Rockin' the (Denim) Apron

 

So I got this idea to take denim jeans, bought cheaply at the thrift store, trick them out with some western themed applique (a shirt bought at a resale boutique), added boullion fringe for a Dale-Evans-meets Mae-Wes look and made a rocked out apron.

I wore it to Higginsville's "Country Fair"

with a pair of skinny jeans (I've lost over 30 pounds this past summer);

 "new" red cowgirl boots and a hat, both bought at a local flea market.

I'm rockin' the red these days.

 

 

I made Rebecca a more "hip" apron with flowers

cut from a 1960s fabric remnant and some fibery fringe 

bought for a different a project (years ago) that I never completed.

Rebecca looks better in the cowgirl hat than I do!

 

 

I also made a "prairie" version with appliques of

(tattered and stained) embroidered linens

and a crocheted lace edging for the bottom of the apron.

 

I gave it to my antiques friend, Liz, whose shop we are photographed in (above)

and I didn't get a photo of the apron before I gifted it to her!

(bad blogger, bad blogger!)

 

The theme and medium possibilities are just about endless for this basic denim apron.

I'm thinking of painting one with acrylics--

denim is just unprimed canvas after all!

 

You may take the idea and run with it---

just link back to my blog and let me know so I can see your creation.

:)

It's a New Day

 

I have taken a long hiatus from making art (all summer!) but last night made an opportunity to pick up a paint brush.  I had bought a (9) pack of 8x10 canvases at Walmart last week, with the thought that I would paint a visual quilt of them and include my kids in the project. Over the summer I painted the walls in my living room "lightening bug butt YELLOW" (a very cool yellow, not sunny warm), so I am purposely painting (and commissioning!) art that pops on that color.

 

I wish you could see the true colors of this first canvas-- the pinks are not lavender and red, but the color of cotton candy and salt water taffy.  I can only do so much with color correction. ha!

 

 

And doesn't everyone have a jar of sequins in their paint box?

(Stuck onto the canvas while the paint was still wet.)

 

*********************

I have put away the browns and blacks and vow to paint in only vibrant colors.

My house is starting to reflect that and my life is also.

This is a new day and I'm dreaming in color!

 

Morning, Glory!

 

I made the mistake of buying morning glory seeds one year.

I mean, would you pay for dandelion seeds?

No you wouldn't.

I haven't had to seed them since, in fact I could sell the seeds now. Ha!

They have even hybridded themselves-- the deep purple and white plants

got together and made pinkish offspring.

 

They are very pretty, if you are up at the crack of dawn

and catch them in bloom before the heat of the day withers their faces.

 

 

They do a lovely job of camoflaging my homely front porch.

But not for long!

The porch will soon be painted a clean, bright white,

so the vines have to go.

No need to be sad though.

The 'glories will be back next year!

(Whether I like them or not!)

 

You Know Those Pottery Places...

 

 

...Where you paint on bisqueware and then they glaze and fire it for you?

I took my kids to the Chartreuse Moose in Warrensburg and we had a blast!
I have to give you a tip though.
There are all kinds of figurines and lidded boxes and stuff that cost a small fortune to paint,
but if you want value and usefulness, choose a plate!
The plate above was about 8" in diameter and cost just $7.00,
the same as a tiny 2" figurine that requires little imagination
and will take you just 15 minutes to paint.
Choose a plate and you have a blank canvas for a more personal design...

 

I took almost more time decorating the back of the plate,

because it served a very special purpose.

A special message for my kids, whose names decorate the plate's front side.

I gave this plate away, but plan to return to the Moose to make another for myself.

Maybe a whole set of dishes!

I'm Published!

 

For those of you who follow me, you might remember

these ditty bags I made from cloth napkins.

 

At the urging of my good friend Linda, I submitted them to GreenCraft (Somerset Publications) and not only did the editor accept my bags for publications, but also requested I write an article to accompany the photos!

I got a 5 page feature!!!!

When I got my comp issue, I discovered that my hanky bag had also been added to the Gallery section at the back of the magazine.

Bonus!

So to celebrate, I am offering 2 yard lots of lace snippets for embellishing your own bags and creations (samplers and small stitcheries).

You can find them in my etsy shop (sidebar).
I am also working on offering ditty bag kits made from hankies and napkins.

Bloomin'

 

This lovely pot was a gift from a friend and soon after I got it,

 looked like it was "done".

You know, the blooms looked like they were finished and there was only green plant left?

But I figured something green growing was better than a pink pot of dirt, so I kept watering it to keep the plant alive and whataya know-

the plant started blooming bigger than ever!

 

So don't give up!

What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger.

 

*************

A Child's "First"

 

A child's "first"s...

First tooth.

First solid food.

First steps.

First haircut.

First bike ride without training wheels.

First day of school.

Here's Rebecca's most recent "first".

"Mom, look! 

My First Time to pick up a chicken!"

(we were visiting with friends Robin and Amy who have a unique collection of chickens--

Rebecca is holding a Polish).

 

Hurray for memory-making summer adventures!