I'm a huge fan of Amy Karol (of angry chicken fame) and I've always wanted to participate in her apron making/challenge blog, Tie One On. I have finally gotten my act together and finished a black and white apron for the January/February challenge. It's a simple cafe style with a kangaroo pocket from Amy's book, Bend the Rules Sewing. Yes, I had to photograph it at night again, and I had just used it to make dinner, so it's wrinkled, and I was too tired to make anything look nice, and I could give you more excuses, but what I am trying to say is I  apologize for the shot. Of course, I had to draw on it (especially since the theme was black and white. That just begs for ink, doesn't it?), and little Miss Heidi seemed like an appropriate choice. I'm quite happy with how it turned out - I could see these as potential Christmas gifts. I have two more apron patterns cut out, both from Sew Liberated, and I'm hoping to steal some time while the kids are at school tomorrow to work on them. Yes, both actually at school, amazing! It's ME who's had the cold this weekend! But since I have been pretty useless these last two days, the house could use a good cleaning... it's always that tug of war, isn't it? I should just put blinders on and sew!

Another little bit of excitement to share... there's an interview with yours truly in the March/April issue of Somerset Studio, and one of my Alice In Wonderland pieces! Wahoo! My first interview! You'll have to get the issue to see the full piece, but it's well worth your trip to the bookstore. This is a really fantastic issue, and not just because I'm in it! The diversity of styles represented is amazing, and the pieces in this issue are out of sight. Really. You'll have to see it! And maybe buy one for your mom or best friend, too. Just a suggestion.

I have developed quite a "thing" for aprons. I've worn full aprons for years when baking, and I did make matching Christmas aprons for the kids when they were younger, but now it's beginning to turn into something more. For Madeline's last playdate, I made matching aprons from a vintage table cloth for them to wear while baking cupcakes.

(they are large enough for adults to wear, too!)

My favorite apron lately has been this vintage one:

I have been tying it on before cleaning or working, and for some strange reason, it makes me more productive. Not that I'm channeling June Cleaver (she wouldn't be caught dead in a Mickey Mouse t-shirt), but it is like slipping on a costume. When I was in college, I was in a production of Macbeth set in Medieval Japan. The director kept telling me that I looked to strong, too American, no matter how I held my body. But, as soon as I slipped that kimono on, my demeanor completely changed. Yuki even asked me what happened; it was the costume. So I suppose, the apron is my domestic costume. I'm thinking it's time to make another, more fitting to my personality. I'm participating in an Alice in Wonderland circle journal, so I'm thinking about a Mad Hatter themed apron. I'll leave you with some pages from my sketchbook that I used for the Alice paper dolls I had published in Somerset (you can see the final product here)




So tell me, who is your favorite Alice In Wonderland character? Have a mad weekend!