Four More Weeks in the Splint!

Front  Door

Spiritual - "The kingdom of God is within you." (Lk 17,21)  The Blessed Trinity took abode in our soul the very moment of our Baptism.  If They are already present in our soul, then why do we continue to ask Them to come to us in time of prayer or need?  The church teaches us that the friendship or relationship we have with the Trinity is in different degrees.  As a soul grows in grace and charity, it acquires a greater capacity for a deeper relationship and this visit is renewed each time we advance in charity or receive grace from the Sacraments.  Because these new "effusions" produce effects which are new, we call them new visits of the divine Persons.  "Their visit does not come from without but from within the soul itself, where They dwell and give Themselves; and even, to a certain degree, reveal Themselves to the soul according to the words of Jesus: "He that loveth Me, shall be loved of My Father and I will Love him and will manifest Myself to him"...  Divine Intimacy     More on this next time.

Rear  Foyer

Sewing - FOUR more weeks in my splint!  This fractured arm has given me a whole new perspective.  It has made me more cognizant of disabled people and maimed soldiers.  It has also slowed me down a bit and helped me to "smell the roses."  That is a good thing.

What is happening in the shop?  Wreaths are on the doors, fabric priced and  on the shelves, patterns organized,  notions, beads, and floche on the pegboards, books in racks, laces, piping, bias, and ribbons in slots, wool felt on shelves,  and sewing tables and machines  are ready for students.  Thanks to my PA (personal assistant), a student between semesters, I have been able to continue to get things going in spite of my splinted arm. The shop will also carry sewing and serger thread, elastic, trims, buttons, small supply of zippers, DMC embroidery floss, DMC floche, Madeira silk floss, interfacing, stabilizers, jewelry, baby gifts etc.

Laces and Ribbons

Classes have been postponed as well.  I taught a few private beginning sewing classes and have managed well. Classes I plan to offer starting in the fall include "learning" your sewing machine and serger classes, beginning sewing, beginning hand sewing,  heirloom bonnets, day gowns,and Christening gowns,  hair accessories, unlined jackets, making and fitting panties,  skirts, sundresses, knitting and crochet, baby layettes, etc. These classes will be scheduled according to demand.  Jewelry lessons will also be taught by Jennie P. Stelly, JennStones.

Sit and Sew classes will be for sewers who already know how to sew and know their machines well.  These will be 3 hour sessions.  There will be a morning session and an evening session once a week to start. Tuesdays seems to be the plan for Sit and Sew at the moment. 

Caroline, my PA (lol) and I work everyday to get ready to start teaching & selling.  Actually, if you need supplies, call me, 942-1485, and we can make arrangements for you to come by. 

Back  Door

Fractured Right Radius

Spiritual - "Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize?  Run so as to win.  Every athlete exercises discipline in every way.  They do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.  Thus I do not run aimlessly;  I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing.  No, I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified."  1 Cor 10: 24-27.  The great St. Paul put things so clearly.  St Paul, pray for me that I run the race as if to win and have the courage to live what I preach.  Although I desire to overcome them, my faults are many.

Sewing -  SewHealing Sewing Studio will open in July.  I have been working like a dog - roof  roof - to get everything ready.  The classroom is just about there, needing a few more chairs, and a schedule, of course.  The fabric, patterns, lace, and notions are not all priced and in their "homes", but I'll keep working on that in the next couple of weeks.  The shop and class schedule will be posted by the end of this week.  I'm very excited, albeit tired.  Jennie will be teaching jewelry classes.  She has already planned an intermediate class.   As soon as I can take pictures of that project, I'll post them and her class schedule, too.  Anyone interested in a shop hours and class schedule by email, please send me your email address via private message on fb.  Hope to have pictures soon.

Martha Pullen's Heirloom II Licensing

Spiritual -  "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.  Day pours out the word today, and night to night imparts knowledge... Psalm 19  God is always speaking to us, letting us know of His love and His mercy.  He has unlimited grace and gifts to give us, just for the asking.  He knew us from the beginning. As it says in the psalm, He is perfect, trustworthy, right, clear, pure and true.  "Though your servant is careful of them, very diligent in keeping them, yet who can detect failings?  Cleanse me from my unknown faults!  From wanton sin especially, restrain your servant; let it not rule over me.  Then shall I be blameless and innocent of serious sin.  Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart find favor before you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer."

Sewing - March 16-23 was another one of the greatest sewing experiences of my life!  I attended the Heirloom II Licensing program.  I've been making heirloom clothes for a long time, but l learned SO much.  This is a program to learn how to teach heirloom sewing.  Not only am I licensed to teach heirloom sewing under Martha Pullen's name, but I own the co-copyright of and have a full curriculum for all of the projects in this particular program.  There were 25-27 projects this week and these pictures show a few of them.  Last July I attended the Serger II licensing and will attend another one next year.  The instructors are fabulous!  The fabric and laces are to die for. Every detail is taken care of and you are pampered the entire week, from personal instruction time, fitting, food, snacks, ability to buy wholesale, to time management. The program culminates with a barbecue dinner at Martha's lovely home in Huntsville.  I have been a dedicated fan of Martha Pullen since I started sewing heirloom and baby items 30 years ago and never dreamed that I would get to spend time with her, much less have dinner in her home.   I am a blessed woman! 

Tablemate & BFF

 

 

Martha's Attic

 

Ladies looking through Martha's Vintage Treasures!

Beginner's Handsewing Class

Spiritual - What happens when women give their lives over to God? They become vessels of grace, bearers of healing, consolation, encouragement and strength to a troubled world. Far from being passive, the woman of grace will actively embrace God's will, actively seek out the suffering and lost, and actively bring God's healing love to others. Johnnette Benkovic, Full of Grace

Sewing -  Create one of these lovely hand stitched pincushions in which you will learn 4/5 stitches in this lesson - the back stitch, lazy dazy, french knot, running stitch, and the blanket stitch.  These are made of wool blend felt, embroidery floss, beads, and polyester fill,  It will be completed totally using hand stitches.  This is a wonderful "take anywhere" project and makes a very nice gift. 

  

All Designs Are Copyright Protected copyright 2011

SewHealing Sewing Studio is legal!

Spiritual -  Lord, help me to know and do your will and not mine alone.  Give me the grace of humility to remember that the talents I have and works that I do come from you.  Let them reflect your glory and aid in the service of others.  Help me, Lord to love you more.

Sewing -  I've been wanting a sewing studio/school for a long time and I think that it just might begin this spring.  I now have my federal and state id #s, a bank account, and business cards.  I'm working on business plans, lesson plans, and ordering materials I need to get started.  This is all a lot of work and takes a lot of time.  I'm home quite a bit taking care of a grandchild three days a week and my mother-in-law, who is ill.  So I do have spots of time in the sewing room and at the computer.  I am having fun and looking forward!   As soon as the details of the classes are worked out, I'll let you know.  Pray for me.

A Crafty Lady?

Spiritual - Do you pray everyday? I was thinking about people I know that seem to weather the storm of daily life with a smile and a cheerful attitude and wondered what they all had in common. Then it dawned on me ... they pray everyday. I mean that they have a specified prayer time set aside everyday to devote to God alone. I need that. I try, but am not consistent about it. I really believe it would bring me more peace and trustfulness. Please, Jesus, give me the grace to make a determined effort.

  

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sewing - Did I ever think I would be into crafting? No. Taking care of Gigi everyday has left little time for major sewing. Sooo... I'm getting into FELT and satin crafts and am loving every minute of it. It started with making hair accessories for Audrie and Gigi. I'm afraid I got addicted. Now, it's more hair accessories, felt pincushions, needle cases, and children's softie animals. Of course, these are going to be wonderful projects when I start teaching. I have done a couple of classes with my grandchildren and their friends and they really enjoyed it and made precious projects. I will have a weekly hand sewing class for young children starting in the spring.



 

Martha Pullen Serger Licensing

Spiritual - God is so good and generous. He knows our needs and desires even before we do. Often, it doesn't seem as though our dreams will ever come true or we can't, even temporarily, get out of the rut we seem to be in. I often recall the times when blessings have come after I had "accepted" that certain requests weren't in the plans for me or I already had so much and didn't deserve any more. That has happened several times. These occurrences help to build my belief that God does want to give me so much more than I think I deserve and that "all good things come to those who wait". Lord, help me to trust and love you more.

Sewing - Attending MP school in Huntsville, Alabama, earlier this month was definitely one of the highlights of my life. I thought I knew my serger - now know it backwards and forwards! The school was jam packed with information about how to teach serger classes effectively and included at least 25 projects that I now have permission to teach and/or make and sell. I got to meet Martha, eat dinner at her home, and see her famous "attic" filled with antique clothes from around the world. Her show airs on Saturdays on PBS (Ch 12) from 10:30-1:00 am. I also met so many new sewing friends for all over the states and abroad. I plan to back there next March!

Sewing School

Spiritual -  It amazes me how much I have learned about sewing since I was a little girl of 12.  My father encouraged me to sew by letting me buy as much fabric as I wanted as long as I made my clothes.  I babysat to buy shoes to match.    At first, sewing was just a means to an end - the outfit.  Over the years, as my sewing techniques improved, I began to enjoy the process and to realize that sewing was a spiritual, emotional, and relaxing outlet for me.  Now, each project gives me an opportunity to think and pray about my faith, family, friends, people of need, politicians, etc.   I pray to my best friend, Mary, the entire time that I'm doing a project for someone else so that I don't mess up.  When I produce something extra special, I wonder at what I've created and KNOW it only comes from "gift" and gives "glory to God."  I thank Him so much for this ability and the desire to work hard at the gift He has given me.

Sewing -  It's been a dream of mine to open a sewing school.  I've been thinking about this for a long time and am starting the planning process.  I'm keeping a journal of ideas, trying to get certified in Martha Pullen licensing programs, looking into the legal aspects of operating a business, etc.  It's overwhelming and exciting at the same time.  But, God willing, I will do it.  I love teaching and want to pass on this beautiful art to the next generation.