Tutorial: Easy Tea Towel Apron

So today I'm here to show you how to make the EASIEST apron in the WORLD!!  I love love love easy, quick projects so here we go!

The other day I was walking through Target and I spotted these tea towels.  I thought they were so stinking cute and even better than that they where on clearance!!  Woo hoo!  So I picked them up and immediately knew what I wanted to do with them.

You will need:
     1. Tea Towel
     2. 3/8 yard of coordinating fabric
     3. Coordinating thread

Step 1:

Cut out your waist band depending on how thick you want it to be.  Mine was 4 inches wide and then I cut the length to be 1 inch longer than the width of the towel.

                             

Step 2:

Cut out the straps (2).  I cut mine 3 1/2 inches wide and then I left the length the same length as the fabric - about 44in.  I like my straps
to be long.
 

Step 3:

Prepping the waistband.  Fold the long side of the waistband in 1/2 in and press.  Do this on both sides.

Do the same thing on both short ends.

Now fold the whole waistband over in half the long way. Press.

Step 4:

Attaching the waistband.  Open up the waistband.

Place the towel in the fold of the waistband.

Fold the top of the waistband over the towel.

Pin the waistband in place and topstitch along the bottom of the waistband.

Step 5:

Prepare the straps.  Fold the first strap over lengthwise and pin in place.  Do not press.

 

Sew 1/4 in along one short end and the open long end, leaving one short end open.  Don't forget to backstitch!

Cut the corners before turning right side out to reduce the bulk.

Turn the strap right side out.  I always use a knitting needle to help me with that.  Then press the seams.

Topstitch around the two long sides and the closed short end, leaving the open end alone.

Step 6:

Attaching the straps.  Insert the raw end of the strap in to the open side of the waistband, about 1 in

Topstitch along the short end of the waistband, backstitching at each end to secure the strap in place.

And now your done!  Over the next few days I will be showing you diferent ways to dress up this simple apron!

Linking up to these sites:

Love/Hate Relationships

Ladies, it is time to bring the messiest relationship you have out of the closet.  Come on…be honest…we all have them.  You know what I’m talking about.   You spy it across a crowded sales floor and believe that you are not able to continue in existence without that absolutely perfect handbag.   You LOVE it. It’s the perfect color, shape, style and it is on sale.  Life just doesn’t get better.  Am I right?

The funny thing is the first time you use this perfect bag you think it is a little fluky that you can’t find your cell phone when it goes off so you dig around until just as the call goes to voice mail you finally find it in corner.  Next you notice you can’t find your car keys so you dig around for five minutes even going so far as to shake the contents up a bit because we all know that’s going to help.  This relationship begins to turn ugly….sort of like this. 

So what’s a girl to do?  Well I happened to be thinking of giving a great bag to the Goodwill but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.  I really did love that bag.  That’s when I stumbled on a way to save my relationship with my handbag. 

This simple organizer is so easy to make and the best thing is you can change purses in a flash without having to transfer a dozen things.  It rolls up so it fits in bags of all sizes.  Now I can quickly find my phone, pens, tissues, or any number of things. 

I love this simple idea that has solved a problem that was making me into a not so merry Merry!

Quick Directions:

- Cut two pieces of fabric 8” by 26” and   two pieces of heavy duty iron on interfacing the same measurements.  Iron the interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric.

- With the right sides together, sew the two pieces of fabric together using a ½ inch seam.  Be sure to leave an opening to turn it right side out.  Clip the corners and turn the organizer right sides out.  Press flat then top stitch around the edge, closing the turn opening at the same time. 

- Fold one long edge up about 3 inches then sew the ends.   Mark pockets based on what you plan to put in your organizer.  Measure the item and add 1 inch for each slot.  Sew the seams being sure to back stitch.  

Fill it up and live happily ever after!  

For the detailed directions you can go to The Giving Flower

Organize It!

I have been on a huge organizing kick in my house over the last month.  It seems like it's all I can think about!  Every corner I walk past or cupboard I open I am thinking of ways I can organize it so I thought I would share my top 10 favorite tips and ideas I've found over the last few weeks!

I love this spice cupboard!  She found these jars at the dollar store!  Love that!!  I will show you my take on this project in another post!

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I cannot wait to have this set up for my wrapping supplies.  What I have right now is not so much working and this would be amazing!

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This is brilliant!  We have so many cords around our house and I usually have no clue what they are for.  The only ones I know are the iPad, Laptop and phone chargers so I will definitely be taking on this project. 

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I love these little bowls for organizing jewlery.  I plan to get some from Anthropologie to set out on my vanity.  So pretty!

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I love the idea of using pretty dishes for organizing a laundry room or under the bathroom sink. It's unexpected and helps those not always so pretty places have a little personality.  You can always find cute things like this at Home Goods.

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I found this idea on i heart organizing's blog.  She is amazing and has the best ideas!  I already had 2 of these q-tip boxes in my house from past trips so I immediately went and got them and stuck our headphones in them and put them in the desk drawer.  Works like a charm!  Simple, free and gets the job done!

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I think these faux chalk board labels are the cutest!  No mess, no accidentally wiping them off!  Genius!

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I have been using these baskets all over my house to organize!  You'll be seeing them in future posts for sure.  I love them because they are plastic for easy cleaning but they have a little style to them!!!

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I need this type of organization DESPERATELY!  I can't wait to tackle this project!  It makes the fabrics look so pretty, like you can just go shopping in your house!  Maybe it would make me want to use my scrap fabric instead of buy new!  My husband would probably like that!

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I love projects like this because it serves two purposes - 1. it's super cute and would look really great on the wall and 2. it organizes!!!  I would love to be able to look up grab what I need and get to work!

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Well, that's it for now.  I hope something here has inspired your organizing juices!  There are so many great resources out here on the web and I am so grateful to those who share their ideas! 

Happy Organizing!

Genetics

It is a well known fact that we inherit our genetic makeup from our parents who in turn inherited their genes from our grandparents.   It seems reasonable to me to assume that I was born with genetic potential to be similar in many ways to my ancestors.  Don’t panic…this is not a science post. 

Basically I’m talking about the gardening gene.  My grandfather was a farmer his whole life.  My dad loved to garden.  He was a farmer who moved to the city out of necessity but he never stopped growing things.  He always planted a garden and had beautiful flowers where ever we lived.

This picture of my dad isn’t that great but you can get an idea of the pink and white stripped petunias that he loved most.

  My sisters all love to garden and have beautiful yards.  One of my brothers raises a big garden of vegetables every summer.   Even the butterflies want to be in Jacque and Beverly’s garden.

Me - not so much.   I don’t know if the gardening gene skipped me or if I just have not developed my potential in that area.  Oh, yes I have occasionally tried to grow things but plants seem to realize that they have a novice in charge and the race to see how fast their leaves can drop off.  I think it has to do with water and talking to them. 

So now that I am retired and have time to “stop and smell the roses” I’ve decided to give my gardening gene another chance to emerge from the oblivion that has overtaken it.   Ok - really I have been on Pinterest again and have seen so many great ideas for container gardens I just had to give it a try.  Keep your fingers crossed for us and maybe remember these pretty little flowers in your prayers. 

What is in your genes?  We all have genetic potential when we are born.  It is up to us to take that potential and make it become part of who and what we are.  I don’t expect to be the world’s greatest gardener but I do think I can be a better gardener than I have been – after all – it’s in my genes.

Our New Look

We've made some changes around the blog and I feel we would be ungrateful not to give credit where credit is due!  Kassie from Designs by Kassie was so lovely to work with and did a great job conveying exactly what we wanted!  We are incredibly excited now to move forward in this new adventure with a whole new look!  I kind of feel like getting the blog makeover was like when you get a new outfit or a new purse - you always feel awesome and ready to take on the world when you are wearing a shiny new outfit!  So - thanks Kassie for all your hard work!!  We love it!! 

Obsession

Why do some words evoke such negative images?  Obsession is generally implied as a negative thing but to me obsession can be beautiful.  Take my latest “obsession” with decorating plastic eggs. 

These decorated eggs are so easy and inexpensive you will want to make dozens of them.   This can be a fun project to do with your kids, friends, or just enjoy creating them yourself.  They make great gifts.

Supplies

Check out your stash before you go shopping since you may already have most of what you need. Here’s the supply list:

- Plastic Eggs (various sizes) – It is perfectly ok to take a few from the kiddo’s Easter basket from last year.  Just be sure they are clean and empty.

- You’ll need crochet thread, embroidery floss, or yarn to wrap the eggs.  (I used the cotton yarn I had left over from the dish cloth obsession I had a few months ago…. There is that beautiful word again.)

- Ribbon, buttons, flowers or other embellishments to decorate the eggs

- All purpose glue that dries clear

- Hot glue and glue gun

- Scissors

- Wire Cutters

- Paper Tubes (I use the core of toilet paper rolls or paper towel rolls)

- Straight pins or toothpicks

- Damp Sponge or cloth

There are basically three easy steps to create a beautiful decorated egg.

First – Prepare the eggs

I usually prep several eggs at once because it is just like a bag of chips…you won’t be able to make just one.

Open the eggs and run a thin bead of the glue around the middle edge then snap the egg together.  Smooth the glue that pops out around the center of the egg.  Wipe your fingers on the damp sponge.  Set the egg aside to dry and move on to the next one. 

Use your wire cutters to clip off the tiny little hinge that holds the egg halves together.  Be careful not to squeeze hard enough to pop the eggs open.  If the egg does pop open the world still spins through space but you need to re-glue the pieces together.

Second – Cover the Eggs

Apply white glue to the broad end of the egg. 

Begin to apply the yarn being careful to coil the thread tightly.  I find it is easier to balance the egg on a stand (TP core cut down to a comfortable work height) during this step.  I also use a pin to help coil the first couple of rounds because it saves getting glue all over my fingers. 

Continue adding glue as needed.  I find it is best not to get too far ahead with the glue because it dries out and the yarn doesn’t stick as well.  As you continue to coil the yarn around the egg use your finger to gently push the coils together to avoid gaps.  Wipe your fingers often on the damp sponge.  Slightly damp fingers don’t pick up the glue so your fingers don’t get sticky.

At the end clip the yarn, then using a pin, tightly coil the yarn so that all the egg is covered.   I usually place a small dot of glue on the tip and press gently with my finger to seal all the threads in place on the ends.  The glue will dry clear so you don’t see it.

Third – Decorate the Eggs

Now you can let your creativity run wild.  Use your hot glue to attach ribbon, buttons, lace, flowers, or whatever your imagination can dream up.  I used a lot of my scrapbooking supplies because they are flat and easy to attach with the hot glue. 

Finally, display your eggs.  I placed some in a basket I crocheted (another recent obsession) but some of my favorites I placed as a centerpiece on my coffee table.  I needed different heights so I used some of my pretty crystal wine glasses (we don’t drink wine so it was a good use for them)and glass candle sticks.  I also had some fancy crystal napkin ring holders which I have never used so I brought out a few of those as well. 

Yes, I do believe obsessions can be beautiful.