November: The Remembrance of Thankfulness in a Daily Way

Yup, November blew in like a flash. Time is going by fast. So fast!

Just a short note here to thank each and every one of you. I enjoy your comments and your personal emails. They lift my day more than you will ever know.

Thanksgiving, of course, is this month and to me is a reminder of what sometimes I take for granted.

It's a day to celebrate the day that symbolizes ALL days of the year for we are all blessed with something if we only think for yet a brief moment.

I'm determined to get the DV sampler finished in design and then framed. I will show a pic later of my slow progress. My next plan ( which could change---tehehe) is a few smalls in between a Christmas ornie. I've decided this year that I will focus more on the Downton Abbey sampler I designed during the holidays in hopes for the January new season. I'm SO ready, are you?

With chronic degenerative joint disease, I have good days and bad. I wouldn't really call them bad but just less than normal for movement and aching. Today, even though a bright sunny day, I ached all over so bad when getting out of bed. One goal for the New year is to take better care of myself through diet and exercise and stress management. Yeah, yeah, I know-----we all set out to promise on the New Year's but I'm serious. I've gotten away from yoga and I can tell so much. 

It makes a difference in the creative flow process when we are well rested and not under so much stress.

We all have stress, some of us are just not as good at managing it as others (sometimes me). I hope to be better at it again.

So I'm starting my gratitude list for Thanksgiving and each day this month will add one:

Gratitude affects and makes ATTITUDE!

I'm thankful for:

1)Abbie, my forever fur baby friend who has been there and will to the end.

2)Mr. Darcy, my best friend

Stay tuned for daily adds. Everyone is different and they are in no order of significance, just random thought.

I love to read, and if you have followed this blog, you know how I LOVE my kindle. I add at least 5 books, mostly free from Pixel of Ink from FB to my Kindle to read at another time.
There is another freebie site for kindle books but you have to grab them that day or the next they go back to regular price. It's called Inspired Reads and it's all Christian books.

I grabbed this freebie Daily Deposits for the Soul and each day I read one at lunch. It really realigns my thoughts which fluctuate daily, unfortunately. This first little chapter to read was about gratitude. It's something I'm challenged with when faced with fiercely disturbing circumstances; however, it's something we all do at some time in our life. It discussed meditation of which I'm a firm believer in the benefits for our body and mind. I just read an article that meditation alone reduces our stress hormone, cortisol, by 50%. That, my friend, is a huge benefit.

The challenge the author is explaining is to think ONLY on the things that are pure, admirable, or praiseworthy. Now isn't that a big thing in this world today? 

Unfortunately, in focusing only on those things, we have to turn away from things, even people who bring us down or constantly send out negativity, jealousy, or hurtful words.
This I learned is the hardest as we are taught to love all people. And we can still love all other people, forgive them but set our boundaries not to be in their presence of negativity. This has really been a hard but important fact throughout this year as I have been presented with alot of the negative but it's true that if we focus on positive in some way, we are much better for ourselves and others.

I'm only human, so I have to remind myself of this daily. This book really is a daily life send with good thoughts to interplay into my life during all times.

"In Everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thess. 5:18

I give thanks for you. I find that blogging is not always done to some people's taste and they come and go for whatever reason, yet, I still find that there is always a positive and usually it comes through emails from loving friends who do enjoy reading. I want to thank those who have taken their time to comment and read what's going on at the homestead and all those who enjoy stitching and nest-making as much as I do!

This book, Daily Deposits for the Soul really helps me so I thought I would share.
 In the beginning of the preface the author references www.48days.com for Dan Miller, author of 48 Days to the Work You Love.
The author of this book, Daily Deposits for the Soul is Henry Matlock. Just passin' it on to any who love to read something positive each day.

Hope your Friday keeps on being the best!
Jennifer

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

A Ray of Sunshine

 

Miss Little Ray of Sunshine

 

 

 

On this beautiful, Fall crisp day.

 

 

Here's hoping that whatever path you take in life

 

 

 

Home or away

 

 

brings a bit of God's beauty to touch your heart

 

 

Long enough to stay

 

 

Savor in the sunny spot, and there's always one somewhere.

 

For it's in the darkest times in contrast, that we can appreciate the light.

 

Hoping your Sunday is spent with the ones you love, some cool, crisp, sunny air and doing something restful and creative to share.

 

God bless each of you.

 

I'm off to find some adventure with Mr. Darcy. It's a Darcy kind of day. :)

 



Weekly Thrift Finds and Progress on Quaker freebie

Thursday thrifting was fun! I found a new thrift store and one treasure in it. I went to look at junk frames because I needed a 6 x6 or so square frame. I came home with this instead!!!!

 

 

A brand new Sudberry Oak box for 3 bucks. If you order online or buy it's about 45.00.

What a deal!

 

I stained it and it's still wet in this pic but I wanted a more distressed darker wood.

 

 

And boy, what a mess I made in the kitchen with this. I first applied with a rag then when I started using a sponge applicator, it was way too much dripping it everywhere. I burned the corn on the cob in the process as I was cooking supper at the time, BUT, I think it will dry out well and our dinner turned out to be fine.

 

 

Abbie was glad as she got her own grilled salmon, taters, and beans in a chi size serving! :P

 

 

The heavy metal (sounds like music) copper distressed frame was another find at the thrift store.

 

 

I went to a second thrift shop and got this for 3.00. I may try to redo the pattern for this old, old motif.

 

 

 

I found this frame for 3 bucks there of which I plan to take apart and frame the sampler I am working now, Doing Right Quaker freebie by Liberty House Primitives.

 

My progress is here:

 

 

I know it's a slow-goer for me but at least I'm moving forward. :)

 

The above frame will be the one I use and after I take out those lovely cross stiched hearts, I will use that to make a needlebook most likely.

 

 

I got this piece of wool at a local quilt shop. It's a fat quarter. I have in mind to use for some Christmas ornies.

 

Well, Fall is certainly here. The leaves are changing if ever so slightly and the peak should be next weekend here.

The colors are definitely inspiring and the cooler weather is helping me get in the Christmas ornie stitching mode.

 

 

I still have these to read through as well. Historical patterns are very intriguing to me as it seems that the motifs symbolize whatever the stitcher was experiencing at that time or her hopes and dreams.

 

A sampler design certainly is a symbolic story-teller.

 

On the designing front, I'm still working on a Downton Abbey, rather large sampler, that you will like if you are a DA fan like me and Mr. Darcy. We are still catching up on episodes and into the mid of the second season now. We for sure, will be ready for that January 6th new season!!!

 

Happy Saturday and Happy Fall to all,

Jennifer

 

A House and Home sampler

 Today I designed House and Home sampler.

 

This morning was such a great, lazy, cool morning in which sipping of peach tea and designing were on my agenda while the fresh breeze of Fall air from the North Georgia mountains blew in a peaceful spirit.

There is just something about Saturday mornings in which inspiration flows much better. It's probably because of the relaxation that Saturday morning brings, to sleep in, to get that extra rest and inspiration from the quiet.

 

Home has always been important to me. Never perfect but always something since I was a wee girl to have when I grew up as a woman.

 

Through all the ups and downs, one constant that never changes is my desire to have a peaceful home, one in which is not just a building but whatever size, a place of reprieve from the brash world and busy life.

 

I've admired through the years many with large homes and wondered, as I rode by them in deep thought, if they were really homes; as homes are only made of hope, love, and trust. And of course, how fortunate the blessings to have both!

 

There have been years in my life that I had only hopes and dreams for a real home, although blessed with a house in which I put my heart into. There were things missing for peace to flourish and love to grow. No matter how much nesting, cooking, or decorating my house, unfortunately there were times when it was just a house. But love has now made it a home.

 

I'm thankful that in this past year God has opened my eyes to a brighter future He had for me in store which included exactly what I prayed for many years, a home built on love and hope, trust and peace.

 

 “My people have been lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray and caused them to roam on the mountains. They wandered over mountain and hill and forgot their own resting place.” Jeremiah 50:6 (NIV)

 

I hope I never forget my own resting place which is my home with the one I love and trust. The blessing of making it a home, although humble, is given to me by my Father in Heaven, and for that, I am very thankful to Him. From protection from those who tried to destroy my home, I can't be thankful enough to Him for surviving and rebuilding with love and trust.

He has given me a house AND a home now which is a respite of peace and love, and not fear and restlessness and lies.

 

These are my thoughts today as I offer this to you as a freebie, that as you stitch, you are reminded, along with myself, that a God-centered home is a huge blessing that not all get to experience in their lifetimes.

 

Proverbs 31 Ministries is a favorite website that I love to read and participate in when I can. The website is here:

http://www.proverbs31.org/

 

The daily devotionals are awesome!

 

I hope your house is full of HOME today and always!

 

 

Jennifer

 



Sampler Magazines and Sundries

I've always loved Sampler Antique Needlework magazine but hesitate sometimes to get it.

However, this week I caved and got two of the backordered ones from 2006.

 

Amazon also shipped out to all who ordered, the Season one and two, 6 CD collection on Oct 2!

I don't go to the theatre much so this definitely was a good buy for all the hours of Downton Abbey intrigue. This also includes a CD of the making of the movie and the house itself.

 

 

 I missed last year's entire season and I loved the fact  I could rewatch the first season~ like who can watch it too much????  I love this series.

So happy dance today at the mailbox.

 

 

 

So, of course this Abbie and myself are getting ready for bed, BUT...............

 

 

a few more stitches in a mystery sampler I picked up. Still no clues? The first clue is it's a freebie from a stitching blog.

 

 

I love the shade of overdyed blue.............more clues later.........when finished this will make my first cupboard pillowkeep for my Hoosier cabinet.

 

 

Other mail happiness came in this package. 2 older Sampler Antique Needlework magazine copies, Summer 2006 and Fall 2006

 

 

 

 

I love reading these and both of these historical samplers caught my eye.

 

 

 

And~~~~~ I got a copy of the Just Cross stitch 2012 Christmas magazine at Walmart today.

Gorgeous finishing of many beautiful ornies in there from all designers.

To all designers who participated, Yay!!!

I'm looking through it and wondering which ones I will have time to stitch.

What is it? Like 10 weeks left to get some done??????

 

I have designed a few myself for Christmas and will be putting them on the blog soon.

 

With sleepy eyes of the needle,

Jennifer

 



The Seller's Hoosier Cabinet Finished!

Hey there! I finally figured out most of the new formatting in Google Blogger in the revisions.

I don't know about you but September for me has flown by in a snap but I, oh so eagerly, am awaiting for nature to reveal it's Fall beauty of colorful leaves!!!

This week and last, Mr. Darcy has finished the old Sellers Hoosier cabinet and  we both LOVE the way it turned out.

Here are the before pics:

and the after 2 weeks of meticulous work by Mr. Darcy's talented hands.

We chose to strip the paint/ sand it off then stain it Special Walnut stain on the outside and the inside a white color.

The ceramic top that is pulled out when needed was white and red.

He painted the red, black and it is awesome.

The handles and hinges were hand sanded, washed, resanded and painted flat black along with the hinges.

All the hardware is original even all the hinges.

I am amazed at this beautiful old Hoosier cabinet that will be part of the kitchen.

It has a flour bin in the middle that pulls out. The metal was restored and painted the white.

It holds 50 lbs of flour and has the sifter, all functional at the bottom.

A true baking center and this piece was made between 1910 and 1930.

Some of the cabinet was kept distressed.

There is an original wire basket that is on the left lower cabinet door inside.

I'll put pics on it later with the basket which was painted the flat black and put on the door.

This was to hold rolling pins or pie tins.

If you look closely on the right lower part there is a space that used to have a wire basket.

This was the only thing missing when I bought it at auction for 75.00.

I will keep this and treasure it all my life.

Many restored Hoosier cabinets list for 500-3000.00.

I think Mr. Darcy did an awesome job!!!

There's no place like home.

Clicking my shoes with Toto,

Jennifer