Just sayin'

This week has flown by like the windy days we've had lately. Today is gray and misty rain outside.

Thankfully, I'm on the down side of the flu-bug and have my to-do list in hand for the weekend.

Abbie is spoiled as usual and is the queen of the sofa and is actually in the process of training right now for a greater purpose.

Computers are down, one in the shop, one slow so by Monday I will have a better connection speed to get some REAL pictures on the blog.

But the pause this week has taught me to slow down. Take care of my physical health and appreciate the simple things in life even more.

Hot chocolate was my best friend this past week, along with tissue boxes and Lifetime movies. ;)

Last night I reached to start back on a sampler and realized my computer that's in the shop has the pattern on it so I put a few stitches in one by The Sampler Girl I started a couple of months ago and worked on the border of it while watching a wonderful movie, The Christmas Box. I've seen that movie at least 7 times but I dearly love it! If there's one thing I've definitely enjoyed these past few weeks is going to Dish and watching the best movies and old TV shows again.

Thank you again,dear readers, for all your prayers. I definitely appreciate them and feel that 2012 is going to be the best and much brighter, I just know it!! I can feel it in my fiber!

Until I can post some pics for you xxxxx fingers, not too much later, I hope you enjoy your Friday and settle in with a hot cup of cocoa and a crackling fireplace or whatever makes you happy!

Stay safe and warm always,

Jennifer

A Simple Christmas Giveaway

Friday. A week in review. Another fast week. Another week of life lessons.

December. The beginning of another season. A season of hope.

Sometimes all we need is hope. I'm looking forward to a new season on many levels and hope that you too will find hope in whatever you are going through whether good or bad, ups or downs.

In the middle of a turbulent season of my life this past 6 months especially, I have been reminded that there is hope. I want to thank each of you again as I did before for your prayers, your strength, your kindness, and just hanging in here with me as I wrote several months ago. I'm very hopeful that this season of struggle, to put it lightly, is closing and a new brighter chapter is in the near future.

At Christmas, I've always loved to give whether it be my time, my talents, or gifts.

A couple of months ago, I ordered from Pineberry Lane and also ordered a Blackbird Design book that would be the perfect Christmas giveaway this year for anyone who loves samplers, vintage scissors and 32 ct Belgian linen to make your samplers. It's been moved from one place to another through the chaotic past few months but now time has settled things and finally getting to posting it.

I've ordered from Pineberry Lane in the past and this is where I knew the quality of products and linen is awesome!

A book by Blackbird Designs, A Schoolgirl's Work is a beautiful 110 page book of old samplers, the history of the making of them, and several patterns from those samplers. I do not have one myself but hope one day to order one as I was so impressed with the quality and beautiful pictures and patterns in this book.

Of course with Blackbird Designs, you know that spells quality by itself.

The scissors are wrapped with sprigs of lavender, as well as the linen.

I am going to leave those unopened but here are a few pics:

32 ct fat quarter of linen from Pineberry Lane

and the vintage scissors from Pineberry Lane

The season started here in April with a prayer alone

and all since then was in God's hands. I had tried to fix things myself but as you most know there is a time to let go and that time had come.  I had no idea how or what events would take place but

just as I said in the post in the Springtime when I gave this pair of scissors, sampler and linen,

I will say again.

One thing is the same throughout all seasons in life:

Remember well and bear in mind,

A Faithful friend is hard to find

~~~~~~~~

Surround yourselves with loving friends and those that choose not to be, pray for.

That's the best gift you can give!

http://feathersinthenest.blogspot.com/2011/02/spring-fever-give-way-starts-now.html

I have to say this even again and I'm so glad there is at least that one constant in life we can count on through all seasons.

The Christmas Season shared with you.

Good luck!

Basic things as usual:

1) be or become a follower of this blog and post here

2) international accepted

3) all 3 in one gift to the winner

4) if anonymous, please also put a way to reach you if your name is drawn from the random selector

5) for 2 chances, post twice, once as a follower, and second as your favorite pair of scissors.

6) for a third chance, post a third time that you posted on your blog, if you have one.

Starting today and ending on December 24th at midnight.

Abbie and I appreciate your patience with hanging in with us through some horrific events. I cannot and won't share this on a public domain. Just know that it's in God's hands and for all that we did survive and go through, we will be ok. We thank those that chose to stand by us and not leave.

I have but one Christmas wish this year and I've learned to keep it inside between myself and God for He already knows what that wish is.

I'm glad I was able to keep the strength to keep blogging although my stitching came to a hault for awhile.

I hope this changes soon and I finish at least A Christmas Heart sampler which is really just a simple verse from a movie that means alot to me and even though simple it represents my Christmas this year.

  I will say that it's time for rest now. It's time to sleep, to rest, and to eat and never give up on our Christmas wish.

Till later,

Jennifer

Twisted Tuesday

It is always good to know, if only in passing, charming human beings.

 It refreshes one like flowers and woods and clear brooks.

~~George Eliot

Food for thought from the heart.

A Man's Own House--from Abigail

Hi, it's Abbie here. Just want to say thanks to all, for all your prayers and personal emails to my mom during a very difficult time in our life. I think we are on our way to peace and safety. It's hard for my mommy to ask for help but she did and to those who were so understanding and supportive through prayers and being there, we want to especially thank you, because we would do it for you if you asked during such a hardship.

We had to stay in hotels for 17 days in the Fall of the year to stay safe. And although I tried to stretch out and take it easy, I still prefer home.

When I'm home, this is one of my favorite spots,

because I can see the front porch and alert my mommy to anything

and I can watch my mom stitch, read and design too

Although the past 6 months have been stressful to say the least

I love my mom and she loves me.  And there's no place like HOME!

Several people left us in our lives during this time because they didn't understand,

but because God understands, He saved our lives.

 We still need your prayers as we transition at home, and we know God will take care of us, even me.

While away and during the difficult times, my mommy would like to give you a freebie she designed so that you can put it in your special home too or give it as a gift

~~~~ Because we both know that there's no place like home.

A Man's Own House

copyright 2011

designed by Feathers in the Nest

threads suggested are:

Gentle Art--Liberty---blue

Gentle Art---Dark Chocolate---dark brown

Gentle Art---Freedom--blue

Gentle Art ---Strawbonnet --light natural

Crescent Colors---Used Brick---brick red color

Crescent Colors---Pea Pod---green

Gentle Art--Mustard Seed---yellowish green--the pathway, the cross, the arrow, and the word East

just click on the picture graph and you should be able to print from there.

Psalm 91

If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter,

no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home.

For He will order His angels to protect you wherever you go.  verses 9-11 (NIV)

We both hope you have a good Sunday, a restful day for the week ahead and again thank you,

Love,

Abbie

The Lacemaker Print Finds a New Home

Johannes Vermeer, one of my favorite artists, Dutch in origin, had very interesting paintings depicting mostly women in domestic chores of middle class. He had a preference for cornflower blues and yellow in his works. He was baptized in Delft/Netherlands in 1632 and died in 1673 at the early age of 43. This particular print of the oil painting is called The Lacemaker. He originally painted this in 1669-70 in Louvre, Paris.

I found this interesting from further research into The Lacemaker from Wikipedia~~

In The Lacemaker, the artist presents the various elements which compose both the girl's face and body as well as the pattern of the material she is working on in an abstract manner. The girl's hands, the curls of her hair and the T-cross which form her eyes and nose are all described in an abstract manner unusual for the era in which Vermeer worked. In addition, the red and white of the lace is shown as spilling from the sewing cushion with physical properties suggesting a near liquid form.^[2] The blurring of these threads contrasts sharply with the precision of the lace she is shown working on.

 He is very famous also for The Girl with a Pearl Earring, of which I treasure over my fireplace, painted by my daughter in oil and a much larger piece.

Just a few weeks ago, while going through a thrift store, actually looking for something else, I saw this for 8.00. It's a print with glass of a Vermeer painting and interestingly, whoever owned this obviously  loved the art of tatting, or stitching, in general, as there is a corner piece of actual tatting under the glass.

I was instantly attracted to this print and it's beautiful frame and tatting piece. It fits in a perfect spot in the house and I LOVE it!

The print is actually about the same size as the original, as it's the smallest of Vermeer's paintings but regarded as unusual for the Baroque era, measuring about 8 x9 in.

I had to share with all those who love art AND needlework or needle art.

I think I definitely found a treasure! Just a reminder that sometimes when we are looking for one thing, we can find another.   Makes me wonder who would take such a piece to a thrift store, but I'm sure glad I found it.

Hope your evening is peaceful and your weekend beautiful!

Wordy Wednesday

Mid-week already and tomorrow Dec 1st! Can't believe it. Time flies by fast.

Things that make my skirt fly up lately are:

• the Christmas movies on Lifetime channel
• peaceful, quiet house
• organization. Finally.
• the smell of a fire in the fireplace
• the sounds of the fire in the fireplace
• fruit, yogurt with granola
• Iam's dry dog food ---for toy breeds
• meeting a friend I haven't seen in 30 years!
• early evenings to bed with a full night's sleep
• watching the sunrise in a brilliant orange red over the mountains while making coffee
• no poo poo accidents from Abbie
• blueberry cake for breakfast
• extra reading time
• Bath and Bodyworks Acorn and Fig Room spray.......heavenly.
• listening to Joyce Meyers ministries---word vitamins for the soul
• stitching time in the evenings
• hot chocolate with extra marshmellows
• connecting with old friends. And new ones!
• Randy Travis CD==Three Wooden Crosses
• finding new craft blogs that are awesome
• watching snowflakes outside the window even if it was just 2 hours yesterday ;)
• finding the best ezcema (over the counter) product---Aveeno for ezcema skin---works like a charm
• a bargain buy for Abbie for 97cents---a new Tshirt (because she really needed another one)

I Learn something new everyday and today felt so honored!!

To my surprise, my latest freebie is in a great blog for cross stitchers and lovers of all crafts. A Christmas Heart designed recently was presented as today's posting at Craft Gossip.

Thanks to all readers and lovers of Feathers in the Nest. I do thank you from the bottom of my Christmas heart ;)

http://cross-stitch.craftgossip.com/

Browsing through this blog has tons of information and great charts. A wonderful treasure found today, another blessing to count. If you are looking for a great blog to add for tons of info on crafting, this one is excellent.

 Hope you are starting the week off to a great start. Weather man says we may get a few snow flakes tomorrow in the North Georgia mountains! Snow. Just the word stirs excitement for me. ;)

Stay safe and warm,

Jennifer

Friday Flashback---the missing sampler

yep, remember the Sheepish Design sampler I worked almost a year on off and on back about 3 or 4 years ago?  It was taken from my kitchen and hopefully the person who just had to have it will send it back one day.

I'll never forget the places where I stitched this in hand. No hoop for this one. Part of it was completed while I was recovering from surgery in 2007.

I feel certain and am hopeful it was not destroyed and will one day be again where it is here.

I worked very hard on it and framed it myself. Took a long time to find a frame that fit perfectly.

The name of the man stitched very tiny in the sampler I dedicated it to, as I held his hand while he passed this life in 2003.

Through the years, I've had several personal emails on this Sheepish Design, Dutch Alphabet.

Samplers are personal to me as many of you as well.

Let's hope it's returned in good condition and will find it's home again.

Onward to the weekend~

going with a friend on a girl's day out and so excited!!!!!

Till later,

Jennifer

There's No Place Like Home--sampler for Christmas

There's No Place Like Home

copyright 2011

designed by Jennifer A Dalenberg

Feathers in the Nest

christmas ornie 2011

colors suggested:

DMC 355

936

680 dark old gold

640 very dark beige gray

420 dark hazelnut brown

801 Dark coffee brown

3865 Winter White

3078 Very light golden yellow

355 Dark Terra Cotto

936 Very dark Advocado Green

size 85 x 86

 I'm so dreaming of a white Christmas, are you?  It's soooo much closer than I realized. As I came into town and saw the Christmas decor already up yesterday, it was an eye-opener and a soothing reminder of Christ's birthday soon to be celebrated.

The old fireplace is cozy and warm while North Georgia is getting a cooler front today.

Brrrr......

There are still quite a few gold and orange leaves on trees and the window view is awesome!

On another more somber note, I just ask that if you can, to keep my father in your prayers. Without going into details, he just needs to be lifted up for healing. He is scheduled to have a major procedure and hospitalized for 10 days, and long recovery. Please pray for him.

Sometimes I don't understand why just when we get our lives reconnected, things happen like this, but I do believe and know that God is in charge of all of us and knows what we don't and will take us THROUGH these times. It's these times that help us grow stronger I'm sure and whatever happens is made by the greatest Designer in the world.

He knows our design call life before we ever do.

My father and I have had times where we didn't see eye to eye but the past is past and this year we have reconnected. I can remember some very pivotal points in my life where he was always there.

One was when I was ever sick or had surgery. No matter what. When I woke from anesthesia he was there.

I remember once he came over years ago after my son died and read a plague I had on the wall, a wooden one and said to always remember that and he really, really liked it.

And boy, oh boy have I had to go reread it through the years when things sometimes made no sense to me.

The Weaver

My life is but a weaving

Between my Lord and me

I cannot choose the colors

He worketh steadily

Offtimes He weaveth sorrow

And I in foolish pride.

Forget He sees the upper

And I, the underside.

Not till the loom is silent And the shuttles cease to fly

Shall God unroll the canvas

And explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful

in the Weaver's skillful hand

As the threads of gold and silver

in the pattern he has planned.

~~~~Grant Collfax Tullar

Onward to the day now, making some new threads.

Jennifer

Sundays are for samplers

A couple of months ago I happened upon a spontaneous trip with a good friend for lunch and thrifting. This sampler caught my eye in a flash because of several reasons.

I was taken away with the fact that the initials of the stitcher were the same as my mentor in public health nursing and in 1991, she gifted me with part of her knowledge-base of midwifery and women's health.

The colors are absolutely gorgeous, as well as the frame. Unfortunately, no glass on this one but what a find!!!!!

appears to be stitched on even-weave, praire cloth.

And when I saw this, I instantly thought of MN, Masters in Nursing and in 1991 my preceptorship for a career change began with Diane. Diane made the start of my graduate degree so special and I will never forget her.

Unfortunately, she fought a battle of breast cancer a couple of years after our mentorship and did not win. I can still remember our rides together to many rural clinics in our district in public health.

Many pearls of wisdom I still have are from her.

There is some serious filling of grass at the bottom in a lovely shade of moss green.

The verse spoke to my heart immediately.

I have no idea who designed this sampler. If you know or have seen it before please let me know.

It was just too ironic for the initials, date, and center piece with the birds bringing olive branches.

Every time I pass it, I'm gently reminded of God's promise to never leave us or forsake us, for He has a special place and is preparing a place for us.

Diane didn't stitch but this piece with the verse, the initials, the year and the middle portion, matches her memory that I hold in my heart.

If there is someone that makes a positive change in your life, you are blessed!

Hope your Sunday was a restful one.

Till later,

Jennifer

Every day is a Friday

Hayyyyy (in southern accent)  to all this morning and hope each and every one of you is happy, warm and cozy right now! After the peak of leaf color, there are even still some beautiful trees left releasing their pretty leaf color to the ground and I feel so blessed to live in the North Ga mountains. A dear friend of mine who lives in the northern states calls me a country bumpkin and I do believe I fit that sweet name. :P

I stitched a little on the Sampler Girl piece (His Eye is On the Sparrow)  but will show a photo tonight to you where after I stitched some of the lettering, I just couldn't live with the color I chose. I tried to substitute an overdyed thread but will be frogging tonight, the shade just didn't look or blend like the picture on the pattern. Later, I'll show you the before and after. A tiny restart but oh so much spirit to finish this piece and many more to finish.

I do more stitching in the Fall and Winter months anyways, do you?  Just seems so fitting for Christmas gifting, and stitching by the cozy fireplace of which I so love, love, LOVE! I'm ready to settle in and get busy. Miss Abbie has gotten attached to sleeping with me and some mornings is hard to bump her out of bed to make it up, but she is my lump of sugar and she definitely knows it.

 Bless her little heart at the love in her soul.

I hope you find something bright and happy in your day today and think of every day being a Friday.

 That helps my spirit greatly!

So many things to start thinking about for the holidays and I do believe this will be a good one for me this year as my plans include MUCH joy that I could have never anticipated! I'm just excited about it, so excited!

All those with the Sept. edition of the Christmas ornies, I missed that, but will be looking through one really soon to see the talent that all the designers have made this year for ornies. Even if I can't stitch them all up, I love to look through the magazine over and over.

I can't believe that Thanksgiving is almost here and then Christmas!!!!

Many of you know that follow this blog that I give a big Christmas give away so stay tuned. I will not disappoint you this year!

Timeless comforts. Enjoy the day.

Stay cozy and warm with your needles moving,

Jennifer

Black and White--Thursday Thoughts

All of us experience bumps here and there in our ability in expression

 for creativity and our passion for color;

 hence, the color is drained from our being at times.

Hope is knowing and believing

 that the color will return;

that our appreciation of colors wouldn't even occur

~~~~without experiencing the black and white.

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

Slowing down on Sunday

I can't believe it's already been a week!!! My staycation is almost over and not much stitching at all but got alot of other things done around the homestead.

I almost got the first line done......."when in the night I sleepless lie" from Ann Hill, The Examplary designs.

Have been so busy with deep cleaning that I haven't had time to stitch but it's almost Sunday night and then back to regular schedule of events here....LOL

The lighter colors also slow me down a bit even with my glasses on.

And this one has gotten spoiled, even more spoiled this week with me being home every day!

I got a pic with my camera holding the bottom firmly so the hinge is not warped....LOL

I got alot of sleep in this week. And so did somebody else.

I got some organizing done in my stitching studio/bedroom

I walked past this sampler I'm designing and felt a twinge of guilt that I haven't finished it by now.

I've had alot of playtime to relax and be me!

and managed to drop my camera so the hinge is warped.....but, will make do until later.

And reflected alot on blessings of the local kind here. :0

watched the verdict of the Anthony trial  being read in absolute awe with my buddy here.

realized that our world may be a little twisted but I feel safe at home.

and that making our home a comfortable, cozy nest makes me happy

and growing where we are planted is a journey of itself.

I hope you all had a great week!  Thank you for all the comments and the participation in the giveaway in memory of Caylee!  I hope to show more progress on stitching with the next posting.

However, onward now to finishing up the clutter in my office space. I've filled bags to donate like you wouldn't believe this week. It's a great cleansing of the heart experience.