Detours????

There's clouds in the background...storms ahead? Or are they there to shield your eyes from the glaring sun? Or simply to show you the color palette he's selected for the sky that day. 

It doesn't matter which of these He's selected, but when you encounter HIS "cones" of detour, know He has a plan for you. He knows what's up ahead. He knows who you will or won't come into contact with. Trust His cones...with joy. Be thankful for the detour. You may never know what you missed, but you can count your blessings that He has a plan for your joy and peace!

The Valleys of life offer more than we know!

We're led by commercialism to believe that we have to strive for that brass ring, be number one...just do it...and there's nothing wrong for going for your dreams! 

God has given you many of those dreams and desires - to glorify HIM. 

That's why it's so important to remember those in the valley's of life. 

Compassion goes a long way, so does being thankful for what you do, and who you have, in your life right now. Including your own valley! 

Let your light shine in the storms of life

Love is patient...1 Corinthians 13:4-8...Happy Mother's Day

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. ⁸ Love never fails.

Mother's Day will be upon us this May 12. Was your mother a saintly woman flying around the house with gossamer wings humming a sweet melody? Mine wasn't either. 

And as a mother I sure wasn't either. Such as life. We're all imperfect beings trying to make it in an imperfect world. 

BUT you are who you ARE today because of, or in some cases, in spite of, your mother.  

The Good Book instructs: Parents, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

And our Lord is very giving. He is very forgiving. Our Lord is LOVE.

I do love my mother very much yet I've procrastinated in making her birthday, Christmas, Valentine's Day, Thanksgiving, everything-for-the-last-few-years gift.

I made these purses for myself more than 15 years ago for my childrens' weddings. (None of whom have ever gotten married, by the way.)

This is the first one...

 This is the second one....

This is the third one  - I had intended on three weddings; one for each of my boys.

My mom always wanted one. So did my very, very, very, deer friend. Through the years, my deer friend has hinted oh so delicately on "really wanting a purse like you made..."

And that's what love is all about.

 Her flavor is a little more primitive...rustic...but I added a hint of elegance to the subdued, yet rich fall colors along with an old, knotted, jade necklace for the handle.

 Obviously, my friend got hers first...

It is now my mother's turn. How did this post begin? Love is patient...
Think of all the ways your mother was patient with you growing up. Or not. Here's hoping you can return love to her and to your children...real or furry (dogs and cats, and birds, and critters all count).

It is now my mother's turn.  She is kind...does not boast and is not self-seeking. She is not easily angered.
So I'm trusting that I can - AND WILL - get this done before the next snow fall.
Our last snow fall was Wednesday May 1...I took this photo that day which shows a mothers love so perfectly.

So, my deer ones, may you have a very happy Mother's Day because Love never fails! And it is the best gift there is...ALWAYS. I love you mom!!!

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!!

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!

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.