Back home again...

I'm home.

Refreshed, and pondering the things the Lord shared with me over the past few days.

Time away with Him was exactly what I needed.

I made sure to enjoy the greenery that surrounded my little cottage...

 

...had some lovely long walks along the very wet and windy beach...

...ate very healthy...

 

...and stitched to the glory of God.

I enjoyed the drive, both there and back, and the freedom to walk, think, sleep, sew and read at my leisure.

It was an adventure to be sure, but one with a purpose.

The Lord provided the answers I needed, and in the process graciously lifted a burden from my heart.

I was reminded over and again that His promises are true and eternal, so the first thing I did when I got home was to make up my Promises & Borders BOM quilt  from last year as one large free pattern download for those who haven't seen it, or made it, but would like to.

If you stitch one block, or the entire quilt, you'll be stitching His perfect promises not just into fabric, but into your heart.

There are 10 embroidered blocks with 9 Bible promises in this quilt pattern.

You can download the full quilt with all blocks in one PDF file for free HERE.

Tomorrow I'll have another special Bible stitchery to share with you, but for now I am going to prepare a meal with love for my precious husband.

hugs

Jenny

xx

Just a reminder...

Moving house is underway from today, with a lease signed and keys handed over at lunchtime.

Tomorrow and Sunday will be the big days, with all the heavy work of loading and unloading being left to Mr E and Sam. My side of things will be the unpacking and re-housing all our stuff to places I can find them. 

Blossom works all weekend, so she is off the hook. 

I was musing today about our 19th move in 21 years, and looking for a positive to stir me on during the hardest and most tiring part of relocating. Come dinner time it hit me.

No cooking for a few days! \o/

Of course, once we're fully moved in, I am ready to immerse myself in kitchen duties again. I can only handle take-away meals for a short time before the novelty wears off. ;-)

***

Occasionally I get emails from new blog readers asking about last year's free BOM, 'Promises & Borders'.

I thought I should remind everyone that this BOM is permanently *free* to download!

Visit my FREE DESIGNS page here.

***

I hope your New Year is a blessing in more ways than you can count.

As for me, I am beginning a few adventures...

The final block in my free Promises & Borders BOM!

The final block is done!!
I know I'm sharing it a day early, but I don't think you'll complain about that, right?

I wanted Block 10 to be the final word in my quilt, a verse that made a natural end to the story the quilt holds.

Proverbs 3:6

 

 

 

 

The quilt top is pieced and waiting to be quilted and bound...

You can download the final block and the assembly instructions HERE.

I hope you've enjoyed this BOM as much as I have. 

God bless!

Hugs

Jenny

xx

Block 9 of "Promises & Borders"!

Yes, I am a day early this month!

You see, after a wonderful day out on the bike with Mr E, I have succumbed to a head cold. My nose is doing a wonderful impression of a dripping tap right now, and I have a sinking feeling that the next few days will see me laid low. 

Therefore, I thought I'd share Block 9 of my free BOM for 2012, "Promises & Borders" a day early.

I love this verse, and as it is such a simple and straightforward promise, I thought a simple border would be perfect.

James 4:8

You can download Block 9 HERE on my free BOM page. 

*****

I get a lot of emails asking me how I stitch wording to look as though it's been hand written. 

Well, first of all, let me say 'thank you' for all your sweet compliments on my stitching. You are all very kind.

Let me encourage you, now!

Anyone can stitch wording well. Here are my tips...

* Use just one strand of thread in a colour dark enough that the verse can be read.

* Sew with tiny stitches. 

* Don't rush your stitches. Most of the untidy backstitching I've seen had been made by people who are rushing through their embroidery and doing larger and larger stitches so they can finish quicker and start on their next project. 

* If you want a project to look lovely, take your time with it.

* If it's not looking good, UNPICK it. Seriously, I do not hesitate to unpick a stitch that's too long, or hasn't stayed on the traced line. It's worth it in the end!

 Look at this one I've done below to show you how untidy a stitch can be when it's not made in the same hole as the stitch below. (Click on the photo to enlarge it)

I unpicked that stitch. 

When I made the stitch again, I made sure my stitches all understood they must share their entry and exit holes. Now the 'w' has lovely curves!

*****

So basically, it's as simple as this. When you make a backstitch, you must return the needle to the same hole you made with the previous stitch.

You must not have any gaps between each of the stitches in a letter...

...and you must keep your stitching right on top of your traced line so that when you finish, all you see are the neat stitches flowing together.

I hope that has helped those who asked. 

*****

Now, it's time to take my box of these...

...and go to bed with a good audio book and some hand sewing.

Hopefully this head cold will pass quickly, as I want to enjoy the next two weeks with Mr E home on holidays.

Hugs

Jenny

xx

Block 8 of Promises & Borders BOM!

It's that time again, the day when I share another block in my free 2012 BOM, Promises & Borders!

This border is probably my favourite so far, and the verse is extra special too.

The heart and bow are significant this month because less than three hours ago our Blossom touched down at Heathrow Airport in London to begin a whirlwind adventure with someone she has been email buddies with for five years. 

The heart is because we love her...

 The bow is a reminder that she is tied to us always in that love, even when far away...

 

The mother bird watching above is me, praying over my Blossom every day, and trusting God will never leave us nor forsake us. 

Download Block 8 HERE.

If you have trouble downloading please email me and I will send it to you as an attachment by return email.

~~~~~

Here are photos taken of our girl minutes before she boarded the plane...

 

And here are the dynamic duo keeping her bed warm while she is away...

How will I manage with my Blossom on the other side of the world??

Therapy...

(Those who know me well, will tell you I am not much of a fabric purchaser, but this is big therapy and chocolate just wasn't enough!)

Hugs

Jenny

xx

Block 7 "Promises & Borders" BOM...

Thank you for all the love, compassion, and especially the prayers, you have offered since I shared of my dear friend Pam's death last week.

Please continue to uphold her family this week as the funeral draws near, and afterwards as they make the painful adjustment to life without their beloved wife, mother, daughter, and sister.

++++++

Promises & Borders 

Block 7

"A promise is a promise..."

What a fitting block this month, in light of Pam's passing from this momentary earthly life, into the fullness of life eternal with our Lord. 

Pam held fast to all God's promises, and knowing that His word foretold of the life to come for all those who trusted their lives to His Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, she is now reaping the fullness of that promise.

That is the significance of this block. It's a reminder that even though we break our promises, God *never* breaks His.

This block runs across the width of the quilt, under rows 1 and 2.

 

Block 7 can be downloaded HERE.

If you have trouble with the download, please leave a comment with your email address, or email me privately,  and I will send it to you.

Hugs

Jenny

xx

Block 6 of Promises & Borders...plus a sneak peek!

How are YOU today?

It is Sunday down here in the Southern Hemisphere, and I have been out all day long with Mr E on our bike! The skies have been heavy with rain the last few days so it was a complete surprise to wake up this morning with bright sunshine and not a cloud in sight. We haven't been for a Sunday ride the last few weeks, so this was not an opportunity to be missed. 

Home now, and totally exhausted, I have been madly finishing the PDF file for block 6 of my "Promises & Borders" BOM for you...

Psalm 18:2 - a verse that is so powerful it gives me goosebumps!

 

 

  

You can download Block 6 HERE.

 If you're new to my blog, the pdf files for the first 5 blocks, and the fabric requirements for the finished quilt design, are listed for download in the left-hand sidebar.

 ~~~~~

The next part of the quilt design is the long 3rd row. Last night I was praying about it and the Lord blessed me with the inspiration I needed. It's drawn up now, and traced on fabric, ready for me to start stitching. I am loving this BOM! 

~~~~~

Next month's issue of Elefantz HOME Magazine is the "Kid's Issue". 

I have been toying with a child's quilt design for the last year, and in this issue I will bring it to life.

The quilt has a gorgeous feature block...

The quilt is based on one of Robert Louis Stevenson's children's poems.

Can you guess which one??

~~~~~

In 2010 I designed my first Robert Louis Stevenson quilt, 'Miss Molly Moo', based on his poem "The Cow"...

 

As a bonus, I am also adding this quilt pattern to Issue 13 and removing the pattern from my Shop.

~~~~~

Another design in Issue 13 is this cute applique and stitchery block that will feature in a nappy (diaper) bag...

There'll also be two guest designer projects in Issue 13. You will love this magazine! 

Subscription information can be found HERE.

~~~~~

My sewing room is up and running after a very long night, but this week I need to refold fabrics in the shelving, and sort through things I don't use any more. So the photos below aren't exactly how the room will look in another week or so...but it does give you an idea of what I have been able to fit in there.

 

 

 There is so much light now! I'm so glad Blossom and I swapped. :-)

Oh, and here is a photo she took of us inside a 'frame' we made from my cutting table when the glass was out of it. She took the photo from our reflection in the wardrobe mirrors when the room was empty.

I stood behind her and just poked my head around her shoulder. This is a keeper for sure...

Isn't it lovely?

~~~~~

Have a wonderful week ahead!! 

I am catching up with my friend Wendy for coffee tomorrow, and then Tuesday I am finally off to have my cardiac stress tests. Youch.

Hugs

Jenny

xx