A Christmas project

You know that one of my passions are Chrismons. At the beginning of this year I started the "Chrismons in Lace series". Here is the first page published in the Heartland Lace Guild newsletter.

Brigitte Bellon liked my idea and was incredibly generous with her patterns. She gave us permission to publish them and is supporting us/me in many ways.

My problem was how best to show-case the Chrismons. And here is what I came up with!

One German tradition is the Advent calendar. I found a picture of this quilted wallhanging on the Internet. No copyright violation because it is a free pattern.

I printed it large and calculated ... the size of the Chrismons ... the size of the squares ... how many squares and half squares needed. I placed dots and numbered them 1to 24.

It took quite a long time to decide how to handle the advent calendar "doors". I will not go into details of the ideas I had contemplated and discarded.

The wallhanging is finally done. I attached faceted crystal beads to hang the circles. They look a little like dew. That way it could be hanging year-round.

I even made a little one for the church bazaar.

Finally all the circles are done and December 1st arrived.

December 1st = The Crown

December 2nd = The Dove of Peace

December 3rd = The Latin Cross

December 4th = The Rooster

December 5th = Star of David

December 6th = Butterfly

December 7th = Descending Dove

December 8th = Wheat

December 9th =
Soooooorry. This is how far I got.

There is one on the pillow and almost done. I also still have several patterns from Brigitte Bellon, so no shortage there. And I have several ideas too. All I need is some time. Don't think it will be completed this year.

I think it is pretty good looking so far anyway.

I can't say it "loud" enough: THANK YOU to Brigitte Bellon in Germany for all the wonderful patterns. She was and is always so generous sharing her patterns. All the above designs are featured in the Heartland Lace Guild newsletter Pillow Talk. And I still have some more. I love her designs in the clear and elegant forms.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Brigitte.

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Alpha & Omega

Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters in the Greek alphabet. “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8)This is mentioned in the bible several more times and has been used as an important Christian symbol for Jesus Christ or God, often combined with other Christian symbols, from early Christianity and even appear in Roman catacombs.

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Alpha and Omega sind der erste und letzte Buchstabe des griechischen Alphabets."Ich bin das Alpha und Omega, der Anfang und das Ende, spricht der Herr, der da ist und der da war und der da kommt, der Allmächtige." (Offenbarung 1:8)Dies wird in der Bibel noch mehrmals erwähnt und wurde als wichtiges christliches Symbol für Jesus Christus oder Gott benutzt, oft zusammen mit anderen christlichen Symbolen, vom frühesten Christentum und ist sogar in den römischen Katakomben zu sehen.

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And here is the PDF "Alpha and Omega" for you to download.

I have also made a VIDEO explaining what I mean with the up-wire and down-wire. Please let me know whether you find this helpful or what I could do different.

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.

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updated 04/23/2015:

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 “Alpha & Omega"

Here is my finished lace for my Advent calendar:

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Material list and request

I had written the following blog some time ago but never posted it (can't remember why). Well, here it is.
While I have your attention ... if you do use any of my patterns, I so would like to hear from you.  Better yet, I would love it if you would send pictures (of your group, your Christmas tree, your church' Christmas tree) and a little article what you and your group are doing, any suggestions, links to patterns somewhere else, I would be very grateful and would like to put it in a blog!!!

THANK YOU!

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Oh oh, my supply is dangerously low. Time to fill up "my stash". So I updated my Excel-spreadsheet and thought I share it with you since it is done anyway.

First version: ornaments by alphabet

Second version: first the small ones, then the large ones in groups.

I hope you find this helpful. Also, I was made aware that one of the patterns didn't open. I have fixed that. If you ever find a problem or mistake, please let me know. You find my email on every pattern.

Yearly Tradition

Working on the Christmons to give away ... to all the children in the church ... and also for my own personal gift-giving. This year I made 80 of the shell. The shell is especially significant to us this year since it is also the sign of the "Camino". This spring my dear husband James made the pilgrimage from St Pied de Port to Santiago de Compostella walking 500+ miles. He wrote a Blog every day if you are interested. It was an incredible experience for him.



And in July our first grandson William was baptized, also a very meaningful event for us. 

Some lovely ladies in the church strung 56 for me - a big time saving for me.

First Sunday afternoon in December we had a workshop at the church. The Chrismons needed to be wrapped in the acid free green tissue paper. And then we each made a big Chrismon for the church tree. This is the best way to learn if they would like to make the smaller for their gift-giving at home.

When we were done we marched into church and hung the new additions. It's a good feeling for all.

The 2nd Sunday of Advent was "Chrismon Sunday". We had mailed the cards (explained here) about 10 days earlier and had blank ones ready for those who forgot (which is usually more then half ha-ha).
This is how we do it so it is fun but the service stays dignified: Our Rector explains the Chrismon symbol to the children during the children's sermon (I would have liked to take a picture but was't sure I should). Then he says a prayer over the Chrismons and asks The Lord that "...bless we pray these Chrismons and grant that those who look upon them may have their hearts drawn to things which can only be seen by the eye of faith through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN"

Just before the end of the service I slipped out, stood at the exit and gave each child his/her Christian ornament. Since we moved here in 2008 this was the 6th ornament. The children seem to love it.

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Dove of Peace

The dove with the olive branch is seen as a symbol for peace today as it was for the early Christians. We can see it depicted in the Roman and other catacombs. The olive branch was even used as a symbol of peace as early as the 5th century BC.
“He waited seven more days and again sent out the dove from the ark. When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth.” 

(Genesis 8:11)

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Friedenstaube

Die Taube mit dem Ölzweig wird als Symbol für den Frieden heute gesehen, wie es für die frühen Christen war. Wir sehen es dargestellt in den römischen und anderen Katakomben. Der Olivenzweig wurde sogar schon im 5. Jahrhundert v. Chr. als ein Symbol des Friedens verwendet.
"Da kam die Taube zur Abendzeit zu ihm und zwar mit einem frischen Ölblatt im Schnabel. Da erkannte Noah, daß sich die Gewässer von der Erde verlaufen hatten. " (1. Mose 8:11)

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And here is the PDF "Dove of Peace (flat)" and "Dove of Peace (3-D)" for you to download. I would be interested to know which one you prefer.

Since there is also a 3-D version which is difficult to photograph, here is a video. In my opinion: the 3-D version is easier to make then the flat one.

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.

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Another one in the:

Chrismons in Lace Series.

This is a design by Brigitte Bellon and can be found in the Heartland Lace Guild newsletter Pillow Talk #94

A membership form can be found here.

update 02/07/2015:
Brigitte Bellon is incredible generous and allowed me to share her pattern here with you for your own personal use PDF “Dove of Peace”

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Technical glitch

I have to apologize. Since you took the trouble to find this Chrismon site I mean for you to easily download the patterns. The LORD gave me my talent, I need to share. But I had done the uploading wrong. I hope I fixed that now.

Please let me know if I could do something better. I welcome your suggestion how I could improve a pattern or make it easier to understand the directions.

Hope you will enjoy making one or all.
Blessings,
Christa

Oil Lamp

The Old Testament has many references to the oil lamp and its light. “And you shall command the people of Israel that they bring to you pure beaten olive-oil for the light, that a lamp may be set to burn continually”. (Exodus 27:20, Leviticus 24:2)
“A man’s soul is the lamp of God, which searches the chambers of one’s innards.” (Proverbs 20:27)
Fire was often described as being destructive, light was given a positive spiritual meaning. Oil lamps were a very important household item at Jesus’ time and he too uses it in his teachings like in the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25). He says “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

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Das Alte Testament hat viele Verweise auf die Öllampe und ihrem Licht. "Und du sollst dem Volke Israel befehlen, daß sie dir reines, gestossenes Olivenöl bringen für das Licht, damit man ständig eine Lampe aufstellen kann.  (Exodus 27:20, Levitikus 24:2) "der Lebensgeist ist die Lampe des HERRN; mit ihr durchleuchtet er das Menschenherz und seine Gedanken." (Sprüche 20,27)

Feuer wurde oft als zerstörend beschrieben, Licht hat eine positive spirituelle Bedeutung bekommen. Öllampen waren ein sehr wichtiger Haushaltsartikel zur Zeit Jesu und auch er benutzt es in seiner Lehre, wie in dem Gleichnis von den zehn Jungfrauen (Matthäus 25). Er sagt: "Ich bin das Licht für die Welt. Wer mir folgt, tappt nicht mehr im Dunkeln, sondern hat das Licht und mit ihm das Leben" (Johannes 8,12). "Laßt euer Licht leuchten vor den Leuten, damit sie eure guten Werke sehen und euren Vater im Himmel preisen". (Matthäus 5,16)

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And here is the PDF "Oil Lamp" 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.

*  *  *  *  *

updated 05/06/2015: 

 

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"Oil Lamp"