On the Road with Catholic Embroidery

Last month found our family and home-based business taking to the road. The St. Louis Catholic Homeschool Conference 2013 was the destination and purpose for packing up our wares for an other-than-internet display. This was our fourth consecutive year as conference vendors and our booth gets bigger and bigger with each year. :)

Such adventures bring with them much work - but more joy! Working together as a family in an "all for one, one for all" way is the best of bonding. This time found our shop-away-from-home well equipped with brother-haulers, sister decorators, a father planner, and a mother to supervise "catering". :) Even our dummy served it's purpose well!

Many of our newest products also made their debut at the conference, including these beauties:

Mother's Crown Handkerchief

Embroidered handkerchief with Cardinal Mindzenty's famous quote, "The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world" in honor of mothers, everywhere.

Click here to purchase yours! 

Catholic Symbol Doilies

Adding a Catholic flair with classic style to homes (coffee tables, home altars, dining rooms, etc.)

Click here to order yours! 

There's no telling where Catholic Embroidery will take to the road next time. Maybe you'll see us in your neck-of-the-woods! 

www.catholicembroidery.com

Viva San Giuseppe!

Do you have a devotion to St. Joseph? 

Viva San Guiseppe Applique created for a church in LA

If you do, then you have an idea as to the power, protection, and patronage behind the Foster Father of Our Lord. And, if you're new to this devotion and saint, you're in for a real treat! Discovering St. Joseph is like finding a lost father. So close is he to the Throne of God and the heart of Our Lady that in finding him, in him we find the Holiest of Families. 

Today starts the novena to St. Joseph, to end on the eve of his March 19th feast-day. While there are so many novena prayers to choose from, I must share with you our family's favorite. Each member of our family chooses an intention, usually including a need for a male family member or friend (father, uncle, grandfather, neighbor, etc. - because after all, St. Joseph is especially fond of fathers and leaders of families) and we pray the novena prayer below, together. In this way, we're all uniting our intentions into one giant "delivery", heavenward. It is safe to say that not ONE intention has ever been left unanswered, and our amazement never ceases when an uncle or friend converts, a holy spouse is provided for, a job is found, or our own father's graces are multiplied.  From small financial requests to bankruptcy - St. Joseph is there to aid his children, no matter the level of impossibility or need. 

Will you join us this year, in offering to St. Joseph your nearest and dearest of intentions? 

Novena Prayer to St. Joseph: 

O glorious St. Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, to you we raise our hearts and hands to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the benign heart of Jesus all the helps and graces necessary for our spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly for the grace of a happy death and the special favor we now implore. (mention your request)

(7 Times) O glorious St. Joseph, through the love you bear to Jesus Christ and for the glory of His name, hear our prayers and obtain our petitions.

Amen.

These Viva San Giusepee appliques were created for customers participating in the St. Joseph Altar tradition. They will be sewn onto aprons, altar coverings, etc.

www.catholicembroidery.com

Viva Cristo Rey! - and More!

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

Our new Cristeros Apron!

A new year in the Catholic Embroidery workshop always means the planning of new designs and products with which to grace homes, schools, priests, and families. 

But unlike other years when "all good things come in time", this year already has a host of new designs, product lines, and handmade goodness to offer. 

Fresh off the printing press is our new line of Catholic Decals - made with our exclusive designs for indoor and outdoor use and intended to be as long lasting as the inspiration behind the artwork. Our first decal honors St. Therese and gives you the opportunity to remember to live her Little Way throughout your day, while sharing it with the world in the form of your car, truck, window, or equipment. Click here to order yours!

Our embroidered missal/Bible/book covers are a big hit among men, women, and children alike. With each one, handmade by our expert seamstresses, a note such as this inevitably comes in return: "The missal cover you made for me arrived today.  I can't tell you how much I love it!!  It exceeds my expectations!" We're now offering our handmade covers in Basic form, unadorned, and ready to protect the favorite bound blessings in your life. Click here for more!

And last, but certainly not least, we're pleased to introduce our Wicklow Cross and Crown design as an exclusive Cristeros Apron!!!!! Wear this apron with pride as the true goals of this life are expressed with a stunning design and words: "Viva Criso Rey" Long Live Christ the King! Sewn with the colors of Our Lady's Tilma, this apron is perfect for men and women alike. 

Stay tuned for NEW DESIGNS - Coming soon!

God bless,

Mary

www.catholicembroidery.com

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Merry Christmas!

Madonna and Child - Boston Public Library

Wishing a very Merry and Joyful Christmas to all of our readers!

Thank you for the gift of your readership, friendship, and patronage. May the Infant Jesus give you each the gift of His heart, to love, imitate, and cherish this Christmas and always. What can we give Him in return?

"What can I give Him, poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;

If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;

Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart."

~ In the Bleak Midwinter

www.catholicembroidery.com

Project: On Your Wedding Day

"We were asked to present a personalized bible during our son's wedding. I asked Mary to make a special cover out of white fabric and the result was stunning! My son and future daughter in law will have a keepsake for the rest of their lives made by someone we know. Thank you so much for your good work, Mary!" - L.H.

May this treasured design always reflect the love and fidelity that this marriage will bring under the sanction of Holy Matrimony! It's always an honor and a joy to contribute to the celebration of such a union - even in the smallest of ways. Congratulations to the couple!

Project: Simeon's Compline Canticle

"Salva nos, Domine, vigilantes, custodi nos dormientes; ut vigilemus cum Christo, et requiescamus in pace" 

"Protect us Lord, while we are awake, and safeguard us while we sleep, that we may keep watch with Christ and rest in peace."

This passage from Simeon's Canticle has been glorified by Holy Mother Church by it's use in the office of Compline. Every night, this prayer is said in monastieries, convents, and homes across the world. It brings with it a certain sense of peace in the giving to God the actions of the day, while intrusting the night into His care. 

Being a personal favorite prayer of my own, I was delighted when commissioned by a customer to reproduce this prayer as a framable wall art to be hung above their children's bedrooms. Combining family devotions to the Sacred and Immaculate Heart with shimmering stars and sky blue thread, our goal was to represent the protection of Heaven upon his faithful children through the use of stitches. 

The rest is in the hands of an expert framing specialist. What do you think? 

What are your family's favorite devotions before bed?

www.catholicembroidery.com 

New to the Shop: Fleur de Lis Throw

The fleur de lis.

Mini Fleur de lis two-tone design

A favorite symbol in the Catholic Embroidery family and a confirmed favorite amongst Catholics around the globe. Not only is it a symbol of Our Lady, representing a lily of purity, it is commonly held as traditional symbol of Catholic France. Tradition holds that an angel appeared to King Clovis and presented him with a lily -- fleur de lis -- to honor his purification upon his baptismal day. This day became the birth of the First Daughter of the Church - France, who has since produced such saints as St. Joan of Arc and St. Louis the King (also remembered in symbolism with the fleur de lis).

Check out our new Fleur de Lis Throw in two timeless styles, complimenting most home decor with an all-over fleur de lis pattern. Warm and cozy, this throw is a great addition to the home, office, or car. Machine wash and tumble dry care make for a family-friendly addition to any home.

Fleur de lis Throw

http://www.catholicembroidery.com/

What is YOUR favorite Catholic symbol?

Sincerely in Christ,

Mary

Project: Heirloom Baptismal Gown

Last weekend, on the commemoration of the conversion of St. Paul, a new little soul became a Child of God and heir to the kingdom of heaven.

It was an honor to be a part of the occasion by embroidering the initials and date onto the heirloom gown. This monogram joins those of his sisters, embroidered throughout the years while the gown itself boasts plenty of room for more in years to come!

Congratulations G.J.R.! 

Sincerely in Christ,
Mary and the Catholic Embroidery Staff

www.catholicemrbroidery.com