Depression Aprons

Hey, happy first day of 2009!

These were gifts for some wonderful ladies in my life. The pattern is the "Vintage Apron" pattern from a totally awesome book, Bend the Rules Sewing.

I call them depression aprons, because I didn't buy any fabric, it was all reclaimed fabric from thrifted items: A big reversible Ikea duvet cover, a coordinating Ikea pillow sham, and a bit of an Old Navy Men's dress shirt. I *almost* didn't buy buttons, but I found one that was so perfect, and I did buy trim. However, the one with gingham trim required no trips to the store whatsoever.

During the Great Depression, there were many little sayings to remind people of the way things were, One of them, "Make do or do without" has run through my head most of the last year. But then, I can run out and pick up trims and buttons...the way things are, maybe I should just change the name to recession aprons!

This first one has a very old fashioned Embroidery technique on the gingham pocket called Chicken Scratch. It must be done on gingham, and a few very simple stitches result in a lovely lace pattern. I made a "large heart" from the pattern I found here. The embroidery went fast, but this apron definitely took the most time, due to the Chicken Scratch. Hand sewing always increases the time any project takes.





check out more Chicken Scratch photos in this Flickr Pool

The rest are variations of the same, all with the Ikea fabrics, vintage buttons and retro-kitch trim, like ball fringe, cut felt leaves, and ric-rac.

A pictoral goodbye to 2008

that's not to say that I won't be posting more about 2008 in January...but here are some pics which require little commentary, and a far past-due for posting.





































There you go, knocked out all of October and November with one post! Whee!


Happy New Year!

Embroidery

A few baby onesies, and even a few gifts for some grown-up friends. I really enjoy grown-up gifts, as I'm usually stitching on woven fabric rather than knitted t-shirt material...fun, fun.

Child Labor

The darker side of why my house is always spotless...

Kid Pics

Well, due to the annoying situation of all my photos not being on my computer, I don't have pictures of everything I had planned to blog about. There are embroidery projects galore, and Wildlife on the Lake to share...but I don't have those pictures. Very bothersome.

Instead, here are some summer pictures.

green frosting fingers...or toxic waste? You decide



Peanut's first birthday cake, take 2



I gave Eve her very first pedicure (sans polish), and she was looking ever so grown up.







Israel, practicing his "Blue Steel" Zoolander pose. He's a kid who want to to learn to read and do other things well.



Other happenings at the company picnic. Eve had a great time doing the scavenger hunt, and helping my boss verify the collected items of others. Not to mention eating stuff that made her face really messy. That's one of her favorite things. It's such a cute face though.





Just too cute not to capture







Playgroup at Abby's.



Eve, helping daddy with his Legendary Boys of Floyd web comic stickers.





Playgroup at the park. All I wanted to do was get a picture of her in that outfit...it's such a good color combo on her...and all day, I was getting these looks.





Blue eye shadow, glittery lipstick, and blush, applied by glamorous cousin Ann.





Playing in cousin Levi's Shark tent







I do have a few pictures of a few embroidered things...up next.