Our precious little Rafaella was rushed off to the ER early this morning. She'd woken with a high fever, non-stop vomiting and shaking so Blossom bundled her off and out the door after calling the hospital in advance.
The doctors gave her paracetamol to bring her temperature down and she snuggled into Blossom's arms dozing on and off for the morning, having little drinks here and there between naps (she is breastfed). Slowly her fever came down enough that by lunchtime Blossom was given the all clear to take her home but to stay vigilant for any changes. Rafaella has continued to sleep a lot today (unusual for her) and kept up with the paracetamol and liquids, playing with Cully between naps.
I asked the Gentle Ladies in our group to pray and from all across the world they rallied. Honestly, we are so blessed in our group to have prayer warriors right there, day and night, to hold our needs before God.
Rafaella had her first birthday a month ago and at the time I mentioned here that I would show you the dress Blossom and I made for her.
It actually began a long time ago when I designed and stitched the bodice.
Blossom gave me the template for the size 1 bodice shape and I designed the stitchery and applique to sit inside.
Then she chose the fabrics for the dress and I used that as my guide for choosing the embroidery threads.
Once completed it was handed over to Bloss who is an amazing seamstress and she sewed it into a gorgeous dress for Rafaella.
Rafaella wore it on her birthday and didn't spill a thing on it...amazing.
Hopefully she'll get to wear it a lot before she grows out of it.
Question: Are you interested in the bodice embroidery pattern?? It's for a size 1 but would also suit a size 2 dress.
My dear friend Allie turned 60 recently, just weeks after my own big 6-0 birthday. We're oceans apart geographically but are rather sure you could describe the two of us as 'sisters from another mother' because over the past decade we have almost begun to read each others mind (emails?) and find ourselves mirroring the other in the oddest ways.
Late last year I drew up a stitchery with Allie in mind and when she saw the photo on my blog she left a comment to say how much she loved it! I laughed and laughed 'cause she had no idea it was for her, but I did keep my mouth shut and waited for the right time to finish it as a needle-book...
Close to her birthday it was wrapped up and sent over land and sea from my local post office in the tropics of northern Australia to her home in the USA.
Mind you, I get a tad nervous posting overseas, after all it's a LONG way and things can get lost or side tracked along the journey. Just recently it took two months for my order of Apple Butter to arrive from the Fat Quarter Shop, but bless them, they hunted it down and discovered it almost lost in a depot near Chicago. Praise the Lord it was found and sent back on the right path to my door because it's one of those things that has held up the finish of Phyllis May's Kitchen.
Inside the needle-book I made four pockets for storing packets of various needles, lace, thread or scissors. Across the top there's a couple of cotton quilt wadding rectangles for safe keeping of pins and needles currently in use.
There's true delight in the making of a gift for someone you care deeply about, carefully considering how you can add that touch of something extra...and of course, there's no touch quite like a cup of love is there?
When Allie emailed, 'squealing' that her surprise gift had arrived, I breathed a great sigh of relief.
Thank you to the postal service in both our countries and to the angels who I prayed God would send to watch over this delivery until it was safely at Allie's door.
Would you like to make a similar needle-book?
I've written up the pattern and included a full alphabet so you can stitch one for yourself and all your friends too...
You can make it your "own sweet needle-book" and bless others as well.
The pattern is ready to download HERE in my Etsy Shop.
I have also put together a handful of kits for this project which include everything you'll need to make one...
These are also in my shop but due to the high cost of postage overseas they're only available to post within Australia.
I'm testing the waters with regards to offering kits.
Now that Rafaella is improving my nana heart can rest and as Mr E and I settle in to watch a new movie tonight (about Agatha Christie) I'll continue with my next crochet project which is my way of using the yarn I already have, the leftovers from Rafaella's first birthday blanket "Sweet Pea" by Lucy at Attic 24.
This time I'm following Lucy's Hydrangea pattern and oh it's lovely!
Not sure how I'll place the colours but it doesn't matter because it's relaxing and pretty regardless.
I'll be back tomorrow with the next section of our book study but right now I'd best make those rissoles and mash I promised my husband for dinner.
May your evening (or morning) be restful and calm, your heart light and your smile bright,
hugs
