Too Cute and a Skirty to boot!

The infamous Amoretti purse is too cute and a skirty to boot! Enter to win!

Practical and Pretty

Rebekah Merkle, of Amoretti designs has done a fine thing for little girls. The Skirty is a practical and pretty way to show discretion on the playground. And right now, if you comment on Rebekah's blog, you may find your visit fruitful! And so may I...

She is also offering a discount to CREC members. Don't know what that is? Ask!

thinking on these things....

Philippians 4:8 was one of the first verses I committed to memory as a child and it has stuck like glue. Today, as I try to be patient awaiting the arrival of our newest and seventh little blessing, I am meditating and dwelling on these verses. I really like the rendering of the Geneva Bible for this...it makes it hit a little closer to home.

"Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say, rejoice. Let your patient mind (emphasis mine...my mind has not been so patient)be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be nothing careful, but in all things let your requests be showed unto God in prayer and supplication with giving of thanks. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall preserve your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Furthermore, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whastoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are worthy love, whasotever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, or if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:4-8

May the rest of this day be filled with His peace...and should it be in His will, we would joyfully receive Isabelle Anne today. But even if not today, may my "patient mind be known unto all men."

for the baby...

You know my motto...if it is useful, it ought also to be beautiful. Why should anything be dull or ugly, even if the baby will spit all over it?

And when lovely fabrics are available, why choose anything less? Even little girls should learn to coordinate their wardrobe.

Sew....what have I been up to?

Crocheting the edge of this ethereal Dotted Swiss for my summer baby's nursing cover... designing a pretty pocket for the sling I made...

and smocking this bonnet for Isabelle.
Among other things....more to follow.

Girls in white dresses...

and pink silk sashes...ok, so it isn't The Sound of Music. But, these lovely little ladies were quite musical. This is the night of their piano recital this week (and one little one's first...noted by the nervous look on her face!). They made their mama proud (not sinfully so...just motherly so). I got to play with our new camera (read: crash video course in the car before going inside). Cannnot wait for Daddy to see.

These are the dresses I made for Resurrection Sunday...finally the promised photo. I busily stitched away today...finishing a couple of projects and starting another. You'll have to be as patient for the photos as I am trying to be for the little girl who will fill the baby sling and smocked bonnet Mommy made. Actually, I cannot wait to share them, they are so sweet! It was an "I cannot believe I did that" kind of day. How kind of God to give us such sweet little pleasures. And even kinder to give us these sweet little ones (including the ones NOT in the picture!).

So, here are the details you cannot see well in the photo. The bishop dress is Ellen McCarn's pattern and my own smocking rendition inspired by one of my favorite Sew Beautiful designers, Cheryl Davidson. I stitched an A in the center, with trailing vines of lilacs. Fabric is Barbara's Best Batiste, entredeux and Swiss edging also from Finestitchery. The Girl's Regency is a Sense and Sensibility pattern by Jennie Chancey. Same fabric and edging, but also a Swiss beading and silk ribbon from Peanut Butter and Jelly Kids. There are tucks at the bottom of the regency, which I should have put at the bottom of the bishop, too. Oh well, it will take her a while to outgrow it. Actually, they do that before we can blink our eyes. Must not lose sight of that....

Spring Fever

I don't know precisely where the blame should fall, but I have been too busy to type! Between six darling chalk/oilcloth placemats, a set of toy pie safe curtains, a hymnal cover, a book cover, a birthday dress (almost done with a few days to go), a smocked bonnet (only a few stitches from completion), a baby sling and a lovely navy toile carseat booster cover, my fingers have been occupied. And that is just my sewing list! Not to mention stacks of lovely fabrics and patterns beckoning me. Never mind the children, the house, the farm, the laundry, the meals and sundry errands that fill a farmwife's day. And a finnicky camera has kept me from sharing photos. BUT, there is a better one coming soon and I will do my best to show the fruit of my labors as soon as I find a moment...haven't any to spare right now!

May Blossoms are here!!

No, not the flowers (well, yes, those too), but the patterns! A package full of patterns is a sight to behold to an eager sewist. I can hardly wait to get started and don't know which to do first. Baby Bundle, Hollyhock Farm Animals, Cupcakes or Posies? What to do, what to do? So, I had to tell you! I know I have been remiss in not posting photos of Resurrection Sunday dresses. Please forgive me and check out our other blog to see what has kept me busy...www.providencefarmva.blogspot.com. I think you'll understand. If you want to get your hands on some of Simone's lovelies, let me know! I'll do my best to part with some...

He is Risen indeed!

I am very thankful to say that I was able to get to bed at a decent hour Saturday night. Last year, my darling daughter did all the kitchen work so Mommy could finish her dress to wear on Resurrection Sunday. I was so impressed by all her hard work that I stayed up until 2:00am to finish it for her! I was not about to let her down. This year, I did much better. My darling husband took a whole week off of work so that I could stitch without going to the last minute. Of course, he also planned a month of projects to complete in that week. ;-) I had both dresses ready, Sunday's dinner prep done and was in the bed by 10:30pm! And that is in addition to my husband and I finishing the walls in our bathroom (a whole other project bumped to the highest on the priority list). Praise God from Whom all blessings flow. Never mind that after a day of sanding, cleaning, painting and sewing I could hardly move Saturday morning. I was aching from my shoulders to my fingertips, literally. So, as soon as I can muster up the energy to pick up the camera, I will post photos of Emily's Regency and Audrey's Lilacs.

Next project? Catch up on belated birthday gifts, baby shower gift, bathroom curtain, baby layette items, boys' vests (patiently awaited for longer than I am willing to admit), summer dresses, oilcloth placemats, farmer's market tablecloth & aprons, finish the sofa slipcover, nightgown for the hospital...oh, I don't know!

April showers bring May flowers...

Or I ought to say May Blossoms. I have a new friend in cyberspace. Actually, she is in Australia...where it is autumn right now! I am delighted to introduce to you Simone Gooding...and she is a good thing! I found her through another blog (thank you, Southern Matriarch) and I fell in love with her patterns. I like them so much, I am going to make them available here! You know I have a thing for lovely things....whatsoever things. No sense in keeping them all the way down under. Go on over and have a gander. Be sure to say hello. You'll find her Under the May Blossom. By the way, her Little Cupcakes and Posy Pin Cushion would be delightfully filled with Mr. Darcy's wool! And if you find her lovelies as irresistable as I did, let me know. I'll have some on hand soon.

a new stitch in my repertoire

Sew...I have learned a new stitch. Rather, I have learned to stitch in a new (to me) medium...sheep. I have sewn wool. I have mended beloved stuffed creatures. But, this week, I mended a live one. Well, I needed to mend him because I am the one who injured him! You can read more about it: www.providencefarmva.blogspot.com. I am a purist...love to sew natural fibers, but come now! Let's just say, I much prefer batiste, lawn, linen and the like. Smocking wins over suturing, hands down.

are lovely

It is a notion that I cling to. Whatsoever things which are useful, ought to also be beautiful.