My Brain as an Apron Medley

This is what is going on inside my BRAIN tonight.

Apron medley.
Apron jambalaya.
Apron salad?
Apron mess!

I am guessing it is kind of like being on drugs, but without any high. Kind of scattered. Kind of disorganized. Kind of random.

BUT that's what I get for jumping in the "Jumpy House" for an extended period of time today with my daughter. My brain got all tossed around and jumbled up. (Jumpy House-You know...the gigantic inflatable children containment systems that they get all happy inside...) It's no wonder that none of the other parents went in to play. They know better.

Don't forget to enter the GIVEAWAY for the Fresh Baked Pies Apron from D-Lux 57! Enter below the Featured Giveaway to the right.

What Will They Think of Next?

Do you remember this post? Aprons for chickens, who'd of thought? Certainly not me. I would however consider one now, since our chickens are lacking in the feather department and need some sort of sun protection as well as plucking protection. Take notice of our poor, sad looking Plymouth Barred Rock to the left.

We still have yet to get her or make her an apron to protect her hinny- butt. Shame shame on us...

However...

I found some unusual yet very useful aprony decorations for those of you who must have color coordination in your kitchen and bathroom. If you are a matching accessory Goddess, then this is the place for you!

Check out Creations by Myrolin.

Not only are there aprons for your dish soap bottles, but there are kitchen aprons, place settings, plastic bag holders, casserole carriers, and tissue box covers. You can really go crazy matching all these accessories. The products are very reasonably priced.

There are items that are masculine as well, including aprons for the "manly man," such a woodsy print with black bears or a fish print pattern. Ladies, don't you think your husband needs a MANPRON??

Just think a manpron could be a great Father's Day gift for the man who loves to cook or BBQ. And just for fun you could throw in the matching dish soap bottle as a hit about the clean up. So head on over there and see what they have to offer!

Once again, that site is Creations by Myrolin, because husbands have a right to look good while cooking too.

Apron Goddess Jenny

Don't forget to enter the giveaway for the "Fresh Baked Pies" Apron from D-Lux 57.

This is Apron Goddess Jenny at The Icing on The Cupcake! She sent in this happy photo for extra credit and I am so glad she did. The genuine smile and adorable apron she is wearing made me happy to write up her Apron Goddess tribute.

Jenny said, I love this kitchen apron! I got it at a local discount store for $7.99! What a deal! I love this apron because it's so cute and girly, I just had to have it!

Wearing an apron makes me feel feminine and motherly. I have a handful of aprons, this is my favorite!"

Additionally, Jenny revealed, "There is a lady who has a yard sale every year in our area. She always has vintage aprons and linens. Can't wait for her sale this year!" Now why can't I find one of these great vintage apron selling ladies in my area?

At her blog, Jenny's writes about her budding artist (son) and displays the detailed drawings with her son's explanation in posts she calls Tuesday's Talent. I enjoyed Jenny's story about Mother's Day and what it meant to her as well. You can read it Here. Finally, with a tag line of "My sweet thoughts with a colorful sprinkle of your opinions," and her cute-as-can-be cupcake background you will be delighted with her blog too. Please give her a visit and say hello.

I Know 1972 Was A Long Time Ago BUT

Hi Apron Goddesses!

Let's jump in the way back machine once again for a marvelous photo of two gentlemen wearing aprons from 1972 out of McCalls Needleworks and Crafts.

I am a staunch radical crazy apron supporter BUT, what were they thinking???

I was in hysterics reading the real comments people wrote below this picture on Flickr. You could make up your own tag line but I am trying to keep this site mostly clean.


Here's my take...

Guy on right, "Yeah, I think I'm going to start a new chain gang but we will all wear aprons instead of gold. That's a good idea right?"

Guy on left, "Are you kidding me? Some body is going to seriously kick your ass. Dude...are you ready? Wonder Twin Powers-Activate!"

Guy on right, "Have you been smoking something without me?"

Guy on left, "No, but I put something special in the hot dogs."

Sorry, I have to stop. But this picture writes it self. There are so many directions to go...so little time. I hope you get as good a laugh from this photo as I did.

Winner of the Poodle Skirt Apron From Cupcake Provocateur

Is there a pink poodle skirt in your future??

If you name is Ms SnarkyPants at Will Write for Food, the answer is YES! The random drawing went into the bonus entries and those extra five numbers resulted in Ms SnarkyPants' lucky number coming up.

She can now say, "Here poochie-poo! Here little doggie!" since this adorable apron from the Cupcake Provocateur is going to be heading her way. Woof!!! Or should I be saying a polite, "Bow wow." I mean it is a poodle after all.

Ms SnarkyPants wrote, "I've gotta say that my favorite is by far that poodle skirt apron! I LOVE IT!" And I am so happy that this apron will be hers.

Thank you Cynthia at Cupcake Provocateur for your sassy apron giveaway!

Congrats to Ms SnarkyPants who has been trying to win an apron for a while now!

D-Lux 57 Apron Giveaway-Fresh Baked Pies!

D-Lux 57 brings us sassy, stylish, funky and fun prints and patterns this week. Designed with classic A-line shapes and combined with either a straight hem or a flounce, there is something for everyone at D-Lux 57. Upholding the made in America standard, this store is a great place to shop.

With apron appearances on Desperate House Wives and TV Land and ample attention through written and Internet publications, owner Cynthia, can be proud of her store. And the universally flattering cuts make her lines wearable for all. You can find many sizes at D-Lux 57 including fits for adult, children and tweens and the sheer number of colors and patterns is astounding.

D-Lux 57 has generously provided this "Fresh Baked Pies" apron on a smooth cream fabric for giveaway this week. It is sexy, fun and frilly with a sweetheart flounce. There is a single heart shaped pocket with a grosgrain red ribbon bow detail and ties. This apron is 100 percent cotton and fully lined and comes in a matching stylized keepsake envelope.

To enter the contest to win the Fresh Baked Pies apron from D-Lux 57, brows the selection at the store, then come back to TAG and make a comment your favorite.

For five bonus entries into the drawings post about this giveaway on your blog and leave the perma-link URL in your comment.

If you would like to get 10 extra entries in this giveaway, send me a photo of an apron adorned Goddess or God from your household and a few lines about how you got the apron or what you like to make wearing it. I will post your apron photo and a story about you and your blog in the weeks to follow.

Entries Close June 3, 2009
Good Luck!

Memorial Day

Let us take a moment to honor those lost in duty to our Country.

As we stand here looking
At the flags upon these graves
Know these flags represent
A few of the true American brave

They fought for their Country
As man has through all of time
Except that these soldiers lying here
Fought for your country and mine

As we all are gathered here
To pay them our respect
Let's pass this word to others
It's what they would expect

I'm sure that they would do it
If it were me or you
To show we did not die in vein
But for the red, white and blue.

Let's pass on to our children
And to those who never knew
What these soldiers died for
It's the least we can do

Let's not forget their families
Great pain they had to bear
Losing a son, father or husband
They need to know we still care

No matter which war was fought
On the day that they died
I stand here looking at these flags
Filled with American pride.

So as the bugler plays out Taps
With its sweet and eerie sound
Pray for these soldiers lying here
In this sacred, hallowed ground.

Take home with you a sense of pride
You were here Memorial Day.
Celebrating the way Americans should
On this solemnest of days.
Written by Michelle Keim, 1999.

We've Got Work To Do

My computer needs a Doctor. My screen wants to jump back and forth between large and small all by it's self. It is having a seizure of some unknown origin. Try writing with a moving screen, it's like getting sea sick without being on a boat.

My hand is sore from carpel tunnel.

And I hurt a toe. BADLY. I think I actually broke it...

But I could not resist posting these pics of Ella working in one of her aprons.


She even got herself a pink shovel! I still can't keep shoes on her for long. And in a world of unruly boys that is a necessity.


Since Ella is one girl among four boys I have to make an effort to support her femininity. If not she would turn out to be the ultimate tomboy!

Missy is an Apron Goddess

Happy Friday to all Apron Goddesses. I hope you are planning a great weekend with your family. It will be the normal free for all at my house so I am hoping for the best...

We have Apron Goddess Missy sowing off an apron she received in a swap. Missy blogs at Fairy Child Heirlooms Weblog and shows off her new creations and pictures her hand made heirloom clothing. Additionally, there are adorable babes wearing her beautiful things on her site!

Missy has a lovely store called Fairy Child Heirlooms Shop where she sells high quality baby clothing, blankets and gifts. Currently she is having a moving sale so you could purchase luxury baby items at a great price.

I think I want one of her flannel baby blankets for myself, but then my daughter might get jealous!

You can go take a peek a Missy's shop HERE!

Bye for now Apron Goddesses! This weekend will be hectic for me so I will have something new for you all on Monday!

Cupcake Provocateur on Ugly Betty!!

So did you know that Daniel Mead, editor of Mode Magazine is wearing an apron made by the Cupcake Provocateur??

Well you can get your own apron made by CP at our current giveaway. Enter to win your own poodle skirt apron now by clicking HERE!

Good Luck!

Apron Goddess Trish

Our fabulous Apron Goddess for today is Trish at The Kobialka Family and at Trish's Garden. Here she is showing off one of her favorites that she got at a Christmas Apron Swap.

From reading one of her most recent posts on being a winner, I have learned that Trish is quite the apron ADDICT, and or maybe even an apron-a-holic. And she has won a great apron recently which is just adorable, so her personal apron collection is rapidly growing.

Nothing wrong with that if I do say so myself!

And this photos shows another cobbler style apron in front of the tree with a pretty little girl giving hugs! So it appears that Santa and his helpers were good to Trish during the holidays.

At her blog, The Kobialka Family, you may read about serious issues like loneliness, which we all feel at one time or another. Trish has asked readers to think and/or write about their experiences with loneliness in which ever angle that it occurs to them peronally.

I can't say that I have not felt isolated and on an island populated by dirty faced kids on many occasions. Being with my kids is wonderful, but sometimes I feel like the only other adult I speak to is the clerk at the grocery store or some other total stranger. I love my children, but as a mom, caretaker, household organizer, cook and every thing else, it makes me feel like I am alone and unappreciated on occasion. So, even when surrounded by constant frenzied activity with my family, I have felt I was alone and without support or recognition. I don't think husbands truly recognize what it is like to be at home with kids 24-7 and the loss of freedom that being a SAHM results in.

But surprisingly, writing about aprons and things on my other blog has made this feeling dissipate in amazing ways. I guess that is the power of expression in this format. You can get feedback from peers and document your experiences all at the same time.

I think you should head over to Trish's site and check it out. She has interesting things for you too.

Apron 4-Pack from Time and Again Aprons

Ta Da!!

I have conducted a scientific random drawing for the winner of the Time and Again Aprons and Pillow Case Dresses Four Pack of Aprons and Ryan Ashely Scott at Optimistic Cynicism is the lucky woman today.

I am kind of wondering if Monsoon, her son, is going to be dressed up like a girl with these pretty little feminine aprons. Maybe she will use them as gifts for other little girls she knows or maybe she thinks she may have a daughter some day. I don't know. All I can say is she is the winner. Hurray!!!

Recipe from the Great American Pie Cook Off Contest Winner

Some how TAG caught the attention of the American Pie Council and now I get what appear to be special emails with the winners and recipes. I am happy to pass on the great picture for you to get all drooly and hungry about. There is hardly a time that I am not starving and I could almost always find room for dessert given the chance. This pie looks like no exception!

This picture shows the winner of the Great American Pie Cook Off Contest. And note: It looks like the woman holding the pie is wearing and apron!! The pie looks scrumptious. The following recipe describes how you too can make your pie look and taste just as good as shown in the photo. This, I promise you on behalf of the American Pie Council! Drum roll please!!!!!!

TOM’S CHEERY CHERRY CHERRY BERRY PIE

Crust:
1 ½ cups of flour
¼ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt 1 tsp sugar
½ cup Crisco shortening

Mix all ingredients in a stand mixer on medium speed swiftly until crust appears “pea like.” Carefully sprinkle ice cold water in crust mix until it just starts to be fully moistened and gathers together. Pat into disc, wrap and refrigerate for at least one half hour. Roll out on floured surface and make and crimp piecrust. Freeze until ready to use.

Filling:
4 ½ cups Montmorency tart cherries –frozen
1 cup sugar
¼ cup cornstarch
½ tsp real almond extract
1 tsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
½ tsp orange zest
½ cup dried Michigan cherries
1 ½ cups of frozen blueberries

Combine frozen cherries, dried cherries, sugar, cornstarch. Stir constantly on med-hi heat until boiling. Add blueberries. Boil for one minute or until thickened. Add almond extract, lemon juice and zest. Pour blueberries in bottom of pie shell and pour cherry mixture over them.

Crumb Topping:
1 cup sugar
1 cup all purpose flour
¼ tsp salt
1 stick butter softened

Mix together all crumb topping ingredients by hand or a pastry blender until crumbly. Cover filling with crumb topping. Bake in preheated 400 degree oven for 45 minutes to one hour or until filling is bubbling over crust.

Be sure you share with your family and don't hide it in the closet to sneak bites when no one is looking!

Suzi Strawberry Goddess

Meet Suzi from Savy Suzi! Our new spokes model for strawberry's and aprons!

Suzi is my sister in law and has been trying to win an apron since this blog has been in existence, and laments that her turn will never come...

But I maintain that these are random drawings and IF I were to start giving aprons to my cronies, I would loose my validity and my conscience would plague me!

So Suzi keeps sending me her pictures which I can post at my will and make up the story as I go! Even with all her extra credit her lucky number has yet to be drawn.

The story behind Suzi Strawberry is simple.

In our town, strawberry season starts in April. We are blessed with a strawberry shack that sells the sweetest, juiciest, yummiest, berries that grow. No seriously.

The three boys who call Suzi MOM!! or Mom, as the case may be, devour strawberry's like they are the only edible food group in the universe. They go through a six pack flat in under two days.

I think the boys resemble a hungry pack of fruit-a-tarian wolverines. Or something like that. When I come home from the grocery store and unpack various fruits and food stuffs, I will see her boys meandering toward my house and start to hide food. (They live next door) Sorry Suzi, sometimes I just HAVE to. I mean they are capable of eating twice my kids in one sitting.

Anyway, you can go send your sympathies to Suzi at her blog Savy Suzi and complain to her how you have not won anything either.... There is one other Apron Goddess (you will just have to visit her to find out who) with at least six aprons now and has a hanging organizer for them too! I expect she and Suzi can comiserate on their misfortune together.

Poodle Skirt Apron Giveaway from the Cupcake Provocateur!

Do you want your own poodle skirt apron? If so, here is your chance, since this week you can win one made by the Cupcake Provocateur. This pink and black accented apron even has a little chain attached to the collar signifying your attachment to your honey!

At the Cupcake Provocateur, you can find holiday aprons, apron gift sets, matching potholders, cupcakes in a jar and more. Since owner, Cynthia, is a self declared baking addict and loves to make special cupcakes, she merged the creation of sweet treats with vintage inspired aprons forming a powerful combination. She said, "I am inspired by the June Cleaver type of wholesomeness combined with the class and glamour of Donna Reed and the sexiness of Marilyn Monroe and Betty Paige."

See, now you can attempt to fill these iconic shoes and be a "Haute Hostess" while wearing one of the aprons from the Cupcake Provocateur!

To enter the random drawing for the poodle skirt apron, visit Cupcake Provocateur and browse the selections. Come back and comment upon your favorite thing at Cynthia's site.

For an additional five entries post about this giveaway leaving the permalink address (URL) in the comments too.

And for 10 extra entries, send in a picture of an adult, preferably you, wearing an apron. I have plenty of children in aprons from the wonderful entries during the last few weeks. We need to see real women wearing aprons that they love! My email address is located under contacts in the header above. And please, please include your blog address in your email for me! The winner of the pink poodle skirt apron will be selected by random number generator.

Entries close May 26, 2009!

Winner of the Holstein Pattern Apron Made By Me and Ranting at the Fabric Store

Yes, yes, yes... I am totally behind schedule. Don't you hate it when work gets in the way of blogging???? Well, I finally got to drawing the winner of the Holstein cow patterned gardening apron...

AND

All you women in the vicinity of Utah need to wear hearing protection since, POOBA won herself an apron, finally. She will be screaming like a school girl at a Duran Duran concert over this result. OK, so I am dating my self with this reference, but I really don't know who girls are screaming over these days.

This fabric was out of stock at JoAnne's for a few weeks, but finally, I was able to obtain it, so I can make the apron now. I think they were intentionally holding out on me, or trying incite me to a tither, since the cashier informed me a few weeks ago that, "...sometimes we don't get certain patterns back in stock very often..."

I was all, "WHAT??? You have to be kidding me!! I need to make two aprons out of this material. I HAVE obligations with this material!" I am sure I had the crazy 30 something going on 40 look on my face with raised eyebrows and a wavering voice.

And as I ranted at the clerk standing behind the counter, she appeared to be enjoying herself, giving me her best indifferent facial expressions... This was not helping matters whatsoever.

Because I am psychic, I know that she started thinking to herself, "Get this lunatic woman out of my face. Maybe I'm gonna have to call for security. Wow that would be a first." I think her eye roll tipped me off to her true evil nature.

"When will you know if this fabric is going to be restocked?" I quizzed this young 20 something in my imperious tone.

"We get new fabric restocks on Thursdays," she informed me briefly, hoping I would just go away. Then she added as a second thought, probably because I was scaring her, "If you had the stock number from your last receipt we could order it for you."

Sighing heavily I admitted,"I don't have the receipt any more. Of that I am sure." Then not wanting to be taken down by my own incompetence in saving receipts I querried, " Can't you just look up the patterns on a computer or something?"

Then with a dumbfounded gaze the gal said, "Oh no. We don't have access to anything like that."

Note to JoAnne's Fabric: Make computers available to your staff to facilitate the ordering of fabrics that are out of stock. Have you people not yet heard of "The Internet?" And yes I know JoAnne's is on line and I looked there for the fabric and it was not listed ANYWHERE! I know how to search for stuff too...

Well, I can always rant here properly, right?

Congrats Pooba! I will make your apron in the week comming up!

That Was Then, This is Now V

I am back to the land I call home after three long days in the field marching through wildlands recording all the plant species I could detect! Glimmers of improvement in the economy mean that I am starting to have work again. This is the most brilliant native plant I found in the last three days.

Here is western desert penstemon up close and personal.

Then there was a great view of the moon dropping over some boulders on a slope I surveyed.


But not to slow down the flow of apron things, I prepared this pictorial of another That Was Then, This is Now for comparison purposes. Enjoy!

One more trip into the archives of history provided this picture of children in aprons. I drove the way back machine to the early 20th century to find this assemblage of kids being tortured with these drab and boring aprons.

The story that goes with this picture is simple:

In this black and white photograph, two rows of children (mostly girls) are lined up to have their group picture taken. They stand in front a light-colored clapboard building with dark trim. Three of four windows are open and white curtains hang from wires suspended across them. (From this I see curtain rods are a relatively new invention!) Most of the children are wearing white aprons and caps and many of them are also barefoot.

Photo Credit University of Main Cooperative Extension

Now this pack of rowdy kids are wearing white aprons with personalized designs that they themselves created! Now that's what I call modern times!!! I like the color and freedom these kids are allowed to show.

And this group of three below shows a whimsical approach to aprons with their simple patterns and mock pepper eating...

Photo Credit Lil Sugar

See aren't you glad you are here today to see the differences!

Free For All Friday - Can you say Pumpkin?

Since Julia is out of town on business, I get to honor you Apron Addicts with my presence,again. We are going to call today a "Free for all Friday," and I am going to give you a recipe that my boys love, love, love.

Today's recipe is for Pumpkin Cupcakes. By the way, this is where you are supposed to say, "Ohhhhhh," with your eyebrows all raised up.

Yes, I go through the painstaking and time consuming process of canning my own pumpkins fresh from my garden, so you won't see any store bought cans of pumpkin in my house. For us the process of making said cupcakes begins now with a seed in the ground and we wait patiently until we are able to harvest them for canning. Okay enough of that, lets get right to the recipe.

Here are the ingredients for you to visualize:


From The Kitchen Of: Suzi the Baking Queen

Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour
1 ½ cups sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. ground cloves
4 beaten eggs
1-16 ounce can pumpkin
1 cup cooking oil

Instructions: Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, soda, salt, and cloves. Stir in eggs, pumpkin, and cooking oil till thoroughly combined. Line cupcake tin with baking cups and fill 2/3 of the way. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes or till a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool on wire rack. Frost with cream cheese frosting. Makes approximately 24 cupcakes.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY: Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:
2-3 ounce packages cream cheese
½ cup softened margarine or butter
2 tsp. vanilla
4 ½ to 4 ¾ cup sifted powdered sugar

Instructions: In bowl beat together cream cheese, margarine or butter, and vanilla till light and fluffy. Gradually add 2 cups powdered sugar, beating well. Gradually beat in enough remaining powder to make frosting spread consistency.

For Those Who Sew....

Hi ladies (and gents), it's me again! Suzi here at your service. While Julia is away on business I get the honor of entertaining you all. Today I would like to present you with a book I discovered one day at Barnes and Noble while killing time, waiting for Costco to open. It is called A is for Apron: 25 Fresh & Flirty Designs by Nathalie Mornu. You can also find it at Amazon.com.


For those who are interested in sewing aprons, this is a great book. It has a brief history of aprons and why they were important Pre-World War II. Like today they served a purpose to protect clothing, however 50+ years ago people wore them to protect the few "changes" of clothing they did have. In fact, if you are so inclined, you can read up on a little bit of apron history through the Michigan Time Traveler.

Back to the book. It shows several pictures of vintage aprons and has 25 patterns that you can make yourself. The book gives a materials list of how much material is needed, a picture of a completed apron, and a step by step instructional on how to assemble the aprons. The aprons in this book are fresh, flirty, and fun.

The patterns are listed in the back of the book and must be enlarged. I took the easy route and took a copy from the book to my local Kinko's to have them enlarge the pattern. Once I did that I was on my way. If only I took pictures of the ones I made, then you could see some for yourself.

So what are you waiting for? Go on, check out the book! Remember there is always the local library if you aren't interested in shelling out the money for the book. Have fun and if you make any send a picture of yourself (full body) in your new home made apron to Julia so she can post it.

Toodles for now!

Carolyne's Apron Goddess Daughters

Carolyne at Pleasant Home Hill has sent in this picture of her Miss Apron Goddesses including special, foofy girl gloves! I need a pair like that too.

The lovely Apron Goddess herself, Carolyne, asked on her blog recently, "Do you just love to wear an apron around the house while you're doing whatever?"

Well, if you are reading this blog the answer is probably YES!

Carolyne recently submitted this picture for extra credit and said, "Here's a picture of my two dear daughters-by-love in their Domestic Diva wear. I made these aprons for them at Christmas last year. They really DO wear them while they work."

At her blog, Pleasant Home Hill, Carolyne supplies us with poetry including daffodils, and wonderful pictures like this to the right. Whenever I see her name I will think of this beautiful daffodil adorned woman.

If you get a moment pop over and say hi, I am sure Carolyne would not mind you visiting!

Sarah's Apron Goddess in Training at Coffee at the Cabin

Me thinks this little Apron Goddess in training is sneaking a few tastes of the cooking.... Who said you could lick the beaters young lady??

Well, I guess Sarah at Coffee at the Cabin must have said it was OK. And who could say no to this adorable girl?

Sarah said, "I wanted to include a picture of my daughter with the only apron we own - a Pampered Chef one. I have tons of embroidered pillowcases, doilies and quilts from my grandmother, but somehow never got any of her beautiful aprons. How does that happen?"

Continuing Sarah wrote, "Anyway, this is my daughter while we were baking one day. We also use the apron when we can tomatoes because we get quite messy!"

Now how can you only have just one?? Maybe it's time to visit a sponsor...

At Coffee at the Cabin, Sarah talks about her kids, marriage, and parenting in her post write ups. Also, she ruminates frequently, contributes to "The Simple Woman's Daybook", and speaks simply on a variety of topics. I especially liked her post on I will/I wish since I go through these thoughts all the time myself. And her family lives in a log cabin home! How cool is that?

Thanks for sharing this Jr. Apron Goddess picture with us Sarah!! And to you TAG ladies, please take a moment and visit her site and say "Hi."

Time and Again Aprons Gives Away a Bundle!!

Happy Monday Morning to All Apron Goddesses Everywhere!!!

Owner of Time and Again Aprons, Allison, is a Work at Home Mom who makes all of her creation under the direction of her spunky little girl and her bouncing baby boy.

And this week, Allison provided a bundle of aprons for the lucky winner of the random drawing. This apron package consists of three full girls aprons and one full adult apron. So, if you are the winner you get a total of 4 aprons for this giveaway.

Ella decided she could help me model the aprons for this giveaway. She was a little upset she did not get to keep these ones... But she has plenty and needs NO more. Try telling a two year old that!

The apron I am wearing here has dragon flies shimmering all over the surface of the green background! This one would also make a great gardening apron. All of the flowers on these aprons can be removed since they are attached by a safety pin.

The apron cuts are generous and ties are made from ribbons which color coordinate with the fabric pattern. There are buttons at the top of the bib for both adult and children's aprons. For Ella, I had to make a tie in the apron so it would cover her chest. The straps on the children's aprons are generous. They will fit ages 2 to 6 comfortably.

Time and Again Aprons also offers pillowcase dresses, I-Spy Bags, Christmas Aprons, and Christmas Dresses! The best kept apron secret on the Internet is their Children's Clearance section which has great values with low cost!!! And in the Pillowcase Dress section there are sizes 6 months up to 6 years old. There are dozens upon dozens to from which to choose.

To enter the giveaway for all of the aprons pictured here, visit Time and Again Aprons and browse the selections. Come back and comment upon your favorite thing at Alison's store.

For an additional five entries post about this giveaway leaving the permalink address (URL) in the comments too.

And for 10 extra entries, send in a picture of a full grown adult wearing an apron. Man or Woman, but I have plenty of children in aprons from the wonderful entries during the last few weeks. We need to see real women wearing aprons that they love! Email address is located under contacts in the header above. And please, please include your blog address in your email for me! The winner will be selected by random number generator.

Entries close May 19, 2009!

Happy Mother's Day

I Wish A

TO MY

Graphics by Old Dame Penniwig.

Pocket History, Part II of the History of Aprons

This is the Part II to the Apron History Part I from last weekend! I never imagined that this is how it used to be...

Romance Novel author Joanna Bourne at Historical Romance wrote a historic apron review which included how pockets were used in this period. Joanna assembled representative apron and pocket paintings and photographs from the 18th century and has given some explanation for their use and construction.

It never occurred to me that pockets were a separate article of clothing.

Here is what she has gathered:

'Pockets'

These were not the sewed-in feature we are used to. They were a little bag tied at the waist, under the skirt. Often this was two pockets, tied separately, and worn one on each hip.

This makes comprehensible the nursery rhyme:

Lucy Locket lost her pocket,
Kitty Fisher found it.
Not a penny was there in it,
Only ribbon round it.

I am guessing that this nursery rhyme has worried and puzzled generations of readers.

We have some early C18 pockets here, from the V & A.

These are linen, sewn with linen thread, embroidered in coloured silks, with silk ribbon and linen tape.

A couple more below.


Find them in detail here.

These are from Meg Andrews, Antique Costume and Textiles. Her site is here. These pockets are white cotton, marcella quilted, joined on a wide 2 inch band. They tie with tapes. There's a different design on the two pockets. Odd, what.

Here's a pair of 1796 pockets -- exactly in era. These are embroidered linen.

They belong to the Met, which welcomes you here.


You're wondering how folks got into their pockets in 1794?

Folks got into the pockets by reaching through slits in the seam of their skirt. The caraco in 1794 wouldn't have been long enough to interfere with access, so they could just go through that skirt.

Look here where you see just exactly those slits.

They're doing the other thing they did with these pocket holes, which is they pulled a hank of skirt up through them to shorten the skirt. Fashionable women did this for 'the look'. Working women did it to get the skirts out from underfoot.

Or for the look, I guess. And this print is from Yale. Find it Here

Mommy and Daughter Apron Goddesses Viv and Carissa

Vivianne and her darling daughter are graciously showing off their beautiful mommy and me aprons from Twinklebelle! Thanks ladies. You two are angels! I am so impressed with Viv, since I ran like a mad woman from the camera when pregnant. It is wonderful to know other Goddesses are in tune with their bodies! Being pregnant should be celebratory and I am happy she is able to use her apron even before her new baby arrives.

Viv said, "Just got these in the mail...and had hubby take our pictures for you this morning!

My daughter, Carissa, loved showing her daddy how cute she looked in it when he got home for lunch yesterday! She was putting all kinds of stuff in the pockets!

Keep in mind I am pregnant in these pictures.. LOL... When I first put it on .. I was hoping the strings were long enough!!

Well the strings are long enough and you are as beautiful on the inside as on the outside Vivianne! Please fellow Apron Goddesses, wish her well with her up and coming arrival at And Now There Are 6!

Oh, and I almost forgot! She is making these cute little Korker bows for little apron goddesses hair! Maybe she will sell you some for your Mini-Goddesses in Training.