Dyeing Dresses Purple

It just so happens that I dyed dresses and other oddities purple on Good Friday. Earlier we had taken part in a Pro-Life Stations of the Cross through the city near us. Just the other day I finished painting them. This is a good paint called Jacquard textile paints that is set with an iron. The paint and the two older girls' dresses I purchased from Dharma Trading Company. You can find them on the internet. Kids can even help though I am not ready for that yet. Perhaps in a few years!!

St. Gianna and her husband are now reunited.

St. Gianna's husband died on Holy Saturday at the age of 98! What a beautiful day to die ~ I only hope I am so lucky! It seems tragic that St. Gianna left her children motherless but only God can see the whole picture. It was reported that when he died he was surrounded by their children. What a testimony to parenthood!! We must remember that our efforts ~ as long as we follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the Church ~ will bear great fruit. We must trust in God!

A Simple Craft

On the theme of St. Therese ~ even though her feast day is not until October ~ here is a simple craft I did some years ago. It is easy enough for a child to do. I made it from an old cigar box which I decoupaged magazine photos onto and then crowned with a portrait of St. Therese from a pamplet. I used Modge Podge Decoupage Medium. This is a great use for old holy cards or Christmas cards. We hold crayons in it and it has had quite a bit of love as you can see. This would make a sweet gift. If you don't have a cigar box Michael's craft stores sell little wooden boxes too. God bless!

A Cute Skort

This skirt and legging combo ~ also known as a skort ~ I made from a skirt I bought at a thrift store (which originally came from Old Navy) and a woman's turtleneck I also bought from a thrift store. I made the leg parts from the sleeves and the waist part from the turtleneck part of the top. So often the knit fabric they use in kids' clothes leaves much to be desired ~even in some more expensive brands. It is thin and gets holes. The fabric in the turtleneck was at once thick and comfy. The turtleneck was actually a Wal-Mart brand top. It is nice to see them make some things with quality. The print was so cute. It reminded me of older Baby Lulu designs. So, together it made a skort that was comfy, easy to wear, durable, modest and cute cute cute!!

New Curtains!!

I Finally finished the curtains for the girls room. I used this adorable fabric that reminds me of Fancy Nancy ~ little girls with tu-tus on! I think I may have to adjust it a bit but for now I am just delighted that it is done!!

We try so hard to give our children all we think they need. We try to fill their lives with beauty. How obviously does God outdo us. We don't really have to try that hard. All they really need is love and to be told about Love. We came upon this pile of stacked stones one day while visiting the sea. My son was immediately drawn to it. He stayed there for some time moving and restacking them. Do they really need all the expensive things we buy for them when this pile of rocks gave him all his curious mind needed at that moment? How ironic that I should be trying to sell toys as well! Though, I am sure he would eventually get tired of the rocks. And I do enjoy making my little things ~ so be it!

Adventures in sewing

I love to sew but have only managed to make one thing for my Etsy shop. On the left is the photo of my daughter wearing a top I made for her and on the right is a photo of my daughters in dresses I made from the Portabello Pixie pattern. I LOVE these dresses. This is the joy of being able to make things for yourself. My daughter got bike grease (ACK!) on a lovely pair of pants I sewed for her from Amy Butler fabric. Talc or baby powder is great for getting out certian grease stains ~ ones that just make the fabric look wet and don't have much color. Don't dry it in the dryer until you are satisfied the powder has absorded it enough. It may take a few days of leaving the powder on the spot. In the end the grease did not completely come out of the pants ~ it left a light stain. It is ok - its kinda like a status symbol to my daughter I think. However, grease got on another dress I didn't sew and I used Goof Off and it worked great!