February Mini Cloth Sampler from Elizabeth arrived! Yippee 2!

Pictured above is the mini cloth sampler from Elizabeth, my new swapper friend Elizabeth. Isn't the sampler the sweetest?
Things are coming up roses in our farm mailbox in February!

Oh my....just look at the notions she tucked in for a surprise. If you are participating in the 2015 Mini Cloth Sampler swap...you may receive some of them stitched into a banner if you are  the person who I mail to.

An artist can never have too many heart shaped buttons, ribbon and lace. She even tucked me in 'chocolate tea'...what a treat as I don't even know where to find it.
Thank you so much Elizabeth Q.!! It is a blessing getting to know you better and better.

Hugs!
Patty in Oz

February 2015 - Mini Cloth Sampler Swap (for May O.)

This month a heart theme for February ~ the mini cloth sampler I created for May O. Her name 'May' kept coming to my mind and I literally tied May's name into my stitchin' especially for her.  It's such a lovely name!

'Mayke new friends but keep the old.

One is silver and one is gold'.

Love working with my silver metallic thread! I must find and purchase gold metallic as I know it'll be awesome too. One thing about silver on white...silver isn't very visible in photography. 

Not certain what the red bubbly ribbon is called? Anyone know? My sis Mary gave me a bag of ribbons and there it was. Aren't sisters the best?!!

Gold heart button and silver trinket...

On backside of cardboard trinket...
my blogspot address was added. Sorry not a good photo.

Are you seeing double? Yes! Creating two of the same mini cloth samplers each month I participate in
www.aswapforallseasons.blogspot.com

 

It was more than the silver and gold thread that ties my heart to the new friendship with May O.

May is amazing. I'm loving mayking new friends like Elizabeth, May and of course stitchin'. 

 

May's BlogSpot ~ http://mayshappydaze.blogspot.com

Elizabeth's BlogSpot ~ coming....

Friendship is the 'silver thread' that ties all hearts together.

Happy heart month! You are loved.
Patty in Oz

AND TOTO, TOO: THE WIZARD OF OZ

This past weekend January 30 - February 1, 2015 I attended the
Walking in Wonder: The Ruby Slippers and the gifts of the Spirit Retreat
held at Spiritual Life Center
lead by Father Nathan Caste, O.P.

Father Nathan Castle is Author of the wonderful book
AND TOTO, TOO: THE WIZARD OF OZ
AS A SPIRITUAL ADVENTURE

In the coming week I hope to share inspiration about my retreat
experience on one of my other blogspots:
http://www.insightsofstwant2be.blogspot.com

In His love,
Patty in Oz

 

January Mini Cloth Sampler from Debbie arrived! Yippee!

 What wonderful mail received on Sunday! Thank you Debbie!! I was out of town over the weekend and worried about our unstable mailbox...plan to work on or replace it soon. The visit was really good...went to spend time with my sister Mary who has been ill.
The January Mini Cloth Banner you created for me arrived safely and I love it! The little shell shaped buttons are so sweet and the heart trim....it's so pretty.
Red is the color of January birthstone right?
It has been intriguing...every time I look, I discover something simply the sweetest!

The backside photo is as delightful as the front! A double sided banner. There are even little wooden hearts on the petite clothes pins. Precious.

 Debbie...Debbie...darling Debbie....she couldn't help add a little something extra and I'm thinking...maybe the ribbon notion may take part in hanging my banner. Maybe I'll wear it in my hair for St. Valentine's day. Really? Really. After all 'girls just want to have fun...all ages'.
How did Debbie know that I'm a 'heart' lover? Most favorite 'The Sacred Heart of Jesus'. I love all hearts and think about God's love...every time I see a heart whether it's a heart shaped cloud, hearts stitched or printed on fabric or paper...etc...

 Sunday was a double blessing day as I received Debbie's mini cloth banner gift and a beautiful thank you card/note from my new friend Elizabeth. The messages on the paper arts that Elizabeth enclosed in her letter, provide inspiration I need. Thank you both very much!
Friends, you make my heart smile! 

Heart felt thanks!
Happy stitching everyone and remember a stitch in time saves nine. Gosh I remember reading that cliche years ago when I was a young mother. Learned there is truth within the words.
Patty in Oz

January 2015 - Mini Cloth Sampler Swap (for Elizabeth Q.)

2015 Mini Fabric Sampler Swap 'A Swap For All Seasons'

Wishing you a wonderful new year 2015 blogger friends!

This year is going to be so sew much fun! I'm excited to be in aswapforallseasons 2015 Mini Fabric Sampler Swap. Just finished January sampler and now I'm day dreaming ideas for  the month of February.

It has amazing creating the January Mini Fabric Sampler using my imagination. I truly plan to be a participant in the next eleven sampler swaps. One idea to share..I'm planning to create two of the same Mini Fabric Samplers each month if I have time. One to swap and one to keep for the memory.  The colorful, interesting stash of so many interesting notions get to come out and play. Looking at fabrics onhand...and the possibilities take me to 'one of' my happy places. I'm smiling...the first January sampler is ready....so cute...can't wait to see if Elizabeth likes it.  After U.S. mailing, I'm sharing a photo for Linda to share with everyone on flickr. (I'll learn how that works....right now I don't have a clue).
 

'Another one of my happy places' is a favorite store Mrs. O'Leary's in Wichita, KS Old Town. (The most interesting Art venue offering classes, ideas and supplies that I've ever seen!) Visiting I feel like a little child in a candy store.... delighted to find just the right unique touches for my January samplers. No gluing is allowed....everything must be hand sewn. If you know me...yep...it's a challenge to put my glue glitter away (unless I can figure out a way to sew on glitter).

Pamela and Patty at Mrs. O'Leary's   12.23.14

Patty and Jeralynn   12.23.14

This morning I very much enjoyed visiting a friends blogspot which made my heart smile. Thank you Elizabeth!! It's so neat getting to know you better and you opened my heart and eyes both to want to follow your quest in seeking a simpler life. 
 

A simpler life for me is not being on Face Book. I am going to try harder to become closer to my beautiful family (many who live great distances from us) and friends...staying in touch.
 

Winter Sundays have been special.  If you want to be enlightened, inspired - watch  'Super Soul Sunday' on OWN with Oprah Winfrey. These last few months guests have and are outstanding!! They are all my favorites and it's helping me to get back on trek to living the life I imagine with authenticity.  Another inspiration is re-re-re reading Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach.  My good friend Karen gifted me at Christmas with one of Sarah's newer books titled 'Peace and Plenty' Finding your path to financial serenity. Pretty certain it's going to be a very good read as I can use help in that area for sure. And oh my...and I just began reading 'Eat - Pray - Love' by Elizabeth Gilbert. With plans to create inspiring cloth samplers and reading...my evenings are going to be awesome. My hubbie...a favorite company.
 

Enjoy your winter days ahead!

Hugs.

Patty in Oz

Altered book and a special gift for 2014 Christmas ~ Snow much fun!

Altered book for some little ladies at Christmas time.
"FROSTY'S  SNOWY DAY"

This altered book snow balled after purchasing two snowmen globes for our youngest grand daughters Lulu (Louise) and little Helen for Christmas this year. Papa shared years ago that snow globes are very popular at their houses...big or small...expensive or not...they love snow globes. 

The characters names in 'Frosty's Snowy Day' were replaced with the names of all our six grand daughters. I ran out lists of names on mailing labels to create my personalized stickers. 

One idea led to another and why not 'photos'? 

Little Helen and Lulu

Nicole (left) and Josie the (right)

Beth and Anna and Frosty sledding

It's going to be a challenge to keep quiet and let the little ladies discover they characters in this very fun meaningful story. There is a page where Frosty catches a little boy who almost falls through the ice while skating. Pieces of jagged cut plastic was attached resembling ice. Soft purple felt and silver glitter glue were applied carefully for a magical touch. A cloth ribbon is usually added to my altered book for safe keeping.

An altered jewelry stand for Marvelous Mary (my sis)
The stand fit perfectly into Mary's Christmas box for mailing last Tuesday.