Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Consider the Lilies


My Lenten journey this year has me striving to live more fully in the present, seeking to cast off anxiety from the past or worry for the future. Reading about the mystics who live like this. I must say, it is easier to desire than to do but on days like yesterday make it seem more doable.

I try to keep my Monday calendar relatively clear to regroup after the weekend--reordering the house, making the to do list for the week, and generally catching up on an ongoing list of chores.  It sets a tone and direction for the work of the week.  Yesterday seemed both deliberately paced and intentionally calm, as I worked out, prepared for tutoring this week, walked into town to take care of errand, worked on a church project, took a nap (and read C.S. Lewis), and even had time to sew.  During it all, I reminded myself to breathe deeply with an awareness that I am blessed to have this time, this place, and this life.  It is good to remember this in the middle of the living of it.

In my life-is-a-bowl-of-cherries mood, I ended the afternoon making a cute oil cloth lunch bag for a friend who is having a birthday this week.

It was quick and fairly simple.  Basically:


1. Cut three pieces--a main panel ( 7 7/8" x 29") and two side panels (5 1/4"  x 12 1/4").

2.   On the main panel, measure 12" down and make 1/4" notch.  Continue 5" down on the same side make another 1/4" notch.  Repeat on the opposite side.

3.  Sew in the side panels, wrong side facing, using a 1/4" seam allowance.

4.  Turn right side out and finish top, either by hemming 1/8" or using your pinking shears on the top.

5. Place velcro on the front sides to fasten.

Voilà!


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