A Crafty Farm Wife: More Crafty aprons with instructions

A Crafty Farm Wife: More Crafty aprons with instructions

More Crafty aprons with instructions

After a week of nursing a sick husband, I finally convinced him to go to Dr. I have been working on the bookkeeping of the farm account for 2010 and have it completed, now on to the household or personal account. It is reason to enough to keep up with this on a monthly basis and not let it slide as I have this year.
So decided to take a short break from the bookkeeping and start on some aprons, I will up load some pictures. They are so easy and fun to make. I am sure all your children and  grandkids would love them, I have made both cook's, chef's and carpenter ones for my grandkids. I made the carpenter ones from overall denim, It takes so little yardage, I used leftovers on all of mine. It is fun to mix prints to make them more fun.
My sister got me started on these, She uses fat quarters for most of hers. Instruction are easy. I used a small
apron from a workshop of a home improvement store as a pattern for the one I am working on now. I also purchased a pre-printed Daisy Kingdom one and used it as a pattern for some. I drafted the pattern from it before sewing it up. I added inches to the length for both of them to make larger sizes. The orginal was a 3-4 size on both of these. I wanted some for taller kids, the older or taller the kids are determines how many inches to add to the pattern. You can either make your own bias binding for the straps and apron string ties or used purchased bias.  I used purchased bias on all of these so far. I do plan on making some bias of my own but I was on a time budget this time.McCalls Pattern 5997 Fashion Aprons Mother and Daughter Aprons is another option and I have also used the pattern above for some of mine
This apron takes just 1/2 yd of main color,6 "  x 17' piece for pockets, 2 pkgs of double fold bias tape

1.  To make the blue one, Take a square of 17", fold in half and mark 3 1/2" from center fabric at the top of  Make cut 7' down angle curved cut similar to armholes, 
2.  Cut a 5 1/2' strip of coordnating fabric for pockets.
3.  Encase the top of pocket with double fold bias take in matching color.
4.  pin pocket to bottom of apron,.sew to apron at the center to make pockets,
5. Starting at the "arm"  enclose the three sides and the bottom of apron and pocket together with double fold bias tape.
6.  Enclose the bib top with double fold bias tape.

7.  cut a piece of double fold bias tape 60" in length. enclose the curved edges, leaving 16" at the top for neck loop leaving 22" on each side for ties. You are done

aprons

I have been making these as gifts and all the kids really like them. the half apron is three ruffles and and is totally lined. they do look so cute. My grandchilren were so tickled with them they even put them on over thier pjs when getting ready for bed. the full apron has a pocket above the ruffle, It is totally trimmed with bias binding.

Welcome to 2011

We start the new year with many blessing from last year, we welcome 3 new grandchildren into our family.
We did loose my mother at the early in January of 2010, however I believe she is no longer suffering, is in a better place with our Lord. I was able to do a lot of sewing, crafts, scrapbooking and move on with our work neccessary for my family. I have enjoyed the "Susy Homemaker" lifestyle this past year. I believe God has blessed us with many new friends and a caring family. I was able to take a sabbatical with my 3 wonderful sisters and a great brother-in-law. It was so good to have the time spent with them.
I have enjoyed canning, baking and trying all kinds of new recipes.
I continue to find the Lord in many ways of our lives. The way things seem to come when needed.
My family still seems amazed when things happen at the right time. My son & husband will look at me and say " Mom have you been praying again?"   I just smile and say "always" because I know that the Lord knows what and when we need something. A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting World

the new year is coming.

We are working on clean up. It is a year around thing, however  we seem to focus more on it at the begining of a new year. We both work part time off the farm so need to find more ways to manage our time better. Organization is a issue all the time. I enjoy being busy, but I am always looking for more efficient ways to do things. We seem to make time for the fun things, but need to work on the neccessary things. They are part of life and maybe not as enjoyable as the fun things. I enjoy the sewing, crafts  and remaking things. I alway make things that are useful, usually  for organization and managment of everyday life..
The Lord has been good to us this year and blessed our family, children and grandchildren. We have been blessed with addition of 3 grandchilren and 1 great grandchild this year. One granddaughter became engaged, Two have found jobs. One grandson will leave for the Army on the 19th of January. Four of our grandchildren celebrated Birthdays in December.

New Job

I have accepted the position of Church Secretary, It is a part time job. I could not ask for a better place to work or a better enviorment.
Part time is also the perfect fit for me now. I enjoy being busy and it gives time to work on my projects.
I have made some aprons for the grandchildren, can do my baking, and other crafts. I have several projects on my list and will be able to do them and work. Hubby has been working insurance this past week, the farm chores, feeding cattle and working on taking more things to recycle plant. We can always use the extra cash and it does help to tidy things up quite a bit..I will try to post some pictures of my projects later. It is a very busy time of year, with planned Christmas events, family gatherings. I really enjoy the hustle and bustle this time of year, even when it a time crunch to get things done on time.  I just remember why we celebrate the season and know it is well worth the effort. This year has a little added stress with starting a new job just before Christmas, it reminds me why I should do better when planning our gathering. It makes me glad I had a much done as I did. I should have been working at faster pace, instead of taking my time, because I thought I had plenty of it.
Here's wishing everyone a Merry Christmas!!!

Busy busy busy

I have neglected my blog for a bit. We celebrated Thanksgiving on Thanksgiving at my sisters and their families. We also celebrated it on Sunday with husbands family and had a large gathering over  50 people  were there.
I have made two aprons for granddaughters, I have started some pj's for my grandson out of wildcat flannel.
I took the part time job as secretary at the church. I think it will be a good thing.
Made snickerdoodles for grandson Birthday at school tonite, will take to school tomorrow.
I have some decorations up but would like to get more up. We need to get lights up tomorrow..

Busy busy time

I have been canning, pears, peaches, making jams, and applesauce. It has been really nice. I love this time of year, the cool of fall before winter. I have enjoyed many outings with friends and family.
We have all the beans combined and hay hauled. We have been moving cattle home.
I have also been baking breads and cookies, eating some and freezing some for the holidays.
Today I have made peanut butter banana cookies and have pears processing. I have several jars of various fruits done and will share with the kids at Christmas.
I have Friday and Sat.with my daughters working on Tutu dresses for 6 granddaughters. It was fun and enjoyable time. We also attended craft fair at Amelia's school which we saw many different crafts some of which we may make or at least try. I will post some pictures later on the projects we are working on..

busy day

I am drying the noodles for supper that will go with the chicken I cooked and deboned earlier. While noodles dry, I have pear preserves cooking to go in jars and be processed for the winter. I have use the Ball Blue Book guide to preserving. I use recipes from all over. My pear one is a from Paula Deen.  I use the Blue Book I use to can anything I can, jell. It has several good recipes for all kinds of things both canning and freezing.

cleaning and organization

It has been a bit since I have posted anything. I have been quite busy getting rid of extra stuff by donation to "God's Storehouse" in our local town or taking to local wed morning farmers auction. Hubby was busy Friday and Saturday hauling hay home from the field, had help from 2 sons. We had a surprise visit from my sister and husband on Saturday.I did get shelves installed early am by hubby before he headed off to the field. I was able to get my home canned goods off the counter tops and onto shelves. It was such a blessing.
my six year old grandson and I was able to get some choc. cupcakes made.
I aslo was able to get sewing room tidied up and ready to work in. I have gotten some quick breads and a pie in freezer for the holidays that are coming up. It is a good thing to have some things done and ready to pull out when needed for those drop by guests.

this is some of my okra in jars ready for the pickling liquid.

busy time of year

I have been  canning apple pie filling, making apple jell, and applesauce. I love the smell of apples cooking. I have made apple bread, pies, cookies. It is a good thing. I have froze some for later. It is especially nice when friends or neighbors bring them to you.
I did  some clean up and sorting this past week also, I am trying to accomplish a well organized household. I am not sure it will ever happen, but I must at least make the effort. I take these things to a weekly auction in town. I  get it gone, hopefully others will get some use out of it and a little spending money doesn't hurt either.
I went to auction myself on Sat. I purchased some sewing supplies, fabric and a snow cone machine for the grandkids. I think they will have fun with it. I haven't tried it out yet. I will need to purchase the syrup for it.

Road Trip

I have been busy getting ready for my trip with 3 sisters and 1 brother-in-law. He acted as a driver and planned our trip. Before leaving I had to get okra pickled, strawberries frozen and jelled
We left on thurs. arrived in Grand Island, Nebraska in the evening. On Friday we started our junking along the north route of the "junk juant". It follows the North Loup river (sorta) purchasing as we went. If we saw a sign for the jaunt we followed it. Met some friendly people. Everyone was so encouraging on our stops.
Some people came from west coast area, such as Oregon. Some had shops and were looking for primitive things or antiques to resell. Some had started when it started seven years ago. We met a mother and 2 daughters who were there for the first time, also another daughter had brought both her mother and mother-in-law for the last four years.
I purchased a side table to refurbish, 2 wicker chairs and wicker side table/ottoman that I plan on painting, also will make and cover cushions for the chairs. I purchased some yardage for craft projects.
My sisters purchased various items, dishes, side tables, fabric,& books. All are for projects they have in mind. They will use some and resale some.
We stopped at a pumpkin and craft farm. They had several vendors at one location, some hand crafted items, an garage sale area. It was great. I think it was one of the highlights of our trip as we stopped there twice.

Each one of us  purchased several pumpkins, gourds and squash
We also stopped at a winery also pictured above. They had just sold the buckboard for $2000.00 as we were leaving.
Our driver was very accomadating, he stopped when we needed too or wanted to. This trip was not one of the hurry up and get it done things. It was more of  take your time and look around type trips.

Bake and freeze day.

Yesterday we made a trip to Salina for a fun and wonderful day with the children and grandchildren. We baptized 3 grandchildre, celebrated 3 birthdays.We had a picnic in the park. It was lovely.
Today I am baking some, freezing some. Freezing zucchini, also some zucchini bread. I have made 1 large loaf and 3 mini ones. Recipe is on allrecipes.com called zucchini pineapple loaf should anyone want to check it out.

I am planning a cookie decorating day with the grandchildren later on in the fall. I hope they will be able to come as I think it will be a fun time.

A day in the life

It was a good start to the day, working on crafts for the bazaar when daughter called to ask me to take Max's vest to extentsion office. It was to go to state fair. So I was able to get to the library finally. I had been trying to go for a week or so. I was able to pick up books on the crafts I need to work on. They were not too helpful however, I already knew most of what was in them. I find sometimes working on things is the best teacher.  Once home was able to get some monster cookies made for after school snack. My grandson rides the bus to here after school, since mom doesn't get off work in time. Hubby has been hauling hay and working on equipment. The cooler weather has been good for both things. Pernell has been helping with it since took the week off at work. Looking forward to the football game  at school tonite. We have 2 grandsons playing.