented Audrey of Bay Ray's Child. You can read her lovely blog here and see her sweet Etsy shop here.

Mom and I are both big fans of Audrey's work.

The dresden plate pinkeep on the right sitting in the basket is my mom's creation. I think I forgot to take a close up of it. 

In the antique sewing machine drawers, my mom has her small sewing supplies all organized. 

I also forgot to photograph the sweet scissor sheaths that she made for each of her scissors. 

Must remember to take photos on my next visit!

Mom finished this little pincushion while I was there - filled with crushed walnut shells.

Next up is this stunner!

"Avery's Teardrop" designed and kitted by Early Style Penny Rugs. You can view her Etsy shop here.

 Cee's inspiring blog can be found here.

The subtle aged colors are so peaceful.

Isn't this penny rug unique?!

I forgot to ask Mom who's design this is...

I love the combination of pennies and flowers

and the combinations of solids and textures.

So different and so lovely!

Can you believe that there are still more?!

And all these have been created since Thanksgiving!

Next up is this beauty based on a Maggie Bonanomi design. 

It was a runner, but mom made it fit into a circle.

So perfect in their sunroom!

Here you can see the entire mat.

Tiny perfect little stitches.

Mom and I had fun doing some color planning for her next project while I was visiting.

It's going to be a stunner for sure!

Oops, I almost forgot!

Mom is also participating in Stacy West's Buttermilk Basin Mystery BOM.

You can read about it here.

The March pattern comes out tomorrow. I know someone that will be working on it right away :)

Mom decided to use an antique flour sack for her background fabric ~ a fabulous idea!

She's been so busy creating that she is just starting to stitch them, 

but they are probably all done by now :)

I love the soft colors that she chooses.

Well, can you believe all of Mom's creations?!?!

She is a wealth of ideas and concepts, always looking at designs in new ways.

There is just one more post from this trip, sharing a little exchange of gifts.

"His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." 

~2 Peter 1:3

Blessings, Patti

Primitive Purchases

Isn't this sewing bird wonderful?!

Ginny Hensen created the bird from antique linsey-woolsey and added it to an antique sewing spool stand with a burl wood base. The tiny antique strawberry emery is the icing on the cake. The moment I saw it, I knew that it absolutely had to come home with me :) 

I saw the tiny leather shoe pincushion at the show last fall and was so glad to see it make a return appearance - it was waiting for me :)

The woman in the tintype spoke to me. I need to find a place to tuck her away in my sewing supplies as the men in my house find antique photos "creepy" ;)

I can never pass up a nice piece of cutter quilt.

(or most other old textiles for that matter ha!)

A forged iron heart 

And two very unusual bottles with very tiny screw tops.

I wonder what they were originally used for?

One already has a future purpose... the other may be a bud vase, if things ever begin to grow again...

These awesome scissors came from the always inspiring booth of Jacque Bradford. 

I love the prim look and unique color and shape.

You see so many incredible antiques at these shows. As I was trying to fall asleep that night, one item that I saw kept filling my mind. Why didn't I buy it?! Could it possibly still be there tomorrow? If it was still available, should I really splurge? Or should I behave myself?

Luckily it was in the booth of Ginny Henson. And lucky for me she replied right away to my message that it was still available. Needless to say, I didn't behave myself and I did splurge :)

And here is my new treasure:

An antique shaker slatted market basket!

I love the stenciling.

 The basket is in great shape and the wiring is so fascinating. I love how they twist the wire between each wooden slat. 

I'm so thrilled with my new treasure ~ all of them!

When I got home and started putting my new treasures on display, I noticed a familiar face among my collection of Ginny Henson birds and animals:

Another Ginny Henson linsey~woolsey sewing bird. 

I think they look happy to be together with my stack of antique shaker boxes...

I had a few very old spools where the "labels" are burned into the wood ends rather than paper labels. I thought they would look nice on display on my new old spool stand.

"Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord."

~2 Peter 1:2

Blessings, Patti

Primitive Paradise ~ Spring 2015

As usual I have way too much to share and difficulty finding the time to post...

This past weekend was spent visiting my parents in Primitive Paradise.

Time for the wonderful primitive shows in Tuscola, Arthur and Arcola.

The picture above is from my favorite booth at the Rural Life Show ~ 

the booth of Ginny Henson, folk art artist extraordinaire and  collector of incredible antiques.

I would love to have everything from her booth in my home :)

I love that she uses antique materials in her art.

This backdrop was stunning.

You will have to wait for a future post to see what came home with me from her booth :)

Next it was on the the Homesteaders on the Prairie Show in Arthur.

This velvet penny rug was stunning, especially with a background of antique pewter.

I have to admit that I am regretting a bit not bringing this great tongue rug home with me...

Something about the turquoise and brown and the neat shape of the tongues...

The next day it was on to A Gathering on the Prairie in Arthur, Illinois.

So many wonderful booths that I can never pick a favorite.

This basket of pin cushions and needle books kept my attention for quite some time.

(just ask my Mom lol)

Look at these beautiful velvet birds!

And this stunning velvet make-do should have come home with me as well :)

Antique lanterns and crazy quilts *sigh* make my heart pitter patter!

I find the clip clop of the horses hooves to be so soothing as we travel the area.

My parents are so lucky to have that as a sound in their daily lives :)

I hope to be back soon with pics of my purchases and the latest installment of Pennies from Heaven ~ my Mom's latest creations...

 "Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments."

~Deuteronomy 7:9

Blessings, Patti

Market Night @ Inspired Needle

Tuesday night was Market Night at my not so local LNS, Inspired Needle. After watching all the wonderful sneak peeks online, I couldn't wait to go!

Imagine my delight when I realized that Cathy had brought back all of Kathy Barrick's models! Oh My Goodness Gracious! Each one is even more stunning in person! I would have loved to have bought them all, but tried to be good and purchased my two favorites. Of course, I was so excited that I forgot to take pictures :( 

Blackbird's new book is not to be missed! And Stoneware Pinpillows II is even better than the first!

This rose pattern in the Blackbird book really caught my eye! The colors are so beautiful!

As you know I love strawberries and the butterfly on this one is divine. The moment I saw the name of the design, I knew the book was coming home with me. The name of this design is "Mildred's Strawberry". That's my Grandmother's name!

You know that I couldn't go home without one Stacy Nash design. I picked her "Summer House Necklace Kit". And see that tiny little glass vial? The Purple Thread always has the most unique little kits at market: 

Isn't this Needle Stash darling? And the entire kit is squeezed into the tiny vial :) that should be a quick stitch!

Well, I tried to be good and not buy too much. Although there were plenty of things that I saw that I am still pondering. I'm sure that some of those items will still make their way into my sewing basket....

"These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

~Deuteronomy 6:6-7

Blessings, Patti

Final February Finish and Fabulous Fun

Buttermilk Basin's

Basin Banner - February

A little late, but my banner is ready for next February :)

Wool kitted by Buttermilk Basin bound in blush velvet.

A few weeks ago, one of my favorite musical groups, Punch Brothers, came out with a new album.

I have and love all of their albums, but this is my new favorite.

I was thrilled to find out that they were coming to Chicago and bought tickets the moment they went on sale.

On Saturday they performed at the Riviera Theater in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood.

The theater was built in 1917.

Many of the neat old details are still in place.

It's a great intimate venue that holds 2,500 people.

It was completely sold out.

The Punch Brothers, led by MacArthur Fellow award winner Chris Thile, were even better in person!

It was definitely a night to be remembered.

If you would like to hear some of the Punch Brothers music, you can hear see their appearance on Prairie Home Companion here. 

And you can hear another favorite of mine, "Julep", here.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”"

~Joshua 1:9

Blessings, Patti