Calamity Kim

tea with Botanical Betty Apron

tea with Botanical Betty Apron, originally uploaded by calamity kim.

using a Daisy Kingdom pattern I created this whimsical garden apron just for you Botanical Betties out there, and you know who you are!
Fits L- XXL, it's comfy and unique and sure to get many compliments whether you are wearing it to the grocery store or over jeans to a movie...
I make the fabric by patch working linen calendars, shirt fronts, quilt fabrics, flour sacks and some vintage embroidered linens.
Then I cut the apron pieces and stitch them together.
I trim the edges with my own raw edge bias made from strips of many coordinating fabrics.
The pockets are cut from lovely embroidered linens.
Then I did some roses with raw edge appliqué and added nicely illustrated seed packets with needle turned appliqué.
The edges will softly fray as this beautiful smock apron gets washed and worn.
One of a kind by me- Calamity Kim!

I have listed several items in my etsy shop.
Please scroll down on the right side of my Blog and click on the link or you can click right here!
I am working on some garden hats and bloomers and rose pins and bags with yoyo's and some more Hanger Girls to sell too!
What? You don't know what a hanger girl is?
Well here's one:

A Is For Apron Book Review

I was delighted to find A Is For Apron's by Nathalie Mornu at the bookseller's shop last night. It is 144 pages of Apron love! Published by Lark books (from my hometown Asheville) and featuring 25 "fresh and flirty designs".

I love the first section of the book which tells a bit of apron history and then the 6 pages of vintage aprons made me swoon!

I have loved aprons since I was a young girl tagging along after my Grandmother as she went about her daily chores.
Whether she was gardening, hanging out laundry or just on the front porch in her rocking chair waiting for the humming birds to come, she was wearing an apron.
My Great Granny also always had an apron on and her pockets held small peppermints or sometimes a quarter or a button and I would sneak my small hand in and giggle as I chose my prize!
My Mom also wore an apron, quickly put on over her skirt and blouse as she came home from work to fix dinner and wash the dishes.
They all were well worn and slightly faded from use.
They symbolize love to me.
So it was delightful to find a new book devoted to one of my favorite things to make. Happy Mother's Day to me!!!

With fun names like Cakeland, Lemon Meringue, Summertime Blues, Marie Antoinette and Fairy Tale, I flip through the book quickly to give it that first mental review.
Yes, it is a good book.
Then slowly more deliberately, I go back and really read each description.
Will I use this book?
Maybe.

Probably some element, like a pocket or a undulating bottom edge.

I am truthfully sad that I am not in it. Big shot apron lover and creator like me...but I realize that I am a novice and have not yet paid my dues. I need to write articles and submit them and then we shall see if I can get an apron in a book!
I will say to keep an eye out for the July/August Cloth Paper Scissors Issue that will have a little art apron from me (how exciting is that?!!)
Anyway, I do like the patterns and  some of the fabrics that they used are charming but they are a little plain for me. You know how I like to gussy everything up! I do think that the patterns used are fun and doable by sewers of every level.

Whether it's your first apron or your tenth you could whip any of these in time for your dinner party tonight. There are some sweet children's size aprons and I love the fairy tale one with embroidered mushrooms and a rabbit and flowers.
All in all it is a great book! I'm putting it on my craft book shelf right beside The Apron Book by EllyAnne Geisel.
So, go get yourself one! Amazon has a good price, but if you can't wait for shipping I found it on one of the tables with the new books at the front of Barnes & Noble. Have fun getting your apron love on!

Yee Haw!! Get Your Apron on and Go To Town!

Apronsladies, originally uploaded by Rick Rack Attack!.

They are all smiling because chores are over and they didn't mess up their aprons!
Yesterday I rode my bike to JoAnn Fabrics (to celebrate Earth Day!) and picked up a purse pattern (thank you Junie for the recommendation) and yet another apron pattern! A girl can never have too many, right??  ***Joan- Here ya go- I edited this post to add a picture of the "cheap & easy"( the best kind!)  apron pattern I found on a spinner rack at JoAnn's Fabric Shop.***

I watched Becoming Jane ( thank you again June, it has been a nice birthday present- I could watch it again and again!) for the 5th time yesterday before my bike ride and quilted some more on the chicken quilt. I was delighted to find the Becoming Jane Blog. er, fansite, I guess. I borrowed the fabulous picture below.  I am glad there is a place to connect with other Austen Addicts.

"A woman especially if she has the misfortune of knowing anything, should conceal it as well as she can." -Jane Austen 

 

My, how times have changed. Would Jane have Blogged it all? It's interesting to think about.

I have Knit & Bitch today and it got canceled! don't have  a lot to Blog about. Maybe when I finish something...too many irons in the fire and I am not a blacksmith!( but Blacksmiths wear aprons too!)

I added building an Eiffel Tower to my list yesterday! What? Yes, I am going to build an Eiffel Tower of my very own. Look here and tell me that you don't want your own! Agence Eureka has so many cool things to Make & Do, I may never ever be bored again!

Click on her pictures to get to a larger size to print out. Make sure you tell her thank you!

I didn't plant any trees yesterday, for Earth Day- did you? I just rode my bike to do my errands and felt happy that I could send out carbon dioxide instead of  more carbon monoxide. Just a small thing but it all helps, right?!

Y'all have a real nice day!

Love & Stitches,

Calamity Kim

Calamity Crochet

Here it is!
The crochet trim on the apron- my first crochet! I am so proud! Magnolia Pearl Bloomers and Justin Boots. YeeHaw!! Oh, Calamity!

Sweeney Todd Apron and Totes...

I'm as busy as a bee, in a field of daises today, friends!
I just wanted to say hi and give a peek at the Tea with Mrs Lovett Apron inspired by Sweeney Todd.
Then I am off to Knit & Bitch at Picasso's Moon. I made up a few tote bags for Deb's approval from vintage sheets. I am not sure of the size she may want but these are large.
Ok, I'll stop teasing!
There is a Pushing up Daisies one...
and a rose garden one.
Here is the corset in progress
and here is the apron part...I really need a clothesline or a model!!!
Here's one pocket
and here's the other!

***
I am off to the bookstore before the Knit&B to see if they have any copies of The Cloth, Paper, Scissors Studio Issue (with my art apron article inside!!:) )
Check the lower right sidebar of my Blog- I added a link (to the table of contents) and be sure to get your copy soon- they are a limited release. You can also buy them online at CPS. Here is a little extra online special tips from me at the CPS website for creating unique art aprons yourself. I encourage you to take a look around and leave feedback about your opinion at CPS/Quilting Arts about the Studio Issue. There is also a bunch new Challenges listed on the Editors Blog here.

Yeehaw!
Have a Happy day!
Love & Stitches, Kim

The Apronista has a new Social network! What fun!

Find more photos like this on The Apronista

Faith Cockail Apron in Ivory & Black Found On Flickr

Faith Cockail Apron in Ivory & Black, originally uploaded by The Heavenly Hostess.

Guess what?!!! There is a new theme over at Tie One On! Polka Dots!!!!! Everyone has 3 months to get creative! Click on this link to check it out.

Bippity Boppity Boo!

I found this on eBay and was "Victorious". I have to laugh at their new ad campaign. I tend to watch things more than I actually bid on them, but once I do then I'm on it, hot & heavy until the battle is won. I have never considered myself to be competitive, but I can be under the right circumstances. This pattern is from the 50's and has lovely graphics and opens up to a full page with the pattern and directions. There are advertisements for  JC Penney's fabrics.
I can't imagine going to our local JC Penney's to get fabric. Anyway.
I have seen this on eBay before but didn't win.
This time I bid early and established my claim and got lucky.
I will trace it so that I don't damage the actual pattern and we'll see what the apron looks like. It has hidden pockets in the front and is full and flouncy.  I wish it came with little blue birds to help me tie it, also, but I'll just have to pretend.

I begin everyday by reading emails and drinking a cup of coffee and then I usually feed Sadie and either start sewing, cleaning or take a shower and go out into the world. This week I started a job and will be working MWF from 9-3. This will make Tues & Wed sewing days. So that leaves Saturday as major house cleaning day. What I really feel like doing is:
A. Curling up on the couch with my yoyo opera bag project and doing some embroidery/embellishing.
B. Riding my bike to the Library and curling up on a couch and reading magazines or craft books.
C. Riding my bike in the opposite direction, with a towel in my basket and getting to the beach before it starts to heat up and be miserable.
Nothing to do with housework or cooking.
Ugh.
I have things to mail before noon and so that is really going to be my priority.
The dog needs a bath so that will be my time in the water.
Unless I sneak her off to the Bay and play in the water with her and then bring her home and give her a bath! That would be fun! We do it about once a month and she loves it!I made her a dog bed on Wed night. I had purchased some yellow floral pillowcase fabric- like ticking with flowers that was near the other muslin and ticking. I used the bottom of her cage as a template- it slides out. I cut the rectangles and then cut several 4 1/2 inch strips for the sides. I sewed them on and made tucked corners and then sewed the bottom side to that. I left a hole for turning and stuffing and then after filling with an entire giant box of stuffing, I used my 8 inch doll needle and some perle cotton to create tucks. It turned out great! I then made a case for it from a pretty vintage sheet and now Miss Sadie has a lovely new (washable) bed and I feel proud to have made something practical for once. Well, my coffee cup is empty and there is much to do.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend...maybe I can fit some Cinderella apron time in on Sunday....did anyone watch Moonlight last night? mmm...good!
In case you missed it- its on again tonight at 8... I hope they repeat Grey's Anatomy, as I was watching the Office and taping Smallville and Reaper. I would love to hear what happened if you have a minute to recap it for me...How about Bionic Woman- anybody see that? It had my wonderful Starbuck in it! I am giving it another shot next week. Ya gotta love Fall.. By the way- there are only 12  cupcakes left in my Etsy shop until I make some more. If you are interested please email me first. I have sold several sets of 3 for $15- so thank you very much for the love!

Tie One On Apron Challenge "Pockets Theme"

What's in your Pocket?

So, this is the story about an apron challenge that Amanda ( of Pandora's Button Box) and I discussed one day on Yahoo IM and we came up with Gypsy Pockets- or if we were gypsies what would we have in our pockets.
We decided to do it in tandem and I mailed her some stuff and she shared a pattern for a palm reading guide.
We decided to work on it and then share the results on our Blogs.
Last minute, down to the wire, I just finished mine, ( she is still sewing on some fringe).
I may add some later.
I just had to stop.
My nerves were raw and my stomach churning.
I knew if I didn't finish it today then I would miss my opportunity to get posted in Tie One On.
I  have never entered an apron before and was so excited about this.
I made the Dorothy's Pocket and then the Cinderella's pocket and Summer afternoon at the Creek Pocket Apron.
Then I started making other stuff and finally pulled this out today. 
I really started this so long ago that I had completely lost my MoJo on it.
I sewed the apron base together using some of my favorite fabrics.
I left the seams  raw so that it will fray.
Sort of deconstructed. Because a gypsy would put it together on the go and probably use what ever fabrics she could find.
Amy Butler, Martha Negley, Kaffe Fassett, Jane Sassaman, Alexander Henry to name a few of the designer fabrics that I found.
Today I created the Gypsy Queen Collage and then printed it on fabric.
At first I was going to make that the pocket. But it was too big.
Then I decided to make her the bib part.
That worked fine.
Then I decided to use some embroidered linen for the pocket and spent some time sewing it to a brocade satin lining fabric.

That was also too big.
I decided to use it to store the whole apron in- a storage pocket.
To stash it safely in the caravan.
So then I decided to use the palm reader hand (that I had embroidered with red DMC) as the pocket.
The crystal ball and cash and cupcake all fit nicely in there. My Gypsy Queen has a bit of a sweet tooth. 
The apron and ties are fully lined and I think it turned out OK.
Just perfect for the Gypsy, Tramp or Thief in your heart.
Go ahead, tie one on!

Here is the link to the slide show on Flickr.

Better Homes & Aprons Pattern using Heather Bailey's Fabrics

Good Morning! Just a quick one about this apron pattern I found over at the BHG site. They have used Heather Bailey's Fresh cut Fabric to create a lovely ruffled apron that would certainly take the drudgery out of any chore!

The pattern has downloads and looks easy enough for a beginner.

There are actually several different apron patterns.

I am posting a few pictures from the site- there are lots of fun stuff to make & do.

I use their free downloads for desktops as they are bright and seasonal.

Here is the link for the "easy retro" apron.

Here is the third one- the Cottage inspired apron.              Oh yeah! I almost forgot- run, do not walk, but run over to Bitter Betty's BLOG and sign up for the "Print yer Own Fabric Swap".
 

That should be more than enough to keep you all busy!! Now git!!!I've got sewing to do!