Thursday, January 21, 2021

The Homemakers Heart magazine issue 1...

 

Hello lovely friends,

What a journey it has been to bring this new digital magazine to fruition, both within my heart and in the practicality of preparing and writing.

I think over the past year our generation has been drawn back to home in a way we previously may not have considered - as a place of security, comfort, retreat, creativity, sustenance, relationship and gratitude.  

I began my own journey to expand on, and share about, the joys of the gentle domestic life back in 2014 right here on the blog and can honestly say that during the ensuing years since that first gentle domesticity post was published I have fallen more deeply in love with my role as a homemaker and wife. I have drawn so many times on the memories of childhood, raised mostly by my grandparents in their tiny three-room flat, oblivious really to the wealth of homemaker knowledge being lived and worked out right before my eyes. Many are the moments when my heart yearns to go back and thank Nana for the simple life skills she taught without intention, skills which to her were part of the everyday rhythms of life and yet to me today are treasures to ponder, re-learn and cherish.

The Homemakers Heart magazine is fruit from Nana's legacy in my life, and also a celebration of the many wonderful women who have lived, and now live simple lives in humility, kindness, encouragement and a deep abiding faith in He who provides for each of us.

Jesus told His disciples "freely you have received, freely give" and that verse has long been carved on my heart. He was sending out His disciples to be His hands and feet within Israel, to preach what He had taught them, to be His example in a needful world. (Matthew 10:5-8) I'm very conscious of all the Lord has done in my life, of the blessings and gifts He has bestowed on this quite unworthy woman who did not embrace Him until her early 30's - and as a designer I've tried to give as much as possible whilst still making a living (the Proverbs 31 woman is a wonderful example of this)...but now I want to give in a slightly different way. 

My heart has always longed for a peaceful voice to soothe and calm my active mind and over-abundant adrenaline problems and for almost thirty years the Father has occasionally brought across my path godly women who became mentors and encouragers when I needed them most, all the while drawing my eyes to Jesus and away from themselves. 

The Bible tells us we are not to stay babies in the faith, but need to eat the solid food of Scripture and grow strong from it, maturing in such a way that by our own example we become a light for Christ and a voice of hope in a world gone mad. I'm not an evangelist, not a missionary, not a preacher...but He did gift me with the ability to write and design, and stirred my heart with the deepest desire to encourage women of all ages, social backgrounds and beliefs, to embrace their homemaker heart and build strong values and rhythms within their walls. Women are nurturers by nature, and often we think of that in the sense of raising babies and young children - but a nurturing heart has no expiry date. We are to nourish and nurture all the days of our lives, and we are to encourage and help each other along that path day by day.

I hope to publish eight issues of The Homemakers Heart this year, each one a FREE gift to you, dear homemaker. Use the link below to download the first issue.

DOWNLOAD Issue One - The Homemakers Heart

I'd really appreciate your feedback (just leave a comment on the blog) and I welcome letters pertaining to any of the topics and projects inside each issue, from which I shall choose a few to  publish in subsequent issues of the magazine. 


You can easily save the magazine to your computer or a USB drive, read it that way or print it from home, a library or through an office supply store. 

But if you have a tablet or iPad did you know you can download the magazine to Kindle or Books and read it that way? You'd still need to save the file to your computer or a USB drive for printing the pattern sheets at the end (if you are making the projects) but just for reading and saving each issue through the year this is a wonderful way to do so.

Send the magazine attachment to yourself via email after you have downloaded it to your computer. Open the email in your Ipad or tablet when it arrives and click on the PDF (see below)...



The magazine will open up for you and in the top right corner you will notice the 'forward' icon. 


Click on that and scroll through the options until you come to Kindle or Books.

Choose the one you want to save the magazine to. In Books it will stay in PDF format and save quickly.

In Kindle you will be asked for permission to change the format from PDF to Kindle and if you accept then it will take a little while to come through but will then be available in your Kindle app (though you may need to click sync in the settings first). 


I downloaded the magazine using Kindle and Books and both worked perfectly. 


I do not have a tablet, only an iPad, but I'm assuming it has similar options to download the magazine and keep it on your tablet as the Kindle app is free and available to all. 



Before I go today there's a few last minute things to let you know. Subscriptions to my new block of the month "Simple Days" closes on January 24th and will not open again until 2022. The BOM runs for 9 months and arrives at your email inbox on the 25th of the month as a very detailed PDF file.

Use the link below to sign up by the 24th or read more about it. 

GO TO SIMPLE DAYS




I would greatly appreciate it if you did not share The Homemakers Heart magazine electronically with your friends, but instead give them THIS link to the magazine webpage where they can download the magazine themselves, or simply share my blog post, FB or Instagram posts about the magazine on your own social media platforms because that helps spread the word even further.

Well, I tell you I am completely written out this week and plan to go heat up some Shepherd's Pie for lunch, settle down with some afternoon stitching and watch another episode of Home Fires on Acorn. 

I'm currently stitching the Wednesday pattern which you'll find out about inside the magazine so you better go download it now...

Bless you HEAPS!
hugs


42 comments:

gail said...

Well Jenny, what can I say, “you’ve excelled with this magazine. I’ve just browsed it quickly but look forward to sitting quietly this afternoon and reading it thoroughly. The little stitcheries are so sweet. and I will be certainly using those. Bless you for your generosity in producing this and may many ladies find it encouraging and helpful. Blessings Gail.

Beth said...

BEAUTIFUL!!! So much in there!! What Katy Did was also one of my favourite books growing up.

Angie in SoCal said...

Thank you so much. I've downloaded it and look forward to reading it slowly page by page and not miss any of it.

Joanne said...

Hi Jenny,
Good morning :) A beautiful blog post today :) Homemakers Heart is in the air !
No problems downloading Hoemmakers Heart on my laptop. Just " flipped through" it..it's gorgeous!
hugs,
Joanne

Lin said...

Thank you Jenny - off to download now. xx

Kay said...

Thank you for the lovely magazine, it is so kind of you to share all of this with everyone. I was just thinking about What Katy Did the other day, it was one of my favourite ebooks as a child and I still have a copy which I am planning to read very soon. As we are in lockdown I am re reading old favourites at the moment instead of being able to go to my favourite charity shop to stock up on new to me books. I love decluttering but sadly my husband isn't of that persuasion so I always feel there is so much more in the house that I would like to get rid of to have more space, less clutter. I love to read but just over a year ago I decluttered all of my books and literally gave away about 50% to the charity shop, I only kept my absolute favourites which I know I will read again more than once. However my husband has books which he has never read for the the whole time we have been married (nearly 25 years) and he thinks he might read them one day so they stay. I alway light a candle at the dinner table in the evening, it just makes it a more magical time. I buy cheap simple ones and they look lovely. Have a lovely day. x

Janice said...

I’ve just had a very quick browse and your magazine is so beautifully presented. I look forward to sitting and having a proper read.

celkalee said...

Dearest Jenny, you are truly a blessing to me. In the midst of a very difficult week, your words, your generosity, and your creative spirit have given me a respite. How has our world been so misguided that we are always stressed? I have vowed this year to let go of all the grief that I cannot abide and leave the everything else to God. With your help, that is a reality. Thank you again, I will share a link to your blog on my Facebook page and in the little blog I write. Bless Your Heart and Your Lovely Family!

Pilarín said...

Enhorabuena por el nuevo proyecto de la revista!! Tendré que esforzarme un poco más con mi inglés. Creo que es un buen motivo.
Besos desde España,
Pilarín

Mary Beth said...

Jenny:
You are so kind. Your words are balm to the soul, your projects a delight to the eyes. I think God bought you into my life at exactly the right time as I retired just before we were shutdown because of the Pandemic. Your projects have inspired me to take up stitching again, and I've even expanded to designing my own stitchery (for personal use). It's been a huge blessing to quell the anxiety.
Thank you so much for the beautiful Homemakers Heart Magazine. I look forward to reading it in my spare moments these next weeks.
Mary BEth

daisydilly (vicki) said...

Thank you so very much. I enjoy reading your blog and seeing those adorable grand babies. I also thank you for all those free projects you supply.

Cynthia said...

What an amazing gift this is! A heartfelt thank you!!

Tammy said...

Jenny this is amazing. Just what we need a magazine for women to encourage, support teach, and beautiful free designs to stitch. We all need support as women, mothers, sisters, friends, crafters , etc.. Thank you for such a wonderful gift to fill such voids for us ladies. You have put an amazing amount of hard work and love into this magazine and it truly shows. I'm gonna share your link Dear
I absolutely love this magazine. Thank you so much

Shelley E said...

What a beautiful magazine. Lovely photos and thoughts. It is truly a work of love and I thank you for adding some sunshine to my day!

Susan said...

Downloaded it with no problem. Looking forward to being able to sit down and make my way through it. Thank you.

Bobbie said...

Jenny, thank you for the words you have passed down to us, they are well received in this household. I would also like to thank you for your generosity in free patterns that you share with us. May God continue to bless you and give you good health and strength to continue your journey.

Kelly P said...

Oh, I love your new magazine! We have walked similar paths. I grew up in a broken family, and I was put in a parenting & caregiving role young. Longing for wisdom, I turned to Jesus to guide me. He has never failed me. One month per year, I spent on my grandparent's farm, stepping back in time. They lived simple lives that restored my soul. I looked to them to teach me essential skills & a joy-filled lifestyle compatible with frugal means. Like a flower, turning to sunlight for nourishment, I encouraged them teach me every skill possible while together. They were wonderful moments, and my spirit grew strong & capable. My grandmother taught me to bake, sew, quilt, embroider, crochet, & garden care. She taught to run a home business; so, at age 8, I began my own sewing business & made money to supply the physical needs of both myself & brother, & I continue to add to my own family's meager income today. Grandmother & her friends allowed me to join their quilting circle, where we exchanged patterns & fabric, life lessons, prayers & recipes. I relished that companionship. With grandfather, we took idyllic rambles, spying deer in swirling mists & owls on their night hunts. He taught me appreciation for God's creatures & abundant blessings. We watched wildflowers sway in the breeze & birds twitter about an ancient forest. Grandfather taught me to renew my spirit daily, to seek peace & joy in meditative thought, to forgive & let go, & to enjoy each small natural wonder; so I stored them all in my hungry heart for future reflection. We spent evenings reading, embroidering, or playing checkers by lantern light, always savoring our time together. That training sustained me each troubled year of emotional upheaval with my family. It prepared a straight & narrow path for me to not waver from -- not just as a child, but for all my life; because I still know so many agitated people who are unable renew their souls. I daily gird up my spirit & lean on the gentle skills I learned. In my daily walk with Jesus, I seek to express appreciation for His bountiful mercy & sustaining gifts. I tell you this, because your blog posts, bible quotes, Christian designs, & new magazine, take me back to those idyllic days & are a tremendous balm to my soul. I add your favorite bible quotes with mine into my treasured prayer journal, & quietly reflect & revel to my soul's delight. I am most grateful to you, sweet Jenny, and feel that we would have been friends if we we didn't live half a world apart. In my thoughts & daily prayers, I imagine us walking in your lovely garden, enjoying the birds at your feeders, or enjoying a cup of aromatic tea, warm scones & bible study together. I imagine you enjoying my precious grandmother's garden. Sigh. I hope to one day meet you in heaven where we can enjoy God's greatest gift of salvation and eternal life, and I can then thank you personally for your great blessings. -- I hope you view my response as the huge compliment I intended, in response to your well-written word/pictures & wise advise. A few moments reading your blog, & I am then ready to face my next daily challenge with joy in my heart, & sincere gratitude for the life you live & share so freely. May God continue to bless you & your family daily, & grant you an abundant measure of health & happiness. Fairfarren Jenny, may your spiritual enlightenment travel to women far & wide, under fair skies, to receptive hearts. You are a blessing.

sam said...

Oh Jenny. This is so marvelous. I glanced through and stopped to read a few portions. Can't wait to sit and slowly digest the entire magazine. It is so beautiful. And just what we need now. I plan to print it and save it in a binder. Thank you so much. Blessings to you and family.

Susan said...

Thank you so much, Jenny. It is always lovely to have your voice leading me in a more righteous way. Did you know that if you have a Kindle (and I do!) you can upload the magazine .pdf directly to it? There are directions on Amazon. I appreciate all you do for us, and all that you share of your grandmother for our homemaker selves.

Robin in New Jersey said...

Thank you, Jenny! Your new magazine is lovely. It reminds me of the one you did years ago. I printed them out and put them in a binder which is on my bookshelf. I also have a binder with many of your patterns. You are a very generous lady and I am thankful for you!

Joanne said...

Hi Jenny,
Homemakers Heart is beautiful! So much love and kindness and creativity combined makes it a joy to read :) The photo's and text come together perfectly as I scroll through the first magazine of 8 ! Another 7 still to come. What a treat we are in for this year ! Thank you! Have a great weekend ! Simple Days next week :)
Hugs,
Joanne

Farm Quilter said...

Love Homemaker's Heart! Thank you for the recipes and the patterns...the magazine is saved on my computer!

Grace said...

This is lovely! Thank you so much for sharing your learned wisdom and pretty patterns with us. God bless you!

Cynthia Arneson said...

Jenny, thank you for a beautiful magazine! I can see you as a child watching your Aunt making the jam tart. Such sweet memories! I may search through my linen trunk and look for some napkins that could use some pretty stitching in the corner; thank you! I'm looking forward to your next issue. Cynthia

Sharon Aurora said...

Oh, Jenny, it's wonderful! I always look forward to your posts on this blog and now you are offering this beautiful magazine. You have no idea what a blessing your words have been to me and I know I will enjoy reading your magazine. Thank you so much.

albirginia said...

Gracias por tu generosidad Jenny!Haré una carpeta para consultar futuros proyectos.Saludos desde España y salud para toda su familia. Cuidense!

JES said...

It is absolutely beautiful! I am needing to fix my printer but after that I am going to print it out in its entirety. Just lovely and everything I crave as a homemaker 🤍🤍🤍

Carla Fiedler said...

Lovely! Thank you very much!

Anonymous said...

I have been following your blog for a while now and absolutely love it. Your newsletter is wonderful and am looking forward to more of them. Thank you for sharing so much with us. Paula in Kansas

Erica said...

Thank you Jenny, it's beautiful!!!

Christine M said...

Thank you for your new magazine Jenny. It is such a lovely read. xx

quazymama said...

I enjoyed every moment reading your new magazine. It brought back wonderful memories of my childhood and my Grandma. Thank you for all your hard work. It is a joy to read.

MissPat said...

Jenny, I would love to take a look at your new magazine, but your site shows as "Not secure" and therefore I will not download from it. I am not a blogger, but I understand that this is a simply change to make by changing a setting that makes your site https. MY technology skills are inadequate, but if you do an online search there appear to be many places to get directions for your particular software/browser. I wish you luck with your new endeavor.

Kathy T. said...

Such a lovely magazine. I love hand embroidery, but I have never mastered it. I even failed when we did it in Home Economics back in High School (a long long time ago lol). I love your idea of "walking the room", and it is just the thing to get me started on what needs to be done around here. I've been in my house almost 22 years and have such an accumulation of just "stuff" and am quite overwhelmed at where to start. Thank you for a tool that helps me start!

Jenny of Elefantz said...

Thanks Pat. All fixed now. Bless you!

Mimi said...

Lovely, lovely, lovely Jenny. A joy to read. Mimi xxx

Pink Rose said...

Hi Jenny i enjoyed your magazine so much thankyou for sharing so much with us ,take care my friend xx

Stitches of Time said...

Jenny thank you so much for the first edition, I love it and your generous gift of all the patterns xxx

PKBrandon said...

Hi Jenny,

You have come such a long way. Who would have guessed? I connected with you years ago and you helped me start my own blog (which has been deleted). congratulations!!

Becky Slack said...

Hi Jenny, Your magazine is wonderful...I love every minute of reading it and looking forward to making some of the items in it....I don't know if you remember me...I was the one having difficulty downloading the patterns I bought from you...I think they are still out there in cyber space ...I wanted to say the patterns are wonderful...I've already stitched two of the four I bought....thank you for being so kind and patient with me...more than your designs, I love the fact that we are Sisters in Christ...it always warms my heart....may God bless your endeavors in this magazine....Becky Poisson

Jenny of Elefantz said...

Hi Becky! Joyful news to know you're enjoying the patterns! Bless you. :-)

Jennifer said...

Hello! I've just come across your blog and your new magazine through Jes @ Strangers & Pilgrims on Earth blog.
I very much look forward to reading your blog and your magazine. So much of it makes me smile!