Gingham style

Here is a sneak peak to my aprons.  One for me and one for a friend!

Cool Drinks for Hot Mama's Apron Swap

Did I ever get the most like crazy; like wow swap package yesterday. That queen Regena sent me this stupendous Apron!

It's just so radioactive!

There's this like Apron right out of Mad Men!

Then the place mats are just to divine.



Can you say far out to these dachshund swizzle sticks?


They're just great for my slurg!


Check out these rad tuckins! A gardening journal, some seeds, my favorite magazine and great herb drink recipes! That Regena is a cool cat!



terminology from Slang of the 50's

Sweat Shop Sunday's

Our little dachshunds demand to have their breakfast around 6am no matter what day of the week it is. This morning it was my morning to get up and feed them and let them out. So I was up and about and having coffee when I decided I could try making a doll quilt for my husband's niece. He's heading back to Texas soon for his class reunion and I thought this would be a nice little surprise for her.

This is what I came up with using scraps I had in my scrape bin.


Since my husband has plans to see his favorite cousin Ann, I wanted to send her a little something too and made her an apron.



I got a little carried away on the trimmings...blingy buttons and even a tassle oh my!




For the pattern I used the bib from Sweetwater and the skirt from Karen's Totally Cute Apron Tutorial. I think it came out pretty good.

Friday Night Sew In

I had a great time last night finishing up my apron for the Hot Mama Apron Swap. I was able to complete the apron and make a little zipper bag to go with it using Karen's great tutorial.


I can't show you the back bag because it would give away who my partner is! Or the bottom of the apron for that matter :O.

On the apron, I added this little flower detail hoping to give the bib some "punch"


I had a great time sewing, but now if only the sewing room cleaning fairy had visited while I slept, I'd really have it "made".

Hot Mama Cool Drink Apron Swap!

I so totally changed my mind on what I am making for my partner. However, I'm kinda digging this new theme of Cherry Limeade!


and anther sneak peak...

Hot Mama Apron Swap

is going on and I've stalled.

Here's the fabric I got last weekend.



Like it don't love it. Not sure how it'll work.

Then here's all the other fabric I got last weekend. Not sure what to use it for.


On a side note, we went to a traditional Quinceanera this weekend and here is a picture of the father/daughter dance taken with the hipstimatic app on my phone.



Go take a look at the great give away at Prairie Flower Farm! Great canning ideas and information too!

It's Martini Time!

In the words of one of my favorite bands of all time - "The Reverend Horton Heat".

Yes, that's right, it's hot outside, it's just sweltering. So doesn't that just make you wanna throw some ice into a glass and sip on some cool refreshing something?

I know what you're thinking - she's gone and lost her marbles (again). No, No I've only signed up for another apron swap!

That's right, Hot Mama Apron Swap is at it again.

So to get some ideas, I've found this nice little link to one of my all time favorite TV Show - Mad Men Cocktail Guide.

Dust off that cocktail shaker and be prepared to pour!

Last night's JL meeting...

So last night was the night. The night we gave the two wonderful ladies that help our event a thank you presentation. The league gave them awards and our committee chair gave them a thank you package. In that package were the aprons I made. "no pressure here". Anyway, here they are in the their aprons. They look pretty cute!


Several things happened at the meeting last night. The Helen Newcomb award was presented and the sustainer that was presented gave one of the most sincere speeches I've ever heard.

Then the new board of directors for next year was inducted :) yeah for our new president. The new members were made active members (yeah me!) with flowers and the JL pin.



The outgoing president then presented 4 president service awards. Our committee chair for the Kids in the Kitchen event was presented with the first award. We all sat together so during our congratulations to her, the president was starting the intro on the second award and our chair looked at me and said listen. Then I listened. I heard the word "crafty" then I heard "she's a great cook" and she helped "prep food for 500" and takes "charge" when needed...GO FIGURE. Then I heard my name. ....insert ::THUD:: here.

I was very honored and humbled to get this in a group of women that really exceed what I do. I just like to work and help.

Aprons as Awards!

If you follow along much, you know I am a new member of the local Junior League. Back in March we had our Kids in the Kitchen event here and I worked on the committee. We worked closely with two ladies in the community that were instrumental in making our event a success. Our committee chair asked if I would mind making them each an apron to present at our upcoming awards banquet (yes this Wednesday- yikes). Of course, I said yes - what's a girl to do?

Having had deadlines for the various swaps I was already committed to, these had to wait to the last minute to be put together. I was gone last week on a long ugly business trip so I had to really muster my resources yesterday to kick these off.


I am using the Sweetwater Apron pattern from the Label Crew called "Sunkissed Apron" and then also the labels from the April shipment.


Last night, I got all the way to just adding waist ties and pockets when I realized it looked way too much like a Mini Mouse costume.
Nothing against the grand MM but it wasn't the look I wanted. Then Denise gave me an awesome idea of adding in a little contrast fabric and I had the yellow Kaufman Chickens that just hit the nail on the head (at least I think so). So here they are - what do you think?

Flirty Apron Spring Fling Apron

Last night I came home to several packages and a note from a good friend. It was a good mail day- Not even one bill! Anyway, I had a box from Mary Lea! I was so excited to open it. Look at what I saw!


Look at all that goodness! She really set the bar high for swappers. What swap box doesn't like to have chocolate in it?


I GOT THE BUTTERFLY PIN CUSHION. I LOVE IT!.
Can you believe that the little soap and lotion in the bag are my favorite scent? I mean really - how did she do that?

And look at these - I got a hoot outta these!


Here are my initials:






I love all of them!

But wait we're not done - I bet you all want to see the apron too don't you? I saved the best for last!


I asked for an Easter apron (did not think Easter would pass on me i guess) and it didn't stop me from wearing it to make dinner last night either! Last year Regena sent me a cute Christmas apron, so I got the idea I would gather up aprons for each holiday - so now I have Easter!

Thank you Mary Lea for sending me so much love in the swap box! It really is all wonderful and I appreciate all your work and time to put it together for me.

Flirty Apron Spring Fling Apron

I had my tuck ins, fabric and no apron for several weeks.

Then luckily I had today off from work for Good Friday and the hubs did not!

I told him I'm sewing today - nothing else.

Here is a snack of what I put together.

Fabric Choices for the Upcoming Swaps

Maybe some of this...

or Maybe some of this....I really like that bright yellow stripe with the bright floral


Last night I got recruited to make two aprons for thank you gifts for our Junior League Event. I need to dig around and see what patterns and fabric I have for that too.

And because I can't help myself - I have share this great giveaway at Raggedy Station aren'tthese fabrics wonderful.

So Much To Do

I need to get my butt moving on the Sewing Accessories Swap over at Aunt Pitty Pat's. I have all the fabric, trims, and notions I just need to get moving on it.

Then I have to get my apron made for the Flirty Apron Spring Fling swap.

much to do much to do....

Chicken Lovin' Hot Mama's Apron Swap

Well, today I got my apron from Kathy. It is so nice. My entire swap box was just so incredibly well put together. Kathy sent me wonderful vintage buttons and a cross stitch doilly- I just adore them. She included some beautiful tatted ribbon and log cabin chicken pin cushion! Oh my goodness that chicken has stolen my heart!


Wait it's gonna get better - she made me a chicken MUG RUG! with a beautiful chicken mug!



I'm holding back here a little because you see Kathy understands what it is like to own Dachshunds! She and her husband have had doxies and me and my husband have doxies! I don't have children so my two puppies are my kiddos. Given all that, Kathy sent me this beautiful dachshund pin and some wonderful dachshund earrings!
.



I know you're all jealous now right! Or your wanting to know about the apron. I always like to save the best for last, so here is the great apron Kathy made me! I love the big pockets with the gingham trim. It reverses too, so I get two looks out of one apron - the reverse side is some great egg fabric! It just cracks me up!





Thank you so very much Kathy. You made this swap extra special for me and I really appreciate you kindness and talent.

Hot Mama Chicken Apron Swap

I'm almost done - and this is just the beginning stage of my creative process this morning. Don't let this picture fool you, there's more to it than this.

Hot Mama Apron Swap and a Bunch of Chickens

I won't lie, I've been struggling with this swap. I love the theme, love the group, but I've been intimidated by my partners prowess as a seamstress to the point that I have artistically stalled out. I have fabric, I have ideas but none seem to be "it" or have that "wow" factor I like.

I did manage to put this little pin cushion together last night and I'm pretty happy with it and I hope my partner will like it.








I've warned my hubs, that on Saturday I will be sewing the apron come hell or high water (suppose to rain by the way). I have lots of fabric gathered up and hope when I start cutting, it will all fall in to place.

here chick chick chick

chicken scratch.

this may be part of the Hot Mama Apron Swap in some way.

then I may add in some of this chicken scratch.

look at this great example over at feeling stitchy


Check out this great Give Away over at Amanda's blog.