All about Aprons

Jewelweeds Linen Apron

After posting about the giveaway yesterday, I got a little sidetracked looking at aprons online—especially after reading all of the sweet comments! Which is not a bad use of an afternoon, I assure you, even though endeavor was purely for fun since I have two aprons that I love in my apartment that I constantly use, particularly when I'm either baking or mixing salad. I also have one that lives at my parents house for me to use when I am there. It was my Grandmom Mary's and it's a full apron with a Liberty-esque teal floral print. It makes me so ridiculously happy to know it's there in the drawer just waiting for me—and I'm planning to use it a lot this coming weekend as I have promised my family homemade pasta for Easter dinner!
Despite all of that, I thought I'd share some of my favorite finds in case any of you are looking for a new apron or just need a dose of inspiration.

Ice Milk Aprons- Pecan Orchard Pleasantries
I love that this one is simple yet feminine with the slight gathering at the waist.

EllynAnne Geisel's "Mary"
An apron by EllynAnne, which I adore for the sheer volume of the skirt. Oh and the yellow and blue color combo sure doesn't hurt!

Posy Trifle Apron
What can I say, I do enjoy ruffles. Anthropologie has a pretty great selection of both vintage-inspired and brightly colored aprons.

Birds Pink (adult)
I chose this one, which is perfect for spring, because when I came across it, the birds outside my apartment window happened to be making a lot of lovely noise. I've been working from home lately and it's really interesting to hear the rhythms of my surroundings during the day. I definitely didn't realize how many birds hang out in the courtyard and it's been such an unexpected bonus. I live in a brownstone in Harlem and am lucky to have a south facing apartment in the back of the building. It gets a ton of sunlight all day and is mostly quiet—apart from the birds (which I love) and the occasional tune of a Mister Softee ice cream truck (which I love less since it tends to get stuck in my head).

Giveaway: 3 Apron Books by EllynAnne Geisel

EllynAnne and her publisher, Andrew McMeel Publishing, have generously offered this weeks giveaway—three of her popular books, including her just released The Kitchen Linen Book, The Apron Book and Apronisms. AND, EllynAnne is even going to sign two of the books, which makes me adore her even more. For those of you who may not know her, she is the queen of all things apron-related including the fantastic traveling exhibit the Apron Chronicles: A Patchwork of American Recollections, a traveling museum exhibit. It's made up of more than 400 aprons and apron memories that EllynAnne gathered from across America.

I'd say that she was one of the main forces behind the start of the huge online apron community that now includes sites like the Apronista and the Sassy Apron Swap. And in bringing back our beloved aprons—which are now being sold everywhere from Anthropologie to Target in thoroughly modern interpretations of vintage styles.

The Kitchen Linens Book is full of fantastic historical and personal information about tablecloths, dishtowels, and napkins—whether embroidered or hemstitched, linen or oilcloth. Makes me want to high tail it to a flea market to see what linens I can find to start making my own memories with!

If you are a fan of aprons or vintage linens, you need to enter this giveaway! To enter, please post a comment (making sure to fill in a user name so I know who you are!) about a memory you have that includes an apron by 11:59 pm EST Tuesday April 14. A winner will be chosen at random and will be announced here on Wednesday morning, April 15! And feel free to share any great apron resources and sites that you know of as well. Good luck!!

Instant Heirloom: Inklore

I'm happy to share this week's Instant Heirloom on Sam of Inklore. I love the modern simplicity of her work and also that it looks very classic. (I have a major crush on her new linen bag!) I was so curious about the process she goes through when designing and printing her creations, and I'm delighted with what I found out, as I'm sure you will be too.

How did you learn to do block printing?
I am a self-taught block print artist. A few years ago, I read an article about Galbraith and Paul; I was intrigued by the art form, so I went out and bought a starter kit and made my own very simple Christmas cards that year. I just continued to play with the medium, forcing myself to try more and more difficult pieces.



What's a favorite item that you've made (or put in your online shop) lately?
My favorite item at this moment is my Linen Bucket. I kept one for myself because it is really useful and looks good in any room in my house. It also has my current favorite print on it, Branches.

What made you decide to turn that into a business?
When I first began block printing, I had two very young children and a part-time job that I did from home. Over a couple of years, my children grew and my job became more and more part-time. I had started reading quite a few craft blogs, and finally decided to start making the things I wanted for myself. Starting a business was the best way I could think of to support my habit.

Have you learned about the history of the process or met anyone who has become a mentor along the way?
When I first started, I found Jesse's blog, who has a shop on etsy, Jezze. She had a wonderful tutorial on her blog about printing on fabric, and I did email her with a couple of questions about curing ink, which she was kind enough to answer. I also went to my local library and checked out every book I could find about the process. Now, of course, there are some great books about printing on fabric by Lotta Jansdotter and Lena Corwin.

Can you tell me a little about your process—do you design images, then figure out what to put them on, or do you think of each project as a whole?
It really depends on the project. When I designed my growth chart, it was finding the antique woodblock numbers that inspired the project. Other times, I am inspired by something growing in my yard and decide what to put the print on after it is finished. My goal is always to create practical things that will actually be used, and to make those things pretty.

How do your children influence your work?
Some of my projects are the result of having kids and knowing what they need, or what I need as a parent. The Sarah tote and 1-2-3 Growth Chart are good examples of that. Other times it is their art work that inspires a new print or project. My daughter drew an ant, Anty, and he will be making an appearance on a new item soon.

Why do you enjoy doing this type of craft, which takes a lot of time and manual effort?
I suppose you could call me an introvert, and at the end of a busy day, carving a print, or printing on fabric, is solitary, quiet and relaxing for me.


What's the best part of your day?
The best part of my day is reading with my kids, or having a cup of coffee with my husband.

And the winner is... (plus yummy quiche!)

The winner of the Williams-Sonoma giveaway (2 cupcake mixes from Sprinkles, one set of silicon baking cups and the sweetest daisy cupcake pan) is "Roberts Wife" who said that her favorite thing to bake is Lemon Lime Baby Cakes with Lemon Lime Drizzle. Lucky for us, with the help of random.org, the winner happened to give the recipe for her favorite, which I'm more than happy to share with you! (And scroll down to see what I made this weekend.)

Lemon Lime Baby Cakes with a Lemon Lime Drizzle
makes 18 mini pound cakes using the mini cheesecake pan
or 18 mini cakes using a mini muffin tin or 12 cakes using a regular muffin tin

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest
1 teaspoon fresh lime zest
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 cup plain yogurt

For the drizzle:
1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
lemon and lime juice

Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. In a mixer, beat the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well between additions. Add lemon and lime juice and zests, vanilla and almond extract and yogurt. Mix just until combined and creamy. Grease the pan of your choice and fill the cups half way. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-17 minutes or baked through and when cooled, transfer to a wire rack. In a small bowl combine the confectioners’ sugar and enough lemon and lime juice to make a nice consistency for the drizzle. Drizzle over the baby cakes and enjoy!

This is the last piece of the caramelized onion and feta cheese quiche I made this weekend for brunch in Red Hook Brooklyn with my former coworkers. I used this recipe from Mark Bittman (which is in How to Cook Everything, which is one of my most used cookbooks), though I added the feta (it was in the fridge!) and used whole wheat pastry flour in the crust. My apartment smelled delicious from all of the butter in the crust and from the onions and I was really pleased with the results—it was pretty light and airy because, I'm guessing, of the milk to egg ratio. It's gotten me in the mood for Easter, both due to the eggs and because of the suggestion of pie. In my family, we bake and eat ricotta pie for Easter breakfast (to put out next to the butter that's been carved in the shape of a lamb) morning and it's one of my very favorite foods in the world. My countdown has officially begun!!

Inspired Image: Oh, Hello Friend

Hello, my name is Danni

You can find me at ohhellofriend.blogspot.com + ohhellofriend.com

This image comes from plates found in thrift shops from Missouri.

It inspires me because I feel like there is so much amazing design in such simple things like plates found at a thrift shop.

I love that these beautiful objects were such great finds for under $3!

I particularly love the blue plate in the center and the vintage white doily dish on the right ;)

It makes me feel luminous.

The 3 words it conjures up are bright, soft, warm.


I love Danni's image choice here, and that it's an image she took herself. If you aren't familiar with her work, definitely check out her blog (I particularly enjoy her "link love" posts). Below are a few highlights from her etsy shop, which is filled with completely lovely accessories that also happen to be budget-friendly!

lov(ed) - lovely vintage hair pins

the sweetest days - gold umbrella necklace

romancing you - lovely filigree chrysanthemum ring

Q&A: Sinikka of For My Darling

This week's Q&A is with Sinikka of the Etsy shop For My Darling. She grew up in a farming family and never had much money, so she learned at an early age that if she wanted something trendy, she had to make it herself. Cut to today, when she is filling her shop with amazing felt cake toppers, bags and critters made entirely from materials she finds at the flea market (she felts old sweaters and such in her washing machine). I just love the texture and the way she adds just the right amount of embellishment to each item. Scroll down to read more.


Where do you live? I grew up in Finnish Lapland, but now I live in the south of Finland, in a small city called Pori.

What made you decide to create items from upcycled materials? I never made any decision, I have always worked with old, used materials long before it was trendy or was called ecological. It is my passion! I couldn't do other wise. I love old fabrics, knitwear, yarn and supplies. They fire me up! And it is like a miracle to see how an ordinary looking pullover turns into a beautiful, fascinating material, which always tempts me to give it a new life.

What's the best part about running your own business? The possibility to run it anywhere and anytime. That you are not bound to any timetables or deadlines. Everything is in your own hands. To say it in one word; the freedom!

What makes your products different than the ones we could buy at a mass-market store? They are absolutely unique, because using upcycled materials and buying them from flea markets as I do means I hardly ever find the same things twice.

Out of everything in your Etsy shop right now, can you pick a favorite? My favorite was sold yesterday! But there is another a little similar one still left; the wool rooster. It is made of a Benetton sweater. When I saw the colours of that sweater, I instantly knew, what to do from it.

What's the best part of your day? Definitely the time I can spend in my study. It is silent, I am alone with my tools and materials, and my dog is sleeping on the floor. I just wander in my thoughts and ideas, work in peace, no hurry, no timetables.


And thank you to everyone who's entered the Williams-Sonoma giveaway! It's been so much fun to read about all of the favorite baked goods. If you haven't entered yet, you have one more day so get to it!

Mom's Quilt Update #1

Here's a look at my progress on my mom's wall-hanging quilt. I did order those two fabrics I mentioned last week and I'm saving the bold print I originally had in the mix for another project. It's so interesting to me to play around with fabric until it feels right—and this combination completely feels right to me. I love the way the patterns and colors play off of each other and that it's both feminine and graphic. Plus, the blues and greens are just perfect for the Jersey shore, which is where this will eventually live.
This image above shows what the back of this row of pieces looks like. I did this by hand since I was having a bit of bobbin trouble on my sewing machine, but it went pretty quickly. Once I have the top pieced, this will be ironed so that it lies flat against the batting.
And here are my piles of pieces. I used a piece of cardstock to make the rectangular template and spent a few hours tracing and cutting since I sew the pieces together by following the lines traced on each. It's repetitive, sure, but it's also rewarding to wind up with stacks that are ready to be sewn together. I'm going to give weekly (or biweekly) updates on my progress so you can see how this comes together in real time—keeping in mind that this is my "travel" project since it's small, so I will be working on this whenever I'm on a train, plane or in an automobile. And I guess, during non-rush hour trips on the subway.