Saturday, December 15, 2012

Lincoln progress

 
I started in the middle of the pattern so yes, there is much more top hat to go. When I finish him, I'm going to do Mary Lincoln facing him and they both go in matching black frames.
 
 
Started on Lincoln's sillouhette last night for several hours while watching a Christmas movie.
I plan to finish this on the scrap of 30 ct R and R Creekbed Brown with 310 DMC and into a 4 x 6 black matt frame.
 
 
I am revising Lincoln's chin to be more pronounced. After I saw the movie, I decided to revise.
When I get done I will share the revision chart.
 
Here's hoping your Saturday is full of joy!
 
Jennifer

Friday, December 14, 2012

The Christmas Child Wonder sampler

 
Only 11 days till Christmas left!
 
Shopping done yet??
 
All those gifts wrapped and ready???
 
Well, I designed another Christmas sampler called The Christmas Child Wonder. To be added to Feathers in the Nest shop soon.
 
 
 
It's time for a cuppa hot chocolate now.  We are enjoying the fireplace, a little cuddling, and watching Christmas movies on the Hallmark channel! One day I'll stitch up some of these myself. :o
 
Yawning.....
 
Jennifer

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Faith, Hope, and Love Giveaway!!! Ginghers~~Jennifer series

It's that time of year again to give a gift to someone special at Christmas time. I wish I could give each and every one of readers here a pair but one pair is what I can give this year.
 
With this giveaway, you will be the first to have my Downton Abbey design with instructions pack.
Of course the scissors are  4 inch Jennifer series by Ginghers!!!! Here is a pic below:

 
Brand new, 4 inch with leather sheath



 
 
 
 
 
I found this while digging out the tons of decorations this year. I guess I was going to put a small motif in it for someone and didn't get the time.
Well, the time has come to find one.
Thinking of seriously putting a beautiful cross in it.
 
 
My other half and Miss Abbie who loves her some Mr. Darcy too, is sporting her Christmas dress from last year.
She loves to sit on his shoulder like a bird. :0
 
 
Speaking of Abigail Fox
 
 


 
 
 
yup, I'm determined to teach myself to either crochet or knit, OR BOTH!!! in this year 2013.
I took a knitting class a few years ago but gave up when I got home and couldn't figure out my mistake. HOWEVER, there's always second chances if we put our heart into it, whatever it is........
I do think I'm going to use a more contrasting yarn color for my beginner piece. I had picked this color up for a friend who is going to be a grandma to twins! I wanted to make the babies a blanket as they just found out both are boys! And they have 2 brothers at home waiting on them.
But I have some nice deep cranberry and dark teal that I can use for maybe a simple scarf to practice on first.
 
Someone from the big Christmas party, Mr. Darcy and I attended put this on my desk. They had taken a pic of us when we visited Santa. I will let the scene speak for itself. LOL
 
 
Mr. Darcy and Santa, NOT looking at the cameras!  :0  We had the best time dancing and dancing. He is a great dancer and such a gentleman. The party was catered and the food was awesome!!!!  We even won a Visa card with an amount on it and it was much needed right now. God is Good!

So 12 more days till Christmas.

You know the rules for the giveaway......

1) only post on THIS POST your comment or comments as a follower for one chance THEN
2) post a second time if you shared it on your blog
3) if your name is Jennifer too, then you get an automatic 3rd chance
4) for 4 chances post again, with your favorite character in Downton Abbey!


international readers welcome to enter

The giveaway starts NOW and will end December 24th, at midnight. Christmas EVE!!!!

You will get
1) brand new and rare/hard to find Jennifer Gingher series 4in scissors in box with leather sheath
2) a chart pack from Feathers in the Nest for  a sampler designed for Downton Abbey with linen and floss.
3) 4 fat quarters of  finishing homespun fabric
and a surprise added to your package.

Back to the homestead chores,
Jennifer

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Lincoln~~ small sampler motif


 
A monochromatic motif of Abraham Lincoln in black. Inspired by many words of wisdom and the recent movie that I so want to go see, the man in black was on my mind today. I think his life is quite interesting. His wife loved him so much and he to her.
About 2 years ago while rambling through an antique store I cam across a book called "Mary Lincoln: Biography of a Marriage" by Ruth Painter Randall
 
The front of the book says it all
"now for the first time---the truth about one of the most controversial women in American history, and the never-before-told, never-to-be-forgotten story of her life with Abraham Lincoln."
 
I have only read parts of the book. It was published in 1953 and must have been a gift to a Wanda June Jones, as this is written in the front of the book with the date of 1953.
 
Up until this time, evidently the rumors and myths, stories was that Lincoln loved Ann Rutledge instead. These stories were spread by his law partner; however, through the unveiling of letters starting in their early courtship through the presidency and until his death, he truly loved Mary in spite of all the troubles she had in dealing with the death of their son, politcal committments, and other things.
 
This book is the story of the day-to-day life of the Lincolns which began in Springfield, Ilinois. The letters that were private in safe deposit boxes and explored over a 100 year span of time interested the author Ruth Randall, especially of Mr. Lincoln coming to answer the front door in pushed up sleeves and an apron at times. Mrs. Lincoln spent more that she was allowed to refurnishing the White House.
Through all her devastations and struggles, she was holding Lincoln's hand when he was shot.
Then again, she had much grief that extended for a long time as she truly loved her husband and missed him so much.
 
Some of my favorite Lincoln quotes are :
 
Be sure to put your feet in the right place and then stand firm.
 
I'm a slow walker, but I never walk back.
 
Success is going from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm.
 
All I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.
 
We can complain because rose bushes have thorns or rejoice because thornbushes have roses.
 
The best day about the future is that it comes one day at a time.
 
Every man's happiness is his own responsibility.
 
It has been my experience that folks that have no vices have very few virtues.
 
You have to do your own growing no matter how tall your grandfather was.
 
I do not think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday.
 
You cannot escape the possibility of tomorrow by evading it today.
 
Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.
 
You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry.
 
To ease another heartache, is to forget one's own.
 
I would rather be a little nobody than to be an evil somebody.
 
My best friend is the man who will get me a book I haven't read.
 
I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from The Savior of the world is communicated to us through this Book
 
and his passage here:
 
Here in my heart, my happiness, my house.
Here inside the lighted window is my love, my hope, my life.
Peace is my companion on the pathway winding to the threshold.
Inside this portal dwells new strength in the security, serenity, and radiance of those I love above life itself.
Here two will build new dreams--dreams that tomorrow will come true.
The world over, these are the thoughts at eventide when footsteps turn ever homeward.
In the haven of the hearthside is rest and peace and comfort.”
 
 
 
 
with love from the homestead,
 
Jennifer
 
P.S another design project one day will go with this one for a pair. Both would go well in oval frames for a colonial reminder that our forefathers had much wisdom for us all to learn. Stay tuned for a Mary Todd Lincoln soon......
 
 
 
 
 
and Abigail
 
 
Faith, hope and love