Showing posts with label apron. Show all posts
Showing posts with label apron. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Hand Made Towel Bar

Last weekend I found a couple of goodies at some garage sales and had an idea for something else to hang in my kitchen.  If you remember I picked up this enamelware dipper and a black pie tin....



I went out to the garage, found a piece of wood and roughed it up a bit with both ends of a hammer.  I did this a couple of weeks ago on another project I did and I find that it's quite satisfying to beat the heck out of a piece of wood.  LOL!


I slapped on a coat of Honey colored stain and quickly wiped it off with a rag....


Then I attached the pie tin and dipper with screws and that was it.  I hung it up on the wall and as an after-thought I added two cup hooks so I can hang a towel and an apron from it....



Instant towel bar - What do you think?  What have you made this week?

Linking Up With...
 

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Estate Sale Finds July 28, 2014

 
This week we only hit 3 estate sales, but we managed to find a couple of goodies.  Sometimes I wonder what I like more - the thrill of the hunt or the actual finds.  What about you?
 
We like to play Domino's, especially when we're at the lake, so we picked up this set of Double Nine's.  The universe and I must be tuned in to Marshall Field's, because after last week's Marshall Field's tea tin, this week I came across one of their wooden crates.  It was pretty moldy and smelled really bad, but I have plans to clean it up, re-stain it, and then use it as a paper holder on my desk.  I also picked up a vintage Saltine tin.  Chablis lucked out a couple of weeks ago and got one for free from a lady at a garage sale, but I had to part with a dollar for mine.
 
 
 
 Chablis picked up the vintage Boys Scouts of America book that is in primo condition.  It's truly a beautiful book.  I got the Vera Scarf Tying book out of a free box, although originally they tried to get ten cents for it.  I wish they didn't ruin the front of the book by sticking that stupid 10 cents label on it.  Grrrr.....  And check out the cool Mrs. Wagner's Pies tin.  It was sitting on the bottom of a stack of cheap aluminum pie tins.  Honestly, I have no idea why I even looked through the pile of tins, but the minute I picked this one up, I knew I had a winner.  It's made of heavy metal and has a beautiful patina.  I looked them up online and found out that at one time the Mrs. Wagner's Pies Company was the largest bakery in America.  I did something kind of neat with the pie tin, but you'll have to come back tomorrow to see it.  Does anyone out there remember eating a Mrs. Wagner's Pie?


I found this Pantry Storage Jar up high on a shelf in an old work room.  I've never seen one like it, nor could I find anything on line about it.



These ski patches were a great find.  There was actually a whole stack of patches, but I picked through them and grabbed only the patches for places I've actually skied at.  It's funny because at one time I had a few of these exact same patches (back in the late 1970's and early 1980's) and they were sewn onto my ski jacket.  Sadly those original patches were tossed out with the jacket.  This was a nice find and I'll display them in a picture frame.  The Ritz tin is rather new, but Chablis liked it and she bought it.


I fell in love with this apron.  I'm guessing it's from the late 1960's or early 1970's, based on the material.  I soaked and washed it and it cleaned up beautifully.  No stains either!  And yes, I will actually use it.


 Chablis and I each bought a couple of these bottles.  The quart bottles are newer, but we took them since we can't get that size anymore.  I've never heard of Bireleys, Patio or Hi-Q soda, but the bottles are great looking.  My dad fondly remembers Bireley's soda and he said "Birelys pop was my favorite pop as a kid.  The short squat wide mouthed bottles were quite different from all the other pop bottles.  The pop was a non-carbonated, fruit flavored drink that came in orange, grape, raspberry (my favorite), and lime."  My mom has some Bireleys memories too.  She reminisces, " Mine was grape. Bought it at the corner candy store.  Lots of those types of stores on neighborhood street corners.  Ours was Mr. Braun's. His was more like a garage building set next to the alley, across the alley from Auntie Barbara's house. Sold mostly ice cream, candy and probably stuff like bread. I always got my bubble gum there, if you could get it during the war.  About 6 houses down from our house and we always walked through the alley."    I was glad I picked up a bottle that had such fond memories for both of them.

 
 
I love, love, love this printers tray.  It's in pretty rough condition, but I've always wanted one.  My friend Moira has one she's going to give me if I ever get my ass out to her house to pick it up, but this one was such a great price that I had to take it.  I have plans for this one anyway. I really think I want to try to make a table out of it.  Wouldn't that be awesome?  I've already cleaned it up and started to stain it.  We'll see how it goes.   I've never built a table before, but I kind of have it in my head what I want to do.  Hmmm.....
 


And last, but not least is this cute little chest.  We were up in Racine, Wisconsin on Sunday and we happened to drive past a yard sale and since I put on the pout face, Louie felt obligated to stop.  They really didn't have much in the way of good junk, but Chablis spied this chest over-flowing with the grimiest, most crappy looking baseball caps I've ever seen.  Honestly, who would try to sell old nasty baseball caps?  But the chest was awesome.  It needs to be cleaned up but it's well built and solid, and it has fantastically aged hinges and clasps.  I dumped the caps out onto a tarp and took the chest up to the lady and asked her how much she wanted.   When she said a buck, I didn't bat an eye.  A buck!!! I handed over the dollar, thanked her and happy danced all the way back to the car.  I have very special plans for this chest but I can't say what.

 Isn't this great??
 

That's it for this weekends treasures.  What did you find this weekend?

Linking up with:

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Interview - Dolly's Designs and My New Apron

I'd like to introduce you to my blogger friend Dolly, from over at Dolly's Designs and Hibiscus House.   She also has a cooking blog called Dolly is Cooking.   


Dolly is the creative force behind a wide variety of hand crafted, one of a kind items - Vintage pattern designs, aprons, crocheted and knitted products, hand sculpted items, quilts and pillow covers.  This is one busy lady!

 



I kept seeing all these great aprons that Dolly was creating and when she designed one based on her grandmother Cora's original pattern, I jumped on it.  I loved the bright blue color with the white piping and the fabric she used was a tea pattern - hey, all I drink all day long is iced tea.  I had to have that apron!  What do you think?





Dolly has a fascinating history and I asked her to stop by here and share her story with us.....

Me (dolly) and one of my awful doll dresses at 4 years old  - looks like I tied it on with who knows what.

Which blog came first - Hibiscus House, Dolly is Cooking or Dolly’s Designs?  And what is the difference between the two?
Hibiscus House was first. It was to cover all subjects. Dolly is Cooking was born as a necessity, because I cooked more than I realized.  Dolly's designs came a little later as an outlet for the creative side that I knew would once again grow. 

What inspired you to start your blogs? 

Truthfully I had never even heard of a blog until I watched the movie Julie & Julia with Meryl Streep and Amy Adams.  Amy Adams wrote a blog about Julia Child's French Cooking.  I thought I would like to write a blog.

You like to sew and crochet.  How did you get started?
I started sewing doll clothes as a child and at 12 years old in Home Economics Class I made my first real item.  It was an apron which I still have to this day.  I really enjoy sewing and my beautiful little girls wore many dresses because of this love.  Crochet, began after years of watching my "Grandma Cora" do it.  I had to take a course to learn but did so quickly.  It is a very restful past time.
 
 


What other crafty things do you enjoy doing?
I enjoy so much: sculpting, paper Mache, doll making, quilting, ceramics, needlepoint, crewel, cross stitch, home decorating;  The idea of making something out of nothing intrigues me.  I also think gardening is an art form, with a blank slate (yard) colors, shapes, styles of plants all an art form.  Cooking is another art form; to be able to make something beautiful that actually is delicious.

CC Seahorse Tinkerbell Smock Apron
 
Do you have a particular item that you like to make the most?  

I can't say that I do.  Things change at different times, right now It seems that aprons are making a come back.  People like to wear and collect them.  Sculpting Santa's has always been a favorite to me, because people always like them.

Tell us a little about your family.  

Chuck and I live on family land where Hibiscus House is that has been in the family for over 150 years.  We have 4 children between us and 5 grandchildren.  I stay very busy at home and he has always been in some form of law enforcement. 
 

Catie Cole Designs Little Bird Purse


You currently live in SC.  What’s your favorite feature about your state?  
How I love South Carolina! Favorite feature(s): It is a Southern State, smiling faces, friendly places.  Beautiful from the shores to the foothills. Our oak lined drives hanging with moss, dirt roads to walk bare foot, our porches lined with rockers, our Rainbow Row in Charleston, our beaches complete with our state dance "The Shag".  Our history and our ancestors mean a lot to us.  We are deeply rooted; home and family mean so much to us.  It is a way of life. Would you like a glass of sweet tea with lemon?  

CC Seahorse Green Canvas Tote
What type of work did you do when you were in clothing retail? 
I started in the ladies apparel of a nationwide department store. Then on to Supervisor in charge of all the store's merchandise.  I was one of the first with a great team to implement an innovative new program that is now used in the chain. I loved the job because it was detail oriented and gave me good visual display experience.
 
What do you like to do for fun?
I enjoy and make the most of each day, there are not enough hours in the day, though. I love to spend time with the family.  I love to travel, to meet new people, to tell their stories. I guess now I'm a roving reporter.  Chuck and I just got back from a trip to Historic Camden where I interviewed Mr. Ross Beard, the Godson of the famous FBI G Man Melvin Purvis.  One of our hometown heroes.  One could write a book about that Southern Gentleman! Oh, I forgot I love to go antiquing! 
I now write for another blog..  Savannah Attic.  This is not my blog, I am a part of the Savannah Attic Team.  http://savannahattic.com/ 
I'm thankful to God for everyday. He has given us all so many talents if we only use them.  I am so honored that you asked me to do this.  Thank you Kim.
 
Thank you Dolly.  I appreciate you coming by and sharing your story and your talents with us.  And I love my apron!  I think I can now officially say that I have started an apron collection.
 
Please visit one of dolly blogs as well as her FB page and her Etsy shop.  

Dolly's Designs 
Hibiscus House
Dolly is Cooking

Dolly's Designs Etsy Shop
Dolly's Designs FB page.

Friday, March 14, 2014

Just Call Me Bird

The snow is rapidly melting, my back deck is almost clear and it will soon be time for Chablis and I to start refinishing furniture out back again.  I decided that I needed a cute work apron, so I got ahold of my friend Cathy over at Stitchfork Designs.  Cathy designs the most amazing embroidery projects and last year I had her design an apron for Chablis.  You can go see what she came up with here.

So let me tell you the story behind my apron design.  My kids call me Bird because they say I'm small and scrawny like a little bird and I'm constantly fluttering around the house doing something.   My daughter will walk thru the room and ask me "are ya peeping?"  To which I reply, "Peep, peep."   Plus, when I get up in the morning my hair sticks up like Woodstock's and they laugh and call it my "birds nest."    So, Bird it is.



How cute is this dainty little blue bird and I like how she's dangling the blue ribbon....


Chablis and I both fell in love with the adorable little birdy feet scampering up the neck tie....


Thank you so much Cathy!  You did another fab job for me and I couldn't be happier.  I almost hate the thought of getting paint and sawdust all over it.


If you're interested in having Cathy create a one of a kind, special item for you, contact her through her blog.  You won't be disappointed.

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Don't Worry Bee Happy!

A couple of weeks ago I had an idea for a birthday gift for Chablis.  Her new hobby is refinishing furniture and I wanted to get her something to help protect her clothes from paint and stain, yet it had to be something cute and girlie.  Enter my blogger girlfriend Cathy from over at Stitchfork Designs.

Cathy has a cool talent where she designs and embroiders, well, just about anything.  Take a look at some of her recent creations....





(above photos property of Stitchfork Designs)

I emailed Cathy and told her what I had in mind.  My specifications were as follows:  It had to be a full apron, with a pocket, in either blue or white.  Since Chablis' nickname is Bee, I wanted Cathy to embroider the name Bee along with a cute little Bee.  She asked me to give her a day or 2 to play around with a few designs and a few days later she emailed me several options. 

Let me tell you something - Cathy nailed it!  She came up with exactly what I wanted and within days I had the package in the mail.  Now here was my dilemma....  Chablis' birthday isn't until July.  The package sat on my desk for about 2 hours before I gave her the option of opening it immediately or waiting all the way until July.  I know my daughter pretty well and of course, she chose to open her gift right away. 


How adorable is this happy little Bee???


Chablis loved her gift.  She was really happy with the blue color of the apron and she especially  liked that it has 2 pockets in front.  The apron is a perfect fit and looks so cute on her.  But the real star of the show is the embroidery work.  It's simply stunning.


Cathy, I can't thank you enough for doing such a great job and making Bee a gift she will treasure for a long time.  And Chablis - don't forget you already opened your gift and don't be looking around for another one.  LOL! 

One of the things I like best about blogging is the wonderful and talented people I've gotten to know.  And I try really hard to throw a little business their way when I can.  So if you're in the market for a unique gift (Fathers Day is just around the corner...) contact Cathy and have her design something for you.  You'll be glad you did. 

Visit Stitchfork Designs and be sure to explore it a little to see photos of some of the different items she can create especially for you.
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