marie-madeline studio

Happiest of birthdays to our beautiful Mommy.

Happy birthday, Mommy!!

All we can say is that we are the MOST blessed girls on the planet.  You are the best Mom ever!  There's so much we want to say, and so much we can't say.  We've been together through thick and thin, and nothing has changed.  We are still crazy about you!

For so many years you've been our teacher, our example, our Mommy.  As we've gotten older you are now our best friend and confidant.  Thanks for all the years you've loved us, taught us, and showed us.  We feel we would be extremely blessed if we only lived up to being half of the woman you are.  

To the best Mommy ever, we wish God's richest blessings on you.  Here's to many more years celebrating you!

With all our love, your girls,

Apphia, Achaia, Abigail, and Abiah

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!!

Modern Prairie Sewing now available!!

 

It's true, it's finally here!!!  Abigail's book, Modern Prairie Sewing, is now available for purchase!  Here are some places where you can get your book fix....

Amazon (By the way, Abi has three 5-star reviews on Amazon!  She about died.)

Barnes & Noble

C & T Publishing

And, if you'd like to carry Abi's book in your shop check out your wholesalers (this is the only one we know of so far that is carrying it, but be sure to ask!)....

Checker Distributors

 

Of course, if you are a NOOK fan, you can get it that way too!

We are so proud of our girl!  She really has done a fantastic job on this beauty.  (And we definitely aren't saying this because we got to land on the cover.)

Enjoy your day!

xox

Saying it with Red.White.Blue.

Happy July!  Ever since we were little, Independence Day has always been fun.  Mom's always been a red, white, and blue fan (that's an understatement), and has always taught us the importance of never, EVER letting July 4th roll around without proper clothing to go with the day.

See?  Now we have this thing about us (we tease Mom and call it a 'complex') -- we just can't let Independence Day roll by without wearing red, white, and blue.  It just isn't happening.

We spent some time this morning looking at all the fabulous July 4th party ideas on Pinterest.  Here are some of our favorites to put some firecrackers in the day...

We are definitely trying these Sugar Cookie Bars out.

This bunting is pretty enough to use all year round.

Boots.  What else can we say?

Popsicles are a must. (And red, white, and blue makes them tastier.)

Tablesettings that make us happy.

And, we can't forget the fancy wear.

Happy, happy Independence Day!

xoxo Kristie, Apphia, Achaia, Abigail, & Abiah

hello, again

Happy Summer!  Wow.  Since this spring/summer started we felt like we have caught ourselves coming and going.  Some good stuff.  Some tough stuff.  But, always promising to never be dull.  Just to give you a quick overview....

-We've had a relative staying with us for the past 5-6 weeks, while he's waiting for a job.  Which definitely makes things interesting.

-Including giving him the use of one of our bathrooms, which leaves the other 7 of us to ONE bathroom.  Things get kind of exciting getting ready for Church on Sunday morning....

-Wednesday we went swimming for the first time this year, which was wonderful!  It was a much-needed relaxing time. 

-We went at an earlier hour in the day then we are used to (about 1:30 to 4:00) and we all came home with amazing (is that the word?) sunburns.  Thankfully, we're almost all recovered.

-We said good-bye to our brother Joe for the next five weeks, while he's off interning for a North Carolina farrier.  We're going to miss him!  

-Our Church is having a cantata for Independence Day, and we are involved, so that means practice, practice, practice!  Especially since Achaia, Abigail, and Abiah all have solo parts.

-We are just now getting somewhat caught-up on all of the custom sewing we had to do for the Bundle Event!  Whew. 

-Some of us went with people from Church last night to Lendonwood Gardens for the first time!  So beautiful.  Sadly, we only have about 30 minutes to go through it all.  We could have stayed so much longer.

-We think that must be the reason that we are itching like crazy.  Mosquitos apparantly like us.

-How has your summer been so far?

xoxoKAAAA

Modern Prairie Sewing: 20 Handmade Projects for You and Your Friends

Hi all! Wow!  I can hardly believe it. I really can't. It's been a long few years getting this dream together, and it's been so exciting for me to see it all come together!  SO!  I'm super happy to tell you that I wrote a sewing book - and it's coming OUT to all of YOU this July!!!!  This book is full of fabulously fun and fresh projects that'll be able to be used by everyone!!

This really easy-for-beginner quilt is found in Modern Prairie Sewing! (Who else loves that beautiful red hair?!)

My gorgeous sisters, Apphia & Achaia, show off the Turnabout Blouse. One of the 20 projects you'll find in Modern Prairie Sewing!

These are only a couple sneak peeks!  I'm so excited and can't wait for all of you to have your own copy and show me what all you sew up!!! You can read more about Modern Prairie Sewing over at my blog, The Modern Prairie Girl. 

Let's start sewing!

xoAbi

BIG NEWS... Our Abi wrote a BOOK!!!!

!!!!!!!!!  She'll be back with the details in the next couple of days, so hang tight!

xoxo

Hello, May.

May has us happy for warmer weather!  Spring here in MO is crazy.  We were just talking about it the other day when we were driving to Church.  It starts warming up and flowers start blooming.   Then it gets freezing cold again (we aren't exaggerating either.  Seriously, during the last cold snap we were wearing fleece again.  Ugh.) and all the flowers die.  Finally, it gets warm to stay.  We think it's here now... yay!

We girls went and spent the weekend (most of the day Sunday, Sunday night, and Monday morning) with Joe.  As usual, we had lots of fun, and got to spend Sunday with some friends of his.  We sat in their front yard eating hamburgers and hot dogs off the grill and popsicles, and playing Signs.  Then after Joe left for school Monday morning we cleaned his house, did his laundry, and ate pizza.  It really turned out to be a perfect, relaxing weekend.  We needed one of those. 

Today has been busy, busy!  So busy that we opted for peanut butter and jelly for dinner.  As you might guess from the pictures above, we got two brand new collections in yesterday!  Meet Beauty Queen by Jennifer Paganelli and Pretty Potent by Anna Maria Horner!  We are loving these and can't wait to sew up something cute with them.

We're still filling orders from the Bundle Event, and now have a STACK of custom orders to get sewing on.  We are working on them and will get them to everyone as soon as we can!

How has your May been so far??? xo

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!