Truly finished!

Inspired by "Home is Where the Heart Is"

design by Bonnie Sullivan

Wools by Primitive Gatherings

After finishing "Patiently Waiting" , I realized that I had quite a bit of wool left from the kit from Primitive Gatherings. I have a side table in our family room that I like to put a smaller table mat on. So I set to create a final robin piece of the season.

A few posts ago, when I showed my finish of "A Patriot's Sampler", I had intended to share another finish. I photographed it and was adding it to my blog post when I discovered... my robins had no feet! Yikes! Luckily I was cheating on calling it a finish, as I hadn't backed my table mat yet. So I pulled out some pearl cotton and stitched on their feet. Then I went ahead and backed it right away.

Now it is truly finished! And I am enjoying it on the side table next to my usual stitching spot.

Be sure to take a peek and comment on my last post to be entered in my June giveaway. I'll be picking a winner on Sunday.

"They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people."

~Acts 2:46-47

Blessings, Patti

* Birds & Berries *

"Nest"

Primitive Gatherings

Well, the real baby robins haven't hatched yet, but the needlework ones have :)

"Nest"

Primitive Gatherings

I loved this design so much that I had to create it twice. After doing it full size, I wondered how it would look if I shrunk the pattern and used a different background fabric. I'm happy with both results.

Chicago has been in a heat wave this week and the strawberry patch is ripening early.

I love everything about my little patch and it brightens my heart.

Each morning as I leave for work, I take a peek and see how everything is progressing.

Last year's crop from my little patch weighed in at 13 pounds 9 ounces.

Judging by how things are progressing so far I think we might beat that harvest this year.

I've pulled out my red velvets and red wools and have gotten busy creating.
My TDIPT offerings for June 1st will all have a strawberry theme.

I'm thinking some really aged and worn primitive strawberry emeries...

Maybe even a few green unripe berries as well...

Before you know it, we will be having our strawberry smoothies each night after dinner...

Blessings, Patti

Robin Redbreast

I love robins ~ they are my absolute favorite bird (although I have a soft spot for wild turkeys as well :) I'm not sure what it is about them ~ they seem like such a "homey" bird ~ sweet and motherly, not flashy. And I anxiously await them each spring.

For the first time in the 15 years that we have lived in our home, a pair of robins have decided to make their home here as well. Their nest is right outside our mudroom window, although you need to crain and strain to get a glimpse out of the window...


I don't know who was more startled to see who!

Each spring I celebrate the robins return by decorating my home with images of robins... This lovely painting is by Suzanne Davis of Peartree Primitives.

I love this old wooden breadbox painted by Chris Robinson. The sentiment states my thoughts perfectly...

This spring, I've added to my collection:

Isn't this robin family just amazing?!?!

TDIPT sister, Audrey Baker of Bay Ray's Child created this incredible piece.

The detail is just amazing. I expect Mama Robin to fly away at any moment...

And those sweet little babies...

Audrey also created these other robins a few years ago.

Another new addition for me this spring is this incredible mohair robin perched on an antique victorian wire basket turned pincushion. It is the creation of Cathy Pendleton of The Cheswick Company.

Some creations that I've created myself. The little nest pillow is based on a design by Maggie Bonanomi. Here's the original design:

This was created in a Maggie Bonanomi class a few years back at the Country Sampler in Spring Green, WI.

Another Maggie Bonanomi class creation from Spring Green. I can't recall what color the bird was supposed to be, but of course I had to make it a robin :)

I never thought of adding pennies & patches to the bottom and the tongues, but loved the way it turned out.

It's a busy piece, but I love the colors and pull it out every year when the robins return.

It's time to add a new robin creation this year. We especially need to celebrate the robins making a nest right next to our "nest" :)

Here it is in progress... not sure how I will finish, but I will be sure to share when I do!

"When a robin cocks his head

Sideways in a flower bed,

Does he hear the tiny sound

Of a worm beneath the ground?"

~Anonymous

Blessings, Patti