Pure Heart

Meaning:

The heart is mentioned in the New Revised Standard Version Bible 898 times. 166 times in the New Testament.

Matthew 22:37 … Jesus said unto him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.”

Mark 11:23 … “Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, “Be taken up and thrown into the sea”, and if you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you.”

The Heart, made with pearls, symbolizes JESUS' LOVE for all of us and HIS pureness of heart.

The Circle reminds us of eternity and the never-ending love of our GOD for us.

The 12 beads in the Circle remind us of the 12 followers of Jesus who became the first missionaries of the Christian faith. 

*  *  *  *  *

And here is the PDF pattern “Pure Heart" for you to download.

Please do not sell the patterns or the ornaments. If you give them as gifts, please always include the explanation of the symbol. I would love to hear from all who are using my patterns. It would be nice to know that my efforts are not in vain. You find my email address on the pattern if you have any question about it. Happy to help.

*  *  *  *  *

The beads in this pattern can be quite expensive and sometimes difficult to find for purchase, so here is an alternative: "Pure Heart Alternative"

With this ornament you have a choice where to attach the ring of the gold beads to the heart = between the 5 and 3 of the 8 large pearls or in the middle of them (4 and 4). This changes the shape of the heart slightly. 

*  *  *  *  *

Last but not least, there is a choice with the large version (church tree ornament) of the original pattern too. If you like it still a little larger you could add those 4 optional pearls (10 mm).

you asked?

Every so often I get a question in the comments. I don't know how to answer if the person doesn't leave an email or a way to get the answer to her/him. I can't do it in the comments.

Best way to contact me would be to look at one of the (free) patterns. Each one has my email in the top right corner. If you don't hear from me in a week, please resend your email. Sometimes I get really swamped with life happening or I am out of the country traveling. My husband is from England and I am from Germany and sometimes we go and see our families which we so love.

I appologize if my answer to you is delayed. But I love hearing from you all. And if anybody has an idea for a new symbol ... I am pretty much out of ideas.

Computer programs can be frustrating

On all three of my blogs I sometimes share a file, especially Chrismon patterns or quilt/lace patterns. I upload all PDFs as "anybody with the link can see it" and that is how I add the link into the blogs. You click on it and the PDF opens.

For about 3 years now every so often somebody sends a share request to me because the file will not open. I am sure that is frustrating for those who want to have a look. Sometimes it takes a while for me to answer especially if I am out of the country and without internet. I am trying my best to make everybody happy.

Yesterday I spent some time googling to find a solution. I found one expert site where the question had been asked three years ago and the comments are still going strong. Nobody knows how to fix it. Everybody is of the unanimous opinion that it is a bug in the system and Microsoft doesn't care to fix it. 

So, if you can't open one of my files but would like to do so, please write that share request and I will try my best.

*  *  *

Several years ago I also had a feature on the side of the blog that you could select to "subscribe". Blogger decided some time ago to not make that available any longer. I did find another way for that again recently because I don't often like to post a new blog on FaceBook. Unfortunately though I have seen that it only alerts you by sending you the link (which is fine) but not the whole blog. Well, one more click should be ok. There is advertising though in that email which you most likely want to ignore. Sorry.

After you added your email address you receive an email and need to accept (a step so you are not put on a mailing list by strangers). I will not know who is subscribing. 

*  *  *

Best wishes to you all - Christa

PS: I am always very happy if a reader leaves a comment on the bottom. If you do it unanimously, please let me know who you are at the bottom.

 

Another Advent calendar FINISHED!

Yeah! I am so happy! I was worried because of course there was a time issue. 

I have written this before but here is it in a nutshell again. After all, all three are totally different. Each one is special.

It's a third Advent Calendar of this kind I made for my church St. Martin's Episcopal Church, Richmond, VA. The church ladies (ECW) is going to raffle it off. I think 1 ticket is $5 or 3 tickets are $10. 

Every day you choose one Chrismon to add for the day starting December 1. I think it is a German thing because I grew up with having an advent calendar every December.  It's the count down to Christmas. In my childhood time of course it was just a paper one with little doors to see a picture behind.

The cross-stitched Chrismons were all stitched by my sister-in-law Jane in Windsor, England. Great big Thank-You to her!

Each Chrismon has its explanation on the back. Yes, Jesus is the reason for the season! The idea is that each family member can have a turn to pick the one for the day. May be there can be even a little discussion about the meaning of it?

Want a ticket? 

And now on to the next thing on the to-do-list!!!

Sources for Material

We celebrated Christmas only about 3 weeks ago but with the pandemic still being a threat I managed to post three (3) new patterns. That is quite satisfying to me. I have seen that a number of people have already looked at them but ... no comments. You know I would welcome comments. I am not fishing for praise. Only God needs to be praised. Input from fellow Chrismon makers could be helpful. There might also be thoughts about the meaning of each symbol I have not thought of myself. With other words ... feel free to criticize too.

And ... I am slowly running out of ideas. What symbol did I not design yet?

Designing the new patterns and also starting this year's Chrismon project for my church and my friends has also made me think about material sources.

I desperately needed wire. I found some time ago that the best wire to work with is Zebra wire. I found that I don't have issues with it breaking any more like I used to. That was often so frustrating. I also found that the best source to buy it is Fire Mountain Gems and Beads. They have 1/4 pound spools (which for a 26 gauge wire is about 115 yards). They have lots of different gauges and even colors. I take inventory and try to buy what I need in one order to cut down on postage.

Unfortunately Fire Mountain does not have the beads I usually need. For many years I bought those at Rufty's and I have shared this before. 

But I found the same quality beads and pearls now also at DonnaKayBeads on etsy.com but for a much better price. Very recently I made a large order and could not believe how much I saved. Donna was most helpful and there was no postage since the order was large enough. I found it a bit difficult to find the kind/size of beads or pearls I needed but with the order came a sheet with all the different sizes and prices. Most helpful. There is a button to click "Message Donna" and you could probably ask for that list to be emailed to you. As I said, she is most helpful. If you order from her, you might tell her that Christa is a happy customer.

Most of my patterns use beads and/or pearls from either of these suppliers. A few patterns have special beads and I indicate on those patterns exactly where I got them. But of course you could substitute if you find similar ones (like the glass beads for the rainbow for example). 

I hope you find this helpful!!! May be you have a helpful tip?

Harp

Meaning:

The word Harp is found about 50 times in the bible. The Christian Symbol "Harp" represents worship and joy in praising God.

"Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God."  Psalms 147:7

"And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took a harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him."  1 Samuel 16:23

And Paul wrote in his letter 1 Corinthians 14:6-7

"Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I speak to you in some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? It is the same way with lifeless instruments that produce sound, such as the flute or the harp. If they do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is being played?"

*  *  *  *  *

And here is the PDF pattern “Harp" for you to download.

Please do not sell the patterns or the ornaments. If you give them as gifts, please always include the explanation of the symbol. I would love to hear from all who are using my patterns. It would be nice to know that my efforts are not in vain. You find my email address on the pattern if you have any question about it. Happy to help.

*  *  *  *  *

Spider

Meaning:

The spider is mentioned in the bible twice and we can learn even from that little creature. It does do the work as God has given it. If the web is destroyed the spider starts again … and again … and again. It can do its work anywhere, even in a palace. "The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces" (Proverbs 30:28) So we too should not be afraid of tasks God gives us and try again and again if we are not successful right away. 

The bible also uses the spider’s web in a warning way. 

“They hatch adders' eggs; they weave the spider's web …” 

(Isaiah 59:5)

Job’s friends try to give him bad advise. “What they trust in is fragile; what they rely on is a spider’s web. They lean on the web, but it gives way; they cling to it, but it does not hold.” (Job 8:14-15) 

*  *  *  *  *

And here is the PDF pattern “Spider" for you to download.

Please do not sell the patterns or the ornaments. If you give them as gifts, please always include the explanation of the symbol. I would love to hear from all who are using my patterns. It would be nice to know that my efforts are not in vain. You find my email address on the pattern if you have any question about it. Happy to help.

*  *  *  *  * 

Chi Rho

Meaning:

Wikipedia explains that the Chi Rho, also known as Chrismon, is one of the earliest forms of Christogram.  A Christogram is a monogram for the name of Jesus Christ. 

The Chi Rho is formed by superimposing the first two (capital) letters—chi and rho (ΧΡ)—of the Greek word ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ (Christos).

While it was used very early by persecuted Christians in the catacombs, when Constantine I was struggling to become emperor, he used the symbol at the front of his armies and was victorious.

*  *  *  *  *

And here is the PDF pattern “Chi Rho" for you to download.

Please do not sell the patterns or the ornaments. If you give them as gifts, please always include the explanation of the symbol. I would love to hear from all who are using my patterns. It would be nice to know that my efforts are not in vain. You find my email address on the pattern if you have any question about it. Happy to help.

*  *  *  *  * 

The Rainbow

I made the pattern for Noah's Ark with the Rainbow some time ago. I was quite pleased with it. But when I started to make many of them I found the rainbow somewhat tedious. The "new" rainbow looks almost the same but I think it is easier to make.

As always, there is a PDF for you to print for your personal use.

It would be nice to let me know what you think. 

Sharing

I love it when I hear from somebody who has used my patterns. Here are photos my lacemaking friend Bonnie sent to me.

This is her church St. Mark Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

She wrote that this year she made the shell. I think Bonnie started making Chrismons for her Sunday school when I still lived in Paducah, Kentucky ... across the river from her.

It made me so happy to hear from her. Thank you, Bonnie!

Church Raffle 2019

Yes, another one. Did you see THIS ONE from 2017?

Here is this years!

There is more info on my quilt and lace blog HERE! 

And yes, I shared the cross-stitch patterns of the Chrismons there and a lot of how-to. I hope you enjoy it.

Noah's Ark

The Meaning of the Symbol:

The story of Noah and the flood is written in Genesis 6-9. It starts with "The Lord saw that the wickedness of humankind was great in the earth" and "the Lord was sorry that he had made humankind”. God wanted to destroy his creation. But The Lord found Noah to be a righteous man and saved him, his family and a remnant of all the world’s animals from the flood. He gave Noah detailed instructions for building the ark, e.g. which wood, which size, how tall the roof should be and how many animals to take.

Noah did as instructed. Then the great flood came and wiped everything else out. When God ended the flood he made a covenant with Noah with the rainbow as the sign: "When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth." (Genesis 9:16)

*  *  *  *  *

And here is the PDF pattern "Noah's Ark" for you to download.

Please do not sell the patterns or the ornaments. If you give them as gifts, please always include the explanation of the symbol. I would love to hear from all who are using my patterns. It would be nice to know that my efforts are not in vain. You find my email address on the pattern if you have any question about it. Happy to help.

*  *  *  *  * 

Mistakes

... can happen. I found typos in the Jerusalem Cross pattern and the Keys pattern. Also, sometimes I use an old pattern again to make gifts and suddenly realize that there is an easier way to make that Chrismon and rewrite the pattern. So, I highly recommend that if you are getting ready to make something, go to the Index and open blog and the PDF of the wanted pattern. There could be a change.

I have two more new designs in my head. Wish me luck!

Keys

Meaning:

The word Key/s is mentioned several times in the bible depending on the translation. It is an important symbol in the Christian Church.

Deuteronomy 30:20 (New Living Translation): 
You can make this choice by loving the LORD your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life.

Revelation 1:18: 
I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

The crossed keys are best known as the symbol for Saint Peter.

In the Gospel of Matthew 16:19, Jesus says to Peter: 
"I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on Earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on Earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

*  *  *  *  *

And here is the PDF "Keys" for you to download.
Please do not sell the patterns or the ornaments. If you give them as gifts, please always include the explanation of the symbol.I would love to hear from all who are using my patterns. It would be nice to know that my efforts are not in vain. You find my email address on the pattern if you have any question about it. Happy to help.

*  *  *  *  * 

I am also a lacemaker and am working on what I have dreamed about for quite some time: 

the Chrismons in Lace Series.

This is a design by me and you may download the PDF "Chrismon in Lace Series - Keys"  for your own personal use.

Here is my finished lace for my Advent calendar:

Answering a question about the Wheat Chrismon

The Wheat is a design I think from 2007. When I wanted to make a few more ornaments some time ago I realized that I did not have any more of the gold foil. I had ordered the first roll from the Internet and it was not available any longer. Yes, you will find that also happenes sometimes with the special size pearls or beads.

I searched in local craft stores too and finally decided on Plan-B. Craft store Michaels had a roll of this:

I cut a strip off a little wider then the leaf should be high. Peel the adhesive paper off and fold the strip double on itself. The white sides are now sticking to each other and you have gold on both sides. Cut like the directions say.

Jerusalem Cross

I designed this Chrismon in memory of our trip to Israel last year in September. It was an incredible experience to walk where Jesus might have walked and many of his disciples. Of course I have blogged daily on this trip. If you would like to read about it, click on the tap to my main blog and then Travel!

 The Jerusalem Cross is known since the 11th century when the crusaders captured the city and made it its emblem.

This cross consists of a cross potent (or crutch cross) with a bar on each end. And one smaller greek cross with equal length arms in each quadrant.

There are several explanations found for this cross. — The large cross symbolizes Christ and the four smaller crosses the four Gospels. — Another belief is that the smaller crosses symbolize the four corners of the earth Jesus wanted his message carried to. — Another suggests the five-fold cross reminds us of the Five Wounds of Christ with the four smaller crosses symbolizing the four wounds on Jesus’ hands and feet and the larger cross his pierced heart.

At Jesus’ time there was only one temple in all of Israel to worship God and it was in Jerusalem. Synagogues were houses of assembly to learn and study. Jews were required to travel to the temple in Jerusalem once a year to worship.

“Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival.” (Luke 2:41-42)

*  *  *  *  *

And here is the PDF "Jerusalem Cross" for you to download.

Please do not sell the patterns or the ornaments. If you give them as gifts, please always include the explanation of the symbol.
I would love to hear from all who are using my patterns. It would be nice to know that my efforts are not in vain. You find my email address on the pattern if you have any question about it. Happy to help.

Which one?

In September my husband and I were lucky enough to visit Jordan and Israel. I thought my newest Chrismon should be the Jerusalem Cross. I am very happy with the big cross in the center but can't decide on the four little crosses. I have questioned my family and got mixed answers.

Which one do you like best?

A:

B:

I hope very much that you will leave a comment.

Thank you!

 

Church Raffle 2017

I think readers who are interested in either my travel blogs OR my quilting/lace blogs OR my Chrismons or probably not hopping around from one to another. But the latest blog on quilts is very Chrismon!

Take a look!

Angel with Trumpet

The Trumpet is mentioned in the bible about 130 times. In Old Testament times the trumpet was most likely a ram’s horn. The trumpet was used when God wanted his people to listen and obey him.

Angels are messengers, created and sent by God.

In the Gospel of Matthew 24 we can read that Jesus is talking to his apostles about his second coming.

Verse 31: 

And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. 

*  *  *  *  *

Die Trompete wird in der Bibel etwa 130 mal erwähnt. Im Alten Testament war die Trompete höchstwahrscheinlich ein Widderhorn. Die Trompete wurde verwendet, wenn Gott wollte, daß seine Leute zuhören und ihm gehorchen.

Engel sind Boten, die von Gott geschaffen und gesandt wurden.

Im Evangelium von Matthäus 24 können wir lesen, daß Jesus mit seinen Aposteln über sein zweites Kommen spricht.

Vers 31: 
Und er wird seine Engel mit lautem Trompetenruf aussenden, und sie werden seine Auserwählten aus den vier Winden sammeln, von einem Ende des Himmels zum andern.


*  *  *  *  *

And here is the PDF "Angel with Trumpet" for you to download.

Please do not sell the patterns or the ornaments. If you give them as gifts, please always include the explanation of the symbol.
I would love to hear from all who are using my patterns. It would be nice to know that my efforts are not in vain. You find my email address on the pattern if you have any question about it. Happy to help.

Manger

It is amazing how an insignificant thing like a manger, a feeding-trough for animals, can have such important meaning. Luke mentions the manger three times and this is the most known: “And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7)

From the day of His birth, Jesus was destined to die on our behalf. To accomplish his work as Savior, Jesus offered his body and blood as a sacrifice for us and by accepting that sacrifice we find salvation.
In the words of our Post Communion Prayer:
“Eternal God, Heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. ...”
Thus, it is fitting that the Savior, at the start of his life, would be placed in a feeding-trough as a sign not only of who He is, but of how He will fulfill His purpose and effect our salvation.


*  *  *  *  *

Krippe

Es ist erstaunlich, wie eine unbedeutende Sache wie eine Krippe, eine Futtertrog für die Tiere, kann so eine wichtige Bedeutung haben. Lukas erwähnt der Krippe drei Mal, und dies ist die bekannteste: ". Und sie gebar ihren ersten Sohn und wickelte ihn in Windeln und legte ihn in eine Krippe, denn sie hatten sonst keinen Platz für sie in der Herberge" ( Lukas 2:7)Vom Tag seiner Geburt, Jesus war dazu bestimmt für uns zu sterben. Um seine Aufgabe als Erlöser zu erreichen, bot Jesus seinen Leib und sein Blut als Opfer für uns und durch die Annahme dieses Opfers finden wir Erlösung.In den Worten unseren Abendmahlgebetes: "Ewiger Gott, Vater im Himmel, du hast uns gnädig als lebendige Glieder deines Sohnes unseres Erlösers Jesus Christus angenommen, und hast uns geistige Nahrung im Sakrament seines Leibes und Blutes zugeführt ... "Somit ist es passend, dass der Heiland am Anfang seines Lebens in einem Futtertrog plaziert wurde als ein Zeichen nicht nur dafür wer Er war aber auch wie er seinen Zweck erfüllen und unser Heil bewirken wird. 

*  *  *  *  *

Hope to have the pattern written in a few days. I need daylight for the pictures to be good. 

updated 12/27/2015:
And here is the PDF "Manger" for you to download.

Please do not sell the patterns of the ornaments. If you give them as gifts, please always include the explanation of the symbol.

*  *  *  *  *

 

I am also a lacemaker and am working on what I have dreamed about for quite some time:

the Chrismons in Lace Series.

This is a design by Brigitte Bellon. She is incredible generous and allowed me to share her pattern here with you for your own personal use PDF “ Manger “

Here is my finished lace for my Advent calendar: