Joyful Abode

The Santa Rosa Riverwalk arts festival (in Milton, Florida) was really nice. It was so gorgeous to be right next to the water, and the days were clear and sunny, even if the wind and cold on Saturday almost froze us to death.

I went with my sweet friend Liz, who makes gorgeous custom hand-embroidered pillows.

Here’s some of her awesome work. Let me know if you’re interested in commissioning a piece, and I’ll get her in touch with you!

Unlike at the last craft show, there were lots of helping hands around. Liz and I each had husbands to help set up big things, and our dear friend Cye accompanied us and helped chat up the visitors. Everyone’s company made it an especially pleasant weekend.

I had my new card rack and stationery display set up, which I thought was pretty spiffy. I also figured out how to do a nice two-level effect with the bias tape, by propping up the back basket on an overturned bowl.

And I wrapped my baby blankets all prettily in a band of brown paper with coordinating satin ribbons.

On Sunday, I came a little more prepared for cold weather, wearing my giant blue sweater that unfortunately makes me look like a linebacker. I think I need to donate this sweater… not too flattering, though I love the color and how it feels.

We demonstrated our crafts…

And some happy customers went away with their new purchases. This girl was especially exuberant, and VERY excited about her new apron, which she plans to wear as an over-skirt as part of her normal daily outfits. You can’t tell in this picture, but she was bouncing around telling us how pumped she was about all of the aprons. How great is that?

See you in Enterprise, Alabama this weekend! After that, watch out, Pensacola! UWF Festival on the Green, here we come!

…but for good reason. You see, from the moment I got home from work today, I’ve been frantically getting ready for my show this weekend. My dear friend offered to come over and cook for me and my neighbor-friend (who is sharing a booth with me) since she knew we were so busy tonight. How sweet is that?

So I wrapped baby blankets in cute brown paper bands with satin ribbons adorning them, my sweet husband and friends (and friend’s husband) made price tags for me so that I could re-tag all of my aprons (WHY did I take the tags off after the last show???)

My neighbor-friend put together her portfolio for custom orders, and made cute stamped tags for her items.

I made more fabric tags to go on aprons and baby blankets, and ironed them on everything.

My husband printed up loads of stationery and I packaged it…

And now it’s midnight, and I’m going to BED.

I promise I’ll do an “extra” Friday Feature this week, though it won’t be on a Friday. Forgive me. hehe.

And wish me luck at my second-ever craft show! It’s going to rock.

You may or may not have realized by now that my husband is in the Navy. He’s a student aviator right now (starting formation training today!!!). Anyway, I’ve begun to make a series of military stationery for other families like ours, who will be moving more than they ever thought possible, and experiencing other life-changing events alongside the Navy, Army, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard.

My first series features the T-34 turbomentor, which is the plane used at Whiting Field NAS for aviation training for the Navy, Coast Guard, Marines, and Air Force.

Heck… I’ll just post what I had in my descriptions at the shop.

“When you are part of a military family, you move quite often. And you know that it’s important to keep in touch with friends you’ve made along the way. These notes will help you let everyone know when something new has happened in your life.

These flat notes feature a glossy illustration of a T-34 (which is the plane the Navy, Marines, Air Force, and the Coast Guard uses for aviation training at NAS Whiting Field) on one side, and a matte blank side so you can write your own moving announcement (or birth announcement) and a quick note. This is a set of 10 notes and envelopes.

Since I’m a military wife, I’ve decided to create a series of flat notes to correspond to various life events. I’m always working on new illustrations, so if you have a suggestion, please send me a note! ”

I’m working on a series with the training helicopter right now. After that, who knows? Let me know if you have an idea!

Click here to see the whole series in the shop!

Please give a warm welcome to the newest members of the Joyful Abode family:

Stationery sets! It’s been in the works for a long time, and many, many doodles later… a huge order of paper and envelopes later, and lots of time spent digitally coloring and designing layouts later… I present to you unique stationery sets illustrated by Emily Chapelle (Yup, that’s my name! I decided to “come out” with it).

Each set includes 12 sheets of writing paper, 6 matching envelopes, and 12 matching stickers (perfect for sealing the envelopes or adding accents to your personal correspondence). These darling note sets will make perfect gifts for recent graduates (so they can keep in touch!), travelers, family, and friends.

These darling stationery sets will also help you keep your New Year’s Resolution to keep in touch with the people you love. Who could resist writing on such adorable paper? You can also rest easily knowing that the paper and envelopes are both made of recycled, 30% post-consumer paper, to help you keep your other resolution of going green (at least a little).

You’ll also be happy to know that I bought a scale and revisited my shipping prices. I had worked out a “flat rate” based on averages, and it was pretty dead-on. Unfortunately, I think it has been deterring people from purchasing less expensive, lighter items, and that’s the opposite of what I want!

I want all of my shop items to be accessible to everyone around the world. So I’m not longer offering flat-rate shipping in my shop. Instead, most of the shipping prices are lower than what they had been, but shipping for heavier items (Winter Warmth blankets) had to go up a little bit. I think this will be more fair to everyone. I hope you agree!

A couple of months ago, when I was at the fabric store, I got sucked in by the flannel. I mean, I couldn’t get out of that aisle! There’s so much cute stuff in there. I ended up buying a ton of it to make baby blankets with.

I wanted my blankets to be really soft, warm, good quality items. So I knew I wanted the nicest batting I could find. I ended up getting “warm n natural” which is 100% unbleached cotton fiber, and very cozy-feeling. It was a lot more expensive than the poly battings, but much nicer. Also, I keep imagining polyester melting onto people’s skin… freaks me out. That’s why my student-aviator-husband has mostly cotton socks (I think 97% was the most cotton he could find in a boot sock). Anyway, the point is, cotton is good.

I also wanted my blankets to be unique, with an extra touch of character. I wanted them to be like something you’d find in a children’s boutique where everything is a hand-picked treasure. So, in came the hand-appliquéd accents in the corner.

Perfect.

Here’s the description of them on etsy:

My Winter Warmth baby blankets are handcrafted out of 100% cotton flannel and an inner layer of warm 100% cotton batting.
Each blanket has a hand-appliquéd accent in one corner, letting everyone know that your baby is special enough to snuggle under a lovingly handmade creation.

Winter Warmth blankets are approximately 30″ x 40″, making them the perfect size for car-seat cuddles, stroller snuggles, cozy cribs, and even naps at preschool. In fact, you may find that you’d like to keep one at school, one at home, and one in the car, for ultimate convenience.

I’ll be uploading more to the shop soon. Want to take a look?

If you’re looking for some stylish gifts for your favorite happy homemaker, posh mama, domestic goddess, or talented teacher, these unique aprons may be just the ticket.

I’ve been adding lots of aprons to Joyful Abode @ Etsy,  so be sure to check them out. This batch has several vintage aprons, including a little sheer organza number, a utilitarian clothespin apron, one with a kawaii camping print, and two Joyful Abode full-style originals with D-ring adjustable neck straps.

Excuse my bread machine cord and the fact that the machine is sitting on a stool… this is what happens in a kitchen with no counter space.

Anyway, I just clipped some of my favorite aprons up using clothespins. I’ll rotate some of my not-so-favorites with more-favorite aprons as I find them. You know how it is with vintage aprons… a treasure hunt!

I don’t generally wear half-aprons so this is a fantastic way to display them, and also answers the question of kitchen window treatments.

Now, I DO wear full aprons every time I cook, so I chose to display them in a more utilitarian way… the people who lived in this house before we did evidently loved SCREWS. They are in every room, randomly placed in almost every wall.

I’ve come to appreciate them in an odd way, using them for various things (You’ll see another use in my craft room once I post pictures of that). In the kitchen, there are two random screws that make great apron-hooks. If I owned this house, I’d probably replace them with proper hooks, but for a temporary abode, the screws do just fine!

What do you do with your apron collection? I’d love to see it!

(Bella dia uses her half-aprons as chair skirts. How clever!)

PS You can’t have the aprons in my personal collection, of course, but I have found lots you can have. Want to see?

Technorati Tags: aprons, decor, curtains, kitchen, display, vintage, kitchen window treatments

My dear darling little sister offered to take pictures of my dozens of aprons, in order to build her photography portfolio. So I carted all of my apron inventory to Columbia, SC and she generously and patiently took pictures for two days, some on a clothesline, and some on models. I have to say, my cousins and my friend Brandi made fantastic models, hamming it up domestic-style, and my sister’s pictures are fantastic.

Check some of them out!

Click the pictures to see the listings in Joyful Abode @ Etsy

There are more in my shop that I didn’t add to this post.

I’ll stop… for now. But trust me, there are many, many more to come.

Technorati Tags: vintage aprons, vintage apron, vintage, apron, aprons, shopping, kitchen, baking, cooking, shop, buy, etsy, hostess gifts, hostess, housewarming gifts, housewarming, home, housewares, linens

Over the last two days, I uploaded all of my zipper pouches and my tree ornament set to Joyful Abode @ Etsy.

Here are just a few:

All of the zipper pouches are the perfect size for giving recipe cards or bias tape as a gift.

Check them out on my teensy tiny Christmas tree.

There is SO MUCH MORE in the shop… so be sure to check it out in time for Christmas gift-giving.

Hopefully soon, I’ll be able to get the aprons photographed so I can put them in the shop. I tried this weekend, but it was way to windy and the sunlight was much too harsh. None of the pictures turned out well. I may have to do them indoors, though that’s not my favorite.

Technorati Tags: zipper pouches, tree ornament set, recipe cards, bias tape, gift, Christmas tree, gift-giving, aprons, pictures

Wel, maybe I didn’t totally rock it…

But really, the art show was very encouraging to me. I wasn’t sure how I would do “out there” but … they like me! They really like me!

(I was SO EXCITED in this picture)

I had so much fun meeting the craft-loving people, and my booth-neighbor Kathryn was really sweet… we chatted all day in between waves of visitors.

Check out the rainbow of vintage aprons here… soon, a bunch of them will be up on Joyful Abode @ Etsy.

This is my craft show booth… the person to the left called to say he/she couldn’t come, so I got to take up a bit more space. Very nice!

Thanks to my sweet husband for helping me set up…

And for making my sweet lattice display.

Next time, I’ll definitely have to get a full-length mirror to set up in my booth. So many people tried on aprons and wanted to see what they looked like! So I ended up taking pictures of them and then showing them the picture on my camera. This is “Charlotte” (her pseudonym) and the apron she ended up taking home with her. She was so awesome! And if she lived here I’d definitely hire her as a model.

The weather was weird all day… it was drizzling slightly in the morning and SO FOGGY… my sweet guy ran to Wal-Mart to get a tent in case it rained sometime during the day.

Then, it was still foggy until past noon, and hot, and humid. Then it got sunny for a while, still hot… and then it clouded over again and got pretty chilly for a few minutes. Strange day.

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Belmont Arts Center yesterday. I think you’re all fabulous! Thank you for sharing your apron stories with me, too!

Technorati Tags: art show, craft, vintage aprons, craft show booth, lattice display, full-length mirror, aprons, Belmont Arts Center, apron stories

I finished up another batch of these zipper pouches. I love the way they look all together.

My bobbin box is one of my very favorite things…

And I always feel a sense of accomplishment when I finish off another spool of thread.

Does the little pile of threads and scraps that always piles up near the machine make anyone else strangely happy? I love it! If I were the type to spin yarn, I’d save it up to make a big sewing-scrap yarn.

If you’re in the Pensacola, Florida area, you should definitely come out to Belmont’s Bizzare this Saturday, from 10am ’till 4pm. See you there!

PS Sorry for my absence the last couple of days! I guess NaBloPoMo, combined with getting ready for Belmont, kind of wore me out! I’ll be back in full force soon, I’m sure.

A couple of craft shows I’m applying for require pictures (they’re juried), and one of the pictures has to be of the booth set-up. Since I haven’t done any shows yet, I set it up this morning in the driveway. My fantastic husband made the lattice thingies, which are great. They have horizontal poles on them, to act as racks for the hanging aprons. (Note the rainbow order arrangement… I’m insane.)

I think I’ll arrange things differently when I’m at Belmont’s Bizzare, to entice people to actually come “in” and look at things… but does anyone have specific suggestions? I’d like to get more height to the things on the table, but I’m not sure how to go about doing that without buying more stuff.

Cross your fingers for nice weather, too… I don’t have a tent!

Weird thing, too… I swear I had more aprons than this. I think I’m missing some, but maybe it’s my imagination.

I finished 4 more aprons today, plus 2 for a custom order from a coworker. Aaaand… Say goodbye to Rosaria. She’s going to a new (confidential, due to the holiday season) home! I’m sure she’ll be well-loved and very happy.

Check out Joyful Abode @ Etsy for more fantastic gift ideas (don’t forget yourself, too!).

Technorati Tags: craft shows, booth set-up, aprons, custom order, holiday season, gift ideas

I made myself a schedule for the countdown ’till the Bizzare… and I’m already behind. Hopefully I’ll catch up over the next few days!

I’ve also been going through the motions of becoming a “legal” small business, so that I can try to make Joyful Abode bigger and better! I got my sales and use tax permission from the state of Florida today. Sometime soon, I need to go down to the tax collector’s office and get my business license for the county of Santa Rosa, and apply for my Fictitious Name (DBA, or ”doing business as”).

I was worried about the fees associated with these things because I thought I’d have to start from scratch every time the Navy moves us. But I called the Small Business Development Center today, and found out that the Fictitious Name, which was the largest fee, will follow me for 5 years regardless of location. So I’ll just have to get a business license (usually under 40 dollars) and tax id (free) when we move again. So YAY!

A question for you:

Do you feel like your work and your hobbies are balanced? Or do you wish there were more (or less) of something? Expand on that question as you see fit.

I love my “day job” as a preschool teacher (it’s what I’ve wanted to do since I can remember, and I absolutely adore preschool), but I do wish there were more time for me and my other pursuits. Especially now that it’s winter, and being on the east side of the time zone. It gets dark SO EARLY here. It’s like the middle of the night when I get home at 5:30.

Technorati Tags: becoming a “legal” small business, sales and use tax, business license, Fictitious Name, ”doing business as”, Small Business Development Center, tax id, work, hobbies

I joined. I joined a while ago. I wasn’t going to, but then I realized I was already about halfway through the month and had posted every day. So… I joined. And then I was halfway sort of a little ashamed that I jumped on the bandwagon, so I didn’t tell anyone.

Some really neat people have visited my Joyful Abode because of it, so I’m happy I did! I’ve also read some fun blogs on the Randomizer. So… I’m coming out and saying “I’m a NaBloPoMo…Fo!”

So in the vein of blogging about blogging (meta-blogging?) I want to mention a few other things.

• If you view Joyful Abode in internet explorer, it will probably look weird (You’ll have to scroll down to see the posts). Internet explorer evidently fixed their issue of adding extra padding (and screwing up formatting) in their latest version, so update to ie 7!
• If you read Joyful Abode through livejournal’s RSS feed, please do not comment in the feed’s comment area. If you want me to see a comment on one of my posts, please click to the website. LJ doesn’t notify me when there are comments on the feed, so I might never see them. Thanks!
• I am still overrun with spam… it stopped for a while after I added the “Did you pass math?” commenty thing… but then it came back, especially on my highest-ranking pages. Anyone know what to do about this?
• To the NaBloPoMo people who “tagged” me for the 7 things… I already did it. Sorry!!! I know you just joined in during November, so you didn’t know… but there it is.
• And… you all rock. That’s just the truth. You seriously rock.

And… say goodbye to Petunia! She’s going to her new home in Pittsburgh.

And Allison should be in Georgia by now. Along with three sets of recipe cards. Yay!

Pick up your own recipe cards, aprons, and bias tape at JoyfulAbode@Esty.

Less than 2 weeks left until Belmont’s Bizzare. These two weeks will be filled with tons of crafting after work. I have a bunch of aprons left to finish, as well as other little projects.

I just finished 1 “batch” of lined zipper pouches. These would be perfect to use as gift bags for the bias tape or recipe cards. And the recipient can use them later to stylishly carry makeup, feminine products, or just the essentials in place of a purse (cell phone, money, keys, driver’s license).

Sorry for the bad pictures! It’s night!

I have another batch of these all cut out and waiting to be sewn, too.

Belmont Arts Center in Pensacola, FL is hosting a funky arts and crafts show December 8th, 2007.

And guess who will be there as a vendor… yours truly! So if you’re in the area, you definitely need to come check it out.

I’ve been crafting up a storm…

Making lots more bias tape, in the hopes that sewers and quilters will be in the mix.

And working up a new project.

Of course I’m making lots of aprons too… no pictures of those yet! But come out to the bizzare and bring a friend or 20.

(Look at my etsy after the show for some shop updates, probably.)

I’ve created some recipe card sets with my illustrations just for you! Or, you know… your parents, siblings, friends, teachers, or co-workers. They’d make great stocking stuffers or additions to any kitchen or house-waming gift basket.

The illustrations came straight from my head and out of my pen. After some computer-manipulation, they became 4″x6″ recipe cards.

One thing I like about them (besides their unique cuteness) is that they don’t try to guess what sort of format you use. The recipe cards I’ve bought in the past say “Recipe:” and then have a place for you to write what it is the recipe is for… but how redundant is that? It’s already in your recipe book! Of course it’s a recipe! Then they also say, “Serves:” I never use that part. I tend to write my oven temp there. And I have no clue how you write yours!

So… Joyful Abode recipe cards don’t guess what your format is. They just give you the blank lines and darling illustrations.

(The Tummy Comforts picture was getting all weird when I re-sized it… so I had to use a smaller image. Sorry!)

Hop on over to Joyful Abode @ Etsy to pick up a few packages of recipe cards for this holiday season!

Thank you for your vintage apron order, Erin!

Check out other aprons (new and vintage) at Joyfulabode @ Etsy.

This 1″ double fold bias tape is made from 100% cotton and is the perfect way to finish table linens and quilts, embellish existing clothing, create aprons, and more! Each package includes 3 yards of bias tape, but if you have a bigger project, I have multiple packages of a few of the prints. Just check out my bias tape listings on Joyful Abode @ Etsy for details.

And isn’t my packaging the cutest?

Almost two weeks ago, I posted about a Halloween coloring contest here at Joyful Abode.

Since then, I have received… zero entries!
So I am amending the contest. If there are fewer than FIVE (5) entries submitted by the deadline (October 29th), the contest will be called off. If five or more entries are submitted, the winner will be announced when one picture receives 13 votes or more, or the deadline occurs, whichever happens later.

I took a few copies of the coloring page to the preschool class (where I am the assistant teacher), and I tried to get the kids to help me figure out the lack of interest.

I said to each child, one-on-one, “I drew this picture and gave it to a lot of people, but no one wanted to color it! What do you think is wrong with my picture? Why doesn’t anyone like it?”

(All children’s names have been changed to protect the REAL kids in the school. Just in case.) 

Nate said, “The bat isn’t black.” Then, when I explained to him that it was the color-er’s job to make the bat black, he reconsidered and speculated, “Maybe ’cause everybody don’t like spiders.”

Aiden plainly said, “It’s too scary.”

Julie-Ann said, “Well I like it!”

Kenny’s answer was, “I don’t know. Hey, I like it! I can draw (color) it for you. Want me to show you how?

Russel said, “Because the ghost can’t move. It’s stuck.”

Samuel’s answer was, pointing to the grave, “I think it’s ’cause that think’s broke.”

Mary Ann, the sweetheart, said, “Nothing’s wrong with it. I like it.”

Basat’s answer was a very grumpy,  “Because you make it not good.” Then he pointed out all of the things that weren’t good in the picture one by one, which ended up being everything.

After these conversations, several of the children asked for their own page to color. Their pictures really turned out well.

I love Autumn, October, and Halloween. So in honor of these three times of year, I am hosting a Joyful Abode Halloween Coloring Contest.

The winner will receive a lucky (or is it unlucky) $13.13 gift code for Joyful Abode!

Currently, the shop is full of lovely aprons, and soon we’ll be adding some supplies for sewing-type folks!

So… are you ready?

Step 1: Save the coloring page to your hard drive. Please click here to download the large version.

Step 2: Color it. You can print it, color it with crayons, markers, pastels, or paints, and scan it back in if you’d like. Or you can use a Photoshop-esque program to color it digitally.

Step 3: Email it to me at emily at joyfulabode dot com (please in .jpg or .gif format). Feel free to include a little blurb about yourself or about how you colored your picture. I’ll include it in the description when I post the entries.

Step 4 (really a step for me, not for you): I put every entry into the flickr album for the contest (with your blurb if you wrote one).

Step 5: Tell your friends to vote on your entry by commenting on flickr with their choice. Remind them that only one vote will count per voter!

Step 6: Wait until the winner is announced on Monday, October 29th!

I can’t wait to see the creative ways you color your pictures!

PS: I’ll accept submissions until the contest is over, but the sooner you submit your entry, the more time you have to garner votes for your picture. Only one entry per person, please!

I’ve been reading a bit about chicken scratch embroidery since finding a couple of aprons that are embellished with it. Chickenscratch is also called Snowflake Embroidery, Amish Embroidery, Depression Lace, or Gingham Lace and refers to a cross-stitch-like embroidered pattern done over gingham fabric. It can be very simple (the stitches will look like asterisks or stars) or more complex.

This apron, called Talia, is now at Joyful Abode @ Etsy, listed under Vintage Aprons of course (Vintage Half Aprons). I think the work done on this one is just gorgeous.

Bottom hem:

Waistband:

Pocket:

All of Lovely Talia:

This is Sara. She’s ruffly and flowery and will make you feel perky instantly.

Shop for more vintage aprons at Joyful Abode @ Etsy. Aprons make great teacher gifts, hostess gifts, housewarming presents, and of course presents for yourself.

Meet Rosaria. She is in perfect condition. Pink flowers adorn the apron, ties, and pockets, while a parade of flower carts march across the hem. With a design like this, Rosaria is sure to make any day sunnier.

Could this fabric get any cuter?

Hop on over to Joyful Abode @ Etsy to check out my other aprons, too!

Meet Petunia. She’s adorable. Her flower pot is a pocket, and due to some very minor wear at the top of the pocket, she is listed at the bargain price of 6 dollars!

And this is Quinn. She’s one of my favorite vintage finds. This color blue is just the most cheering thing… and the flowers are darling. I love the shaped waistband on this one (just like on Petunia!) and the sort-of scalloping at the bottom.

Hop on over to Joyful Abode @ Etsy to check out my other aprons, too!

Introducing Nadia and Ophelia!

Nadia is in fantastic shape and her design is just too cute for words.

Ophelia is a sweetheart who has been loved a lot. She’s a bargain at only $6!

Hop over to Joyful Abode @ Etsy to get one for yourself!

Karen and Marianne are flying away today! Karen’s shipping was a little slower because I had to wait for an e-check to clear (Sorry, Jen!), but Marianne was purchased yesterday and will ship today.

Enjoy, ladies!

I love Marianne’s pocket… it’s why I fell in love with her. It’s more like an attached pouch, because it was made separately and then sewn into the waistband. Her fabric is really punchy too, with a great color scheme, flowers, AND stripes. Rick rack is always good too.

She’s one of a kind, so if you are smitten with her too, hurry to Joyful Abode @ Etsy to claim her for yourself.

It seems like there is some confusion about my vintage items. Some people thought I made the vintage aprons! I am not a vintage person, so I cannot have made vintage aprons! I find them here and there (sometimes they find me), sometimes in thrift stores, sometimes online, sometimes in yard sales or whatnot. (I made the aprons that say “Joyful Abode” in place of “Vintage.”)

I love each one, but if I kept them all, my personal apron collection would be gigantic. It’s like my students, as a teacher… they pass through my class, and hopefully come out better than before on the other side. I love them all, but I have to hand them over to the next teacher. If I kept them all, I’d have an overflowing classroom!

So with these vintage beauties? They come to me, sometimes a bit rough or worse-for-wear, then I clean them up and pass them on to you!

This apron is one of the most meticulously, yet simply, embellished aprons I’ve seen. Just to show you some of the amazing work that went into it, take a look at the tiny pleats at the top created with careful cross-stitching. Wow.

And if you think that’s gorgeous, wait till you see the details at the bottom of the apron. Take a look at Joyful Abode @ Etsy.

There’s a new apron on the block!

Her name is Karen and she’s completely reversible, with a pocket on each side. Take a drool, and hop over to the shop to see her. I absolutely love the smock-style of this one, and the fact that half of the side ties are the same as one side’s fabric, and the other half are the same as the opposing side. It is quite groovy.

Edited to add: I wrote this entry last night to post today to let you all know about this apron, but she’s already been sold! This lovely little number will be on her way to Jen in Michigan soon.

She’s on her way to her new home with Laura (shipped yesterday).

All wrapped up with ribbon and a note.

Check out my etsy shop if you want your own.

I am adding aprons to the shop.

I will also have a real post here soon! Get your eggs ready. Mmmm….

Here’s another apron sneak peek. This is the one with the pocket I thought would be perfect for clothespins!

And these are the “Carolynn” aprons… I made one grown-up half-apron, and two kiddie full aprons. The grown-up version has three pockets in the front that would be perfect for scissors, paint brushes, or other craft materials. The kiddie aprons each have one front pocket.

My mannequins are in the mail! The guy I ordered them from is in California, but he sent them by FedEx so hopefully they’ll get here soon. In the meantime, I’m still making aprons.

Tonight, I made one that has a deep pleated pocket that would be perfect for clothespins. I don’t line-dry my clothes, but when my students were painting outside, we did hang up their pictures to dry on a line. And when I took them down after they had dried, I wished I had a big deep pocket in the apron I was wearing.

I have a question for you… I ordered a lady mannequin and a child one. They are basically just the front part of the torso, not full mannequin. What do you think I should name them? I want something cute, not too common. And the child’s name needs to be asexual. Any ideas?

Just a sneak peek of some of the aprons I’ve been making. Hopefully next week, they will be in my etsy shop. (Nothing is there yet.) I am waiting for my mannequin lady to come in the mail. Well, really she’s more of a quarter of a lady. But she will wear aprons!