Happy Halloween!

Do you remember these from years ago?

I sure do! I was so tempted to buy one on a recent day of antiquing, but I refrained...

I finished this mug rug from a Missie Carpenter pattern using Halloween fabrics 

that I bought at Yellow Creek Quilt Designs.

I love Missie's technique for finishing the back!

When decorating my house for Halloween, I realized that I did not have a single Halloween table mat.

How could that possibly be?!?! I have lots for autumn, but not specifically for Halloween.

Luckily I have a pattern or two in my stash and Mom was here to help!

We did a little color planning.

Then tested out two different background colors.

Mom was such a help and cut out all my pieces!

In no time at all, it was completed!

Just in the nick of time!

"Halloween Pumpkin Mat"

by Buttermilk Basin

It is so hard to take photos during the week this time of year.

It is dark when I leave in the morning and dark when I get home at night...

But you get the idea :)

Thanks Mom for all the help!

I have some great news to share.

Mom has finished radiation treatments and is now back home and ready to create another edition of Pennies from Heaven. She'll be back in a few months for some follow up appointments. Maybe she'll be willing to work on another joint project - this time I should help her with one of hers :)

Happy Halloween!

Blessings, Patti

Osage 2017 ~ Part 5

Next up are a few gifts from the heart...

Our Bittersweet Stitching Sister, Carla was kind enough to share her talents with us.

She taught a little class to make this sweet snowflake garland!

Thank you so much Carla!

I just love mine!

Here you can see the details a bit better.

Carla suggested the perfect place to hang it!

We all made these wonderful wings a few years back with Maggie Bonanomi at Boxwood & Berries.

Mine is hanging on an original window from a Victorian house down the street.

I garbage picked it a few years back as all the old glass panes were still intact!

I think that the snow flakes really complete it!

Thanks Carla!

Nicki shared a gorgeous bookmark with each of us.

It's a real lamenated leaf!

I love how it is set off by the leather cord and wood beads.

Wendy tried something new this year - dying!

And we were the lucky recipients of hand-dyed linen and floss!

She also shared an antique butter pat dish from her family with each of us.

We all are going to display it in the same finish, but I have to finish my project first so I can show you :)

And if this wasn't enough, wait until you see what Carla made for each of us!!!

I am over the moon!

Can you believe this project bag?!?!

Right now I am admiring it as a work of art, but maybe some day I'll work up to actually using it!

I forgot to include the matching needle book in the picture :)

This is one very special bag! The bittersweet fabric is by Lori Brechlin of Notforgotten Farm for Spoonflower and the original drawing is by Michelle Palmer - one of my favorite artists!

Oh and I forgot the scissor pull is a tiny acorn charm - oh my!

The bird and bittersweet, the needle and thread and our group name! Be still my heart!

Thank you dear Carla for this absolute treasure! I am beside myself!!!

I will have one more post for our trip and that will include my traditional little trip giveaway.

I'll be back soon!

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.

~Ephesians 5:8-10

Blessings, Patti

Osage 2017 ~ Part 4

So with a week at the wonderful retreat center at The Stitchery Nook,

What did we work on?

My focus was working on Maggie Bonanomi's "Bountiful"

from the 2016 Country Sampler Boxwood & Berries event.

I didn't finish it, but I did make a lot of progress!

Still hoping for a finish before Thanksgiving.

I also made some progress on Maggie Bonanomi's "Autumn' Choice"

from Country Sampler's Girls Club 2016.

I decided to add veins to the leaves using Rustic Moire Wool Thread so it is taking a bit longer.

Nicki shared her progress on this wonderful hooked rug - design by Ewe and Eye.

And another Ewe and Eye design in progress and hooked by Nicki.

Linda is working on this stunner!

Where the Cows Come Home

design by The Cottage at Cardiff Farms

and kitted by Calico Hutch Quilt Shop

WOW!!! Is all I can say and it is even more stunning in person.

I have to share close ups of some of my favorites.

Who am I kidding?! They are all favorites! 

The fabrics and wools are all so perfect for the design.

Most aren't stitched by Linda yet, but merely fused and they are already gorgeous!

*sigh* You just want to walk into the scene.

Don't you love those teeny tiny sheep?!

And wait until you see what one single Bittersweet Stitching Sister accomplished in less that a full week!

Kim put the binding on this gorgeous 1930's style feedsack fabric quilt.

Here is Kim with her sweet Halloween quilt that she also put the binding on.

Just in time to enjoy this Halloween!

These cute needle punch designs are now all uniquely mounted and ready for Kim to hang up.

And would you believe that Kim also finished all of these sweet pinkeeps and pouch?!

Way to go Kim!!!

I think that you have set a new Bittersweet Stitching Sisters record of most finishes at a single retreat!!!

Congratulations and enjoy all of your wonderful new finishes!

I think I have a post or two left from out trip and then my traditional trip giveaway...

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

~Ephesians 5:1-2

Blessings, Patti

Osage 2017 ~ Part 3

The Bittersweet Stitching Sisters decided to take a day trip up to Minnesota to visit this shop - long on my bucket list.

Such an inviting front porch!

Do you know where we are?

Calico Hutch Quilt Shop

in Hayward, Minnesota!

There is so much to see in this large and roomy shop!

Quilts galore in all styles and genres.

It was arranged beautifully with quilts models on top, then wool applique and mini quilt models, with kits immediately below and bolts of fabric on the bottom.

So much to see that it is hard to take it all in on just one day.

Of course I loved the wool room!

There were many designers that were new to me.

You can see more of The Calico Hutch Quilt Shop here and here.
The Calico Hutch Quilt Shop has been around for 30 years and I can see why!

And here are my treasures that went home with me.

We also took a fun side trip to Zumbrota, Minnesota.

All in Stitches was housed in a wonderful old building - filled with quilts in bright and cheery fabrics and patterns.

They also had some wool.

I  loved the old building with its exposed brick walls.

And I found two patterns here as well.

We all agreed that Linda bought the best deal of the day! She bought this wonderful quilt model at Calico Quilt Shop - ready to take home, display and enjoy!

Congratulations Linda!

Next I'll share what we worked on while in Osage...

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
~Galatians 6:2

Blessings, Patti

Osage 2017 ~ Part 2

Whenever we visit Osage, we always look forward to our day at Ewe and Eye.

The happiness begins as we pull in the driveway.

You feel at home immediately.

Especially when you are greeted by this fella on the door.

He made me smile :)

Then the inspiration really begins.

Where to look first?

Maybe the wool

And there's even more wool on this wall.

Or the rug hooking designs

Or finally the cross stitch

Can I just say that the large sampler bag stitched with wool thread was absolutely stunning!

How many times did I look at that kit trying to decide...

And the fellowship was wonderful! Catching up and sharing what we are working on... 

I think Marge and Beth liked the little boxes that we gave them.

All too soon our wonderful day was over, but first the garden beckoned...

I just had to say hello to the scarecrow lady and her ginormous pet crow who never bothers her garden.

Thank you Marge & Beth for a treasured visit.

I'll have to settle for following you on Facebook until we meet again.

It is impossible to leave their shop without any wool lol!

And the hand dyed velvets - oh my!

They had Rebekah's Merry Mittens kitted so that was a must have.

And I loved these patterns too.

I couldn't decide between the two wools for the bunnies, so I bought them both ;) I'll decide later...

Next I need to share a new adventure that we took one day...

My salvation and my honor depend on God;

    he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

Trust in him at all times, you people;

    pour out your hearts to him,

    for God is our refuge.

~Psalm 62:7-8

Blessings, Patti