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Saturday, April 19, 2014

Resurrection

I'm gonna be honest...there will be very little sewing in this post.  I think I'm writing it for me because it's the way I'm feeling right now.  It's just a bunch of thoughts that's been running through my mind this week...only some of it is sewing-related and I've gone back and forth over whether or not I would write this post but if I'm true to myself then here it is...


I love spring.  I love the rebirth and how everything is new again.  Which brings me to the fact that Easter or Resurrection Sunday is one of my favorite holidays. In my family, Resurrection Weekend (Good Friday to Easter Sunday) is all about Jesus and family.  Good Friday all of the grand kids and nieces and nephews gather at my home to dye Easter Eggs, eat pizza and hang out. Even my grown daughters show up since the Easter Egg dyeing has become a family tradition...so the kids are from 26 to our youngest Sammy who will be three months old at the end of the month. Loads of eggs were boiled, dyed, initialed and exclaimed over! Bags of chocolately goodness are made and distributed and the kids spend time with each other.

Gratuitous Grandbaby Picture!

The family then decamps to Good Friday service.  Saturday is a quiet reflective day before we all meet up again for Resurrection Sunday Service and the family dinner afterwards which will be at my Sister's house this year.  In the last couple of years, we've all been going to church with my Mother, the Matriarch of our family, to celebrate...so that's where I will be tomorrow with one of my daughters, my grandchildren, my Sister and nieces and nephews.

Okay a lot of you do this...so the thoughts I mentioned above?  Here goes...

One of my favorite women in the Bible is Dorcas or (Tabitha in the Hebrew). Have you ever heard of Dorcas?  As the Bible Gateway states it, she is the Woman whose Dressmaking made her famous.  See, Dorcas died and when she died, the widows in her hometown wept and showed the Apostle Peter the coats and garments that she'd made for them.  There is more to The Scriptures but what drew and continues to draw me to Dorcas is that she sewed for others and was well known for that talent/gift.

Now I don't sew for others but I truly hope that my love of sewing and my encouragement for others to learn and revel in their sewing talent is the gift that's taken away by anyone who reads my blog. 


With that I'm seguing into how thrilled I am by the young women who make up the Curvy Sewing Collective and how they're working with Sarai of Collette Patterns and having the first plus size blog tour of the new knit Collette Patterns.  I guess as humans sometimes our first question can be why wasn't I included in the blog tour? If you're honest, you know as a blogger you've asked yourself that question a time or two. 

But in this instance, that wasn't my question. And this may be conceited of me but my first thought was pride...pride like a mother hen that the ones coming behind me were taking blogging for the plus size woman who sews to the next level. I truly hope you will support all of these women...the tour begins on Jenny's blog, Cashmerette.  The rest of the tour with links are in this post.

I have NO sewing mojo...absolutely no mojo at all! I've spent this time off spoiling my grandchildren, giving my daughter a much deserved rest, three little kids five and under is a lot of work. And I've been watching television. ALOT of television...*LOL*!  The other thing about it being such a Christian weekend is that there are quite a few Christian themed movies on and as a child of the 60's these are some of my favorites.  Older movies, like "King of Kings," "The Greatest Story Ever Told," "The Robe," "Easter Parade" have all been watched...some as DVDs and some OnDemand.  Of course, we are popping popcorn and gathering around the television tonight to watch Cecil B. DeMille's classic, "The Ten Commandments" with the babies. I love when Moses parts the Red Seas!

There were some other Christian-themed movies like "The Fighting Temptations" (which I don't think a lot of people actually saw in the movie theater) but I love the Jesus songs in this movie. This song has been resonating in my soul so I'm leaving the YouTube video of it here...


One more thing...Mardel's post on Forgiveness, on her blog Restingmotion, also really resonated with me, so here is a link to it. I hope you'll surf over and read her thoughts on forgiveness, they are perfect for this season!

If you are a Christian who celebrates Resurrection Sunday/Easter...or Jewish and recently celebrated Passover...or spiritual and just believe in the rebirth of spring and the earth...I'm wishing you love, joy and peace during this time of spiritual rebirth.  

To quote Kirk Franklin..."I sing because I'm happy. I sing because I'm free. His eye is on the sparrow that's the reason why I sing! Glory Hallelujah!!! I give the Praises to you!  You're the reason why I sing!" 

Happy Resurrection Sunday!!!!

Don't know when I'll be back with sewing posts but I'm sure it will be sooner rather than later...cause that's my God given talent!

...as always more later!





54 comments:

  1. I love you. Thank you for ALL you offer us about your life. It's all good. And that grandbaby...what a cutie. . Blessing this Easter Sunday to you and your family.

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  2. what a beautiful and uplifting post.

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  3. Yes, such a beautiful post and grandbaby. Thanks for sharing. Happy Resurrection Sunday to you and your family as well!

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  4. What a beautiful post. You write about everything I love about this holiday, about rebirth and joy and fellowship of family or friends. And that grand baby is gorgeous. Have a great weekend surrounded by all your loved ones. And thank you for linking to my post.

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  5. Thank you for sharing that video; can't recall what movie that is from but enjoyed the sentiment of the song.... it made me cry. Course a lot of things do this time of year.
    Enjoy your family and your time of remembrance.

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  6. Sending prayers for you and your family.. May God bless you all and may you have a blessed Easter.Thank you for a wonderful post. I really enjoyed it. God is awesome!!!
    Hugs to that adorable grandbaby..

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  7. Beautiful post and well said. Wishing you a Happy Easter!

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  8. Thanks so much for sharing. Your blog has been such an inspiration to me as I journey back to sewing my own clothes again. I love how you use your TNT patterns to make so many different looks and show us all the details you include in each garment.

    Thanks again, and have a blessed Easter.

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  9. enjoyed your post

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  10. Thank you for such a wonderful post!

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  11. I really enjoyed your post! You have been an inspiratiion to me as I am getting back into sewing after a long absence. At almost 70 years old, with the body changes that go with age, it isn't as easy as it was when I was young and could sew patterns right out ot the envelope. Seeing how you use your TNT's to create beautiful, nicely fitting, original clothes has been an eye opener to me. Thanks so much for sharing with us!

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  12. Enjoy the rest of the weekend with your family!!!

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  13. What a nice post! And thanks, Carolyn, for your support of the Curvy Sewing Collective. The project is still in its early stages, but we're definitely envisaging something which is very inclusive and has lots of other sewists and bloggers beyond us first 6. We've already had a fantastic reception! I'll shoot you an email with some ideas, but if anyone else would also like to contribute, you can reach me at cashmerette@gmail.com.

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  14. Thanks for being so candid; you're such an inspiration. Happy Easter to you and your family. Cute grand baby.

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  15. Your words were good for me to read tonight. My mother died unexpectedly last week and we buried her on Good Friday. Truly my family's comfort is in Jesus' death and resurrection. Alleluia.

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    1. Angela, I'm so sorry for your loss! May God's love and mercy be a balm in the days ahead. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers!

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  16. Thanks for your post, your Easter weekend, sounds much like my Easter weekend. Have a wonderful Easter Sunday and enjoy all your family.

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  17. Thank you Carolyn. I too love the whole, what we Catholics call Easter Tridium. I spend a lot of time in church and on my knees at this time of year.And tomorrow four of my six grandchildren will be here with us !. Happy Easter,dear lady.

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  18. Happy Easter to you and your family.

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  19. Carolyn, you were the first plus size blogger that I read and you have been so inspiring. Happy Easter. :)

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  20. Carolyn, you are a blessing!!! Sunday is coming.....what joy will be celebrated in church!!
    Enjoy your family tomorrow! He is Risen.

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  21. Beautiful post. Wishing you and your family a blessed Resurrection Sunday.

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  22. Yes. Lovely. Thank you.

    And a blessed Resurrection Day to you and all of yours! :-)

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  23. Happy Easter. a wonderful time with family. You are an inspiration to me on the other side of the world.

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  24. Happy Easter to you & your family. I enjoyed your post and I have to say I did know about Dorcas, thanks for sharing that. Enjoy the family time!

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  25. Happy blessed Easter Carolyn. He has risen. Halleujiah.

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  26. Dear Carolyn, Happy Easter to you and yours. I enjoy ALL of your posts and thank you for this blog.

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  27. Carolyn, These are such beautiful words! I my hometown, Easter was always my favorite celebration of the year. Everyone was attending church with a smile (the children especially). In Belgium, we do not have any Easter Bunny. The Bells from the churches do not ring for the 40 days prior to Easter and the children are told that they go to Rome. On their way back, on the Sunday morning, they drop eggs in the gardens. Isn't that such a cute way to say things?
    Also, thank you so much for supporting us! I sometimes feel that you are in the group of the cool sewing kids, sitting at the back of the bus and that you are so much better! I can only dream of ever know as many things as you do!
    By the way, I am still looking forward to your patchwork garment :)

    Enjoy this beautiful Easter week end!

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    1. Laurwryn - what a great story! Thanks for sharing it with us!

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  28. Beautiful post. Happy Easter to you and your family.

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  29. Happy Easter! I have been following your blog for a few years now and I was thrilled to see you featured in the latest Vogue Patterns magazine! I thought you would appreciate knowing that you have an 'internet friend' living on the opposite side of the world on the Gold Coast Australia. Keep sewing! You're a very inspiring lady!

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    1. Thanks! I'm very thrilled and proud that VPM felt me worthy of that honor!

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  30. One of your best posts ever. I too have thought of Dorcas, exactly the same thoughts. Just got back from a sunrise service at the beach. Happy Easter to you and your family.

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  31. Have a wonderful and blessed Easter, Carolyn. I love that Colette is partnering with the Curvy initiative. Way to go!

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  32. What a beautiful post. Thank you for the referral to RestingMotion. That post brought tears as I saw a lot of myself in it, so far as the insecurities go. I want to thank you for all the joy and inspiration you bring and wish you and your family a Happy and Blessed Easter.

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    1. Nancy - Mardel wrote an awesome and thoughtful post and I had to share it since it's so reflective if the season!

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  33. Such a lovely post Carolyn. Thank you for sharing it with us.

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  34. I really enjoyed your post today.Yes, we have celebrated Easter all week and that included a beautiful sunrise service at my church (after DAYS of pouring rain, it was so wonderful to see the sun!) You have such a wonderful family tradition that your little ones will always remember. Right now I am remembering my grandmother saying that we could not "work" on Sunday at all and that included sewing in any form. And surely not on Easter Sunday!!! It is tempting to want to pull something out to start on but I also realize the value of rest and reflection. Your post certainly inspires this today. Happy Easter! And what a sweet grandbaby!!!

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  35. Carolyn, I hope you and your family had a great Easter. You were in my prayers. Loved the tidbit about Dorca/Tabitha. I had no idea sewing was in the Bible!

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    1. Madalynne interestingly enough that isn't the only reference to sewing in the Bible! I know many people think of The Bible as old fashioned but it does contain a lot of interesting and pertinent information for life today.

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  36. Love this post! Love it. Have a blessed week.

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  37. I am delighted that you called today Resurrection Sunday. And a big YES to knowing Dorcas. So nice to know there are other believers out there who are not ashamed of the Gospel.

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  38. Happy Easter to you and your lovely family. It sounds like this weekend has been a perfect opportunity to relax and recharge amongst your favourite people. It is absolutely true for me that your love of sewing has encouraged me to want to learn more, sew more and continue to improve. So thank you!

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  39. Hoping you and your beautiful family had a lovely Easter. Your gift is definitely sewing and inspiration. I hope your life slows a little in the coming weeks so you have time to enjoy it again.

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  40. Happy Easter, Carolyn! I didn't remember the bit about Dorcas making garments... how cool to relate to that story in a new way! Hope you had a wonderful weekend with your family!

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  41. Wonderful post. Resurrection Day is always joyful to me. The Lord fulfilling the Father's will so obediently, for the benefit of unworthy mankind. Such a mind boggling Gift! Good Friday... not so much...always a dark day for me. But, no other way it could have been.

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  42. Thanks for posting your thoughts. Forgiveness and the resurrection are such joyful events. What eternal hope we have in Jesus. It's nice to see people publicly expressing these inspiring truths.

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  43. Yes, sewing *is* your God-given talent, and I, for one, am blessed by all the thoughts and projects and journeys you share. It looks like you had a wonderful Resurrection weekend celebrating with your family. Thanks for reminding me of Dorcas. I am so surprised every time I read that she was a "dealer in purple" - I keep forgetting that oh-so-important detail - and how much influence she had and how loved she was and how many she blessed others.

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  44. Easter blessings to you and your loved ones. Easter Sunday didn't feel quite right this year because I wasn't up in the choir loft, singing all those wonderful songs with my buddies in choir. Next year hopefully I'll be able to navigate those long stairs again. But it was good to sit with my husband and share that special worship with him.

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  45. A wonderful post. Thank you. Bless you.

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  46. The best post ever! Before your time, Ethel Waters sang "His Eye is on the Sparrow" in a movie and also at a Billy Graham crusade. I remember how beautifully she sang and it was like you could see Jesus through her.

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