Finally ... A Cindy Apron Give-away!

The 2014 Cindy Apron has been finished for several weeks, but I'm just now getting around to posting it.  Five years ago my sister, Cindy, died of breast cancer.  Each year I have marked the anniversary by making an apron to give away.  Cindy surprised me with a pretty apron on one of her last visits to my home, and though it is faded and becoming a bit worn, it still hangs with my other aprons.  It is a daily memory of a dear sister who brought so much joy to the lives of everyone around her.  For this years apron I used a linen stripe and a piece of vintage table scarf -- and -- here it is... the 2014 Cindy Apron.
If you would like this apron, just leave a message below.  I will randomly choose the winner next Sunday.  As I did last year, I'll also make one for a family member. So...to my family... if your name is pulled you may choose one similar to this, or in the style of one of the other Cindy Aprons I've made.

 

Cafe Apron project

This has been a fun, busy, but no time for sewing week for me.  Fortunately, I had finished this week's Patchwork, Please! sew-along project several weeks ago.  You may remember it...

 The original pattern uses three pieces blocks to make up the pocket section, but when I came across this vintage tea towel, I just knew it would be perfect for this project.

 I had anticipated making another one before the due-date of this particular project (that would be TODAY), using the pieced block version of the pattern, but that did not happen, so this is the one I will be submitting to the project submission page.

 It is always fun to find unique embroidery pieces and then to work them into a new sewing project.

Next week's project will complete the "for the kitchen" section of the book with a Diamond Patchwork Placemat.  Another full week is ahead for me, so I'd best get started on that one early!

It's been too long!

It's time to get caught up with my sewing journal here!
I've finished two projects in the past week or so.  The first is a fun cafe apron, with a pocket featuring vintage embroidery.  Here it is...

I love using vintage features in my projects.  This piece was from what I believe was a dish towel.  It did have embroidery on both ends, so perhaps it was a small table topper??  

Whoever did this embroidery did fine work!

I'm calling it the "Pancakes for Breakfast" cafe apron.  I'm planning to sell this one.  

The other project I finished was part of a the Across the Pond Sew-along I am participating in.  The pattern was for a patchwork scarf.  At the time I just could not come up with a good combination.  This Saturday when shopping at a local fabric store I found three bins in the back with sample pieces of fabric.  The samples included different colors of each design, and I thought it would be perfect for the project.  So ... here is the "wild" patched scarf.

I'm not sure what the fabric line is, but it is a silky type fabric, and has a nice drape to it.
See why I call it "wild"? :)

A finished apron...

My 5th Cindy Apron is finished and ready to be mailed.  The special young lady this apron goes to is a fellow "apron wearer!"  I love it!!  To me, and maybe to her as well, an apron is a thing of practicality (for those of us who perhaps are not the neatest cooks in the world), a thing of comfort (it just feels so good to be wearing an apron!), and a thing of beauty.  Really -- wearing a pretty apron makes one feel like they can cook AND be somewhat organized!  Let's check that theory out ... I look down, and, yes,  I am wearing an apron even as I write this blog.  Hmmm...do I feel organized and as if I'm accomplishing something?  Well, yes, I think I do.  I could be "resting my eyes" in front of the TV after a long day, but...not yet.  Am I more inclined to wash the dinner dishes wearing this apron?  Probably, but that one does not always pan out.  ;) Did I cook tonight?  I'll have to answer half way on that one -- I did make something to go with baked chicken from the grocery deli.  The apron certainly came in handy when it was time to remove the chicken from the packaging and put it in the oven to keep warm, though!   Whatever the case may be, I'll always be an apron wearer at home -- enjoying the practicality, the comfort, and the beauty!

Cindy Apron and a Giveaway

 Four years ago my sister died of breast cancer, and while I think of Cindy often, this time of year I do a lot of remembering -- an always present smile; creating goofy "commercials" with Dippity-Doo in front of the big bathroom mirror as kids; laughing; singing duets together; meeting half-way between our homes for shopping;  creating tasty vegetarian meals; more laughing; and always loving and caring for those around her.  For the past several years, I've created a "Cindy Apron" to give away as an act of  remembering my sister, Cindy.  See this post for the first apron, this one for the second, and this one as the "special edition" Cindy Apron!  This year, I am making two -- the one pictured here, which will be given to someone randomly chosen, and another one given to a randomly chosen family member.  That means 2 apron give-aways!   For the family one I will make the design of your choice and color of your choice.  Check out the links above to let me know which style you like.  The one pictured will be for the public give-away.  So, let the fun begin.  All you need to do -- family, this goes for you, too! -- is leave a comment on this blog page.  I will leave the give-away open for one week.

Gerber Daisy design.

The apron ties around the neck for adjustable length, and at waist.

Remembering Cindy, with love.

During Nap Time...

Nap time?  I usually enjoy a nice, long Sunday afternoon nap.   Today, I rested for a few minutes, but really, my eyes did not shut once!  I had cut out fabric for a new apron yesterday evening, and today, during "nap" time I sewed it together.  It's a bit "boxy" as you'll see from the picture, but I still like it.  It is using my favorite apron pattern I found years ago.  It will soon be time to make my annual "Cindy Apron" (see this post http://creativemomentsbycary.blogspot.com/2011/03/cindy-apron.html).  I think I will gift this one to someone, so be watching for an opportunity to comment for a giveaway.

Overalls to Apron

A pair of overalls goes a long way!

First it was a pair of overall shorts.

Then it became a purse...and...

The idea for the ruffles was taken from http://www.modabakeshop.com/2011/03/sunkissed-aprons.html

It includes great instructions on how to sew the layered ruffles.

Cindy Apron

About three or so years ago my sister, Cindy, came to visit me.  We enjoyed our time of laughing, talking, laughing, shopping, and just spending time together. At a small shop I was admiring an apron, and as we were checking out of the store I noticed Cindy had the apron in her hands, saying she wanted to give this apron to me.  It has been worn and washed so many times that it is looking quite faded.  Two years ago in March, Cindy died as a result of breast cancer.  Every time I wear the apron she gave me, I am reminded of the love and encouragement she shared with so many people.  Because the apron has gotten quite faded and stained (and surely destined to become garden only apron!) I decided to make a new "Cindy Apron."  I took the basic pattern idea of the original one, and using one of those cotton tea towels for the white fabric, and several floral fabrics from Mom's scrap box, this is what I came up with...

The original apron -- very worn and stained!

After cutting the tea towel to size, I added a few pleats in front.

A plate does the trick as a pattern for pockets!  

If I do this pattern again, though, I'd make them a bit larger.

Fabric from Mom's scrap box for the ties and neck band.

An invasion of flower petals!

I thought it was finished, but decided to add a ruffle to the bottom to give it a bit more color.

Love these flowers!

 Remembering Cindy, with love.
Cary