Peripety and Gleanings from Esther

Whenver possible, Thursday evenings is my 'school', Beth Moore is my teacher, and the course could be called 'A Survey of Womanhood's Trials and My Solutions" - a study of a book (The Bible) penned by God. I work very hard at doing my 'homework' every morning for my Quiet Time with the Lord. The current Bible Study I and many are studying is Esther by Beth Moore - and last night, I learned a new wonderful word: Peripety. Peripety is a sudden turn of events that reverses the exepcted outcome. It is the hinge in a sudden change. What I love about Beth as a teacher is how she makes it apply - to everything in life. As a woman, she especially does that well for other women.
Applying all this all the way from our current national scene of $ woes - exacerbated by what I see as very pompous 'representatives' in Washington -to how I conduct my own life and business - I come up with these conclusions:
1. My job is to just do my job - to live my life. Honorably. That means as a woman, a wife, a mother, a Grandma, and as a business owner. I need to just pursue a walk with God that is 'so close that the spotlights of this world - be they for me or against me - are eclipsed by His enormous shadow cast on my path'. Quoted Beth there ...
2. If I can do that - and I'm convinced I can only even TRY with the help of God's power as shown to me in the life of Christ - then I can realize that I don't have to be the hinge!!!! As so many other women, I've tried it all - as the 'enabler,' the 'helicopter parent', the one who thinks I have to fix everything. Identify? I am only responsible for what God asks me to do - not how this thing (life) works out. Though, as a Christian, I have faith that God is constantly at work working it all out anyway. What He asks me to do is just to 'do my job' - in a way that honors Him - NOT me!

A quote on my basement stairway 'to creativity' says it all...
" "Don't feel totally, personally, irrevocably responsible for everything.
That's My job! "
God

New Products for Embellishing

Whewww!!!! I'm hard at work - madly at work putting together my NEW presentation for at shows - and then later this year (remember,I have a wedding to prepare for which has me diverted in a fun way!) a new DVD as well - on Creative Embellishments. It has been fun digging through all these wonderful clothes I have (and no place to wear them as I work from home!) though. What I've realized is that the ones I've done more recently are more under-stated in embelllishment - and that is also the direction my Creative Sweatshirt Jackets have gone - understated. Perhaps it is my age - but I think rather it is a growing sense of style and what is good and not any longer that mentality of 'machine dealer wanting to sell feet and stuff'' that I had when I had my retail storefront.

ANYWAY - in preparation, and conversation with new sewing friends (thank you Kathy S.!), I learned about a new product - Texture Magic and had my mind refreshed on an old favorite - Seams Great for use with the newly re-tooled Spinster.

Texture Magic is by Superior Threads and is a package of 18" x 47" 'fabric' that you stitch (stitching pattern will create design) onto fabric, and then steam over top of the Texture Magic and it then shrinks up - causing the real fabric to pucker in a wonderful way! Scroll down to March 6 post to read and see more about this amazing product. Here is a picture from the Blog by Superior Threads..... Way too cool, eh?

OF COURSE, I immediately searched my sources, and found this to be so new that I ordered - oodles of packages - direct from Superior. It should be here on Friday!

Can't wait to play.

The other tool I'm anxious to re-acquaint myself with is the Spinster. The developer shared that they have had manufacturing problems, but worked through it all and with a new mold, it is even a more superior tool. This is a 'drill' type gadget that lets you twist cords, threads, yarns, etc. together and then back on themselves to create a wondeful cord. You can make it into a piped cording by invisibly tacking it to a folded edge of the product I used miles of to finish seams before I invested in a serger WAY back in the early 80's. That product is SEAMS GREAT. I found it hiding at my supplier, so added it to my website as well. Comes in white and black only now - but at least it is still available. I also used it to create serger piping by folding this lightweight knit binding over a tiny cord . then doing a rolled hem edge over it with my serger. Here is a photo of that embellishment on an old class sample - a lovely UltraSuede stencilled vest.

Wedding Gown Update

I'm on schedule - having completed the muslin for a fitting. In doing so, I've established a flattering angled/curved empire line that goes under her bust and then slopes down to the center back. (Want to have lots of typical bridal covered buttons at the back). I added 1 1/4" to the top pieces and 1 1/4" to the skirt pieces at this line for plenty of fine refining room. I also laid out all the pieces on the lace to see if I have enough if the skirt is this big - and yes, but BARELY so. There wouldn't be any extra lace at all for 'matching' motifs on this all-over lace gown, so I still think I'll end up reducing the fullness of each skirt piece to give me more lace yardage for the top. I DO have enough of the border to work with though for straps and the bodice top edge, in addition to clipping it and making it go along the entire hem edge. Yea!

The pink batiste has arrived as well. Thanks, Farmhouse Fabrics www.farmhousefabrics.com. The pink is the palest ever, and will underline the silk taffeta to create ever so slight of a shimmer of pink/coral to the overall effect.

Stay Tuned...

Ramblings for Early March

Hmmmm...... Have you ever notice all the crud around the edges of the carpet in women's dressing rooms??? That really bugs me! Stores...VACUUM your dressing rooms!!
And - while you're in there, take notice to see if the bottom of those full length mirrors are tilted OUT, towards you. If so - that is one dirty trick to make you look slimmer, taller than reality. Consider yourself warned.

New GREAT Book: My dear daughter brought this one to my attention - though I'd seen the author on one of the talk shows and did know what she was referring to. Eat This Not That . I don't ever even run to the grocery store these days without it! For example: Breyers All Natural Chocolate Chip Ice Cream can save you 150 calories and 11 grams of fat over Haagen Daz Mint Chip . Triscuits - Original over Wheat Thins - Reduced Fat. It even helped us fine Stretch Island Fruit Co smooshed fruit in the roll-up type of snack thing that my grandson loves. I know, I know - we could all read the labels, and we sure do in my house after my hubby's heart attack 3 years ago. But, this book makes it simple, simple with photos of each product TO grab on the left instead of those on the right. WalMart had it for under $14 - and a regular $25 book.

I'm in the Esther Beth Moore Bible Study at church right now, and what a blessing it is! From my study yesterday... I write some of what Beth says in first person to myself in my journal, and here from 3-4: "I desire to sit on YOUR side rather than serving myself all the way to meaninglessness. I am called to a purposeful life. I need to always ask myself: Is this a critical moment? A make or break moment? If I make a man-ward vs God-ward decision - will I be left out of a divine loop that would eventually mean everything to me?" She helped me really see that a war is being waged in the heavenly realm and great witnesses in heaven are cheering me on in my decisions. All this from 'for such a time as this" quote from Esther 4:14 where Mordecai sends the message to Esther that she really MUST go talk to King Xerxes and convince him to NOT kill all the Jews.

Beth's study on Daniel really impacted me in ways hard to describe. It makes it so crystal clear how our world has gone so totally askew...we continue to break the first commandment: Have NO other Gods before me. We do that when we insist on someone to get us out of any fix we get ourselves into...whether it be a greedy mortgage we insisted on, or as a company asking the government to save us, or asking the government to pay our medical bills, or when - even as a top government official - we cheat on our taxes! When anything and everything is more important to us than God is - then we have it all wrong, and deserve the trouble we get ourselves into!
Check out Beth's studies wherever you are. She makes the Bible SO revelant to our daily lives - you just can't believe it until you hear her. You can also access many of her products, DVD, CD, and even downloads online at her site: http://www.lproof.org/default.asp

Again - to me, Gov. Huckabee is the only one singing the right song - just "Do The Right Thing"!!!!! Though I often agree with Rush Limbaugh, and I believe his intent is good, he has put himself in that 'God' seat. At least in my humble opinion. I'll listen to him, I just don't make him into the God he wants to portray himself as.

For Huckabee, and for me - that 'right thing' is clearly defined in God's Word, the Holy Bible. In these days of doom and gloom, I trust in the fact, I depend on the fact that God - as revealed in the Bible, and demonstrated to me in an eartly way in the person of Jesus Christ - is all I need for my joy and my security!

Ohh - and I just have to share this poignant tale I received on the internet yesterday...regarding abortion. As a God-made mommy through adoption of 2 infants 27 and 30 years ago, I am unabashadly pro-life. Believe me, it would NOT have mattered if the child offered to us was the product of a rape, or born to a prisoner........none of that mattered then, nor would it now. As our birth announcements said - our children grew IN our hearts, not under mine.
Here is that story - and it matters not whether it is true or not, the principle of valuing LIFE above all else is the same.

A worried woman went to her gynecologist and said: 'Doctor, I have a serious problem and desperately need your help! My baby is not even 1 yr. old and I'm pregnant again. I don't want kids so close together.' So the doctor said: 'Ok, and what do you want me to do?' She said: 'I want you to end my pregnancy, and I'm counting on your help with this.'The doctor thought for a little, and after some silence he said to the lady: 'I think I have a better solution for your problem. It's less dangerous for you too.' She smiled, thinking that the doctor was going to accept her request. Then he continued: 'You see, in order for you not to have to take care of 2 babies at the same time, let's kill the one in your arms. This way, you could rest some before the other one is born. If we're going to kill one of them, it doesn't matter which one it is. There would be no risk for your body if you chose the one in your arms. The lady was horrified and said: 'No doctor! How terrible! It's a crime to kill a child!'I agree', the doctor replied. 'But you seemed to be ok with it, so I thought maybe that was the best solution. The doctor smiled, realizing that he had made his point. He convinced the mom that there is no difference in killing a child that's already been born and one that's still in the womb. The crime is the same! If you agree, please forward. Together we can help save precious lives! AMEN

If you are a woman who fell for the lie of an abortion as a 'solution', you need to know that God loves you ANYWAY! You will see your baby in heaven again some day. All you need to do to insure that is to ask His forgiveness and claim Jesus as the Lord of your life. Go to any Bible believing church and be transparent. There is help for you. If I can even help lead you to the forgiveness God has for you, please email me!

Newest Creative Sweatshirt Jackets....

Here are my latest Creative Sweatshirt Jackets...
I love, love, love this grey one - which I came up with while designing for one of my one-of-a-kind KITS - then I had to keep it and make it myself. I lvoe the 'funnel' neckline silhouette - which honestly just 'happened'... Bias is the key to all the swirls and binding. Started with the set of 3 great Crone Art Buttons...

Just back from my teaching expedition to 2 shops in Florida.... where this jacket was the WINNER! It is really SEW easy, that I've decided to write directions for it, along with an associated webpage, and give it as a 'GIFT' to customers who purchase over $45 during my next promotion and at shows... How's that for an idea?

3-2-09: I have it ready. :) Sew....if you place an order for over $45 and ask for it - you'll get the link to the webpage via email.








The Fuchsia jacket below features more silk doupionni chenille strips - in fact, the collar is solidly embellished with the strips. I was inspired by the collar on a Vogue pattern. I like the divisions I came up with in the jacket as well. To accommodate the 3 large buttons, I engineered slot buttonholes in a seam. This one will be available as a pattern - with more neat collar options in a pattern called CHOSEN - probably to come out in August - AFTER the wedding, breathing, and the writing process.

Wedding Gown Creation...a NEW Beginning

Scratch that design from January...when we went to the local independent Bridal shop a few weeks ago, my daughter fell in love with an ALL LACE gown! It was a gown made of what appeared to be almost a Cluny type of horizontal effect lace rows. Of course, I cautioned her that we probably could NOT find that exact lace! Also, on that excursion - she saw the slenderizing effect of a princess style and a fuller skirt that could create the look of a VERY cinched in waistline.


Then - we planned a Saturday to scour the fabric sources in Chicago (Vogue Fabrics, Fishman's and Supreme) and came up with just one lace - at Vogue in Evanston (where Dale was exceedingly nice and helpful by the way...). It is pictured below...

The embroidery on the off-white background net is a soft taupe color. You can see here where I laid my pink journal below the off-white silk doupionni and the faint pink cast it yields. That is what we're going for - we THINK. The wedding colors are pink-coral and green. (Never mind that the darlin' just HAD to move from the bedroom with PINK blinds to another because she hated the pink so much...just had to add that tidbit! ) Oh, how we gain in wisdom as we age...

Anyway - we both just love this different lace, and it was a VERY GOOD THING that i had taken the time to make a quick mock-up of the gown in red dot tracer (nicely shows the body,fullness, drape (lack of) of the skirt on this pattern, and took it along shopping with us. There was just a bit over 4 yards of this double edged lace. That's ALL. But, it seems - since the direction of the motif is vague - and would never be seen if I flip the pattern pieces to get the border all around the bottom - that I can get it to work. I'll just have to add a flattering empire line so the laces' width will be enough for the skirt - and I also have to take about 2" width from each of the skirt pieces. We bought the bouffant bridal slip, and she has her long line bra and SPANX. Now - just to find the shoes (without spending an obscene amount of money - which my wonderful shopper daughter will NOT do) - and we're set to get going.

With the help of my friend and neighbor and bridal etalier' Tina Colombo http://www.treasures-by-tina.com/ , we decided on a silk taffeta in ivory for the base fabric. I found several potential pink cotton batistes at http://www.farmhousefabrics.com%20c/which I ordered half yards of for 'auditioning' our idea. Tina also helped me realize that the skirt will have better 'movement' if I do the lace separate from the dress for the seams and the hem.

By the way - our pattern is Vogue 1095 - without all those ruffles, higher at the neckline so not to be so revealing, AND even I've talked her into straps of some type with the lace edging - IF we have enough edging to spare.

Though I love designing my Creative Sweatshirt Jackets, silk and lace will be welcome change.

Can't wait to get started - follow along, and comment, please.

I support Mike Huckabee - the man, his policies, common sense...

As I write, I've just finished watching Huckabee - Mike Huckabee's program on Fox News that airs for us here in central Illinois at 10 pm on Sunday nights. My husband and I love this program. It is sensitive, full of common sense, AND inspirational. Regardless of your political persuasion, I encourage you to tune in - then come comment here to let me know what you think.

If you're curious as to what this outstanding, moral, sensitive man stands for - read his book, Do The Right Thing. Just think about it - if everyone just "did the right thing" how much public funds would be released to do good work. In his book, Governor Huckabee describes what he accomplished in his state of Arkansas. Read the facts for yourself instead of believing the media's version. He also warns us of the oft-used phrase: 'over time'. Heard of the Fair Tax? I had no idea what this concept really was until I read his book. Wonder what a political race is really like? For someone without endless streams of $$, Huckabee describes traveling from event to event - flying on regular airplanes and waiting in line - just like you and me. That's the kind of representative in Washington - the kind of PRESIDENT that I'm looking for. .. someone who is REALLY like you and me - and who thinks no higher of himself than he ought to - than ANY person should. I see so much of the problem of those 'representing' us in Washington as simply that power has gone to their heads. They forget who they are working for. They forget the 'little guy' - regardless of what they might say. For me it all boils down to the precious truth I learned in my study of the book of Daniel by Beth Moore....that everything in life is determined by who your God is. If it is yourself, your 'stuff', what others think of you...you are worshiping graven images. Only God - who created heaven and earth, as made real to me in the personhood and life of Jesus Christ is worthy of my worship. Period. THAT is the truth I claim and stake all that I am upon.

I feel and believe and pray that Mike Huckabee runs again to lead our country. If that is the case, I'll be supporting him as actively as my life possibly allows. Meanwhile - I intend to read his book AGAIN, to study his common sense approach, and to pray for God's will for him, and for our country in these troubled times - learning whatever God has for me to learn along the way. In my support of Mike (yes, I feel that he is that approachable - that he would WANT me to call him by his first name - Mike) , I will forever be vigilant that in my support - I do not make him into a God. I know he wouldn't want that - as he, too, is a fellow TRUE believer in the one, true God. That makes all the difference.

Stop 'Shoulding' myself to death!

God yelled at me yesterday! Through a book I was reading and finished up. One Tuesday Morning by Karen Kingsbury. It is wonderful. A hard one to read - as it deals with a story about 9/11 tragedy, but very meaningful. Yep - I've been on a treadmill to put out a DVD on embellishing techniques - but it has been driving me crazy - and my family. SEW...all on hold until later this summer, AFTER my daughters' wedding! Right now, there's nothing else I really want to be doing than tending to however she needs help with the wedding plans, and having fun with my 3 3/4 year old Grandson while he lives here in town!

I do have some of the new embellishment video preparation done and will film what I have soon, but the stress is off! I feel so much better! WHY do I do this to myself in the first place? I bet others of you do the same thing. WHY? Comments welcome...

Had a great day with my Carmen traveling to Chicago to Vogue Fabrics and 2 others on Saturday. Found ONE lace she loved, and can make it work to be enough for her all lace wedding gown! I made that gown over and over in my head that night. What FUN!

NEW - BIG Website is now LIVE

YEA - Happy Birthday! My NEW BIG website is now LIVE!
All my previous websites that were more narrowly focused are now combined at www.londas-sewing.com - Londa's Creative Threads...

Fabric is back, and next Tuesday, a BIG newsletter will go out that includes $-saving offers.
LOTS of new inventory is up at this new site as well! Including: Tutto transporting cases, Amy Butler pattern line, etc., etc.

Thanks in advance for visiting! I welcome your comments.
Londa

WOW - What a Sewing Studio!

I still feel green with envy over this sewing studio of my new friend/hostess from my trip to Port Charlotte last weekend.... Evelyn's sewing studion off her garage was amazing, and this photo doesn't do it justice, at all! However, she gave me permission to share some photos with you. The working area was a large U configuration of 6 long office tables she said they'd picked up at a good price at an Office Depot. Very nice looking as well! Sure would give one plenty of room to spread out!

Behind her, in that U was this great cutting table with collapsible ends that he handy hubby had made of 4 kitchen cabinet units with a topper and drop down sides on EACH side, hinged with piano hinges, and a swing out white shelf to support underneath. On top,of course, was a large cutting mat. Evelyn said she had very carefully selected the 4 kitchencabinet units thinking of needed storage. All around the perimeter of the studio, which was well lighted with outside lighting and nice fan/light units, there was wonderful ORGNAIZED storage.

Look at her stash storage! Behind shower curtains, NOT in plastic bags, but rather rolled (to eliminate fold lines) with Hugo's Amazing Tape, was her organized stash...and what a stash it is!

The important thing to learn here is that these wonderful fabrics can BREATHE - not choke in plastic as I know so many people store their fabric stash.

Here's a closeup look of the rolls labelled with a piece of informative paper tucked underneath the Hugo Tape .....

Basic Black Pant and Top Sewing

Ahhh, since it has become apparent that my travel 'suit' is black tank top and pants - enabling easy and decent-looking modeling of my Creative Sweatshirt Jackets, I dug into my stash and pulled out this GREAT black cotton/rayon/Lycra double knit. You can see my cutting layout here on my nice long kitchen counter. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Lyla Messinger's Margarita Top. It ha princess seams in front and a one piece back. The front 2 pieces are shown closest to the foreground, but you can see how this all fits along just the back pant leg on 60" fabric. Just way too cool! The 2nd photo shows the ruffly seam allowance to this fabric - and I cut 1 1/4" strips of it - thinking of inserting it under the hem of the top - just for a little something extra, a feminine touch. I used a ruffle out of this on a skirt a well. Hmmm - together that might be just pretty cute. I can always liven it up with a scarfed belt or something. Anyway - figure I need to 'ease' my way back into some regular sewing since I have that wedding gown facing me. Though still need to get - hunt the lace and fabrics. It appears a jaunt to Chicago Vogue and Fishman's is in order. Also was a very good girl this morning and pulled out the King sized Sheets that I bought at Linens n' Things when they were closing out. Since our bed is a Queen, I need to size them down. That took some thinking for the fitted sheet. What I cut off - such nice high count cotton, I decided to cut into rag size pieces, and I'll serge those and wrap them up as a wedding shower gift for Dear Daughter. I'm sure she'll roll her eyes about that one, but grab them frequently. At least I hope so - rather than paper towels all the time!

Wedding Gown in the works...

Goodie, goodie, goodie! Daughter is getting married June 6 - and of Course, I get to make the gown! Like all brides, she wants to wait til the last minute (so she can lose weight, which she doesn't have to!), but I convinced her last night that it just isn't smart to wait until May for a June 6 wedding! I spent most of Monday night looking through all the pattern sites for a good pattern to 'start from'. Will venture out today to pick a few of them up for real. Here is a picture of 'THE' gown...

Thankfully, I was able to point out the model's emaciated arms, and convince her she would NEVER look that tiny in the middle! This is a far, far simpler project than the last gown I made, so I'm looking forward to it. Sourcing that beaded fabric now using sources my neighbor and wedding gown etalier' Tina Colombo was kind enough to share. Plan to get this in the works so that I have a pattern all ready to determine exactly how much of the $$$ fabric to purchase. I think I also convinced her that a princess cut to the skirt, or a bias cut that would create some soft vertical coning would create vertical lines that would be slimming too.

Stay tuned.....

Reading Recommendations

Never have had a TV in our bedroom - we both read every night to go to sleep - and whenever I've 'had it' with either the computer (usually) or sewing (though rarely!), I just escape into my 'other world' reading.

Just finished Neta Jackson's first book in her new House of Hope series - Where Do I Go? This is a sequel to her YaDa YaDa series of books... It was just wonderful - and very convicting to me personally of how I look at homeless people, and what God is calling me to do with the time I have to be 'the feet of Jesus'...especially when family demands on my time lessen later this year. I can not recommend Neta Jackson's books highly enough. Along with Karen Kingsbury, I have never been more influenced regarding my role in our current world than by these 2 authors.
Neta's website is here: http://www.daveneta.com/books/YadaYada6/YadaYada6.htm

I think I recommended The Shack earlier this year - if not, I sure do. I use it - and thinking carefully about the theologically correct (my pastor says so too) ideas presented in it about how God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit 'see' things. It also has a website you'd find interesting...
http://www.theshackbook.com/ I used this book as 6 gifts at Christmas time. Say enough?

The other novel I finished recently is totally different - about a group of women pioneers going west - by Jane kirkpatrick, it is All Together in One Place. I've never read many western type things, but this one really gave me a new appreciation for all of my creature comforts - that's for sure! Would be a good read for any spoiled teenager of Gen-X'er!

AND - last but not least, Do The Right Thing by Mike Huckabee. The true picture this is giving me of our 'leadeers' in Washington D.C. makes me sick to my stomach and madder than a jack rabbit. The stories of his campaign, intermingled with his life and political philosophies help me go to sleep at night in these troubling times. That - and feeling secure in God's love for us all who believe in Him. I'm praying that this outstanding man of God continues to persist, and perhaps becomes the next Republican Presidential candidate. Regardless of your political leanings, just read it - or watch Huckabee on Fox News at 10 on Sunday nights, and see if you don't agree.
A breath of fresh, honest, upright air - and believe me, here in Illinois, that is sorely needed!

Buried with new website development

Yeeks - I feel buried - with the computer! I'm either in front of my new MAC in my office, in my basement Studio with the ancient PC, or in the family room with my laptop on my lap ... I feel like I have an apendage.

Why or why am I doing this??? I'd sure rather be designing and developing my new pattern for jackets from sweatshirts with face-framing collars - it already has a name: CHOSEN.....
So why??? Because the 'path' of the development of my online business has taken a long winding road, and ultimately - to make things easier via maintenance, new products, news, marketing, Search Engine Optimization, and adding valuable educational content to my site - ONE site will be far, far easier.

Like with anything - it is a process, and I already am well aware of how much I've learned by having to deal with 3 different 'platforms' as they are called in my current sites. That is making this a bit easier, and perhaps even a benefit for the developers at my new platform as I bring new features to them from my other sites.

I AM having fun, though, digging through the treasure chest of books, patterns and notions available at my main supplier - who recently joined with another long-standing business. A benefit of all this work will be MANY more products available on my site.

Thought I had found ALL those Christmas decorations - but, my Mom was right...she said "You'll surely find something tucked somewhere you forgot. Yep - sure have: the cookie cutters hanging from ribbons over my kitchen sink and then a SANTA was winking at me hanging from the curtain rod over the sliding patio doors. How about you?

Recently have signed up on Twitter.com and Digg.com. Anyone out there familiar with these?

Also - re-discovered, in checking my website links - http://sew-whats-new.com/ This appears to be the new community of a gal I used to talk to all the time. It looks great - try it out!

Our donation - Thanks from Penny and Me

Thanks everyone for your support of my patterns and book for Creative Sweatshirt Jackets. Look what-together-we have done...donated $608 since Sept. 9 to Miracles in Action. Wow! As the note says - we are helping poor families to help themselves. I am blessed in the giving, and you should be as well. Thanks again!