Lilly Aprons

I finished these aprons last Saturday.  Love them.  Makes me feel like baking.  The pattern is called Lilly Apron.  This is my version in some scrap material of Heather Bailey:

This it my Bliss version:

Apron update and a question

I really do like this pattern.  If you like aprons or are looking for a quick and easy gift, then this one is for you.  I was zipping right through it right up to the gathering.  My thread kept snapping.  UGGH.  I tried doing 2 basting stitches and pulling them at the same time for extra support.  I switched threads.  I loosened my tension.  I just don't know what else I could have done.  Any suggestions?  I have never had this problem before.

Anyway, this is where I am:

I have my straps sewn and pressed.  I need to sew the ruffles to the main body and then attach the straps.  How are your projects coming along today?

So you wanna have a party?

 Welcome!  Kelly and I are co hosting a sewing party today! I hope you will join in the fun!  Would  you like to participate?  Good news, you still can!  Head over to Kelly's to catch all the details.

We're sewing from 1-5 today!   My word was tranquil.  I decided that I am most tranquil when I am creating something.  So, I am going to sew a half apron for myself that I can wear when I am baking.  I really like to bake or cook when I am a bit stressed. 

Here are my fabrics:

Aren't they cute?  I will tell you what wasn't so cute, when I went to cut them today I realized they shop lady that cut them was a bit stingy.  So all of my measurements are a bit off.  The straps are a bit narrower.  The ruffles a bit shorter.  Uggh.  I will make a note on the pattern to buy a little bit more next time.  It would have been okay had she cut straight, but her cuts were very slanted and wasted 1/2 inch to an inch of material.  I was a bit disappointed to learn that.  But, I am tranquil today, right?  So I am moving on with it.

For you pattern junkies, this pattern is called French Flea Market Apron by Busy Bee Quilt Designs.  You can find it at the link. 

Okay, so I have a few things left to wrap up before I start to sew.  I will come check out what you've been working on this afternoon. Kelly has the Mister Linky up.  So head on over there an link yourself up!

A big thanks to Kelly for all of the work she will put in today.  She sure makes it fun to be a community of sewers, doesn't she?

Hooray...a finished apron, let's celebrate

So, I did actually have enough bias tape.  I know you were wondering, weren't you?  You probably wouldn't be able to sleep tonight, so that is why I got back on this thing to tell you....allow you some relief.  I actually finished the entire apron.  I am going to give it to my MIL tomorrow....just because. 

Now I am sure you thought I would model the apron, but let me tell you that I just ate a chocolate covered marshmallow Santa and frankly would rather die than have my hips on my blog.  That is right folks, that is how it is. 

So the scallops here one the bottom...hmm.  Scallops.  I sure think they are cute, but I hate making them.  I clipped these babies to death and they still want to roll.  What is the deal??  I wish I would have had more teal to do the binding.  Oh well.  It is what it is ....it is done, that it is what it is.

PS---I 'heart' fig tree....big shout out to Joanna and her crew.  Keep that beautiful fabric coming.  LOVE it.

Also, if you commented on either of my posts about this apron....you are now officially entered to win these 2 charm packs.  Seems I found I had extra of this line, so my mistake is your lucky day.  Leave a comment to enter....doesn't have to be anything fancy (maybe the best part of your holiday...or a link to a cute project you've seen in blogland...or your own confession to something yummy you've indulged in recently, or just a brief hello).

Some Late Night Christmas Sewing

Did you have a nice Christmas?  We surely did.  We attended a lovely Christmas Eve service at Church...just lovely.  Then we woke up to open presents on Christmas Day, much to Buddy's delight.  That Santa fellow sure treated him well. Then we were off for a bit of a drive, and a nice family dinner.

When we got home, the house was pretty quiet.  I wandered into my clean sewing room and actually felt like doing a bit of sewing.  So, at first...I was just going to read the pattern for the half apron.  Then I was just going to cut my pieces.  But, then I ended up getting quite a bit of sewing done.  I did end up altering the pattern a bit, I just was not up to learning a new applique pattern that late....but I still like it.  I am not sure I have enough material for bias tape.  If that is the case, it will not get done today and I will have to order some material.  But I have enough of it done, that I think you can see what I have been up to.

Photo Finish

Oh, I just managed to finish both of these April finishes.  First up is my MIL's tulip quilt top.  It is large.  I apologize, I had a hard time getting the entire quilt in the shot.  I hope to get this quilted in May.

Next up, I finished both of these aprons, which came from a pattern by The Pattern Basket.

Tomorrow is my birthday!  I am going to a soccer game, out to eat, and then to a quilt shop and maybe a very small quilt show. 

Booming Aprons Halloween in July Apron Swap

So, as I have mentioned before that I also made an apron for Booming Aprons Halloween in July Apron Swap. My partner was Irma. Here is a picture of my reversible Church Lady Apron that I made for her. My mom says these apron pictures do no do justice to the aprons and that I need to get a model. I apologize and I will try to do that next time. For one thing, you cannot see the cute overlapping pockets.

As you can see, I monogrammed Irma's initials on it and I love how it turned out. I love the font I chose, and the location. From now on, when I make this pattern, I will monogram on the leg. I just think it is darling.

I also sent along this cute little towel I whipped up.

It was a snap. I used scraps leftover from apron. I cut two 3 inch X 4.5 rectangles out of each fabric (4 total). I sewed them end to end, alternating the material. Then I folded the edges over a quarter of an inch on all 4 sides. I lined it up on a kitchen towel and sewed it on the top edge all the way around and then stitched in the 3 ditches. Lastly, I added a row of ric rac. It turned out super cute and it is a good use of scraps. I will be making lots of them for Christmas presents.

This little guy turn 4 today.

It is so hard to believe he is 4 already. I just love him to pieces. We had a fun birthday party over the weekend. He is modeling a new raincoat, boots, and umbrella that my mom bought him. Isn't he sweet?? It is a raincoat, but it has a liner in it so I hope he wears it a lot. On the backside, is a fireman's logo and the boots match.

Another Apron Swap!

I really enjoyed the last apron swap I participated in. Just so happens, when I was at the quilting store the other day....I saw some really cute Fall and Halloween prints. So, it only seems natural that I participate in this apron swap that I came across at Booming Aprons blog.




If you want to participate, visit Booming Aprons blog and all the contact information is there.

The Mailman Really Delivers

Whoa, what a hectic week we've had here at DQ. Amidst all the busyness at work this week, and who could forget to mention swingset construction, I had a couple of nice deliveries at my doorstep!


The first I'd like to mention is that I received my lovely Sassy Summer apron from Karen.

This is my first time taking part in the SWAP and it was a lot of fun. The theme was summer. Karen used this material that reminded her (and me) of a summer picnic blanket. I thought the design was just darling and she did a great job. I love the double row of ric rac. I've already wore it twice! She also sent along some towels and these potholders, quite sweet of her! Thanks, Karen!

The second package was a little something from Dawn. She is just so creative...even her card matched the fat pack and the ribbon!

I was quite tickled...and went bounding out to the construction site to share my news. Husband who had been working in the 90 degree, high humidity heat all day...perhaps had difficulty expressing his equal enthusiasm over the gift. Hmm.

Oh, my final and gift I received was that my husband, dad, and father in law worked so diligently on the swingset for buddy. Here are some pictures of bud sitting on his swing eating a popsicle yesterday.





Later I will post a picture of buddy's quilt that I stayed up late to get the borders on last night. We are off today to buy some backing material so that it can get off to the quilter's where she can work her magic. I am quite pleased with the look that the borders added.

Blitzing Out Some Birthday Presents

Attention, Attention! The monkeys are in the building. Oh yeah, the monkey quilt is back from the quilter. I even finished the binding lickity split...just a little banana humor for you bloggals.

I was delighted with her attention to details. Perhaps you can better see the monkeys and bananas she stitched all over it, if I show you the back.

How cool is that? I think the Director would like it on our next quilt! LOL. Just kidding.

My nephew, David, loves the color orange, hence the orangeness. Wow, it is bright....that's is all I can say. I just love this basket weave pattern and monkey border. It is so cheerful. I think it is my favorite, at least this week. Truthfully, I am a bit sad to part with it. I decided to make both of my nephews quilts for the their birthdays this year because I wasn't quilting when they were born, or a definitely would have made both of them one then. They are both special guys and they deserve something special made by their aunt.

I decided to whip up a towel apron with the new machine for him, as well. Below is buddy modeling it. Please note that David is not buddy's name. ;) He is pretty excited though.

I folded up the bottom of the towel which I also embroidered orange trim on, to make 4 pockets. Pockets are exciting to a 3 year old. Hey, let's face it- pockets must be exciting to a 31 year old, or I wouldn't be mentioning it either.

Ready to ship

Well, as you can see the pocket is on and it is ready to go. I really do like how it turned out.

I was also pleased with the towels. Okay, so I admit that I was ecstatic that I managed to get the lettering on there straight. It's the small things in life that are thrilling.





Did anyone else buy some bargains from the Fat Quarter Shop sale? I am looking for some ideas for this cute Valentine fat quarter pack I bought. I LUV it. LUUUUUVVVV it. I have wanted it since November, but I held out.


Any suggestions? I am afraid if I go chopping it up for a table runner I will lose the pictures I love so dear. I would need something with wide squares or cuts.



I also bought this other cute fabric. This is not like anything I typically buy, but I reall think it is charmingly summerly cute. I know, this is my blog and I can make up my own words.





Happy Saturday to you! I hope you enjoy your holiday weekend. It was a beautiful day here today. I hope sunshine filled your afternoon and sewing filled your evening. I am finishing up some big projects. I will report in later. Tootles, bloggals!

Pattern review

I have been working on my apron for the apron swap.

Also, here is one my towels to send with it. I also made a dish cloth that says Wash. I thought they were cute. To add the ric rac or not...that is the question. I think I shall.

I was following this pattern

out of this magazine.

Might I add that I felt that this pattern was HARD to follow. I guess I need more diagrams! Or a pattern for dummies! LOL.

Oh dear, and I still need to stitch on the pocket. I had my 'Director of Lining things up Level' help me at about midnight last night. I had it the way I thought was right, but he said I needed a correction. Typically, he is right in these matters. I sewed the pocket on... and it is clearly not level. Perhaps my partner in the swap hasn't had her V8 today??? Probably, no such luck though. So, I ripped it off.

I told the husband, he has been demoted. He told me he didn't have his glasses on. Why are you telling me this now, I say??? LOL

Oh, look at what I found at a quilt shop on the way back from my parent's house recently? Does it remind you of anything?

Did anyone do anything creative over the weekend? I've been busy reading all about proms and weddings! Sounds like fun! We went to an indoor waterpark. Little buddy had a blast. I am worn out, so tootles for now, gals!