A conversation: me and you

This may be one of the most boring posts ever, but please keep reading...... I have a little business to mention.... but first: a little make-believe conversation between me and YOU!

You: Oh, hello! Long time no see! Did you drop off the face of the earth, get eaten by wild, hungry red-headed children, or simply decide ENOUGH with the blogging and decide to slowly fade away?

Me: Ha! You are so funny! (but a little right on all accounts)

You: So, what have you been up to then?


Me: Well, a little child rearing, a little home painting, a little (or a lot) laundry, a little photography, and a little sewing (believe it or not!). Actually, I'm so glad you asked ... serging is one of the things I have been doing a lot of lately. It is a sort of mindless labor -- feed the fabric through the machine, push the foot pedal, and cross my fingers that the thread doesn't break. (my industrial serger can be a little touchy sometimes and when the thread breaks -- it is a REAL pain to rethread. I wonder -- are all sergers such a pain to rethread?) Sometimes I also wonder what I did before I had a serger.....and then I remember --Oh yeah, stringy threads all over the place!

You (rather hesitantly): Oh, well....... that's nice. Why have you been doing so much serging?

Me: Oh, I thought you'd never ask! I have been sewing pillows and window seat cushions for a lady...... a real, bonified paying customer. And although the covers may never be taken off and washed (as she has such an immaculate home dirt would hesitate to invade), I sergered all the edges to make things tidier inside.

You: Oh, well....... that's nice.

Me: Right...... told you it was pretty mindless work! (I think it addled my brain a little! he he).

You: Hmmm.......

Me: Oh, and I also made this cheerful little apron for the Whitman County Library Reading Bear! Isn't she a pretty bear? Making the apron was lots of fun! I sort of had to come up with my own pattern -- so I guess that de-addled my brain a little.

You: She IS a stunning Reading Bear.

Me: That she is, that she is. Well, nice to see you! Stop by anytime! Oh, hang on! One more thing! If you'd like to see more of me you can stop by {my other little spot} and visit with me nearly everyday. You see, this blog is kind of my "other home" -- and I don't get to visit very often. I'd love to see you there! Toodleloo!

You: Toodleloo, too!

Meet Betty -- My First Apron

This is my first apron. I named the design "Betty" after my only living Grandma. (My next one I will name in honor of my Grandmother that has passed on). This apron was not as hard to make as it looks, and I love the vintage-looking print. The only thing I would change at this point is to somehow add pockets.

Betty is being modeled by a vintage dress-form that I scored at an antique/junk shop that is closing. The model has seen better days, but who hasn't, right? Actually, she probably looks better than me right now -- four babies in 8 years will do that to you.

Ruffles

Mercy me! This is to show you how the apron straps cross in the back instead of tying at the neck. The straps could tie in back or the front, as I have tied them. This strap configuration is quite comfortable. Betty is currently on display at my Farmhouse Accessories booth in Grady's Corner. I will post pictures of my booth later (hopefully tomorrow).

Vintage Aprons

Last weekend I was able to go to a few yard sales in town --the first sales I made it to all summer. Is it just me or do the yard sales seem sparse this year? Anyway, I was so excited to find these lovely vintage aprons for dirt cheap.

I love the hand embroidery on this gingham apron. This apron has a soft, well-loved feel to it.

This one is definitely sheer and frilly! The green embroidered cherries are pretty.

Apron details

Hmm.....this one looks more like it belongs in the bedroom instead of the kitchen......my husband likes this apron..........

Last but probably the most used --this is a good old farm apron with a small amount of ric-rac applied to the pocket.

I love yard sale finds like these.

Farm Chicks Book

Come, have a seat. Leaf through my new book. Yes, I know it has been out awhile, but I just purchased it not too long ago. What's that? Oh, sorry, can't hear you very well for all the racket of boys playing Tarzan and Trucks. Yes, I bought it as Costco, my favorite store.

I do love a new cookbook, especially cookbooks with lots of pictures. The Farm Chicks cookbook also has a little vignette on each of the Chicks with pictures from their childhood. Very sweet.

There are also lots of pictures of aprons and stories about aprons.

And pie recipes. Doesn't this one look festive for the 4th?

Also included is an apron stencil in the front of the book. The stencil doesn't say "Farm Chicks" so you can use it how you like. And guess what else? It comes with a free subscription to "Country Living." Can't beat that!

PS. You might find my post about Joel Dewberry fabrics over on my Almota Roses blog interesting--or not!