An ABC of crafting- Aprons, Bellas, and Changes

 

Are you going to be a Bella this year?? I wouldn't miss it!  The atmosphere created by all those creative types gathered together and sharing ideas, gossip, giggles, as well as glue and glitter is quite something.  The timing makes it good kick off to the Christmas holiday season, I come home wanting to spread sparkles and cheer everywhere I go.

Silverbella is more than just classes, it is an Event, with a capital E.  If you want to go, check it out here:

http://www.paperbellastudio.com/pages/silverbella.htm

 

Another fun thing I am trying to plan is a get away to DC with not one, but two batches of friends all in the same week.  A group of Lawrence, KS buddies wants to join me there for a Girl's Getaway, during the week, and then when the weekend comes, I hope to meet up with Blog Buddies in Leesburg for shopping.

Heather and Stephanie,who hosted the apron swap I am in, are going to meet me there, as well as some local Virginia area pals.  I'm hoping Beth will go too.  Last time I was there, I found this wooden hanger for her collection and brought it back as a souvenir. The rest of the pile of goodies is what I pulled together to use to make the apron I did for Zita as my part of the swap.

But does anything ever go as planned? Very little of my pile of supplies made it into the finished product.  I took the bag of laces and ribbons and flowers with me to Beth'sthe other day for a couple hours of escapism into craft time, which I really needed.  Seems like some projects just need a 2nd person's opinion, and some days, you just need the outlet of a friend to talk to while you work.

 

I'd been struggling with this one, nothing I was doing was working, and one vintage apron actually fell apart on me, after I tried bleaching, dying, and aging it.  But, having Beth around to bounce ideas off of, and to hand me things from her studio to try on it, really helped. She even provided this apron to use, as well as the image of the little girl. She downloaded it from Vintage Workshop and printed it on cloth. I'd done the same thing with a rose picture, but it somehow just wasn't quite right.

Sometimes, the plans just don't work.  I've learned to be flexible, do my best to rearrange, make changes, and then do what Tim Gunn always says, "Make it work".

 

The pieces I had picked out to use for Zita, really were things I thought she'd like, so I used them as the gift wrap for the finished apron.

 

And I was even able to use the first apron that I thought was ruined, as a liner, no, I guess for fabrics, you'd say, lining, huh?

Its on its way to Canada now, I hope she enjoys it!  I barely got it done by the deadline. Some how, I am not keeping up with my life as well as I should.  I did have Sugarwings all week, and am trying to get ready for Miss Frenchie's, plus we just had Easter, and I took a week's vacation.  Well, any one of those things could explain why I am so behind on everything.

 

Tomorrow, I go and help Debbie and Carol set up decorations and mark booth spaces for the show, and I need to pack a few straggles up that I don't have tagged and ready yet. But instead of tagging and packing, I have been doing something more fun. I'm making thank you gifts for the two hostesses of the swap.

 

Its always good to have an excuse to make things!  And some how those tags will get on that stuff, and everything will get thrown into the big red, redneck truck I drive.  So, I made this last night while I watched "House" instead of making price tags.

 

For this, I even got my watercolors out.  I want to make a gift for Beth too, she was a major factor in me getting that apron done at all.

 

Ah, it feels good to just sit and make something that I really enjoy.  But for now, I'd better get those price tags made.  I have a feeling that my fairy godmother isn't going to show up and do it for me.  I'll have to create the other two paintings that I have in mind later.

Comments

[Cristina]

Hi Karla! I just registered for Silver Bella and am so glad to be returning for more fun. :) If your Leesburg getaway does happen, I'd love to join on in your fun as that is where I live!
xoxo
Cristina

[Tiffany ~ shabby scraps]

your apron turned out goregous! You totally worked it out and Tim would be proud!!!
xoxo, Tiffany

[Rose Brier Studio]

Fairy godmothers do not show up enough, in my opinion!! The apron you made is lovely. You and Beth are so lucky to have each other. I hope the DC trip turns out amazingly.
~Marilee

[Clarice]

Wow, I LOVE the apron xoxoxo Clarice

[Michelle Potts]

Hi Karla,
Stunning apron, hope you had a Happy Easter.
x x x

[chrisitne]

The apron is beatiful. I also like the tag. Your watercoloring is beautiful!

Blessings,
Christine

[Stephanie O.]

So glad to hear that you'll be @ Silver Bella. I was a nervous wreck last night frantically registering for the classes I wanted! It was a blast last year, but this time will be even more fun being with not only the great people I met last year, but also those I've met through blogs since last November.

And, as always, you have been creating some beautiful things...You amaze me how you get so much accomplished!

[Jessica Canham]

The apron turned out gorgeous, Karla! Love the blouse you paired it with, too.

[meleen dupré]

karla,

Yay!!! get your glitter on!!
can't wait to see you at silver bella!!

meleen

[Pearl]

Your apron is perfect. So yummy!! Very unique!

[Lori]

Karla, your apron is SO gorgeous!!! i LOVE how you did that sweet as a button pocket...i know Zita is in love with what you made for her!!!

[Sheila R]

Love your apron and so glad that you'll be a Silver Bella too!! See you at Miss Frenchies!

[Shawn]

Marilyn and I are coming opening night! I can't wait for silver bella, that is if you still need a helper :) I have nana all ready to watch bethany again!

[Vicki Chrisman]

That apron is beautiful Karla!
Hope you had a nice Easter!

[Cheryl]

Here's another Bella bound for Omaha! SO glad that you will be there again this year. Gorgeous apron, Karla!
XOXO
Cheryl

[Pinkie Denise]

Hello Karla,
I can't wait to meet you at Silver Bella,
Your apron is just so wonderful! Pinkie

[Maija Lepore]

Yippee!!! I'll see you at Silver Bella!

[Robin]

I haven't decided yet about Silver Bella......I know I need to decide SOON!
I can't wait to hear all about Ms. Frenchies! and so excited your planning a trip out this way again! Let me know when and I'll be there!

[Sonia]

Boy!! Karla, for someone who doesn't like to sew you sure still do amazing work. (I know, youre probably saying... cos I don't like to, doesn't mean I don't know how to... hahaha)
That apron is gorgeous and love the aged feel to it. And, I love the pictures printed on linen.
Have a great week!!
Sonia

[pamq]

If I lived closer, I would come & help you put tags on things. I love to price & tag! Really!

Just think....I could be your fairy godmother! wheeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!

Your apron is adorable, but I really like the wooden hanger! Haberdasher. Love the word!

[Kerryanne English]

It must be lovely Karla to have such a wonderful crafting friend in Beth to share your crafting journey with. Certainly more fun with two!! Your apron is gorgeous and I'm sure your swap partner will love it.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne

[Zita - Mlle Magpie]

Karla, I am one LUCKY gal!!! Your apron is SO gorgeous and I absolutely love everything about it!!! Just can't wait to see it in person. Good luck doing your tags for Miss Frenchie's - wish I could help you out with this mundane task :)

[Louise]

Beautiful apron and I love the watercolor
sign you made....

[gail]

Cute apron! And I love the little thank you painting you did for Beth! See you at Miss Frenchies!

[Joyce]

Karla - you never cease to amaze me. The apron is stunning! I truly love it. So sweet and feminine - who wouldn't want something as gorgeous as that. Sounds like you have lots of fun things planned. I'm anxious to hear how it all turns out. I love hearing about all the things you do.

[Amy of Bunny Rose Cottage]

I love House :) That apron is so beautiful Karla!!! You should make them more often :) And I love that tag you made too! Gorgeous!

Hope you had a lovely Easter!
Love,
Amy

[Judy Grant]

Hello Karla, I came upon your lovely blog today and it made me happy to read all about going ons. The apron is stunning and I love your gift tags. Very creative. Your painting is awesome. I also love roses and everything pretty. VBG I hope you have a great time at your show. Hugs Judy

[Lolly Busey]

Your apron is FANTASTIC!! You are so very creative!!
~Lolly

[Ele at abitofpinkheaven]

Oh Karla, that is a remarkable apron! Wow, great work. I can't wait for your pics of Miss Frenchies. Please take lots! You and Beth are lucky to be so close to each other. Both of you are very creative. Great packagin also. I think you're the queen of packaging!

[Janet Doherty]

Gorgeous Apron! I am registering for Silver Bella today...I am so excited. I wanted to make the show in KC this time but not able to unless some miracle happens. But you never know.
Janet
I just think you gals are so creative...I love it.
Janet

[robin]

Your apron turned out so cute! Love the colors!

[stephenie]

Karla, I can't say it enough, I just love the apron you made.. Your art work always leaves me speechless...I loooooove those hats you painted...I love everything about those tags....Just BEAUTIFUL****
Stephenie

[jenny S]

Hey!! That hanger says Raleigh!!! That's where I am! Very cool! Love the apron and House is THE BEST!!

[LiLi M.]

Hello Designerrrrr (Tim Gunns's voice, I do imitate him quite a lot) I know you are a designer with a capital D! That apron, the tag, speeechless again!
No I'm not going to Silver Bella, is it good to say of myself that I cannot be missed over here right now? Mmmm that's the best I can make of it and of course the money...Let's check what a flight to Omaha costs...

[elyse]

you are a busy bee!

silver bella sounds like the coolest event ever. i had never heard about it until i started blogging. hmmmmm?

xo

[Heather ~ Pretty Petals]

Karla... I am so excited for you that you will get to go to silver bella again this year! so fun! I will always remember our fun times last year. We did so many fun things together. hopefully your truck hatch will close properly this year and not send you into a panic of dropping a glitter trail all the way to Omaha... haha!!

I ADORE the apron you made and I know Zita will treasure it. I can see Beth's creative eye in it as well... she is also Super talented so you two make a great pair!

LOVE this hat tag... I see on the post above you said it is for me. I am SO exicited!! It is so me too!! thanks Karla!

have a great night... xo Heather

[beth]

hi Karla !!! i will be going tooo this year , can't wait to see you again !!!
xoxo,
beth

[Barbara @ Southern Lady's Vintage]

Love the apron! Always so much fun to see what is going on over here!

[joyce]

Yes, it's good to have a friend you can go to to just be, to get things worked on whatever they may be. Glad you met the deadline for the apron swap. I've been doing just that...sitting here making things and finishing a few things while I get over this crud that's been hanging around. My hubby hasn't quite figured me out...I watch t.v. and movies while working with my hands. Happy happies.

[DeniseLynn]

Oh such eye candy and inspiration. Yum!!