Dress A Girl Around the World

Some of you may have heard of the charitable organization Dress A Girl Around the World,  you can find them here:  http://www.dressagirlaroundtheworld.com/

Donna, blogs at Brynwood Needleworks and started the ball rolling as a collection site for people who would like to participate in making these dresses. Her first deadline has passed but I believe she's going to be doing this again. I was inspired to make a dress and send to Donna.

I looked through my stash for the brightest and cheeriest fabric I could find and came up with what you see above. There are little angel faces among the flowers of the fabric, and the bright green pockets have tiny little fish on them. The pattern uses bias tape on the armholes. I've never had a good friendship with bias tape and was apprehensive about using it. I have to say, I think we are going to get along just fine. I added a row of yellow rick rack which I think makes it pop a bit. 

The most important part of making this dress is the little girl who is going to wear it. I prayed for her and thought about her in it, putting her little hands in the pockets. I'm happy that I could participate in this and perhaps will make some more.  The tutorial I used to make this dress was found here: Pillowcase Dress Tutorial  I'm a visual learner and liked the way the instructions and pictures were shown.

If you'd like to participate, visit the site Dress a Girl Around the World for more information. 

Thanks for visiting my blog and/or following by email.  Have a blessed day.

Abby

Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.  Matthew 25:40

Sew a Needle Pulling Thread

compliments of the graphics fairy

Hello friends.  Awhile ago I posted a few pictures of my sewing room **here**.  Some of you asked to see things I had made.  I thought I'd show you some recent projects I've been working on.

One of the things I've made is Bible Bands.  I got the idea from Patter who blogs at Triple the Scraps. You can find her tutorial **here**.

The images below are Bible bands that I've made.  Of course if  you make one for a friend and another friend sees it, guess what?  You make another and another and another.....

I like small quick projects when it comes to sewing.  Another fun thing I started making over the summer is key fobs.  Pictured below is a basket of them I made as favors for my daughter's baby shower.  

Needle books are another thing I started making this year.  They are easy to make and are a nice gift to give.  You could even thread the needles in advance so they are ready to go.   I think this would make a nice gift to give at a bridal shower.  Something always needs to be tucked, pinned or stitched up quick on a wedding day.  

I like to re-purpose things and have made simple tote bags using clothing, shower curtains, pillow shams and placemats to name a few.  I am a bit of a fabric hoarder collector and am the go to girl in my family when a certain color of fabric is needed.

A lot of my sewing inspiration comes from pinterest.  You can see my boards **here**.

I hope you've enjoyed some of my projects.  Have a wonderful weekend.

  

Little Birdie Sewing Room

 My husband and I live in the church parsonage, beside the church that he pastors.  One of the rooms is where I sew, and keep my stash of craft supplies, surplus paper, and oodles of fabric and items ready to be re-purposed.  This is a view of our church from one of the windows in my sewing room.

I don't know if you've ever heard of Where Bloggers Create, but that is not what you will be seeing here.  I bet you'd love a detailed tour of all the nooks and crannies of this vast room, but you'll have to settle for a few zoomed in shots of what it's like.  First I'd like to introduce you to my plain Jane Singer sewing machine.   It does have some fancy embroidery stitches which I like to utilize.

The cotton cloth covering the table which hosts my machine, makes me happy.  I love the combo of pink and red flowers.  I didn't have to think twice to part with the .25 cents this little gem cost me.  

Next, is pictured a chest of small drawers that my husband made for me.  I keep it to the left of my sewing machine where all my various notions are available.  On the top of the drawers is a fabric flower in a vase that my friend Stephanie made for me.   My mother gave me the glass bird, and the small apple bowl is the smallest bowl from a collection of 6 that I have.  Inside the bowl is a needle case I bought from Dawn at The Feathered Nest.   If you'd like to see where Dawn creates, you can check it out **here**.  Be prepared to be inspired.   

Here are a few pictures of my stash.

A small stack of some of my favorite fabrics

Vintage Sheets

A bin of vintage lace

close up of vintage lace goodness

oodles of vintage buttons



Assorted trims & seam bindings

close up of trims

assorted books about sewing and more

I learned to sew when I was 11 years old, and it's always been something I've enjoyed doing.  My very first blog post written about 4 years ago was about sewing.  You can find it **here**.    Many thanks for visiting here today.

Blessings to you dear ones.

This post is linked to:  The Art of Home-making Mondays, 

Sharing Gifts

When people take the time and care
to make the presents they give,
they put into the gifts not only the materials needed,
  but also a part of themselves.
~ Tasha Tudor ~

Dainty detailed pincushion made for me by Vee

Do you make things?  Do you like to give?  My sister Elizabeth makes beautiful quilts and gives them as gifts. My sister Debbie makes elaborate doll clothes and dresses for her granddaughter.  My mother I'm sure has lost count of all the dresses she made for us over the years.  My daughter Bethany makes beautiful bird's nest pendants to give as gifts.  My step-daughter Erin is a designer and recently has been making stuffed animals to give to all the new babies in our family.  

I enjoy sewing and other forms of crafting.  I take great pleasure in giving away the things I make.  I recently received handmade gifts from some blogging friends and would like to share them with you.
My friend Vee who blogs at A Haven for Vee (currently on a blogging vacation), made the delightful blue pincushion for me, shown above.  I love the tiny star doily (handmade by her), and the little teacup button in the middle.  She also made the lovely tea towels, shown below.  If you look closely, the tan towel has a row of various fabrics sewn together to make a strip.  I say delightful!!!  Thank you dear Vee.  I appreciate your friendship and your thoughtful gifts.  

If you'd like to peek at a gift I sent Vee, you can check it out **here**
Vee has various sewing posts and tutorials on her blog.  You can find them **here**.   Vee is on a blogging vacation, I do miss her and hope she comes back soon (no pressure Vee, enjoy your rest).

The Enchanting Rose

My blogging friend Stephanie from The Enchanting Rose, made me these delightful pillows shown above.  I love all the details, especially the bird's wing which was up-cycled from a doily.  If you'd like to see how she made them, you can visit Stephanie **here**.  Stephanie has a lot of sewing tutorials on her blog as well.  Thank you sweet Stephanie.

Both of these dear ladies have a gift for not only sewing, but putting their heart into the gifts they are making.  They are also gifted with putting fabrics and accessories together, making the perfect project in a type of collage format.

If you sew, knit, crochet, bake, paint ... whatever it is you do, we each have our own unique style.  Never be afraid to give something you've made to another for fear of it not being good enough.

Altered Art Plate by Melissa @ Piney Rose Designs

The vintage altered art plate, shown above was made for me by my friend Melissa at Piney Rose Designs.  I just love all the little details she put into it.  The lace trim, music background, roses, scripture, and the beautiful woman.  One of Melissa's projects was recently featured at The Graphics Fairy.  You can find it **here**.  Thank you Melissa and congratulations on being featured so prominently.  

The photo above is the view of our church from my sewing room.  I think it's a delightful view and I feel very blessed to have such a lovely space.  More on that later.  

Happiness doesn't result from what we get,
but from what we give. 

Dr. Ben Carson

Thank you ladies for your generosity.  It warms my heart.  Blessings to all of you on this September weekend.

Happy Monday ~ A Very Sweet Image Today

Commit thy works unto the Lord, 

and thy thoughts shall be established.

Proverbs 16:3

I have such a sweet image to share with you today.  Carefully cut out over 100 years ago,  by a woman probably not much different than us.  A different era of course, different styles of clothing, but women who enjoyed pretty things like we do.  Can you imagine if blogging was available to the women of the Victorian era?  Wouldn't it be fun to read them today? 

Free Victorian Graphic for you

I made a bag this past week for my niece's birthday.  I like the soft colors and the paisley design.  The fabric came from Joanne's and is a home decor weight.  I added fusible interfacing on the lining of the bag, boxed the corners, and added a pocket of course.  

I finished my project yesterday for this week's Bible Verse Thursday at Christian Paper Crafts.  I'm quite pleased with how it turned out.  Here's a sneak peek.

Sneak Peek of my Bible Verse Thursday Project

I hope you have a wonderful day my friends.  Thanks for stopping by.  Your comments always make me happy, and I'm very appreciative of them.  

She Makes Coverings for her Bed

I just love old quilts and often wonder what the story is behind the ones that I have.  This particular quilt pattern, I believe is a Postage Stamp pattern.  It is a quilt top that I purchased and have yet to put a back on.  Each little square is held together by the tiniest of stitches, sewn with the greatest of care.  I love to study them and look over the combination of delicate fabrics that make up these beautiful fabric collages.  I have scanned a section of it for your enjoyment. 

Free Antique Quilt Image

She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands....She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks..........In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers..........She makes coverings for her bed..........She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes..........She is clothed with strength and dignity..........She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness..........Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Excerpts from Proverbs 31.

How cool is that?  Right in the Bible, she makes coverings for her bed.   This passage describes so many of the wonderful women I've met.  I'm thankful for each and every one of you, who continue to inspire me each day. 

I have a couple of more fun images for you.  Some vintage sheet music and another wonderful old end paper.

Vintage Sheet Music ~ Free Image

End Paper ~ Free Image for You

I hope you've enjoyed the images today my friends, and the scripture passages from Proverbs 31.  The chapter known as The Virtuous Woman.  Many of you have so many talents and abilities, just like the Virtuous Woman.   Thanks for sharing so much of yourselves on your blogs and other places online.  Your artwork, sewing, paper crafts are such an inspiration for so many.

Have a blessed day.

Sewing Projects

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.  I celebrated by going to church and then a picnic with my family.  It was a good day.  

I haven't shared any sewing projects with you in quite a while, so I went to my archives and found some of my favorites.  Each project was made with care for a specific individual.  I rarely sew without having the person in mind that I'm giving it to.  Please bear in mind, these projects were made over a period of time - I didn't want you to picture me huddled over my machine for hours.  If you sew, hopefully this post will encourage you to get back at.  Here they are.

This was made using a quilted pillow sham.

Quilted placemats were used for this bag.

Quilted placemats + sewing = zippered cosmetic bag

Baby burp cloths with some fun flannel fabrics

 

 

slouchy tote made with vintage bark-cloth

One of my favorite fabric prints

 

 

I like the combo of pink, green & tan

Another slouchy tote, made with Pottery Barn Fabric I've had for years.

There are so many fabulous sewing blogs that offer free patterns and tons of inspiration to sew.  You can also purchase hundreds of patterns on etsy which can be emailed to you. 

In other news, I've started adding pages to my blog.  As a fairly new blogger, there's lots to learn but I'm always a work in progress.  My first page is "About My Images" which you can find by clicking the picture below, or of course on the top of my blog page.  

Have a blessed day dear ones.  

More Pretty Things to Share

Happy Monday!!  I have more things to share with you today.  I'm a thrift store shopper, and am sometimes just delighted by what I find.  Here's one of my recent finds.  I found this tucked in a corner of all the menagerie of books.  I didn't even know something like this existed.  Take a look!!

Filled with beautiful pages of gift wrap ~ NICE!!

I wanted to show you a tote bag I just finished for a friend.  I used three different coordinating fabrics and made an inside pocket.  I use a lot of the bags I've made and always try and add a pocket so I'm not digging at the bottom of the bag for my keys.  A simply made tote, but I think the fabric choices make it more than ordinary. 

A simple tote made for a friend, I used 5 fat quarters for fabric

This vintage Easter postcard below is very pretty with the cross and flowers.  You may not be able to tell, but the original card has a silver luster.  I like the combination of colors.  This image is free for you.  

Here's another free image for you.  This is a real photo postcard of a beautiful woman. I thought her face was lovely and wanted to share with you.  

As I share these pretty things with you today, I'm reminded that when we think of ourselves and the way we look to others; man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.  This scripture below tells us that if we have inner beauty, it is of great worth to God.

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment.......Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.  I Peter 3:3-4

Thanks for stopping by today dear ones.