Aprons I've sent out the past couple of weeks

Here's the aprons I've sent out to partners in the past two swaps I've been in.  Both are using a halter apron pattern.

The only difference is - instead of using bias tape around the halter like on the top apron, I lined the halter section on the bottom apron.  I don't know why, but I'm not a fan of applying bias tape, and I'd rather use more fabric than use bias tape!  I ended up cutting the pattern pieces a bit bigger for a seam allowance and I love the way it turned out.  I also cut the ties twice as wide, to sew it together and turn it - much easier than turning under all around and top stitching.

My Aloha Apron

This is the apron I received from my partner and I LOVE it, especially the matching headband!  One of the things I love most about these swaps is the different styles that I get, and this one is unique.

She sent so many goodies with my package.  I got some frozen treat makers (enough for the whole family), along with a ring full of laminated recipes for some good old fashioned popsicles.  One of them is a pudding pop with Oreos that my man wants me to try first.

She also filled a mesh bag with summertime toys for my kiddos.  You can't see it well in the picture, but I got some spreaders with matching table cloth weights - I'm so excited about those.  Maybe I should host a backyard luau and put all of my new treats to use.

Spring Apron

This apron swap's theme was "Spring Fling".  I thought this fabric was fresh and fun and honestly didn't want to send this apron off.  The tuck-ins were to be based on my partner's initials.  This part was so fun this time and my partner had pretty easy initials - TLS. 

T- I included some nice spring hand Towels.

L - I made the coin purse pictured below using this tutorial.  I decided it could be used for Loose change or a Lip Gloss holder.  I also included a tube of my favorite gloss.

S - Some new Spatulas.

I hope my partner likes her package I much as I do!

Apron I made for Lori

This is the apron I made for the Flirty Apron Swap.  I used some fabric from my stash and the Lola apron pattern.  The main expense of this apron was the 300 yards of bias tape.  Okay, so I exaggerate, but I did use about 5 packs, plus one pack of ric rac.

I made a potholder with the video tutorial I posted a while back.  This is an amazingly easy pattern and I think you should all go try it today.  You'll have a lovely potholder or trivet in less than 10 minutes.

My wonderful stick figure son modeling it for me.  Trust me, Lori looks much cuter in the apron than Nate.  If you'd like to see her modeling it, go here.  While you're there, take a look at the other wonderful cutie pie aprons all the swappers have made.

My Cutie Pie Apron

Here is my apron I got from Lori.  Isn't it cute?!?  I am telling you that the picture just doesn't do this apron justice.  She used a Jamie Christina pattern.  After seeing how cute it is and how well it fits, I think I will definitely have to order some of her patterns.

I also got this hand towel with LOVE appliqued on it.  I'm hoping my sweet children's grubby little hands will lay off it so it can stay beautiful.

I got some cupcake tins and picks (which I bought the exact same picks to send to my partner, who happened to be none other than Lori)!  I got a cute magnetic notepad and some delicious chocolate covered cookie dough bites.  Those things were so good that I almost couldn't stop eating them.  The only way I did was to offer them up to the lucky kids who happened to be standing near me at the time.

This was a great swap and a lot of FUN!  Thanks, Lori!

Flirty Apron Swap

I was part of Shawnee's Frosted Flurries Apron Swap this season.  Not only do we send an apron, but we also include tuck ins to go along with it.  We are supposed to spell out a word that has to do with Christmas or winter, the word I chose was "SNOW", and then send a tuck in for each letter of that word.

I got my package on Monday, and boy, did my partner deliver!  Not only did I get a super cute apron, but she sent A LOT of goodies.  Let's start with the apron - my son couldn't seem to capture a picture with me wearing a smile.  I love the pattern and the fun fabric!  It fits good and it crisscrosses in the back. 

 For the tuck ins, she chose the word "CHILDREN" - since I have so many!  No, she knew that our kids are the focus over the holidays.  This is the "L" that she tacked to the pocket - a Little angel!

The "R" was also included on the apron.  A Recycled vintage brooch.  In the shape of a snowflake, no less.

She sent me a lot of scarves for the kids to play with.  Aren't these pretty?  I know she sent them for imaginative play for the children; but I will admit, I've been wearing a couple of them myself!

The "N" is for Neatness.  She sent me a thread catcher that her mother made!  I must admit, that I am a messy person and I throw my threads and scraps on my table as I'm sewing.  I'm so excited about this thread catcher!  It has a grippy bottom on the flower to stay put on my table and it's also a pin cushion.  As I sew, I'll just be able to throw in my threads in the cute little bag.  How cute!  There was more things that were including that I didn't include pictures with - Candy canes for the kids (they're already gone), a Hand towel with snowflakes on it, Decorative snowflakes all throughout that I will use as ornaments, and snowflake Earrings!  I think that the best surprise of all, though, was that my partner was sweet enough to include a donation to help bring Valeriy to our house!

Thank you so much, partner!  This was most fun I've had opening a package in any swap I've ever been in.  You truly made it special!

I made this apron Saturday night for a friend who just got her first apartment. I wasn't sure at first if these two prints would go together. I love how they turned out, though!

The pattern is from Marie-Madeline Studio. It's my favorite apron to make and very easy pattern to follow.

Hostess Apron

It's time to send out a fancy apron for the Holiday Hostess Swap. I used the skirt from the dress above (one of the girl's dresses last year) to make the apron, and the black material I took from my Mom's stash. I wish I could have kept the rhinestones around the bow, but half of them had fallen out, so I just used black cord. The lovely Chuck agreed to model the finished product below.

Java apron

A warning - you'll be seeing a lot more aprons on my blog since it's Christmas giving season. I got the java fabric from Hobby Lobby and the fabric on the bottom and waist I found on the clearance table - doesn't it match perfectly?

Fall swap

I'm part of the Artsy Autumn Swap, and the lovely Marie is my partner. Here is a sneak peek of one of the items I'm including in my box. It's a half apron (sorry for the bad pics but all of my picture takers are watching a movie, so I tried taking it myself) that I made out of a tablecloth. I love the colors and they remind me of fall, even though it's a huge flower on it.

My Hawaiian apron

I got my apron today! My dream vacation is to go to Hawaii with the fam. Jen made me this little number and when through some tears making it. She also made me a really cool shell necklace and bracelets .... I'm wearing them in the picture. I guess I should have taken a close up so you could admire her handiwork. On top of that, she sent me some Hawaiian Host Caramacs candy and made each kid a lei of dum dums. Here is a video of Charlie and John discovering their surprise ....




Thank you Jennifer! I love the apron, I would have loved the one with hole in it! You really spoiled me with all the extra goodies!

Paris apron

I almost didn't want to give this one away. This is the apron I made for my partner in the Flirty Apron Swap. The theme this go around was "What I wish I did for my summer vacation", and my partner's dream vacation is going to Paris. I added a little pearl necklace that is just tied at the straps so she can take it off when washing .... or in case she doesn't like cleaning with pearls on.

I also sent her an Eiffel Tower and Arch de Triomph pencil sharpeners for her Paris souvenirs, because - hey - who doesn't love a good pencil sharpener?

The apron I received from my partner

I got a package in the mail yesterday from Nadine, my booming apron scary boo swap partner. She made me this dishtowel and potholder, and she does a MUCH better job at potholders than I do - maybe I can get her to email me some pointers.

Here is the treat bag. She cut out pumpkins and ghosts from the fabric to add to it. I can't wait until Halloween to use this to pass out candy to the little kiddos, wearing my apron, of course.

After trying to get my 4 year old to take a decent picture of the apron, I discovered the timer feature on my camera! So here it is .... my new apron. Isn't it adorable? Yes, yes it is.

Here is the side view - I LOVE how the ruffle goes all the way up to the ties. John just had to get in the picture with me ....



And then they all wanted to join in the fun!

Thank you, Nadine! What a great partner.

The apron I made for my scary boo swap partner

I loved making this apron for Nadine. It was quite fun, and I personally think it looks pretty cute on. It's safe to post the pics now since she should be getting hers in the mail today. I received my package from her today and it is such a cute apron - I'll post pics tomorrow.

New fabric in the mail

I got this fabric in the mail today. I ordered from a new place, Fabrics From the Heart. I think I ordered it Friday, and it came today - very fast! Also, the owner took my call and took the time to answer my silly questions. I will definitely order from her again. The flirty apron swap theme this time is "What I wish I did for my summer vacation". My partner's dream vacation is to go to Paris .... isn't this fabric perfect? Oui, it is!

What I've been doing today

Why yes, I do need to be cleaning my house. Who wants to clean when there is sewing to be done? This is what I've been working on last night and part of today. I'm only giving a peek because I'm making this for my partner for the scary boo apron swap. I think it's going to be VERY cute, and can't wait for you to see the whole thing.

Fall apron swap ...

Here I am cheesin' it up showing off the apron I made for my fall sassy apron swap partner. I hope she likes it. I really wanted to get this out earlier since it's going out of the states .... but instead I'm a couple of days late :o
This is side two. I think it looks fallish ... although for my partner it's about to be spring. I stayed with the theme anyway. Which side do you like better?

Got my fall apron already!

This is my apron I got from Katie! Isn't it the coolest? I think it's fun and funky .... love the colors; and best of all, it's reversible! My 9 year old took the pictures, so sorry that they are lopsided.
And here's the matching potholder .... I love it! Thank you, Katie!

Fabric

What does this fabric remind you of? I'm hoping fall, because this is the fabric for the fall sassy apron swap. I've already cut it out, and wanting to sew it up tonight and ship it out soon.

Squee! whoot, whoot!

As some of you know, I never did recieve my apron from the sassy apron swap. It was sad, but I moved on. Today I went to check the mail and look what I got!!!! Shari, who wasn't even my partner, felt sorry for me and made me an apron out of the goodness of her heart. Wasn't that sweet? I put it on right away and had my son take pictures for me; so it's still a little wrinkled. It's reversible and I love it! I have made two Emmeline aprons but gave them both away and now I have one of my own!

Here is side two, and I think this is my favorite side ....
Isn't it the cutest? Thanks, Shari!