Worry

I worry. I have always worried. It seems to be in my DNA. One of my early memories is worrying that I was going to go to hell for missing mass. There was a huge blizzard, we had just moved and my dad couldn’t even get the car NEAR our home after work, he had to park at a local shopping center and walk the rest of the way home. I believe the moving van was also stuck somewhere because I don’t remember furniture either! And there I was, a little kid, thinking I was going to go to hell for missing mass. I am still amazed at what a strong memory I have of that. Good grief.

I also remember a missionary coming to our church/school and speaking to us children. What he said spoke to me, even as a child. He talked about my personal demon, worry. He explained how it is a complete waste of time, and that 99% of our worry comes to nothing. Funny, how even as a small child, this hit me. I knew what he was saying made sense, and I prayed that I would be able to embrace the lovely ideas of trust and release that he talked about, but of coarse, I worried that I would NOT be able to manage to do that, then I worried about all my worrying. DNA. What made it impossible for me to ever forget him (his name was Father Murray) was that on the way to his next speaking engagement, he was killed in a car accident. Imagine what that does to a little kids mind?

My heart, my faith, my inner self doesn’t worry. I know that all will be well, no matter what. I am safe because I believe. But my mind, plays scenarios of what if.

What if I lose someone I love and depend on, how will I manage?
What if an illness causes a huge financial burden and I become homeless?
What if my children become overwhelmed with the responsibilities of life?
What if someone I love is hurt emotionally, physically or financially?
What if my parents suffer in their older years?
What if I hurt someone else while I am driving?
What if . . .
What if . .
What if.

I can also worry about little things?
What if I am too tired to take care of a responsibility?
What if I don’t get elected to a small community position I am running for?
What if I say the wrong thing?
What if I let someone down?
What if I give someone the wrong impression?
What if someone misinterprets what I really meant?
What if someone judges me wrongly?
What if . . .
What if . .
What if.

Pretty silly, pretty wasteful, pretty useless, worry. So I continue to remind myself, it’s in my DNA and that my spiritual side easily counteracts with finding peace and contentment in the promises of God. Maybe I can’t STOP my mind from worrying, but I CAN realize it’s not something that needs to define me. It isn’t my only flaw, but it is a recurring one. I will probably worry for the rest of my life, but, when I worry, it also triggers in me my faith in God, knowing that He is the ultimate antidote to worry.

In the story of Martha and Mary, I always identify with Mary, because I will be the one letting the dishes go to socialize, yet when the Lord says, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things: but only a few things are necessary, really only one, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 11:41-42. It is Martha I must be like in reality.

He also addresses anxiety in Matthew, chapter 6. In verse 27, he specifically says, “And which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life’s span?” Then, I start to think, but what if it’s painful, miserable, what if I have to watch someone I love suffer, what if, what if, what if.

I struggle with worry, I release when I worry, then I worry again. It will be a cycle that will repeat itself in endless circles because it is in my DNA. Thank goodness there is a safe place for me to go when worry rears its ugly head. I am comforted and have peace and then . . . what if . . .

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Phil. 4:13

It just takes time.

They tricked us!

At the inauguration there was a string and piano ensemble out in 20 degree weather, and I did wonder how they kept their fingers warm and their instruments in tune, as weather plays havoc with sensitive instruments like that. Find out they did play, but what we were hearing was a recording from earlier! Not sure why they did it that way.

And the hat, it's sold out! So many church ladies ordered it that the fellow who designed it is out of fabric to fill orders. Apparently we will be seeing many more of these in spring, and in a variety of lovely spring colors!

Piddle, play and pray

Sometimes, ya just gotta do somethin' fast and fun! Not that sewing isn't fun, it is, but after doing something as intensive at the princess dress, over 12 hours of details and fussing and precision and patience, I like to do something fast and fun. These were fast and fun.

I made bags (and prayed while I made them, for the recipients) to put treats and toothbrushes in (I never give candy without the antidote) for some young people in my life as little Valentine's Day surprises. I think, since one is a 15 year old boy and may not appreciate this type of stuff, that I will only fill them if I get them back by the next Valentine's Day. That way, if they are not interested, I will know! I have only decorated two of them so far, I will "fancy up" the two plain ones. I also made some little teeny bean bag hearts . . . just for fun, and a LOVE ribbon. Since I spent an hour recalibrating and rethreading my serger for a red rolled hem, I figured I'd mess around with some silly stuff before setting it back to how I normally use it. Like I said, sometimes you just gotta do somethin' fast and fun.

Now . . . cowboy shirts.

Pink hearts and lace

This little dress is for a friends little girl. I had all the fabric, lace and buttons so it was just a matter of putting things together. The lace . . . from my mom's stash, and I have some left. So cute. I also made barrettes, that seems to be standard fare for me these days. It's easy and adds a touch of "custom" to the gifts, especially when I use the letter beads to put their names on the barrettes.

The Sparkly Turquiose Princess Dress

I have been working on this dress for quite a while, first mentioned many blogs ago. I intend to donate to our local CASA organization at the Gala coming up in February. It really did take quite a bit of time, as I wanted everything to be as close to perfect as I could get it. It is two layers of fabric and turned out very nice, I am pleased. Once I had it together I ran out to get the silver ribbon to make a sash/belt. I though it needed something and also softens the transition between the bodice and skirt.

I wasn't sure how I would deal with the edge of the sheer fabric, so I encased it in a strip of the under fabric, a nice simple satin. I also did that at the hem of the under fabric so that there was NO stitching showing anywhere on the garment. The side seams are done together because I didn't want the seam allowance showing there either. The zipper is an invisible one, so it really does look very nice.



Here is the inside of the dress with my little NUCK label before I put in the zipper. I think I might come up with a KiddKouture label at some point, as this dress is VERY nicely made, I love it. I take as much care on the inside as I do on the outside. But then I do that on all my stuff, so I guess Nanuts Unique Clothing for Kids says enough.

Books, books, books!

I have three new books

Fabric Sewing Guide by Claire Shaeffer that is over 500 pages.
Pattern Fitting with Confidence by Nancy Zieman
and a surprise book from Hubby
Cool Couture by Kenneth D King

I have only looked through Cool Couture so far and am very pleased with what I see, it will be fun to try some of the techniques. Tonight I will look through the rest.

I find I learn quite a bit from books and can usually figure out how to do stuff by following along. Origami is the only thing I have struggled with in books. I just can't follow along. But that's OK. I have a friend who is phenomenal at origami, I will just have to ask her if I am ever in need!

Lulu

Little Lulu got her package and put on her ladybug outfit, including some really cute boots. I hope she enjoys her fun outfit. Isn't she the cutest!

Happy Birthday Lulu!

My favorite picture of Lulu. She'd gotten into something she shouldn't have!! Hysterical, it makes me laugh each time I see it, she is fabulous!!

Today is my oldest grand daughter's birthday. I was helping with her older brother during all the excitement of her birth but my son came and got me and I was able to meet her at the hospital when she was only hours old, what a treat. I am completely enamored with newborns, such an amazing and short time. I got to listen to all her secrets from heaven. Newborn babies, fresh from heaven, always have amazing things to say, at least that is my stand on it. I always feel privileged to spend some time with them and imagine all the possibilities for their lives. I don't see my grand children very often, but am always fascinated to see how they grow and mature between each visit. They are marvelous little people. I love being a grandmother.

Today is also a special day in American History and I am watching all the pomp and fanfare as we swear in our new president Barack Obama. People have such high hopes. I hope he will be the "best ever" as we certainly are in a condition that warrants someone with intelligence, diligence, wisdom, foresight, persistence and a willingness to listen to those who might have more knowledge on certain subjects than he. We will all know how this turns out in four years, or in eight years as Lulu flirts with her teenage years! Good luck and God be with you and your family, Mr. President. And thank you, Mr. President.

Love Aretha's HAT!! And the performance of Simple Gifts before the oath of office! How DID they keep their fingers warm, although they were flying!!!

Aprons, aprons, aprons

I finished up the last apron, deciding on that for baby D instead of a bib. More like big brother and eventually dad's, as I plan on making aprons for mom and dad's birthdays this spring/summer. The pattern is from McCall's 5551. There are adult and childrens sizes included. Got it for $1, whoohoooo!

Baby D's apron is an experiment, not sure if it will fit, but along the same lines as the bigger ones. I left off a pocket, as all that would do is catch oatmeal, juice and slobber, not so pleasant to dig that out of a pocket, eh? Yuck. So instead he has a big D on the front with his name embroidered down the side of the D. Since the tie is adjustable, it will probably work. I hope so.


Big brother's has several pockets (as the pattern calls for), a large one divided up and two more above that. You have to look for the middle pocket as I tried to blend it in as much as possible. Not sure why anyone would need that many pockets, especially while cooking but they look cool. I have a feeling my oldest grandson will find many things to put in all those pockets, and all might not be related to cooking.



Then the girls aprons, which are more of a smock with a front and back. They required lining, so took a lot more fabric than the boys. That is one reason Lulu's is lined with a different fabric, which I really like. The letters and pockets on the front of the girls aprons are from their great grandmother's stash that was passed down to their grandmother . . . me! I try to use things like that as much as I can. I think I will be pretty sad when I have run out of the little details that I think add so much more than "cute" to the outfits I make for my "babies".






The boys aprons have ties that I made out of some of the fabric, nice and wide so as it sits on their necks it will be comfortable. The girls have pink with white polka dot grosgrain ribbon for their side ties. Very cute! I also added a little detail on the back of the girls aprons, little hearts with some machine embroidery. Just for fun and so I could practice some new techniques on my new machine. I am beginning to understand the benefits of some of the lining fabrics and such, it keeps the stitches from puckering.





Then I "signed" them with my NUCK label. I like the new way I am doing labels, I think it makes it much more couture! And with all the details, care and time, these are couture, and full of prayers for all my little angels. They are TOOOO cute . . . the babies I mean.

Pirate Bootie

After making the pirate costume, hubby had the idea that a pirate NEEDS treasure. I went through all the old coins we had gathered from around the world, and commemorative coins from different cities. All together they are pretty impressive. We then went hunting for the perfect treasure chest and ran across one at a local store. We plan on having his daddy make a treasure map and bury it somewhere in the neighborhood so that our little pirate can have an adventure. At five it could be pretty exciting to hunt for and dig up treasure.

Lulu Ladybug

After quite a few days of work, I have finally finished the birthday present for Lulu, my little granddaughter who is turning four next week. I want to get it into the mail tomorrow, so that she will get it in time for her birthday. When you are four,THE day is a big deal.

I was inspired by a book I found about a little girl named Lulu who was a "ladybug girl" who went on adventures in her back yard. A delightful little story. Since our little one's nick name is Lulu, I just HAD to get the book, then I had the idea to make an outfit for her to pretend she also was a character who would go on adventures. Hubby picked out the fabric and I added the buttons, piping and other details that made the outfit complete. I thought about it for quite a while before settling on the design idea. Our Lulu loves dancing, which is why I wanted a full skirt with black netting underneath so it would fluff out very nicely. A bit like a tutu. The vest came later and then the hair clips, which were fun. I ended up adding ribbons, so it was long and would swing. Lulu has short curly hair, so the long straight ribbons will feel fun and different for her. I can't wait to see a picture of her in her Lulu Ladybug outfit.