Gardener's Apron

What have I been up to lately?  Sewing.  Seam ripping.  Why, you ask?  I chose to make a gardener's apron for entry in the upcoming county fair for the extension group I'm in called "A-ha!"  I am not a wonderful seamstress, and I don't have a lot of patience when it comes to new techniques or materials.  Bias tape was new, and my patience was thin by late last night.

Bias tape--my conquered enemy

 

Waistbands--not a friend

Four huge pockets and more bias tape

But, I'm done.  It looks pretty good, and I won't embarrass myself by having my name on it now.  I used this pattern (altered somewhat in length and width) from a crafter's apron at Martha Stewart.com along with these sites and/or pictures:
Make It Do
Busty LaRue's Glitz and Glamour
GenevaDesigns on Etsy
GreatGoods on Etsy
All materials were purchased at my local Wal-Mart Supercenter.

1% inspiration + 99% perspiration = one gardener's apron

Now, back to getting the libraries ready for the new school year soon to begin...

Found a lithograph of this Fritz Hug painting for $2.50 at a garage sale the other day.

It's so fun to find great things at amazing prices!

I am not usually into cats, but this one called my name--"Meow!"

Why is it so hard for me to get rid of things from the past?  I hold onto stuff that 99% of the general population would consider junk.  It's the sentiment behind it.  I think by keeping the "thing," I can keep the memory.  I'm trying to remember that the memory is already with me, and I don't need the "thing" if it's not useful any longer.  Trying doesn't always mean succeeding, but it does mean I'm getting in a different frame of mind.

Have you visited my "sister" blog yet?  Please stop by and browse a little at Fayla's Fabulous Food Calendar!  You won't regret it, but your waistline might...

So you still have loads of t-shirts you've been hoarding all these years?  Old places you used to work, old restaurants you used to eat at, old shirts you just couldn't get rid of...oh, it's just me?  Anyway, if you do find a couple of odd shirts you don't want to just throw out, here's a great idea from The Rubber Punkin:  t-shirt beanies!  Click on over.  You'll be glad you did! 

The Playhouse

We wanted to give the kids something to do out in the backyard.  First I have to describe our backyard:  it's a hill, an extreme hill, basically a mini ski slope.  It's not very conducive to playing unless you like rolling or falling a lot.  So, we decided on a playhouse.  Here goes:

The base (with the giant stilt legs on the far side--remember, the ski slope...)

The "bones" are up!

The walls are on and the roof is tar-papered.

Side view of same day.

The roof is on (and I helped!) and the trim is getting primed.

Side view of the same (and the hardworking hubby!).

The whole crew posing in front of their new mini-abode!

There's the metal roof (I helped hold it in place as DH put the screws in it--harder than I thought it would be)

"Thank you, Daddy!"

A pose with mom (who looks like Alice in Wonderland did when she ate the

"Eat Me" cookie and G-R-E-W!)

So cute!  Now as long as we don't move anytime soon, it will become a treasured memory for both the kids and the adults.  I'm so proud of my husband (who, by the way, gave up almost two weeks of golf to make this gorgeous playhouse).  That's some "daddy love" he's showin'!