I cannot count my day complete
'Til needle, thread and fabric meet.
~Author Unknown

Sharing a common thread with those who love the art of hand embroidery

Sunday, May 4, 2008

What did I get done this weekend?

The weekend went by so quickly, I hope you all had a wonderful one! First of all, thank you all for the wonderful advice on the Azalea that Sweetie brought home. I do have a shade bed, however, I am still nervous about putting it out so quickly. I decided to plant it in a large container and placed it on the porch where I do a lot of my stitching. It is so cheery there and I can enjoy it. Also, because of the winter, I can move it to the greenhouse later one.I posted it on my country living post, Eggs In My Pocket, if you want to take a look. Although I did not find fabric I wanted for the apron patterns in my last post, I did work on some of the things I had mentioned in earlier posts. I had bought a stash of pretty fabric in early spring and all I have done with it is to make a set of pillowcase borders. I also found a pretty set of cafe curtains at a flea market that I thought, along with all of you, {: would make pretty aprons.
So here is one curtain I made into a bib apron. I used blue and white floral fabric to make continuous bias tape for the arm and neck edgings and for the apron ties.
The curtain was so pretty there wasn't much to do except cut a little for the arms and then bind it off. I enjoy wearing it so much. I still have one curtain left. Not sure what I will do with it.

With gingham and the same blue and white floral fabric, I am making a purse. Maybe for my one day etsy shop?Hope to be through with it soon. The gingham will be the outside with the floral as the lining and a little decorative touch on the front panel. I just love gingham's and florals together, don't you?

Just a quick note. I had read years ago that if you rinse out the starch in your fabric left over cuttings and leave them outside to dry, the birds will take the strips to make nests with. I have done this over the years and have seen the birds flying off with the strips. I haven't found a nest with these decorative touches yet, but what a treasure if I could. I rinse these out well, cut them into small strips and place them in or around the bird feeder. Can't you just imagine a baby bird tucked into gingham and floral? {:



8 comments:

Shirl said...

What a cute apron, and yes I love love love gingham and florals together. I have always put the two together even in the clothes I used to make for my little girl!
Thank you for stopping by my blog!
Blessings,
Shirl
Shirls Rose Cottage

LindaSue said...

You are such a clever gal! I had to laugh about you making an apron from a window curtain - remember Scarlett O'Hara and her dress made from the drapes? about the scraps for nests - they'll also use your dryer lint and around here - I find nests lined with goat hair! The birds pick bits of goat hair off the fences and definitely make cozy soft nests. Glad you had a good weekend!

papel1 said...

Your apron is wonderful. In fact your whole blog is. I found you via Coras blog. I will visit again.
Judy

Conni said...

A few years ago, we had a bird nest in the front yard with blue curling ribbon streaming from it. It looked so cute – always made us smile to see it… And I once found an empty nest partially lined with plastic wrap. Clever birds…

Yesteryear Embroideries said...

Hi Shirl, so good to hear from you, and Lindasue, so glad you stopped by. I remember Scarlett and the curtains! I also remember the very funny Carol Burnett who made a funny skit out of the same scene. Yes, I have also found my ducks and chickens feathers in nests before. So glad you stopped by papel1, your blog of postcards is just lovely!And Conni, it is so good to have you visit. I just love your work!blessings, Kathleen

Pam said...

Such a pretty apron. I just love it.
What a sweet thought, the baby birds cradled in blue gingham!
Blessings,
Pam

Farmhouse Blessings said...

That is one sweet apron! Very clever and so pretty!

Blessings,
Lea

Paula said...

Oh, that apron is so cute, Kathleen! I am laughing so hard at the Carol Burnett skit... I remember that well. (I LOVED that show- it still cracks me up.)
It's funny you mentioned that about the birds' nests- when I was younger (and my hair was much longer), my mother would cut my hair on the back porch, and it wouldn't be long before the birds would come and carry it away for their nests! I always thought that was neat.