Ackermann's Repository embroidery designs series 2

   Don't let the title limit your creativity. You can use these patterns to paint or do whatever you like! Just remember the copyright on them is "attribution- noncommercial -share alike creative commons" that means you can do whatever you would like as long as you attribute them to me with the exception that you cannot sell the designs in any way shape or form. (you are free of course to sell what you make with them) you can share them for free too just don't forget the attribution!
1816-1822

  

Embroidery designs that Jane Austen may have enjoyed! Ackermann's Repository series 1

   I originally learned of Ackermann's Repository over at Mary Corbet's Needle and thread. I wanted to gather them together, clean them up and make them easy to search. The copyright on them is "attribution- noncommercial -share alike creative commons" that means you can do whatever you would like as long as you attribute them to me with the exception that you cannot sell the designs in any way shape or form. (you are free of course to sell what you make with them) .It's taking me a long time with 2 little ones underfoot. (Happy 6 month birthday to my twins. One in Heaven and one on earth). I may have to change the way this is organized as I go along and I'm not finished yet but here they are...
1811- 1815

Job

   I haven't posted about it but on New Years Day 2014 I gave birth to the twins. I in fact had an emergency c-section at 33 weeks pregnant and our sweet little Listener did not survive. I carried him every moment of his life. I can't begin to express the pain I feel. Tomorrow is the 3 month anniversary of his death and it hurts just as much now as it did when I woke from the surgery and the nurse told me he had died.
   I'm also elated that we have our darling Meerkat! He is such a beautiful child. So sweet and full of smiles and laughter. He keeps me on my toes. Having a preemie in the midst of all this sadness has been overlooked by us for the most part. He is a rather easy baby to care for with few adverse side effects from his traumatic entry. He is a night owl though. Thankfully Husband’s work schedule is such that I can stay up at night and he takes care of the children during the day.
    Sparrow has struggled with all that we've endured but God is helping all of us to survive it. He'll use it in our lives to make us who He wants us to be. She is an amazing big sister and loves her new role.
   This week is especially hard on my grieving heart. Tomorrow marks the anniversary of the birth of the babies. The following day is the 6 month anniversary of my Mom's death. The day after that would have been her 65 birthday.
   A dear friend momentarily thought I was crazy to be studying the book of Job at a time like this. The truth is it's comforting to know that others have suffered hardships that seem impossible.
  As I heal and wait on spring to arrive I am working on a "pocket handkin". A handkerchief monogrammed with a fantasy floral decoration. As you can guess, with a 4 year old and a tiny baby it's hard to slip embroidery into the mix. I'm trying to steal a moment here and there though. In 3 months I've been able to design the motif and transfer it!
   If you  have any questions about what happened with the babies or details about the monogram, just ask. Don't let the sadness of Job stop you from gleaning the immense treasures of this raw book.

 

Change

Our little nest has had so many changes in the past months that it's hard to keep up!

   Most sadly,  I lost my Mom to a very fast cancer that took her life in less than 4 short months.  We buried her a month ago today.
   This photo was taken just a little over a year ago. My little girl still talks about this and many other things about "Mom-mom" that I wouldn't think she remembered! What a blessing that she has been gifted with a great memory!
   We have moved again too. Like Joseph in the Bible, what someone intended for evil God meant for good!  The whole family likes our new house much better. Only God can do things like that. It's counter intuitive to think that when you move into what society at large would think is  "worse" house that your whole family would be happier and like the place better! That is exactly what happened though.
   God is tenderly carrying us through all these tragedies. Focusing on Him is what comforts me the most. His justice, His mercy, His love. Looking to Him and keeping my eyes stayed on Him! Nothing but God Himself. Many people have come alongside to wrap their arms around us both literally and figuratively. I appreciate all their love, tenderness, care and comfort. But it's knowing that the Lord Himself immutable, omniscient, Omnipotent, Faithful, Holy...on and on the list goes. Only these things could truly begin to heal the deepest wounds of my broken and battered heart.How can I do anything but praise Him!
    Our sweet boys are doing great! They are kicking and playing as all boys should. Baby "B" is to be named  "He has  heard" and baby "A" is to be named"laughter". I chose to surprise my husband by giving each son one of his names as a means of honoring him. He is the best father a child could have and worthy of the compliment. We chose one name together. Husband chose Meerkat’s. We both love both names but then came the task of deciding which baby got what name! Their big sister settled that in the Dr's office. The perinatologist handed her a picture of Baby "A" and soon after she was asked what the baby's name was. She claimed him as “Meerkat”! She had done in seconds what her Dad and I had struggled to do in days. The sweet part is that the more I thought about it the more it fit him. Meerkat is the baby that I feel most often. I can easily see him laughing. And Listener seems to be the more quiet of the two, always listening. So many of the ultrasound pictures have shown them with their heads very close together as if they are planning. I can easily imagine Meerkat filling Listener in on just how they are going to get some trick accomplished, or cajole us into letting them have their way.
Lastly, today is the very last day of this tiny doll of a daughter being 3 years old. I can hardly believe she really will be 4 tomorrow! How can it have gone so quickly? How did this tiny babe grow into the tender hearted, sweet, smart, little sinner that I have the pleasure of raising??? Again, only God! What a wonder! Happy Birthday my treasure!

My reader friends, may you draw closer to Him who comforts today and draw strength and joy from His love.