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