pattern // be my everything

Sometimes you hear some words that you hold onto. Sometimes you need to hold onto them as a reminder. Sometimes they are the comfort you need. Sometimes they are exactly what you want to express. And as I've said before, I tend to want to make these words into embroidery patterns.

"Be my everything" are the words that have been playing in my head lately. They sound like something you say to your sweetheart and so it seemed logical to add some hearts to this design. It's perfect to stitch for a Valentine's Day gift for your special someone.

As a single gal, I'm stitching this for myself.

I know what you're thinking. "She wants to be her own everything?" While I suppose there are some who would try to make this be a thing, that's not what this is about for me. I'm stitching this for myself as a reminder of something for which I strive, and often fail.

You see, the words "be my everything" are part of a song that was in a church service recently. The song "Everything" by Tim Hughes is simple and it captures my desire for living this life with God. With Jesus. I encourage you to look it up and read through all of the lyrics, but here's a small sample:

God in my hoping
There in my dreaming
God in my watching
God in my waiting

Be my everything

Of course, even though I want Him to be my everything, I let myself get in the way, making things about me and what I want. It's not always bad or wrong, but it does often distract me from Jesus as my everything. So I'm going to be stitching these words so I see them throughout my day. And so I can stitch my prayers for this right onto fabric and thread.

Whether you want a reminder for your own heart or a message for the one who holds your heart, I hope you enjoy stitching up these words!

BE MY EVERYTHING PATTERN PDF

pattern // comfort & joy

Dear friends, 2016 has been quite a year. Am I wrong? And I'm guessing that "joy" isn't a word that most would associate with this year (even if there have been joyful moments that you've experienced). But "joy" is the fourth candle on the advent wreath, so regardless of how I, how we, feel, I needed to make a joy-themed embroidery pattern to share.

That idea of choosing joy regardless of how we're feeling is one that I made into a pattern and pillow this summer. And I do believe that we can choose to look for joy no matter how horrible we feel (because joy is NOT the same thing as happiness). But as I'd done that phrase already, I wanted another. I also made a set of patterns to go with the song "Joy to the World" a few years back, so that was out.

Then I heard the song "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" play on the internet radio station we like to listen to around here.

God rest ye merry, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ, our Savior
Was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy

These lyrics pass by me so quickly sometimes that I don't think on them, but they're too good to miss. Especially in days, months, and years that are difficult, we need a reminder to find rest in the One who loves us. We don't need to be anxious because Jesus arrived on earth to save us. No matter what's going on in and around us, these things should give us comfort and joy.

I could use some comfort and joy, how about you?

DOWNLOAD THE COMFORT & JOY PATTERN PDF

Now, let me take this one step further. Who do you know that could use some comfort and joy? Who are some people you don't know who also need comfort and joy? Maybe it's a friend who is mourning, a homeless family near you, or refugees on the other side of the world.

Think of ways that you can provide these people with comfort and joy, and then make a plan to do those things. Because this is a message we need to share both in words and tangible deeds.

May you find comfort and joy this Christmas and beyond.

pattern // god shed his grace on thee

When I was working on my America the Beautiful towel, a line of the song jumped out at me: "God shed His grace on thee." Yes, the song is about the United States of America, but those words are true for everyone. God shed His grace on you. On me. On us. It needed to become an embroidery pattern.

I sketched a little, then I painted a bit...

A photo posted by Mollie Johanson (@molliejohanson) on Jul 3, 2016 at 2:56pm PDT

And then I sketched a bit more until I landed at the design in the pattern. It's a little bit USA (think fireworks), but since I'm posting on the 4th of July (inspiration struck yesterday!), it would be suitable for other times if you stitch the stars in something other than red, white, and blue.

Stitch the stars with three stitches, but on the larger ones, you should tack down the middle with a tiny stitch.

DOWNLOAD THE GOD SHED HIS GRACE ON THEE PATTERN

Have a safe and happy Independence Day! And remember God's grace. No matter what we have done, He loves us.

pattern // for the beauty of the earth

I wish I could say that I made this embroidery pattern for Earth Day. I mean, I sort of did, but it's more accurate to say that I made and am sharing this on Earth Day. The design itself is suitable for any time.

It really came to be because all day long I've had the words of this hymn stuck in my head. Which I really don't mind, especially because I think it's quite an appropriate song for today.

And there's a story about this song. I heard about a little boy who loves this song sooooo much, and he sings it "for the booty of the earth". Doesn't that just make you love the song even more?

Oh, and if you have no idea what song I'm talking about, or if you do know and would like to listen to my favorite version, check it out here.

DOWNLOAD THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH PATTERN

pattern // you are my lucky star

Have you seen the movie "Singing in the Rain"? One of the songs from the movie that I love is "You are My Lucky Star." It's such a beautiful song and when I was thinking about stars for this month, I thought it would make a sweet pattern.

And I NEEDED to have a pattern to share with you today because it's World Embroidery Day! A day dedicated to my favorite craft? The only thing that could come close would be World EPP Day.

So grab some fabric, a hoop, a needle, and your favorite colors of floss and start stitching and celebrating!

DOWNLOAD THE YOU ARE MY LUCKY STAR PATTERN

pattern // there is a design

I'm a huge fan of almost all of Sufjan Stevens' music. Some of his songs really touch my heart and I often think of it as the soundtrack of my life. Vito's Ordination Song has always been a favorite of mine because the lyrics are very much like Psalm 139, which my parents chose for me when I was adopted. Here are some lyrics:

I always knew you
In your mothers arms
I have called your name...

And when you write a poem
I know the words, I know the sounds
Before you write it down...

Rest in my arms
Sleep in my bed
There's a design
To what I did and said

Download the There is a Design Embroidery Pattern

I've been thinking that I would like to embroider some of the lyrics on a quilt. Before I even got close to that, however, I found that they would make a good gift for someone, which is what this stitched version is. It's been gifted now, so I can share.

Since I used the words "there is a design", I thought that adding a little design element would make sense. The signature Wild Olive face doesn't exactly make sense, but since I stitched it, I supposed that's part of me, and I like to think of God knowing since forever that I would put smileys on things. It's part of His design for me, and I hope that my quirks make Him smile.



What is part of your design?

pattern: the trees start whispering

I can hear the trees start whispering
Their colours speak of change a’ coming
The bluebird’s song is gone till spring
And I sit here just waiting

These are the words that start the title song of the new album from Lauren Mann and the Fairly Odd Folk, Over Land and Sea. The album comes out tomorrow, and what I've heard so far has me very excited for it. Good music is a good thing, especially when you can stitch along!



I emailed Lauren before I started drawing out a pattern, and we both liked the imagery of whispering trees. And while the song does mention love, it's not all about love...yet I couldn't resist having these trees whispering something about love. In a subtle sort of way, of course.




Here's the stitching details: The tree and banner outlines are stem stitch, the lettering and arrow stem is back stitch, the whispers and ground are running stitch and the insides of the trees and the arrow ends are fly stitches (or something more like a scallop that's pulled straight).

Download The Trees Start Whispering

Be sure to check out Over Land and Sea from Lauren Mann and the Fairly Odd Folk. They've just started their North American tour to accompany the album release!

pattern: the lovers, the dreamers & me

Well, this is the last day of Lyrical Lettering! I hope you've enjoyed these embroidery patterns with some of my favorite songs.

Today's lyric is from The Muppets, and it seemed a good way to end the week. The song Rainbow Connection is classic, full of hope, a little melancholy, and most of all, sweetness. Listen to Kermit sing it on this sample on Amazon.

Download the PDF of The Lovers, the Dreamers & Me.

Thanks to Amanda, who stitched this pattern, and thanks to everyone who's been checking in for Lyrical Lettering patterns all week! Remember, if you stitch up any of the patterns from my blog, you can add pics to Flickr, or send me a link and I may add you to my Pinterest board!

pattern: grow ideas in the garden of your mind

Time for some more Lyrical Lettering and another free embroidery pattern for you!

Do you ever imagine things? Mr. Rogers did, and he presented the idea of imagination to more children (and adults!) than we'll probably ever realize. When I was very young, I got to go to the Chicago Public Library where he was doing some storytelling. I wish I remember the experience more, but I rely mainly on my parents for this memory...still, knowing that I got to be there is pretty great!

Recently a Mr. Rogers remix came out, and I wasn't sure that I liked the idea. But then it occurred to me that Fred Rogers enjoyed new technology, and he probably would have loved this!



You can grow ideas in the garden of your mind! What a word picture! Yes! And just like a flower or vegetable garden, the ideas need care...all you have to do is think, and they'll grow!

Download the Grow Ideas pattern PDF.

Jules stitched up this pattern for us, so go give her a visit and say hello!

pattern: whale fight

Have you been enjoying the Lyrical Lettering this week?

Today's pattern isn't a real lyric, but more like a misheard lyric, which I won't let go of. Sorry, but I just like my version better! In Andrew Bird's song Plasticities, he sings "We'll fight, we'll fight...", but when this song comes on (or when he sang it at his concerts this year), I can't help but sing out really loud "Whale fight! Whale fight!" Yes, I'm strange like that.

Seriously though, listen to the song (the first whale fight comes at about 1:55).



That was a pretty mellow version of it, but he's totally singing "whale fight!" Right? Tell me I'm not wrong. Even if I am, I'm a little bit loving this pattern with its poor whale, and I'm forever going to sing it my way.

Download the Whale Fight pattern PDF.

This was stitched up using the palette "Waterloo" from last week's DMC color post. I named it for a different lyric in this song!

If you stitch up any of the Lyrical Lettering patterns, I'd love to see them! Upload pictures to my Flickr group, or blog about them, leave the link, and I'll add them to my Pinterest board!

pattern: the will to work hard

Hey! It's Wednesday, and time for another Lyrical Lettering pattern!

This pattern is one that I made for my sister. She works at our local library, she works hard at life (and it pays off!), and she likes John Mayer music. This line from Walt Grace's Submarine Test, January 1969 was perfect for her! And I thought you all might like it too. You can watch and listen to the song here:

Walt Grace's Submarine Test, January 1967 from Columbia Records on Vimeo.

The song lyric is attributed to John Mayer in the pattern, but ya know...you could use your name in there too! I think it would be just right for on your library tote, don't you think?

Get the PDF of this pattern here.

Thanks to Ashlea for stitching this one! Visit her blog, Scissors, Stitches & Seams!

pattern: there's a great big beautiful tomorrow

This is a week of Lyrical Lettering embroidery patterns! Each freebie gives you the opportunity to stitch up some words from one of my favorite songs!

Have you ever been on the Carousel of Progress at Disney World or Disneyland? Honestly, it's not the most exciting attraction, but I still love it! It's about changing technology, which means it's not all that up-to-date (things change so fast now!), but during its 21-minute show, you'll hear one song over and over.

It's a song that gets stuck in my head on a regular basis, but one that I don't mind because the words of the chorus are often just what I need! You can listen to it on YouTube, but here are the main lyrics:

There's a great big beautiful tomorrow
Shining at the end of every day
There's a great big beautiful tomorrow
Just a dream away!

Yes! I do believe that there is new day tomorrow, and that is a very good thing. Download the PDF of this pattern here.

Thanks to Emily, who stitched up this pattern for me!

pattern: don't be distracted

This week, I'm sharing embroidery patterns featuring the words of some of my favorite songs. I call it, Lyrical Lettering!

Today, I have words that are from, probably, the longest songs in my iTunes collection. And I've probably listened to it 100 times. It's that good. Sufjan Stevens is in my top three for musical artists (they all rotate spots), and Impossible Soul is like 3 or 4 songs in one. It has multiple movements to it. And throughout, you hear "don't be distracted."

Did you listen? When you have time, listen to the whole thing. All 25 minutes! Don't be distracted is a phrase that I frequently need to hear. So this now hangs over my desk, reminding me not to check twitter every 2 minutes, and not to get caught up in the things that don't matter. There's important work to be done!

Don't be distracted! Stitch about it and never forget! Download the PDF here.

I stitched this up using the colors from the "Impossible Tomorrow" color grouping from last week's post. The colors seemed right for this (from Impossible Soul), and tomorrow's pattern!

pattern: prone to wander

Today we start a little series that I've been affectionately calling (in my head at least) Lyrical Lettering. It's a week of embroidery patterns featuring the words of some of my favorite songs.

As today is Sunday, I thought a hymn would be a good place to start. The words "Prone to Wander" are from the song "Come Thou Fount". There have been many versions of this sung and recorded over the years, which isn't a surprise, given that it was written in 1758! It still speaks to so many, including myself. If you're not familiar, give a listen! (This is the latest version that I've found...)

"Prone to wander, Lord I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love." Yep. That's me. I wander all too easily. How about you? Do you wander in your life? Whether we realize it or not, we all wander in one way or another. Sometimes, I think a little wandering is what we need...it's not always the bad kind! But no matter where we are, God is always waiting, calling, ready for us to say "Bind my wandering hear to Thee!"

Stitch up this reminder of your wandering, and download the PDF here.

Thanks to Brad, who stitched up this pattern for the series. Check out his website for some really great found audio!

PS: If you're looking for my usual Sunday posts, see the new shhhh page.