April 30, 2009

Flirty Apron Swap

I was a member of the Flirty Apron Swap. When I returned home from Virginia, this box of goodies was waiting for me. My swap partner, Jany, made this WONDERFUL apron for me. It is made from a vintage pillowcase and she added the wonderful chicken fabric and in just the right colors for my kitchen. Look at that big red vintage button. I absolutely LOVE THIS APRON!


The apron is a clothes pin style and it is reversible!


Here is a pic of the reverse side....just WONDERFUL. See the darling vintage chick used to make the pocket.
And check out these wonderful vintage buttons that she sent to me. AWESOME! But that's not all.

Check out these vintage laces and trims and another vintage embroidery piece. I hit the jackpot!


THANK YOU JANY! You have really gone over the top!

April 29, 2009

....and the SOGGA continues..

and I mean SOGGY! Remember a couple of posts ago, I told you that the whole front of our metal roof had blown off? Well the sogga continues....We spent the weekend in Virginia visiting our DS and DIL. We returned home very late on Monday night -- well wee hours of Tuesday morning. We noticed the ceiling was water-stained. During the night Tuesday, the ceiling in this extra bedroom came tumbling down.......
And what a mess it made!!!! There was wet sheetrock and insulation EVERYWHERE! Thank goodness this is my son's old room and and we don't sleep in there.

It is all cleaned up now and thank goodness the contractor came out today and put plastic and boards all over and secured the roof as more rain is predicted. Now we hope the ceiling in the other bedroom doesn't come down as it is wet as well. I have been busy moving things out of the way and cleaning!!! The new metal has been ordered and the contract will begin installation on Saturday, weather permitting. We are also awaiting a bid from another contractor for the ceiling repair and re-installation of insulation.
I need some quality sewing time! Maybe this weekend!

April 20, 2009

Flirty Apron Swap

I am part of the Flirty Apron Swap -- A vintage remake. We were to take a vintage linen and remake it into an apron for our partner. I have only made one other apron in my life so I was getting "out of my box". I found the following vintage round table topper while at Wimberley Trade Days last month. I absolutely fell in love with it on site and just knew it was the linen to use to make my swap apron. I loved the baskets with flowers and the blue ribbon stitching.
I went to the quilt shop and purchased some vintage reproduction fabrics that matched for the waistband. The original edging on the topper was orange and some was missing and I didn't really like that color with the line. SEW, I added a different edging -- a crochet edging. Nope, I didn't crochet it! Here is a picture of the completed apron. The ties are long and can also be wrapped around the back and tied in the front. I wasn't up for modeling so here it is on my cutting table.

After completing the apron, I wish I would have lined it as the linen is thin, but it's done now. Maybe the recipient will use it as decor instead of a utility apron. The following is a close-up of the embroidery. I can just envision a woman years ago sitting and enjoying her handwork. I love doing handwork, it is my stress reliever.


Along with the apron, we were to send an additional vintage linen and a vintage recipe. Here is what I am sending my partner. The apron, the linen, with another basket on it, an machine embroidered handtowel for her kitchen, and a little handmade trivet/hotpad. The recipe I sent is for Old Fashioned Tea Cakes.


This has been a really fun swap and something very different for me to do. I sure hope my partner (whoever it may be ??????) likes her package. I can't wait to receive mine!

April 19, 2009

I've been M.I.A.

Yep, I've been Missing in Action. I just realized I've not posted on my blog since April 5th!!! That's not good! I've really been busy at work; I was out for about 3 days to a conference and you know how it goes "when you play, you pay". LOL! May is "Older Americans Month" and in my business that means celebrate! I've been busy planning a luncheon for the County Seniors that will be held in May.

I have not done much sewing at all!!! I guess I've been in a bit of a slump and not much time. I did finish my Vintage Linens Apron for the swap -- I'll post a picture later. I've done some hand embroidery while watching TV with hubby, but that's really about it!

We had some really bad rain and wind in my part of Texas the last couple of days and we lost over half of our metal roof -- it's all in the back pasture! Thank goodness, no leaks as of yet as the metal was installed over an old composition roof. My quilting studio (which is a separate building) also had some damage on one corner, but thank goodness no leaking there either!
I hope you are all have a wonderful Blessed Sunday. The sun is shining at my house this morning!

April 5, 2009

My Week!

What a whirlwind week I have had! I went to a Meals on Wheels of Texas conference in New Braunfels, TX. It was a great conference and will be helpful to me in my job. Here is a picture of the inside of my "Sunday House" that I stayed in.
This a picture of the outside of the Sunday House.

The first night, we went to the Grist Mill Restaurant in Gruene, TX. The rest of the conference, meals were provided.

The Grist Mill is located next to Gruene Hall -- the oldest dance hall in Texas. I've been to Gruene Hall many, many times, but this is the first time I tool a picture of the Historical Marker:

Of course, my first stop when I got to New Braunfels, was the Quilt Haus! Here are a few pics of things I bought.....TAMU fabric....


Black/white fat quarters to 'enhance' my collection.
A book for my sweet granddaughter.

Some more stash enhancers.

The conference was over on Friday, but I went to Blanco to spend time with family. We went to the Wimberley Trade Days on Saturday. Here are some of the treasures I bought.
Some wonderful vintage linens....I still have to wash and iron them.

This is one of my favorite pieces, a round table topper;



Here's a close-up of the embroidery:


I bought this window frame. I don't think it is very old, but I liked it. I am going to put quilt blocks in the windows and hang it in my bedroom.
It was a fun day and the weather was beautiful!