Dorcas Sewing Event

Acts 9:36-42 NIV
 
In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. [37] About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 

[38] Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!” [39] Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. 

[40] Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. [41] He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. [42] This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. 

 Our preacher’s wife (Azle Church of Christ)  took on a project to make pillowcase dresses for girls in Zambia.  I suggested we have a group of ladies come to the church for a sewing session, with some ladies sewing, some ironing, some marking fabrics. That way all could participate even if they did not sew.

It was a very well attended event with 19 ladies coming and most with sewing machines. We completed 36 dresses and already had made at total of 17. We had hoped to make 50 total and have already exceeded that number. There are many more in the works that ladies took home to finish. These will be sent off in May to California for our preacher's brother to deliver on a mission trip over there.

 

 

It was a fun fellowship time and enjoyed by all, with such a great feeling of accomplishment.

My DH took lots of great pictures of our event to show our brethren and for us to remember what we accomplished.

 

Some dresses were made to be cut out with a pattern and others using the pattern from the internet. There were a few of us who had already made one or the other type of dress so we could instruct others and answer any questions they had.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Even some of the youngsters took part. The little man with the iron did a great job!
 

 

 

I wish I had pictures of all of the beautiful dresses made – perhaps I can get some later but here are the ones I made and pictures of our Dorcas ladies event.

All the ones I made.

Made 2 of this one.

Made 2 different sizes of this one.

Made 2 of this one.

I had never made a pillowcase dress before but my DD  http://momsbaggage.wordpress.com/, told me about a pattern online from Nancy's Notions, with four different sizes. It is very easy to make and takes very little fabric or supplies.  One pattern uses elastic in the top but I like the one with the ties better.

What NOT to do when helping clean yard. . .

While DH was running the riding mower, mulching up leaves, I was helping by picking up sticks, tree branches, etc. I picked some up from the patio and not realizing how close I was to our pickup topper (stored on stands and parking for riding mower), turned around right into the corner of the opened back window. Ouch!!!

I will definitely pay more attention to my surroundings from now on. Just glad the damage is on the outside of my eye. I think keeping ice on it after I did it definitely helped on swelling and kept from bruising worse.

No wise cracks from my kids or there will be no sugar cookies, pumpkin bread, cherry or pumpkin pie for Christmas!!!

Fresh Apple Cake From Friends

Recently, some friends from church brought over a fresh apple cake, still warm from the oven. We love our church family! It was so good, I had to force myself to cut it up and freeze most of it to keep us from gobbling it down. Thanking the maker of this wonderful cake, I asked if she share recipes and she did.

Seeing that she made it in a bunt pan, I told her that I had a fancy pan I was going to try it in. I received in the pan Christmas gift exchange several years ago and had never used it (still in cardboard wrapping). I also made another in an old favorite pan. Both are now in the freezer.

It did really well in that pan. I do have a confession though - I forgot to put the nuts in both cakes - and I EVEN had the pecans!! :(

Guess I will have to FORCE myself to make another.  ;0) Thanks Evelyn and Dwayne!

Special Friends . . .

We made a lap quilt a while back for some special friends, Angie and Tom. As soon as I saw the fabric, I knew it had to be for them. I made the quilt top and my DH quilted it. The Lord fills these two people up and that love flows out to everyone around them. Our family is blessed with their love and  friendship. Thank you guys!

Cross Quilt Beginnings

Cross Quilt Beginnings

I don't always plan out the quilts that I make, in fact, I rarely do but generally have an idea of what design I want. However I started some blocks just to keep busy, not having any idea what I would use them for.

A friend, who knows I quilt, gave me some scraps someone left at our church.

 There were lots of brown, green, yellow and teal pieces of fabric.
I cut three inch strips  and stitched two different colors together on two sides then cut them diagonally, flipped them and stitched together. It takes a LOT of three inch blocks to make a quilt!!

 I forgot that I had already packed my quilt books so I searched the internet for patterns  but didn't find anything that struck my fancy.

I remembered a picture I saw several months ago and saved it - now where did I save it?? Finally located it on my desktop (among the hundreds of other pictures on there).

 

I had enough blocks to make the center of my quilt but will have to wait to finish until we get moved - I already packed my fabric as well!! Anyway, here is the start of my quilt.

Magdalena Michael

I have been remiss about posting to my blog for several months. We have had a lot going on and the next few months may be pretty busy as well, depending on how some things work out but will try to put inputs in now and again.

 Magdalena Michael

 

 

Beautiful Family!!

 Magdalena Michael, our newest granddaughter was born August 19th in Bulgaria. She was pretty small but healthy and welcomed by Mom, Dad and big sister Kalina. 

There was much speculation about what her name would be. When asked what her new sister's name should be, Kalina (our three year old granddaughter) replied "Broccoli".  Our son and daughter-in-law called her "Plus One" until she was born and gave her the name Magdalena Michael.

They call her Maggy. Her great grandmother (my grandma on Dad’s side)  was called "Maggie" as well as one of my cousins.

It will be awhile before we get to see her in person but are getting picture updates and hope later to see her on Skype. She is a beautiful baby!!