If life gives you lemons...

 ...make a skirt.  I have had a "helper" in the studio for the last couple of days.  My Birthday Girl was feeling a little under the weather and didn't make the trip to Grandma's house with her sister.  The trip was a gesture from my Mom in order to help me get caught up on some work.  So... we have been getting some quality time together.  She has been a very good sport and was even really helpful in packing up orders!   But, none the less, I wasn't getting caught up on anything.  Then the walking foot on my machine broke in the middle of trying to finish up a custom quilt that needs to be done for a soon departing college freshman!  After a few curse words, I decided to throw in the towel and have some fun.  After discovering her love of a beautiful corduroy fabric we worked together to make a VERY simple skirt.

I never knew how happy a simple elastic skirt could make a-now-eight-year-old.

 We used some Amy Butler corduroy with a little ribbon accent from Ana Maria Horner.

Then the UPS guy dropped off a box with some pretty Orla Kiely soaps.  Things are looking up and maybe I will get some work done tomorrow.  In the meantime, I have a happy girl and clean hands!  

Who knew?

Customers have been asking me for aprons for so long. Not being an apron-wearer, I was dragging my feet on it. I messed around with a few ideas and looked at some vintage aprons that I have collected with thoughts of re-purposingsing the fabric for quilts. They are stained and/or ripped in places and not really usable anymore. I finally ended up making a simple pleated apron with a pocket. I used lots of the linen blends that I have around and combined them with a cotton print for the pocket and ties. Linen seems so perfect for the kitchen. Soft and sturdy! I have my first craft market coming up in early May, so we'll see how the apron wearing public likes them.