Christian Homemaking Conferences

The other day I came across this link: Christian Homemaking Conference.com Have any of you ladies heard about it? Maybe I am just "not with it" when it comes to internet stuff...

It looks like it will be an online conference (no driving or traffic!) with some tremendous speakers! I know that based through CD's that I have received and wesbites I've visited, these women will will have lots of wisdom and insights to share.

If there is room, I wonder if maybe we could get a group rate (anyone interested?) or if there is already a group forming, can you let me in? =)

The art of wearing an apron

"Do not make the mistake of thinking that an apron is a not-so-very important garment. As a matter of fact, it is really quite as important as a dress—for who can tell when an unexpected guest is going to "drop in" for a chat and find one at the disadvantage of being aproned! But the disadvantage can be changed to an advantage. The apron can be made a very delightful garment. One may actually feel proud to be found wearing a pretty combination of lace and ribbon and soft white dimity—or a rather trig apron-affair of gingham and muslin ruffles.And then, of course, there is the feeling of utter neatness and satisfaction when one is wearing a crisp little apron. Even though it does hide the pretty dress underneath, it can be so very pretty itself that one hardly minds." --From the New-Way Course in Fashionable Clothes-Making.

It seems like I am always wearing an apron around the home, weather it be for cleaning or cooking. In fact, my last count of aprons was 6 I believe. They are great fun to wear as well as make!

The above apron, my favorite style of all, is one that I made recently, and I am wanting to offer it for sale to those who might be interested in it. It was made out of white weavers cloth and comes with a front pocket that is adorned with lace coming from an 1812 lace machine over in England. It would fit a ladies size small to medium I am asking $40 for it, and that includes Priority shipping.

Anyway, before I offer it up on our website, I thought I'd mention it here first and give blog readers a chance to take the opportunity of having free shipping. =) Feel free to write us if you'd like this apron. We only have one of them!

Ready for a shock?

Our website, http://www.ajoyfulhandmaiden.com has been changed! I want to change the header up at the top of each page, but if you come across any broken links, typo's, and the usual stuff, please let me know!

Meet Arabella!

I am excited to introduce you all to a new friend that arrived today! =) For quite a while now I have wanted a dress form, and I prayed about it, looked at ebay listings and so forth. And now I have one! =D

I was also able to list a couple new historical things on ebay with Arabella modeling them. =) A Regency dress (my favorite out of all of the ones I've done) and some Regency Short Stays/Corset. See the link in the post below that will take you to my listings.

Antique books for sale

I have been decluttering again and came across a couple antique books that I no longer need so I listed them on ebay: http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ25QQsassZstringsftk

The books, "To Have and To Hold" and "Mother" are books that http://www.visionforum.com sell but the ones that I'm selling are the antique, unedited versions.

Delighted!

In the mail today I received some beautiful antique victorian looking lace collars, and am quite delighted with them! Now I need to sift through some of our patterns for girls and see what I can come up with to make a victorian dress.

The other delightful surprise was when I received my favorite magazine in the mail, I saw that they have a website! Whether the site is new or not, I don't know, but perhaps you'll enjoy browsing around and find it a blessing if you have never heard of Becoming a Woman of God: http://womanofgodmagazine.wordpress.com

Changes coming for A Joyful Handmaiden

As we begin on working on our 2007 catalog, thinking & praying about various things, we thought we'd "warn" your customers that there will be some changes that will be made. But we believe that they will help us to be more efficient with the time the Lord has given us, and customers with happy results (not that we've received complaints, but...). =)

Buttoned Bib Apron

This week I finished the apron (from Hint of History) that I cut out using some left over white weavers cloth. I was hoping to made a larger size, but I only had enough for a size small.

Over all, I am happy with the way it turned out, except the pockets that are supposed to be in the front are more like side pockets, but oh well. =) I had a lace applique that I wasn't using and had no use for up until I made this.