Vintage Thingies Thursday -- Polly Pal

Today's Vintage Thingie is my Polly Pal doll. I was 8-9 in this photo. I loved this doll. I can't remember if Mom made her or if she had her made...regardless, she was one of my favorites. As was Ballerina Barbie who is in my other hand!I have searched and searched and my parents have searched and searched for Polly Pal, but alas, she has gone the way of most of my childhood toys and simply disappeared.

After I began my adventures in sewing I decided to see if I could find a pattern for Polly Pal. I scored this one on ebay!

Decided to try and make her. I've not made it very far. I changed her face a bit 'cause none would ever replace my own Polly. The body wasn't so hard. The clothes and the hair are a much more daunting task. Perhaps I will finish her someday. In the meantime, if y'all come across MY sweet Polly Pal w/her red hair and polka dot dress, send her home, please.

For more Vintage Thingies, head on over to Confessions of an Apron Queen.

Roll Out Sugar Cookies

Last summer I published my own cookbook. I collected recipes from family, friends, and co-workers, added photos, paid a nominal fee and 'viola! I have a cookbook of my very own. I did it on this website.

Lately, I've become addicted to making these sugar cookies that a friend and co-worker told me about. Her recipe(and story about the recipe) is below as it is listed in my cookbook. They are scrumptious as far as sugar cookies go! In fact, I'm making more tomorrow night!

Roll Out Sugar Cookies

Alfreda tells me, "This is our all time favorite cookie, even if it is a

sugar cookie. I got the recipe from a friend at church who had Jules in

Bible School when she was little. I now bake these all the time and

with my kids at school for certain holidays. The dough is the perfect

consistency for cutting out shapes. I usually just use sprinkles

appropriate for each holiday or season instead of the icing before

baking. We love them better like that."

1 cup softened butter ( 2 sticks)

1 cup sugar

1 large egg

1 tsp. Vanilla

2 tsp. Baking powder

3 cups flour (all-purpose)

Set oven at 375 . Mix all ingredients together. Roll our dough 1/8 in.

thick, beginning with a dusting of flour on the rolling surface. Cut

cookies, decorate with sprinkle candies, place on an air-bake cookie

sheet. Bake for 7 - 8 minutes. Cookies will not look brown or done but

remove them from the oven to cool.

Icing

2 lb. bag powdered sugar

1 cup Crisco

(dash of salt)

1/2 cup hot water

1 tsp. Vanilla

Mix together til smooth.

*Mix with Wilton brand food coloring . Do not use liquid food

coloring as it will make the icing too thin.

***the only thing I have done differently is add a tbs. of milk. I goofed up my first time out and HAD to add milk in order to mix the dough. They turned out yummy despite my goof up and I've added that little bit of milk each time.

The icing on these is soooo good! The black icing you see is store bought Cookie Decorating icing that comes in a handy pouch for decorating. Here's my first attempt at using it to outline a cat. Yeah. Sad, huh?Second try was a little better.

OK. Lipstick Jungle starts in 9 minutes. I'm outta here!

Pure Geek

I've been over at Patty's. She makes me laugh and she posts lots of crafty/stitchy linkyliciousness on her blog. While I was there I found out about the Dork, Nerd, Geek test and took it. My results were...

Pure Geek 39 % Nerd, 57% Geek, 48% Dork Which one are you? Take the test and find out.

Then I read on until I come to this dare:

Instructions:
Take a picture of yourself right now.
Don’t change your clothes, don’t fix your hair - just take a picture.
Post that picture with NO editing.

Post these instructions with the picture.

So I take the photo. But my pic is scary and Halloweenish, not in a good way. So I took three more pics thinking I might just lie and pretend that I took the dare, but then think "I don't wanna lie...where's the fun in that?". And besides I would feel guilty about lying...and that's no lie.

Yeah, pure geek pretty much sums it up.

Bloggy Apron Giveaways!

***THANKS to everyone who entered my giveaway!****
The winners are:
Jingle who said..."These are great! I would most like to win the owl apron. It's a really cute pattern!" Her choice was the owl apron.
AND
Misty who said..."etsy: i can't decide b/twn pink giraffes or toile dogs. :)"Her apron of choice was the funky artsy fartsy one.

I'll be contacting you gals!

It's time for another Bloggy Giveaways Carnival, y'all! WooHoo! These are so much fun!

This time around I'm giving away two aprons! The first is this cafe style Owl Apron, I debated on whether or not to put it in the Etsy shop and ultimately decided it'd be more fun to give it away! So here's a look. It's a one pocket cafe style apron. I love love love this owl print. And for those of you who like your aprons on the wacky and/or recycled side, I'm giving away this artsy-fartsy apron that I made from a 1970's mu-mu/house dress, a dotted swiss window valance and a funky bandanna. If you'd like to win, please leave a comment and tell me which of these aprons you'd most like to tie on...it's as simple as that! You do not have to be a blogger to win, but please leave a way for me to contact you if you do win.

If you'd like to be entered twice you can go to my Etsy shop, have a look around...come back here and tell me which Etsy apron is your favorite in a second comment.

I'll announce and contact the winners on Sunday November 2.

Looking for more giveaways? There' a little something for everyone over on the Bloggy Giveways Carnival ! Bloggers from around the blogsophere are giving away everything under the sun! Head on over to get in on all the action!

OK now, go ahead & give me some apron love.

I can barely contain the excitement!

November 18th, Louisville Palace. Oh yes, I will be there!

Vintage Thingies Thursday -- Vintage Sewing Patterns

I thought I'd share some adorabe craft patterns with y'all today for my vintage thingies. Most of these are from the 70's, so I hope I'm not cheating by calling them "vintage". But dang, they are cute!

I don't know that I'll ever make any of these...but I had to have them!

This summer, I went into a tiny shop in Prague where a sweet lady who didn't speak a lick of English(why should she?) sold toys that she had made by hand. Many of them remind me of these three little guys.I love love love the little owl pillow in this pattern.This one just tickled me when I saw it. I don't know which is cuter, the hippo in his jaunty red cap or the croc wearing glasses!And today I made a quick stop in our local Salvation Army store and picked up several vintage patterns for .29 each. Among them this pelican. It helps the kiddos learn to count! The cutest! And I was pleasantly surprised to find a fish that had been tucked away in the pattern.
For more vintage thingies, head over to The Apron Queen's place.

Back in Business

The is back in business!

Tell your friends! Tell your neighbors! Tell your friend's neighbors that they can go here to buy cute handmade aprons!

More aprons to come over the next few weeks.

***Warning ***Apron Heavy Post***

I am almost ready to reopen my Etsy shop! Woo Hoo! I have several aprons made and now I just need to take measurements and actually sit down and get them listed.

Tonight, I'd rather watch TV. There's a movie starring Harry Connick Jr. on Lifetime that I NEED to watch.

Here's a look at what I've accomplished lately on the sewing front.

My favorite, hands down. For this one I took pieces of different patterns and put them together in a way I liked better than either apron on it's own. Does that make me a designer?I love a simple cafe' apron. Pink giraffes! 'Nuff said! A Smurfy apron. My friend Rhonda has the other one that I didn't photograph. I think hers is way cuter...a cafe style apron w/gingham pocket/waist. Not sure if I want to sellthis one or not. There are a few "age spots"... but it IS over made from a sheet that's over 20 years old after all. Thoughts on selling a sheet turned apron? This is a vintage style pattern using 30's reproduction fabrics. I wasn't happy with the gathered waist treatment as shown for this so I gave it a straight(and I think more flattering) waist. LOVE this pattern.This one is SO much cuter in person. My superskinny mannequin does not do it justice at all. There are pockets on the side in a contrasting fabric.And I think you've seen these before. They've been waiting in the wings a while.Now...Harry calls.

October BOTM and Wonky-Scrappy Log Cabin Blocks

I actually finished my October block in time for BOTM! Yay me! Never mind that I've yet to finish July, August or September BOTMs and I have 10 packs of Irish Chain blocks to finish by December! Right now, I'm proud I finished this one!It's called Old Windmill...I'd love to see it in fun retro prints and bright colors. I know I say this every time I finish one of these but I just do not like my color choice of kits. What was I thinking??

I think I'm going to do BOTM again next year just so I can have 30's prints!

I also wanted to share a tutorial for Wonky-Scrappy Log Cabin blocks that I came across a while back. SO easy and so much fun to put together! It's one of those projects I've been thinking about for a long time but couldn't work up the nerve to try. I should have tried sooner! I whipped up three blocks in no time tonight. I can see where making these could get very addicting. Best thing about them...all scraps!

OK, so mine may be a bit overly wonky compared to the tutorial. But I don't think that'll matter when they are side by side in quilt full of wonkiness.
Log cabins are one of my favorite patterns, right after pinwheels. Check out some beautiful log cabin scrap quilts(wonky and non-wonky) here and more log cabin quilts here. And a non-wonky tutorial can be found on this blog.

Flashback Friday! ...or... Holy Jade Green Mock Neck Asymetrical Button Placket Jumpsuit!

I recently got back on Facebook after a long absence and met up with one of my best buddies from way back, Mary.

Mary was one of those friends I was never afraid to be my silly, goober self around. We haven't really stayed in touch much, but I've always thought of her as a good friend and am glad we can keep up w/each other now.

Mary and I rode the bus to school together for years and today's flashback is 100% inspired by Mary and the "dance" that we used to do to this song on the bus...and at band practice...and lunch...and probably during class...but mostly on the bus.

Enjoy!

Vintage Thingies Thursday

I posted these pics way back when I first put my crafty space together. I wanted to share them again because I think they fit the vintage thingies theme nicely.

The atomic style clock I bought at the salvation army for $1.25. Yes, I said $1.25! At the time it was gold and rusty, but it ran! A coat of black spray pint fixed her right up and she keeps perfect time. It's one of my favorite vintage thingies!

The adorable little bird is a bank. Notice anything unusual about him? That's right! His head is an orange! He's a Florida Orange Bird...it says so right on the back of his head. I remember seeing these little guys when the family used to go on vacation in Florida back in the 70's/early 80's. I specifically remember one rest stop right as we'd get into Florida where you could get free cups of orange juice and buy Florida Orange Bird souvenirs.

Mark picked this one up at a yard sale to put on ebay. I would hear nothing of it!

More vintage thingies here!

Pickin' and Sewing

I told myself I wasn't going to get online at all today, but I can't help it...I think I need an intervention.

While on Fall Break this week, my plan is to make some aprons for my currently empty Etsy shop. And while I sew, I always have music playing. Sometimes Brian Setzer or Harry Connick jr., sometimes my beloved 80's music and often, Broadway musicals.

This morning I've strayed from the normal and have been listening to Old Crow Medicine Show.

I think what has really drawn me in about this band is that their voices remind me of the singing I heard as little girl at various Pentecostal and otherwise Un-Baptist revivals. I'm also reminded of the singing that would always occur at family reunions on my Mom's side of the family. And furthermore, I don't think it's possible to be from Kentucky and not at least appreciate bluegrass music. It's not something I listen to alot, but when I do, I usually always enjoy it.

Anyway, I dig these kids...have a listen!

Wagon Wheel


Tear it Down


OK. Back to undistracted sewing. I will not be online again until an apron is finished!

The Internet is a Time Sucker

I don't know HOW long I've been online tonight.



OH. Wait. I do.




WAAAAY too long.




Doing this.


www.yearbookyourself.com



We have laughed until it hurts at my house tonight.

You get photos from the 50's through 2000...these two were among the most hysterical.



Go. Do it. Laugh till it hurts.


But if you lose and hour or three, don't say I didn't warn you!

Cookies in a Jiffy

I thought I'd share this oh-so-easy cookie recipe. It's from Taste of Home Best Loved Cookies and Bars available through Books are Fun. The company rep sets up his display in the library at school every couple of months and I usually get a cookbook out of the deal. It's a good deal!

Cookies in a Jiffy
Ingredients:
* 1 package (9 ounces) yellow cake mix
* 2/3 cup quick-cooking oats
* 1/2 cup butter, melted
* 1 egg
* 1/2 cup red and green Holiday milk chocolate M&M's or butterscotch chips

Directions:
In a large bowl, beat the first four ingredients until well blended. Stir in the M&M's or chips.
Drop by tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Immediately remove to wire racks to cool. Yield: 2 dozen.

I didn't have butterscotch chips or M&M's, so I used chocolate chips. I think butterscotch chips would have been much much much better in these.

If you like yellow cake, you'll probably really like these cookies since they have a definite yellow cake taste. I'd recommend flattening them out some once you get the dough on your cookie sheet...the thinner, crunchy ones are tastier in my opinion.

A good little cookie.

Flashback Friday

OK, so it looks a little cheesy now...but back then, it was awesome! ENJOY!



Does anyone else miss TV theme songs?

Vintage Thingies Thursday...Spaghetti Poodles

Confessions of an Apron Queen hosts Vintage Thingies Thursdays. As a gal who appreciates all things vintage, I thought it was about time I started playing along.

We have a lot of random vintage thingies around the house. Partly due to Mark's and my joint love of old junk and partly due to the fact that he is a packrat hoarder collector of old stuff. Much of it ends up on ebay but that doesn't mean my closets haven't been overtaken by a bunch of junk vintage thingies.

My inaugural vintage thingy...Spaghetti Poodles! Mark actually got me these for Christmas a couple years ago. I'd been pining for a set for the longest time, but when I'd find one it would be WAY overpriced, missing a pup, chipped, minus the chain, etc. This little set is perfect!

And as a vintage thingies bonus, my Taylorstone dishes in the "Cathay" pattern. The majority of these dishes were a find at a local the Salvation Army. I bought them all for less than three bucks!

More Vintage Thingies.

Toxic

I walked into the Music/Art room at school yesterday where the lovely and talented Southern Belle was playing a Nickel Creek CD. I was immediately reminded of this song, which I love.



And this video, which makes me giggle.

I've Been Cooking...Well, Sorta...

I made these Cinnamon Apples w/a recipe from the Apple Barn. They were WAAAAY sweet(don't say I didn't warn you) but tasty nonetheless!Cinnamon Apples
Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients
6 small apples
1/4 cup red cinnamon candies
2 cups sugar
2 cups water

Instructions
Wash apples, pare and core. Combine sugar, water and cinnamon candies. Boil 5 minutes. Add apples and cook slowly until tender. Cinnamon extract and red food coloring may be substituted for red candies. If desired, apples may be cut in halves or quartered. And yeah, I added some red food coloring for fun!

Next up...

OK, this doesn't really qualify as cooking but if you want to jazz up store bought lemon poppy seed muffin mix, add lemon juice to a cup of powdered sugar until it is liquid enough to be drizzled from a spoon. Drizzle over cooled muffins. YUM!

Aprons Again...Finally!

I was absent from blogland last week. Part of that time was spent freaking out about a presentation that I was a co-presenter in at the annual Kentucky Library Association conference. I survived, thank you. Part of that time was spent trying to get my house in order, I sorta did. And part of that time was spent working on getting some aprons made.

This one I made for a giveaway over on Thoughts from an Evil Overlord. But as I am a procrastinator extraordinare, I didn't get it to her in time for the Sunday post. I hope she can still use it; perhaps for a later giveaway...or as an extra. It's similar to the patchwork aprons I've made in the past but with a bit more patchwork. I think I like it and I will say that I love the lemon/lime fabric...I've used it before.This one, I made for the shop(a while back)...which I hope to have up and running again soon.This one is also for the shop...This one I made for ME...I realize it looks all twisty on the mannie...I was trying to be clever and put her invisible hand in the pocket and it doesn't look as cute as I imagined it would. . I've had this fabric for a year now and was waiting to use it on just such a project. I'm happy to have finally worked up the nerve to try a smock apron. AND I even made a buttonhole! WooHoo!

And finally, this one...OK, opinion please. Pocket or no pocket? I'm afraid a pocket will detract from the gosh darn adorable pattern on the skirt. I think of this one more as a hostess apron...you know...for looking cute. Does a hostess apron really need a pocket?

This week my plan is to cut out and make a couple more aprons...and at least one of them will be a Smurfy apron!