My Creative Space

It's better late than never today.

There was a mad rush to get an apron made for my cousin to use tomorrow (as we're off to have some secret squirrel fun).

She's just a young whippersnapper from the 80's..... and this was the one and only 1986 teatowel from the stash.

I teamed it with some glorious vintage fabric from Lynsey that came all the way from the UK. Quite fitting considering she's just moved here from chilly Scotland.

More creative spaces

Mr Mustard and the case of the missing apron

Photo Courtesy - Teddy Bears Wednesday

Have you met Mr Mustard?

I was reading all about him last week, and found that his 'Kiss The Cook' apron was in the wash. Every sweet little bear deserves something new for Christmas, so I decided to make him one.

Step 1 - Create the Fabric Design.

With a chocolate brown bear and a name like Mr Mustard, I couldn't resist sticking with the chocolate and mustard colour theme.

A bit of Photoshop and Picnik magic and some inkjet printable fabric and we have a starting point.

Step 2 - Make the Apron

I made myself a little cardboard template and cut out the front panel, and some plain yellow cotton drill for the back panel.

Sew right sides together  with a teeny tiny seam and leave a gap. Trim and nick the curves.

Turn out and topstitch.

Step 3 - Add some straps

This bit was a little tricky, as the apron was soooo tiny, but I managed to find some nice strong ribbon in the stash which works perfectly.

Step 4 - Find A Model and Show it Off

This is Moby.

Moby is a little bit smaller / shorter than Mr Mustard but he was the only willing participant in my house (and he's a bit of a show off).

Mr Mustard's apron is now in the mail and on it's way to Jess's house. I hope it makes it in time for Santa!

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles Chef's Hats

It's birthday time again round yonder these parts....

The twins turn three on Friday.  

Three.... already! It really doesn't seem that long ago that they were such tiny little bubbas.

It's actually quite amusing to look back at the blog and see how much they've changed from 1st birthday (wearing the outfits that I made), to 2nd birthday (playing with their scarflettes and manbags) to now.

But somehow, the twins have made it three without me ever making them a custom Chef's Hat!

In fact, it's been so long since I made one that I had to actually refer back to my own tutorial for the measurements....

I've used velcro for the closure - easy for little hands

I've been holding on to the lovely Mookah screenprinted denim that I bought at the Finders Keepers Market, just waiting for the right project to come along. This was the perfect opportunity to show it off.

Hmmm I really should have ironed it before taking photos...

I've also made them each a matching kiddie apron (in a nice dark colour to hide the stains). I'm sure my sister will appreciate that!

Birthdays

My sister called me on Monday to request an apron, as her neighbours daughter was having a birthday yesterday.  Luckily, I already had some chefs hats ready to go for the Daylesford Makers Market.

I didn't have time to make all of the straps from fabric as I would usually do, so I substituted for twill tape instead.

It was also Moo Moo's birthday yesterday, so we had a barbecue dinner and ice cream cake (perfect for a 34 degree day). Just in case you can't tell..... he turned 3!

and the bandwagon keeps on rollin'.....

The weather was perfect yesterday for a little get together with friends, a bbq dinner, and some pressies for the kiddies.

For Belle - Chefs Hat and matching apron

For Jack - Chefs Hat and matching apron

 I used the same method as my tutorial for the hats, but instead of snaps, I used two strips of velcro which should make it easier for the kids to adjust by themselves.

Belle absolutely loved hers as I made a set for her brother earlier in the year and she has wanted one of her own ever since. Jack was not so sure.....

Where it ended up

I love it when I giveaway one of my crafty creations and the recipient has the chance to use it....

I couldn't resist but show you this fabulous photo of Tania from Myrtle and Eunice in her new apron which she wore to make this amazing beer bread.

This shot could be straight from the pages of an expensive glossy cookbook!

....and random.org declares

That the winner of the shirt apron is number 4

Tania from Myrtle and Eunice - congratulations Tania, and a huge thanks to everyone who entered!

I promised a giveaway!

I'm a week late on my giveaway promise, but better late than never!

I saw this post over at Quilting Mick during the week, and got all inspired to whip out the mens shirt that had been hiding in the stash (my BIL didn't like the colour of the stripes so it ended up in my chop up pile)

I haven't seen the Betz White book, so I just split the shirt at the seams, and reconstructed it to create a half apron.

Frances is a bit too skinny to show the proper proportions, but the apron body goes all the way around to her back, and the straps are extra long. This apron will fit any size.

If you would like to win it for yourself, just leave a comment by Wednesday night - 8 PM Melbourne time..... simple as that!

The birthday month

April is definitely the craziest birthday month of the year among my family and friends. I'm still heading along the make/buy handmade present path, but year after year, it's getting a bit more difficult.

A friends little boy is turning five this weekend. I've been racking my brain trying to think of something to make for him, when my sister happened to mention that she was going to bake some cupcakes with the kiddies. I had one of those lightbulb moments, and knew immediately what I was going to attempt to make.

The apron was the easy bit.... it's just a much smaller version of my adult aprons. The chefs hat was a bit more of a challenge, but I'm really happy with the way it turned out. I just need to make sure that I take some measurements, and write down how I actually made it before I gift it away! I'm predicting more baking gifts in the future.

In the nick of time

My market apron is ready to go. It matches this one that I made for Tinniegirl a couple of weeks ago.

Beautiful birdie placemat used as front pocket courtesy of Lynsey.... tropical print from the oppy, and spotty trim from Spotty!

Sunshine - check
Blue Skies - check
Kruddie's Bonus - soon to be check

What a perfect day to go to the market.

As you requested

The lovely Map of Tassie placemats are now aprons.

I've made two so far - the apron body is a cotton drill with spotty bias trim all the way around, and spotty straps. The placemat is now a large front pocket, perfect for keeping your bits and bobs handy when you're crafting around the house.

They both have super long straps so that they can wrap right around and be tied at the front (if that's what you prefer).

I'll be popping them in The CurlyPops Shop very soon!

Even more tea towel transformations

Last week Liz sent me these gorgeous Sunbeam tea towels to transform into aprons. My photos are not great but I was using the self timer at dusk before I popped them back in the post.
I used some vintage florals at the sides of these ones, and then trimmed them and made straps using some lovely polkadots.

Head on over to the Lino Forest for a much better look, they look great in Liz's funky kitchen

Travellin' all over the countryside....ask the ?

My Sis and I decided to take a little op-shopping road trip today.....

We started in Bacchus Marsh, then drove to Gisborne, and then to Melton. Next stop was supposed to be Deer Park but we completely ran out of time after taking some unintentional scenic routes while searching for the local op shops!

I don't have any photos yet as everything has been dumped in the laundry for a nice soak and wash.

I did take a quick photo of this placemat. I bought a set of four, with the idea of making them into little waist tied craft aprons. Of course, the problem is that they're probably not quite politically correct if you wear them tied around your waist, if you get what I mean.....

My creative space

Kirsty has come up with a new casual meme for a Thursday..... my creative space.

Most of my creativity happens on the kitchen bench, so here it is, covered in fabric and wip's.

I just have to finish adding the snaps on these aprons, and they'll be off to their new home with Betty Jo.

Another tea-towel transformation

Tea towel provider - Tinniegirl
Transformer - Me

I'm heading out in search of more kitschy tea towels today.

Better Late than Never

You may remember this fabric from a little while ago....

I finally finished Sharons apron and popped it in the post so it was ready and waiting for her when she arrived back in Melbourne.

I tested out a new idea this time - I've used snaps to make the neck strap adjustable.

I can see lots of yummy baked treats in this aprons future!

Re-purposing christmas gifts

My sister received this cool Big Pineapple tea-towel for christmas from her step-mother-in-law.
I was supposed to make her an apron months and months ago, so I suggested that we turn the tea-towel into an apron so that she can use it.

It's actually the perfect size for an apron.... I just added some spotty fabric (thanks Cathy) at the sides to make it a bit wider, shaped the top, and then trimmed it all with bias tape before adding some straps. It fits her perfectly!

Late for a very important date!

A long long long time ago (I think it was August), I organised to do a swap with Sharon. I've been on the lookout for the perfect fabric in black / grey / neutral tones that isn't too floral or fussy.

I just so happened to find this one which will be perfect for an apron. I should have finished it by now, but my normal procrastinating ways took over.

Anyhow, the most exciting part of the story is that I'm swapping my gift for a gorgeous pair of Sharon's handmade earrings. But even more exciting news is that Sharon has now launched her Silver Soiree Jewellery Collection and is having a launch giveaway just in time for christmas!

Just head on over to Sharons Handmaiden Blog and check out all the details.

Some new additions

My computer has been playing up for a while now, so it's off to be repaired, and I've borrowed the laptop instead. Some of the photo quality over the next few days may be a little dodgy as I don't have any photo editing software on this one.

I added some new items to The CurlyPops Shop.

This soft flannel baby wrap.... (I love the colours in this one but alas, I don't have a baby to wrap)

I've used vintage Sheridan sheeting for the body of this apron. It's an extra large size and should fit up to a size 22. I'm going to make some more in this size during the week.

A little stripey drawstring bag....

...and this lovely floral drawstring bag.

Off to the fete

It's that time of the year again..... the primary school fete!

My nephews' school is looking for donations of homewares this year, so it was the perfect opportunity to donate some handmade goodies. I don't have a photographer in the house anymore, so the pool fence had been relegated back to modelling duty.


I whipped up a floral apron, with red spotty bias trim.....

....and finally, I have actually managed to make a not quite so wonky potholder.

I have to say that the potholder is a team effort. I received the fabulous Janome Walking Foot from Sarah and Liesl sent me a huge piece of Insul-bright to make it properly heat proof (you still need to add a layer of padding in the middle as well).

Insul-Bright: Ideal for Pot Holders, Table Pads, Oven MitsConsists of hollow Polyester fibers needlepunched through Mylar. The hollow fibers resist conductive heat while the Mylar resists radiant heat.

The walking foot is amazing.... no more slipping and sliding of the layers, and it made it much easier to machine sew the binding too.

I can see more non-wonky pot holders in the future.