Easter Skirts

A couple of months ago, I decided to try my hand at sewing Easter skirts for my sisters and I. I finally finished them last week, just in time!

When we were growing up, my Mom either made (or had us make) an outfit to wear on Easter. And it always matched. Even my poor lucky brother got in on the action with a coordinating vest or tie of some sort.  It was always a fun tradition that encouraged sibling love and togetherness. Here are a few photos of Easter past that I dug up at my parents' last night.  

 

I headed out to a local sewing store, and found a cute "Amy Butler" pattern and some gorgeous fabric. I summoned the help and encouragement of my Mom and a dear talented "sewing" friend and went to work. 

I must say, even though sewing isn't something that I'm naturally great at, those days and nights of working on these were very rewarding and relaxing. There is something wonderful about the slow and steady creation of a handmade piece of clothing (or three!). 

A great pattern (easy to follow) and such beautiful fabric!

I love the hum of an old, worn sewing machine..

Mom helping and Kimmie getting ready for her fitting...

One of the finished layered skirts...

I added a couple of flowers on each skirt for a little pizazz...

Ta-da!

We let Brian and my brother, Jonny, join in the family picture. :) Can you believe that they didn't plan to wear matching red shirts?

So there you have it. Phew. ;)

Sea Kettle's First Blossoms

Spring is here and I've been filling Sea Kettle with its blossoms.

This weekend, the Sea Kettle Settler and I were excited to discover a beautiful forsythia bush growing on our humble plot of land.  These bright yellow flowers are always sure signs that spring has come to New England.

How are you ushering spring into your home this year?

Herbert

Meet Herbert.  He's our snorkeling Easter chicken.

Last year, Brian and I began a new (very silly) Easter tradition. We thought it would be fun to make a homemade pinata for after Easter dinner at his parents house. 

We decided to do this last minute, so we didn't have time to for papier mache to dry. Instead we used an old shoe box and some construction paper.  We simply filled the box with candy and other treats, tape it closed, then covered the box with paper.  We also added arms, legs, ears etc. with extra card board and paper. I was thinking about making this year's with more sophisticated materials, but I think the improvised, make-shift nature adds to its charm.

Last Easter, we ended up with a flying rabbit. 

In honor of the silliness from last year, this year's pinata was also created with the same simple materials and we decided to make a snorkeling chicken. Herbert.  We filled him with candy and hung him from the tree in the backyard. 

It was such a warm, beautiful spring day; perfect for an Easter pinata!

Check out the long legs. Brian would want me to make it clear that those were his idea. :)

Does your family have any totally silly traditions?

 (..and don't they make life a little lot more fun?!)

Blessings on a Monday in Spring

Declaring my thanks this week with the Gratitude Community...

(Easter Sunrise on West Beach in Beverly Farms, MA)

361. a warm, sunny weekend
362. sunrise over the Atlantic
363. comfort
364. brussell sprouts
365. Easter Pinata Tradition
366. Sisterly-ness (matching skirts, smiles, couch cuddles)
367. drums and drummers
368. belief in a God who heals my family and my friends
369. Dad's Friday miracle (it "rained" in his radiation-dried mouth!)
370. flip-flops
371. Forsythia blossoms
372. Resurrection songs
373. time to embroider spring on old dishcloths.
374. sun
375. Christ is risen.

He is Risen!

Philippians 3:10-12 
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

By His Wounds We Are Healed

Isaiah 53:4-5

Surely he took up our infirmities

and carried our sorrows,

yet we considered him stricken by God,

smitten by him, and afflicted.

But he was pierced for our transgressions,

he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,

and by his wounds we are healed.

I created this painting as a finale to the Lent Series I did for our church last year (these prints have been posted on the blog each Sunday of Lent and on Good Friday).  The painting was shown during the Good Friday service and now hangs above the fireplace as a constant reminder of the peace we received when Christ took on the burden of sin for us.

7th Week of Lent - Good Friday

"Father, into your hands I commit my spirit."

Luke 23:46