Evening Bags - Smocking by Machine

Sewing - These evening bags were all made using instructions and inspirations from The Boutique Collection CD by Debbie Yedziniak.   The flaps of the bags were smocked in the hoop by embroidery machine and were so much fun to make.  The purses are made of dupioni silk, various trims, beading, and chains.  I have given a few as gifts and have sold a few.  I took a class from Debbie during a Martha Pullen seminar in Opelousas that was hosted by Brambleberry Lane owned and operated by Elaine Richard in 2007.   Debbie has wonderful stuff on her website and is a generous teacher and developer.  She allows her students to make and sell stuff made from her patterns and CDs.  Yea, Debbie.

The Abby Glen Dress

Spiritual - Often, in our daily duties and spiritual lives, we are discouraged and come to a stand still because we insist on our own ideas and understanding of what God's plans for us are.  We look to the Blessed Virgin as our model during these times.  According to Scripture, extraordinary supernatural manifestations certainly surrounded the Annunciation and the birth of Jesus. The events of the remainder of  her life were ordinary to the times and to her particular circumstances - poverty, fleeing into exile to save her child, taking care of her family and watching him grow and develop.  This was all done under the veil of pure faith.  Mary knew her child was the Messiah, but she did not know how he would carry out his mission.  She knew he was her God and that was enough for her.  Mary, help me have the faith you have in your most precious Son.

  

Sewing - Heirloom Creations Peggy Burley and Sharon Boute offer weekend retreats to their regular sewing students, and ,occasionally, to their customers. I attended the Abby Glen Retreat October 2-4, 2009 and had a fabulous time. We were guided by Peggy in sewing her new pattern, the Abby Glen dress made of cotton dotted Swiss. It is a precious pattern and I learned a few new finishing techniques making this darling little dress. I also had time to complete another version of this pattern during the retreat. The food, company, and fun and lively breaks between sewing was such a treat. I look forward to another. Thanks Peggy and Sharon.

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Trapunto Jewels Sweater

Spiritual - How much do we love God?  Can we ever love Him enough - totally and perfectly?  Yes -but only in Heaven!  Isn't that consoling?  Only then we can love Him as much as He is lovable.  On earth, we can never achieve this kind and amount of love - it just isn't possible.  It is possible to make acts of love each time we will to do so.  It is always in our power to unite our being, sorrows, desires, heart, will and affections to God by an act of love.  We can do it in a number of ways - prayer, acts of love, sacrifices, smiles, receiving the sacraments, and attending the greatest prayer on earth, the Holy Mass.


Sewing - I subscribe to a wonderful sewing/fashion newsletter,
The Fashion Sewing Group, published by Nancy Erickson.  In the the Fall-2007 issue, she worked out the steps to make a replica of a long sleeved top at the Neiman's Chanel boutique that sold for $1380.00!  It was made of wool.  The newsletter had a beautiful basic knit made of poly/viscose/spandex.  She included a similar pattern for the trapunto which we traced onto silk organza, pinned to the wrong side of the knit, and stitched around the drawings.  A slit was cut through the organza and each "jewel" was stuffed with small scraps of the knit until the look was achieved.  Cut away the extra organza and fuse the trapunto area with a light interfacing.  This will close the slits and reduce the scratchiness of the organza.  The knit top pattern is also a Nancy pattern, 1960.http://www.fashionsewing.com/1960.htm

Baby Love

Spiritual - God knew us before the world began.  How loving and personal. He knew us before we were even a glint in our parent's eye!  He knew the circumstances that would shape our personalities, whether or not we would be obedient, whether or not we would be charitable or faithful, whether or not we would be successful or not.  And he created us still.  He assured us, through His Holy Word, that He would take care of us and give us the graces we need for our ultimate salvation. We have to believe Him and act on our belief.

Sewing - My new baby grandaughter, Gillian Lane Stelly (Gigi), dressed in a one piece baby romper made of 100% cotton batiste.  The pattern is The Old Fashioned Baby Best Embroidered Baby Clothes, Two.  Love, love, love her.  But, not as much as her Mommy does.  I happened to catch her mother gazing at her beautiful new wonder and got this shot.  It says a thousand words!

Wedding Gown into Christening Gown!

Spiritual -  I have oftened wondered why Jesus submitted to Baptism.  I went to the "source" - the CCC. Of course, the answer was profound and complete. 

"The baptism of Jesus is on his part the acceptance and inauguration of his mission as God's suffering Servant.  he allows himself to be numbered among sinners; he is already 'the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.'  Already he is anticipating the 'baptism' of his bloody death,  already he is coming to 'fulfill all righteousness,' that is, he is submitting himself entirely to his Father's will;  out of love he consents to this baptism of death for the remission of our sins.  The Father's voice responds to the son's acceptance, proclaiming his entire delight in his Son.  The spirit whom Jesus possessing in fullness from his conception comes to 'rest on him.'  Jesus will be the source of the spirit for all mankind. At his baptism, 'the heavens were opend' - the heavens that Adam's sin had closed' and the waters were sanctified by the descent of Jesus and the Spirit, a prelude to the new creation."

Sewing -  One of my clients, who was expecting a baby girl, brought her wedding gown and asked if I could make a christening gown from the dress and replicate the style.  It was a lovely princess styled gown showered with floral sprays of silver metallic thread with blue seed and bugle beads.  Although this was not the usual christening gown that I made, I was glad to take on the job.  At first, I didn't thank it would required the thought, planning, or labor that an heirloom dress would have taken.  Well, I was wrong.  The pattern had to be drafted, then placed very carefully on the dress around the beaded parts.  Some of the beading had to be removed and re-beaded after the dress was completed.  It was lined using the wedding dress lining and hand embroidery embellished the front yoke.  IMHO, it turned out really lovely.  The cap was wonderful too.  She and her husband were delighted.  I was very happy about that.  I have to give credit to the our Blessed Mother - for I prayed to her all through the process!

Dolls, Dolls, Dolls

Sewing:

I am really addicted to wool felt, embroidered, and embellished dolls.  I was inspired by Mimi Kirschner who makes dolls, fish, circus characters, robots, and owls, among other wonderful artful things. I made reproductions of some of her dolls.  I used others as inspirations, and am beginning to branch out on my own.  They are really addicting.  Audrie and her friends have been benefactors.  Liam and I made the robot (anatomically correct) and a reproduction of one of Mimi's.  

Henry is the big green monster that Liam slept with for awhile and also helped me make.  We have made many creatures - dragons, squids, sharks, hydras (Jason & the Argonats), etc.  He learned many sewing skills from these projects and I learned to imagine.

Felted Knitted Bag

Spiritual - The homily in mass tonight really hit home. It was about the gospel in which Christ asks Peter three times, "Do you love me, Peter?" The third time Peter answered, "You know that I love you, Lord, you know everything." Yes, He knows everything - He knows just how weak we are. He knows that we love Him - UNTIL we have something else to do, we're asked to do something hard, we're asked to forgive someone we don't want to forgive, we're asked to sacrifice.... Yes, He knows everything. He knows how much we love Him. The Good News is that He loves us with wide open arms anyway.

Sewing - I love this bag! This has been my "grab to go" project whenever I'm riding in the car or waiting in an office, etc. I used 3 skeins of Lamb's Pride (125 yds each) and 15 yds of Karabella Festival yarn. I cast on 100 stitches onto a #13 circular needle and knitted about 10 inches and started alternate bands of 5 rows of purl and knit (just to practice the different stitches) till I had just enough of the third skein to cast off. About four inches from the top I mixed in three rows of the Festival yarn. The bag went through only 3 cycles of warm water  in a regular wash cycle. I didn't want any more shrinkage, although it could have been felted a little more. See the before and after pictures.  The alternate bands of knit & purl did not add any texture or change the appearance of the bag. This is going to be one of my favorites. What color will I use next?

Ahh - Knitting

Spiritual - Contemplate this: "God could make a bigger world or a wider sky, but He could not raise a pure creature higher than Mary for the dignity of Mother of God is the highest dignity that can be conferred on a creature" (St. Bonaventure).

Sewing - I am a beginner knitter and having so much fun. This is the third time I've tried to learn to knit since 1980 or so. This time I'm determined to learn. I've made several scarves over the winter and loved wearing them. Now, I'm into felted totes. These totes use bulky yarn and a size 13 circular needle. The project is very fast. For the first one, I cast on 100 stitches and used 2 skeins of Lamb's Pride (125 yds ea) and mixed in about 35 yds of Karabella Festival yarn four inches (five rows) from the top. I used the knit stitch. After knitting, I threaded the bottom and pulled into a circle to close. I tossed it into the washer (hot water) for three cycles. Towels were stuffed in to shape the bag until it was dry. I was really surprised at the amount of shrinkage. It ended up being more of a bowl than a bag!

The Diaper Bag

Spiritual - Why do we go to mass/church on Sunday? A Christian is not isolated - he belongs to the great human family that is baptized, grafted onto Christ, and becomes a member of His Mystical Body, the Church. Our individual spiritual prayer life is born, grows, and matures by association to our mother, the church. This high expression of our faith should be inserted into the prayer of the church - liturgical prayer. It is the prayer that the whole church addresses to God - a UNITING FOR ALL TIME of Jesus' prayer to His Father. Just think - "In the glory of heaven and in humble effacement on our altars, He praises Him in the name of all creatures and intercedes with Him for the needs of each one in particular." (Divine Intimacy, Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen,1964) Public prayer and private prayer must be present in such a way that they penetrate and sustain each other. One can not take the place of the other.

Sewing - I completed the diaper bag. It is huge! Jennie will be able to put the baby in there too! The inside has great pockets and there is a cell phone pocket on the outside. Because there were just a few visuals in the instructions, I had to read them several times for each step. Also, it was bulky to sew - I broke 3 needles. HA! I learned a lot from sewing this bag, but would do it again. 

Totes & Bags

Spiritual - Today my husband and I brought Eucharist to the nursing home. The individual situations and conditions of the patients are often so sad and seemingly hopeless. They are grateful to see us and happy to receive communion. As walk down the halls going from room to room I feel so blessed to be there, and wander if I'll have their courage if I am ever in their situation. I believe, according to my faith, that they are truly blessed to share in the in the Lord's suffering for the salvation of the world, and, that they are already in purgatory. BUT - being fully human and dealing daily with pain, loneliness, illness, and endless days, these souls must also share in the feelings of Christ on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me!" They, like all souls in purgatory, need our prayers.

Sewing - I really like making totes and bags. I can match them to outfits I make and can re-design the patterns to suit my needs. They are easier to make that one may think. You have to pay attention and follow directions. It does take time. I often wonder WHY as I making this when I can buy one alot cheaper than I can make one. Well - I can choose the fabric and style that I want. I can develop my sewing skills. http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcvp/sets/72157616731582283/

I am working on a diaper bag for my DD who is expecting her 3rd baby. She decided on the "modern diaper bag w/ changing pad" by Amy Bultler. Of, course, she wanted the exact material - so - into local fabric stores and onto the Internet to find the different fabrics, interfacings, and fusible stabilizers. The instructions in Amy Butler's book for this bag are great. There are adorable ideas for baby clothing, toys, blankets, shoes, and nursery items in this book!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcvp/3497381573/in/set-72157617562807129/

Wednesday's Sewing Group is So FINE

Spiritual - So many of us are hurting. We are surrounded with so many blessings and we feel guilty because we're concentrating on the hurt and pain. Remember - God wants our WILL, not necessarily our feelings. When, in the midst of the hurt and pain, we still take care of the ones around us and try to connect with Him, then we are doing His will. That is all He asks. He can, and will do the rest. Trust in Him.

Sewing - I wouldn't give up Wednesday sewing with my wonderful sewing friends for anything! We are a group of 10 women who LOVE fabric - touching, collecting, sewing, talking, dreaming about, ... And, of course, we are getting to know and love each other. Yesterday we talked about our first cooking experiences when we were first married. The winner - "I embarrassed myself before I even cooked my first meal. I bought a pack of 7-steak and when I opened it, there were only 5!"

Thank Goodness prom is over!

Spiritual - Without an active prayer life, you cannot advance spiritually. Of course, I tried to do it my way - the lazy way. About 15 years ago I decided to get serious about setting aside time everyday to get connected by reading and praying. Although it has been an up and down process, it has begun to pay off, especially when I am consistent. I guess it's like communicating in marriage. When you persevere, you become intimate friends with your spouse. And, after learning how to communicate well, you don't even have to talk. God is so good.

Sewing - I have been up to my neck in alterations - prom dresses, slacks, graduation dresses. I have even made a couple of wedding veils. But, hey, this pays for my habit - which currently is sewing and photography software/tutorials. I am also trying to develop lesson plans for a couple of classes making projects using some of the newer techniques on the Designer Diamond. This morning I have to complete the muslin/pattern for a graduation dress, cut it out, and begin construction. This afternoon I'm giving private sewing lessons. This is so much fun!

Men's Short Sleeved Shirts

Spiritual - I have been very distracted during prayer - thinking about sewing, etc. -and it has been harder to bring my mind back to God. This morning, while reading Divine Intimacy (Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, O.C.D.), I read this account from St. Theresa: " You should consider [before praying] who it is that you are addressing, and who you are, if only that you may speak to Him with respect..." This, she concludes, is already to make mental prayer. That helped me a lot.

Sewing - Last summer I started making DH's short sleeved shirts - lot's easier than heirloom sewing! I bought several pieces of 100% cotton checks and chambray from Brambleberry Lane to make these shirts. I just finished the last planned one. I use Kwik Sew 2777. When I first began, I compared his favorite shirt to this pattern and made a few changes. The method for the stand up collar I use is from from Gigi, an "Internet sewing buddy"s tutorial rather than the method used in the pattern - look for stand up collar # 1, 2) . DH loves the shirts because he says they fit better. I'm not quite satisfied with the collar interfacing I'm using. Here is a picture of one of the first ones that I made:

I love Embird!

Spiritual - I really liked this quote from Martha Pullen's newsletter: " ...Think about David's words when he wrote 'You formed me in my mother's body.' We are not accidents. God, Himself formed us. We are not mistakes but we were carefully planned by God. We are valuable not because of our talents or accomplishments but because of our Maker. We were selected with love and God oversaw the process as he did the forming. I glory in knowing that all of my days were planned for me and written in God's book before I was one day old. The length of my life, my joys and my sorrows, the length of my life, my birth date and my death date, my trials and their solutions, what could be fixed and what could not, my strengths and my weaknesses--all were planned for me by my maker. That is reason for great joy in all circumstances I believe. I love waking up every morning and knowing that I belong to God and that He is sovereign, perfect and in complete control."


Sewing - I really love using Embird for my machine embroidery. Embird is software that can be purchased in modules. I have purchased Embird Basic (managing, resizing, converting, and changing designs), iconizer (designs are pictures and not just numbers), three wonderful pre-digitized alphabets, and Embird Studio (digitizing software). I probably paid $89 for Embird basic, $15 for iconizer, $15 per alphabet, and, $132 for studio. I purchased in first module about 4-5 years ago and added studio this past year. There are several modules that I haven't felt the need to explore. I keep up with Embird through Secrets of Embroidery . Updates to the program are free and upgrades cost about $15-30. IMHO, the designers (a family) keeps up with, and often surpasses, what other big name sewing machine software.  Some other software, I admit, can be more user-friendly. 

The new Archbishop Dolan of New York

Spiritually - This morning I listened to the homily of the new Archbishop Dolan of New York during the ordination mass in St. Patrick's Cathedral. It was full of the truth of Catholic values and principles. It gave me hope for the future in spite of these rapidly changing times. He talked about the road to Emus when Jesus explained the Scriptures to the two disciples (Liturgy of the Word) and, later that evening when Jesus was recognized in the breaking of the bread (Liturgy of the Eucharist) - the first mass.

Sewing - I've been making matching dog harnesses/leashes, pillows, and pincushions to place in my sister and her daughter's new antique/coffee shop to open in September. After sewing outfits for the grandchildren and lots of prom alterations, this is a welcome change.

Bella, my miniature Dachshund, is recovering well after being spayed. Now that she is five months old, my husband is looking for a puppy of his own - a red female doberman. They ought to get along!