Overwhelmed? Trouble Getting Going? This May Help

Painting: The Garden by Ethel Walker, Scotland, 1861-1951

Greetings,

Today I am happy to share a finished dress, with Hobby Lobby fabric. I did not look at the bolt to see the name of the print. I had seen it often in Hobby Lobby and it did not quit tugging at my senses, so I bought some.

Because I used several different patterns to pull this together, I cannot give you a pattern number, but this is possibly the last time I will use this combination, as I want to move on to something else. I dont care about the pattern as much as the print, and have been using the same pattern with many different prints.

I inserted large size rick-rack at the neckline, and I like it better than piping or lace:

It is all cotton and so comfy. I feel dressed up yet very casual for the home.

I have all the settings on the dress form pulled out to match my own measurements, but the dress looks a lot better on the mannequin, as usual.

The print is so like the oilcloth we used for tablecloth in the old days, also similar to the cotton table cloths of the 1950's which I liked so much.

I like the look of the floral with a background that looks like the sky. So natural!

I found this coral ribbon at Dollar Tree, and it goes with, quite smile-fully. That's my new word. There was not one that worked with the feeling I had.

And here I am with the one photo Mr. S. took. He was so busy, he couldn't stand there like a professional photographer and click the camera 20 times, so I had to strike one pose and accept what he took. I am standing in front of a little tool shed, acting like I am visiting a pretty cottage. The dress had huge puffy sleeves with pin-tucks sewn at the wrists and gathers at the top, as well as loose pleats down the front and back. 

I wore it to church, and if I make another one, this one will become an everyday dress.  The sleeve are very large and full, gathered at the shoulder, with tucks stitched at the wrists. 

You might remember the hat, which I made awhile back and posted:

You can buy a straw or woven hat, a floral stem and a roll of ribbon at Dollar Tree, to create a hat at the cost of $4.00.

You will notice the mantel arrangement in the background of my video today. This is the candelabra I talk about. 

This kind of candelabra is so large that many people today find them not very conducive to household space, usefulness or decor, so it tends to be kept in the original box and passed around from wedding to wedding, to housewarming, to birthday, or whatever. I finally landed one, (it was passed on to me) and I am glad to say it is just right for this place. It isn't the white elephant here that it would be somewhere else. I don't mind if it fades or gets tarnished, because it will match the vase I have next to it on the mantel.

In this video I suggest some things to do when you can't seem to focus or begin, in the home.  Like any artist, builder or entrepreneur, you have to be self-regulated and figure out a formula to keep yourself focused.  This is mine, and I'll share it with you as though you were one of my students.  My main points are:

Get your appearance taken care of, as though you were going to work or greet guests.

Prepare tea and use a tea cup that is pretty. Mine goes with my dress!

Make a list of three urgent things needed to be done to make the home functional. Mine are: dishes, laundry and trash taken out.  

Pray for God's help and blessings.

One thing I think is so important is that we can all have homes that are taken care of in such a way as to be a living testimony of how we feel about life, and how grateful to the Lord we are, and to make us useful by reflecting His creation and His teachings through our homes.

The purpose of cleaning the living room first is to have a room to go and look at when you are discouraged with the other room!

Please leave me a comment!

Below is the case I showed you on the video , for my grooming things. Each section is zippered and the entire thing rolls up.  It beats every box or case I have ever used. If I drop it, nothing spills.

The glittery candles came from Dollar Tree a few years ago, battery operated led-lites, two in a package for $1.00. I put some in gift bags for favors at tea parties, and I haven't seen any there at the Dollar Tree in awhile, but I would like to get some more.