wonderland5

have I mentioned...

that my work is featured in several new craft books?  Both books are published by the fabulous Lark Books, whose catalog I used to dream over in the eighties.  As a teen, I often spent my birthday money ordering craft books from them, little dreaming that some day I would be one of their designers!  I have done several other projects with them, with more on the way for 2009, but these two books are so fun and yummy, they are my favorites.

First up is A is for Apron by Nathalie Mornu:

I have two aprons in this book, both of which have been fabulously styled and well-photographed, which is truly gratifying.  You may make a terrific project but unless the production people are good at what they do--well, you can guess how that might go.  Anyway, this is a great great book.  So many cool aprons!  I have plans for several of these patterns.  I am really glad to have been a part of this project and anyone who likes aprons should really check this book out.

If you like aprons, maybe you like to cook?  That isn't true for me but it could be for many people!  And even those of us who don't particularly *like* to cook may still find ourselves in the kitchen next to a hot stove.  Nothing cheers me up more than a cool, handmade kitchen accessory that reminds me that my real life of sewing awaits me after I finish up. 

Pretty Little Potholders is the latest entry in the "Pretty Little..." series that also included pincushions and patchwork. 

I have three potholders featured and again, excellent photography and good styling.  I think my work is shown to it's best advantage.  Many other fun projects by bloggers and designers that many will recognize.  This book has a fun retro feel and some easy and fun projects that would make great gifts ( it's August 1 people!  Time to start planning your Christmas and holiday making!)

Actually, you know what would make a fun gift?  An apron that you made with some matching fabric and the potholder book!  That would be good for someone just learning how to sew.

Here's a peek inside the books, with my projects featured. It may be shameless self-promotion but what else can I do? If you have the books, check me out (Betsy Couzins) and feel free to tell me what you think (unless you think they are awful and ugly in which case I say "didn't your elders teach you what to say when you don't have anything nice to say???")

it's all in the pocket

My new apron fascination is fancy pockets.  I guess I have made so many aprons at this point that it's a bit old hat so I have been branching out.  This pocket is a little patchwork house inspired by a Japanese craft book (I don't have the ISBN # handy but comment if you want it and I will edit to add.)  It was terribly difficult for me to make, having never used triangles in patchwork before but now I think I have it figured out.  Who would guess that those tiny triangular "sky" pieces would trip me up so much?  Sometimes I look at a picture of something (like a patchwork house, for example) and I think "I could make that.  How hard could it be?"  and then I try to make it and find myself swearing like a longshoreman and cursing my own arrogance.  Luckily, it usually works out alright in the end.

We have just returned from a mini-break at the beach.  I will post more as soon as I catch up on laundry!

check 'em out!

The latest Tie One On gallery has been posted.  The theme this time was polka-dots and there are some really cool aprons on view.

This is my entry, made for my sister for Christmas.  I usually like to model my aprons but my ginormous belly at the time prevented me from doing so.  Ah well, it looks alright on the wall.

In other news, the colds continue.  Will the mucus never end???  Anna's eyes are all goopy and she is miserable and unable to sleep.  You know what that means:  I am miserable and unable to sleep!  But I am keeping my chin up:  it can't go on forever.

new aprons

Mom was over today, hanging out with Jack and I.  She graciously agreed to model my two newest aprons.  Isn't she just the best little skinny minnie?

I like the way this one turned out--I feel like I finally mastered the bias trim insanity here.

I like this one too--the top is a pin stripe seersucker that has a great hand.  The toile layer is all gathered and ruffly.  This is maybe the *girliest* of the aprons that I have made.

I'll be putting these up in my Etsy shop in the next few days.

if you sew it, will the wearer appear?

I sewed up a tiny apron the other day.  I had just that much of the cherry hankie left and so I made the apron around it.   I love how it turned out, all pink and cute and sassy.

However, since it is a weird size, it doesn't fit anything or anyone.  Too big for an American Girl doll ( probably a good thing since we don't have one anyway) too small for any but the tiniest infant (not big cooks, those tiny infants.)

Should I make someone or something to wear the apron?  I'm not a terribly experienced doll maker but inexperience and ignorance have never held me back as far as projects go.  The problem is that I want to make *aprons* not dolls.  And yet an apron without a waist just seems wasted.   

Must give this more thought.

sweet and sassy

I finished up a couple new aprons this week: presents for my tween-age nieces.

I am really pleased with how they turned out.  Having two layers gives a petticoat effect and gives the apron more body and twirl.  I used to love wearing stuff that twirled when I was their age.  Two layers also means 2x the trims and you know I love that!!

Still loving this style

I made this little number for my mom for Christmas:

This is the third apron I have made from this pattern (McCall's 3979) and I have to say I am still really digging it.  The only thing I had to adjust on the pattern was the pocket: the original was not big enough for my Ipod and that would just never do.   It is a great apron to wear and looks retro vintagey without being too precious.  Plus I now feel that I have mastered the bias trim method--finally!

Tie One On: the Pinafore

The new gallery is posted for August/ September's Tie One On apron challenge.  This months' theme was the pinafore and the new aprons are probably the best batch yet.  Definitely worth checking out.

Here is my entry:

It turned out pretty well, I think, considering that I had never used bias trim before and didn't know that one side was a teensy bit narrower than the other.  There was lots of seam ripping and cursing before it was finished and even now there are a few gaps where the trim didn't catch on both sides.  I always meant to keep this one anyway, which is for the best.  I have been wearing it around the house a lot and it is very comfortable and my ipod fits right in the pocket very handily!  I have gotten two orders for more like this just from friends who have stopped by!  I guess I will be getting a lot more practice in bias tape sewing in the near future.

October's theme is the apron as a costume: put your thinking caps on and come up with a great idea--join the fun!!  aprons are the new cool thing.

A little of this, a little of that

I really wanted to get a WIP up here this week, but I haven't managed to, so here's a little something I was making last year at this time.

This *was* hanging over the changing table, until Mr. Wonderful started using it to pull himself to an inappropriate and highly dangerous sitting position.  In the process, he managed to rip off two of the ribbons holding the bottom stretcher, a problem I have yet to correct.  It is made of 100 percent wool felt, which had the unexpected side benefit of being water (or *other* liquid)-proof.  I reccommend this material to anyone wanting to make a wall hanging for a baby boy.

Here's a nifty little number I picked up at the thrift recently:

Isn't this the best?  someone crocheted the prettiest flower trim, sash, ties, and pocket and sewed them onto a dish cloth.  I think it is awesome.  It is in pristine condition, obviously never worn.  I have it up on the wall in the kitchen and I think it is inspiring me to try to learn to crochet.

Quick update on the handmade holidays project:  I have been using this project as an excuse to spend far too much time cruising Etsy and other craft boutiques and I have already seen some amazing, amazing wares.  A lot of them are very reasonably priced and well presented, so I could totally see ordering them as gifts, no problems...except...these are things that *I* would love to receive as gifts.  I can't really picture my dad unwrapping an adorable handbag or felt brooch or cupcake pincushion on Christmas morning.  I think I may have to broaden the scope of my *handmade* mindset to accommodate all players.  In the meantime, I am creating *quite* a wish list of my own!

My big sis is cruising into town tomorrow for the weekend.  No girls this time, just mama.  I am so looking forward to hanging with her, I probably won't post again until Monday or so.  good weekend to all.

A new apron and then I'm off!

I just finished up another apron--a gift for a wonderful friend who is turning thirty!  Amanda spent lots of time in Switzerland as a younger person and is my go-to person for all things Germanic, so that informed my fabric choices a bit.  The patterned fabric seems kindof folkloric to me. 

I also used piping around the skirt for the first time and am really pleased with how it has turned out.  White rick rack (my usual fave) didn't seem right with this little number.  I also really like the flower trim that I used on the bib--a gift from a friend and so now I will have to search the net to find more!

But that will have to wait ten days or so...we are off to the beach tomorrow for a few days with Mike's family and then a week with my family.  Lots of togetherness.  This is Jack's first extended trip so I am hoping for the best.

Back around 8/20 with lots of new projects and many pictures.  Have a good week everyone!