Creative Quick Fix~Apron Skirt

Needing to prove to myself that I could fit in a little creative time this summer, I tackled a project that I have been wanting to try for a while.  For years I have admired the variety of apron skirts on the web and have visions of using some of my vintage linens to make one for my daughter.  To play it safe, my first attempt was with modern day fabrics I found at Jo-Ann's.  Seersucker is such a fun summer fabric and I fell in love with this funky medallion eyelet stitched cotton.  

A google search turned up a variety of tutorials to pick from.  I settled on this one from lilblueboo because Ashley provided a helpful size chart and I liked the waistband detail.  It only took a few hours and with the elastic waistband, I'm sure my reluctant model will be able to wear it next summer as well!

Linking with Two Yellow Birds Decor

Hook, Line and Sinker

This little vintage child's stool caught me hook line and sinker. 

 I found it at a local thrift shop and couldn't resist its charm (or the $1 price tag). 

 I wish I could say that my youngest needed it to brush her teeth.  

But, at 6 years old, she refuses to use a step step stool now that she is "all grown up". 

 I think I just need to confess that I couldn't resist its shabby perfection

 and sometimes that is the only excuse one needs!   

Sharing with 

Miss Mustard Seed

Apron Thrift Girl

Thrifty Love at Caps Creations

Coastal Charm

A Little Crafting Time-Short but Sweet

With Summer in full swing, it's hard to know when I will get a few minutes at the sewing machine.  Each week we seem to have a different schedule of camps and activities and I'm busy making sandwiches, grabbing drinks for the kids and hanging their towels to dry!  It is a welcome change from the school year, but fast and furious.  I managed to squeeze in a little crafting time this week and make a few of my vintage inspired wine bottle wraps.  I took a few liberties on my choice of "vintage" fabric.  I couldn't resist this bright floral fabric for Summer.  Then again, it might be fun to hunt down some vintage 

Laura Ashley or Lilly Pulitzer fabric and make a few more......

Weekend Finds

I came up empty handed at the estate sales I went to this weekend.  Each one had piles of stuff to sort through, but nothing that caught my interest.  Of course, even on a slow day, my daughter always seems to find a new dress for Curious George.  George is such a good sport.  Next time we will have to look for something a little more masculine.......

Have You Read Any Good Books Lately?

I ran across a book review of American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld on Jeanne's blog Jeannie Marie & Company and it couldn't have come at a better time.  I had set the book aside to read this summer, but was hesitating based on the length and my concern that it might not be light enough for a fun summer read.  Jeanne found it to be well written and hard to put down, but definitely a platform for the liberal author to spread her own political views.  Plus it was too loooooong.  I try to keep my summer reading in line with my movie choices (chick flicks, romantic comedies, light and fun).  So, I'm holding off on American Wife for now and trying to decide between two other books I have heard about recently.

I'm a big fan of women learning more about themselves, or even better, a group of women learning more about themselves together.  Bring on The Help, The Friday Night Knitting Club, Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood and Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons.

I'm throwing a little vintage love into my summer reading mix and trying to decide between A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff and The Secret Lives of Dresses by Erin McKean.  Both books use vintage clothing  as a vehicle to help the main character learn more about herself.  I'm sure learning about the clothing will be equally as fun as learning about the characters.  Has anyone read either of these and did you enjoy them? 

Little Pitchers

Keeping good on a promise I made to myself as a child, I never pass up a lemonade stand.  The entrepreneur in me surfaced early in life and each summer I put up my stand and waited for customers.  Where we lived, the customers were few and far between, but it was a real thrill when someone did stop.  With the heat of summer upon us, I keep snatching up cute little pitchers at estate sales.  As with most of my finds, I am attracted to them for some nostalgic memory they provide.  This little guy might have brought me luck at my lemonade stand. 

And this little hobnail milk glass pitcher reminds me of summers visiting my grandmother.  A pitcher of milk and hot buttered toast fresh out of the toaster was our favorite snack.









                                Do you have any items that bring back special summer memories?

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Apron Thrift Girl