Thursday, May 28, 2015

My twist on that apron block...

Last week I showed you my early progress sewing the Apron (Kindred Kitchen) block which was shared as a free pattern by the lovely team from Fat Quarter Shop.
I'd decided to add my own little twist to this pretty block as I love the idea of personalizing projects so that they take on true significance in my life, and this being my Year of Gentle Domesticity the addition of a Scripture verse which spoke of my heart for homemaking seemed quite appropriate...
 I also added an extra row of grey pin-dot above and below the block to finish it as a mini quilt and to complete the project the final touch was a pretty fabric flower with vintage button centre...
I finished this sitting quietly yesterday, reflecting on Blossom's intimate 21st birthday dinner and the joy shared across the table with those whom she loves and who love her. 
I'll share photos in a few days, but right now I feel the need to hold them close and private for a little while longer. It truly was a beautiful evening, and we felt your prayers - thank you.

So as I let the memories of twenty one years with a precious young woman to love and nurture fill all the quiet corners of my thoughts yesterday, I hand quilted slowly...
...and created my own mother's birth-day gift to hang on the sewing room door and remind me of what Blossom remembers as being the most important thing I do.

"She watches over the ways of her household." (Proverbs 31:27)

May I never slip from that again as I almost did these past few years when work and income, technology busyness and emails, threatened to become more important than family, home, and God.
You see, I intend leaving a better legacy tomorrow than I have today.
And it's not about 'things' to pass down.

It's about inspired and warm memories of mothering & being a wife, gracious and steadfast love even when it hurts, every-day Faith, forever Hope, the constancy of a life lived with goodness of  heart and a humble spirit, a state of mind that is satisfied and at peace with where God has me and His reasons for that - even when I do not know them.

I'm not quite there yet, but these are my life goals now because I want my family to have a greater inheritance than my earthly possessions.

And all these deep thoughts began with a pretty apron block to sew and a birthday to celebrate.
You just never what God will use to teach, do you?


If you'd like to sew this block it is here at the Fat Quarter Shop blog, and if you'd like to make it as a mini-quilt and stitch Proverbs 31:27 onto the pocket as I have done you can download my template to trace the Scripture here.

Bless you heaps,





27 comments:

Christine M said...

Your little apron is beautiful, Jenny. xxx

Snoodles said...

Your apron and vintage button flower are lovely. The statement of your goals is more beautiful still, and echoes the sentiment of my heart. Thank you for putting into words the thoughts that I sometimes cannot bring out, but so want to share with my children. Grown though they are, I can still influence them for God, as they make their own path in this hectic world.

Createology said...

I can truly "feel" the love and spirit you have stitched into this lovely simple apron quiltlet. Family Love and Blessings are true wealth in this lifetime...

Jacqueline said...

Your fabric choices are always so pretty together. You have a gift that way. Thanks for sharing and God's strength in following your quest.

Karen B. said...

Oh Jenny,
it turned out so lovely!
Hugs,
Karen B. ~ Todolwen

the girlfriend gap said...

Beautiful words from a mama's heart. So many things to learn in this life. God Bless you for sharing your heart. We all need to be reminded of the things that are precious in this life. So glad to hear that the Birthday party was filled with so much love. Sending extra hugs for the Birthday girl cause you can't ever get too many hugs. Blossom is a beautiful young woman. Also a hug for the Birthday mama. : ) I Love the beautiful touches you added to your apron. Janita

Maria said...

I love the special touch you stitched on the apron..
Delighted Blossom and family had a wonderful evening to celebrate her 21st birthday.

Kaylee said...

Your version is gorgeous Jenny, I love it. It is perfectly finished with the pretty fabric flower with the vintage button. The verse is sweet also.

Baa. xxx said...

It's beautiful Jenny - beautiful!

Leeanne said...

Such a beautiful thing that is so much more than a 'thing'!!

Nanna Chel said...

Jenny, there is so much love in every stitch you made.

Jeanie said...

I just love that block, but the addition of the scripture and the little yo-yo make it so personal and special. Thanks for sharing your sweet apron!

Sharon said...

Beautiful quilt but even more beautiful thoughts. Thank you so much for sharing again. x

Angie in SoCal said...

Thank you, Jenny for voicing the sentiment that has been motivating me this year to downsize, de-stress and enjoy my family and my life more. Beautiful quilt!

Anonymous said...

There are lessons everywhere if we have ears and eyes to hear and see. I love that this block brought so much to you this past couple of weeks, and I love that Blossom and you are so close. There are blessings in the middle of every trial, if we look for them. Thank you for your warm, gentle post.

Nancy Jo said...

Sweet Jenny, What a beautiful and moving post. I love that you are holding your pictures and memories close to your heart privately to be filled with all the wonder and love of raising your beautiful daughter. She truly is beautiful and you two are so close that over the years I have known you (and Blossom in a small way) you have both been blessed with the bond held only between mother and daughter. Having lost my mother to cancer when I was just 26 I can still feel the void her loss left in my life as we too were very close...I share this only to let you know that I truly understand the love and special friendship you share. I do hold you both, and all of your family in my thoughts and prayers every single day. I hope you will give Blossom a big 21st birthday hug from me. I wait now with everyone else to see your pictures and hear some details you feel like sharing when your ready. But for now dear friend, you hold those amazing pictures and stories close to your heart and bask in the goodness of our blessed Lord and the knowledge that He holds us in His heart as He loves us all, every single one. Sending big hugs to you Jenny. And I Thank you for filling my heart and mind with thoughts and memories of my mom and some the special times we had. I watch the remembered moments like a movie in my mind and often with tears in my eyes, but not sad tears, they are tears of gratitude for being blessed to have had her as my mom and best friend... Nancy Jo

TerriSue said...

Very well said Jenny. Sometimes events are so precious we have to let them "gel" awhile before we can share them. Your apron turned out beautifully. I am going to have to ease up on my domesticity for a bit. Jim took me to the doctor today. I have a case of pleurisy, a bad flare up of my fibromyalgia and something that started with the letter cee that I had never even heard of. Then tonight as I was making dinner I got up out of my chair to get a spice from an upper cupboard, lost my balance, started to fall, caught myself and in doing so wrenched my back terribly. I don't know if it would have been better to fall. I have broken bones before when falling though so I guess a wrenched back is better. Keep loving on your Blossom. She is now apart of my daily prayers.

Fee said...

I can hear your heart speaking in your post Jen. Sounds like very sensible advice. Fee xxx

Anonymous said...

I love how you personalize everything...could you tell me what brand/designer the mini pin dot is? I sorely lack in basics for backgrounds and often times find myself reluctant to start something new because I don't know what to use...thanks...(hendrick.pj@tds.net) Peggy

Sherry said...

Another beautiful project. I appreciate that you share not only your creative talents but you share your heart and this post has been good for me to read today.

Martha Roberts said...

Lovely words. Lovely verse. Lovely sentiment. Lovely apron. All just simply lovely, Jenny. The little button is so fitting for this project. About to make a cup of tea, have a cookie, and reread Proverbs 31. Love to you, your Blossom, and Mr. E.

Anonymous said...

Dear Jenny: What a joy reading your blog today. Thank you sew much for all you share with us. I downloaded a copy of your block for the apron as well as the scripture. I can't wait to make one for my best friend and myself to hang in our kitchens. I look forward to your updates each week. You are truly inspiring and give us much to consider in taking care of ourselves. I believe many mothers forget to look after themselves as much as they care for everyone and everything else. We must remember to look after ourselves and find the special place and thing that makes us happy and and makes our heart sing. There are so many stresses in today's society one must find ways to relax and enjoy what each day brings us.

Christine G at yulece1957@yahoo.ca

Carla said...

What an adorable apron block. I love it.
thanks for sharing

LyndaTreen said...

Jenny, I am getting an error from Dropbox for the scripture verse. Is there another place I can download it? Love this and want to make it NOW!!!! Thank you....

Jenny of Elefantz said...

Lynda, there was a break in the link. I have just mended it, so try the download again. It should work fine now. :-)

LyndaTreen said...

I got it, Jenny!!! Thank you SO much!! I HAVE to be your biggest fan. You have taught me SO much about embroidery and you have also strengthened my faith in God. I pray for you daily and I thank God for you talent and your willingness to share. Thank you again.

Jenny of Elefantz said...

Lynda,honestly, I am so humbled that you pray for me...and I treasure your prayers. Thank you SO very much. xxx