Linen Bonnets

Spiritual -  O God, You are my God, for You I long; for you my soul is thirsting.  My body pines for you like a dry, weary land without water.  So I gaze on you in the sanctuary to see your strength and your glory.  Psalm 63

Sewing -  I've been having fun developing new bonnets made from lace, linen, and antique buttons.  These are size 0-3 months and would be great with casual wear or formal wear.  These would be wonderful photography props!

Shadow Work Embroidery in the Hoop

Spiritual - Fortitude is one of the cardinal virtues.  It is the virtue that gives us moral courage.  In the face of difficulties, it helps is to remain resolved in our beliefs and convictions.  It helps us to resist temptations, helps us to speak the truth even when it costs us, helps us to stand firm when confronted with injustice, and helps us to decide on the side of what is right when faced with moral conflict.  It gives us strength.  Pray for and practice everyday  fortitude.

 

Sewing - "Vintage Baby Bubbles" by Petite Poche, is a all-in-one, simple to make, baby bubble that appears to be two pieces.  There is a "girl" and a "boy" version in the pattern and comes in sizes 3 months - 24 months.  Cute.  Cute.  Cute.  This can be made in linen for a very dressy occasion or in a sweet little floral, novelty print, or check for a casual everyday bubble.  The pattern includes applique patterns and clear instructions for a rabbit, carrots, and baby chicks.  Instructions are also included for embroidery for embellishment.  Materials used in this sample were English lace edging, a sheer fabric blend called skip dent, and Imperial batiste (lining).

Front appears as two pieces

Back is one  piece

Front flipped up to see button on diaper cover

I've been wanting to try shadow work embroidery in the hoop and bought a design from Applique for Kids.   I download the design and studied the instructions.  Basically, the "solid" body and legs of the chick were embroidered on one piece of  fashion fabric. While still in the hoop, a second piece of  fashion fabric is carefully placed over the embroidered fabric and the outline, grass, etc. were stitched.  Both were taken out of the hoop and treated as one piece of fashion fabric as you continue to follow the pattern instructions.

Shadow work in the hoop

A bonnet to match!

The pattern, lace, and fabric are available in the shop.  This was a joy to make!

Mitzi Brignac

Spiritual -  On Holy Thursday, we celebrate the Last Supper of Christ with His beloved, intimate apostles - those that would soon betray Him, abandon Him, and deny Him, along with the rest of the world.  "The institution of the Eucharist appeared then as the answer of Jesus to the treachery of men, as the greatest gift of His infinite love in return for the blackest ingratitude...at the moment when human malice is about to sound the lowest depths of the abyss, he exhausts the resources of His love, and offers Himself to man, not only as the Redeemer, who will die for him on the Cross, but also as the food which will nourish him.  He will feed man with His own Flesh and Blood; moreover, death might claim Him in a few hours, but the Eucharist will perpetuate His real, living presence until the end of time."  Divine Intimacy         

Sewing -  Mitzi Brignac, a beginning student, loves sewing and it shows!  She is making lots of fun bonnets and dresses for an expectant great-niece.  Mitzi is doing so well that she is planning to make the Christening gown for the baptism.  She and Danielle, her niece/God-child, have selected the materials, lace, and embroidery design for a custom gown.  Mitzi is practicing sewing heirloom techniques on daygowns for the new baby and as gifts.  Mitzi also likes to work on sewing quilts and other sewing craft projects.  She is a hustler!
 
Mitzi is very serious as she concentrates on her heirloom techniques while making a precious pink daygown.
         

Here are bonnets Mitzi made in the "Three Bonnets from one Hand Towel Class."  She embellished her bonnets with decorative stitches that were on her machine.  The white bonnet she made from a baby pillowcase she bought at an antique shop.  Danielle is a lucky girl to have a God-mother like Mitzi.

The Garde Soleil

 Spiritual - "When one door closes, another opens, but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one that has opened for us."  Alexander Graham Bell    Lord,  Show us how to live for today.  Help us to be so attuned to Your Will that we will experience all that You have for us.  Amen

 









 Sewing - The garde-soleil or sun bonnet was designed and worn by European and Acadian women and children to protect them from the sun.  "Garde" refers to guard and "soleil" refers to sun.  There are many patterns for the sun bonnet because women made their own patterns to reflect their own styles according to their place in society and, also, according to the function of the bonnet (working in the fields, church, mourning, etc).  Most patterns we have today are made from bonnets that were passed from mother to daughter for many generations.  You can still find dated ones in antique stores in this part of the country.  What a treasure!  They look so cute on babies and little girls and protects them from the sun and wind.