Snippets & scraps

This month one of my TDIPT Mercantile offerings will be created from my collection of antique woven coverlet pieces. I treasure these works of art created by hand over 100 years ago. I don't own pristine coverlets, but rather pieces that are threadbare, well worn and loved.

I keep them folded on a shelf in a spot where I can admire them fequently. Ocassionally, I decide to use a part of them for my creations. Carefully cutting my pieces as close together and as close to the edge as possible so as not to waste any of it.

Still as the shapes are cut, there are inevitably some snippets and scraps. As I encountered them, I found myself trimming them into tiny little hearts in whatever shape might fit. Now I have this group of sweet little coverlet hearts and my mind keeps trying to think of what to do with them...

They aren't very sturdy... I'm not sure if I could stitch them to a base. I don't like to use glue at all.

And so my mind wanders...

"I wish for you my friend
This happiness that I've found;
You can depend on God
It matters not where you're bound,
I'll shout it from the mountain top
I want the world to know
The Lord of love has come to me
I want to pass it on."
 

Blessings, Patti

*Signs of Spring*

"Wool Bird" design by Maggie Bonanomi

I've finished my first robin project of the season. Robins are my favorite bird (with turkeys being a close second) and are a sure sign of spring. I have three more robin projects kitted up and just waiting to go...

Well, I finally relented and went to the clinic after no improvement, to discover I have a double whammy - the flu and strep throat. After being on antibiotics for 24 hours, I decided to go back to work - bad idea. After a few hours I felt really nasty and found my fever was back at 101.9. Back to bed with me. Now I am up and waiting for the pediatrician's office to open - I think I shared my bug with my oldest son... Then it will be to bed for each of us.

For years I have been getting about 5 hours of sleep a night more or less. There is so much to do and not enough hours in the day. I'm thinking that this is my body telling me that it has got to stop. That I need to start at least working on 6 - 7 hours of sleep a night. Not sure what will need to give. I don't want to give up blogging or crafting as these are things that really bring me joy. My house isn't that clean :) and I don't watch much tv. I guess I need to really look at what I spend my time on...

I didn't mean to go on and on. Let's move on to happier things:

It's tulip time on the Magnificent Mile...

Each spring, Michigan Avenue becomes a carpet of tulips.

My favorite display this year is the North Bridge Mall block.

I'm not a big fan of purple, but the progression of tulips from white to purple just mesmerizes me each time I walk by.

Wishing you inspiring views today!

"What a wonderous time is spring,
When all the tress are budding
The birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming;
That's how it is with God's love,
Once you've experienced it.
You want to sing, it's fresh like spring,
You want to pass it on."

Blessings, Patti

A FOLK Winner

folk (fok) 1.a) a people, tribe, or nation; b) the large body of the common people of such a group. 2. of, originating among, or having to do with the common people, who transmit the general culture of the group through succeeding generations. 3. simple and unassuming; not snobbish.

No wonder I like the word so much :)

I think of it as an inclusive word ~ everyone, not us and them...

Thank you to the 24 people that entered my giveaway! Using random.org, the random number generator selected #11 - Pamela

Congratulations Pamela!

Please email me with your mailing address and FOLK magazine will be heading your way...

And for those of you that didn't win, you can click here if you would like to subscribe, order a single issue, or even purchase the sold out premier issue as a digital copy.



I also had to share that in FOLK Issue March / April 2012 I was so fortunate to have my peapod pincusion featured on the Folk Life page with artists that I have long admired such as Brady Bears, Woodland Primitives, Lori Ann Corelis and Walnut Ridge Primitives! What an incredible honor!

So sorry for the delay in posting a winner, I have been under the weather with a nasty bug, so it is back to bed for me...

"It only takes a spark to get a fire going,
And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing;
That's how it is with God's Love,
Once you've experienced it,
Your spread the love to everyone
You want to pass it on."

Blessings, Patti

Are you FOLK? And a giveaway!

Are you familiar with FOLK magazine?

I was excited when I heard about it before the first issue was even published. and I found that the magazine did not disappoint. I love my fav primitive magazines - where the homes are totally primitive. I look at them and dream. But I know that I could never live that way - I love my prims and the history they bring, but I also love my modern day conveniences and electronics.

I feel like FOLK has that same mentality - a love of history, stories and connection and at the same time have their eyes on the horizon towards the future and hope. It is amazing to see their twenty-something take on the world and their passion, focus and ideals. One of their missions is "Pledge 2 Shop Local" - I love this! You can take a look at a preview of their next issue by clicking here. You can see that it isn't just a home decor magazine, but features fashion, recipes, stories and music - a little bit of everything, just like life.

On my side bar, you may have noticed that I have been published in a few of their issues. When issue 3 arrived at my door, I had returned home from a long rough day at work. I had submitted a few photos for the issue and I wondered if one had made it in. When I opened the front cover, I found this:
Right on page one was a full page of my photo from one of my favorite places on earth - a little channel on the Chippewa Flowage near Hayward Wisconsin. Many of my favorite memories with my husband and sons were right in this very spot. It meant so much to me to see it immortalized.

FOLK also has a blog that you might want to go and take a peek - you can visit it here.

If you haven't already guessed, FOLK magazine has been kind enough to team up with me for April's monthly giveaway. This month's winner will receive a one year subscription to FOLK. As always I like to keep it open to everyone, so either comment on this post or send me an email to pgagliardi9@hotmail.com with "FOLK" in the subject line. And tell me - what is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word "FOLK"?

I will use a random number generator to pick a winner on Friday night.

I'll leave you with a few of my favorite lines from the FOLK Manifesto:

"We take the road less traveled...

We are well versed in the terms "grubby," "primitive," "aged," and "make-do"...

And We try to always keep the little things in perspective and "Enjoy the ride".

We are FOLK."

Blessings, Patti

Fabric of a New Nation

Today was free day at the Art Institute of Chicago, so I decided to walk over on my lunch hour. I haven't been there for a while and there was an exhibit that I wanted to see:
I had thought that it was mainly going to be about printed fabrics, but oh my goodness - it was so much more! Samplers, quilts, bedcovers, woven coverlets! If only I could have taken them all home ;)

This sampler blew me away, under a quote from Ecclesiastes 12:1:

"Remember your creator in the days of your youth"

it states that it was created in 14 days in August 1838 at the Mount Tabor Academy!

Here is a peek at some of the detail:
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, Remember your Creator in the days of your youth,

Can you imagine stitching that entire sampler in 14 days?!?!

Another favorite of mine:

The water in the pond shimmered so realistically. The detail was stunning:

The water pump in the sampler above just touched me - I think it must hold significance to 12 year old Mary.

In the sampler below, you can barely pick out the two girls in the bottom right part of the oval:

Their faces are hand painted and barely bigger than the size of an eraser on top of a pencil!

The rug below was stitched and a predecessor to hooked rugs. I just loved the swans, sheep and deer.

Unfortunately, my photos of the coverlets, bedcovers and quilts were blurry. I had the micro photography on for the samplers and forgot to turn it off.

This exhibit runs through May 13th, so I am hoping to spend another lunch hour or two at the exhibit. I was so appreciative that they allowed photography in the exhibit! I tried to do some sketches while there, but was inspired by way too much.

I'm sorry if you are reading this post looking for my next giveaway, but I had to share this wonderful lunch hour spent at a lovely exhibit. My April giveaway will definitely be in my next post! Thanks for your patience!

Blessings, Patti

just in time ~ Happy Easter!

"Peter Potter" design by Notforgotten Farm

Finished just in time! I used an old grain sack for the background and old army blankets for the leaves and bunny. I ran out of natural cotton stuffing, so it is flat stuffed (very flat) and backed with a great antique muslin quilt top.
"March Hares" design by Notforgotten Farm

I love how old and muted this pinkeep looks. I had some great vintage faded blue rickrack that matched perfectly.

Wishing each of you a very Blessed Easter!
Christ is Risen!
Christ is Risen Indeed!
Alleluia!

Please stop by next week, I'll be sharing a very special April giveaway ~ open to one and all!

Blessings, Patti

Eggs

I've been wanting to decorate for Easter...

but my body, brain and schedule have not cooperated.
I have a collection of standing rabbits with baskets on their backs that I just love... but just didn't have the energy to unpack them.

I found that what I could handle this year and what I am enjoying are eggs - a sign of rebirth, a new beginning, life

My newest addition by Barbara Young of Turkey Hollow Folk Art.

And a few eggs of another type:

I unearthed my collection of darning eggs that had been buried in my crafting corner. And added an antique velvet carrot pincushion in a nod to the season :)

A little problem arose with my egg collection...

Our dear Orion (a miniature dachshund) thinks these are really balls for his personal enjoyment. All eggs are now safely displayed at least 24 inches above ground level :)

Blessings, Patti

April arrives ~ no fooling!

It feels like March arrived and left on a wisp of spring wind.

So quickly I almost didn't realize that it was here.

With the arrival of the new month comes the arrival of new offerings on TDIPT Mercantile.

Be sure to click on the link to see all of the lovely offerings.

When creating my offerings for the month, in addition to spring and Easter, I was thinking of how Easter is early this year. What decorations would I like to display after I take the Easter bunies down?

I decided to focus on April Showers.

(We've had two days now of April Showers, so the lighting for my photos wasn't the best.)

But those April Showers are so necessary to enjoy all the May flowers :)

I've had several inquiries into the Stacy Nash peacock pieces in the last post. These were from Stacy's Country Sampler Girls Club - The Country Sampler Velvet Sampler Bag - with the Country Sampler in Spring Green Wisconsin in 2009 and a class piece that she taught at another shop (I can't recall the name) in 2009. I thought that they made such a nice set.

"rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances."

~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Blessings, Patti