Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Block 8 and something new to share...



August is almost upon us which means it's time to share the next pattern in this year's block of the month, and as you can see, pears feature in this design. 
I'm rather fond of pears and collect ceramic and glass ones, but I also have a gorgeous cross-stitched sampler pear a lovely blog reader sent me a few years back, a wooden pear covered in crochet and buttons from a friend, and a large framed Scandi style cross-stitch pear made by another friend. 




Now, when you're tracing this design onto your background fabric I suggest you follow THIS tutorial which shows you how to stitch a lazy daisy petal/leaf without drawing the entire shape.




The pattern includes numbers for all the embroidery threads I used in my block but before you rush out and purchase them just stop for a bit and consider what colours feature in the quilting fabric you're going to use when it comes time to border the blocks.




In December we'll bring all twelve blocks together as a quilt and the final display will be so much sweeter if your embroidery threads have been chosen to blend with your quilt fabrics.

Inside each month's pattern this year you'll find the full list of materials required to make the quilt and stitch the blocks.



The pattern will be free until August 31st and afterwards become a $2 purchase when the next free block is released.




If you've followed along with my Elefantz Facebook page for a while you may have noticed it's disappeared, and that's because I made the decision to delete it. 

Being a business page I began to feel quite restrained and limited in what I could share on it, though nudging 10,000 followers it was indeed a good platform for sharing photos and information about new patterns. I'd worked hard for a number of years to build that following but over the past twelve months or so have found the constant bombarding of Facebook to buy advertising from them quite wearing. 

From the occasional pop up and promotional email from them it had now escalated to a few each day and my mind could not get past the fact that the Elefantz Designs page was predominantly business focused. To be honest I'd felt a nudge from God for a short while encouraging me to close it down but had held back because of all the effort I'd given to building that following, however, once I made the decision it was easy to follow through because I had a bigger picture in mind.

My heart is all about encouraging women to live their lives with gentle grace, to be contented homemakers whether they stay at home or go out to work, to explore the domestic arts for pure delight and to live lives which celebrate 'joy in the ordinary'.  

Though I do design embroideries for a living and need the income my pattern sales supply, I feel my greater calling at this time of life is to encourage women of all ages and walks of life to be content in their own lives, in their own skin and in their own homes, to believe in themselves, to be kinder to themselves and to choose grace, mercy, generosity and kindness over bitterness, doubt and pride.

I am far from perfect myself and have learned many life lessons the hard way, in fact I'm still a work in progress, but I know the joy which comes from choosing the higher ground, being humble, forgiving others, taking personal responsibility even when it hurts, whilst also remembering to cherish myself and take time out for rest and reflection, prayer and praise. 
So after waiting 14 days for Facebook to permanently delete my business page I have now set up a personal blog page in it's place. 
Every day I intend sharing encouragement, hope, fun, ideas and whatever else catches my heart that may be of interest to you. This is not a group, it's a personal page, and I'd love for you to follow along and share your own thoughts about each day's topic because you inspire me.


Here's a few other links you may like to check out if you're new to my blog or designs.




The Stitchery Club

Pattern Shop (all PDF downloads)

Tutorials

Helps on embroidery and sewing supplies





I'll be back blogging more regularly again now that the house hunting is over and our move is not till September, plus I have plenty to share with you - tutorials, cooking, homemaking ideas, sewing, articles and more.
In fact, sweet Blossom has written a letter to you from her heart and I think it will bless us all so look for that next week.

In the meantime, gather those threads, choose fabrics and open a fresh pack of needles because you have your free August block to stitch!

hugs and blessings


12 comments:

Jacqueline said...

I have always only followed you on your blog. So I won't miss your FB.. LOL Glad to hear that you are reducing that stress in your life.

Allie-oops Designs said...

Good for you, dear heart. I hate those ads. Love the August design, thank you!

Nanna Chel said...

Jenny I have never gone over to the dark side i.e. Facebook. Some friends of mine call it the 'dark side'. LOL! I love your blog as it is very encouraging and pretty too.

Jenny said...

I have considered closing my Facebook account out but I'm home alone, or with a baby, so much of the time. It's how I stay connected on a daily basis to family far & near. Even my grown children message me or send pictures throughout the day through Facebook messenger. So I know it's full of things that are frustrating & they are a business trying to make money. I'm just glad we can still use it for free. The advertising is a small price to pay in my book for the connections I keep through them.

daisydilly (vicki) said...

Thank you for the pattern. I love pears too . Will certainly follow you on Facebook.

Simply Ann said...

Thank you Jenny!

ellieshomemadehome.blogspot.com said...

I don't 'do' Facebook as I love blogs. I am so glad you got sorted out for buying your home and can't wait to see all the loveliness you will share with us, take care :) x

Liselotte Johansson said...

I`ve just find your blog. Your pattern is really nice. I love the August pattern.

Susan said...

It's a beautiful block, Jenny, thank you. You bless us all with each post you write, and I'm glad you are doing what's best for you. FB is one place I can't follow you, but I do on IG, which is all I do other than blog. As you know, there have to be limits in life, and that's one I've set. As it is, IG takes up more time than it ought to. =) Thanks so much for the friendship and guidance and inspiration you offer people.

Ondrea said...

I actually remembered to hang my August mini up this morning. I still love hanging your designs up every month. It is good to hear that you are winding down a bit, focusing on things that are more important to you and the things that are more effective for your business.

Mimi said...

Dear Jenny, I have a secret group on FB, attached to my blog. It's a nice way of having an ongoing conversation with the blogging friends I've made. And being 'secret', means that my friends can contribute without those contributions appearing on their own timeline. I think we all prefer that. It's a lovely little group. Just another option. Yes FB are pushy! A beautiful block today. Love, Mimi xxx

KingsailK said...

Thanks Jenny,I have now told my young daughter Megan about you,she got married last year at 23,abd is making her own home now.I am delighted you found your home!.Our ways are not His ways!Blessings!