Boro, and a new Promises block for you...

Hello lovely ones. It's nice to be back chatting with you again, though my time away from the blog this month was a bit longer than I had planned. In hindsight, there's a pattern which has emerged in my blogging life the past few years, of needing an unspecified break every six months or so, to step away, refresh my thoughts, pray, seek the Lord's direction, and decide whether to keep going, alter my course, or close the door on Elefantz. 

I won't go into everything that's happened this month, just know that our family was challenged almost daily, and the only way we got through it was to hang on to Jesus, and not let the circumstances dim our faith in His goodness. We remind each other "and if not, He is still good" whenever seasons of trial, especially those seasons that appear to have no end in sight, are being faced. Currently, the end is still not in view, and some big decisions must be made, but God is with us through it all, and we know He shall provide at a given time in the way that is best for HIS glory. 

You know, there is so much comfort in this truth! I love opening His Word and studying, exploring passages in context, uncovering the original meaning of each word, praying for revelation along the way (and by His grace receiving it). There is no greater book to read than the Bible, for it is life giving, hope filling, way leading, course corrective, food for the soul, and rich in truths eternal.

During my absence I sketched and stitched a fourth design in the Promises of God project, and I wanted to share it with you today, before our next The Sewing Room block is shared.

Whilst stitching, I realised this was to be the final block in the project, as I have only a small amount of the vintage tablecloth fabric, and even smaller pieces of a few other vintage style prints I'd planned to use in borders...so, I sketched up a nine-patch quilt layout and will complete Promises of God that way. 

Perhaps you'd like to complete yours this way? Or do you have another idea you could share in the comments which others might prefer? I'll be sure to show you how my version comes together in another post, perhaps later in June.

Here are the four blocks in Promises of God. They are all free to download, and will stay free. Use the link below to download Block 4...

DOWNLOAD block 4 Promises of God

...and go HERE to download the previous blocks if you missed them.

The Boro Project...

Remember in April that I was repurposing an old white dress into a top using Japanese boro mending? In case you forgot, this is how it started, with white and grey patches along the bottom edge and some over the chest and neck area...

I did a lot more the first week of my blog absence, and when I was happy with it and felt no more patches or stitching were needed, I decided to dye the top blue. As we're having to be far more careful with our pennies these days, I thought it best if I gathered a number of old items from my wardrobe and dye them in the same batch, thus making the purchase of the dye viable and giving myself a new wardrobe in the process!

I ended up with two dresses, one pair of linen pants, one pair of garden shorts, one sleevless top, and that lovely Boro top.

The front...

The back...

I'm really happy with how it turned out, and have plans to do the same with a similar old white dress in the future, but next time in very deep purple because I suit the richer blue, purple and pink colour schemes.

While I've been away from the blog this month, I've been able to do loads in the garden, much of it clearing and replanting, but also adding new flowers for bees, and salad greens. I have a big sewing project underway, well plenty of small projects actually, but I'll share more about that in a few weeks, and I've also been studying a lot more about sour dough, especially how they managed it in the 1700-1800's - rather different to how I've done it over the past twenty years. 

Kelly-dog is wonderful, even when he's pulling the washing off the line, or the passionfruit off the vine. He adores us and we simply love him to bits. He especially loves sitting between us at morning Bible study, or in the evenings when we read or watch something interesting on YouTube. He tucks his head under hubby's arm in the mornings as though he's reading the Bible too - it's the cutest thing you can imagine. Of a day when hubby is at work, he's my constant companion and loves lots of cuddles. He also enjoys the occasional treat when I'm making lunch or my husband's work lunchbox for the next day...he especially loves the few raspberries I scatter outside the back door for him to find! :-)

I shall sign off today, though I have many photos and subjects to discuss that have been on my mind this month, they can easily wait for June. I am so grateful for each day that is given by God, and can tell you He has refreshed me enough to keep blogging the rest of the year. One day I think this door will close, but until that time arrives, my notebook is full of wonderful thoughts and ideas which I'd love to chat with you about. 

How have you been?? What's been happening in your life? 

Let me leave you with this passage, which has been light in my darkness this year, and excites me so much for what is yet ahead.

God bless, and big hugs,

Subscribe to my free Friday newsletter HERE and never miss a blog post, pattern or tutorial

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

New Tilda peek, and a free Grace pattern...

It's mid April already...how has this year run so quickly through my calendar? I'm still not used to writing 2025, but I imagine when it does become second nature a new year will be upon us. We've had many birthdays in the family so far this year, and next month dear Blossom will be 31. How quickly they grow up, and how soon we grow old. My husband and I occasionally talk about having less years ahead than behind, and I think for a while that bothered him, but the Lord holds our days in His hand, and so now we just give thanks for His grace each morning and keep moving forward. 

For myself, I feel less hurried these days, less inclined to be bothered about the things which used to catch my attention, and more easily able to let things go - stuff, responses, ideals, regrets, and sorrows. God's grace holds me fast, and because of that I am able to show grace in ways I never used to. But that's all part of walking closer with Him. The more we seek to live according to His ways, the more we take on His character. Of course, I am far from being where I ought when it comes to the character of Christ, but with every year I am that little bit closer. His grace is indeed sufficient for me, and this year GRACE has been a very real prayer and pondering point. 

Which is why I am sharing this pattern with you today - a reminder for us all to grow in the grace of our Lord and Saviour. 

To grow is "auzano" in the Greek, and means to enlarge or increase. Paul uses the same word in 2 Corinthians 9:10, when he writes to those at the church in Corinth that they should increase (auzano) the fruits of their righteousness. In Acts, Luke writes how the Word of God increased (auzano) and the number of disciples in Jerusalem were multiplied as the gospel spread. 

2 Peter 3:18

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen

So 'auzano' is an active word, not a passive word. It's an active directive from Peter in this verse...we are to increase, to enlarge, in the grace and knowledge of Jesus. How do we do that? By studying the Word, by seeking His help in growing us closer to His likeness, by surrendering our fleshly nature and putting on the nature of Christ. 

I used to think a Scripture verse was lovely when stitched and displayed in the home, but now I want it to be more than a decoration - I need to understand all that it is saying, and then act upon the depth and breadth of what God is saying to us through that verse or passage.  

Many of you have asked me to share more of how I study the Bible - well, its by using the concordance, and then cross referencing everywhere in the Bible that word is used. When you do this, the word comes alive in ways you may never have imagined. The English language is very limited when compared to the Hebrew and Greek of the Bible. Go on an adventure, dear sisters in Christ, and dive right in to word studies. 

Use the link below to download the free stitchery pattern...

DOWNLOAD Grow In Grace

How has your week been so far? I've had a string of migraines lately, but in between there's been gardening to do, jam drop biscuits (cookies) to bake, jalapenos to pickle, and some secret sewing for Tilda's next fabric ranges, Wallflower and Bellflower, which are due in quilt shops this coming June. 

I'm very blessed to be one of the Australian designers who are given the Tilda fabrics many months in advance to design with, and this time I had fun creating projects that were slightly different than my usual style. 

This 'Round the Garden' bag featured many of the new prints, both on the outside and in the lining. I've had the wooden handles for about twelve years and they were just perfect for my bag! 

Apart from the machine sewing of the stripes, everything else is hand stitched and quilted. Even the handles were hand stitched in place, because I doubt it would have worked with a machine.

The stitchery is one I designed back in 2014, and has long waited for its moment to shine. The contrast of a circular embroidery on a striped background was exactly what I wanted when considering a bag design. 

I left the back as simple stripes. This will be my new bag for short outings, or trips to the market with hubby. 

The second project took quite a bit longer to make, as it began with a paper-pieced star, to which I added smaller fussy-cut paper-pieced diamonds inside the larger diamonds.

From there I drew leaf shapes and appliqued them around the large star, before sewing smaller diamonds either side of the larger one. The larger leaves were all fussy cut...

Over time the ideas continued to flow. I added little blue birds. Their body is from Tilda's Creative Memories, whilst the wings are all fussy cut from the Wallflower range. 

There was too much open space though, so I drew some large daisies in the top right and bottom left corners, and stitched them. Still more was needed, so smaller flowers were drawn in place and stitched.

Scattered berries were positioned in and around the leaves...and finally, I was content with the display.

I hand quilted with cream Pearl 12 thread around the stars and all the applique shapes, before completing the project with an envelope style backing, binding around the outside, and the insertion of a pillow form. I can't wait to display this on our bed!

For now, it's on the reading couch as that was the only place with good natural light for photos today. Over the Easter break I'll set to work looking at what I have in the linen cupboard to re-do our bedroom in colours that will let this lovely pillow take centre stage for a season or two.

These Tilda fabrics will be in quilt stores from June 1st, and I'll have the patterns for my bag and pillow available through my Etsy Shop in May, but I'll let you know exactly when in a couple of weeks. 

Thank you for your hugs and encouragement over our Kelly-dog. He has been with us a week now, and is so settled that you'd think he'd always lived here. 

Blossom, Ross and the children are coming for lunch on Easter Sunday and will meet him then, which we're all excited about, but it has been good for him to just find his footing around our home first. The grocery delivery man came the other day and dear Kelly was hiding behind me and terribly anxious, even though the man is a lovely gentle fellow...but Kelly has had a traumatic start to life for his first year or more, so he needs a lot of time to heal. Praise God, he is happy and loved here. 

I wonder what plans you have for the Easter break? 

It's a very special time for those of us who love Jesus, and I'm thrilled Blossom always has a new activity for the children each year. This year they built a tomb, and on Good Friday they will place a bowl in there with rocks and then cover it with a black cloth. On Resurrection Sunday the children will remove the cloth and see the tomb empty...the rocks replaced with little chocolates. They will all cry out "Jesus is risen!" and celebrate with chocolate, a gift to remind them that God gave them the greatest gift, His Son. 

God bless YOU dear ones...and thank you for coming by, and for your prayers over our family, and sharing your lives and thoughts in the comments. It's like a big kitchen table at Elefantz, with sisters from all across the globe dropping by to catch up with each other. 

Oh, and Blossom is recovering slowly. Her doctor is wonderful and is trying a new treatment, which is making a difference. God heard your prayers, and I thank you. 

Till next week, 

You will find my design account on Instagram HERE @jennyofelefantz

And my other Instagram account, just for homemaking, HERE @elefantzhome

Subscribe to my free Friday newsletter HERE and never miss a blog post, pattern or tutorial

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

Creating a space of comfort, a free stitchery, and family pics...

 

The rain continues, after months of monsoons, and the days are dark. Though this is still our summer wet season, it normally diminshes when March arrives, but this year, March has had the highest rainfall in recorded history for our town. It's still hot (though not as hot as usual in the north Australian tropics this time of year), humid, and very sticky outside, despite the nights of thunderously heavy rain.

But inside, where the constantly dark grey skies rob the rooms of light, I have decided to stop complaining about the lack of sunshiny dry days, and embrace what we have been given. 

This week I changed the living/dining room around so that our very old turquoise couch now sits under the front window, and I've pulled a rug in front of it, and moved the coffee table to be at arms length from it. 

In doing so, I have now created a cosy reading area, near the air conditioner, where I can imagine myself relaxing in a 'real' autumn, like the southern states have.

Upon doing this, I thought about a Jane Austen quote from her novel, Emma, and that I had designed a pattern for this and stitched it a number of years ago, 2016 I think?

So I hunted in my large box of completed stitcheries and found it. Such a perfect quote for times like these, when going out is avoided due to flooded roads and rivers, driving conditions are difficult, and there's a general desire to avoid doing anything outside unless necessary -

"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort." 

Jane Austen, Emma

With an audio book in the background (no, not Jane Austen, but an Agatha Christie set in the early years), a large cup of tea, some leftover fruit mince tarts from Christmas, and the soft lamplight from my desk shedding a calm light around the sewing room, I began to bring this little stitchery to life as a mini-pillow.

It may not be one you'd throw on the couch, or lean back against when your back is aching from pulling weeds, but its a pretty little thing that could sit on your book shelf, perhaps next to your Austens? Or, as I have found, it's just right, to quote Goldilocks, for supporting a book on your lap as you read. You could make one as a gift for that friend who simply loves a good Jane Austen novel, or just needs a reminder to find comfort in her home?

I was asked recently if I use a hoop when I embroider, and the response is no, I do not. I did try long ago, but it just never felt right, so I would make myself a small pillow and rest the heel of my right hand on it as I stitched, and this (I felt) gave me more control over the tension of the thread, the fabric and the needle, so I've been doing this ever since. 

Now I have this little pillow to double as a rest for my books as I read, and a rest for my hand as I stitch. 

As you can see below, I do love a Jane Austen novel, and I have passed that love onto dear Blossom too. These are some of my collection, but over the years I have gifted Bloss with a vintage Austen (all over 80 years old) from my treasured collection most birthdays. She has them all now, and one day, if Jesus has not yet returned, she will pass them along to her girls.

Is there a space in your home that you could create as a calming place of rest to read and enjoy a tea, coffee or hot cocoa? We only have the one living area, so I had to use my creativity when planning that spot under the front window, and I do need to change the covering on that turquoise couch because I would like a more neutral colour as we hopefully come into a true autumn in another month or so. Fortunately we have a beige waffle weave blanket that would cover it, and it will work just lovely with the beige throw in the main photo at the beginning of this post. 

I also found a lovely scarf to use on the coffee table as a runner, but I must tell you, this is all rather different for me as I've never been a beige kind of person when it comes to colour in the home...it must be this longing for autumn and winter. 

It's a wonderful mental adjustment when you choose to put off the discontent that can creep in during times of change, those seasons when you have no control over so much that is happening outside your door. That's why I cherish my home, for it truly is my sanctuary, and it is a privilege to create a place of welcome and comfort and grace for my husband, and for our family and friends when they visit. Is it easy? Not all the time. It takes intentionality, and purpose - both of which bolster me forward when I find my mind wearied by ongoing challenges. It also means surrendering my will to God, because I can at times fall prey to my own feelings of discontent, but thankfully the older I get, the deeper into the Word I am, the less that happens. Making this small area of cosiness was easy, I just didn't think of it soon enough, but once I did...well, my heart is happy. And content. 

If you'd like the complete pattern for the Comforts of Home (stitchery and pillow with insert as well) it's HERE in my Etsy Shop

EASTER GIFT

With just over three weeks until we celebrate Resurrection Sunday, I wanted to share once again this older pattern of mine with you. You have time to stitch it, and as I have written in the pattern, you can choose to either include the applique border, or leave it out. 

I look at the border as being representative of the Tomb being opened and the cross left empty. Empty because our Lord, who was brutally beaten and crucified, ROSE TO LIFE on the third day, and his disciples found that dark and forboding space which had recently hidden the body of Christ, open and empty. 

If you would like to stitch this free pattern simply use the link below to download it. May you be blessed as you stitch!

DOWNLOAD He Is Risen

I shall sign off today with some photos of Blossom, Ross and the children taken recently. Many of you write and ask how they are, pray for them, and request some new photos...so here they are, in our monsoon-y 2025 so far. The children love to be outside between the storms, and as the family live just near the beach they often escape there to play and collect shells. 

Until next time, God bless, and I pray that if you have not yet found it, that the Lord will direct you how and where to create your own space, or place, of contentment within your  home...

Love, 

You will find my design account on Instagram HERE @jennyofelefantz

And my other Instagram account, just for homemaking, HERE @elefantzhome

Subscribe to my free Friday newsletter HERE and never miss a blog post, pattern or tutorial

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

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

Subscribe to my free Friday newsletter HERE and never miss a blog post, pattern or tutorial

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