29 Gifts - Day 2 - Remembering someone special

My aunt has been an important part of my life as long as I can remember.  She never had kids of her own, so she always treated me and my kids as if we were her own.  When I was little, her house was my favorite because the cookie jar was always full of homemade cookies.  My favorite were the peanut butter blossums with the big hershey's kiss in the middle!  When I was in high school she let me clean her house to earn money for a trip I wanted to take.  When I got my first job and moved into my own apartment I couldn't afford clothes, so she learned how to sew and made me everything I needed to wear for work. She has celebrated every holiday, birthday, and Christmas with us my whole life.  She is now 90 years old, and I don't talk to her often enough.  I get busy with work and kids and my own interests and take it for granted that she will always be around.  My gift today was to call her.  In the middle of the day, in the middle of work, just to take a moment and call her and make plans to go visit her this weekend. 

29 Gifts - How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life

After taking a break from making aprons, I've come back to my blog to take the 29 Gifts Challenge. I've been giving gifts informally for awhile now, and then I found Cami Walker's book, 29 Gifts, How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life. So today I'll officially start and write a post about each gift.

Day 1 - I have a new boss at work and to be honest, I don't like him very much. He's a nice enough guy, but there is just something about him that rubs me the wrong way. So this morning I decided that my gift for the day is to try really hard to see things from his perspective. He came into my office to talk, and instead of being stubborn and tuning him out, I gave him my undivided attention and LISTENED to him. What I realized is that he has a boss, too, who is giving him tasks to accomplish, and he needs my help to be successful. My gift of listening may be the first step in being happier at work!

Fiesta Apron Swap!

Wanted to share pictures of the fun aprons that were exchanged for the Fiesta Swap hosted by Yarni Gras.

First one is the cute apron sent to me by Sherry! She made her first reversible apron with bright fiesta colors and added fun yoyo's, a loop to hang a towel on, and matching pot holders!

Next is the apron I made for Marcel. The colors were inspired by a pair of beaded earrings. The pattern was from Cindy Taylor Oates, More Retro Aprons book!

Tea for Two Apron Swap

Here are the aprons that my partner, Vea, and I swapped for the Sassy Tea for Two Apron Swap.

I asked for something pretty and feminine, so Vea sent me some of her favorite things! I love the floral fabric and detailing around the pocket and ruffle. She made a matching tissue holder that fits perfectly into the pocket. She also sent Earl Grey tea and my favorite biscotti!







Vea said she liked light blue and a ruffle, so I found this blue tea party theme fabric. The front has a double pocket, and the apron is reversible.


I also made this tea holder. The tea pot and cup are buttons!

Spring Color Apron Swap

I wanted to share pictures of the Apron I received for the Spring Color Apron Swap on Swap Bot. I said I was craving bright spring colors and flowers. This sweet apron was perfect! Donna added rick rack for a special touch!










This is my version of shabby chic in lavender, which my swap partner said were her favorites.











Reverse side with crisscross ties. This style is supposed to be very comfortable to wear.










I added a yoyo with lace and charms for that extra special touch.

Pay It Forward Surprise!

Look what came today! This cute pin cushion made by my Pay It Forward Partner, Aunt Pitty Pat!

It is so much fun to come home and find a package that is totally unexpected! This little guy is purple with flower embroidery and button eyes! He is so cute that I don't know if I can stick pins in him! Aunt Pitty Pat makes all kinds of cute things and has them for sale at her Etsy stores. She also tells good jokes, so hop on over to her site and say hi!

Thank you Marcel!!!!!

"Erin's Green" St. Patrick's Day Apron

This is Erin's Green, the wonderful apron I received from Missy, my swap partner for the Booming Apron's St. Patrick's Day Swap. The fabric is exquisite, and the workmanship perfect!










She also included this cute handmade towel along with all the other St. Patrick's themed goodies! I am so happy that my package arrived the day before St. Patrick's Day! It has made our home very festive!