Perkala's 2nd Annual Outdoor Market

Spiritual - "The sacred image, the liturgical icon, principally represents Christ.  It cannot represent the invisible and incomprehensible God, but the incarnation of the Son of God ...   Christian iconography expresses in images the same Gospel message that Scripture communicates by words.  All the signs in the liturgical celebrations are related to Christ; as are sacred images of the holy Mother of God and of the saints as well.  They truly signify Christ, who is glorified in them.  They make manifest the 'cloud of witnesses' who continue to participate in the salvation of the world and to whom we are united, above all in sacramental celebrations."  CCC, 1159-1161










Sewing - Saturday was Perkala's 2nd Annual Outdoor Market.  Perkala is owned by Donna and Ben Soileau of Ville Platte and is located on the corner of LaSalle and Coreil Street.  It is an espresso bar, antique, and gift shop.  They started this event last year to celebrate and promote the artists and craftsmen that sell in their shop and who live around the area.  There were 20 vendors this year who brought their art/crafts   and set up shop outside for the morning.


There was plenty of snacks, coffee, tea, and entertainment.  This year we were entertained by an Elvis impersonator, a harpist, and Father Mario playing his fiddle. I was so busy with my stuff and visiting with all my Ville Platte friends that I was only able to get just  a few pictures to share. The day was beautiful and we all had lots of fun.  I think we are all looking forward to next year!

Hand Sewing Pincushion

Spiritual - Holy Images, or liturgical icons, in our churches all principally represent Christ.  Images could not represent God, because of His invisibility and incomprehensible nature.  The incarnation of His Son has brought us a new insight.  These icons express  the same Gospel message that Scripture communicates by words and help to "explain" each other.  All our images, the Blessed Mother, St. Joseph, and all the saints are all related to Christ who is glorified in them.  "They make manifest the 'cloud of witnesses' who continue to participate in the salvation of the world and to whom we are united, above all in sacramental celebrations.  Through their icons, it is man 'in the image of God,' finally transfigured' into his likeness' who is revealed to our faith.

Catechism of the Catholic Church, pg. 328

Sewing -  I have a hard time keeping track of the different sizes of hand needles I use when working on a project.  Umm..I thought.  What if I had a pin cushion that had the kind and number of needles written on it?  As I told you before, I love Embird, my embroidery software.  I got busy and I'm quite happy.

All Designs Are Copyright Protected copyright 2010

A Special Wedding Veil

Spiritual - Christ is the source of matrimonial grace.  If we don't cooperate with His freely given grace we cannot "tap into" the unlimited graces He has waiting for us.  By persistent, faithful prayer on can a couple  have a truly successful marriage - not a perfect one , but one of  joy and peace.  If God is not the center of the union, there is a great chance of unhappiness, and the beautiful description the grace-filled state of matrimony as described by the CCC will not take place. 

"Christ dwells with them, gives them the strength to take up their crosses and so follow him, to rise again after they have fallen, to forgive one another, to bear one another's burdens, to 'be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ,' and to love one another with supernatural, tender, and fruitful love,  In the joys of their love and family life he gives them here on earth a foretaste of the wedding feast of the Lamb..."

Sewing -  I was honored when I was asked to make a cathedral length wedding veil for one of my favorite students from my high school teaching days. I had made several short veils, but never a three-tiered cathedral and was quite excited about it.  It was going to be a challenge.  She did all the footwork - buying the Alencon lace and bridal tulle.  I researched width, length, technique, and  lace application and began the work.  Many sewers do use machines to put on the lace, but I decided to sew all the lace by hand.  I did a serged rolled edge on all the layers first.  Then, I cut and separated all the motifs of the lace and tried different placements on the longer tiered veil.  I hand sewed the scalloped edge, and, finally the motifs.  There was no lace placed on the shorter tiers. All three layers were gathered  and attached to a comb.  Ribbon and more lace was added to the comb.  Enjoy the pictures!  Isn't she lovely?  (She's a doctor married to another doctor!)

Check out the pictures of the veil and bride in the "wedding veil" set at SewHealing Flickr.

All Designs Are Copyright Protected copyright 2010

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!