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.

 

Angels All Around Us

Angels We Have Heard on High

 

designed by Feathers in the Nest

copyright @ 2012

 

suggested colors are:

 

Gentle Art~~~  Willow

Gentle Art~~~ Victorian Pink or Cameo Pink (for softer effect)

 

on vintage linen of choice

 

When I think of angels, I think of every day of the year, but at Christmas time, I especially remember the role they have in the Christmas story.

 

At the homestead here, there are some big chimes on the back porch in a spot which catches any breeze. From this time onward in the year through the Winter when the wind is more likely to pick up, they play almost constantly and can be heard inside the house.

 

It's not a clanky sound nore irritating but a reminder that I've always said, that when the little chimes play, angels are near. In reality I know angels are near us all, all the time.

I love to collect angels due to my strong belief of the role they have in each part of our lives.

 

This morning as I was thinking about angels who especially are guardian angels, I  was inspired to design this little for an ornie or simply to put by your angel collection or table as a reminder to those who grace your home, that angels are always near.

 

Every time I hear the Christmas carol, Angels We Have Heard on High, I quickly remember all the times in my life that were intervened in no other way but as guardian angel. I also remember my son who is in Heaven and an angel now.

 

I hope your Tuesday is blessed.

 

"See that you despise not one of these little ones: for I say to you, that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 18:10).

There are many beliefs or nonbeliefs in angels and that is totally fine as we all have different beliefs and experiences, but I do believe in angels and am thankful that God sends these messengers to the world to intervene on our behalf.

 

I hope you have a great, and blessed Tuesday. I have some chores to get done on my day off.

Thankfully, Mr. Darcy brought up wood from the woodpile and it's full and planning to build a fire shortly.

I need to do a little menu planning, something I have never really done but it does make life a bit easier.

 

And speaking of angels, I was elated to receive in the mail this PIF gift from Bonnie from Canada!!!

 

Isn't it gorgeous? You know I love pink and the charm at the end is cute as a button.

 

 

 

 She sent a card with it and what a cheerful note at a time right now, I truly needed it.

Thank you Bonnie. I feel honored to have one of your scissorfobs and I already know which pair it's going on today!!!!!

 

 

 Here's my designing and raising the roof on a house. I'm using Caramel Corn color for the outside with black trim and I still am contemplating the roof color.

I found a tiny brass old key charm in my stash which I will put near the house. I'm designing this sampler in remembrance of October being Domestic Violence awareness month. It's a subject of which many turn their heads to but my purpose on this sampler is to convey hope to the survivors of such a horrific situation and the peace that follows safety, the courage to choose freedom from it, and the hope that more awareness will help reduce the statistics, reduce the pain and circumstances which flow from it. And in many situations, angels are by our side protecting us, guiding us to peace.

 

Yes, this is a good day to stay in and stitch as it's cloudy, cold and windy.

Till later,

Jennifer

 



Progress on Forever Hope and other new starts

Christmas this year is keeping it simple. Very simple. Welcome newbies!!!!!!!  I love reading your comments and wished I could make all those wishes come true for you at Christmas. Rest assured I will be praying for each and every one of you. Thanks for spreading the word about the give-away. The more, the merrier, right?  These items are on order and just got a note that there is a slight delay so this may not get out as soon as I wished after the drawing. I tried to put a rush on it. Will see what happens, but anyway, there are lots of things to stash from this Santa to you.   ;)

Giving is the best part of the season for me, always has been, always will. Those that know me best, know this. It puts joy in  my heart to put a smile on your face!

Well, getting out the Christmas decor little bits at the time this week. What doesn't go up by Sunday probably will not as my work schedule is busy. No complaints though here as I am thankful for a job.

Since I got this:

stitching has slowed a bit. I've designed more than I've stitched and there are only so many fingers to stitch up all in my stash and what my mind creates to paper.

However, remember this one Forever Hope 1819?

Here's my last progress pics:

and now a few more stitches to this:

working on the house. You know building a house is more than I thought imaginable!  :)

Then, I designed a little one in memory of my deceased maternal grandmother, Grace.

Her birthday would have been this week. She passed away when I was only 8 but had probably the best positive influence in my life than any other family member. She was one of a kind and miss her alot. She left her rings and watch to me and when I wear them, I feel more courage and strength remembering her, that she is a part of me and loved me alot. She was assertive yet not aggressive. She was graceful, just as her name. She had much class and would give a helping hand to whoever she could while taking good care of herself. She was exactly everything her name stood for.

So, I started stitching this little pillow keep last night:

using Weeks Dye Works Ocean and Pecan as fibers.

Stay tuned for other virtues in rememberance to her.

I wanted to also show you what I found in a thrift store about 3 weeks ago.

The frame is about 6 x 8 and it's old.....OLD. I got it for 2.00!

It's actually in good condition for it's age and I was doing a happy dance in the box outside that it was put in as junk.

 I love junkin' it. ;)

Take a look-see.

The front has a picture like this:

and it looks like an opera scene.

The back looks like this:

It has an old wire hanging and the paper backing is very fragile. I will remove all of this to use for a frame for a stitching finish but before I do look at these:

Handwritten on the back,

and then this stamp in the middle as if it was a Christmas gift to someone.

1909

Have you ever seen a stamp like this one? Any stamp collectors?

So far I don't know what I will frame with it but the picture will be removed along with the backing.

If only the paper could talk about the gift and the heart of the giver and the receiver, the meaning, the time of year, and where it hung special in the home. Oh, how I wonder.

Well, I'm fixing to head over to get my Kindle and put it on the read-to feature for the rest of the book I'm reading. I'm 75% finished. I've got so many more to read/listen to!

Abbie sends her love too.

She says, "kissie,kissie"

Till later,

stay warm

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