Patience

...is a virtue I need more of at times. I just got the loveliest shade of pink linen for the girls' dresses for Resurrection Sunday. I LOVE linen. I know why God wanted it in the Temple and for the priestly garments. The Proverbs 31 woman knows its value, too. It is the yummiest of fabrics...finery at its finest. Now, I have a fondness for fine cottons, silk and wool, too. But linen is my favorite, hands down. If I could clothe my family in it exclusively (weather permitting, of course) I would. I feel sure our white robes in Heaven will be pure linen...maybe even Irish handkerchief linen. ;-) And as my mother says, "like Jesus, I want neither spot nor wrinkle!" There is nothing like a crisply ironed white linen shirt in summer, with just as crisp khaki. Anyway, off that rabbit trail, patience and perseverance are needed now. Patience to cut and sew the dresses I have dreamed up. Perseverance to complete some other sewing tasks that must take precedence (like unfinished Christmas & birthday gifts!). But with less than 90 days, I need to get hopping! If only the laundry would fold & put itself away, or meals cook unattended. Alas, the time will come as it always does. Where there is a will, there is a way (God's will, that is). I just want to get it done without being up all night the night before Resurrection Sunday. And if I could be diligent in completing the tasks before me in a timely manner, I might just have an opportunity to make myself a skirt to match! Oh, Lord, please let it be!!

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....