Next year...

 Do you think about next year? Or do you still wonder about the plans you had for 2020 and lament that they did not come to pass as you'd hoped? 

When I look back now I think it's amazing that God led me to start Faith In Hand at just the right time, in just the right season, when we all needed reassurance, hope and comfort for what we were yet to face and eventually did face - how He brought truth into hearts and then into our hands as we stitched Scripture after Scripture as the months went by.

And because I can look back and see His hand directing the course of my personal designing and writing journey I have no doubts about the slight change in direction He's leading me along now - or should I say, a return to the previous path? 

For many years I have lived and written about the joy of simple things, living a gentle domestic life and nurturing a homemakers heart. This year though, much time was spent bringing together patterns and encouragement through my monthly Faith In Hand stitchery club and the welcome mat which leads to our virtual kitchen table wasn't as visible nor the door open as wide as in previous years. But all this was for a purpose, His purpose...and as I followed His path I discovered my own faith growing deeper, courage being tested, and character traits being challenged or refined until it was obvious to all who know me well that God had been at work in my heart. 

Next year the fruit of those changes are to be used in a fresh and yet familiar way because the focus once more is on home, family, friendships, faith and growth. 

I have already informed my Faith In Hand members that the final set of club patterns will be January (emailed out on December 31st) and that closes a rather memorable year which meant a great deal spiritually to me and hopefully them as well.

 Already I'm working on two new Block of the Month designs and loving the homeliness of both.

SEWING & STITCHING

Above you can see a sneak peek of "Simple Days" which will be a paid monthly subscription over nine months. The quilt has nine large blocks, each with three small stitcheries and a bit of simple piecing. This will launch hopefully in February but I'll let you know the details closer to that date.

The second new block of the month is a freebie. "Posies" (sneak peek above) will be shared over twelve months, beginning at New Year and I hope many of you will enjoy stitching along. It's a very scrappy quilt so just dig into your fabric offcuts and favourite scraps for this one. The complete wall quilt measures just 20" square so not a lot of fabric is needed. I chose to raid my old Tilda pieces.

READING & HOMEMAKING

I've gathered together some of my favourite homemaker books and will slowly enjoy sharing many ideas and inspirations with you. The photo shows just a small selection because many more dwell within my walls, but little by little I'll introduce them to you over the course of 2021.

You may have some wonderful books that breathe fresh inspiration to the homemaker life as well so I encourage you to leave your thoughts often in the comments because there are tens of thousands of readers here each week who also love the gentle domestic life and your recommendation may be just what they need. It may be just what I need too. 

Let's make 2021 a new year of sharing, encouraging, lifting each other when we're down, praying for those in need, using what we have on hand and buying less, taking stock of what we need to change in our homes and in our hearts...let's go forth into January with a joyful attitude and a heart overflowing with hope.

CRAFTING & COOKING

I have a good supply of yarn in my stash now and intend to make a return to crochet, as well as knitting one small pullover for my soon-to-arrive grandson. Knitting is very hard on my hands but I am determined to knit one last 'wrap of love' just as I knitted for Cully May and Rafaella this year. 

As with all skills we need to practice and that's what I intend doing in 2021 - practice more crochet, learn new recipes and cooking techniques in a simplified and cost-effective way, learn to sew my own clothes, discover the joy of painting furniture (my husband's eyebrows shot up when I said this), grow more understanding and knowledge of gardening in our tropical climate and so much more.

HOMEMAKING IN GENERAL

I shall go through each room in our house and subdue it to our needs by removing what's no longer needed or liked and keeping just that which is useful and loved and brings delight. 

Routines will once again come in to play, but they shall be gentler than before because with each passing year we are aging, and we're discovering things which once seemed overly important really aren't anymore. 

I shall re-watch some of my favourite old shows, the ones like Darling Buds of May, which stoke the fires of my homemaker heart and inspire me to create happiness within our walls; and re-read more of the books which long ago lit the fire of domestic joy for me.

FAMILY

Next year I shall be having Cully May one day a week and together we shall do many fun and adventurous things. As the following year she will be going to school the family agreed special time spent out and about with Nana each week in 2021 would be time well spent for both of us. She's quite a character and makes me laugh so hard...but she's also very sweet and when I arrive and have bags of offerings to bring inside she runs to me and says "Nana, can I help you with some of that?" choosing the heaviest bag to try and carry. 

The year after I shall do the same with Rafaella. More and more I have come to realise the importance of grandparenting and the unique opportunity we have to invest in the young lives God has blessed us with. The girls are growing fast and time is precious when you're a Nana and Pop so making the time count is very important.

A SURPRISE

I am working on something else rather special to share with you but for now I shall let that be a surprise because we all like a bit of that at times, don't we?

More...

There's more afoot and it all brings me joy, which is my heart's desire for YOU dear ones as well. Of course, one thing I need next year is something I need often, and that is grace. 

Grace to follow the Lord's lead, grace to be kind and thoughtful more than selfish and self-serving, grace to forgive and grace to acknowledge my wrongs and apologise, grace to let go of anything unnecessary and grace to turn away from things which tempt my heart (and bank balance) more than they should...grace to love more, grace to know when I need to stop and rest, grace to walk the extra mile and grace to simply be right where I am for a season. Grace comes in so many disguises but it's right at the root of who we are and waters who we need to become.

(This pattern is here is shop)

Well, I think that's enough today as I must go get dressed so I can pick up Blossom for her hospital appointment. The doctors will decide today whether to induce her or not - but of course, it's also her decision and right now she's not sure about that so a lot of prayer for wisdom and grace is being lifted to the Throne of Grace. 

I'll keep you posted on any news. 

May the Lord of Perfect Grace fill your heart and mind with His peace and love today, and may He also give you a personal vision for the direction He wants you to follow in the year ahead. 

Loving hugs

Have you signed up for my free newsletter yet? 

Go HERE to do that and you'll never miss any of the wonderful things I'll be sharing in 2021.

My new life decisions and more Joy to the World blocks...

 Let's begin today with the next two blocks in my free Joy to the World stitch-along.

If you missed the first two blocks they are HERE

We began this nativity story with the angel and Mary. Today we'll take the road to Bethlehem where this young mother will bring forth her first child, the Son of God, in a lowly manger...

Located in the hilly country of Judah I imagined the view as Mary, heavy with child and in the early stages of labour, and Joseph her betrothed husband leading the donkey, came closer to the small town...

Nowhere respectable or comfortable available, the inn keeper offers them an animal stall with manger for the night, and in that seemingly inhospitable birthing suite she brought forth her baby boy...

One of the many names or references made to Jesus over the centuries is the Rose of Sharon and that's why throughout this set of small stitcheries I've included roses. Also because despite the setting of a smelly unadorned manger for His birth, His very entry as a man into this world is beauty at it's most magnificent...and roses encapsulate just a glimpse of God's creative beauty.

Use the link below to download blocks 3 and 4.

DOWNLOAD THE DOUBLE PATTERN

There has been a growing sense of the need for change in my heart of late. 

When we consider that there are only 24 hours in a given day, and one person alone can only do so much without burning themselves out, being found in a situation such as I am right now with that feeling of being stretched like 'butter spread across too much bread' (as Bilbo Baggins described) I knew that changes needed to be made. Prayerful changes, the kind of changes where (as the Lord instructed me recently) I needed to firstly count the cost. 

It truly is a blessed gift to have had Him direct me to that passage of Scripture last month because more and more I'm applying it to my day by day choices and decisions and now I must apply it to what comes next year and how to make changes that still allow me to create and write and design, but without monthly deadlines to follow. 

You see I'm about to enter a time of free flow, where I 'do' as I am able with only the occasional time restraint. God willing (and I think this is His idea to be honest) next year will allow me to be myself, all in, all there, in the moment or occupation or conversation as it presents itself, and not constrained with deadlines or business commitments.

As much as I love designing for my stitchery clubs, they have always required a great time and creative commitment, consuming much of my month for years on end. But now, having come to understand that I can no longer keep up that monthly and yearly momentum without sacrificing time needed for our expanding family and this ever evolving home and garden, I have decided to close Faith In Hand after the January 2021 issue. 

The December and January issues (three patterns each) which are still to be published have already been stitched and most patterns are written. Once that door is closed (and what a wonderful time it has been designing so many faith based embroideries for my members!) I shall be 'free' to pursue a few other creative paths which have no set time frame per se but which I'll be able to bring to life in my sewing room, in writing and and here on the blog slowly and purposefully.

I did have plans for them anyway, but I realise now that they will not come to pass until I let go of what I'm currently holding on to - and that was very surely me 'counting the cost' of whether to be buried by a very time consuming locked-in commitment (a monthly stitchery club) and having no ability to 'drop everything' in order to be there for my family in times of need; or to let it go and just create and write when the time availed itself.

Having made this decision I can already feel a load off my shoulders. 

(this pattern will be in the December set of Faith in Hand - here)

You know, months ago I designed and stitched all the blocks for a new BOM but have had no free time to put them together or even consider a quilt layout for them...now I'll be able to do that, at my leisure. And that is a joyful thought. 

Something else I'd like to do, something which resonates strongly within my nature and which I've written about here for many years, is a return to gentle domesticity blog posts. Next year, and maybe even next week, I'll slip right back in to my apron and extoll once more the virtues of homemaking, family and faith all rolled into one marvellous simply lived ordinary life. Would you like that?

Bless you my friends, and thanks for being here, being a listening ear when I need to chat...that's a precious gift you give me. 

Now tell me, what do you think needs to change in your own life as this year draws to a close? And what would you like to focus on in 2021? I'm all ears...

Loving hugs

Finding contentment...

 This new week began so cheery (especially after last week's run of awful migraines) with many things ticked off my to-do list, new designs stitched, more designs sketched and a much clearer vision of how to balance my family/home/work life. 

I was out of balance you see. Perhaps it's my nature that I try to be all-in with every area of responsibility, but slowly this year that mental attitude has been changing - it's been gradually slowing, gradually sifting through a maze of too much or the idea of doing more than I'm personally able. 

An early morning half-hour with God, sitting in the old brown leather recliner which is tucked into a corner of my sewing room, with Bible, cup of tea and usually Sophie-cat at my feet, has increasingly brought about lessons in the gentle art of balancing what is most important, then choosing to attend to those things first before pondering (counting the cost - Luke 14:28-30) of all my other ideas or pursuits, and making prayerfully wise decisions about whether to pursue them or let them go.  

As I mentioned recently, a huge lesson learned this year has been that if I am going to add something into my life then I need to take something else out. Being weighed down by too many projects, responsibilities, ideals, relationships and plans leads to an unbalanced overwhelmed life and at 61 that's not good at all. 

Whilst the Lord has me here, he has work for me to do. And it is that work above all else which must hold my attention and my heart. 

My life verse for 2020 is Ephesians 2:10 and right before last New Year I stitched these two designs as a personal reminder, a reinforcement I suppose you'd say, of what the Lord had very clearly written across my heart for the year ahead. 

I know many of us have the best of intentions when we do certain things, and those things of themselves are not bad at all, but how easy it is to be pulled away by the 'good' when the Lord is waiting to direct us differently - towards the 'better'.

Being content at home, being content to do what I'm able and to let go of that which would tax what was left of my precious time and energy is a lesson which ran into, and was illuminated by, frequent pondering on Ephesians 2:10.

Yesterday was a day of focusing on the home, on the chores that are too often overlooked and even forgotten - like washing windows. How lovely it was after a good scrub to see clearly through the kitchen window into the side garden, and to see most of the back garden through the glass sliding doors. I thought afterwards that this is a bit like life...over time so many things build up and we can't see or think as clearly as we would if the 'clutter' was removed and life was simpler. 

Making conscious choices with regards to day to day life now, and also into the future, the view overall is much clearer than before and my clarity of thought is being refined. How wise is our Lord to remind us to live a quiet life, to be about our own business, to live in the land and befriend faithfulness. All of these directions resonate deeply within me and as I go about my days now they echo upon my thoughts.

Here at home...

This week I've been able to accompany Blossom and the little ones on a final shopping trip before she settles down at home to 'nest' before the baby arrives. Our weather is fiercely hot now and late pregnancy swelling is upon my girl, so with all things considered it's best for her to rest up and just do what needs to be done and not much more. 

Our three chickens are settled in the new coop which is safely housed within the chicken enclosure beneath the large shady Guava tree. We got Penny a few weeks ago and she's a wonderful layer (she's around 2 years old) but the other two we got 11 days ago. They are almost 17 weeks old and growing fast. Such gentle girls, but sadly Penny is a real bully and we've had to watch her carefully. She's gone beyond hen pecking and can be quite savage if they even walk by her. One of our newbies has decided to fly to the top of the red hibiscus and sleep there of a night, perhaps to avoid her. We're considering rehoming Penny. She's been an only chicken most of her life and just can't seem to get accustomed to having friends live with her. If you have any suggestions please share them. 

With the ghastly heat back with full force meals are mostly cold salads or laden with a side of salad. I made a big batch of cous cous salad on Sunday for lunches during the week, along with more French chicken salad to have on sandwiches during the in between days or for easy dinners. 

We picked another garden bed of radishes on Monday and I decided to use the radish tops to make pesto.

I found this recipe in a library book about preserving vegetables. It made two large jars so I froze one and we're using the other, though I did make a few changes to the recipe as it was a little bit bitter. 

I ended up doubling the parmesan and adding a large handful of fresh basil from the garden. In the end it was very tasty and tonight we shall have it with ravioli and salad.

One of our plans when we first moved into our home two years ago was to tear down the small shed and, as we're at the point now of needing more garden space for future vegetable beds, hubby began clearing the inside shelving and contents of the shed last week. 

Yesterday he was about to begin dismantling the outside of the shed when he fell and badly sprained his ankle as well as injuring his knee in the process. The ankle swelled up like a balloon and he was in a lot of pain, wrapping it in ice for hours. Fortunately it's not broken but will take a while to mend. This morning I went and got him a walking cane so at least he can hobble from one room to the other a little easier now. 

It's one of those things you really notice the older you get - healing is slower. And of course this frustrates him as he's quite active and prefers to be 'doing something' than just sitting, but time (and the Lord) is the healer and rest he must for now. 

Sewing...

I've finished all the blocks for my free Christmas stitch-along and had intended sewing them together today and tomorrow in order to start the four-part project with you next week, but I shall delay it until the end of next week when hopefully Mr E will be recovered and back at work. 

A little peek...

My next set of Faith In Hand patterns will be emailed to all club members on October 31st. I had meant to share photos with you on the blog this month but time and life redirected those plans - and that's okay. Truth is I often forget to show you, but as I'm so happy with the November designs, especially the Ephesians 2:10 sewing companion project (full pattern included with the November patterns) I'll leave you today with those pics...

If you're interested in joining just pop over HERE before Saturday.

There is no set length of membership - join and leave whenever you like. 

There's also a free gift pattern for new members and I'll send that off to you via email within 12 hours of joining. 

Okay, I must be away as it's nearing lunch time and sandwiches are to be made, along with a nice cool drink and a sweet treat. I baked Raspberry Coconut Slice yesterday as Rosie was coming to visit today but after Mr E had his fall that catch-up had to be postponed so hubby will have a sweetly contented tummy this afternoon and more for dessert tonight. 

God bless you all so very much, and may His generous provision, grace, mercy, hope and love be abundantly poured over your life in the days and weeks ahead.

hugs

PS: If you don't want to miss anything from the blog, or the free Christmas stitch-along, pop along HERE to sign up for my free newsletter. It only goes out two or three times a month and I never share your information. 

A matter of heart...

 It's been quite the week for our family, especially for sweet Blossom and her man. An ultrasound on Tuesday afternoon revealed that their precious little boy has a hole in his heart. 

As you can imagine, this was a shock, and not being well versed in such things it did take their breath away somewhat. Time was needed to learn, to process their own emotions and to come to peace with what is ahead of them.

The wee bub, though not quite so little as he measures much larger than an average 32 week baby, is content inside mummy's womb and though there's been much talk of bringing him into the world a couple of weeks early, dear Bloss feels he should stay right where he is until he's naturally ready to meet them.

Another complication, but this time for Blossom herself is a diagnosis of hyperalgesia, which is incredibly painful as it affects all her nerve endings. It should disappear after the pregnancy so we are praying that is so.

I was blessed to care for Cully May and Rafaella twice this week while Blossom had her ultrasound and then her doctor's checkup at the hospital two days later.

The girls love being here, which is a great thing because they adore their mummy and miss her terribly on the rare occasions she cannot take them with her. Cully May gave the cubby house a jolly good scrub first of all...

...while Rafaella watered all Poppy's raised vegetable beds. She watered herself rather well too. Ha ha!

When the girls arrive here the first thing they do is kick off their shoes and put their gum boots on so that can go tramping through the chicken coop and explore the yard to see what new thing Poppy has built or what flowers they can pick or what vegetables Nana will gather for lunch.

It was a mostly overcast day, so perfect in this heat to play outside, but occasionally the sun would peek through and they'd retreat to the undercover cubby.

Cully May was quite taken with the chive flowers yesterday as they were the same colour as her skirt and t-shirt....

...and Rafaella thought the flowers on my coriander were so pretty that she'd like to take them home - though a little while later she asked, "Nana, can I eat them?" I said yes and so she did! I did explain though that we don't eat all flowers only the ones Nana says are okay. Phew.

Once the clouds cleared completely we went inside and they set up their tea set ready for morning tea. Rice crackers and hummus first and later a plate of watermelon, grapes, strawberries and cheese. They definitely know that there's feasting at Nana's house and even know where I hide the 'sweeties' so later on they continued feasting on Honey Jumbles with cups of real milky tea. 

When Blossom arrived back at lunchtime I had French chicken salad sandwiches ready and a pot of tea brewing. I'd baked a new bread recipe earlier in the day (after making my own oat flour in the NutriBullet) and it was delicious for these sandwiches, very hearty. 

Life has a way of presenting new challenges at unexpected times, some we are quite unprepared for, others we have a little experience with...but it's important to remember that there is no challenge or news that God is unaware of, and as you walk the path which is set before you, one you may not have ever chosen had you been given a choice, HE IS RIGHT BESIDE YOU.

Blossom knows this, she has no doubt that God is her shield and her strength, that He will direct them through whatever is ahead. He loves her baby boy more than she, He loves Blossom more than I do. He holds her precious family right close to His heart and will never leave them nor forsake them.

The little girls don't know or understand any of the secret things that are happening inside mummy's womb with their baby brother, but they do know he is loved just as deeply as they are and that their home is a safe sanctuary where they shall welcome him into one day soon and spoil him with abundant squidgy hugs and kisses. 

I'm reminded often that the people I pass in the street, the men and women we watch fishing on the river as we drive by, the shop assistants who serve me with a smile at the supermarket, our doctors, the police officers often seen patrolling our neighbourhood, the bus driver stepping out of his seat to help an elderly woman on board...all these people live their own challenges, mostly hidden from our view, rarely mentioned. 

Most everyone you meet has a story to tell, something to laugh about, something that brings tears, something to strive for, celebrations to cheer and something which requires a personal battle. I imagine many of you are currently facing your own trials, needs and/or celebrations, so I am praying the Lord's strength and joy is increased in whatever circumstance you have been placed in this season of life.

May I ask that you hold Blossom, Ross and their baby boy in your prayers, that you pray for the girls to sleep well (they don't) and be filled with the peace of Jesus through these weeks of waiting for their 'baby bruvva" (as Rafaella calls him), that you offer praise to the Lord for Blossom's unwavering faith in our God and her trust in all His ways, that God would show her His good pleasure and His healing? 

(((thank you))) - this means the world to us as we do not have other believers in our family. xx

I shared this pattern early last year, but if you missed it I'd like to offer it again today. A simple design but the verse speaks volumes don't you think?

Use the link below to download the free pattern. Perhaps if you have already stitched it for yourself you may choose to stitch it again as a gift for someone needing a reminder of Who they can trust, Who is their shield, and Who will hold them when the world feels as though it's falling beneath their feet.

DOWNLOAD "You O Lord are a Shield"

Bless you heaps, sweet friends.

Hold fast to Jesus, for He is right within reach....

hugs,