About that A...and being loved.

Have you stitched your A from Monogram Mondays yet?

After I shared the pdf file to download the design, I received quite a few emails from readers who said they only had a big rectangle on the second page of the file.

Perhaps I didn't explain exactly what that rectangle was for?

This is the guideline for those who will be stitching the Sampler along with me.

Mine is all traced, but you will be receiving one letter only, each Monday, until you have all the monograms.

Your first letter A, is in the top right hand corner of the rectangle...

I hope that has cleared up any confusion. :-)

There will be five rows of five letters underneath this top section for the Sampler.

*****

Today I have been machine quilting Shabby Roses "Angels". I am a hand stitcher, and not much of a machine quilter, so this process always challenges me! I would have hand quilted it but we are in the middle of a tropical summer and even with the air conditioner on, having a quilt over your lap is extremely hot.

 

 I stitched in the ditch around the middle (verse) block, and outline quilted around the appliqued blocks.

 

The binding will go on next, and I'll stitch it down tonight while I watch My Kitchen Rules.

Tomorrow I should have a finished design, and just the pattern to write. \o/

*****

My sweet Blossom blessed me this week with a pedicure. I have been emotionally drained these last few months, so she sat at my feet and made my toes pretty while I lay back and relaxed. Sheer bliss. 

I learned a valuable lesson from Blossom's gift of pampering.

Sometimes life requires more than you have to give, and over time you can be so worn out emotionally, physically, and spiritually, that you do not realise how 'empty' you are - until someone reaches out and touches you with 'hands on' love. I'm still empty, and don't have much within to give because stressful situations are still affecting our beloved family, but Blossom kindled within me the joy of receiving pure love, given with 'no strings attached', and that simple act made me stop and give thanks for her love, which has withstood all the crises life has thrown our way.

Love you, Bloss. xxxx

*****

Something exciting is happening tomorrow. Vickie from Humpty Doo has a 3-hour layover in Townsville on her way from Mackay to Darwin, so I get to spend those 3 hours with her!

Photos will be shared, unless we talk too much and drink too much coffee and just forget...nah, I'll be sure to come up for air and grab a few pics. 

Have a blessed day, ok?! Actually, BE a blessing today. You never know how much someone needs one.

Friends and Angels...

On Saturday we had a few friends over for a BBQ. I spent most of the day in the kitchen, thoroughly enjoying myself! Here are a few of the things that tantalised some tastebuds...

Avocado and Preserved Lemon salad...

Sangria for us non-drinkers (I used non-alcoholic red wine as the base - delish!)...

Roast Plum and Blackberry Cake...

 

...recipe HERE...

 This was served with fresh cream and a gorgeous sauce!
There were more salad, plus marinated lamb and chicken, BUT, best of all was the wonderful company around our table. xx

****

Sunday: I read from Psalm 59 to begin the day. On a personal note, our life has been one of deep trial these past few months, and the coming months will bring more. I found God's word to be a tonic for my soul today...

(Poster from THIS blog)

****

Later in the morning I rolled my sleeves up and got to work cutting strips to make the 1" square borders for my new Shabby Roses 'Angels' quilt...

 

Once all the borders were made I prepared the binding. Tomorrow will be a quilting and binding day, and by Tuesday I should have a finished wall quilt to show you!
(Pattern will be available late in February)

 

Looking so pretty!
***

~Shabby Roses Monograms~

Every Monday for the next 26 weeks I am going to share one letter from my Shabby Roses Alphabet for you to stitch!
You can use these in many projects that require the personalisation of an initial, OR, you could stitch them all into a framed sampler.  I think I'll do a sampler with mine this time...
So, tomorrow, drop by for the first letter, A...

...in my "Monogram Mondays"

 Feel free to share the button above on your webpage or FB page, and link it back to my blog!
The more stitching on Monogram Mondays, the merrier. \o/

New stitchy things...

I have some lovely new designs on my knee at the moment. 

Want to see??

Remember my little "Family & Friends" hanging from Issue 16 of my e-zine?

Well, I've just finished a companion pillow, "Home"...

 

Pretty flowers and pearl seed beads in the window boxes...

 

 I secured the back with gorgeous vintage lace ties, and mother-of-pearl buttons...

It's absolutely divine.

****

On my knee tonight is another sweetie, made with pretty Tilda fabrics, and Tilda threads...

...and a Shabby Roses angel...

This is still a work in progress, but quite delicious. 

*****

After Kezzie's wedding, and her delight in the wedding announcement stitchery I made her and Bert, it occurred to me that I never had anything like that when Mr E and I were married.

So I made one for us!

For those in Australia, you'll find the pattern for it next year in Handmade magazine, so you can make your very own. \o/

****

I've had an overwhelming response to my Shabby Roses Cllectors CDs!!

I've almost sold out of them, so if you want one I have only a few left and then they are gone for good.

If you haven't heard of them yet, read THIS blog post, or head over to my Etsy Shop HERE.

Now it's time to get back to those Shabby Angels!

Have an extra lovely weekend, ok?

What's happens in an Elefantz day?

Well, firstly there's stitching!

Some of the blocks from my new shabby roses quilt design, "Shabby Angels"...

 

 

 And then there is my reading...

And of course, cooking!

I saw this in the free Coles magazine at the supermarket yesterday...

So, I've got my own version ready to go in the oven!

I'm using a whole chicken stuffed with rice, sage and onion, instead of chicken pieces; and the vegetables are potato, carrot, fennel, zucchini, onion, garlic and lemons. Another hour and it should be ready - just in time for Mr E to bring Blossom home from work. Yummo!

My darling husband bought me a new kitchen appliance the other day. Our six year old vegetable juicer finally uttered it's last breath - we juice vegetables every single day so it really earned it's keep!

My new juicer is even better, though! So easy to clean, and it came with a book of juice recipes. I'm excited to be making some new ones.

 

In between sewing, reading, cooking and juicing, I've been watching a few of mine and Blossom's favourite movies...

It's been a nice day!

How was yours?

Hugs

Jenny

xx