sewing project complete, reading, listening, and other happenings....

Hello everyone!

Currently, I have been reading a lot of books when I have some spare minutes in my day. I love reading, but when I was a child I did not as much as I do now. I loved to listen to others read to me, but I did not read by myself very much. Now I love it! I have read both Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility among Jane Austen's classics this past year and now I wanted to read the most melancholy I have heard of all her works, Persuasion! I love it! Its witty, melancholy, and just heart-wrenching all in one novel! I had never read Brian Jaques before and I love it! This is the first of 3 in a series and its a great book so far, and I plan to finish it before April comes around! I am about 3/4 of the way done. I love it so far, its a great boyish adventure. I think it would be a great book for Lord willing future sons to read and to recommend to other older siblings and parents and sons and daughters to read together. Very interesting mystery!Today my wonderful and dear friend Jenn gave me a late christmas gift, the book intitled," A Heart for God" by Sinclair Ferguson. I had never heard of the author, but after reading the first chapter this morning I think I will be able to glean a lot of wisdom from how this author teaches about the Word. My Bible is next to it in this picture. Gotta love it! Also, my friend Jenn also let my sister and I borrow this wonderful audio CD from Vision forum. I recommend it highly! Scott Brown hit is on the nail on how to prevent and get rid of gossip in the church. I listened to it all the way through last saturday and I plan to listen to it again.I also have been drinking a lot of tea lately! In case you are wondering, its Earl Grey that I drink mostly, but I also love other black teas, such as english breakfast. I think Beth and I's trip to England last September made me love tea even more! I guess it helps with all the stress and craziness of life. Not really! But its a comfort drink for me! But God is the ultimate Comforter. :)
I love this book and I love John Piper, I have read only a hand full of his books, but every time I glean so much and the Lord teaches me much! This book is a light in a culture that is the opposite of Biblical manhood and womanhood.

Here is the book I quoted from yesterday! I love it! My mom bought it at an antique store of course. Great read! I think maybe I should republish it someday! Maybe it is already!?

I thought I would share with you some projects that are going on this week and last!

My granny square afghan I told you about last week is coming towards completion. I have only 3 more strips to make and then I can put them together!

I have been so busy lately, but I wanted to share with you a long over due project that I had cut out 2 months ago I am unhappy to say. Finally, this weekend I finished this lovely spring/summer night gown just in time for the warm winter. I had wanted to get it done back in January when I had cut it out, but it got pushed back on my list of to-do's. On sunday afternoon I finished the buttons and button holes being put onto the bodice and here it is! I had the inspiration to sit down and finish it, because two friends of ours had come over to sew with Beth and I wanted to sew along with them. Hence, the inspiration to get another project completed!

I used the same Simplicity pattern that I used back in January for my flannel, white and red floral night gown for winter and fall. This time I used the same view A with, but instead of short sleeves and ruffles on the sleeve, I used the same bodice and skirt, but I used the long sleeve from the robe for the sleeve with no elastic. I like the way it turned out for spring! The fabric was on the clearance at Joanne last fall and I think I only paid around $14.00 for the whole project not counting how much I paid for this pattern many years ago.

I just had to use this lavendar trim that matched the little flowers perfectly from Beth and I's stash of vintage trims!!! I trimmed the bottom with some lace that was from an old sheet we used to make petticoats out of for civil war reenacting. We had the lace left over and it was just enough for the bottom of my new spring night gown!
I also trimmed the bodice closure with the same lavendar trim!

All the buttons, trim, and lace were free! I love old ladies who have lots of notions they are giving away! That is where Beth and I have gotten a lot of our notions. Its sad it they can't or don't sew anymore, but its great to help the new generation be able to do so!
And there it is hanging on my wall, while I stand proud of my now able hands that are can actually sew a project by myself!!! Its a mile stone for me! I had prayed since I was a little girl that I would be able to sew when I grew up and its happened! I still can't believe it! God is good!!!

I wanted a feminine option besides my comfy PJ pants and t-shirt, although I still wear those sometimes too. But I am trying to have a nice Pajama wardrobe that is feminine and modest just like my day-wear wardrobe.

God bless and have a wonderful week everyone! Praise the Lord from who all blessings flow!

In Christ,

Rebecca