Art, Craft and Needlework, December, 2024

[Harriet]

That is great upcycling, recycling and crafting, Nancy.

Here is something I found interesting - a shapely, cute apron that looks like a 1950s apron BUT it is only made of rectangles.

Shapely "flip-the-collar" apron that is really just made of rectangles, no pattern. Watch the lady as she puts it on near the end, about minute 25:30, to see how she flips the top behind her neck and makes the cute collar/bodice. Can be stored flat.

I never really thought an apron could be much of a gift to make assembly-line, but this one might do it. The hardest part would be the round neckline, and that's just quick cutting and adjusting the bias tape slowly. You could do a completely different pocket(s) if you wanted.

Not in English, but there are measurements given in large print on the screen with the centimeter tape very visible. After you made one, you'd get a feel for how the measurements should be increased for larger or taller people.

[Twins' Mom]

Cute, Harriet!

I continue to straighten up and organize a bit in my stamping area. I ordered a shelf for stamp storage - two levels, will hold about 50 of the smaller, newer sets. I'll take down the magnetic board. Currently, those stamps are organized alphabetically on top of a low bookcase, with bookends holding them together. The light is poor there and the shelf will be more accessible. I'm also going to put all Hanukkah and Judaic stamps together at least. Too many of the Christmas designs work for a lot of different things so I'm not putting them together.

[Harriet]

That sounds so organized, Twins'. It always helps you remember what you've got if you keep it straitened and well-lit.

Oh, I think I'm definitely going to have to make one of those aprons, at least, yes. Just too clever. Should be wide enough to make sense for the wearer's hips, though, not just barely enough to hide behind, so I'll need to ponder if maybe bottom becomes wider than top.

I have completed templates for the base and the inner top for a mug-coaster I thought up. I don't know if people really use these much. I noticed at dd44's house yesterday that she uses ceramic. But she did complain about condensation moisture, so maybe she would use one (two?). I like it enough myself to want to try it, anyway. She and one of her boys drink herbal teas and she drinks coffee, so I think it would at least be a conversation piece, make a nice gift bag or basket with some teas, maybe a book. Will have to question ds about ddil's hot-beverage drinking. I don't think she drinks coffee. Those are my two January family birthdays and we have none for Feb.

[Nancy]

I have seen an apron made of a yard of fabric my mom used to make.
CEO of some one in the community here had a pattern I used they are great for bbq ones for the guys.
Young boys like em to be like dad.
I've done cobbler style for mom's and half aprons for dgd's and it was a hit with cookie cutters for gifts.
We did bread too and they took home a mini loaf of bread they had made and impressed their dad with it!
Such great memories.