Creating More Apron Memories

A while ago I showed you my grandmothers apron
Katherine saw the apron and asked if I would make one for her.
I've been reading about her life for a while on the farm. She wears aprons while working with the lavender, the sheep, the chickens, and the little donkeys. She has a big heart, helping people with her art and her other resources. Katherine makes pies. She takes one of her little donkeys, Pino and delivers the pies to someone in need of cheer. She is encouraging others to make pies, and give one to someone you see that needs encouragement.

In making the apron, I first laid it out to make a pattern. I just drew it onto an old newspaper.















Then cut it out.





















Sew. Finished!




















I like the scallops on the hem.

With the memory of my grandmother's apron, I pass this apron on to create new memories. Hopefully some of those memories will include pie.

Goodwill goodies

Went To Goodwill Sat. I don't go that often. I was looking for a black leather skirt or jacket for a project. I found just what I was looking for immediately, so decided to browse a bit. Dangerous thing to do. It was a good day at Goodwill. I saw a lady walk by with a cute small table.......just a little paint.....another lady with a neat lamp........wow! great basket........Look at that fabric!!!!! Retro 70's. Right out of high school.






















This fabric would look awful in my home, so I have to think of something fun to do with it. I just couldn't resist. The flowers are so huge!! The colors vibrant. Maybe a potting apron? Or big market bag? Pillows for the porch? It's a medium weight polished cotton.


Then I saw these fence finals sitting on the shelf. When I brought them home my daughter wanted to know if I had bought spear heads, and wondered if she could use them on her brother. No, No, No, blood lusting girl! Although.......... No. Really, I thought I could attach them to short pieces of pipe, put them into the ground and use them as hose guides.

Now, Finally,......The reason I went to find black leather. The other day I was reading this blog. In her Jan 10 post she had made a bag and gave a link for this pattern.





I thought the bag would look great made from black leather.

I found a long Gap skirt. It was rather sad to cut it up, but........it was on to a better life.
Some of the instructions were a little unclear, but I worked it out.
This is it!
I bought the D-loops, toggle-clips, and chain at the ACE.
I like the option of using the hole to hold it on my shoulder, or the long strap. The long tassel hanging by the chain is just fun. The bag has three inside pockets. One large zippered pocket, one medium open pocket, and a pleated pocket for my cell phone.

The skirt was $4.99. The hardware was under $5.00. So my afternoon project was under $10.00. I had an afternoon of fun, and a great bag.

Old and New

I found this old drying rack.
It was in a thrift store,
under some unidentified stuff
all dusty and forlorn. I loved the look of it,
all old worn wood. Now its hanging
in the upper corner of the sitting nook,
in the kitchen. Old tea towels from my grandmothers, with delicate embroidery, and laces. Hanging with dried flowers.
Much the same as they might have hung 100 years ago.


I'm sure you've noticed,
I tend to collect old things.
It's not to live in a museum. I like the time worn feel, the connection to people and the sustainable way of life they lived each day. I live with these old things that are useful, and do use them.
Not everything is old.
Sometimes, Gerry and I make something, like the step back cupboard in the right of the picture.

The corbels are salvaged with a newer piece of distressed wood for the shelf. The bowls were from Gerry's grandmother.

The lamp is above the sink. Sometimes in the early morning, I'll light it, and several others around, and fix the kids lunches and breakfast by lamplight.

One Christmas, Krista gave me this pewter.
I loved it! Where to put it????
I had seen shelves like this, but never the right size, or the right color. I wondered, "How hard can it be to make?"
Gerry had found these boards (already green) at the beach. They were just sitting "around".
So I figured our measurements, and made a pattern for the curves on the sides.
We had it cut out, put together, and on the wall above the stove that afternoon.

So I incorporate old and new, making a time worn look, but living in today's world.
How do your incorporate the old and new?

Welcome Spring Crocus

I am amazed each spring with these little heirloom crocus. They are the second flower to bloom, after the snowdrops. Their color is so vibrant. They are a sturdy little flower, withstanding frost and snow, yet they appear delicate.















They grow in profusion under the cedar trees, a carpet of green, lavender, and purple. Each year there are more. I never know where a new plant may appear. They grow in the grass, in walkways, between rocks and bricks, but mostly under the cedar trees.
WELCOME.

Fabulous Bread

I love bread! I make loaves,
rounds, white, wheat,
mixed grains, muffins,
scones, coffee cakes.
I love the whole process. I wouldn't dream of using a bread machine,
and don't knock those who do.
There is something so wonderful about fresh bread. The aroma, the taste, mmmmm!
I start out mixing in my kitchen aid,
then turn it out onto a board to knead.
I just love getting my hands
into the dough and feel it go
from sticky to soft and elastic.

A while back I found this book . It's fabulous!
This last weekend, I made the Mixed Garden Sandwich Loaf. Halfway through the process I thought about taking pictures and sharing with you.
Here it is all rolled out with saute`ed veggies, fresh spinach, and jack cheeses on top.

















Then I rolled it up like a log and baked it.

Mmmmm.
Fresh
out of the oven.
It smells sooooo
good!








































Cut open, the cheese is soft and warm. It's already a sandwich, fresh garden veggies all baked inside.

Next, I try the Cranberry, Currants, and Cream Cheese Bread, or maybe Peanut Butter-Choc0late fudge bread, or Concord Grape Bread, or........ I'm sure I'll try them all soon.

For Baby

We had a house full this weekend. Most of the family gathered here to have a baby shower. Sadly the parents of the baby live 3000 miles away. So we gathered to show what we were giving to the new one, wrapped the presents together and sent them off.
Several people are very handy with their hands, yarn, thread and fabric.

Krista travels with her bag of yarn . The beautiful bag was made and given to her by her mother-in-law. She has several projects under construction.

Krista made this sweater for the baby boy who is coming soon. The pink yarn in the bag is for a sweater for a baby girl.



































Wendy made this darling hat.
She is also working on another sweater.

Such craftiness! Just love it.

While they were knitting, I was sewing.
I used a McCall's 3063 pattern. I have always
loved baby formal wear.

There were other very cute outfits, sorry , no pictures.
It was a fun family time. the food was great too. More about that tomorrow.

Bags

I like bags. It's a good way to organize things for me. Put things in a bag, it doesn't even have to be in an organized way, close it, everything is neat. So I have lots of bags of various kinds around.
In the pantry, things are organized in jars, baskets, and bags.
Yesterday I focused in on the cookie cutter bag, getting ready to make valentine cookies. Cookie cutters are sooo unorganized. This is a good way to keep them together, and not have to paw through them in a drawer.
A while back we were camping. I had tossed in muslin, needle, and floss, but no pattern. Nothing was prepped. I wanted to sit by the river (after a swim) and stitch mindlessly. What to make? No sewing machine. No cute pattern for a towel, and nothing to draw it with.
I decided to make a homely bag for the cookie cutters. I free handed (or is it free stitched) the words in a back stitch. Then folded the bottom and sides in and used a blanket stitch and and x stitch.

Then folded the top edge down
and used a straight running stitch
to form a casing. Then braided several strands
of crochet thread together for the tie.
I've made lots of different kinds of bags, from homely to very elegant, with beads and tassels, but this bag is a favorite.
Maybe because whenever my eye is caught by the cookie cutter bag, I smile and remember a wonderful family time.