The 3rd project, and a finished sampler!

Sometimes I don't really like the way one of my designs turns out.

Sometimes I want to scrap the project and start over.

Sometimes I do just that.

But most times when I feel dissatisfied, I put the project away for a few days and work on something completely different. When I pull the project back out two or three days later I see it with new eyes and then excitement builds again as I add my 'Jenny' touches, and eventually I fall in love with it.

This has taught me perseverance, and also helped me not to waste fabric, time, and effort.

This month, I struggled with a design for Issue 14 of Elefantz HOME.

I designed my set of four 'Faith, Hope, Love and Family' stitcheries to sit inside four Dresden blocks, but after I made the 'Family' stitchery into a cushion....

...I just couldn't find inspiration to make another three Dresdens.

My plan was to use them together in a table runner, and I had all the Dresden blades cut and stitched already, BUT, my creative heart was heavy and quite un-enthused about the project.

So I put it aside and worked on finishing that ABC sampler!

Two days passed, and inspiration struck. I put aside the Dresden blades - they can be used at another time - and drew up a completely new design. I was in love, and couldn't stop stitching until it was finished!

 

This is my Happy Table Runner.

It is 14.5" x 33" - perfect size for my table, and hopefully yours!

 

 

Do you like it?

This is the third new Elefantz project for July 29th's magazine.

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And a first for me - I am selling kits to make this project!! 

If you're a free newsletter subscriber, you'll be the first to hear about them later this week. If you haven't yet subscribed to my free newsletter, you can do so by putting your email address in that little box near the top of the right hand side bar.

Occasionally I share free designs, so it's well worth subscribing!

I'm selling kits for the Dresden 'Family' cushion cover too. :-)

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Now, back to that sampler. It's done!!

I wanted to fill in the 'O' because it seemed too open, and Allie suggested I add my own sweet shabby roses, so I did! (thank you Allie-girl!)

I also added my initials and the year. Next step is to frame it - I think a washed out blue would be nice, but I will have to see what my little budget can afford. 

 

 

I love making samplers. Do you?

I have designed three samplers of my own over the last couple of years, and enjoyed stitching them all!

First there was the Rose Cottage Applique sampler...

 

 Then the Rose Cottage Stitchery sampler...

 ...and the Little Houses stitchery sampler!

For the next week, I am selling the set of all three sampler PDF patterns for just $5 AUD! (about $5 US)

If you'd like them just click on the Paypal button below.

I will email them to you within 12 hours, depending on where in the world you are. :-)

(Please use a valid email address so the patterns can find their way to you)

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Yesterday I had coffee with my friend Wendy, and she had this gift for me from her recent trip to Brisbane. She saw the elephants and immediately thought of me...

And you know what? The notebook doesn't just have elephants on the cover!
It is all made from Elephant poop!!!

I'm all for recycling...really....but....
It gave Mr E a good laugh. ;-)
Hugs
Jenny
xx

A stitchy weekend...

This unseasonal wet winter for the tropics has had us all feeling a tad uncomfortable. We're not used to humid days in our lovely winter. 

On Saturday it was far more comfortable to stay indoors and stitch then wander outside in the wet humidity.

I am so close to the end of the sampler!! Just need to finish the Z, and add something to the O ('cause I think it's too open - probably a few little flowers would bring it to life)...

 

Taking a wee break from the sampler, I spied this gorgeous free design on my friend Allie's blog!

Within minutes I had printed up the pattern, reversed the applique pieces (because I chose to blanket stitch applique and Allie had needleturned hers), and scrounged through my scraps box to find some vibrant fabrics to create my own version.

This became my Saturday afternoon & evening project. All I had to do on Sunday night was stitch down the binding...

 I love those little clouds behind the poppy!

Thank you, Allie, for this gorgeous design!! 

If you'd like to make this free design of Allie's too, just visit her blog HERE for the pattern.

~~~~~

Mr E and I did not go for a ride this Sunday, as our retiring Ulysses club president, Anthony, was moving to Cairns and Mr E had volunteered to help load the removal van. 

It was a lovely cool morning, perfect for the guys!

Helene issued tried to issue instructions to them, but they did the bloke thing and told us both to head inside for coffee and leave them to it...

I think guys bond when they do heavy men-stuff...ours certainly laughed and joked a lot between the muscle  work.

 

Sunday afternoon and we were back home again when Kezzie and the boys arrived for a surprise visit. Silly me forgot to take photos! Just let me tell you that I hugged my grandsons soooooo tight cause I don't see them as often as I'd like and I want them to know their nana loves them very much! :-)

Kezzie, Blossom and I left Mr E and Bert to amuse the boys awhile because we girls have secret planning business that I am not going to tell you about just yet. Can you see my cheeky grin? ;-)

Wonder if you have any ideas??? 

~~~~~

Back in the sewing room this morning, I finished the second project for Issue 14 of Elefantz HOME Magazine!

This is what became of the dresden block I showed you last week....

 

 

Do you like it?!

Now I am going to use the remaining three stitched circles in the third design for this coming issue...

 What would you make with this trio of stitcheries?

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In case you missed photos of the first design, it is this framed stitched block, "Roses & Daffodils"...

 

I wonder what you're stitching this week? Well, whatever it is, enjoy every stitch!

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

Fresh stitching...

I've found great comfort in slow and methodical hand embroidery this last week. It's so natural to my fingers that I can lose myself in thoughts and prayers, whilst still bringing needle and thread to life.

Mostly I have worked on this sampler, and as it's not my design, a whole part of my brain has been left to rest and simply enjoy the stitching of something lovely...

 

Only five and half letters left and it will be ready to frame.

Do you find hand stitching soothing to your soul?

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A project for  the next issue of my magazine has all the embroidery done...

 

 

...and other projects are traced or appliqued, and ready for my waiting fingers to stitch.

 

These will be so pretty, and I know you love pretty things as much as I do!

~~~~~

I've also made some projects for other magazines that will be published later this year, but I'll only show you sneak peeks of them.

This one is for Patchwork & Stitching...

...and this one for Australian Country Craft & Decorating.

~~~~~

On our ride to Cooktown last year we got to know a really lovely couple, Anthony and Helene. They are Kiwis, living here in Australia for a few years, and members of our local Ulysses Club - in fact Anthony was our Club President until last month.

Sadly, they are leaving us to move to Cairns. Boo hoo. :-(

Last weekend they came for dinner, and though Helene is not a stitcher, she took great delight in looking over my sewing room and some of the things I've made...

Helene told me that Anthony's twin sister Vickie is a quilter in NZ, so I want to send a big hello to Vicki and her friend Sue.

Hi, girls! 

Helene wasn't sure you'd believe she was here with me, so we took a photo with my Elefantz banner.

Now if you're ever over my way, please drop by for a visit and some stitching time. :-)

Helene bought me a bouquet of Australian natives, which Miss Sophie thought she's guard. 

She's also decided that my "Things We Love" quilt is her property too!

What have you been stitching lately??

Hugs

Jenny

xx

Where does Sophie sleep?

Our Princess Sophie is thoroughly enjoying the cooler, overcast weather at the moment. 

She's enjoying it so much that she's rarely off our bed!

Yesterday afternoon I was resting on the bed and stitching. I went out to the kitchen to make a cuppa for Mr E and I- this took me all of 5 minutes - and I come back to this...

She stole my spot!

I asked her to move, but she looks at me with those big green eyes...

...so I pick up my stitching and go sit in the loungeroom instead.

Last night, she made herself comfortable again, this time atop the quilts at the end of our bed.

Today, when I had my usual rest and stitching time, she had taken up residence on Mr E's side of the bed. He tried numerous times to wake her, but to no avail.

And she stayed there ALL day long.

Never have I known a more placid animal. No matter what we do she just curls herself up near us and sleeps. I thank God that Mr E made me cuddle 35 different kittens on the day we went looking for a cat. He wanted to be sure the one I chose would be gentle with a calm nature. Well, his plan worked. She's been with us 18 months now and I can't imagine life without her. Neither can he.

~~~~~

I'm working on some secret stitching for Australian Country Craft and Decorating magazine, but in between I play with Alicia's sampler. I am *loving* this so much! The first five letters are completed now...

 

 

 

I'm using some different stitches than the pattern suggests along the way. Alicia stitched her sampler with crewel wool, which is thicker that the two strands of Cosmo  and Tilda threads I've chosen to use, and so different stitches needed to be used sometimes to maintain the same lovely fullness her letters exhibit.

~~~~~

I'll be emailing Issue 13 of Elefantz HOME to my subscribers in about 12 hours from now. 

If you haven't received your email by Friday night please email me as a few get lost in cyberspace each month. I will resend as soon as I hear from you. :-)

Now to get back to that secret stitching...

Have a lovely evening!

Hugs

Jenny

xx