Making a Skirt from Jeans

Yesterday, I made Madelyn a skirt from a pair of jeans. I have done this once before, a couple years back and she loved it. I kept breaking my sewing machine needle, though, and got quite frustrated. My mom told me I needed a denim needle to sew with and kindly bought me a pack!

To begin, I cut the jeans at the seams. Last time, I used a seam ripper, but oh, that was terribly tedious and really not necessary because using scissors works well and was much quicker!

I had some Mary Engelbreit fabric, which I believe had been a gift from my sweet friend Deanna. It was what I decided to use to make the skirt. I pinned one side at a time and then sewed them together...

Of course I sewed them on the inside of the jeans so then, when you turn it to the front, you have a nice, clean edge...

There was even enough fabric left over to make Madelyn a simple bandana!

We're both really happy with how it turned out.

Ok, pictures are finished...so off she goes on her bike!

I am just so thankful for this girl God gave me. She is such a good girl. She has a nurturing, motherly spirit (which I hope, Lord willing, means lots of grandbabies one day!). Looking at pictures yesterday, of her when she was younger, almost made me burst into tears. I didn't want her to stay little...as I love the young lady she is growing to be...but it's so hard to fathom where the past (almost) 11 years have gone!

We have finished up our homeschool year. Madelyn finished up 4th grade, Xavier 2nd and Jaxson Kgarten. So they will all be *moving up* next year. (First, though, I have to get Madelyn and X's portfolios together to take to the school district.) I have all the 1st, 3rd, and 5th school books and curriculum already here to start this fall (which I will do a post on someday soon). It seems like the years are passing by *much* too quickly!

I had better get going...the day has begun and I have much to keep me busy! I hope you have a great Friday and weekend ahead! Thank you for visiting!! :)


Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied,
Katy

Raising Homemakers Homemaking Link-Up

            

The Right Path

Psalm 148

Praise the LORD.

Praise the LORD from the heavens;
praise him in the heights above.
Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
Praise him, sun and moon;
praise him, all you shining stars.
Praise him, you highest heavens
and you waters above the skies.

Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for at his command they were created,
and he established them for ever and ever—
he issued a decree that will never pass away.

Praise the LORD from the earth,
you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,
lightning and hail, snow and clouds,
stormy winds that do his bidding,
you mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars,
wild animals and all cattle,
small creatures and flying birds,
kings of the earth and all nations,
you princes and all rulers on earth,
young men and women,
old men and children.

Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for his name alone is exalted;
his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.
And he has raised up for his people a horn,
the praise of all his faithful servants,
of Israel, the people close to his heart.

Praise the LORD.

Some decisions in life can be very difficult to make. You pray for guidance and wisdom...not wanting *emotions* to make a decision for you. You ask your husband as well as closest friends and loved ones what they feel is the right action to take. Then...you just have to take the leap and do what seems to be the best choice.

This is what I have had to do many times in life...but also very recently about something. I pray the right decision has been made and that He, Who loves me most, agrees. I never want to let anyone down or not finish something I started out to do...but difficult circumstances makes that challenging and stressful. So...I make the decision to let that particular stress go...take the leap...and feel a weight lifted from my shoulders.

Through it *all*...I love Him and praise Him. For no matter the trials and stress that appear in our lives, He is always constant and good. He is perfect and our *very present help in time of need*. No matter what the decisions you are facing may be...let Him be your Guide. For He always knows the *right* path to choose! :)

We had a nice time at Red Lobster with friends last Friday evening. I probably won't go there again...the chicken *was* good...but with my picky tastebuds, there wasn't much to pick from on the menu (it's definitely a seafood lovers dream!). The conversation and fellowship was just wonderful though! We are so blessed to have good friends. :) My parents kept the children for the few hours we were gone.

When we got there to pick them up, Madelyn and Xavier were playing...

And the littlest love was fast asleep!

I am thrilled to report that my sewing machine is all fixed and oiled and ready for use! I was anxious to get started...

...so I made a small pillow for one of Madelyn's dolls. A small project, yes. But just the thing to get my itching fingers a chance to sew! :)


A new week ahead with much to do.
Always hoping your weeks are filled with warmth and joy.
Thank you for visiting me. :)

Kindly,
Katy :)

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. ~Ephesians 3:16-20

"May your walls know joy......

...May every room hold laughter and every window open to great possibility."
~Maryanne Radmacher-Hershey

I started sewing. My mom is letting me use her machine because my machine was being difficult! LOL For my first project...I have started to make a play skirt for Madelyn. I used an old pair of her jeans and seperated them and sewed fabric in them to make a cute skirt. I have just started and these are just pictures of it being started......

I still have to sew the fabric in the back....hem the bottom and also finish edges with a finishing stitch to neaten it up. I used a play/old pair of jeans of Madelyn's since it was the first time I have tried this and I didn't want to ruin a good pair of jeans if I messed up! ;o)

Saturday evening, my sister came over for supper....and then my parents and uncle came over for dessert (I made a peach pie and Madelyn made a cake!). While they were over....we watched the kids play the Wii. (It's not our Wii....it's my BIL's and he was letting us borrow it.) They are so funny to watch! :)
(Notice in the pic above of Xavier....his tooth that is growing in...his adult tooth....is pointed. We had an Xray taken of his mouth and other teeth are growing in like that too. The dentist says it is very rare. Someday we will have to have them built up! I just tell X that God intended for him to definitely be a meat eater! hehe!)



And look....my sister brought me a gift! My very first official pair of Crocs! I always used to say I wouldn't wear those shoes cuz they are ugly...but oh my goodness....they are truly comfortable! Thank you sooo much Devon! :)

And another highlight to my weekend...was Saturday night...after everyone had left and the kids were put down to sleep for the night....Chris played a couple games of Scrabble with me! I just love board games and I received this one for Christmas! We had a lot of fun!

We start back with schooling again today! I am sooo looking forward to being back into our routine. The holiday season really threw me off. I wish you all a wonderful Monday! Thanks so much for stopping by, reading, and sharing your thoughts with me! :o) xoxo

Started my sewing project!!!!

Remember in THIS post, I had mentioned that I was going to start sewing?? Well....last night, my mom came over and helped me set up the pattern on the fabric and I pinned them down and cut them out!!!! The first step to my sewing project is DONE!!!! It is sooo exciting!!! I didn't take pics of that part...it isn't too exciting to look at...LOL. But I will take pics as I start sewing! I have to wait till my mom can come out and instruct me when I start!!! I promise I will update you with pics soon!

I am also working on a gift for my friend, Heather. I dont' think she reads my blog...so I am safe to write about it! LOL I am stitching on pillowcases for her. I will either make them for her shower gift...or if I don't have them done in time for that...then it will be a wedding present!! :) I will be sure to post pics of them too as I finish!!!!




Also...I finished the Annie's People Series by Beverly Lewis! It was a great 3 book series!! I always enjoy books by Beverly Lewis! Now I am started on a series by Lori Wick! It is called the Kensington Chronicles. It is a 4 book series! I started "The Hawk and the Jewel" yesterday. It is a different type of story than I have read before..but so far I like it and look forward to the rest of the series!! Has anyone else read this series? If so...did you enjoy it?

Also....again..a big thank you for all the wonderful comments I have been getting! I truly enjoy each one of them and appreciate you taking the time to stop by, read and leave a thought for me!! Happy Friday!!! xoxo

Sewing Plans

So, I am going to start sewing!!! I am soo excited! A few people have asked me what I plan on sewing first...so I thought I would show you. I am going to make the shirt the girl is wearing in the pattern below and I am going to use the flower fabric I have beside it there! Don't you think that will be so cute? I am going to wash the fabric and then my mom and I are going to work on it. I am going to do it all..but I want her to be here for guidance!

THEN...my mom got me this cute bee fabric!!! I absolutely love it. I have a TON of it too!!! WOOT! I would like to maybe make a dress for my daughter and maybe a purse/tote bag for me! But that is once I start sewing well enough!! LOL

And then...just for fun...a pic of my boys this morning. They are so silly...LOL.

So those are my sewing plans to begin with. I am just sooo excited to actually start. We have been super busy lately though so I haven't had the time. I am hoping after Easter that I can start!! Do you all sew? I know some of you do! I would love to know what you are working on and when you first started sewing...what did you start with? Did anyone help you?

Hope you all have a very blessed Thursday!!! xoxo