suddenwhimsies

I Love Vintage Aprons

How's this for a vintage pattern with a modern twist (the fabric, I mean)

I love vintage aprons and when I found this free vintage apron pattern posted by Susan Branch, I just had to try it out!

The pattern is posted full size, which means that you don't have to do any of that pesky resizing--like enlarge by 200%, and so on. The pattern simply prints out to scale over 12 sheets of paper -- you just cut the pieces out and scotch tape them together. People!! It's so easy! The fabric is from Jo-Ann's ETC. Check the fabric wall in the quilting section.

I decided to sew down the side of the bias tape so that my apron lies flat. The creases in Susan Branch's version are adorable too.

Susan Branch also has the most wonderful books. They are full of some of the best holiday ideas and delicious recipes--and her illustrations are so sweet! You have to check out this amazingly multi-talented lady!

Apron # 2 on my little Katie...

Here's another apron I made--on the fly--off the top of my head--which is the way I do most things, actually. It can drive folks crazy, but I'm very organized in my own little mind.

Pea Pod Perfection. Summer veggies at thier best.

Some day soon I will be pulling a chair out to the middle of my garden along with a bottle of ranch dressing. It will be a feast. And I may invite Tyrone...if he promises to be good.

So simple, ruffley and girly!

Got to have ric rac...

and a pocket for really important stuff...like dandilions, clovers, sweet stuff swiped out of the cabinets when mama's not looking...

Sassy Lips

Sassy Lips gets to say everything a good mama shouldn't say.

The inspiration for this came after I had the kids rolling in fits of laughter over an impromptu "puppet show" with two of those silicone oven mitts. They look like little mouths to me. I mean, would YOU want to stick your mouth into a 350 degree oven and pull out a hot casserole dish with your teeth? I didn't think so.

Here's Sass in action...She does a pretty good job. And I've found that if you keep her busy chewing, licking or otherwise occupied and/or submerged, she can't get herself into too much trouble.

And if she gives too much...uhhh...lip, then she doesn't get to clean the ice cream dishes!!

Felt - Part 2

 
Wow, I'm really bummed. I can't find my copy of "1000 Ways to Beat the High Cost of Living". I've been delaying this post until I could find it because there was a cute quip in there about treating fine woolens as you would treat your dear husband--be gentle, no twisting or wringing, etc... But I bet you already knew that. Stop snorting, I can hear you!

How about that jaunty little tassel?

Felting is really easy--and fun! The "mini duffel bag" started off as a rectangle stitched in alternating rows of double crochet. I crocheted the two end pieces separately and sewed them on right before putting the whole thing through the wash. In order to get the proper shaping in the finished piece, I've found that I've had the best luck stuffing it with dish rags, shaping it with rubber bands, and letting it air dry. You need to be patient though, air drying can take up to two days-- depending on the size of your project and the humidity in the air.

 

Just the right size for a pencil case.