An Encouraging Word

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One of the greatest things that you can do to encourage or lift up a friend that is suffering whether from a long term illness such as endometriosis or just a friend having a hard day is to write a note.  So often I think people don't realize how incredibly uplifting it is to get a card, note, text, or email can be to someone having a really bad day.  Especially if it you're on the 7th bad day in a row!

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While a homemade card is alway lovely, but don't let your lack of cards prevent you from reaching out.  If all you have is email then email, if you only have time to text then text because I guarantee that just the recepient will be grateful!  I know that when I'm having a really hard time I go back and read the cards/letters/emails that I've recieved from friends and they really lift my spirits and make the day that much easier to get through.

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I suppose the next thing that prevents us from writing notes to our friends is not knowing what to write.  However, what to write is really the easy part as it doesn't take much time or need to be eloquent and in our very best penmanship, perfection isn't the point the time we've taken and the words we have to say are.  Here are a few ideas...

     *write about what you admire/respect most about them
     *text an encouraging/inspiring quote/Bible verse
     *write about a good thing you've witnessed about their children
     *remind them about the good character traits they are instilling in their children
     *write about how they inspire you

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A good rule of thumb is to write what you would want to hear when you're having a bad day.  When I'm having a bad day or am really sick I need to hear how I'm not damaging my children permanently by letting them watch Cars 2 twice in one day or perpetually kicking them outside so that I can have some quiet time.  I want to hear that the messy house won't always be messy, that a few bad weeks isn't going to put me on the next episode of Hoarders. 

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I can't tell you how wonderful it is to know that just a few words spoken in kindness and truth can help you as well.  On my bad days I will spend time writing notes to people because making someone else feel better makes me feel better.

Do you have any tips for writing a great note?  Leave in the comments below.  Have you been blessed by a simple note from a friend, or a well timed text?  Share that below as well, we all need to be reminded how the simple things in life truly are the best things.

Amelia Bedelia Dress

Well, Season 4 of Project Run & Play has begun and I decided that I will participate in the at home Sew Along.  I contemplated this the last season, but really I needed clothes not the kids...a few week later and that has changed.

This week's challenge is to refashion the Circle Skirt by Dana.  I must admit that my first thought was how do you refashion a skirt except to make it into a dress?  I have since then thought of other options...including making a pair of pants.  But I didn't do that.  No, I stuck with the first idea that came to mind which was a dress.

As I made this I realized what kind of designer I am...I am a design as you go.  That isn't to say I can't sketch out an idea, take notes and try to make it...but I feel much better with my finished product when just cut out fabric and go!  Which is what I did here.

Really, it's an Amelia Bedelia dress, because I put a little of this and a little of that and came up with a dress that has no closures, but is still easy enough for Husband to put on his princess and has enough flair that Elsa will wear it but is still able to climb, swing and get messy in.

see the dirt on the back?

Part of me felt like it was missing something but I just can't think of anything and my high school art teachers wise advice rang in my ears "When you think you're almost done, STOP!  Go any further and you'll ruin it."  Best advice ever.

This is what I did.  I cut out the circle skirt per directions.  I sewed on the the waistband which is just cotton fabric that was a few inches short of the full circumference of the waist of the skirt.  I then shirred the waistband at 1/8 inch intervals.  Then I added a box pleat in the back to fully enclose the waistband (just a little zigzag over the edges).  Next I made a peasant top.  I knew that I wanted and empire waist in the front but a natural waist in the back so it isn't even on purpose.  It give the skirt a little (2 inch maybe) train...but I love it!

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sorry it's a little blurry...action pictures

Well what do you think?  True to my goal I made some of it with yellow fabric to show my support for those suffering from endometriosis and raise awareness too.  Elsa actually wore this Sunday for Easter and I really think she loves the twirl of the skirt.

The Great Quilt Search

Doesn't that sound exciting?  A great quilt search...

Yesterday I said that I was going to make a quilt this month and with all the other projects I have going on I have to have a pattern decided on and quick!  I want something simple enough to put together quickly but not so simple I'm bored.  Actually I'm already set for a pattern, but what's the harm in showing off some Quilt Luv?

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Aren't they all beautiful?  I have a lovely pinboard with lots of quilt pics.  Looking through it makes me wish I was more of a quilter, but it's the piecing that gets to me.  So tedious and time consuming and really I do prefer making clothes, but I am determined to make a quilt this month.  It might not get quilted...but I'm hopeful (read in overly ambitious).

This is the quilt I'm going to make...

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The pattern is Picnic Quilt found in Sandi Henderson's Sewing Bits & Pieces book.  This pattern appeals to me because you fold under the curve before you sew, pin rows 1 & 2 together and then stitch the entire row at one time...no little piecing.  I'm sure it will take me longer than the 'weekend' project it claims to be.  Also I'm going to *gasp* cut into my vintage sheets for this.  Partly because I've needed a great reason to cut into them and a quilt for endometriosis awareness is a fabulous reason.  The other part is because their mostly yellow, must be attracted those yellow flowers :)  

I'm very excited and think you should be too!

Tell me are you quilter or non-quilter?  Any quilt patterns you're crushing on?  A goal you've set out to meet this month? It's spring break this week, I'm without a car, stuck at home with all my kids so let's chat!  I've got coffee and hot cocoa to spare :)

I Missed It!

Okay, so I totally had it in my mind that Endometriosis Awareness month was in April...but it's was in March!  I was so certain that it was April that I went back to March of '11 on my Facebook timeline only to discover how wrong I was...it is March and I missed it!  Dang!

Though I'm quite certain that all my friends with it will forgive me for missing out and since there truly isn't a bad month to promote awareness of any illness or lifelong condition I'm going to stick to my plan and bring awareness in April!

Now, I don't suffer from this condition however I have what seems to me to be and alarming number of friends that do.  To be completely honest I'm not sure why this disease strikes me with such compassion for the inflicted.  Perhaps it's because I have a great number of friends with it.  That it is incurable.  That many people still don't know about it.  Those are all good reasons, but I'm fairly certain the reason is that it afflicts only women, affects them every. single. day.  Just like any disease one has good days and bad days, but these women if they're lucky are Mommas caring for their babies day in and day out and sometimes while in extreme pain for multiple days.

That is what pulls at my heart.  I know how hard it is for me to care for my children while sick but I'm relatively healthy and sick days are few and far between...nothing on a consistent, sometimes monthly basis.

I really don't know a whole bunch about this illness but I do know how to help a hurting friend, how to comfort those in need and how to make life just a little easier for someone in distress.  So this month I've decided to make a quilt...yes, a quilt (see Shannon, you've convinced me).  I haven't decided what to do with it yet but I'm sure the Lord will direct my path in that regard.  Also, I'm going to make the conscious decision to sew mostly with yellow this month...I may even have to buy some fabric.  Yellow is the color associated with the awareness of this disease.

Also I'm going to be posting some ideas for helping our fellow Mommas out when they're sick and need help.  In addition I'll be doing my own research and sharing it with you all here.

Even if you don't know someone afflicted with this disease (which is highly unlikely as it is estimated that 89 million girls and women have this source 1 source 2) you probably do know someone afflicted with a long term illness that doesn't allow them to always enjoy the joys of life with kids...or even the pitfalls of parenting.  The tips I'll be sharing won't be new but will easily translate into caring for others facing long term illness.

Here's to a great week, may my dear friends suffering with this find hope and encouragement this month and may we all strive to see those hurting around us and do something to help.  




If you feel so inclined to do your own research here is a great starting point.