December New Releases

What is the most normal thing to do while in the middle of boxes and mess, trying to figure out where everything is both in the house and in the new town?!? Release new designs and accessories! Of course that was the most logical thing to do when I can't find half of the kitchen stuff and still have boxes everywhere :-) 

Part of my theme for this batch of releases is sacrifice, the other part is prayer, and lots of struggle. Each one a reminder to myself. These were designed during that first week of our house being sold, knowing we would be leaving an amazing community and my struggle with doing what was clearly God's plan while being selfishly tied to things and people that I loved. Having to take the action of rejoicing, when I wanted to tantrum, take the action of love, when I wanted to be closed within myself, and not letting the troubles of this world keep me from seeing the greater glory that is in the next.

MBT-216 Pray Without Ceasing

Verses from I Thessalonians 5:16-18. Model stitched on 32 ct. Queen Anne's Lace jobelan with Weeks Dye Works thread. This fits a 5x7 frame that I found at JoAnn's.

MBT-217 Love Completely

A companion design to MBT-213 Choose joy. Jean at The Attic, in Arizona, got a preview of this design and stitched it on 56 ct. linen. It is an amazing finish and gave me such a smile (check out her upcoming newsletter)! Model stitched on 32 ct. Cafe Mocha country french linen with Gentle Art Sampler Threads.

MBT-218 Let Not Your Hearts Be Troubled

Verse from John 14:27 and a companion design to MBT-109 Revelation. Model stitched on 35 ct. Parchment linen by Weeks Dye Works and stitched with Weeks Dye Works thread. The frame is one from Hobby Lobby that I spray painted matte black.

There are also a few new accessories

Chatelaines Sassy, Bluebird, Bluebonnet:

Whimsy Full Length and Mini Fobs (perfectly match the adorable pin set):

Needle Minders Kitten, Minis and Unicorn:

There are already new designs in the works, each reflecting a lot of what I'm going through. The next snarky ones should be very entertaining! I spent three days alone in the truck, on the drive down, and that time within my head led down some strange rabbit trails. All I'm lacking is time to do the stitching.

We are settling in. We have a lead on a new piano teacher, although it comes with a drive to Austin. The house has had some issues and it has meant a lot of time cleaning just to get our stuff in. We are waiting on delivery of a dining table and bookcases, so we are joyfully using the camp table and just ignoring the stacks of boxes. Thanksgiving was a hoot as we reconnected with family. I haven't laughed so hard or so much in a long time. The cousins all hit it off and it was all blessing.

Some great news is that we are settling into a new church. It felt like home the first week. The fellowship was sweet, the teaching was Bible based, and I'm grateful. It was so strange to sit next to my husband for worship and teaching. Usually I'm up front for worship and then he is up there for teaching. To be able to hold hands while listening to the Word was beautiful.