Intentional Weekend: A Little Easter Sewing

First, it's not too late:-)!

I put up a quick picture of the girls' dresses on Thursday afternoon because I was so darn excited that I could hardly contain myself. I LOVE these dresses and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute with these patterns.  Several people asked for specifics. It's definitely not too late to do this. I ordered patterns from Oliver  + S on Sunday evening and got a box of them on Thursday. The patterns are also available on Amazon. I'll link to both for you. There are still two weeks left until Easter. Go for it.

I let the girls choose their own fabric and I'm tickled at how each dress really does reflect the personality of its own little girl. Of course, this charm may be a bit less lustrous when we hand down, but I won't think about that until next year.

I can't say enough wonderful things about the Oliver + S pattern. Liesl Gibson, designer, is a master teacher. The directions and drawings were flawless. Putting these dresses together was pure joy.  I made three dresses in four days without pulling a cranky, irritable sewing marathon. (And this is the first time I've ever sewn dresses for my girls...) It's all about the pattern, girls. I'm telling you--a great pattern is everything.

Katie's Dress

Oliver + S Ice Cream  Dress

(available at Oliver + S and at Amazon)

Size 12

Heather Bailey Freshcut Cotton in Watermelon Jelly Bean

Heather Bailey Pop Garden Rose Bouquet in Peach This one was in my stash--and I have a lot left, which might be good because Kristin was eyeing Katie's dress and thinking it just might fit her. 

Karoline's Dress

 

 

Oliver + S Ice Cream  Dress

(available at Oliver + S and at Amazon)

Size 5

Bonnie and Camille Ruby Cotton Sherbet Jitterbug

Bonnie and Camille Ruby Cotton Swoon 

Pockets are Delighted 

Sarah's Dress

Oliver + S Ice Cream Dress

(available at Oliver + S and at Amazon)

Size 3T 

Twirl Spinning Pink Twirling Flowers Cotton

Twirl Spinning Pink Mini Twirls Cotton

Twirl Spinning Pink Twirly Dots Cotton

Please, please: if you make Easter dresses (or any dresses; or anything else at all) come back and let me know. I'm so loving talking sewing and my family would be really grateful for someone else to listen to me. 

Lent ~ March 24

Fast

Refrain from self promotion. "The only way to make rapid progress along the path of divine love is to remain very little and to put all our trust in Almighty God. That is what I have done" (St. Therese of Lisieux).

~

Pray

Is there someone who inspires feeling of inferiority in you? Offer a Memorare for that person's intentions.

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Give

Page through your wedding album with your children today. Remember how loved ou felt that day. Love your family well.

Lent ~ March 23

Fast

Let go of despair and know that God gives you sufficient grace. "Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible" (St. Francis of Assisi)

~

Pray

Pray to know how God wants ou to spend your time today.

~

Give 

Make sure everyone in your family gets at least one of your hugs today.

For my friend Cari,

who planted seeds of inspiration for handmade Easter dresses nineteen years ago.

I'm a late bloomer;-)

For the Heart of a Mom {and two giveaways}

Once upon a time, I was a young mother. I had four children under ten and a fifth on his way. We'd just moved to a new house in a new town and my husband was working 15 hour days and 7 day weeks. My best friend had moved to England--and this was well before Skype or easy intercontinental calling, before most of us had email. 

I was in need of a mentor, an older mother who understood the challenges of the lifestyle to which I'd been called and could help me see the joy in the midst of it all. By the grace of God, I found Sally Clarkson. I read every thing she'd ever written. I bought every. single. audiotape I could find. I let her sweet voice pour over my soul and I could almost feel her the warmth of her hug. I am very certain that I could quote some of those talks to you verbatim, even now.

I don't know how we connected. I think I sent Sally some articles I'd written and offered to represent her ministry, Whole Heart, at a Catholic homeschooling conference. What I do remember, with startling clarity, is that just as we were walking through the door, bringing home that fifth baby, the phone rang. It was Sally. She had no idea of her timing, but it struck me hard and has never left me. Just as I was wondering where to turn for the warmth and wisdom of a mature woman of faith, there was Sally Clarkson on the phone. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Sally made me a better mother to that growing family. And I'm grateful beyond words for her voice, now, as I grow weary and the hill seems much steeper than I thought it would be. She tells me that I can do this, that together with my husband we can continue to grow in faith and holiness and raise Godly children, despite the tendency we all have towards sin.

These days, it's much easier to sit at Sally's feet. The internet is a grand and glorious thing isn't it? And so, it is with unbounded joy that I share with you  a new ministry for moms. Here is a treasure trove of wisdom as we persevere. Here is a lovely group of women to encourage you and warm you and keep you going as you endeavor to raise Godly families. We all need someone beside us to help  us, someone to keep us moving forward, to carry the crosses with us--it's a long, long road. This new collective is intended to be just that. I'm honored and humbled and ridiculously excited to be a part of it. Take a moment or two to hear Sally's heart in the vision for this endeavor.

The ocean of “mom blogs” on the Internet seems to grow wider and deeper every day. You already know that it is impossible to follow every good blog you find as you surf that ocean. If you did, there wouldn’t be much time left for mothering! So, you are right to want to know what makes Mom Heart Online different. Out of all the wonderful mom blogs wanting and deserving your attention, why should you visit us at MomHeart? Why is it worth your valuable time to spend time here.

​Mom Heart Online is spiritual harbor. We’re here not just to bring you in to stay, but also to send you out to sail. We are a place any mom can come to be encouraged, equipped, and enabled as a mother after God’s heart. We are here to inspire and engage your heart with great content that calls you to a high vision for your life as a mother, to create an online community of moms where you can network and interact with others who share your heart, to train you how to easily start and lead your own Mom Heart Group to continue in life what you find online, and to provide quality and original materials and resources that will fill your heart and mind with life-changing wisdom and truth.

Leave me a comment and let me know what kinds of things you like to read at MomHeart. Add MomHeart to your regular blog reading. You can connect via Facebook or Twitter.

Sally is offering a free copy of one her books to an In the Heart of my Home reader and I'm offering a free copy of her book as well. Your choice of book! Two chances to win:-)

Grab a button and come back and hang out with us often.

And finally, please pray for this new ministry.

Have a very blessed and happy Thursday, my friends!