marie-madeline studio

Scenes of Summer.

So sorry for the silence around here these past months.  Our summer has come and is going so quickly.  We ended up with lots of memories that we want to hold onto forever.

In July we got to take our annual Indiana trip, which happened to be some of the best two weeks ever.  We were refreshed and encouraged, while we relaxed, visited lots of friends and family, went flea marketing, put up about 13 dozen ears of corn, got our hair cut, went shopping, sang, laughed, and drank quite a few Mountain Dew icies.  We were also so happy to have our brother Joe there for a few of the days!

And speaking of Joe, a few weeks ago we had the opportunity to spend a hot (humid) Saturday with him.  We watched him work (amazing - especially in that hot forge!), and fed almost the entire school with homemade pizzas.  We've spent lots of fun weekends with him, and can't believe school is almost out!  Joe's been able to meet some awesome people, and we are so thankful that we're able to call them our friends now too.

Oh, and we girls have also taken advantage of matching a couple times.  Which is funny, considering that Mom would match us ALL the time when we were little (and we didn't always like it).  Now, we have actually done it on purpose a couple of times, including a 'maxi dress' Sunday.

Some of the most exciting news this summer was the launch of Abigail's book, Modern Prairie Sewing!  It's been amazing watching her promote it and exciting to read the good reviews from happy seamstresses! 

We feel so blessed to have gotten to meet some wonderful people over this summer that have become fast friends.  We've loved getting to do things with them including a shopping day, movie + snack fest + kayak adventure, and photo shoot fun. 

We do have good news for you.... our birthday bash starts Monday!!!  We will plan on sending out newsletters so if you haven't signed up, you might want to so you can keep up to date.  Lots of inventory-ing going on around here.

Not much else has been going on, except lots of reading and watching Perry Mason before bed.  Hope your summer has been as good. xoxo

PS.... Have you spotted that badge on the top in the sidebar??  Coming soon!!

A Fabulous Friday.

Three cheers for Friday!  A big thank you to all those who placed orders with us this week!  We have been (no joke) filling them morning, noon, & night.  We'll get everything to you as soon as possible!

What are you all loving this Friday??!  Kisses and hugs from here~ xo KAAAA

 

{Apphia's picks}

1. some chambray + lace sewing inspiration for spring...

2. mmmmm.....

3. yes, a grateful heart.

4. so pretty!

{Abiah's picks}

1. Catalina Island, CA.  One of my dream places to visit!

2. this camera bag is the CUTEST! Love the color!

3. I think I need these sandals in my shoe collection!

4. Dino and Angie Dickinson on the set of "Rio Bravo"

{Achaia's picks}

1. I can't wait to get this pattern and get stitching!

2. Recently read this book on Edith Head --- excellent stuff

3. Dior

4. peacocks always fascinate me.  Gorgeous colors.

{Abigail's picks}

1. a classic movie poster of my favorite movie!

2. my backpack from Target and my army style jacket from Old Navy

3. my favorites.

4. my tambourine!!!

{Kristie's picks}

1. my Calico fruit dishes (a collection started by my Grandma)

2. love these mixing bowls!

3. vintage ricrac glasses -- we love drinking out of ours, and everything tastes better in Vintage (especially Mountain Dew!)

4. ruby glass

where we've been

We really haven't meant to stay away so long.  Last week felt like a whirlwind... something (big things) to do EVERY day.  This week has been slow and somewhat sad (with good things thrown in).

Our brother Joe started farrier school Monday.  The drive was too far to make every day, so we spent all last week getting his little rental house in order.  Saturday we took him up and had to come home earlier than planned, since snow was on the way. 

Oh dear.  We girls miss him SO much.  It's almost crazy how one person leaving can throw you off so much.  It has been hard to adjust -- and we haven't really wanted to either.  We have talked to him every night, which helps ease the pain (we think).  If plans go well, we girls are hoping to go spend the weekend with him.  We can't wait!

So, we've been trying to drown our sorrows out with other things.  Mom taught Abi and Abiah to cross stitch earlier this week, and yesterday we went out with a friend from Church to pick out our Easter program music.  Last night we stayed up to watch a favorite movie.  It doesn't bring Joe back, but it sure gets our minds busy.

Now, we should say that we are sorry for ourselves, but happy for Joe.  He's got a goal, and he's following his dream.  So, maybe it's worth the heartache. 

xoxo Kristie, Apphia, Achaia, Abigail, and Abiah

PS  We got some fabulous new Riley Blake buttons in, if you're interested in fancying up a new garment.  We're dreaming of spring sewing!

snow.stitch.snow.stitch.snow.stitch.snow

Brr!  It's cold outside.  We received our first snow of the year Thursday, more Friday, and more yesterday.  So, you might say we're snowed in.  Abiah and I went out Saturday for a little fresh (chilly) air, and I did get talked into sledding (which dressed for I was not) on a plastic trash can lid shaped thingy.  Now I have proof of it -- big bruises on my shins.  Ahh.

So, while being stuck inside we've watched quite a few movies and listened to loads of music, especially Christmas-y ones, decorated our tree, and I've been stitching, stitching, stitching by the fire. 

Keep Warm! xoxo Achaia

Black Friday Sale!

 

We hope everyone had a wonderful, blessed Thanksgiving yesterday!  We ate waaaayy too much (duh), and could hardly force down a piece of pie.  Then finished the night off with It's a Wonderful Life.  We are so thankful for a day set aside to thank God for His many blessings. 

We are having a Black Friday sale and we want all of you in on it!!  Today ONLY all of our sewing patterns, trims and ribbons, buttons, and sale room (including some new things just added!) are 30% OFF!  No coupon code necessary.  Happy shopping!

And don't forget to check back Monday for our Cyber Monday sale and enter our gift certificate giveaway below!

xoxoKAAAA

A Fabulous Friday.

Friday always reminds us to enjoy the simple things.  We plan on plopping on the couch for movies and pizza in just a couple hours.  Have a great weekend! xox

{Achaia's picks}

1. Jackie Kennedy's famous pink boucle suit

2. something to hang onto

3. dancing is one of my very favorite things to do!

4. Boden's festive clothes are awesome -- love her sparkly shoes too!

{Abiah's picks}

1. I'm working so this can be me!!  I love her outfit too!

2. love this quote

3. I love pencil skirts and these are so cute!!  I am especially partial to the bottom middle three.

4. 25 DIY ideas for an outdoor movie night

{Kristie's picks}

1. I love vintage His & Hers or Mr. & Mrs. pillowcases!

2. I'm so excited for the new Flower Sugar to arrive in January

3. Pam Kitty Picnic arrived today! (And should be up on the site tomorrow!!)

4. Wonderful book (especially for reading around this time of year.)

{Abigail's picks}

1. my adorable, furry friend Brandywine

2. North to Alaska

3. paint makes me want to paint, especially when they're this lovely

4. Pam Kitty! (And all of our friends at Quilt Market!)

{Apphia's picks}

1. One of my all-time favorite sweaters

2. thinking ahead!

3. Plaid and denim and quilting and rhinestones

4. 50 years ago today

State Shake Night

Are you a Taste of Home subscriber??  We've been subscribed on and off over the years, and I was so happy to renew my subscription recently.  The recipes they have in their magazines just seem to fit our lifestyle perfectly -- not too complicated or loaded with a bunch of ingredients I've never even heard of.  The most recent magazine was so much fun to peruse!  I saw a lot of yummy looking recipes, but when I came to the 50 Shakes for 50 States I knew we had to try some of them. right. now.

Saturday was labeled 'the night' and everyone was given a few days ahead of time to read all of the 50 shake possibilities (yes, I know, that's a ton to choose from!), so we could get the goodies on our shopping trip. 

It was lots of fun!!  We tried very hard not to let the States we liked color our shake choices. *smile*  It was busy there for awhile making so many different varities at once (only 2 of us picked the same thing!), but the results were well worth the bother.

These are only three of the yummy varities we tried.  Everyone loved the one they chose!  We finished the night off by watching a double feature of one of our favorite shows.  It's nice that just a little change-up in routine can be exciting!  I've already had requests for another State Shake night.  After all we still have about 40 more kinds to try!!

xoxAchaia

A Fabulous Friday.

Happy Friday, everyone!  We'll plan on being back Monday! xox

{Abigail's picks}

1. Lands' End Canvas!  I love their style.

2. Westward the Women.  One of my favorite movies of all-time.

3. How great are these pillows?!  Love 'em!

4. This is terrific!

{Apphia's picks}

1. Twirl by Kate Spade -- my new favorite scent

2. A fun idea for a fall skirt -- add a beaded brocade band at the hem!

3. pink peonies... I love them!

4. I love dainty gold jewelry like this pineapple pendant.

{Kristie's picks}

 
 

Fabulous not just on Friday, but everyday!!  My daughters...

1. Apphia Jade

2. Achaia Victoria

3. Abigail American

4. Abiah Hope Kingery

{Abiah's picks}

1. I really want to do this one day!!

2. I love long hair.

3.  What a pretty outfit...

4. This gold dipped bowl is so pretty.

{Achaia's picks}

1. What a perfect summer day looks like

2. These tennies are on my wish list

3.  I love these big fringe decorations!

4. Great embroidered top!

Sew Summer Dresses.

 

I don't know about all of you, but there's something about summer that spells dresses to me.  All year 'round I love a good dress, but warm weather seems to make me want one extra bad.  So this spring/summer I've been working at "collecting" some great cool summer dresses.  Here's a round-up of some of our favorite dress patterns this year....

1. Vintage Vogue Gathered Bodice Dress.  I recently made this one out of polka dot knit.  I love it!  Because I'm a bit zipper-shy and was using knit I just skipped the side zipper completely... and it worked!  I'm waiting for some navy/white star knit fabric to arrive in the mail so I can make another one for Independence Day (can't wait to see how it turns out!).

2. Retro Butterick Side Swoosh Dress.  I'm sewing this one up right now in a stretcy bright yellow denim.  Apphia has already made hers up in a nice aqua suiting fabric.  The 'swooshy' side makes it a bit more dressy, so it would be perfect to wear to worship or a wedding.  I'm hoping the denim fabric I'm using will casualize it a bit, but either way it's too cute to pass up.  (Oh, and it reminds Apphia and I of a dress worn in Monkey Business... darling!) 

3. Socialite Dress.  I made this one last year and it's so fun.  It has pockets too and can easily can be lengthened.  I've also seen a lady add some little sleeves to it.... too cute. 

4. Knit Wrap Dress.  Apphia just made this one in a watercolor floral knit, and it's darling!  She plans to wear a little camisole with it.  Too, too adorable.

5. Retro Butterick Wrap Dress.  Great dress!  If you'll remember, we've used this pattern before -- right here.  I also used it for the bodice of my ever-favorite Gina dress.  I'm thinking of making another Gina dress actually.  In my humble opinion, it's practically the ultimate go-to summer dress.

6. Amelia Dress.  This is such a cute little thing!  Abigail made one in bright turquoise and pink floral cotton, and it was darling.  I hope to make one sometime.... it's on the to-sew list....

7. Jiffy 1960s Shift Dress.  Confession: I've never made this one, and none of the other girls have either.  But, it's on my favorite-cutest-thing-ever-love-it-must-have-my-own-copy pattern list.  Get a load of that darling collar one, or the bow front one!  Eep!  

8. Evening Empire Dress.  I made this one a few years ago and it remains something I love.  I have a feeling that it will always be something that I love, and appreciate the fact that I spent all that time piecing the fun zigzag skirt.  I think it would be very cute in just one voile print too in the mid-calf length version!

Does anyone have a favorite dress pattern that I missed (I know there is)?  Please do tell!

xoxo Achaia

PS.  Abiah and I also have this neat-o Navajo-style knit fabric that's waiting to be made into some casual dresses.  If they work out like we hope they will we'll have to share them!  xx

A Fabulous Friday.

Yay!  We are all completely ready for Friday to be here.  We hope you all have a beautiful weekend!! xx

{Abiah's picks}

1. shopping with Mom is just the greatest!

2. one of my favorite TV shows... a birthday gift from my sweet siblings!

3. I would LOVE to learn how to play the guitar!!

4. I love French Fashion... her hair is perfection too!

{Kristie's picks}

1. I love a good (friendly) game of Dominos!

2. aren't these the cutest shoes??!

3. shopping would definitely be more fun with this bag

4. our new cookbook... worth its weight in gold!

{Achaia's picks}

1. I have a weakness for collie puppies... these are darling!

2. I love her hair and make-up!

3. this little video is a neat look at how Patricia Nash makes her amazing boots in Italy

4. this free downloadable pattern makes me want to sew up a cute bag!

{Abigail's picks}

1. My Dear Secretary.  I LOVE this adorable movie!!

2. this book by our friend Jona G. is great... and I can't wait to sew up one of the skirts!

3. I love!

4. our sweet friend, Jennifer Paganelli has made me want to sew... again!  I love Circa!

{Apphia's picks}

1. I love the lights and this rustic table.

2. the inspiration for my new knit dress....

3. I love this quote!

4. best-ever book about America's most fascinating war.