the virtue of freedom

Technically, freedom isn't really a virtue, but it felt right to include this in the Virtues series. And of course, in the U.S. it's rather timely.

You can get this embroidery pattern by clicking through to Flickr and downloading the image. It is, appropriately, a free pattern. Now, If you'd like to read on about some of my thoughts on freedom, scroll on down. (Warning: I might discuss things that resemble politics and religion. Don't worry...it doesn't happen too often!)

Here's the thing about freedom in America, and really, the world. We have governments that are set up based on the idea of freedom, but does that work? I mean, we create laws to grant freedom to some, while making laws to take freedom from others, and all the while, we ignore still others who desperately need some freedom.

This isn't really about governments though, because the freedom that they are trying to create is almost superficial. At least in a lot of cases. When people I know get all in a tizzy about rights that may be lost or granted, or such, I take heart in true freedom: Jesus the Messiah.

Christ has set us free! This means we are really free. Now hold on to your freedom and don't ever become slaves of the Law again. (Galatians 5:1 - Contemporary English Version)

stepping up your embroidery (class giveaway!)

Hello everyone! My name is Isabela and I am the brains (and busy hands) behind Ooh Leela! I make dish towels that are not only unique, but that have a vintage feel (and modern twist) to them. I also make super cool, upcycled leather coffee sleeves.

I loved Mollie's story choice this month, after all, everyone wishes for improvement in their lives. Not too long ago, I wished for better embroidery skills and more creativity. And my wish came true. I am taking Mollie's wonderful class: The Embroidery Project: All in the Details. Mollie shares a new project each and every day, and I must say that each new project is cuter than the last.

To be able to learn new skills while collaborating and exchanging ideas with different people has been an amazing as well as enriching experience. And this is what I want to give you today: the opportunity to take Mollie's class: The Embroidery Project: All in the Details.

Mandatory entry:
Visit Ooh Leela’s blog, become a follower and leave a comment on my blog (make sure there is a way for me to contact you)

Additional entries:
Leave a separate comment on Ooh Leela!'s blog for each one you do!
-Like Ooh Leela! on Facebook
-Follow Ooh Leela! on Twitter

I wasn't planning on doing a giveaway for my class, but when Isabela told me that she wanted to sponsor someone to sign up, I was so touched! This is a great opportunity, and even though class has started already, it's not too late to join in and jump into some projects!

Be sure to follow Isabela, then leave your comment(s) on her blog with your name and a way to contact you if you win. A winner will be announced on Saturday, July 2.

hoist the main sail

Hello fellow Wild Olive fans and friends!

I am thrilled to share with you a simple and sweet project I just completed during a little late night craft-therapy. With this month's story of the Fisherman and His Wife, this nautical restyle seemed quite fitting for today.

As a homeschooling mama of three, most of my craftiness is limited to things that can be drawn out over several weeks months or those accomplished in a short amount of time.  The challenging part is allowing my joy in being creative to not be limited as well.  It is possible to still love the process and the product!

So take a look at how I put new wind in these sails with some pretty vintage fabrics.  After rummaging through my stash, I chose three prints to give this boat a colorful personality.  I simply draped them over each sail, pinned them to keep from shifting, and carefully (but imperfectly) cut out each sail.  The edges aren't exact and it doesn't bother me a bit.  No less lovely in my opinion.

As you can see here, the new sails remain simply pinned to the originals.  Although I would have liked the look of these completely swapped out or at least basted on, that would have taken this project from enjoyable to a chore.  No need for that.

The next morning, my littles were quick to notice the change. While this boat's home will be on a high'>http://www.flickr.com/photos/annaleahart/5734715540/in/set-72157610625131299">high shelf in our attic, the requests for its use in stuffed animal voyages or lego mini-fig battles have been made. I am sure that can be arranged.

Remember that a busy schedule does not have to mean a less creative you.  In fact, it takes a ton of creativity to work within and embrace your limited time and energy.  Don't lose heart! 

Thanks Mollie for having me over!

Annalea writes a blog, chooses joy, home schools her children, loves her husband, and follows Jesus. She's kind of my hero.

a fish wish giveaway

This is Annie, and I've got a fish, wish, and making things better giveaway!

The winner will receive 4 hair accessories from Darling You Boutique: 3 hair clips (2 stars/clouds, 1 fish) and the summer green lace elastic headband. To enter the giveaway, please follow my blog and/or "like" my FB page then leave a comment here!

Annie is the creator of Darling You Boutique, and she writes the blog Olive Juice. When she isn't creating things online, she has the pleasure of creating fun with preschoolers!

To enter, remember to follow Annie's blog or Facebook page, then leave a comment here with a way for us to contact you if you win. A winner will be announced on Saturday, July 2.

wish for a pattern

Hi There! This is Sara from the split stitch, and I am so excited to be here over on Wild Olive again today. Last month, I put together a sewing tutorial for the Tea Time Mug Rug in honor of the Wild Olive Tea Party, and this month I thought I would put together a free project for you stitchers out there who don't sew. It is called the "I wish bunting" embroidery pattern. In honor of this month's theme, the pattern features a cute (and magical?) fish that just created his own bunting out of bubbles that says "I wish".

What is a bunting? Well, they are also called banners, or garland ... they are those cute strings of triangle shaped flags that keep popping up all over the place these days. I imagined that a fish would make his bunting out of bubbles though, if he could, and thus his bunting does not have triangle shaped "flags", but rather round bubbles. This pattern matches a new embroidery pattern pack at thesplitstitch.etsy.com that is called "Days of the Week Bunting Embroidery Pack" as well as another free embroidery pattern at thesplitstitch.com that is called "Bug Party".

Go ahead and scoop up both patterns, because Wild Olive readers get a 20% discount on all purchases from the split stitch etsy shop. Just enter the code: "WILDOLIVEREADER" during checkout.

I really hope you enjoy stitching this pattern up, as much as I enjoyed designing it, and I hope to see you over on the split stitch where we talk about embroidery, sewing, and all other sorts of crafty goodness! Hugs, Sara

Download the I Wish embroidery pattern

Sara is a talented and creative stitcher, with both a sewing machine, and an embroidery hoop. She shares lots of ideas and tutorials on her blog, The Split Stitch.

a little more

Hey, this is Gina! Like the fisherman's wife, we all want a little more...something. I would love more time and a lot more money, but who wouldn't? Despite my wants, I am content in what I have and do not take any of it for granted. And, I want to share some of what I have with you.

This summer I want you all to relish in the wife's greed and participate in my Summer of Giveaways. Each Friday, I will be hosting a new giveaway on my blog which supports a company I love and or frequent.

Gina writes about creating, food, and life on her blog, Acute Designs. She also has an Etsy shop of the same name.

telling a story

Hi there Wild Olive readers!

Janee from Yellow Bird, Yellow Beard here. Mollie has asked us to share something that goes with this month's theme, the story of The Fisherman and His Wife. So today I have another story to “read” to you (I'm going to give you my shortened version). This one is from my childhood and holds a special place in my heart. It's called “The Rainbabies” by Laura Krauss Melmed.

Once there was an old woman who lived in a beautiful green meadow with her husband of many years. The couple loved each other very much and had all of life's necessities. But what the couple wanted most was to have a child of their own.

One spring night the old woman woke to the pitter patter of warm rain falling. She roused her husband saying, “Wake up, old man, I've heard the moonshower brings good fortune to everyone it touches!” The couple dashed outside just as the shower was ending. As they turn to go back inside the old woman sees a glint of light our of the corner of her eye. There in the grass lay 12 tiny babies, each no larger than her big toe.

The old couple are vastly happy. They care for the rainbabies with utmost love and affection. Then terrible disasters begin to occur. The couple must save the rainbabies from many dangers. Through all the trials nothing is able to separate the old couple from their beloved rainbabies.

Some time later there comes a knock on the old couple's door. The old man opens it to reveal a strange traveler. The cloaked figure shows the old man and woman a large jewel saying that it's worth is greater than they could ever imagine. The traveler offers them the jewel in exchange for the rainbabies. When the couple refuse saying they would not trade the babies for all the wealth in the world the traveler transforms.

The cloak falls away revealing a woman of breathtaking beauty. She tells the couple that she is Mother Moonshower and she placed her rainbabies in the old couples care as a test, to see if they were fit to be parents. Mother Moonshower tells the old couple that now she must take the rainbabies away with her. The old woman begs Mother Mooshower not to take the precious babies away from them. But Mother Moonshower says that the rainbabies cannot grow properly without her, but she won't leave the old couple lonely. Mother Moonshower hands the old couple a basket covered in a soft gleaming blanket. As the couple pull back the blanket to reveal a beautiful baby girl Mother Moonshower says that they have proved themselves worthy of a child to care for all their own. The couple name their daughter Rayna and she grows up to be a lovely woman. The old couple felt themselves truly fortunate; their happiness was complete.

Janee shares all kinds of pretty things on her blog, Yellow Bird, Yellow Beard. She is the proud owner of a yellow bird. Her husband is the proud owner of a yellow beard.

remembering relationships

Kam here! I feel like the the story of the fisherman and his wife reminds us to stay grounded and remember what is most important...our relationships with others, no what the circumstances. To help remember what's important, I'm giving away one of my thermos embroidery patterns!

Kam loves camping and crafty things, and she can be found at her blog, Campfire Chic! She is offering free shipping through July 5 in her shop with the code ADVENTURE.

To enter, leave a comment with your name, favorite pattern from Kam, and a way to contact you if you win. A winner will be announced on Saturday, July 2.

improving paper packages

Hi everyone, It's Andee from Bearing Fruit. I'm so excited that Mollie invited me to share a tutorial with you! When I'm not visiting here at Wild Olive, you can usually find me at my sewing machine, or out and about having an adventure of some sort. And I am usually blogging about it all! Some of my recent fun is pictured above: 1. burp cloths, 2. gift wrap, 3. birthday bunting, 4. lullaby baby blanket, 5. planting seeds, 6. sweet tea towels

But for today, I'd like to share an easy gift wrap tutorial with you.

Ever get home with just the perfect gift only to realize that you forgot a box or gift bag?  Fret no more!  Here's my go-to gift packaging.

Materials needed:

kraft paper or other gift wrap paper of your choice

tissue paper

scraps of decorative paper (I like scrapbook paper)

stamps or markers

glue stick

glue dots or tape

scissors

sewing machine & thread

(or you can hand sew)

computer & paper (optional)

1.  Take your kraft paper and cut a rectangle.  Mine is 14.5" x 19 "

2.  Fold, leaving a 3" flap.

3.  Sew sides, stopping before you reach the 3 inch flap.  I don't backstitch & I like to leave a bit of thread hanging.

4.  Create a "label."  This is the expressive part!  If it's a birthday, maybe you want to write or stamp "happy birthday" on a rectangle of colored paper.  For mine, I stamped the word "love" on white paper and then glued that to some scrapbook paper. My finished rectangle "label" is about 2" x 4".  But play with it.  See what you like.  You can stamp words, handwrite them or print them out from a computer.

5.  Glue label in the center of your envelope.

6.  Wrap your gift in tissue paper and stuff it into the envelope.

7.  Tape the under side of flap at sides and center.  I like to use the glue dots or zots dots (I find them in the scrapbook section of the craft store.)  But you can use scotch tape on the inside too.

8.  Head off to the party with your fab package!

Enjoy your new gift wrapped surprise.  Thanks for having me over Mollie!

xo 

Andee

Andee is the author of Bearing Fruit, a blog about trusting God, loving life, and making things by hand.

making baking better

Hello, Wild Olive readers!

When Mollie sent her Friends and Sponsors Share Day email this month, she asked us to have it go along with her featured story. Her words were 'think fishes, wishes and making things better'. When I stumbled upon these fishes measuring cups a few days later, I just knew I could figure out a way to work them in. Measuring and baking always make me think of chocolate chip cookies; my favorite! So I picked up a reusable shopping tote to send along with the fishes to the winner of this giveaway and threw in a bag of Nestle Tollhouse Chips, so that you can make some cookies of your own from my secret recipe. (It's on the bag!) Doesn't the thought of that make your world just a bit better? Good luck!

Anita likes sewing, vintage, and fun. She writes the blog Sew, Vintage, So Fun and always comes up with the loveliest prizes!

To enter to win these darling measuring cups (and the tote bag and chips!), you need to be a follower of Anita's blog. Leave a comment here with your name and a way to contact you if you win. A winner will be announced on Saturday, July 2.

granting wishes

Hello Blog readers!

I am in the process of designing my new line of lasercut jewelry and I would love some suggestions. If I like your idea, you could win it! This is your chance to get your wish granted!

Just hop on over to browse my Etsy shop and Flickr to see my existing designs. This batch will include new colors, so think turquoise, silver, and green!

Kat is the creator of the Cheshire Kat blog and shop. There is nothing fishy about her miniatures and lasercuts.

Be sure to leave a comment with your ideas and a way we can contact you if Kat wants to use your suggestion!

fishing, wishing, and sharing

All day today, my sponsors have some fishy, I mean, fantastic, things to share! They're taking over and it's going to look a bit like a fishing party! Or maybe a wishing party.

You see, I asked them to share some things that go along with this month's story, with magical fish, making wishes, and improving your life. They delivered, so be sure to stop by all day for giveaways, stories, tutorials and more!

follow the line to school: a review

Some time ago, I blogged about a book called Follow the Line. It's charming, with fantastic illustrations and an interactive quality that I love. A few weeks ago, the author, Laura Ljungkvist, contacted me about a new book she has coming out next week: Follow the Line to School.

She asked if she could send me an electronic version to look over, and write a review. First, can I just say that as a book lover, getting to preview a book before it is officially published is really awesome!?! There was no hesitation. I'd love to preview the book! And I did.

Like Laura's other books, Follow the Line to School has a continuous line running throughout the book. The line forms words and shapes, and generally guides the reader. Each spread of the book is a different part of the school. The classroom, art room, science corner, library, lunch room, etc.

Within each area, there are are lots of things to look at, and questions to help you find or discover new things. These questions are my favorite part, because it get's you thinking about what is on the page. You go looking for things, and in the process, you find more than you ever expected!


As a home schooling family, our school environment is different than what is in the book, and yet, we still have special areas for certain things. My youngest brother and sister (9 and 6) are going to love looking through this book and comparing what they see to things in our home school...certainly children in traditional schools would do the same.

Follow the Line to School comes out on July 7, but is available for pre-order on Amazon. Find more about Laura Ljungkvist on her site Follow the Line.

Thank you so much, Laura, for letting me preview your wonderful new book, and thank you for creating such delight for children (and the grown-ups who love them!)

i heart mr. and mrs. lookerse

Janee Lookerse is one of my sponsors, and she's also a lovely person. I kinda really wish that we lived closer, because I think we'd have fun hanging out together. Today, you can find me on her blog because she interrogated me! There's also a little giveaway for some of my patterns.

Janee's husband Greg is also pretty awesome. He just helped me get my new landing page all set up, and I'm so very happy with it. Thanks to Greg, you can now visit MollieJohanson.com to get to my blog, shop and portfolio (which is next for being updated...if you want to see the before, look fast!).

Thank you for being wonderful, Mr. and Mrs. Lookerse!

the story of: the fish puppet

This month we've heard a bit about the Fisherman and His Wife, but how about that fish? He was a magical prince fish...or at least that's what he said. But I suppose any talking fish is pretty special, prince or not. Anyway, how about we make a fish puppet together?

It's really easy, and here's what you need:
Felt in two colors
Embroidery floss
The fish template

Cut out the pieces from the template, then cut the felt pieces. Use the pattern as a guide to embroider on the details, then stitch on the tail and side fin.

Cut the body template as shown, then use the front half to cut the hand flap from felt.

Layer the top fin between the hand flap and the front piece.

Stitch around the front with a simple running stitch.

The back won't be perfect, but we're okay with that, right? Right. (If you're not okay with this, just add another layer to cover the back of the stitching, mmmkay?)

Slide your hand in, and you've got a fish ready to swim! You can use this puppet to tell the story of the Fisherman and His Wife, or for just about any fish tale. Have fun!

why I love my crop-a-dile

A few years ago I splurged and bought this Crop-A-Dile. I wasn't sure how much I would use it, but it was a suggested supply for a class, and I had a coupon, soooo...I went for it. Yeah. That was one of the best purchases I've made.

Seriously, I love it so much! I've used it on felt, cardboard, wood, and today, leather. It punches holes so easily! I highly recommend that you consider this tool. Really.

After the comments were mainly in favor of the leather key chain from yesterday, that's what I went with. And you were all right. Mine is different from the one that I had found, but the supplies I had on hand worked for this:

Nice, right? I think the birthday boy will like it. But I couldn't stop, so I also made one of the wooden disc key chains too...this one is for me:

I'm pretty sure that I want to make a hundred of these. They are quick and so much fun! Maybe every single key that I have needs its own key ring...

Oh, and want to see something else really cute that I made? It's tiny and sweet!

keychain pins

My family has a young friend who is going to be getting some keys for his birthday, and I thought it would be fun to make him a keychain as a gift. Where's the quickest place to see a bunch of ideas? Pinterest of course!

This first one is from Etsy, but I love the simplicity of a strip of leather:

Source: etsy.com via Mollie on Pinterest

Also from Etsy, and not at all right for this gift, but I do love the washers...

Source: etsy.com via Mollie on Pinterest

These are probably too girly for a teenage boy, right?

Source: livingwithpunks.com via Mollie on Pinterest

This with guy fabric could work though:

Source: littleloveliesbyallison.blogspot.com via Mollie on Pinterest

I think I may end up with some masculine variation on this favorite from Jessica:

Source: howaboutorange.blogspot.com via Mollie on Pinterest

Either that or I'll try the leather scraps I have on hand. What do you think? Are these good options to choose from and make tomorrow?

july sponsorship is available

We're nearly to the end of June, and I was looking back at the stats on this blog. Ready for something amazing? The number of visits this month (and it's not even over yet) are nearly 3x as many as last June! What!?! That's crazy amazing! So thank you so much to all of my readers who have found me in this last year!

I love sharing this growth with my sponsors, and have heard happy things from them about them feeling this love. (Which means, thank you again to my readers who show support to the blogs who support me!)

If you would like my readers to find out about your blog, perhaps you'd like to sponsor Wild Olive? The cost is low (so that any size blog can afford it).

There are still a few large/standard sizes left, but not for long. Read more about sponsorship here, or email me at molliejohanson{at}gmail{dot}com.

vintage craft: good housekeeping needlework

Sitting on my shelf for several years now, I've had a copy of the book Good Housekeeping New Complete Book of Needlework. My grandma gave it to me, and I knew that she used it a lot as a reference for knitting. Since I don't knit very often, the book usually sits on my shelf.

The other day I was at my grandpa's house, and saw my grandma's copy of the book. Even though I already have it, I decided to bring her copy home. After all, she used it so much...it's a nice thing to have hers. Here's what I found inside:

That's definitely a belated gift, as my grandma's birthday was in May, but clearly Florence knew that it was a perfect gift for her.

I flipped through the book and found so many wonderful things, and a very large section on embroidery, which has already taught me things and gotten me wanting to try some new (old!) methods. But then I happened upon the rug section.

As you see in the little picture on the right, this is a design for a rug. It definitely has the style of the years this book was popular in, and that style suits me now! Do I want to make a rug? No. But could I embroider this design? Yes!

I took a photo and cleaned it up so that I can work on it. I'm in love!

My sister thinks it would make a great table runner with the pattern repeating. I think she's right, and a little crazy if she thinks that I'm going to stitch this a whole lot of times! But maybe, maybe I'm up for the challenge...