Home › 2008 › April

Monthly Archives: April 2008

Happy 20th Birthday, Apphia!

Long_girls_066_3 My gracious… the oldest girl of our family is 20 today! Happy Birthday, Apphia Jade Long!

Apphia has a very unique and special place in our family. Since she’s the oldest girl, many times she’s the one we go to when something goes wrong. When something breaks. When someone gets hurt. Who knows how many times Apphia’s doctored a scratch, given someone a bath, tucked someone in at night, rocked a baby to sleep singing, or cared for one of us in simple ways! The rest of us are continually amazed at how The Lord has made her to have the perfect personality to be able to handle the responsibilities that come with being the oldest girl. We would like to thank you, Apphia, for all you do for each and every one of us!! You’re someone to follow… a perfect example of what a godly, loving, sweet, kind, and virtuous sister should be. We love you LOTS!!

lots of everything

Bags_012_standard_email_view_2 Phew!  We’ve had quite a week.  Between getting everything together to leave for Texas on spring break this weekend (yes, that’s right, we’ll be off of blogging until after the 22nd!), packaging new patterns, keeping up with laundry, cooking, and trying to keep the house looking presentable, we’ve been busy around here. 

So here’s an update…. our newest bag patterns, brooke and bianca are now available for purchase at our Etsy shop!  We’ve also listed our classy ilsa handbag pattern.

For those of you who have asked about little girls clothing patterns, the answer is "yes!", we’re working on them!  Just wait till you see the adorable collection we’ve cooked up for this year.  Dresses, tops, tunics, skirts, gauchos, and more.  We are so excited!  Right now everything is in the sketch-and-make-samples stage.  We’ll have to get back to that when we get home, Lord willing.

Oh, and this picture is of the brooke shopper!

Caleb had a wonderful birthday yesterday!  We were up until after midnight (not so wonderful) eating, opening presents, and watching one of his favorite films, The Spirit of St. Louis.  Birthdays around here are always pretty lively. 

Now, must get back to packing (um, did we mention that getting eight people ready to go on a ten or twelve day trip can be stressful?)….    

What folks are sayin’ about marie-madeline sewing patterns!

from Katie at Musings of a Mamma:

"A while back I mentioned a giveaway but forgot to mention I WON this apron from another blog. The apron was by Marie-Madeline Studios.

Awesome apron aside, I love love love love love family businesses. I also LOVE seeing women use their natural gifts and flourish in their own personal Proverbs 31 calling and step out in faith to do this: "She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes." Pr. 31:24….

Anyway, that was a tangent. I love Marie-Madeline studios for the beautiful dynamic of mothers and daughters working, designing, sewing, and selling together! I drooled and oooohed and aaaaahed over their aprons. When I won an apron I was ecstatic! Once I received it in the mail I knew it was fate – I must have more of these aprons.

When they announced that they had taken their pattern to press and that you could BUY the pattern for the very reasonable cost of $8.00, I was THRILLED!!! Yes.. I bought it.

So I’ve had my patterns (ok, I admit I bought both of their apron patterns) sitting on my desk like little trophies for a week or two. I’d admire them as they caught my eye as I’d walk by and couldn’t wait to give them a try.

My mother-in-law stopped in the other day and saw me modeling my Marie-Madeline apron and exclaimed over how cute it was. It’s definitely right up her alley. With her birthday coming (tomorrow) I of course thought.. OOOOoo perfect birthday gift!

So.. I went to JoAnn’s, agonized over which material was just right. It actually took me over an hour and with how far away we live from JoAnn’s.. I think I’m just going to purchase material online from now on. I finally picked out some pretty, vintage looking fabrics and here are my results!

I would normally not choose so many bold materials to use together, but I was inspired by Marie-Madeline’s material choices. If you visit their Etsy Shop you’ll see how many fun varieties they have put together!

So here is my version of their Pleated Cottage Apron.

Aside from the pleats, which just make the apron my favorite detail is the button to accent the ties.

I sure hope she likes it! I encourage you to give it a try yourself. If I can follow and sew this pattern – anyone can!"

Thank you, Katie!