Finished for Friday...or...Oh Look, More Aprons!

I know, I know...I posted about aprons for Vintage Thingies Thursday. But these aren't vintage aprons, these are aprons that I whipped up just this week! Now that I'm back to blogging, I wanted to start participating in Finished for Friday once again. I figure it'll keep me on my toes w/crafting and whatnot.

These two aprons are the firsts of my summer sewing projects.

This one I finished up on Sunday night for my Sister's Mom in Law, Debbie. I thought it would go nicely with her blue kitchen. These aren't my normal style of prints, but I think it turned out nicely. The fabrics really grew on me as I worked with them...the rose print has an almost cottage feel, dontcha think?I was in a blue mood(har har har) this week with my fabric choices... This fabric, however, I did love right away. I finished this apron up on Thursday. It has been a while since I used bias tape on anything. Dear Lord! I forgot that stuff can be the devil to work with! Here's a close up of the print...and my experiment with the neckstrap...
OK, I finished this one a looooong time ago, but I love it. So I'm gonna show it off too...I hope you will indulge me. I love how fabulous fabric can make the simplest of apron styles into something special. This one will eventually hit the Etsy shop...when I have enough stuff to restock it.
And one more thing...we get to bring Mya (Claire) home on Saturday! We are so excited about this furry little addition to our family!

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.

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!

A Swap Apron & Coming Attractions

This is the apron and set of matching gloves that I sent to Ally in our Favorite Things Swap.

It was new pattern for me. I like that it uses bias tape as the waistband and for contrast. Something different from what I usually do. I plan to add some things to my Etsy shop in August. No, really, I do! I'm seriously thinking of adding some aprons in this style. No gloves, however...they were darn cute, but very fussy to make.

Two more aprons that will be going in the shop are these two that I made using some Amy Butler fabrics. One is a simple gathered waist half apron in red. And one blue/yellow apron patchwork cafe apron. These patchwork styles are still my favorites to make.

Mail Goodies

Today was a good mail day! I received my Summer Sassy Apron Swap apron from Lorigami. It is lovely! Made from all recycled materials. I believe it is a vintage sheet, and I love the way it feels. The style of apron is so sweet and feminine. I know I'm gushing, but I adore it! Definately take a moment to check out Lori's blog. She makes some beautiful clothes and some amazing jewelry.I also got this fabricm ordered on Etsy, in the mail today. I'm 99% sure the robot fabric is going to become a bag...for ME!And some mail that I sent this week... This apron went to my apron swap partner. She likes lime green and said she had orange in her kitchen, so I went with that and added the lemon-lime fabric to make it fit the Summer theme. I was happy with the way it turned out and I have enough of all of these fabrics to make another one of these for my Etsy shop.I also finished and mailed the Apronista swap apron to Janel earlier this week. I can't show you that one just yet, as I don't know if she has received it or not.

Check back in a few days...I'm going to be doing a giveaway next week!

Aprons and Car-Mull Corn

Yesterday I gave up a day at the 4-H flea market. Now, ya'll know how I love a good flea market and the 4H flea market has the best carmel corn around(that's Car-Mull not care-Uh-mel), but not only did I want to stay home and make an apron or two for the shop , the fact that I have exactly five dollars cash to my name was also a deciding factor. So I stayed at home and managed to get a few things finished this weekend. Here's a look:



Mark tried several times to get me to go along, but I refused and he went on without me. Knowing how much I love caramel corn, he brings me this from the flea market...and I am reminded of yet another reason why I love him.
It's the little things, ya'll.

Purty Button!

Thank you Deanna for making my Laughing Otter art into this "purty" button for my sidebar! Now I can properly advertise my Etsy shop right here on the ole' bloggity blog. I'm loving the little otter more and more. He's so very versatile!

Progress was made last night...I have one more apron to list! It's very pink and green and preppy. This weekend will be spent sewing! I'm giving up a flea market excursion to stay home and sew! How's that for dedication?

Window Shopping

So my Etsy shop "launch" went well! I sold five of the seven aprons that I listed in the first week! WooHoo! Of course I realize that could be a total and complete fluke and I may never sell another thing, but I'm still pretty excited! Now, I gotta get busy and make more!

I'll admit that I am a little addicted to Etsy now...and not just for selling! I could browse around for hours! There are so many wonderful and unique things on Etsy that you just cannot get anywhere else! 'Specially here in the sticks! Although I've been extremely reserved, If I'm not careful I'm pretty sure I could go broke there.

I've bought this:*swoon* It's so dang cute, I can hardly stand it! I'm sure it'll be just as adorable in person! Take a look at more sweet stuff from Miss Bluebird Creations.

While I haven't bought one yet, I really...and I mean really...want one of these:Here's the bad thing about this adorable mini-zip. The seller will customize these bags, so of course I now face a dilemma. Do I go with "geek", "spaz", "dork", "doofus", "weirdo" or "silly"? Here's some more stuff from this seller.

You know how I heart robots? I found a couple robot necklaces that I might not be able to resist. This one is from Imogen. Her shop is full of this kind of cool. This is from Sweet Heart Sinner Creations. She not only designs the pendant, the settings are handmade as well. SO freakin' awesome!Lots of jewelry with retro images up for grabs in her shop...here's another one...OK. ENOUGH! But there's more, trust me. I have GOT to get busy sewing! I've got a trip to Europe to fund! :) Sadly, the last two aprons I tried to make are now in a heap on the counter. Disastrous, I tell ya! Hopefully that's over and the next few will turn out fine...but of course if I don't start sewing, they won't.

Later Ya'll!

Etsy Shop Now Open!

I haven't blogged in a few days, nor have I responded to any of your nice comments or emails. I've been sewing! I finally decided to dive in and try my luck at an Etsy shop. It's scary, but I'm gonna try!

I've come to the decision that this needs to be something I'm doing for fun, not to necessarily to make money. Sure, I like money. I need money. I want money. But this really and truly is not about money. It's about enjoying myself...playing with colors and patterns...making something pretty and useful from a flat piece of fabric...improving at sewing...NOT sitting on the couch...being creative. But honestly, what am I going to do with half a gazillion aprons? Put them on Etsy of course!

SO, would you like to visit my Etsy Shop? If so, click here:

www.laughingotter.etsy.com

Take a good look at the supercute banner...it was created by my favorite artist. I dig it wholeheartedly!


Right now the pickings are slim...cause I'm slow...but my goal is to add two items a week. Hopefully in addition to aprons you'll be seeing some notecards and "Lalka Lawenda" dolls like the ones in this post.

And if you want to tell your friends, family and neighbors to check out my Etsy, I would love that! If you want to link my Etsy to your blog, I would love that too! And a little prayer wouldn't hurt either...a little prayer that if someone does buy something, they'll like it!

Let me know what you think, OK?!


ACK! Update! I SOLD something! Already! WooHoo! Look under sold items! How cool is that! It's the apron I made while listening to Dolly Parton on iTunes! Man, I hope she likes it!

Farewell Old Friend...

The quilt top that I started at my quilting class in Nov. is finally complete. WooHoo! I will save the quilting of it till this summer. For my first stab at a quilt that used blocks rather than wide fabric strips, I'm pretty proud of it. I could NOT get Sasha to budge for the photo, so please don't mind the cat!I was waiting to finish this quilt before getting the sewing machine that I got for Christmas out of the box. I was afraid the seams would be off and somehow mess up my quilt if I switched sewing machines in the middle. Now that it's done I managed to get my new sewing machine out of the box and set up yesterday.

So now I shall bid a fond farewell to my old Brother sewing machine. We've had our ups and downs, but it was a good run! Don't worry, it didn't go too far...just to the closet for now!I thought this would be an appropriate time to post the last few projects I made on the old machine.

First up, these two aprons. I was trying to come up with a design that I could use for aprons in the Etsy shop. There are a lot of plain cafe style aprons out there, so I thought a patchwork style might be fun. (these may well be out there tool, I just haven't seen them) Anyhow, I like the way they turned out with the various blocks of fabric, but I made a complete mess out of both waistbands and have not attempted to straighten them up or make another apron since. But, I DID learn to do a French seam in order to finish the backs of these neatly! Oooh La La!

French Seam!

I also made these "Lalka Lawenda"(Little Lavender Dolls) and sent them off to Poland for Jackie to give out at her girls night events. They are scented w/lavender and small enough in size to freshen up a drawer, car, backpack, closet, gymbag, etc. Some of these may also go into my still empty Etsy shop.I've also had a ton of fun making these robot themed Valentine cards on the sewing machine. I know they kinda look like a five year old drew them but I like that! Now I want to make a stuffed robot of some sort! OK, that last one is an owl, not a robot. Perhaps a robot owl is in order?

I call this one Untitled

A Boy & His Dog Walking the K-9Whoo Loves You?Yep, I've enjoyed that sewing machine immensely.