Well, it isn’t as pretty as I had hoped, but it isn’t as ugly as I feared either. I have only been wanting a pretty new apron for about a year now, but each time I have gone to buy one I have felt like the money could really be better used elsewhere so I haven’t ordered one yet. I am glad I waited though.
I ordered some new goodies from Mary Jane’s Farm a couple of weeks ago and one of the items that I ordered was a copy of her 9th issue, the Artists in Aprons Magazine. In that issue she gave instructions for making an apron out of hankies. Well, my DH has never worn hankies that I am aware of, but I have a ton of bandanas lying around the house due to our frequent motorcycle rides and I thought they may just work. And they would have, but a trip to JoAnn Fabric for some supplies for DD had me looking at new bandanas and since they were cheap, I decided to buy a couple of new ones for my apron project. I think in total, with ribbon, bandanas, and new sewing needles I spent under $10 for my apron. Now in my mind, that is a deal, as most of the aprons online that I was looking at were at least $30 or $40!
Two things I will change about this apron when I make my next one (yes, now I need one in every color and seasonal design). First, the bandanas that I purchased were large, I didn’t note the size, but they are not hankie size and so my apron is too big. So secondly, if I use this size in the future, I will not include the side flaps that the pattern calls for.
She sure isn’t sell worthy, but this new apron that I made with my own two hands makes me smile every time I look at it. And while DD is sure it is a fire hazard, I will be careful and wear my apron with great pride. I can do it!
I’ll admit it. . I have been avoiding my blog. The past couple of weeks I have been searching for craft ideas and free patterns online, which has taken me to a ton of amazing blogs. In fact, there are so many amazing blogs out there that it has completely discouraged me from blogging. There are some great sites out there with great craft tips, fantastic recipes and beautiful home decorating and I am getting a ton of ideas on things I want to do and try. So, while I am busy working on my projects so I can post pictures here and maybe encourage others to get to crafting, I thought I would share a couple of blogs that just have me so mesmerized that I can’t stop reading them.
I still remember my first trip to a craft store. I was 21. My mom wasn’t a big crafter, she was a school teacher so she had plenty of creativity, she just used it on bulletin boards and lesson plans. We would often go to the “teacher” stores but we never frequented craft stores. So you can imagine my shock, and awe at my first visit to the craft store. I still get that feeling every time I visit a craft or fabric store. I am getting that feeling a bit too as I look through various craft blogs online. There is just so much creativity out that that it amazes me.
My old lamp shade was very tired and very plain. So I created the one above with some silver fabric and some adorable rope I found at Hobby Lobby. I know, it isn’t much, but for me it was quite an accomplishment. I now know I can do the two really big ones in my living room that are screaming out for help! And do you know, I forgot how awesome it feels to create something that makes your home look better! They need to bottle that.