For the first time ever...

I've listed some quilts for sale in my Etsy shop!

Check out listings for...

The "On the Move" Baby Quilt

And the Exclamation Point Wall Hanging!

I also listed some old favorites - aprons, luggage tags, pants purses, and milk carton coin purses.

Enjoy!

Some custom aprons

My friend Maria commissioned me for a fourth time to create some custom gifts for her. This time around: barbeque aprons for three special men in her life.

We always have a great collaboration, because she comes to me with a clear direction and ideas for how to make the gift personal to each giftee, while leaving me a lot of space to determine how the design will come together.

Maria appreciates this, too. This time when I delivered the finished products, she told me: "Whenever I come to you for a custom project, I have a clear idea in my mind of what it should look like. You always take that, and make it even better. You so wonderfully bring creativity and function together."

I'm really excited about how they turned out. They're so specific to each person, and so durable for continued use.

Thanks Maria, for thinking of me for this project!

Just Listed: More Upcycled Button-Down Shirt Aprons

New in my Etsy Shop!

Upcycled Button-Down Shirt Apron - Eggplant

Upcycled Button-Down Shirt Apron - Blue & White Stripes

Upcycled Button-Down Apron - Olive Green with Orange Ruffle Trim

Upcycled Button-Down Shirt Apron - Shades of Blue Stripes

Visit my Etsy Shop to browse other aprons and new creations that I have available!

Playful Aprons and a Collaboration

A few months ago, Nikole from Uhuui (yoo-hoo-ee) contacted me about a fun collaboration. Nikole created her own fabric line inspired by the simplicity and freeness of children's drawings. She sent me a stack of her beautiful, playful fabrics, and in exchange I created a set of children's art utility aprons to help her showcase what her fabrics can do!

She even sent along this way-cute set of notecards in the same designs as her fabrics - so cute!

{ pink and purple dots }

With some of the remaining fabric, I've created some more children's art utility aprons and listed them in my Etsy Shop.

{ rainbow stripes }

{ rainbow scribbles }

{ blue scribbles }

{ blue scribbles with pink and purple dots }

All of these aprons are available for purchase in my Etsy Shop. Check them out! And if you're interested in purchasing some of this fabulous, playful fabric, visit Uhuui's shop to learn more!

Custom Apron Gifts

This Christmas was my first Christmas as a true artist/business owner, which meant that I was gloriously busy in December - sewing, sewing, sewing, packaging up, and getting to know Kenneth the quirky postman on Weybossett Street really well.

But it also meant that on Christmas day, I had warm fuzzies not just from being with my family, but also from thinking about my creations being given as gifts in cozy living rooms all over the world.

During December, a few people contacted me about creating custom aprons as gifts for their loved ones. I'm so excited to be able to share them now!

Peter contacted me when he found my work in the Brown Alumni Magazine Holiday Gift Guide. He was looking for a custom apron for his wife, Pattie, to wear while gardening.

Peter and I bonded over email when he told me that he was caring for his wife as she was recovering from a knee replacement - this, at the same time that I was caring for Ian after his back surgery! He wrote, "I will think of you when I am cooking and changing the ice packs, and send you lots of good karma."

I was touched by the thoughtfulness of his gift, and I had a great time making this design just for Pattie. I hope she'll be up and about and gardening again soon!

I created this full apron for my friend Maria to give to her daughter, Lucy, as a Christmas gift. Maria won a custom Connect the Dots apron a few months ago, when I created a personalized apron for her nephew. I was delighted that she came back for another custom design!

Her daughter will be doing her student teaching in a 3rd grade classroom this semester, so Maria asked for something durable and fun with lots of pockets. "Think finger paints," she said.

Since Lucy likes polka dots and vintage prints, I combined three coordinated green, blue, and yellow fabrics. I can just picture her getting crafty with her class!

Finally, Janet found me through the Brown Alumni Magazine as well. She commissioned me to create a customized apron for her sister, Susanna, who owns a catering business, "Back to Basics Kitchen" in Colorado.

After exploring the Back to Basics Kitchen website, Janet and I discussed a design that would incorporate the beautiful painted vegetables pictured on the site. Janet told me that her grandmother painted those vegetables, so it was very special to include them on the apron.

How cute is that tomato? I was thinking of Susanna and Janet on Christmas morning, and how I played a small part in their family's holiday gathering.

I love how every custom apron I create is so personal, and how each and every one carries its own story. If you would like a custom apron, please contact me! I'd love to make something just for you.

Custom Aprons in Action!

A few months ago, Jean Cozzens from Secret Door Projects commissioned me to create two craft vendor aprons for him & his sweetie to use at craft fairs. He sent me these great photos of the aprons in action!

{ selling prints at the risd alumni sale }

I like how Jean wore the apron off to the side.

His sweetie, Meg, also uses the apron in her studio - she loads it up with her tools...

...rolls it up...

...and she's ready to go!

My friend Erica also recently posted some photos of the custom his & hers apron set that I made as a wedding gift for her and Keith.

{ erica }

{ keith and very fancy cat named rufio }

It makes me so happy to see my aprons in action! So thank you - Jean & Meg and Erica & Keith - for the photos!

If you're interested in a custom apron, please contact me - I'd love to make a design just for you!

Aprons Galore!

Over the weekend, I was a sewing machine (!) and created a bunch of new aprons to list in my Etsy Shop.

Full aprons made from upcycled men's button-down shirts!

Lots of colors and patterns (thanks to Ian's mom for rounding up a bunch of button-downs for me!).

I love this groovy black diamond apron.

It would make a great his & her pair with this black and lavender striped apron!

This apron has light blue stripes - very classic.

And this guy has a lot of personality! Blue and Green plaid with snaps and a pocket flap!

I also listed a couple of Christmas aprons for all those hostesses with the mostesses out there!

Check out these and all of my other aprons in the Aprons section of my Etsy Shop!

His & Hers Apron Set

My dear friends Erica and Keith got married this weekend! It was a beautiful, fun wedding that was so very them.

They were one of those couples that didn't appear nervous or anxious about tying the knot - they were cool, calm, and just really ready to start married life together. I'm so excited that Ian and I could be there for their big day!

Naturally, I wanted to make them a super special handmade gift, especially since Erica is a crafty gal herself. So I created a coordinated his & hers apron set!

{ his }

I bought two coordinated men's button down aprons from a goodwill shop, and created a manly design for him...

{ hers }

...and a feminine design for her...

...with ruffles!

I used pieces of each apron to create monograms.

And wrapped them up with a scrap of sage green ric rac (their wedding color!).

Congrats Erica and Keith! I'm so happy for you!