Upcycling

Recently I turned this ugly fella (colours do look a little warmer than photo showed)...

Now I hope you are not offended that I cut this jacket up:)

Into this. Ok the baby is the cute part... Fits him perfectly and keeps his lil' chest warm.

Took me about 1 1/2 hours from start (adusting vest pattern I had) to finish. And that included hand stitching because I wanted the edge to be neat.

I used the lining that was already inside the jacket. Because I added the edging I didn't have to even turn the fabric inside-out. Just stitched shoulders and sides then added trim and one button on front. Ok. I admit I am NOT a perfectionist so I wouldn't want you to see my fast stitching inside but for me it works.

Am happy to send anyone a pattern (this one is size 0 but I could easily adjust other sizes up to size 6. I think....) if you wish.

I think I could actually make two more from the one jacket. Would be fun to try one from an old sweater.../patchwork of different fabrics...

Five books that changed who I am

I have been tagged in Cath's blog to list Five books that changed who I am.

Hmmm... very hard but I think these are the five I would choose (may think differently tomorrow (bar the first one)... I'm like that....:(

1. Yes, of course the Bible takes no. 1. I think in particular Simon Peter's words in John 6:68 "Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life" have been life changing for me. Also just love to read verse after verse connecting the fulfilment of OT prophecies in the NT. Love the overall theme of God's Salvation - the BIG picture... it is most life changing!

2. Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss. I was given this book at the baby shower for our first bubs (now 10!) and have read it a few times.Hey, isn't it so sweet when someone thinks of presenting the Mum with a gift at a baby shower - was touched by this before I even read the book:)

This book is a tear jerker for me. I just can't get away from how it demonstrates sacrifice and the depth of Christianity at work in the daily (female) grind of life. I love it. But it can make me mad:)

3. Battle for Truth by David Noebel. I like the big thick edition:) This book changed my way of thinking. When I was studying for a Bachelor of Education I knew there was a lot of rubbish in many of the subjects at Uni. A lot of humanistic teaching. My big sister was given the said book from Dad. I think she invited me to read it. I did (well not in great depth because I am a bit lazy). It was an eye opener. I could see that every single subject I studied at Uni had these core philosophies at their base. I was shocked. I needed to be.

4. A Woman after God's own heart by Elizabeth George. Most of the books I have come to love have been given/recommended to me by someone special. This one especially. When in the Czech Republic teaching English and working with some missionary friends I came to love the Smith family who worked there. As I watched Sonya Smith's life I was personally challenged. I discovered she was reading many of Elizabeth George's books which got me hooked. I love the author's sweet way of wooing the reader into serving their family in a Godly way. I have read other books re. women serving their families that stand out as better books but these ones were more life changing for me because of my friend, Sonya and the way I watched her serve her family so patiently, calmly and sacrificially...

5. The Young Peacemaker by Corlette Sande. This is something we have just started using as a family. I am desperately hoping it will change who I am/how I teach my children to make peace:) I pray it will. We are not naturally peacemakers:) I hope that is ok- can I kind of change the title to books I hope will change who I am?

So I would like to tag Angela, Evonne and Anya (are you still in blog land Anya?)

If you want to do this:

Tag 3-5 people

Call the post '5 books that changed who I am'

Enjoy