Polka Dots and Peppermint

Polka dots and aprons go together like peanut butter and jam.  The pink stripe reminds me of peppermint candy.  The combination makes this half apron really sweet.  The recipient loves quilting so I added a patchwork pocket using the two fabrics to make it more personal.  It is Pay It Forward gift for another lady who lives in Texas, and if all goes according to plan it will reach its new home next week.  Pink is the new owner’s favorite color so hopefully she’ll be pleased.

Because I constructed this apron using only fabric from my stash it is eligible for Angry Chicken’s current Tie One On theme…No Money.

Until next time…

There is no negotiation with truth. . . . ~  Ferdinand Lassalle ~

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Tie One On – 3 09

Angry Chicken hosts a “Tie One On” apron-crafting challenge.  This month the theme is “make an apron using materials from your stash ONLY”.  Several days ago I selected an old (not vintage), embroidered muslin pillow sham from my reusable linen stash.  I picked it up at a close-out store years ago with making something out of it, because the sham was not made for practical use.  It was designed like an envelope so I cut a bib, skirt and two pockets from the embroidered portions of the sham.  I used a lavender blender the back of the bib, the neck tie and the ties.  Here’s what I came up with.

If you are a sewer…why not join in the fun and tie one on?

Until next time…

I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but I know who holds tomorrow. ~ unknown ~

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A Spendid Giveaway!

Time is running out so don’t delay checking this giveaway out if you love aprons and books.  I confess I really hope I win this one, but I must let y’all know about it.  June says it best…Now

Here the skinny: To be entered in this giveaway, leave me a comment.  Tell me about your very favorite apron.  Even it it isn’t yours.  Even if it is an apron you saw someone else wearing.  Share your apron story. And if you would mention this giveaway on your blog that would be extra sweet of you.  The button is below.

If your name is drawn from my very special mason jar, you will receive one copy of (apron*ology) magazine and a OOAK NotQuiteJuneCleaver Apron.

The deadline for entering this giveaway is the morning of  February 23rd.  I will draw the winner at noon CST  February 23 and as soon as I get that lucky person’s address info, I will send the package right out to you!

Now scoot on over to June’s place for the rest of the details, and get your name in the pot.  While you’re there check out her blog.  It’s a great place to visit.

Until next time…

The best way for a woman to have a few minutes to herself is to start doing the dishes.  ~ unknown ~

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Saturday, All Day Long

Good Saturday morning.  I was up late last night sewing so getting started this morning has been slow.  I made a simple top in solid white cotton that turned out very nice, but it’s a little bit tight in the bust.  If I make the pattern again I’ll change the design of the sleeve.  I found it to awkward to finish the seams by serging.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My projects for today are for grandkids.  The first one is a skirt that has gotten too short to pass Mom and Dad’s inspection.  The floral fabric is pretty much impossible to match so we decided to follow the rules of the day and go with an entirely different b&w pattern for a lengthening band around the bottom.  The longer I look at it the more it grows on me.   The fabric for the added band is “Diamond” by Loralie Harris.

 

 

The second project will be a pair of PJ pants for our 5 year old grandson.  The other day I was trying something on his little sister, and he asked me if I would make something for him, too.  That’s a no brainer…of course, I will.  He approved of a John Deere fabric the last time he was here.  Now that I have my serger back it’s time to get on it.  The only drawback…is after I prewashed this fabric it wrinkled pretty badly…the ironing job is going to be large.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve got one more thing to share then I’m giving in to the urge to go to the fabric store.  I need some batik fabric for a fat quarter swap and some more lining fabric for another Barcelona skirt.  O, yeah, I was going to share something other than my plan to go in search of fabric.  My mom loves aprons.  Since I started making them she periodically “orders” aprons for herself.  She usually supplies the fabric and sometimes throws in an extra piece as a bonus.  She long ago quit sewing but still has a decent stash she can’t let go of.  (Some things about a seamstress never changes.)  🙂  Not long ago Mom ran across an apron pattern she cut out in the 70’s but never stitched.  She gifted the pattern and a piece of fabric to me.  I am to stitch her apron…precut and make another one from the striped denim.  I guess that’s a decent deal…afterall Mom is my mother and that IS a retro apron pattern.  🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Until next time,

Have a nice Saturday.

I found these words of wisdom that seem so very appropriate for these times.

Long ago… I resolved that I would permit no man, no matter what his color might be, to narrow and degrade  my soul by making me hate him.   ~ Booker T. Washington ~

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What A Day!

Today has been back to back busy.  My plan for today was to get my Barcelona skirt made.  Two nights ago I ripped all the seams I did early in the day out with plans of starting over again.  When I tried it on it was way too big, and since I am not finished losing weight ripping the seams out was the right thing to do.  I don’t want to give this skirt away, and as big as it was I would have.  🙂   The pattern calls for an invisible zipper.  The first time around I just threw a regular polyester zipper in.  I didn’t want to wait for my next trip to town to get my skirt made.  Yesterday I bought an invisible zipper and put it in today.  (It was my first invisible zipper experience, but it won’t be the last.  It went smooth as silk, and I really like the way they look.)  The vintage sheet makes a lovely skirt…somewhat busy, but so am I.  🙂 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had a lot of company today so I didn’t get anything but the outer skirt finished.  This pattern (Amy Butler’s Barcelona Skirt) has a lining, too.  I like that idea, because no slip is required…and it won’t be see through.  A slip in the summertime in Southeast Mississippi is a miserable thing to wear.  I’ve decided to make the lining out of white, cotton gauze.  It won’t add any warmth. 

One of our visitors was a cute as a button, skinny thin, young lady.  She loved the b&w apron and was anxious to model it for me so I could share a picture on here.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Doesn’t she look precious?

Until next time,

remember,

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.  Matthew 5:16

I’ve got sunshine in my soul!

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Happy, Happy, Happy

Baby has arrived in Hattiesburg!  My dealer sent me an email telling me FedEx dropped my serger off at her shot at 5:40 this evening.  I plan on picking it up on the early side tomorrow.  I’m glad the “Baby, Won’t You Please Come Home” saga is near an end.  LOL, I imagine y’all are, too. 

The flirty, little, b&w polka dot apron is almost finished.  The only thing left to do is the lining and it will be ready to send to Idaho.  So far, I’m very pleased.  I will make a confession.  That cute little pocket I shared earlier was backward!  Before I got it really right (there is no other kind of right) I made it three times.  The pattern directions never made sense to me, so I just made it without the directions.  Some patterns seem to make things more difficult than they need to be.   

A blog entry without pictures is as dry as Melba toast, so I’ll share a shot of a frequent, unwelcome visitor to our back porch.  Skinks have beady, little eyes and look evil.  I don’t know that they are harmful, but they sure are ugly. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If anyone would like to give this under appreciated Skink a new home, send a self-addressed, stamped, padded envelope, and I’ll send him your way.    Quantities are limited.  First come, first serve.

Until next time,

remember,

Peace rules the day when Christ rules the mind.   

                        ~   Anonymous  ~

 

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Monday, Monday

The lyrics to a popular song from the 60’s go “Monday, Monday, can’t trust that day”.  It gives Monday a pretty bad rap.  I don’t distrust Monday.  I enjoy Monday most of the time.  It is the day “home recovery” happens around our house.  All weekend (which always starts on Friday) my DH, our beloved canine kids, and I pretty much make messes that I pick up when DH goes back to work.  Most of the actual messes are made by the dogs.  We have one who surely believes she will have to find her way back home some day, because she leaves a trail of kibble everywhere she goes.  I figure I should get some time off from my “job” (keeper of the home) for relaxation and doing the things I enjoy doing, too.  I still do the things that need to be done every day…cooking, etc, but I don’t try to keep everything that lands in the wrong spot picked up. 

On Monday morning I turn on the radio and listen to Glenn Beck rant about the irrational, outlandish things that take place in this country, in his world…and around the globe.  He faithfully keeps me from slipping off into the pool of De Nile  so many Americans have conveniently lulled into.  Having the wool pulled over my eyes without a clue what our elected leaders are doing is not an appealing concept to me.   Glenn is called a conspiracy theorist by mainstream media sources and resources, but if what he is ranting about is happening, it is not a conspiracy.  I want to know what is happening outside the safe haven I call home, and listening to Glenn makes me keep my eyes open.  Glenn often gets my blood simmering just below the boiling point.  When that happens I can really get some housework done quickly.  Quickly is good, because I can slip several breaks into my Monday schedule and still produce evidence of my housework efforts. 

During my first break this morning I made the sweetest pocket for the b&w polka dot apron I’m making for a lady in Idaho.   Seeing the finished pocket has juiced up my apron making excitement.  Here it is…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love the contrast!  It’s bold and crisp and neat!  This apron is going to really rock!  I’m glad it will be too small for me, because I would likely be tempted to renege on my commitment to make the apron for Mrs. Idaho.  Most of the aprons I make and keep are those I am not pleased with enough to market.  (I kept the terry dish towel one I made yesterday.)

After making the pocket I took our poor bored dogs outside for a sniff and a romp.  The romp was short-lived.  Something left pieces parts of a rabbit scattered around the field they play in, and sniffing was the exercise of the day.  

While I was outside in the sunshine, I noticed my shadow.  This shadow is so kind to my self image…even if it does remind me of Olive Oyl minus the bun.  I could see my waistline!  What a boost!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s time for me to get moving and produce some more evidence.  My DH will be home for lunch in just a little while.  Evidence keeps him content.  Then I’ll move on to the apron.

Until next time:

If you are suffering from a bad man’s injustice, forgive him, lest there be two bad men.   

                                                       ~ Augustine~

Hurt, unforgiven, turns into bitterness.  Bitterness leaves a bad taste in everybody’s mouth.

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Half Apron From A Dish Towel

It’s been a couple days since I managed to get any sewing done.  Rest has been utmost on my agenda.  This morning I decided I would sew whether I felt like it or not.  I needed to choose something that did not require a great deal of concentration, because I’m having a pretty rough fibromyalgia day.  Here’s what I came up with.

Sometime back I heard a lady say she’d like to have an apron made of terry cloth, because it would be more absorbent than woven cotton.  On my last trip to town a terry cloth dish towel with a rooster on it caught my eye, and I thought of that conversation.  Roosters are among my favorite things, so the towel seemed like a perfect piece to stitch into an apron.

Here’s what I came up with…The first shot is the unstitched apron pieces laid out to see how it would look.  The second is the completed project.  The stripes turned out to be difficult to match up on all sides which was disappointing.  (My DH says he really likes it.  That worries me just a touch 🙂 , because a sense of style and color is not one of his many strong points.)   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Until next time…

think about this…

Time is a companion who reminds us to cherish every moment because it will never come again.   ~anonymous quote~

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Retro Aprons Rock

I made it to town and back again.  Every trip I make into that asphalt jungle reminds how thankful I am to live outside the city limits.  Asphalt kicks up the temperature several degrees…hmmmm IF there was anything mysterious about global warming I’d vote for blaming asphalt.  🙂  It doesn’t take a rocket scientist (that rules out ALGORE) to figure out the “globe” warms the closer to the sun it revolves.  I know I’m chasing rabbits, but I believe God has it all under control…and since He said the earth’s days are numbered…I figure that’s a fact that’s not going away.  Liberals can “green” us to death…and they are close…but God’s word will prove true. 

While I was in town I selected fabric for an apron a lady asked me to make.  Black, white or/and red were her color choices, and I found the most perfect polka dots.  I’m hoping she loves polka dots as much as I do.  🙂  We had a style picked out.  I even printed a template off that homemaking guru Martha Stewart’s site to cut it out by…but…while I was in town I browsed the McCall’s pattern book and found the cutest retro pattern I’ve been trying to get my hands on for weeks in stock.  It would be adorable made up in these contrasting polka dots.  I hope she likes it as much as I do.  I was thinking of the first view for her…she’s tiny and cute and this would be perfect for her.  🙂 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Until next time…

think about this…

Knowing God’s Word will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from knowing His Word.

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Another Day, Another Apron

This day has clipped right along, but I managed to make the blue jean leg apron I thought about making yesterday.  Yesterday was my birthday, and much of it was spent visiting with family.  When I got around to sewing time it was late, and I abandoned plan A and moved on to plan B.  The apron is made from one lower leg of a pair of yard sale blue jeans (free ones).  It’s trimmed with scraps from one of the breastfeeding capes I made for my DIL, so it cost me only the time it took to make it…which wasn’t much.  Here’s the results of my sewing labors this afternoon.   Not bad for no monetary output…even if I do say so myself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Until next time,

remember,

If you puff yourself up you’ll get the wind knocked right out of you.

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