…and Just Like That – It’s March!

Hey friends, welcome back! I hope everyone made it through the nasty weather at the beginning of the week without too much trouble. It certainly threw a fairly large and unwelcome wrench in the gears of well… pretty much everything in the area, including any kind of productivity whatsoever here at Primitive Gatherings. When you have the majority of your staff driving into a rural area for work from over a half hour away, things can get a little sketchy during the commute as I’m sure you can imagine. Needless to say, a weather system like that oftentimes results in much of my staff having to stay home until the plow crews have a chance to get the roads cleaned up. And of course, without staff it’s hard to run a business, so things had to come to a screeching halt for a minute there while we waited out the storm (much like the majority of the businesses in the area). The good news is the fickle weather has seemed to have passed for now, with only a few snow showers forecasted for the remainder of the week. Hopefully, temps will level out and stay right around 30º so Heidi and I can enjoy what’s left of the snow for a little while longer.

The nasty weather outside really shouldn’t surprise us considering it’s the first day of March – the month affectionately known for being, “in like a lion, out like a lamb.” Personally I’ve always though it should be, “in like a lion, out like Tasmanian Devil,” considering Mother Nature never seems to have her attitude anywhere near in check by the time April rolls around. In any case, not only is March 1st a sure sign that spring is on the way, but it also means St. Patrick’s Day is almost here as well! YES time is flying, if that’s what you’re thinking. I know it feels like we just got done setting up for Valentine’s day, but ready or not it’s already time to pull down the hearts and replace them with shamrocks and leprechauns.

If you’re lacking the proper décor to deck your halls with shamrock swag don’t worry. I have a couple of quick and easy projects perfect to give your living space a splash of Irish luck, just in time for the holiday! As always, one of my favorite things to recommend to make holiday decorating easy and fast are… you guessed it – pillows! You all know how much I love pillows. It literally takes next to no time to pull them off the couch and beds, and replace them with others that represent the current holiday or theme. There are so many cute designs to choose from, plus they’re usually fairly simple and quick to make. Pillows are seriously a no-brainer when it comes to décor that can be switched out in a matter of minutes. You really can’t go wrong!

The first project on my list is a pillow I call17.” 17 is a St. Patrick’s Day-themed pillow that’s done with wool appliqué on a cream flannel background (I used Emerald Herringbone and Mill Dyed Natural for the wools). This charming St. Patrick’s Day pillow is definitely designed to be easy and simple. If you or someone in your life is new to stitching or working with wool, 17is a great beginner project that can be done easily without a lot of time commitment. Finished size on this lucky find is 16″ x 17.” I recommend an 18″ pillow form so it turns out nice and plump!Have you ever noticed that I’m a bit infatuated with old-time trucks? I don’t know what it is about them but for whatever reason I’ve always appreciated the way an old pickup takes you for a ride straight back in time, simply by laying eyes on it. You know the type – they look as thought they were literally designed for a Christmas card! I’m sure you’ve seen them implemented into my pattern designs periodically, like my Fall Harvest Table Mat and my Live a Thankful Life Quilt for example. Of course, I couldn’t let St. Patrick’s Day go by without adding to the collection so without further ado, here’s my Loads of Luck St. Paddy’s Day pillow!

This simple yet adorable  pillow features a vintage truck filled with green shamrocks, all done with wool appliqué on soft flannel. This pillow is a nice size – not too big and not to small, measuring 14″ x 21″ when finished.

Looking for more than one pillow to show off? The Kiss Me pillow set is your solution! Combined with my antique inspired green and white quilt, these 16″ x 16″ square pillows will play the role of St. Patrick’s Day décor perfectly displayed on your couch, guest bed, or favorite rustic dining room table. The Kiss Me pillows feature wool appliqué on a wool background, with a homespun backing. As I mentioned, they look especially fantastic paired with my antique inspired green and white quilt, which measures 72 1/2″ x 72 1/2″ when finished. You can find everything you need to make both the Kiss Mepillows and my my antique inspired green and white quilt by clicking the button below!Nothing says St. Patrick’s Day shenanigans quite like leprechauns do… except gnomes! I couldn’t let St. Patricks’s Day go by without a gnome project to go with it, so here it is! My Gnome Shenaniganspillow is yet another cute addition to my holiday gnome series featuring  wool appliqué shamrocks on soft, cream flannel. When finished it measures 14″ x 16″.

Having fun yet? If hanging décor is more your style, check out these adorable St. Patricks’s Day Irish Blessings hanging banners! Measuring at 8″ x 10″, these sweet little wool appliqué projects are sure to brighten any room. They can be hung on the wall or displayed using a wood stand or clipboard, making them a great choice for decorating in limited space. The best part is, you can chose from a light or dark version of this project. Personally I think you should go for it and just get both, LOL!Lucky Charmis the St. Patricks’s Day banner I made for my on-going holiday banner series last year. I especially love these for holiday decorating because they are not only easy to swap out for a quick change up, but they’re also really easy to store and take up almost no space to display.This one is done with cream flannel and wools including Emerald and Hunter Green. Finished size is 11 3/4″ x 11 3/4.” If you’re familiar with the series, you may already haveBelieve in the Magic,” “Reindeer Camp,” “Love Each Other,” “Fall Harvest,” and “Happy Easter” in your collection. If not, you can find them all available on our website!

Next up, mini quilts! Because who doesn’t love mini quilts, right? I think they’re great because aside from being downright adorable, their petite size makes it possible to make several in a short amount of time. My, Irish Chain Mini Quilt is a perfect example. This quilt measures 16 1/2″ x 16 1/2″ and only requires one thread color, making it a nice little project if you’re looking for something a bit less complicated.This next quilt is a floral mini that was designed based on a vintage hankie I found at a thrift store. Primarily green, the Dogwood Days Mini Quilt ticks two boxes for March décor because it works for both St. Paddy’s Day, and the entire spring season overall. It measures at 16 1/2″ x 16 1/2,” which makes it a great little table mat or hanging decoration any time of year.How’s that for a start? Hopefully out of all of that you at least got your creative juices flowing. If not, you better get moving – we only have two and a half short weeks until the big day! If St. Patrick’s Day isn’t your cup of tea hang tight. I’l be covering more ideas for spring décor as the season gets closer, so keep an eye out for that!

Well friends, I just noticed it’s starting to get dark outside so that’s my cue to get moving in the direction of home. Just a quick reminder that even though we were already LIVE last Monday due to the crazy storms we’ve been dealing with, I’ll still be LIVE on STITCH with Lisa Bongean tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. CST on my YouTube channel where I’ll be covering upcoming events, any shop news for the week, my “Blue Hawaii cruise project, American Pennies,” Wool Collection Boxes, and more! Click the link below to watch and I will see you there!

All Things St. Paddy’s Day!

Multiple Green ShamrocksAre you ready for St. Patricks’s Day? I am! I love to decorate my home throughout the year with things I’ve designed myself, and St. Patricks’s Day is no different. This year I’ve come up with a couple of new projects perfect to give your living space a splash of Irish luck, just in time for the holiday! Let me show you what I’ve got lined up for you!

You all know how much I love pillows. They make decorating so much easier! It literally takes next to no time to pull them off the couch and beds, and replace them with others that represent the current theme. There are so many cute designs to choose from, plus they’re usually fairly simple and quick to make. Pillows are seriously a no-brainer when it comes to décor that can be switched out in a matter of minutes. You really can’t go wrong!

17 is a St. Patricks’s Day pillow project I designed for my upcoming March retreat, Hello Spring.Done with a cream flannel background and wools including Emerald Herringbone and Mill Dyed Natural for the appliqué, this “charming” St. Patrick’s Day pillow is designed to be easy and simple. If you, or someone in your life is new to stitching or working with wool, 17is a great beginner project that can be done easily and fast. Finished size on this lucky find is 16″ x 17.” I recommend an 18″ pillow form for this one.

Lucky 17 Pillow with cream flannel background, green wool shamrock and cream flannel 17I’m infatuated with old-time trucks, which is why I’m totally in love with my, Loads of Luck St. Patty’s Day pillow! This simple pillow features a vintage truck – much like one we have here at Primitive Gatherings –  filled with green shamrocks, all done with wool appliqué on soft flannel. This pillow is a nice size – not too big and not to small, measuring 14″ x 21″ when finished.Pillow with Black Vintage Truck Filled with Green Shamrocks and Shamrock Pillows with the words, "Kiss" and "Me"Looking for more than one pillow to show off? The, Kiss Me pillow set is your solution! Combined with my antique inspired green and white quilt, these 16″ x 16″ square pillows will look stunning displayed on your couch, guest bed, or favorite rustic dining room table. These festive pillows are done on a wool background with a homespun backing. As I mentioned, they look especially fantastic paired with my antique inspired green and white quilt, which measures 72 1/2″ x 72 1/2″ when finished. I like my pillows nice and plump so I used an 18″ pillow form for these.

Of course I couldn’t let St. Patricks’s Day go by without a gnome project to go with it, so I’d like to introduce my brand new, Gnome Shenaniganspillow. This cute addition to my holiday gnome series is done on cream flannel with wool appliqué.Three gnomes in a row with shamrocks

If hanging décor is more your style, check out these adorable St. Patricks’s Day, Irish Blessings hanging banners! Measuring at 8″ x 10,” these sweet little wool appliqué projects are sure to brighten any room. They can be hung on the wall or displayed using a wood stand or clipboard, making them a great choice for decorating in limited space. The best part is, you can chose from a light or dark version of this project. Personally I think you should go for it and just get both, LOL!Green Hat with White Shamrock Hanging Banner - Dark version has black background, light version has white background

Lucky Charmis the new St. Patricks’s Day banner I made for my on-going holiday banner series. I especially love these for holiday decorating because they are not only easy to swap out for a quick change up, but they’re also really easy to store and take up almost no space to display. This one is done with cream flannel and wools including Emerald and Hunter Green. Finished size is 11 3/4″ x 11 3/4.” If you’re familiar with the series, you may already haveBelieve in the Magic,” “Love Each Other,” and “Fall Harvestin your collection. If not, you can find them all available on our website. I am also working on one for Easter which will be ready soon, so keep an eye out for that!Square hanging banner with 8 Green ShamrocksNext up, mini quilts! Because who doesn’t love mini quilts, right? I think they’re great because aside from being downright adorable, their petite size makes it possible to make several in a short amount of time. My, Irish Chain Mini Quilt is a perfect example. This quilt measures 16 1/2″ x 16 1/2″ and only requires one thread color, making it a nice little project if you’re looking for something a bit less complicated..

Green Shamrock stitching on dirty white background

This next quilt is a floral mini that was designed based on a vintage hankie I found at a thrift store. Primarily green, the Dogwood Days Mini Quilt ticks two boxes for March décor because it works for both St. Patty’s Day, and the entire spring season overall. Up until now, Dogwood Dayswas exclusively for retreat guests and not offered for sale to the public, so I’m happy to say it’s now available to everyone! It measures at 16 1/2″ x 16 1/2,” which makes it a great little table mat or hanging decoration any time of year.Green mini quilt with white, gray, and black flowersIt’s not exactly traditional to exchange gifts for St. Patty’s Day, but sometimes I like to surprise someone special with a little springtime pick-me-up. Our St. Patricks’s Day Vande Walle’s Caramels are just the ticket! Jess put together these cheerful St. Patricks’s Day themed 1lb bags just in time for March 17th. They not only make great gifts, but they’re also a perfect excuse to treat yourself as well (just ask everyone around here)!

I would absolutely LOVE to get a St. Patricks’s Day gift put together with any number of these goodies. Our St. Patricks’s Day wool bundle and, Happy Go Lucky” Graphic T make excellent additions to a gift basket or bag as well. Don’t get pinched on St. Patty’s day for not wearing green! Multiple green and light colored wools, caramels and a green graphic T reading "happy go lucky"

Alright folks. That’s about all I have for now. If you’d like to listen to me go through these St. Patricks’s Day items one by one, you can watch the replay of, Stitch with Lisa Bongean LIVE on YouTube by hitting the link below! I hope you’ll tune in next week for my next LIVE show coming up on Thursday at 1PM CST. I’ll be talking all about my current works-in-progress along with some projects I have on the drawing board. As always, leave me a comment for a chance to win a prize! Tell me what’s in your future project plans. What are you working on? What would you like to see me working on in the future? Let me know! See you all soon. ~Lisa