"The Look Of Love"

A few days off work and I went fabric shopping, at a fabric store!  My normal method of acquiring fabric for projects is to purchase clothing from thrifting environments, anything thats 100% cotton. silk, linen or wool and do reclaimed clothing styling. This day was to be a treat, I would be purchasing the total yardage needed to make a new dress!  It is amazing how fabric selection has changed over the years, it was the hardest task to find at retail a quality piece of  dress goods, most fabrics are mixed blends. I found a lovely black and white large grid plaid, 100% cotton, and very soft to the touch. The purchase was just three yard, the amount needed to create a wonderfully soft and easy style dress.

So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous:...         Psalm 58:11

"EASTER"

Easter Sunday dinner was set apart by this lovely reminder of God's love-----first flowers of the new year, fresh from the yard. Praise the Lord, for his goodness, mercy and grace. Hubby and first-born prepared a lovely meal of fresh vegetables, baked beans;  potatoe salad;  homemade roles;  bar-b-que ribs and chicken, finished with a delicious punch. Just lovely.

But godliness with contentment is great gain.                   I Timothy 6:6

Going Slow

I love hand stitching, it gives me great pleasure to hand stitch a hem on a skirt, or the binding on a neckline. My quilt projects of the past were mainly done in the traditional manner with plenty of hand piecing followed by lots of hand quilting, and of course a hand-stitched binding. But over time somewhere along the way, the act of hand sewing got to slow, my sewing machine became the quick facilitator of project finishing. Today I began a new project, because one of my favorite clothing items, a 10 year old hand-stitched slip could go no further as a wardrobe staple, a new one must be made. Just looking at the workmanship I put into the original slip made me nostalgic for that same quality in my new slip. I'm going slow, hand finishing my little project for beauty and utility.

Bias binding finishing on neckline

For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.     Psalm 33:21

When Being Creative goes Array!

It all started so innocently, a recent buy from the thrift store of a peasant style three tiered denim skirt. I just knew this soft denim skirt would be a awesome addition to my work wardrobe, but after trying it on at home, I decided the skirt just didin't compliment my figure at all. The question became what to do with such a great find, out came my sketchbook, and on came the light of creativity. This lovely bit of fabric could be a new purse, or part of some other project. I decided to create an infinity scarf with cut out t-shirt fabric embellishment and thread emproidery to start. To put it plainly, it didn't work---the finish project lacked something. I'm going to keep it around and see if it will grow, but for now the creative spark for this project is not shining to brightly.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.     Hebrews 11:1

Patches

Drapery samples Skirt

Red lining add some flair

This is a lovely pencil slim skirt I made from drapery sample squares. I guess I could call this upcycling, because this is the second generation use of the squares. If anyone remembers the days when you could ask for outdated sample books from paint/wallpaper stores to use as you wished, is how I ended up with my samples. My girls sewing class used the majority of squares for first project potholders, which all turned out lovely. Nothing gets wasted, so I have this unique patchwork skirt that is almost seasonless in its wearing potential.

“Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him:” 

II Chron. 32:7

Working with Yarn

The pass few weeks I’ve been frantically trying to finish a special gift for a special person. I have been working my small chrochet hook to create the lovely Chevron Lace Wrap I found on mooglyblog.com, using some gifted yarn. The mooglyblog.com included a great video, that helped me to get the pattern just right, after four failed attempts--thank you to Tamara Kelly for creating it.

“And said to the judge, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgement.”

II Chron. 19:6 

Putting on the Bright's: Thrifting Refashion

Totally loving some of the great finds at my local thrift stores, such as an extra-large yellow “Tommy Bahamas” polo shirt. I’ve been wanting to add some vibrant green to my wardrobe, and this yellow polo gave me the best opportunity. Some color block applique, with machine stitching to mimic an argyle pattern, and a chartreuse green lower banding. 

"Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded."

                                                               II Chron. 15:7