Pretty Apron

I sew a lot--every day, really--but I haven't sewn anything using a tissue-paper pattern in a loooong time...until I had a request from my partner in the recent "Invite Your Partner" craft swap on Craftster.  Jen asked for a "pretty" apron, because all of hers are boring and utilitarian.  She gave me a link to a picture of an apron she liked, so when I was in JoAnn's one day I looked through their patterns and found Butterick #B5125, a "See & Sew" pattern with the words "YES! It's EASY!" on the front.  It looked similar to the one Jen likes, so I bought it, and some fabric, and here's what I made:

I like the ruffle at the bottom, and the shape of the neckline gives it a "girly" look. (I also like having a beautiful model available for picture taking--thanks, Jenna!!)

I have to say that I didn't think it was super easy, compared to a lot of things I've sewn, but I'm sure that has to do with the fact that I don't like reading and following directions!  Adding the ties to the top was the tricky part, because that fabric also served as a binding for the side edges, and the directions didn't seem as clear as they could be...but I managed to figure it out.

I had enough fabric left to make these "Stay-Put" kitchen towels that Jen had on her Wist.  Now THIS was an easy project!  I used the tutorial at Pin. Sew. Press.  I bought a four-pack of white kitchen towels at Target, washed them, and sewed three strips of fabric to each, then threaded ribbons through the casings.  They are meant to tie onto the oven door handle, so they are handy but not falling on the floor every time you dry your hands.

Jen is happy with her coordinating apron and towels, and I gained a little experience with tissue-paper patterns.  Win-win!

Craft Hope

Back in February, I entered a Craftster challenge called "Random Acts of Crafty Kindness" (you can read my blog post about it here)--and I won!  The prize was a book called "Craft Hope" by Jade Sims.  Jade is a crafty mommy blogger who wanted to help others, and started with one project to send pillowcase dresses to an orphanage in Mexico.  People who read her blog donated dresses, and she continued to find new places where she could spread hope with crafty kindness.  More about her blog at the end of this post.

The book has directions for 32 really great and relatively easy projects, like this pillowcase skirt...

and these puppy stuffies.

My eyes bugged out of my head when I turned to page 79, and saw that my second-favorite artist had designed a project for the book!  In December I blogged about my favorite planner, which is illustrated by Geninne D. Zlatkis; and very recently I blogged about my first attempt at making hand-carved stamps--so I was unbelievably excited to see that for her project in this book, she shares her art and shows how to turn it into a hand-carved stamp!!!!  There was no question in my mind that I would IMMEDIATELY start to work on that!  In the picture below, you can see Geninne's stamps and the card made from them on the left; on the right is my speedy-carve with the bird and flower images already transferred and ready for carving.  I will show you the results in the near future.

With every project in this book, there is the name and website of a charity which might be able to accept a donation of the finished project.  The thing to keep in mind, though, is that as time passes, the needs of the charities may change, so you can't start crafting the projects in the book with the expectation of immediately sending them to the listed charities.  For me, the book is more of an idea-factory and inspiration-starter. 

If you want to craft things to donate, probably the best idea is to go to the Craft Hope website.  On a regular basis, Jade Sims starts new projects for different charities and solicits donations of finished items--this is up-to-the-minute information that is the perfect outlet for anyone wishing to craft for charity.  At the moment the website is being updated, so Jade is using her Craft Hope Facebook page to keep everyone informed.  Recently she collected hats and bags for children battling cancer; now (if you are interested in helping) the project is handmade aprons for women in Haiti.  You can find apron sewing inspiration, and the address for sending the apron, on that page.

Wendi Gratz of Shiny Happy World is offering her Simple Apron pattern for FREE, and she is offering her other apron patterns at 50% off for the month of May, to encourage all of us to make and send an apron to Haiti. 

I actually have an extra apron hanging in my sewing room right now:

I made this as a sample for the Crafter's Apron Swap on Craftster.  Since I received two aprons from my partners in that swap, I am going to send this one to Haiti. 

I love the whole idea of Craft Hope, so I plan to follow the facebook page and participate in ALL the future projects--and I hope you will too!  I'll be blogging about each new project as it is announced, and I would love to hear from you if you craft any donations for Craft Hope.

GIVEAWAY--Day #3

Today is Day #3 of my gigantic Seven Days of Giveaways!  Congrats to yesterday's winners, Shannon and Katie!

Today, the first person to leave a comment (and email me their mailing address) will get the items pictured below: the apron I made as a sample for the Crafter's Apron Swap on Craftster, and a very nice embroidery kit by Dimensions, which makes a pillow cover.

The second person to leave a comment (and email me their mailing address) will get this handmade keychain pouch (pictured below), plus three Michael Miller fat quarters (thanks for providing these, Susan!)

Good luck to all, and don't forget to check back tomorrow, when I will be giving away some more stuff!  I am posting at a different, random time each day to try to give everyone an equal chance.