Free study download and free stitcheries...

 

Back in late 2022, and through 2023, I shared a 16-part quilt pattern with my readers at that time, called The Virtuous Wife. It was a labour of true love, and included with each month's embroidery block was a Bible study on a particular verse we were stitching.

For those of you who are interested, I have finally made time to expand on those studies, whilst also adding more of them, so this has become almost a small book. Last night I wrote the final page, and went to bed happy and content, full of hope that this would be honouring to God, and a blessing to all of you who choose to download and use it. 

After completing the morning chores I went back to do a review of spelling and grammar, and was about to convert it from a document to a PDF file when I thought, "What if I added some Scripture stitcheries?"

And so, the next five hours were spent doing just that!

I wonder if you're like me and love to stitch from the Bible? It's such a gentle way to engrave the Word on your mind and in your heart. With the theme of this study being evident, I chose 7 short passages that described the character of a Bible-believing wife. 

Recently I decided that it would be lovely to hang framed Scriptures on the walls. I already have many of my Bible embroidery designs hanging in our home, and I do love them, but a wall of smaller framed verses would be perfect, and as this year one of my to-dos is to make over the living room and bedroom without spending any money if possible, this project will be a joy - and a bonus is that I have quite a few frames tucked away that can be used. If I need more, a quick trip to the op-shop usually provides what I require for a couple of dollars. 

So with that in mind I thought these little stitchery patterns would bless you, as well as me!

I do not mind if you share about this free study, but would just ask that you lead your friends to this blog post first, and they can download from here. I'd also love to hear your thoughts and discoveries as you read through the study, so I've made a new page on my website, specifically for Bible studies (because I shall be sharing more this year). You can go HERE to access that, or use the Bible Studies link under my blog header.  

I pray this blesses you. xxx

Use the link below to download the free "Proverbs 31 - the whole chapter"

DOWNLOAD

Other Things...

After completing the blue sashiko panel on recycled linen, my plan was to either frame it or use it as a cushion centre, but on Monday I gave the sewing room, which doubles as my study space, a thorough going over, and whilst mending a few things, realised I needed a good-sized square pincushion that I could fill with crushed walnut shells (that I save when my old pincushions have seen the last of their days)...and that lovely 6" sashiko piece looked just perfect. 

Now I've started a new sahsiko design, also on some recycled linen, but this is destined to become a placemat. We are in need of new placemats, and as our dining room is also our living room, it becomes part of the frugal makeover this year. My husband likes maroon (if you're an Australian you will probably guess what State of Origin team he barracks for) so I chose a deep maroon thread for the first one. 

I'm also stitching the next block in this year's free The Sewing Room BOM, but obviously I cannot show you yet...only eleven more days and it's yours. ;-)

In 2023 the free BOM I shared with my readers was The Virtuous Wife, and though I had sewn all sixteen blocks together, sandwiched the quilt top with batting and backing, and thread basted it...I had not yet quilted it. During my big clean, tidy and rearrange of the sewing room this week, I brought it out and decided it was time to quilt it, but as this is the tropics and we won't cool down for another 6 weeks or so when winter is almost at the door, it's too hot for hand quilting. So I did a bit of machine quilting, and within a short time regretted my decision. 

With the air con blowing around me, I sat the other day with my seam ripper and unpicked all the machine quilting, grateful I had only done a small section. Now it's waiting on my desk for cooler days when I can finally hand quilt it. 

Funny thing about cleaning the sewing room, you get enthused with ideas, most of them quite simple. There's a few pieces of fabric I thrifted about ten years ago, and haven't used yet, so when I was moving an old book I'd been re-reading, one of those simple ideas came to mind. 

Do you remember when I used some recycled linen to cover an old Bible and a journal? 

Well, I have a very old copy of The Simple Path, which was coming apart. It's a biography of Mother Teresa, and has always been like a compass for directing me back to what a sacrificial life lived for Jesus really is. 

I chose this pretty rose fabric to cover the book, and added my favourite photo of Mother Teresa to the front page. The fabric feels like cotton duck, but I can't be sure. It's good and sturdy though, so I also used it for lining the cover.  

I have a number of favourite books that inspire my walk of faith, this being one. Another is The Heavenly Man - the story of Brother Yun who was a Chinese leader of the hidden house churches, but is now exiled from China. 

The stories of Gladys Aylward, George Mueller, Jim Elliot, Oswald Chambers, Corrie ten Boom, and so many others who have lived for Christ, are used by God to teach me, to correct me, and to expand my view of what following Jesus may cost one day. 

Around home we've had more rain than ever, with the rain gauge needing to be emptied every morning, and that contributes to all my indoor activity! Which includes doing a deep clean of the kitchen on Tuesday, starting with the oven. I admit it is my least enjoyed chore in the entire house, but for some reason I thoroughly enjoyed it this week. 

Using bi-carb and lemin juice, the triple glass doors came up crystal clear. I cleaned the inside just with vinegar and water, which also worked well. The steel shelving inside was cleaned in the dishwasher, something I hadn't thought of before, but will continue to do from now on. I also clean the exhaust fan filters over the cooktop in the dishwasher too, and have done for years - which is what made we wonder about the oven shelves. Glad to have tried it. 

Responding to comments...

Dear friends, thank you for chatting in the comments! Most of you are 'no-reply' commenters, so I have begun responding via the comments section if I cannot email you. You each have a wealth of knowledge to share, and I find your experiences so interesting to read. I truly do enjoy hearing 'you' through your words, and not just having you hear me. Thank you. 

To answer a question that a few have asked recently - in my free Pantry Staples ebook (HERE) there were queries as to what Rice Bubbles are. That's what we call them in Australia, but apparently google tells me that in the USA they are known as Rice Krispies. Not sure what they are elsewhere, but here's a photo of our Rice Bubbles. 

And finally, I'd like to ask that nobody leaves a political comment on my blog posts. Now that I need to approve every comment before it is published, I can quickly delete political rants. My blog is for the homemaker, the sister-in-Christ, the quilter, the embroiderer, the baker, the gardener, the gentle friends, the encouragers...it is not a political platform for anyone. Thank you for understanding. 

Well, I am going to sign off now, and will pray for each and every one of you reading this. May the Lord use anything of worth from my blog and my writing, to bless you, to encourage and inspire you, and most importantly, to draw you closer to our dear Saviour, Jesus Christ. I also pray that if anything is unworthy that He will blind your mind to it, and correct me in His most loving Fatherly way. 

Hugs, prayers and love, 

You will find me on Instagram HERE @jennyofelefantz

And my NEW IG account just for homemaking HERE @elefantzhome

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Stitch my free 2025 block of the month 'The Sewing Room' HERE