A Favorite That Endures

Many years ago, probably 1987, Ms A and I discovered Hello Kitty. There was a small kiosk inside a Macy's store at the mall near us, that sold a selection of tiny writing things - colored pencils, writing paper and tiny sticker books. They were an inexpensive indulgence and Ms A became a fan.

And has been a fan, ever since.

Of the original, not the 'licensed to Mattel wannabe Hello Kitty', but the real Kitty, who is so successful that she now has her own stores.

We affectionately called her 'Miss Kitty', or just 'Kitty'. Like on Gunsmoke.

(Not really, Ms A probably has never seen Gunsmoke, but I always think of Amanda Blake and her big hair...)

My frequent buyer card for Kitty's boutique!

When I first saw Martha's Simple Objects quilt, I immediately thought of Hello Kitty! A few weeks later, Martha shared a redwork Hello Kitty quilt in progress, for her daughter.



I picked up two or three HK coloring books last fall, and found this design that I thought would be perfect on an apron. My intent was for it to be a Christmas gift last year.

That did not happen.

The apron is from the 'Linen's and Things' close out and it is pretty long. Not a 'tuck in your purse' kind of project, and also lots of fabric in your lap for summer stitching. I put it in my bag and it went with me on many trips but usually languished... Finally, I finished it a few weeks ago and sent it off this week, to Ohio, for Ms A's birthday.

Happy Birthday, A!

(Many thanks to Dearest Sister for helping me fill in the blanks of my memory of 'discontinued favorites'!)

Everybody wins! Yeah!

Do you remember going to the carnival and the barkers at the games promising "everybody wins"? Well in this case, it is true!

The winners are:

Lynne gets the gray apron with the Mexican couple.

Allie is the winner of the mustard and grey print.

Iron Needles will receive the atomic print.

Martha gets the brown gingham.

V wins the red print with the center point.

Thanks everyone for playing along with me! I can't wait to send these aprons off to their new homes!

(Please send me your address at: jan (dot) durham (at) gmail(dot) com)

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Helping Me Help Myself!

Thanks to everyone who has left a comment about the aprons! It is not too late to get in on the giveaway, so if you haven't already, de-lurk and tell me which one you would like. I will post the winners tomorrow evening. My enthusiasm for passing things along is building, so who knows? Maybe everyone will be a winner!!

Here is another one up for grabs if you are interested!

Hearts and Flowers

I am not sure if this one is a child's apron, or a 60's apron to cover a mini-skirt! It is small-ish, but the ties are long, so maybe it was for someone like Twiggy!

“Free to good home” Apron Giveaway!

Well, now that I have ‘outed’ myself as a hoarder (not in the worst possible way, but still...) I really must begin the process of shedding some ‘stuff’!

Mustard yellow with grey flowers.

So, I am having a giveaway!

Yellow and red bias cut with black detail on pocket and waistband.

Go here to see more aprons, freshly ironed (but not necessarily impeccably ironed…I am kind of a slap-dash iron-er).

Pick an apron from this post (or the Flickr set ) that you would like to have. Leave a comment before Friday (5pm Pacific) and tell me which one you would enjoy winning.

I will draw a name Friday evening and send the winner their choice.

Hostess apron - sheer black with purple and white print fabric and silver rick rack. It has some breaks in the black fabric, but the purple is good.

Go ahead and list first and second choices and I will pick two winners. Who knows, if you list three, I might give three away - that should start me down the road of de-cluttering!

White with evergreen and berries.

This apron is very soft and drapes really nicely. The design is painted faux embroidery, but nicely done!

One thing I have learned about myself in this process is that the thing that appeals to me about aprons is the fabric. I don’t think I could cut one up, though. I have a hard enough time cutting into new fabric, purchased for a project! (If you want to cut it up and make it into something else, I have no problem with that - it's a personal issue with me, not a moral position!)

Red with center point layers.

Very vintage-y!

Bright circles with bound hem and waist - '60's apron. Very bright and the fabric is like new!

And, I learned that all my aprons look good with a yellow dress!

Vintage Aprons and Bias Tape Birds

I have been intending, for awhile, to go through some of the boxes and storage totes full of stuff in my 'room where no sewing occurs'. We have lived here three and a half years, and we have a little more than that left before we move again. I am not one of those folk who subscribe to the 'if you haven't used it in 6 months - get rid of it' theory, but I have a lot of stuff.

Before we moved to the desert, I loved going to estate auctions and sales. Lots of things went on ebay, but there was always stuff that just seemed to accumulate. When I think about moving it all again, well, I just don't think I need to.

So this weekend, I began the process, (which will surely be lengthy) to go through the things I have and sort into 'things I love' and 'things that I don't need to keep'.

I don't think this is something I 'love', but I love some things about it!

This apron is a sheer "hostess" apron adorned with birds made of bias tape and embroidery!

Aren't they the cutest?

The apron is very stiff - I am thinking it probably has never been used or laundered. To me, the way a fabric feels is as much a part of the appeal as the way it looks, so stiff is not something I am drawn to!

This apron is well used and very soft!

It also uses bias tape for embellishment - at the waist and the hem.

But look at this applique!

Someone put a lot of effort into making a very utilitarian garment pretty and whimsical! I love the colors of the bias tape and applique against the gray.

I have not decided where these aprons fall on the 'love or not' scale. After going through the storage tote and ironing 20 or so aprons, I am pretty sure that is more than I need! But when I was done - I put them all back in the box.

I will think about them another day!