Rick-Rack Handtowels - Green and Blue Set

I finished off these hand towels yesterday. It was a simple thing to sew a fabric strip down and trim it with rick rack. Easy peasy! I will admit the embroidered french knots took a bit of time, but, as I was listening to the news anyway, it was not a hardship.

If you are looking for an easier way to attach the rick rack look at this tutorial. It is still embroidery, but much quicker and more simple than french knots.

Green and Blue Kitchen Set

Here are some of the other pieces in this last kitchen set. Abigail's favorite color has been blue and, apparently, Jacob's favorite color is green. So I'm combining those colors in this set. I have to finish the two aprons and it will be ready.

I will likely have to keep some of the hopechest here for now, in storage, until things are more settled. So she will have to choose which of all of her things she will start out with. I'm interested to see what she will want to take.

Fabric Collage Towels

I finished a set of what I call "collage" towels. They are part of the last kitchen set I'm am finishing up for the hope chest.

I really like doing collage when I craft with paper and thought I would try it with fabric and scraps. I love how these towels turned out!

These towels will go into the set that, so far, includes these dishtowels.

Thinking about Hope

I am thinking about hope today. Preparation and hope go hand in hand. Whatever the outcome of this COVID-19 virus situation, there is always hope for the future. Early this morning, as I was organizing myself to truly finish up the physical hope chest for Abigail, I was reminded again of why I did this. Honestly, you may be assured that I have been questioned many times about the usefulness of such a thing.

This is a quote from a post waaaaay back in May of 2014.


"I know people wonder why I am doing this. People ask me if I don't trust that Abigail will receive any wedding gifts and I laugh and say that I am hopeful that she will. But, who knows when she might get married and what those gifts might be and sometimes they can be pretty random. This is my gift - and along the way I hope I am teaching her to look ahead, to value creating a home, to develop skills, to be creative and to "prepare every needful thing."  Taking responsibility to prepare for a future need is simple wisdom. None of us knows what the future holds and if Abigail's need is not as great as the preparation, she will have an excess to share."

Today I am thinking that preparation is always a good thing...

Engagement Photo

I can only hope you all are well in the midst of this common struggle to stay well! Please be safe and wise.

I wanted to share a sweet picture of Abigail and Jacob. Plans are moving forward for her marriage, but gently, as she continually realizes, reorganizes and reevaluates what will be possible. She and Jacob are determined to be married in May, but a public celebration may have to be postponed. Thankfully, a loving God is always available to listen to their vows. AND we can always celebrate here on the blog.

I can't express how proud I am of Abigail and the woman she has become. Beautiful, strong, determined, loving, sensitive, helpful, smart and yes, still a bit vulnerable.

Photo Credit:  Marquette Mower

https://instagram.com/marquettelaree