Boo To You!

 

  

Nasty Witch
I saw a nasty witch last night,
Sailing through the pale moonlight.
She whooped and zooped among the leaves,
She caused a fuss mong the trees!
She landed right before my feet
And shouted at me, TRICK OR TREAT!

Happy Halloween!

Yep, I'm still here . . .

I would apologize for my absence but in all honesty I'm just glad to be back.

My family began going through a difficult time a few months ago.  At the time I thought it best to just hold my breath and ride out the storm.  In doing so, it ended up completely engulfing me.  When it began I put so much of my life on hold, waiting for the end of it all when I could breathe again.  Unfortunately, the trials my family is enduring are not merely a rough patch, but for the time being, have become a way of life.  No longer being able to hold out until the end I had to adapt. I realized that in trivializing what at the time I viewed simply as a "hobby" and letting go of so much I held dear I made a difficult time all the more difficult.  I learned an important lesson, perhaps one others already know, but I feel the need to share.

Even if there are things in your life that seem to need all of your attention you always need to keep a little left over for yourself.

Now onto the good stuff!

I went nearly two months without putting in a single stitch, the longest time ever, aside from after each of my children were born.  The moment I picked up my needle again I felt like the Grinch . . . you know . . . "his small heart grew three sizes that day".  I know it sounds silly, but it felt as though this tiny little cell I'd been living in for months finally opened up.  I can tell you I am never again forgetting the significance those tiny little x's have for me :)

I've been busying finishing samplers that were left alone for months, charting ideas that had been stored away in some back corner of my mind, pulling out fabrics and threads, feeling inspired in a way I didn't think was possible anymore. 

I even have a free pattern sitting on my stitching table waiting for some embroidery.  Speaking of free patterns I have repaired all the links on my Free Patterns page.  I have been dreading doing that for weeks but it didn't take nearly as long as I feared it would. 

Things are looking up (or I'm choosing just to see the things that are, which is fine too) and I cannot say how glad I am to be back!

xoxo

Jennie Lynn

Ideal Malloy Sampler

Yep, I'm still here.  I know it's been awhile.  I could say I've been busy.  Enjoying the last few days of Summer vacation, getting the kids prepared to go back to school, completing some long-awaited household projects, and happily stitching.  I could say that and it would be true.  But, honestly, I haven't posted simply because I haven't felt like it.  I promised myself when I began this blog, and began selling some of my designs, that it would not become a chore for me.  Stitching is the one thing I do for myself, not the children or my husband, and I am very protective of it.  I don't want to spoil my simple enjoyment of it so I refuse to adhere to deadlines.  That being said, I am sorry for having made you wait so long.  Finally, here is Ideal Malloy.

It's a slightly smaller sampler than I typically design, being only about 8 in x 10 in when finished.  It is stitched using only two colors, GA Brandy and GA Walnut on 30 ct R & R Reproductions linen.  Rather than add a verse I opted instead for the potted tulips in the lower right corner.

The pattern is available as an e-pattern only and the cost is $8.50.  I have been woefully lax in adding any of my more recent patterns to My Designs page.  I am toying with the idea of starting a selling blog or perhaps selling exclusively on Etsy.  Until I decide, however, please e-mail me if you would like to order the e-pattern for Ideal Malloy or any of my other designs. 

I do promise to be a little more present in the coming weeks.  I have two more patterns for Autumn, another free pattern as well as a small quilt and prim doll I'm working on.  I know I won't have nearly as much time as I think I will to work on these, even with the children starting school next week, but it's always good to aim for the stars just to see how far you can reach.

xoxo

Jennie Lynn

Summer Swan -- Free Pattern

I have to admit this has been finished and ready to post for a few days.  Sorry :( 

I've had to wait for enough time to post, add a link to my Free Patterns page, and upload the file to Google Docs.  All of that actually only takes a few moments but even that has been difficult to come by lately.  I've heard people speak of "lazy Summer afternoons".  I, myself, have yet to experience one.  No matter what the temperature my children never slow down, I just lack the energy to keep up with them.

Enough excuses, I've made you wait long enough.  This is simply my interpretation of the swan motif commonly found in antique Dutch samplers.  This was just a small piece of linen in my scrap basket, I'd received it as part of a swap package, but I can't remember from whom.  I wanted a design that could be stitched entirely in off-white thread.  I love the contrast of light colored thread against a dark linen background. 

If you would like to download the pattern simply visit my Free Patterns page, scroll all the way to the bottom and click on the link under the photo of the pattern finish.  As always, if you have any trouble, just e-mail me and I will be happy to send you the PDF pattern as an e-mail attachment.   

Enjoy!

xoxo

Jennie Lynn

As promised . . .

I did promise a sneak peak of my latest sampler.  It seems a bit late for one given that it's almost completed.  It's so close to being done that I wonder why I didn't put the last few stitches in the last time I worked on it.  When I am that close to finishing a sampler there are only four things that would stop me before completing it and there names are Emma, Jeremy, Benjamin, and Mina :)

Nonetheless, it will be finished this evening and I will post the pattern for sale as soon as it is ready.  I also have a free pattern almost completed (it's been awhile), another sampler I've already begun stitching, and pieces cut for another small quilt.  Now that we are turning the page on July I feel I can look ahead to Autumn quickly approaching and with that rush of anticipation is coming new inspirations.  There will be a heat index above 100 degrees again today but I can feel those Autumn breezes in my mind and that is more than enough to motivate me :)

xoxo

Jennie Lynn

Samplers and Solitude

I've been feeling a bit anti-social this past week.  I'm not depressed or grouchy in any way.  At least I don't think I am.  There are just days when I prefer to be alone and pretend the world outside my own little bubble simply doesn't exist.  I find comfort in silence and solitude, which I have to admit is hard to come by with four children.  So in the time while my two oldest children are visiting family in NY and before my in-laws visit here I am taking advantage of the peaceful opportunities.

I have been busy designing and stitching, picking fabrics, linens, and threads.  Even if I can find quiet moments to escape from the distractions of the world around me my own mind can more than compensate.  There are so many ideas swirling about my head I can find it difficult to focus on just one . . . in that I know I'm now alone :)

While playing working with my fabric stash I happened across a bundle I must have made awhile ago, and for what purpose I can't know possibly remember.

I must have liked it once, then discarded it for whatever reason, but have now fallen in love with it again and it has become the inspiration for the color choices for a particular sampler that before now I had been stumped on.

I adore the color combination of yellow and brown and looking about my living room I can see it has manifested itself in areas other than my crafting.   Let's just say this sampler will fit quite nicely in the room.  I will confess I have already begun stitching and will share a photo in a day or so.  Until then, wishing everyone a few moments of peace and quiet in their day.

xoxo

Jennie Lynn

Independence Day

 

I just wanted to stop in and wish everyone a Happy 4th of July.  

The photo above is all that exists of what was meant to be a small Americana quilt.  There are a few flying geese hanging about my sewing table but these blocks are the only two I managed to complete.

I have been woefully unproductive these past few weeks.  I am enjoying every moment with my children but I am yearning to create something.  I am going to have to set aside some time for myself in the coming days.  I always feel so terrible telling the children "Mommy needs some alone time".  I feel as though I am turning them away (which I suppose I am) and missing out on precious time with them (also probably true).  I have found, though, that I am a much better mother when there is a little time each day for myself.  Without that time my patience wears thing, my temper grows short and I'm just generally grouchy.  If I can find just a little time in the evenings with my needle and thread I find that the next day I am a much more pleasant person to be around :)

So the plan tonight after the carnival and fireworks display is to curl up on the sofa, turn the ac up a bit so I can enjoy a cup of tea, watch anything other than cartoons, put needle to thread and without any guilt whatsoever tell everyone "this is my time".  I'll be declaring my own independence (of a sort).  

I hope everyone else has as enjoyable and evening and hopefully if I can keep my resolve more nights than not I'll have more to share in the coming weeks (fingers crossed).

xoxo

Jennie Lynn