Storm clouds of life...

There's been an abundance of rain and flooding....remember Who is in charge! 

Praying all be well with you and yours. 

The day after...Thanksgiving

I had a very blessed Thanksgiving...I spent it with Mr. Muffin, my pup, at the lake. More importantly, I spent it with God - our creator and it was breathtaking. Here's some of the peace, and calm that was in our day...
The morning was gloomy and hazy - which is something I've always enjoyed.

 Golden grasses and grey skies call to me!

 What a fabulous paint box He has...a swipe of gold here, some haze there, and a bit of ochre in front...why not, and a blob in the middle of it all with trees in various stages of dress?

 Can rocks be pretty? I thought their reflections were. The little sticks sticking up have a bit of ice on them. Yet, it wasn't that cold. Mirror shine indicates there wasn't a wisp of wind either.

 SWANS??? Yes! There were quite a few floatillas...they honk similar to a goose.

 Abstract, reflecting, fall, bending to winters call!

 Ice bumps? Look at the way they hug the trees...complete with air bubbles. Amazing. I was so enthralled with these that I totally missed the eagles! Yes...just about....

But God is so faithful...here they are, three in a tree. I finally noticed them, but was so focused on the ice and the swans, I failed to notice majesty...in triplicate - the Trinity perhaps? They were watching my glee with everything that was glittery and shiny. Which will be gone by next summer. I believe there is a parable about being careful of what we store up...my lesson here was to pay attention!!!

 So simple - abstract - grasses covered with a sliver of ice. Sometimes less is more!

Ice jaws? Shiny, bubbly...yet it could be the buttonhole stitch if you view it with different eyes...
Lesson here...things aren't always as they appear to be.

As we were leaving to come home and enjoy our Thanksgiving feast, Mr. Muffin and I were given so much out here...fresh air, exercise, romping in a playground full of fascinating critters, His shiny, beautiful abstract art complete with a spectacular paint pallet - all things to be so thankful for.

Not to mention our meal was perfectly cooked by the time we got home and was delicious - something else to be thankful for...food on our tables. Not near enough space to list all of our blessings...care to share yours???

Second chances and do overs

I love photographing the wonders of our Lord...such as this full moon Friday. And it occurred to me that God is a God of second chances. He does believe in do overs. Why else would there be seam rippers?
Of course that is from a sewing sense...but in other things in life, He always offers us a chance to make our wrongs right. Ask HIM...have hope and believe!

Fear Not...it's Valentine's Day~

 

I absolutely LOVE this scripture and was playing with typography - ta-da...here it is artfully designed. 

This scripture means so much to me, not for just everyday life, but also while tackling the creative process.  Not every stitcher is right handed, but the implication is that the Lord will help us and we need not fear the process - whatever it is. 

Having a crew over for Valentine's Day? Fear Not...He's there to help you. Deciding on whether to send that person a card...or not...Fear Not, He will help you in that decision. Overwhelmed that you don't have a special love? Fear Not...He loves you more than you'll ever know - just as you are!!! 

Freaked out about bills? Fear Not...He's there to help you through the darkest of valleys, all the while holding your right hand. 

You will make it to the mountain top! And He'll still be holding your hand. What a comfort!

So then, be brave, all the while knowing that He'll be helping you in your endeavors - He will help you in creating the perfect gift for your loved one with patterns from Fear Not Pattern Co...even if at this particular moment it's you. Because HE loves you that much.

So Fear Not and enjoy the creative process. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Fully Rely On God....FROG!

It's a new year and today it was a balmy 55 degrees and we're still praying for moisture here in the Midwest. While it's beautiful, I opened the windows to let some of the nice in and the stale out.
And that's what HE does for us when we have faith and Fully Rely On GOD.
The First Baptist Church, located in Valentine, NE, requested permission to make the Fully Rely On God pattern for their shut-ins and college students.
The put together this display after having a work day making the frogs. What a clever idea! And what wonderful, colorful, frogs and with such endearing expressions.

Welcoming the parishioners in the vestibule of the First Baptist Church

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble! Psalms 46:1; How's that for a reminder to Fully Rely On God..in all our circumstances.

What creativity and color!!!

What expressions!

What if we ALL Fully Relied On God?

Edna was in charge of coordinating the project and gathered these pages for the kids to color as cards to be included in with the Frogs as"Gifts of Love."There are also sheets that show the ids how to draw a frog and other scriptures that go with the theme: We love because He first loves us, 1 John 4:19; Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart, Psalm 37:4; The LORD watches over all who love Him, Psalm 145:20; God is our refuge and strength, An ever-present help in trouble, Psalm, 46.1...which brings us back to trusting our Lord and Savior!

Is your church helping shut-ins? Would you be interested in using Fear Not Pattern Co patterns? Please let me know and e-mail me at fearnotpatternco@yahoo.com! Have you used Fear Not Pattern Co patterns, please share them and I would be happy to feature them on the blog!!

Prayers for Newtown, Connecticut

December 14, 2012, a day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it?
How so?
We can be glad that we're free and able to pray to a loving God who will give all who ask, His peace, love, and comfort, under circumstances that are grim. 
We can pray for our "neighbors" even thought they're many states away. We can ask HIM to wash away their tears, hold them, and heal their aching hearts.
This is the season of Miracles. God does have a plan.
During a difficult season of my life I decorated my Christmas tree with cards from friends and family. I also wrote this on a piece of paper and attached it with a twist tie:
Christmas is not in the presents but in HIS presence. 
May the families of Newtown, Connecticut, feel the gift of HIS presence and a nation praying for them in their sorrow. 
Amen

It's not what you know but Who you know...

The pattern for the Season of Living pillow panel has been at a complete standstill for many reasons. The first being our summer was so hot and drought filled which led to many devastating fires.

Smoke has filled the sky while this pivot protects this meadow.

 We're hoping for many wet snows this winter and haven't had much. Of course, we're all dreaming of a white Christmas as well. This is the Season of Miracles, and with God, he can do ANYTHING!

The fire area shortly afterward with deer (haha) sweet snow!

 Back to the Season of Living pillow panel, I didn't keep very good track of how many strips to cut and their dimensions when I made it. I tried to replicate it and was styimied. I asked my friends and family to help me with the necessary math needed to come up with those numbers; and that didn't turn out very well.
At the right time, He sent me someone who helped figure out the checkerboard. After Christmas, I will get that pattern written and on the Web site. What a nice gift to get that little nagging issue finally settled.

Meanwhile, I'm praying that you and yours have a very Merry Christmas, and that we all remember the reason for the season.
The first gifts were gold, and tree sap - frankincense and myrrh. Frankincense and myrrh are fragrances and when burned are incense. According to HowStuffWorks.com they were an important commodity and were used for personal, religious and medicinal use.

Have you heard the saying, "Wise men still seek Him"? Seek Jesus this year with all your heart. He is a wonderful gift to share with those you love - and for those you don't love so well....Jesus would say, "Love thy neighbor as yourself." How's that for a gift? Take that leap of faith! Mend those fences!

Leap at the chance to share His gift of love with your neighbor and yourself.

 It's not always the easiest but the best. Not the shiniest...but the best. Not the most fragrant...but the most medicinal for you and your neighbor.
And the best medicine for our area would be nice, wet, snow so the people here could get on with their Season of Living!

Dear Lord, we thank you so much for the moisture we have gotten already and are thankful for that which is to come.

May you and your deer (haha) family have a very Merry Christmas. 

 May the gift of patterns or a gift made from a pattern from Fear Not Pattern Company bless you and the recipient - a friend or neighbor? Or yourself perhaps?

 Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday to the King of Kings!

Song of Hope...

The pattern for Song of Hope is nearly done. It's in the proofreading stages right now. I'm so hopeful that this pillow pattern will bless women who have had or will undergo a mastectomy. The pattern will be available at FearNotPatternCo.com very shortly...

There are two other patterns  in the works that will be using Northcott's Quest For A Cure fabric line. My aunt, who lost her mother to cancer, (my grandmother), thought it would be nice to have something In Memory Of....
That design is currently being sewn together, but will have multiple uses but more on that later.

 In my opinion, cancer isn't for pansies. The third will talk about that but will be for someone who just wants to purchase this lovely fabric so they can help with the cause...

And give us all HOPE!

Remember, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Northcott's Quest For A Cure fabric line is already available.

Life a little Batty?

Sometimes it can seem like one day things are normal, and overnight, your life turns BATTY! 

What do you do?

 Pray! 

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues 

them from all their troubles. 

Psalm 34:17

That's where Prayer Pets come in handy! For those batty days. Or for that matter, those friends whose lives have gone batty....flitting from one stinging problem to another. Bats are great at eating that which bugs them. 

Like those pesky mosquitoes. 

This wool pattern comes complete with a little bit of sonar so that bat can seek out that which is bothersome. And while you're making bat, pray, stitch by stitch for the pesky problems of life to to be "eaten" by Someone much larger than ourselves. Or for your friend for that matter.  

The pattern is $9.00 plus shipping. Contact me by calling 402-376-2719 or e-mailing fearnotpatternco@yahoo.com

Help someone cope with the battiness of their life!!

Harvest Goodness

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

At this time of year, we're out in our yards getting ready for summer with the coolness of spring surrounding us. Maybe you've had rain in your area. Some areas are in HUGE need of rain and are so thankful. And that's what spring is all about anyway...seeds sprouting, wind, uncertain weather, and mud.


But...you can always let the mud dry and vacuum it up, and when it's windy and rainy, what better place to be than inside the house working on a project.


Here's a project called Harvest Goodness that is made from wool and cotton fabrics. All the time in the world goes into the fields, preparing a bounty for fall harvest. So, why not begin a project now that can be complete by harvest?


To order Harvest of Goodness, call me at 402-376-2719 or e-mail me at: fearnotpatternco@yahoo.com
Pattern is $9.00 plus shipping. 
Patterns are made and printed in the U.S.A.

Seasons of Faith

It's been a long while coming, but finally, they're done... Seasons of Faith pillows and pillow panels. We all go through different seasons in our lives and the lives of our loved ones. Some are good, some aren't the best, and some are down right sad. 
It's not always easy to give our problems to the Lord, nor is it always easy to remember to pray for our loved ones. 
But Seasons of Faith pillows and panels can help get the job done creatively. Each one has a scripture you can pray for yourself or for a loved one...stitch by stitch. 
There are three different pillow designs - one for the advanced seamstress, one for the intermediate and one who is either a beginner or wants to get it done fast without a bunch of fuss!
Currently, there are four panels: Season of Hope, Season of Peace, Season of Blessing, and Season of Faith. 
The panels come off the pillow and can be changed with the seasons and easily stored so you won't have a lot of holiday pillows to pack away at the end of the season. Simply swap out a panel and you're good to go. 
Maybe making all four at one time is a bit intimidating? Make one every year and give as a gift...remembering to pray for your loved one, or a situation that is going on in your life. 


The patterns are made and printed in the U.S.A. 
Contact fearnotpatternco@yahoo.com or call 402-376-2719 to place an order.
All five patterns are $37.99 plus shipping.