Christmas Apron

I signed up for a great swap on Swap Bot awhile back. My swap partner received her package so I can share what I made for her now. For this swap we had to make a half apron and the inspiration was peppermint candies – you know those red and white candy mints you get sometimes at restaurants. As soon as I signed up I knew that I could use some of the Christmas fabric I had left over from the Christmas apron I made for a swap awhile ago since it was red and white. It has snowflakes on it and every time I have one of those candy mints I think of snowflakes. I needed to find a striped fabric to go with it for the ruffle and waistband/ties. I looked at a few stores, but just couldn’t find the right stripe. I finally found this one – it reminds me of candycanes. With the narrow green stripe through the fabric I thought this added some richness to it.

I couldn’t find a tutorial on the web for exactly the apron I wanted to make and I didn't have a pattern so I winged it. I knew I wanted the ruffle to be full. Without pictures to show how I made this apron, directions would be little wordy. Of course I didn't even think to take pictures as I went along until I was almost done the apron. I may just have to come up with a tutorial in the New Year - I don't have time before Christmas.


Are you still working on your Christmas gifts too? I still have a pile of sewing to do, a few more gifts to purchase and everything to wrap. Oh and I haven't done any Christmas baking yet either!

We have a winner!

Thank you all so much for sharing your favourite part of the holidays with me. I started to respond to comments, but with a slow dial up connection (we don't live in an area that has access to high speed internet or cable) that is not going to be possible - it would take at least 4-5 days and I just don't have time right now. Please know that I do appreciate all of your comments. Thanks for visiting my blog and I hope I have some new regular readers.

In fairness to all the others who did tell me their favourite part of the holidays, there were a few people that did not answer the question, and they were removed from the draw. I used the random number thingy. The winner is baukje. Baukje I will email you today. Please contact me no later than 9 PM Eastern Standard Time with your full name and address and I will get your package sent off to you!

Sorry to all of those who did not win this one. I plan on doing at least one giveaway in the New Year - so check back again!

Aprons, Aprons

If you are here for the Giveaway Day, please feel free to check out the rest of my blog. The Giveaway Day post is in the next post below.

I recently participated in an apron swap. My partner has received her package so I can share this now. For this swap we could make a half or full apron and we could make requests - like a child's apron, full apron, half apron, certain colours etc. My partner wanted an apron for her son who likes bright blue or one for herself - not too girly. I wanted to make an apron for both my swap partner and her son. I'd never made a child's apron, but looked on the internet to see what sort of ideas I could find. I knew a full apron would probably be the best bet for a 5 year old. I made up my own pattern for this apron. I think it turned out perfectly. My 5 year old modelled it for me so I could see how it fit. All the fabric is from my stash. For the tie around the neck I decided to make it shorter and used velcro so it could be taken off quickly and easily. The tie around the waist is a regular tie.

For my swap partner I had some fabric in my stash that I thought would be perfect - not too girly but still pretty. I decided on a half apron for her. The apron pattern is from the Bend the Rules sewing book again. As I've gone along making aprons from this pattern, I've found a few shortcuts. I love the look of this style of apron.

Both my swap partner and her son really like their aprons. I hope they get a lot of use out of them!

Giveaway Day!!!!!

Thanks to the ladies at Sew, Mama, Sew for organizing this whole Giveaway Day!

Sorry the picture isn't better. It's dark outside when I leave home to go to work and it's dark when I get home and to tell the truth I just decided when I got home tonight exactly what I was going to giveaway.


I'm giving away a half yard of the black fabric with the red, yellow and pink flowers on it and a fat quarter of the green fabric. The green is actually more of a lime green than it shows in the picture. The black fabric has been previously washed and dried in the dryer. The green fabric quarter has not been laundered. I wanted to throw some buttons in that went with the fabrics, so I sorted through my button collection. There is 1 red button and two yellow buttons to go with the black fabric. To go with the green fabric I found a cute blue flower button, a green heart, and 3 other blue buttons (2 small buttons and 1 larger one). I'm also giving away a little box of bobbins - there are 12 in the box. I'm also throwing in a little handmade something. I haven't decided what it is yet - so it will be a surprise.

This giveaway is open until December 6 at 9 pm eastern. I will randomly pick a winner shortly after. To enter, please leave a comment telling me your favourite thing about the holiday season. It could be a favourite recipe (please share - I like to try out new recipes), an activity etc. Please ensure you leave an email address so I can email you if you win. Any anonymous comments without an email address will not be entered. The winner will have until December 9th at 9 pm eastern to claim their prize. If the prize is unclaimed I will announce another winner. Good luck! And go check out the other giveaways at the Sew, Mama, Sew blog!

Edited to add - This Giveaway is open to international entries as well.

More Baby

These little onesies and blankets were made for my friend at work who had her baby 10 weeks early (I also gave her the diaper clutch). She was very lucky that her little guy has been able to breathe on his own right from the start and is really strong. He is doing very well and they are actually home now (3 weeks before her due date). Her baby shower was a month ago (I know I have a terrible timeliness problem with blogging my projects). Anyway I bought some onesies and had some owl fabric scraps and cut out one owl to applique on the onesie. The bird onesie I had some scraps and used them to make the birds, and the wings. I stitched the birds' legs on the onesie before appliquing on the birds. I didn't have that much fabric that went with green onesie and had no idea what to do for that one. I found the dotted fabric and knew I wanted to make an E applique for that onesie given that the baby's name starts with an E. I love these onseies. I know it will be awhile before he can wear them, but he is growing so quickly and doing so well.

Theses blankets I made using 1 metre of each of the flanellettes. I love nice cozy, soft blankies for babies. I just sewed them up right sides together and left an opening to turn them right side out. After turning them right side out I tucked in the open end and stitched all the way around the blanket. The blankets were really popular at the shower. I love making something for someone who really truely appreciates the thought and care that goes into each item.

I wish my friend and her new little family the best. Keep growing and thriving E!

VOTE FOR #7 Lawn Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

VOTE FOR #7 Lawn Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!
You can win this dress on Grossgrain! Vot for #7 on Shabby Apple. This dress is so cute!

Charm Design Bags and Totes $50 gift card GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Charm Design Bags and Totes $50 gift card GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!
Check out Grosgrain for a chance to win a $50 gift card at Charm Design. Wow there are some fabulous purses you can use your gift card for!