I sewed an apron

Despite the fact that the photos are fuzzy and that I think the first picture makes me look like I have no teeth, I want to share with you the apron I made. The thrift-shop fabric had been in the middle of a pile in my bedroom until I cleaned out Joel's closet and made room for my sewing things. I had dreams of making an apron of this cloth, but it had been so long since I had sewn anything that I doubted this idea would ever come to fruition. It did, though. A pattern of my own devising. I even made a buttonhole, with Joel's help. I was amazed that I could make crude gathers under the bib. Despite thinking I never paid attention, I remember a thing or two from my mother's years of sewing for us!
The shell button is from my maternal grandma's collection. The tie in the back is the same red gauzy fabric that I used for the neck strap. I loved making this apron. It was so satisfying to come up with a plan for it and carry that plan out. Can't wait to sew some more things for the sheer fun of it. The added benefit of the apron is that I have needed it. Since I'm borrowing so many maternity clothes (mostly from my dear sister-in-law), I want to take good care of them and that means none of my customary kitchen grease spots. Thank you to my mother and sister for sharing a wonderful new button-hole-ready Singer with me. What a gift!

for Spinning Lizzie / Red Dirt Mother

"Catch a random thought...
between thumb and finger...
and then in faith and hope,
tie
one end down
firmly...
follow its lead
trusting
splicing in
following with fingertips
through all its vicissitudes
consequences down the hallways of its joys
and its terrors
snap
return
to the interruption
the snarl
know it and name it
feel its feelings
follow them
to where fear throws up a wall
builds blockage
distraction
from the flow
to lead you away
and yet,
stay with it
remain
with the point of interruption
weep it out
until you experience
a breakthrough.
There, pick up the thread again
and be led
from flax to thread
to the holy face
to Mystery."

Gertrud Mueller Nelson
Here All Dwell Free, p. 240

the wool that came in the mail

Our first attempt at felting. It was so exciting to open the package and take out this beautiful wool washed and dyed by Lizz's family. It smelled wonderful, too. Is the water too soapy? I wonder if I had it hot enough. I need to do some more reading.
And here are the beginners balls. One of these is to be a cat toy for Bella. After we tried this Aunt Libby introduced us to needle felting. That's pretty nifty too.