just a little...

Here is just a little peek to go along with the poem I posted the other day.  The word I chose was CHRIST to keep Christ in Christmas.  (did you see it?)

C is for Crocheted Cowl:

I made it using a lovely organic cotton yarn.  It can be worn in more than one way.  I just made it up as I went along.

S is for Sweet Little Lamb Ornament:

I thought a lamb was appropriate given that Christ is the lamb of God.
If you'd like to make your own, click HERE for my tutorial link. I also have lions :-)

 If I post the entire package, you'll be able to enlarge the note and read who I sent it to so these little peeks will have to do!

Take a peek at my fabrics!

Here's the fall fabrics I chose for my swap partner: 

I think they will go in her kitchen & I really hope she likes them as much as I do.  The one on the right is actually a vintage sheet!  Stop by my blog to see the finished products.  I had so much fun making a whole table set for...well, I can't tell you who it's for just yet.  You'll just have to check your mail to see if it's you!

Almost done...

Well ladies, I have sewn my first swap apron!  It was lots of fun & I hope my partner likes the choices I made.  The only clue I had to go on was "retro" so here's a sneak peek at the fabrics I chose:

 I didn't even realize until I was done that my apron has three lovely little pockets which will be perfect for my tuck-ins.  Is it normal to be addicted to apron swaps after only one?

Swap Partner - check!

Select Fabrics - check!

Make Apron - check!

Collect Tuck-ins - in progress!

I love the fabrics selected, the apron style and the swap theme. Here's a pic of the fabrics and my inspiration pieces. Sure hope my partner likes them too. Collecting the theme tuck-ins is a crafter's delightful challenge, and I'm having sew much fun! This being my first time swapping, Shawnee was right... I think I'm hooked!

Sneaky Peeky!

Okay, while I am totally finished, and have my apron and incredibly cute (if I must say so myself!!!) tuck-ins all boxed and ready to go in a cute little cupcake box, I just wanted to show a little peek of the apron I made for my apron sister! It is cute valentine fabric with vintage lace on the "flounce" and cranberry ric-rack! (I also did the top and the pocket this way...I couldn't help it, I loved the lace I found!!!) I had SO much fun putting this together!!!

Brand New Swapper Apron

Look at this adorable apron picture that new swapper Cheryl sent me. She was originally going with a half apron but was able to master this full-size pattern. BEAUTIFUL -- love those pockets. I'm so glad you joined in the fun this round!!

-Shawnee, posting for Cheryl

Flirty Apron SCORE!

Dear Glenda was my partner. Look at the CUTE packaging of my adorable fall/Halloween apron

My sweet daughter modeled for me!! I LOVE it all - the bright colors of the apron and cute cupcakes embellished for Halloween. She did such a great job on all that bias tape! Then she just stuffed my full of goodness -- a yummy candle, two holiday potholders and a special kitchen towel, a cute sign for my growing collection and -BONUS- a Mary Engelbreit mini-calendar for next year. THANK YOU -- Glenda, you really know my likes so well!!

Here's a little peek at the package I pulled together for my partner ....

I can only show one side of the apron ... side two would be a dead giveaway!

Hope you're having as much fun as I am. PLEASE comment more on our giveaway post and show Lana some love!!!

Great Scott, It's Time!!

So ladies, the time has come to send off your packages!

Please email me your tracking numbers. THEN, once you receive your box, please cc me your thank you email to your sweet partner.

Let's wrap this up nice and quick. With lots of pictures. The sooner all boxes are in their new homes, the sooner our next swap will begin ... this time with a Halloween/Autumn theme!!

Checkin' In!

How is everyone doing on your Back to the Future aprons? I love the few peeks we've seen ... be sure to post your fabric/pattern choices so we can all ooohh and aahhh over them! New swappers who are sending me to need to get them into the mail this weekend.

This is a funny scene from the movie .... in my memory, the mom was wearing an apron but when I watched it again, I realized it's actually a retro nursing-blouse! However, it reminds me of a smock apron (which can be flirty with fun fabric choices and trims - I've used the Lilly Apron pattern or just use Lucy's free tutorial).

The collar on Lorraine's dress is the same collar on this apron pattern I own (upper right) - Butterick B5474, bought at Joann's for $1.99.

The 50's always make me think of poodle skirts .. wouldn't you love one of these poodle skirt aprons from Cupcake Provocateur??

The 80's are very punk to me, or neon or ... Rainbow Brite!

Then for the future, I still love this fabric .. here in grey tones:

Whatever you choose, I know we'll love it!

My next swap will be a Fall/Halloween themed after this baby wraps up. If you missed this one and can't wait to get started on a new swap, my friend Sue at Country Pleasures is hosting her FIRST apron swap. Pop over and tell her Shawnee sent ya!

take a peek!

I had SO MUCH FUN with this theme. I started off doing one apron and ditched the idea because I had too many fabrics going on and it was way too busy.

Here is what I ended up with. I can't go into details here because my partner will figure it out....those who know me know I make EVERYTHING for a reason!

Here is the front, a clothespin apron, the madras matches the plaid chair:

here is a close up of the appliqued cupcake I made for the other side...I couldn't resist making it reversible:

Now I'm off to finish my tuck ins.

Shawnee, you KNOW I'm gonna steal that terminology for my own apron swaps in the future. Thanks for hosting such a fun, creative swap!

Apron from Nebraska

Shawnee posting for Heather:

This is the beautiful apron that I came up with:

The little extra goodie that we were to send with our aprons was a cookbook. It could be either a new one or a like-new used book. I had a hard time picking one, but I think my partner will be pleased with what I decided on:

Of course, after I had made the apron and decided on the cookbook, I came up with another idea for a super cute apron that would have gone perfectly with the cookbook. Due to time restraints, I wasn't able to make it for the swap, but I'm still planning on bringing this idea to life - and I'll show you when it's done!

Weekend Swapping Update

Hey Flirty Apron Swappers,

I LOVE all your sneak peeks and fabric choices.  Keep posting!!  Seeing everyone's work in progress and reading all the supportive comments is part of what makes this swap so darn much fun, don't ya agree???  EVERYONE has been sent a blog author invitation so PLEASE, post away!

Don't forget -- new swappers who are sending to me need to have the packages mailed early enough so I receive them BEFORE the 24th (I have two so far).  If I don't get your package on time, I have the person making YOUR box wait and will possibly reassign if we don't connect.  I don't want to do that!  So, mail early.  =)

And, if you love apron swaps, have I got some great news for you.  Miss Val/Yarnigras is hosting a new swap right now; sign-ups are only open until the April 24.  The theme?  PIN-UPS!!  I'm so excited, I can't stand it.  I adore vintage pin-ups and am always scouring the stores for new fabrics.  Head on over the the Hot Mama Apron Swap blog and get registered now.  Leave a comment and let her know Shawnee sent ya!

How to choose?

Here are a few of the fabrics I'm trying to choose from ... I cannot decide whether to go with my retro sweeties, a Santa specific, more elegant or ?? This is the hardest part - and the most fun!

How's your planning going?

The registrations are flying in ...

OH, I'm so excited to see all your registrations! I really cannot WAIT for these fun aprons to be designed and shared. As I wrote on my personal blog, I love everything about Christmas ... the lights, decorations, parties, special church pageants and plays, how everyone is just a little nicer, and I especially love the sounds of the season. ♫♫♫

Here's a sampling of which Christmas songs are most beloved:

• Silent Night, Joy to the World ... I have to admit ... I like Jingle Bells too ;-)
• Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, Deck the halls and O Christmas Tree
• The Christmas Song (chestnuts roasting on an open fire...); Baby Its Cold Outside (Dean Martin song); Feliz Navidad (I wan'na wish you a Merry Christmas)
• White Christmas, I'll be home for Christmas, and chestnuts roasting on an open fire are my favorite carols
• Oh Holy Night, I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas (I'd love to see THAT apron), I heard the Bells on Christmas Day
• #1. Oh Holy Night, #2. Silent Night, Holy Night, #3. Theme song from The Grinch: "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch"
• The First Noel, Silent Night, and Winter Wonderland
• "Santa Claus is Coming to Town", "Winter Wonderland" and it's not a Carol but I love "Last Christmas" by George Michael & Andrew Ridgely
• 1. O, Holy Night, 2. Little Drummer Boy, 3. Oh Come, All Ye Faithful
• Santa Baby (remember Eartha Kitt singing this song! this isn't really a Christmas carol, I just like the song) Away in a Manger, I"ll be home for Christmas

I fully expected to see the classic "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer", but not yet! LOL!! I'll figure out how to summarize everyone's favs on the sidebar, just for fun.

Tell your friends about our swap, the more the merrier! Sign ups close tomorrow night.

Any Angels Out There?

It looks like about three of my gals still need to be angeled, even though their original partners SAID they mailed packages. If you willing to make up a sweet I Love Lucy package and mail lickety-split, please let me know asap.

I'm just putting the finishing touches on the details for our final Flirty Apron Swap of the year for winter. I can't wait!!!

Deadline Has Passed

Hi ladies -- Just a quick reminder that you need to get your aprons into the mail lickety-split if you haven't already!!! I've heard from several people that are running behind for a variety of reasons, and have also received several confirmations and thank yous -- not 100 though. I'm trying to update the spreadsheet and website but that still leaves A LOT of people who haven't checked in yet.

PLEASE remember to send me a note when you mail, and copy me on your thank you note when you receive. PICTURES are great, too. =)

And, you all still have time to enter your creations in EllynAnne Geisel's Giveaway-Not-A-Contest, details HERE, for some fabulous prize packages.

This little swap has been so much fun. I'm so humbled to have you all participate in my brain-child.


IF you're interested in another apron swap, Lucy and I are teaming up again with a Club Swap. Details HERE, deadline to register is May 6.

The next Flirty Apron Swap will be for summertime, so keep an eye here!

Feedsack remix

So I was able to finish the apron at 3:00 am Sunday morning (I don't sleep much) after some issues with my rolled hem foot. I really had to fudge some with this pattern because the feedsack material was only 33-inches wide instead of 45-inches. Even though I had a full yard of the fabric, because of the pattern printed on it, I couldn't play around too much with the pattern layout to make everything fit just right. Good news is, I'm more confident on any alterations to patterns that I would need to do.


You'll have to pardon the wonky way the apron drapes-- my daughter was no where to be found when I needed a model for pictures-- and the back of the dining room chair doesn't do it justice.

I do have to say that I love this pattern, and I didn't think I would. I've got some leftover fabric from a holiday apron swap that must be used with this pattern. My favorite part of the whole thing is the pocket because it starts out as a straight piece of fabric-- which is saying something since I like plain jane pockets for the most part.


The knot of the bow has been handstitched so it won't come untied.

And what apron is complete without a little ric-rac?


It wasn't easy finding a coordinating fabric in the right color for this vintage feedsack material.

I just hope she likes it.

Shawnee's Newest Swap - Mother's Day Aprons

It’s finally spring time and that means that Mother’s Day is right around the corner. As most of you know, I have been coordinating Flirty Apron Swaps since 2008 and I have so much fun doing it! However, I also like to do special swaps on my personal blog that are a little simpler.

So, calling all mothers, grandmothers, and aunties --- join in to make matching "mother-daughter" aprons this Mother's Day. Little boy aprons are fun to make, too, so don't hesitate to throw your hat in the ring if you're the mommy of boys.

Last day to sign up is this Friday! Pop on over to my blog, Shawnee's Tangled Tales, for details!!



AND, don't forget this is your final weekend to finish up your Vintage Linens Remix aprons. Be sure to send me your tracking numbers when you mail!

Peek-a-Boo

Here's a collage to give hints about my apron for the swap. I picked a vintage tablecloth -- no embroidery, lace inserts, etc., because I plan to embellish it myself. I've pondered a bunch of patterns, and finally chose one of the ones pictured here. I've pawed through my ribbon, lace, books, buttons and bows to pick what I think is going to be eye-popping pretty. If all goes well I'll have it in the mail by the end of the week.

Wish me luck! I'd keep my fingers crossed, but it's so hard to sew that way.