I have never embroidered. I have quilted, crocheted, cross-stitched, and sewn on a machine, but I have never embroidered. Recently I came across an amazing website embroidery website, and it is just so wonderful that I had to share! It's called Mary Corbet's Needle n' Thread.
I have enjoyed this site for so many reasons. I was first attracted by all the resources for beginners: a video library of stitches, tutorials (I've found 2 tutorials so far, one on lettering and text, and one on shading), free patterns (some with stitching recommendations). As I looked further, I saw pictures of her work, which I believe are breath-taking! Look at this project that she completed for a priest's vestment - be sure to scroll down to see detailed pictures. (Did I mention that she's Catholic?)
She seems to post something new every day. Some days it is an update on a project that she's working on. On other days she posts about other embroidery that she admires. Today, Holy Saturday, she posted pictures of a vestment of St. John Vianney and discussed it's embroidery.
I've so much from this site so far. I've found it very inspirational! So, I just had to share, especially since I know there are several of you who enjoy sewing, too!!
Will I start embroidering now? Well, time is always my biggest obstacle :) However, obstacles exist to be overcome! Maria and I (maybe Cati) will be trying our hand at some simple embroidery. Perhaps you'll see some of our efforts on the blog in the future!
Wishing a blessed Easter to you all!!!!
Showing posts with label product review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label product review. Show all posts
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Gifts for Nonna and Nonno
While Zia Anna was here, Cati and Maria made books for Nonna and Nonno (their Italian grandparents).
We used a kit from Binding Books Beautifully. It was pretty easy and a lot of fun!
The girls wrote their own stories, which I then typed on the computer. Dany and Anna translated them, so each book included both English and Italian text. Then, I printed the pages and the girls illustrated them.
Detailed directions for binding the books came in the kit. I cut the book board to size and we covered it with fabric of the girls' choosing.
Then, we placed the pages inside the cover and put it all in the binder. You use the guide holes to make nail holes in the book. Here are the girls hammering the nails.
Then, you take out the nails and sew the book together using the holes. The girls enjoyed sewing!
We used a kit from Binding Books Beautifully. It was pretty easy and a lot of fun!
The girls wrote their own stories, which I then typed on the computer. Dany and Anna translated them, so each book included both English and Italian text. Then, I printed the pages and the girls illustrated them.
Detailed directions for binding the books came in the kit. I cut the book board to size and we covered it with fabric of the girls' choosing.
Then, we placed the pages inside the cover and put it all in the binder. You use the guide holes to make nail holes in the book. Here are the girls hammering the nails.
Then, you take out the nails and sew the book together using the holes. The girls enjoyed sewing!
We glued their illustrated covers on and had a finished book!
Here is Maria's book that she wrote about the symbols of the Saints.
And, here is Cati with her book about the life of a butterfly.
Here they are reading their masterpieces!
We hope you enjoyed your gifts, Nonna and Nonno!!
Monday, August 10, 2009
Product Review: Meet John XXIII
My lastest product to review from The Catholic Company is Meet John XXIII - Joyful Pope and Father to All by Patricia Treece.
This book was such a joy to read! Some biographies can be only a dull recitation of facts about a person. However, this book is full of personal stories of the life of Pope John XXIII, and I really felt like I "knew" him by the end. I enjoyed picking up this book each day and reading more about him. This book left me with a smile on my face and a real feeling of hope that we have such a Blessed soul in heaven praying for us, especially one who loved peace and unity as he did. I highly recommend reading this book!
This book was such a joy to read! Some biographies can be only a dull recitation of facts about a person. However, this book is full of personal stories of the life of Pope John XXIII, and I really felt like I "knew" him by the end. I enjoyed picking up this book each day and reading more about him. This book left me with a smile on my face and a real feeling of hope that we have such a Blessed soul in heaven praying for us, especially one who loved peace and unity as he did. I highly recommend reading this book!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Summer play clothes
The older the girls get, the more difficult it is to find decent clothes for them to wear, especially in the summer. Most of the clothes out there are too short, too tight, too low cut, or otherwise inappropriate.
Thankfully, I have a good friend who loves to sew! My friend Jessica (Modestmama blog on the right side of my page) made some clothes for the girls to wear this summer!!
Maria loves skirts and feels so grown up in them :)
Look how cute this is!! She also got a purple dress with fairies in this same style.
Thankfully, I have a good friend who loves to sew! My friend Jessica (Modestmama blog on the right side of my page) made some clothes for the girls to wear this summer!!
Maria loves skirts and feels so grown up in them :)
Look how cute this is!! She also got a purple dress with fairies in this same style.
Cati got some skirts and dresses.
Cati picked out the shirt to go with this one. She says that they match because both the shirt and skirt have flowers :) :)
Here is Maria's other skirt. If she was a little bigger, I could borrow it!!
Chiara thinks they look best when you wear them all at the same time!
Thanks, Jessica!! I'm so happy the girls have such cute, comfy clothes for the summer :)
Cati picked out the shirt to go with this one. She says that they match because both the shirt and skirt have flowers :) :)
Here is Maria's other skirt. If she was a little bigger, I could borrow it!!
Chiara thinks they look best when you wear them all at the same time!
Thanks, Jessica!! I'm so happy the girls have such cute, comfy clothes for the summer :)
Jessica loves to sew and sells some of her things (for kids and women) at this site. She's a busy lady, with 4 littles ones, but she's always adding new things!
Product Review: Dressing with Dignity
My latest product to review from The Catholic Company is Dressing with Dignity by Colleen Hammond. This is book written from a Catholic viewpoint about dressing modestly.
To be honest, I found the beginning of the book difficult to read because of the poor writing. It is written in a casual tone to make it easy to read, which I appreciate, but the lack of focus and direction in the first two chapters really bothered me. The author shares some valid and somewhat interesting observations in these chapters, but she really needed help with organization and writing style.
But, perservere! The third and fourth chapters get down to business! These chapters examine the evolution of women's fashions, propose reasons why they have become what they are, and give the responses of Popes and Saints to these changes, especially during the last 150 years. I found much food for thought in these chapters and had a great conversation with my husband about the ideas presented. In my opinion, these two chapters are enough reason to read this book!
The book concludes with a couple of chapters about a return to feminine dress and behavior and appendices of modest clothing websites and quotes from Popes, Saints, and Scripture.
I felt that I was a modest dresser before reading this book. But, the author gave me many more reasons why I should dress modestly, changes I could still make, and how important it is to instill these ideas in my children.
To be honest, I found the beginning of the book difficult to read because of the poor writing. It is written in a casual tone to make it easy to read, which I appreciate, but the lack of focus and direction in the first two chapters really bothered me. The author shares some valid and somewhat interesting observations in these chapters, but she really needed help with organization and writing style.
But, perservere! The third and fourth chapters get down to business! These chapters examine the evolution of women's fashions, propose reasons why they have become what they are, and give the responses of Popes and Saints to these changes, especially during the last 150 years. I found much food for thought in these chapters and had a great conversation with my husband about the ideas presented. In my opinion, these two chapters are enough reason to read this book!
The book concludes with a couple of chapters about a return to feminine dress and behavior and appendices of modest clothing websites and quotes from Popes, Saints, and Scripture.
I felt that I was a modest dresser before reading this book. But, the author gave me many more reasons why I should dress modestly, changes I could still make, and how important it is to instill these ideas in my children.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Product Review: Bible Story Coloring Book
My first product to review as an official Catholic Company reviewer is the Great Adventure Kids Bible Story Coloring Book. This coloring book is part of the Great Adventures Kids program for teaching children the Bible chronologically. The program also includes card games, a timeline chart, a timeline bookmark, and a prayer bracelet.
I am very impressed with this coloring book. The pictures are large (10" x 13") and detailed, but not so much so that they are overwhelming for young children. The pictures are in chronological order, of course, and labeled with their historical period, which corresponds to the program's timeline and other materials. Each picture has a 2-4 sentence description, a Biblical quote, and a Biblical reference that you could look up in your family Bible and read to your children. My oldest daughter enjoyed just reading through the coloring book!
I think this coloring book is a wonderful resource for giving you and your children a better understanding of the chronological story of Salvation in the Bible. As a homeschooler, it will be a very valuable resource for incorporating Bible history in our ancient history studies.
I am very impressed with this coloring book. The pictures are large (10" x 13") and detailed, but not so much so that they are overwhelming for young children. The pictures are in chronological order, of course, and labeled with their historical period, which corresponds to the program's timeline and other materials. Each picture has a 2-4 sentence description, a Biblical quote, and a Biblical reference that you could look up in your family Bible and read to your children. My oldest daughter enjoyed just reading through the coloring book!
I think this coloring book is a wonderful resource for giving you and your children a better understanding of the chronological story of Salvation in the Bible. As a homeschooler, it will be a very valuable resource for incorporating Bible history in our ancient history studies.
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