Domestic Violence Prevention Event in South Wales

What's up for the weekend here?

Well, lots of grocery shopping for baking this week, lots of love, and hopes to erect a house on my sampler I'm designing. I have looked at many houses to and from work and it seems that it inspires me to have ideas for what a house is supposed to look like or be like with needle and thread.
I've really dragged this project out to the max but I know for sure that after this holiday break I'm taking, I will be filled with inspiration to finish it.

Nicole Ryan, from New South Wales, is heading up the annual Domestic Violence prevention annual event as November is the Domestic Violence prevention month in South Wales, here in the US is October, and I was indeed honored 2 years ago when I started it to be one of the White Ribbon Day displays........IN ANOTHER COUNTRY!  It was an honor to me but I let many things stand in the way of finishing it.

On November 23rd, Nicole will launch the annual event in South Wales. She has asked for my picture and a testimony for my past experiences with domestic violence and being a survivor, encouraging women in South Wales that there is HOPE.

It's a long day of events, good food, music and a strong mission to this community.

You can support the White Ribbon Day if you "like" her on Facebook as she is involved in this beautiful ministry to help others. I hope to finish this design soon (not by the 23rd....) but next year, the model will be demonstrated at their annual event.

If you are a survivor and would like to share your story with a picture to be placed on their unique board from survivors all over the globe, then friend Nicole Ryan on FB and send to her.

It's a small world afterall, and we are put here on this Earth to help others and make some sense of our own survivorship to instill hope.

 

Finished Quaker and Work on Design for DV Awareness

 

 

Doing Right quaker freebie

 

designer~Liberty House Primitives and Needlework

 

DMC 3750 antique blue

28 ct Antique Autumn Gold linen

 

 

 

 

This piece was a fun finish!

 

 

 

I completely frogged this one above and stitched the motif again as the count was off.

 

 

 

 

I picked up a fat quarter of Confederate fabric, calico at the quilt store. The DMC color matches the dark navy perfectly.

 

 

 

and made into a simple cupboard primitive piece, in fact the first for the old Hoosier cabinet refinished this Summer

 

 

 

 

I pulled out one of my own designs that needs a little bit of finishing and another band or two.

 

Forever Hope

 

I am going to add these buttons when finished to accent.

As October is Domestic Violence Awareness month, I thought it best to try to finish designing and stitching a model. I already had the rustic black frame for the past 2 years, so I"m eager to finish this one.

 

 

 

More pics to come as I work on this one again.

 

The colors blend several purple shades, as well as gold shades.

 

This design has a special place in my heart.

 

The pattern will be for sale when completed. More to come!

 

Well, time for bed now to get some sleep and get readied for another day in these mountains.

I hope to get some really good Fall photos this weekend if the weather permits.

 

Till later,

Jennifer

Welcome Beautiful Autumn!

 I hope to get some good pictures this week but I think the trees here are not peaked in Autumn color but this week will probably reveal  it's plethora of colors that grace the mountains.

Stitchy-slow still but I know with time I will be back and probably more than ever as I won't have the toxic distractions that have been of late.

Gratitude is my attitude this morning and even in the big bumps in the road, there are things that are blessings I'm counting. In fact, I've learned a lesson that in the difficult times I should be thankful for, as if they didn't present themselves to us, we wouldn't be able to appreciate the truth.

With October comes the remembrance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Purple shades are the primary colors used and in last year's designing I still have this to work on one day. Probably will not be done for this October but I'm thankful that I am inspired intermittently to put ideas to linen.

I'm thankful for my lovely daughter Meghan, who inspired me more than she knew and whose crayon- talent clued me in to get her an art teacher so she could express and find her true creativity.

I feel blessed to have a daughter with such inspiration.

I am very thankful for our guardian angels and friends both near and far. The amazing strength of prayer transcends all things in this world.

I am greatful for my son and daughter who grew up to become adults that anyone would be proud of and who through many difficult times became adults that this mama is proud of.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Worship the Lord with gladness;

come before him with joyful songs.

Know that the Lord is God.

It is he who made us, and we are his,

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving

and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations.

~~Psalm 100

Have a beautiful Autumn day and enjoy the beauty around you!

Jennifer

Good morning, planet Earth! Sending Love all over the Earth today!

Good morning to the whole wide world!

 Last night, I was so touched as I watched CNN while stitching, the situation with the trapped miners in Chile and saw them bring every last one out of that dark hole. The spirit of the people in that country, and their President's words were overwhelmingly touching and so the spirit of all countries should be. I'm so thankful for the successful work, hard work of the survivors. God bless them and their families each and every one in Chile! 

Since Tuesday's posting, I've been either working, commuting through loads of traffic, eating take-out food, candy corn, and other sundries and most of all----getting myself in gear with this sampler I designed because on Tuesday I went to the post office to ask how long it would take a 9 x 16 ~~~ sampler, framed to hit Sydney, Australia and I got a raised eyebrow by the postal worker.......yep, they could sense my time and money were limited.  I got astronomical estimates even at crawl pace. Due to this and economical circumstances of which I cannot speak on a public domain but has affected me tremendously (to say the least), I am not sure if this will be a go or not. Either way, I'm still going to finish this design and stitch  with much passion on 32 ct Lakeside Linen Attic Lace with a combo of CC cottons and Bell Soie silks.  Yes, I would like to Super Size this order PLEASE!  ;)

Here's my 2 day's progress. I'm still tweaking as I go so this may change but right now, this morning, in front of me is this palette and frame:

The piece has several crosses intertwined in it for a purpose. When it's complete, I think you'll like it. Yes, this key is large and the meaning of it when completed, you will understand. I still have quite a ways to go.

Onward now as I have the song in my mind......"He's got the whole world....in His Hands. He's got the whoooooole world....in His Hands. He's got the whole world in His Hands"

Congrats to Chile for the sweet spirit of their country and all countries who helped by their  love and prayers, supplies, information, technology~~~ anything which helped the survivors to withstand such a tragedy.

Till later,

Jennifer

Update on DV sampler

update of tonight's progress. I met my goal and now tomorrow night onto the next section.

Monday Matters--Progress on DV sampler for coalition in Sydney, Australia in November

Tonight I came straight home, and delved right into getting this sampler going.

 Time is limited on it. Last week I didn't have alot of energy but this week I'm determined and my will is renewed to complete this project. I'm on a mission.

This is how far I got while I plopped on the sofa in my favorite sweatpants and T-shirt with glasses and threads everywhere, bag full of plums, purples, and golds and my rough draft design of which I'm following and tweaking along the way.

Please pardon the randomness of this thread disarray. This is the way I work mostly but I did stay up last night till 1am getting my newest and oldest Crescent Colors (most of them) in alphabetical order on a ring.

Working on Week's Dye next.

Here's my progress so far. I have so much to do. I stitched this piece of 32 count Attic Lace linen on the Z frame and got it set up to go last night. This sampler will be framed in black, I do know that and I have chosen mostly bold purplish pallette for the remembrance sampler.

The color of the small heart is CC Heatherleigh. This is the first time I've used this color but it's very pretty and blends well.

The darker purple is CC Belle Soie Silk Empress. It's very brilliant purple and SMOOTH to stitch.

I have clipped a new Mighty Brite light , the larger clip version on the frame and the LED lights are perfect for stitching anywhere. I found it at Books a Million bookstore.

 The clamp is large enough for frames and the light is tiny but very bright.

Yes, I'm curled on the sofa with a quilt, glasses, Mighty Brite and frame and my stitching bag full of colors.

It's cozy while I catch up with the news and of course, Nancy Grace cases. They put things in perspective sometimes. ;)

Have frame----will travel.

This is my work area as I have it. A mess I know. But the finished product will be pretty!!!

The design should finish for a frame 9 x 14 or so.......we'll see. A vintage black frame is my goal and I have seen one this size that will work. If not, my hubbie is going to make one for me and I'll paint it and frame it myself. Got to economize......

onward to the week.

till later,

stay safe!

My first start on Forever Hope 1819

This week has been quite a challenge as I'm fighting a bad ear infection and have been febrile until last night and this morning. Have to go see a specialist this morning so my post is short. I haven't had an ear infection since age 10 so  don't know what triggered it but I do know it's something that has been lingering for 3 months and then finally with fever and feeling like the flu, I had it checked. I know people in the medical field are the worst patients and wait till we are about dead to get checked but........I digress.

Last night I started Forever Hope 1819, a sampler designed by me for rememberance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. My needlebag is FULL of purple colors. You can watch me along the way because this will be the model piece. I've already picked out a frame but haven't bought it yet. I'm framing this piece in black when finished. I really have a deadline to meet quite fast so I have to get moving on it.

The top border last night finished  using Finley Gold, Argyle Socks, and The Old Oak Tree, in CC. The blend did turn out well interwoven together. 

  I'm stitching this on 32 count Lakeside Linen Attic Lace. It's a very pretty off white color.

Then down to the CC Silk, Empress.  Butta stitching!

 Now this is the most beautiful purple in my stitching bag!

Here is my newest stitch bag I got last Sunday at The Stitch Store. I wish I could have gotten both sizes but trying to budget a bit.

There were several bags with different sampler type cotton trimmings but I picked this one out first. Of course, I loved them all ;)

It inspires me to make this sampler beautiful and really holds more than I thought it would.

This also inspires me and holds more than I thought she would. She is sulking here. I took a shot of her while I was on the sofa stitching. She just watched Fox news with me.

She really has a hard life here.

She is Forever Hoping too. Forever Hoping for one of us to play with her or just hold her because she is truly a lap dog.

So, here I am and where I'll start again on my return from the ear doc today. The bag will be traveling with me to the waiting room, where I'll get to be on the other side of life for a while.

Till later,

Jennifer

An Honor accepted today to stitch for DV awareness event in Australia November 23

Where did September fly?  I looked at the calender to see October 1 tomorrow and gasped. My goodness how it's flown by!

I have haulted work on 2 other samplers to stitch a design I finished last week for October's Domestic Violence Awareness month. In the US, we bring this awareness in October. For Australia, November is the month and white is the color, as contrast to US, purple.

Today I accepted an honor invitation to stitch and frame my own design for DV awareness I named Forever Hope 1819. I must get busy on it because I have to mail to Australia for a DV coalition awareness day on November 23rd. The sampler I designed is on a subject that is close to my heart......stilll and will forever be as a  women's advocate. (I know there are men who are in the same position and I do not mean to stereotype here, but there are many more women across the world so for simplicity will refer to women).

My finished sampler will be on display, along with survivor history and brief commentary, Feathers in the Nest and words of hope for 1 of 3 women world-wide in their lifetime who will be a victim at some point in their lives.

I really, really feel honored for such a request and do so appreciate it. I hope to share with you steps of the way.

First step is collecting my basic colors and I have spent the afternoon choosing the fabric. Here is the pallette:

Now for a fabric choice that would show the lighter gold as well as complement the purple shades.

Any suggestions?

Happy Dance in Purple Passion

Finished tweaking my sampler for Domestic Violence Awareness month. You are going to like it...love it......if you like 1800 verses and simple motifs in vintage purples and golds. I ordered Empress in CC silk for a splurge but the color was just TOO tempting.
WOW! The Crescent color silks have gone up in price!

So, the ones I need are now ordered and will be patiently waiting for their arrival from a-b-c-company online.

Well, out of the studio at 1am and into the bed for some ZZZZZZZZZ's.

A long day ahead tomorrow.

Looking towards October

October is almost here and I can't believe how September has flown by so fast!  Fall is officially here as of 7:09pm last night,  and I've been looking at all the beautiful stitchy pieces by Blogger friends and they are all soooooo pretty!!!! I love Fall colors.

I should be stitching instead of designing today, but hasn't happened that way yet. Instead, I've taken several hours today to design a sampler for Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

October is the month for remembrance and promise hope for Breast Cancer Awareness and Domestic Violence Awareness. Both are critical components to support as a women's health advocate.

I  had to explore the violet colors for a sampler with the verse from George Eliot born in 1819, that I thought was appropriate for DV awareness.

The verse is an excerpt from this quote:

Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort, of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness, blow the rest away.

~~ George Eliot, English Victorian Novelist, pseudonym of Mary Ann Evans, 1819-1880


I used sampler threads, including names such as Love, Vintage Violet, Independence, Lavender Louise, Old Oak Tree, Blacksmith Blue, and several others for this piece............waiting to be stitched on Vintage Cream Belfast linen.

Vintage motifs that symbolize healthy love and safety are also in the sampler.

I hope your week is going well.

On the homefront, Miss Abigail, lost her first babytooth last night and she didn't swallow it but it just fell out of her mouth while she was chewing her dingie-wingie.  That's what we call her rawhide chewies.  ;)

The sight of blood in Abbie's little mouth was a bit scarey for us but then we realized one of her big back baby teeth came out and it was lying on the floor.
She still has all her baby teeth AND permanent teeth. The vet made mention a couple of months ago to put her to sleep and remove the baby teeth as they were not coming out but I didn't want to do that and maybe now she will lose her other baby ones and not need any other intervention. 

She didn't like her "treat" the tooth fairy left her this morning and so here I go spoiling her with a bit of people food for a snack. Instead she tinkled at the bedroom doorway, so I guess she was a bit pissed off, so to speak.

These "dog treats" came from Walmart in the Diva pet section and they smell like real cookies!  (No, I haven't yielded to tasting them)

I don't know why she is picky but she doesn't like them. She will either not take it or hide it under the furniture or rug somewhere so as not to hurt my feelings I guess????

Dogs are strange sometimes, just like us.

So, she snacked on cheese crackers instead, with me this afternoon.

I mean......how can you NOT feed this face something good????

She will give me the stare if I'm eating and she is not.

I think "Maybelline" is her nickname. She definitely has the smokey eye down pat. LOL

She's happiest on the couch. She is a couch potato------SPUD, yep, that's what she is, a SPUD!

can you tell her "bib" is growing longer???  That's what the front hair is called, according to Chihauhau language.

Ok, these are making me want to bake some cookies.

Till later,

Jennifer