The First Day of Lent

The last couple of days, I have read or listened to sacrifices that friends are making for Lent.

I have pondered what I could do.
Honestly, I have never been too successful at giving something up for the duration of the season.

I could, and probably should, give up the massive amount of Diet Coke I consume.

It would make me a healthier person in the long run, but most likely a very unhappy person

for the next forty days.  I would probably only substitute its absence with milkshakes or sweet tea.

 I do not think that is such a wise thing.

I could also give up chocolate and all sweets.

But, that would probably also make me grumpy.

It is a little difficult for me to give up the computer or internet, since it is the basis of my

business.  It is also the only way I am sometimes able to stay in touch with our son.

As I prepare to travel for a few days, my computer and cell phone become even more important for safety and communication purposes.

Somehow, I don't think God really cares if I indulge in soft drinks and sweets, or if I depend on modern technology.

I do think He objects if those things become the most important things in my life, decreasing the amount of time and attention I devote to Him.

As I sat in the darkened sanctuary today, the preacher shared that this season is not so much about changing habits, as it is about changing hearts.

I can do that.

Today, there is a cross-shaped smudge on my forehead.

It is an outward symbol of my faith and God's love for me.

Later tonight, it will be washed away.

It then becomes my responsibility, over the next forty days and beyond, to outwardly show

God's grace and love in all that I say and do.

That will, in some cases, require sacrifices and a change of heart on my part.

To those of you who are also observing Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent,

I wish you a blessed, peaceful, and reflective journey during these forty days.

Blessings

My Valentine's Day orchid.

It is no unworthy thing to wish to count for something

and to do a great work in the world;

but we shall count in the final audit

not by the measure of our capacity, our business, our energy,

but of the tenacity and vitality of our faith and our love.

~Richard Roberts~

Bunny's Knit Nightie

This is Bunny's Knit Nightie by Children's Corner.

I love that it makes a useful, but still sweet, gift!

I can just imagine cute little baby feet curled up inside the elasticized hem.

The hem may also simply be hemmed, and left completely open.

The shoulders overlap, creating the neck opening.

This allows for easy construction, with no plackets or openings.

It also means ease of dressing baby, and no lumps or bumps to irritate soft skin.

I used an Oliver + S knit by Moda Fabrics.

The print is larger in scale, but still delicate.

Another feature of the pattern that I appreciate, is construction with a regular sewing machine.  No need for a serger.

Pattern instructions include suggested settings for stitch length and width.

The seams are stitched with a narrow and elongated zig zag, allowing them to stretch with the knit fabric.

Seam edges are then finished with a zig zag, too.

Neck and sleeve edges are turned under and zig zagged.

The folded edge is also zig zagged, creating little scallops.

This is one place where I do usually deviate slightly from the printed instructions.

The instructions suggest using an overcast foot, such as the one on the right, for the decorative edge stitching.  For my Viking machine, the "J" foot on the right is the overcast foot.

When used, the fabric edge is usually lined up with the thin vertical wire.  The needle will then zig zag back and forth across this wire.  The purpose of the wire, is to prevent the edge of the fabric from tunneling or rolling during stitching.

My experience has been that it also seems to prevent the little scallop from forming.

I use a regular sewing foot, such as the "A" foot pictured on the left.  This is also the foot I use to stitch the seams.

I often find that I need to increase my tension, as well.  I then use a zig zag lenth of 3.0 and a width of 4.5.  The zig needs to be on the fabric, and the zag just off the edge, to create the little scallop.

I do use the overcast foot to zig zag the gown's seam allowances to finish them.

Every machine is a little different, so testing stitch settings and different feet is a good thing!

The pattern also includes a little hat, knotted at the top, and a bib, booties and blanket.

I am off to the dentist again today.

It seems to be a weekly thing around here lately!

Fabric and pattern available at BessieMary.

Happy Heart Day!

Wishing you a sweet, fluffy pink icing, topped with sprinkles kind of day!

May your heart always know the happiness of loving and being loved.

Happy Valentine's!

Blessings

Whoso draws nigh to God one step through doubtings dim,

God will advance a mile in blazing light to him.

~Unknown~

Spit!

Yesterday's agenda included embellishing and monogramming a few burp cloths for a sweet new baby.  As the day unfolded, it became the only thing on the agenda.  During several moments, I was the one doing some serious spitting, sputtering and fuming!

It has been awhile since I used the embroidery feature of my sewing machine, and it evidently decided to teach me a thing or two.  Or, at least test my patience.

I am not one to upgrade each time a new machine is introduced.  My Husqvarna Viking Designer I still uses those obsolete things called floppy disks to transfer the design from the computer to the machine.  That means plugging an external disk drive into the computer, since my computer no longer even accepts floppy disks.  We evidently replace computers more often than sewing machines around here!

After finally getting everything set up, or so I thought, all I received were error messages. 

The thought occurred to read the instructions.  Maybe I had forgotten some important step.

After digging through my sewing room, finding many other treasures in the process, I ultimately found the user's guide to my embroidery software. 

No enlightment there.

A call to my dealer provided no clues, either.

Except to shell out several hundred dollars for new software.

No, I don't think so.

The search for the user's guide also provided the embroidery software CD.

At that point, what did I have to lose?

I decided to remove the software from my computer, and reinstall it.

Don't ask me why, but it worked!

It only took six hours, five cans of Diet Coke (the sixth drink, if needed, would definitely have been something much stronger), one bag of Ghirardelli Sea Salt Soiree dark chocolate squares, and two broken fingernails.
But, the monogram was finally transferred to a floppy and headed toward my machine!

In the end, there are three monogrammed burp cloths!

Today, I am off to one of my least favorite destinations:  the dentist.

I actually like my dentist and all his office staff.  They are almost like family. 

I am just not fond of the pain sometimes incurred.

After yesterday, I am thinking a day of drilling is nothing.

I am pretty sure no fingernails will be broken while sitting in a chair.

And please, let's just keep my Diet Coke and chocolate addiction between us.

That is not something he really needs to hear.

May your Wednesday be wonderful!

Football and Smocking

The sports world is buzzing with commentary on last night's Super Bowl.

The smocking world is celebrating the joy of seeing Eli's daughter dressed in a smocked bishop, complete with red Mary Janes and hairbow!

Precious!