This one was so much fun! I found this toadstool linen when I was organizing more of my Grandma’s fabric into the nice boxes that Mike keeps bringing home for me. It was so stinking cute, I had to use it right away, so I sewed this up last week in between Etsy orders. There wasn’t much and there was a big section cut out, so I had to find a pattern that wouldn’t require much fabric. Which is kind of a good problem because it helped me think outside of the box and not sew another fit-and-flare style dress, but a more fitted, figure-flattering one instead. And I added puff sleeves because I thought that would also be a change from the norm. What I ended up with is so cute, I’m glad I had to problem-solve!
I usually feature my newest handmade dress at church, and I got so many compliments on this one yesterday.
I also am experiencing joy and feelings of gratitude and generosity that I didn’t expect and can’t fully explain, but I can guess they stem from more daily time spent in the Word and my Lenten sacrifice: buying anything for myself. While I would never spend a lot of money, I would always keep my eyes open for bargains and deals, and I would wander into the Ark and Clothes Mentor regularly to see what I could find. Since I’ve given that up until Easter, I have had a lot of fun getting things for Mike (new workout clothes!) and the kids (new books and shoes!), and also being able to gift my friends with small things to make them smile, like tiny potted daffodils. It’s all making me feel very blessed and happy lately, without any real change to our finances or daily struggles with four kids and multiple jobs. The joy of the Lord is my strength! (Nehemiah 8:10)
