Monday, October 17, 2011

Days of Beauty: God's Provisions

I love a good story of God's provision! And, I've had a couple of them lately - but one in particular that I'm excited to share. Seeing how God cares for us ~ that is true beauty!

So, you know that I've been slip covering our couches. The larger one is done and I'm making good progress on the smaller one. But, I also had on my list to do something different for curtains at our window in the living room. The shears I had were never really what I thought and I was really hoping to replace them as part of my project.

But, I haven't known exactly what I was looking for. I've scoured stores and on-line for ready-made curtains. Nothing was jumping out at me. I have looked at tons of fabric options too - and recently when I was near a JoAnn's - I looked at fabric samples there.

I checked out four samples to bring home and draped them over the blinds so I could see them in the living room in different light and decide what I thought might work the best - if any of those options. After a day or so, I was really leaning toward this fabric.

And as one day turned into two and three - I was more and more sure that this was the right choice. But, and this is huge - did you see how much it was per yard. Go ahead, go back and click the link. I'll wait.

Are you back? Did you pass out?! $50 a yard? Even if it were half off - I needed 8 yards to do curtains and pillows. And, did I mention it would also need lining? I was planning to get a cheap sheet at a thrift store for that - but still, talk about expensive.

So, I basically just thought I'd have to save up for a while to do that or find something comparable and I had no idea where or what that would be.

Just a day or two later - I was helping at a yard sale for our CC community. And, a fellow mom brought in several big trash bags for her donation. As I was helping go through the incoming items - I could not believe what I saw...

A bed skirt and at least one curtain valance that looked almost exactly like the fabric I had in mind. Really? I asked what they were going to price it at and then gladly paid the $3 to take a risk and see if I could make this work.

Everything was all bagged and taped up, so I honestly did not really know what I was getting for $3 and a bed skirt is iffy since the fabric is only small sections not big pieces. At any rate, I figured it was a risk that I was willing to take.

When I got home, I plopped the bag on the floor and promptly took a nap! But, when I woke up - I was ready to explore the contents of the bag and see if it would be even remotely possible to make curtains out of what was there.

First of all - check out this side by side of the fabric that was $50/yard and the $3 bag - JoAnn's fabric is on the left:

There was a twin bed skirt in the bag - but right away I could see that would be tricky. I'd have to piece a lot of strips to make it work and wouldn't that look funny? Then, I pulled out whatever else there was and it turned out to be an unusual window topper of some sort and two valances. The valances were kind of funny shaped - but they were long!

So, I just turned the valance sideways (so the horizontal part was running vertically) and draped it over my curtain rod to see if it would possibly work. Yes! It looked like it might - I ran two quick lines of stitching to make a casing for the rod and cut off the funny shaped part. Then, I hung it up to see and (gasp) it worked!

Oh, did I mention the valances were already lined?

In no more than 15 minutes, I had sewn the four little seams and tossed everything in the wash. That evening, my new curtains were washed and freshly hung. Not only did it save me a TON of money but think of the time it would've taken for me to line and make these from scratch.
Wow - that is beauty!!!!

28 comments:

Shelby said...

That is beauty Monica. Love how God gives us the desires of our hearts when we need it. Can't wait to see the finished project:)

Christy Stanton said...

Amazing!: )

.

Leanne said...

cute!! I love that color scheme and the way God works things out!!

Tim, Allyson, and kids said...

Wow. We definitely serve an amazing God.

I've been going through a study by Jennifer Rothchild called, Fingerprints of God. This past week we talked about how God provides for his children in completely personal ways. Your story is a great example of this.

Bevy @ Treasured Up and Pondered said...

That is AWESOME!!! I'm getting the goosebumps. God is good - even the little things that matter to us. Amen?

I cannot belive how close that fabric looks. What a knock-off!!

Wendi said...

Love this!

I keep looking at your slipcovers wondering if I am brave enough to do it. I have really good furniture. It is just early
1990's dated.

Enjoy your day!

bretswife1 said...

You have really been blessed!

Katy said...

They look beautiful!!!

Mary Ann said...

That is so awesome! Beautiful too!

I recently needed a nice dress to wear to a banquet and wasn't finding anything that I liked, fit or would wear. So I decided I would sew myself a dress since I really wanted something I could use for all special occasions we are invited to(which are not many but you never know when one will pop up!). So I got a pattern then proceeded to look for fabric but wasn't sure how I could afford at least $40 for fabric plus find the time to sew. Around that time, I popped into the Hospice thrift store near my house and happened to find a super cute black dress. It fit. I asked the clerk how much the dresses were, expecting to pay at least $5 which is still a good bargain. She replied that unless it was marked specially, it was $1 but it was half-price clothing day so it would only be 50 cents! I could hardly believe it--so thankful!

*carrie* said...

Yay--love it! What a great makeover, and so wonderful how God provided this special bargain for you!

Peggy said...

They are absolutely lovely! Isn't God awesome?!! I love how He provides and works things out!!

Jenny Lynn said...

What a blessing that bag of goodness was for you. You made it work well, it looks wonderful. Along with I thought it looked even better than the more expensive fabric from Joann's.

Lisa said...

you are truly blessed! The curtains are very pretty. Don't you just love a bargain!
Blessings,
Lisa

Kaira said...

Wow! That is just SO awesome! God does care about the little things. :)

~katie~ said...

Beautiful bargain blessing!!! Gorgeous! Yay for God's bountiful provisions!

LynnMarie said...

I would say AMAZING but with God all things are possible! I'm so happy for you and God did it all for you! What a great story!

Nancy at EmbroideryIt.com said...

Those turned out beautiful Monica. I love stories of how God provides!
Blessings to you!

angie said...

God's provision for these curtains just proves how much He values beauty.
You didn't mention any extra fabric, but I'm imagining that you will have some leftover pieces. Have fun creating some accent pieces with those, too!

Shannon said...

It is so amazing that God loves us enough to care even about the little wants in our life! The curtains are absolutely beautiful...they even look similar to the back ground of your blog! You have wonderful taste:)

Jennifer said...

I love what you've done with your living room! It looks so peaceful and refreshing : )

God is so gracious to provide not only for our needs, but for the things we want as well!

Bran said...

Awesome! Love it!

Elise said...

Monica, that is totally awesome!!! Isn't it amazing how wonderful God is?!?! I love how He provides not only our need, but sometimes our wants, too!!
I had a recent similar such thing happen. For a good year now, I've been searching for a metal swirly thing off of a screen door. You know the decorative part off of a vintage metal screen door. Well, our friends have just purchased a new/old home and had one on their door that they GAVE to me!! Awesome, right?!?! I was also looking for acorns to do a craft with and they have to have ginormous acorns, about the diameter of a quarter. I scavenged quite a few to use.
I cannot wait to see your new room!!
Elise

The Gundy Bunch said...

LOVE this!! Isn't it so awesome to be reminded of God's love for us?! Thanks so much for sharing... and the curtains look beautiful!!!

More than Survival said...

Monica.... THANK you for sharing this blessing!! God is SO good and someone really needed to hear this! God loves us so much and He showed (in yet another way) how he loves every detail of our life!!!! I just so much enjoy seeing stories like this.... good faith builder!! By the way, they are beautiful!!!!!

Jenny's Vegcafe said...

Love this post!

martha said...

The curtains are beautiful to the eye.

Their story is a beautiful encouragement to our spirits.

Your heart is a beautiful gift to our Lord.

Thanks for sharing so much beauty with us!

amy said...

He is so very, very Good to us!!!

peace,
amy

Mom said...

I love this story! And this provision is hanging in your living room to be a daily reminder of His goodness! Love you, Mom