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

A Quick Trip that took us far away...

 

A few weeks back, my sister and I took a quick half day trip up to Waukesha, Wisconsin to "Just a Little Bit Country". We had been up there last fall and thought it was time for another visit.

 

This preserved 1850's Wisconsin Homestead is situated right on a busy highway.

But step on the property and you are transported to another time...

On this visit, we took the time to have lunch on the homestead at Jack's Café.

This building may have been the pig barn at one time, but now it is an incredible period tavern.
You can read more about its history here.

The inside was lovely, but the day was so perfect, we had lunch on the porch enjoying the views and the breeze. The food was delicious and for an hour or so I thought I was on vacation and didn't want to go home :)



 

*sigh* all decorated in prim perfection.

 

You can read and see more about this homestead on my post last year - just click here. 

 

And I couldn't help but share this little wiener dog - Orion always puts a smile on my face :)

 

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

~Phillipians 4:8-9

 

Blessings, Patti

Dog Days of Summer

 

"Country Sampler Freedom Needle Book"

design by Stacy Nash for Country Sampler Girls' Club 

 

After a taste of autumn for a few days, the dog days of summer have returned ~ upper 80's to low 90's with high humidity. Yuck. I am ready for autumn weather.

Since the dog days have returned I decided to finish another summery patriotic piece.

 

I didn't really tweak the front, but in my hands every dog becomes a dachshund.

I wonder why...

 

Don't let us disturb you Orion.

Now why would you want to sleep in the sun when it is so hot and sticky?

 

I did tweak the back of the needle book:

 

The back was solid linen, but I thought it needed something ~ so I repeated two motifs from the front.

The inside which was just solid cotton, became a showplace for a few antique fabrics:

 

A heart from a precious bit of antique linsey~woolsey holding a few old pins and needles.

A patch of an antique coverlet.

And a flag from antique ticking and antique calico.

 

Here's hoping the heat and humidity will let up soon, as I am itching to do some woolwork :)

 

"Praise be to the Lord,
for he has heard my cry for mercy.
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him."

~Psalm 28:6-7

 

Blessings, Patti

 

p.s. Thank you ever so much for all of the kind words about our friend. It is greatly appreciated! There was a tremendous turnout for the funeral with almost 50 cars in the procession to the gravesite including a bus. May he rest in peace with our Heavenly Father.

Ups & Downs

 

This Labor Day weekend had more than its share of ups and downs.

On Sunday, we received a call that a dear friend of ours had passed away on his 52nd birthday.

He wasn't feeling well, decided to lay down and take a nap, and then he was gone...

 

 

His wake was tonight and was further proof of the incredible man that he was.

His wife and college age daughter were so strong.

He was such a good friend to so very many.

He was a phenomenal cook whose bbq and baked beans will always be remembered.

The ultimate host at any gathering, big or small.

 

Less than an hour after we received the call, our family was on the way to a visit with my SIL, Joy, and her family. It was just what our hearts needed.

Family time in this beautiful and peaceful surrounding.

 

A garden of Eden in a suburban backyard.

It felt like we were far away from the troubles of the world.

 

Bailey,

 

Aleah,

 

and Dixie were also so wonderful in calming our saddened hearts.

 

Joy and Garry have such a knack for creating a beautiful garden.

Just love these glass insulator mushrooms

 

 and candle holders. These "mushrooms" are on croquet mallet handles - how clever!

 

 

Inspiration everywhere.

 

I was also lucky enough to receive a wonderful parcel of belated birthday treasures from someone who knows me so well! An old sugar sack with a faded sugar bowl printed on it, some wonderful little tags, a great wool ornament, some hand dyed velvet and

 

This wonderful little packet that I am happy just to hold - pieces of an old quilt, old buttons and safety pins and two old skeleton keys. All waiting for the day when I can part with them and use them to create something new from  old treasures.

 

 "Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment."

~Matthew 9:22

 

Wishing all a healing heart.

 

Blessings, Patti

~*September Offerings*~

 

Summer is waning and signs of autumn are starting to appear. Although the temps lately definitely have been more like the dog days of summer.

My first offerings is October 31 Pillow. This Halloween pillow is based on a lovely design by Aunt Polly’s Attic. This cross-stitched piece features hand-dyed linen and floss that has been gently aged. It is accented with a coordinating homespun flannel and rickrack and is backed with the same fabric. As with all of my creations it is completely hand stitched. It measures approximately 5 inches tall by 10 inches long and is accented with a little antique key and a few black safety pins. It is perfect for propping in a cupboard or lying in an old wooden bowl.

October 31 Pillow is offered at $30 plus shipping.

 

Harvest Moon Fob is a design by Nan of Threadwork Primitives.

I stitched this design “over one”. It measures approximately 2 by 4 inches. It is filled with crushed walnut shells for weight and is edged with a sweet vintage cotton baby ricrac. The antique skeleton key is included, but can be removed if you would prefer to use it as a scissor fob for your favorite sewing scissors.

Harvest Moon Fob is offered at $22 plus shipping.

 

I am also offering two older pieces for sale this month. I have displayed the pillows together in the past and love the bittersweet and turquoise color combination. These pillows were made by two different people at two different time, but go so well together.

Early Autumn Basket is a design by Ewe and Eye and Friends stitched by me in 1995. Some things just don’t go out of style. This piece features eyelet stitches, satin stitches and glass seed beads. The pillow measures approximately 6 by 11 inches. It is signed and dated by me.

Early Autumn Basket Pillow is offered at $30 plus shipping.

The companion wool appliqué pillow Crow and Sunflower was stitched by a friend. It features hand dyed wool and accent stitching.  It measures approximately 6.5 by 12 inches.

Crow and Sunflower Pillow is offered at $20 plus shipping.

 

 

A close up of the detailed stitching on Early Autumn Basket Pillow.

 

If you are interested in purchasing anything you see here, just send me an email at pgagliardi9@hotmail.com .
~*Please note that "Harvest Moon Pillow" pictures above is sold.*~
I can send a paypal invoice or I also accept checks and money orders. 
If you would like additional information and/or photos, just send me an email as well…

Wishing you all a Happy Labor Day!

 

Blessings, Patti