Happy Love Day

Happy Valentine's Day!

I wish everyone a happy day today filled with love and homemade Valentine's.  These ones were made by my 3 year old Payton (with some help from Mom).  

And sweet smiles from young hearts.

And that you win this apron from Sweet Things Design.

To win all you have to do is leave me a comment and tell me what your favorite thing is about 

Valentine's Day.

All entries must be received by Midnight EST 2/14.

AND THE WINNER IS!!!!!

Maggie :) 

Thank you so much for leaving a comment.  I hope you enjoy your new apron.

I Heart Etsy

The Flirty girl Be Mine apron has been featured in two Etsy treasuries!  It's always so much fun to see that people other than me like my aprons too :)  It really helps me to keep going, to keep creating.

I Heart Valentine's Day by CraftyLikeThatDesign

I Want Candy... I Want Candy by AngeliqueAshton

A big thank you to both AngeliqueAshton and CraftyLikeThatDesign for featuring my apron and for creating such sweet treasuries!  Please click the links to check out both Valentine's Day treasuries and to visit their Etsy shops, you wont be sorry!

To purchase the Flirty Girl Be Mine apron for yourself click here.  There is still time to get it for Valentine's day.

WIP Wednesday - Lucky Charms

This lucky little apron should be in my Etsy shop real soon and ready to wear for your holiday festivities. Wear it out to your pub crawl or as hostess to your very own St Patty's Day party.

I know I have been away for a while but I have been busy, well kind of, I mostly took a very nice overdue break to spend quality time with my family and read these books. But I still had time to finish this tea time cutie and this super sweet Valentine's Day beauty.

And up next is this beast... the super box of WIP... my goal is to get thru this massive heap of projects before the spring. Keep watching as I empty out this box and make lovelies for you and yours!

Amy Butler Love

Love Gathered Front Apron , originally uploaded by Sweet_Things_Design.

Have you seen the new fall 09 Amy Butler line of fabric called LOVE. If not I highly recommend you check it out because you will fall in love with all the beautiful new fabrics.

If I could I think I would buy every piece in the Love line but for now I started with these pieces of the collection, Memento in Midnight and Sun Spots in Mint, to create the beautiful apron pictured above (Love Gathered Front Apron). 

Also, created with Amy Butler fabrics, the Sky Poppy Gathered Front Apron. This apron fabric is from the very popular and beautiful Midwest Modern 2 line, I used the Sky Fresh Poppies and Honeycomb fabrics. I coveted this fabric forever and held onto it with both hands for quite a few months before I broke down and cut into this pretty fabric. And I am so glad that I did, this apron turned out so pretty and feminine.

Both these featured aprons will be at the Holiday Show later this month. To see more pictures of these lovelies please visit me on Flickr.

Snowmen Gathered Front Apron

Snowmen Gathered Front Apron , originally uploaded by Sweet_Things_Design.

Now that Halloween is almost here (just 3 more days) it's time to start thinking about Christmas!

I have a whole bunch of super cute Christmas fabric stashed away that is begging to be made into aprons for your holiday parties or gift giving. I started with this sweet snowman apron, the fabric is by Riely Blake.

I love the colors they are every retro Christmas! It's hard to see from the pictures but the red fabric features snippets from the very famous, much loved poem The Night Before Christmas.

The poem was a great family tradition growing up, my Dad read it to us every Christmas eve and my brother and I looked forward to it each year.

I have since inherited the family book, it is quite lovely, beautifully illustrated and so full of warm memories.

I now look forward to reading it to my son on Christmas eve and hope that he gets the same pleasure from it that we did as children swept up in the magic of the evening.

To check out this sweet Christmas apron for yourself click here.

New Batch of Aprons

I have been busy working away and now you can get the fruits of my labor all uploaded to Sweet Things on Etsy!  

4 new Girlie Girl Aprons: Roosters, Black Dot, Juicy Ruffles and Modern Damask.

And check out the awesome photography style for these photos!  I used rollip.com, they have several styles of free templates to turn your photography into vintage style polaroid pictures.  It was so much fun and so easy to use! 

Small Harvest - Pears

Small Harvest - Pears , originally uploaded by Sweet_Things_Design.

My pears are finally ready for harvesting! I have been waiting so patiently all summer long to pick these little beauties. It's so exciting my first harvest. (yes, I am easily pleased).

I had a taste of one of the tiny ones, the flavor was pretty good although a little dry. So I am thinking I may use the rest of them in a desert instead of eating them raw. For some reason I keep thinking pear tartlet although the reason escapes me as I have never made one before. But it just sounds delish and perfect for my pretty little pears.

I would love to know if any one out there has a good tartlet recipe to try. Or if you have any good pear recipes. I love to try new things. Please leave me a comment.

Also on another note I finished my last WIP post projects and they are all listed in my shop.

Flirty Girl Apron - Birdie

Flirty Girl Apron - Angel Cakes

Flirty Girl Apron - Holiday Wishes

Thanksgiving Table Runner

Plus one more

Flirty Girl Apron - Patricia

WIP-Wednesday New Aprons and Table Cloth

WIP-Wednesday New Aprons and Table Cloth , originally uploaded by Sweet_Things_Design.

Happy WIP Wednesday! I have a couple projects going this week that I hope to have completed and in the shop by next week.

The first 3 fabrics going left to right (birdie, poinsettias, and cute christmas kids) are on their way to being Flirty Girl Aprons.

The last fabric on the right is an Alexander Henry Fabric called Plymouth. I actually finished this project since taking the picture this morning. I made it into a very elegant table runner, it will make a beautiful addition to any Thanksgiving festivities.

Today is a bad day to take pictures, very grey and rain soaked day here in Michigan. I am hoping for blue-ish skies tomorrow so I can take pictures to show you all how well the table runner turned out.

I hope you all are having a better weather day where ever you are!

Jack 'N Jill Store Opening

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

I have some very exciting news.  Sweet Things Hand-Crafted Design Aprons are going to be sold at The Jack 'N Jill Store in Helana Montana.  

Check out this sweet little slideshow I put together to show you the aprons that will be available at Jack 'N Jill.

Jack 'N Jill is a great shop with lots to offer!  On the Jill side of things there are invitations, aprons, home decor, jewelry, and baby/kids items.  And on the Jack side sports memorabilia, home decor and gift items for men.

The store opens up on September 1st, if you are in the area stop in, say hi and check out all the beautiful wares.  The store is located at 109 East 6th Avenue in Helena, Montana.

You can also see these photos on flickr click here.

Huge Score of Vintage Goods

Huge Score of Vintage Goods , originally uploaded by Sweet_Things_Design.

So someone had a lot of fun at the Royal Oak Garage and Antique sale this weekend.... oh yeah I think that was me!

Look at all the great vintage linens I walked away with, beautiful handkerchiefs, tea towels, a huge bag of buttons, a rice bag, and a table cloth. Plus I got a beautiful (new) garden accessory that I forgot to take a picture of as it is already in the yard, I will have to take one to post for you later.We had so much fun looking around, there was a lot to see even though there were fewer vendors this year.

I think a lot of this is going to end up in the shop sometime soon as pillows, bags and who knows what else I can upcycle them into.

I also got this pretty little apron from a shop in downtown Royal Oak. Unfortunately I don't remember the name as it was a quick trip inside to see all the beautiful vintage clothes and accessories and right back out as this guy was getting real antsy.

I am hoping to go back soon to check it out again when I can spend a little more time and get the name to share with all of you.

Christmas in July

Girlie Girl Apron - Holiday Wishes, originally uploaded by Sweet_Things_Design.

Hey there folks, so I kinda took a rest over the holiday weekend to spend time with family and catch up on stuff around the house. I do however have a few items that have been and will be added to the shop this week, including 2 Christmas aprons. Visit my Etsy Shop to take a peek.

Seems early to me too but really it wont be long, we will blink our eyes and it will be here. I have some other holiday goodies on the brain that I hope to add to the shop later this month. Along with some stocking stouffer type items.

Lizzy Dish Full apron

Lizzy Dish Full apron , originally uploaded by Sweet_Things_Design.

FINISHED! And available here in my Etsy shop, it was so much fun to try something new. It took a little longer than the half aprons usually do but it was so worth it, I have to say I am pretty proud of this little number.

I cut out the pattern for the next full apron but I have a few projects ahead of it that I want to get out of the way first.

Plus I am having a garage sale this weekend, ugh. A necessary evil I am finding when you have a baby, we have stuff coming out of our ears! I can't wait to have it over with, it will be nice to have my guest room back, right now it is over-run with garage sale items.

If you are in the area stop by and pick up a onsie or two or three or four, and a stack books :) We have them by the dozen.

Would You Like A Drink

Would You Like A Drink, originally uploaded by Sweet_Things_Design.

Hi there friends, happy Monday to you all. I hope that you are enjoying the beautiful blue skies and warm temperatures that we are here in Michigan today.

Well here it is the 2nd illustration for the new apron packaging. The illustrations are turning out so well and the packaging is so sweet!!! The cover for the Flirty Girl apron pattern is done and I have the pic, I can't decide if I want to sneak peak it or if I want to wait for the reveal when it is totally complete.... hmmmm. Let me know what you think in the comments!

To see the original photos that inspired this illustration click here.
To see the Chery Oz's other works click here.

Last week and the weekend were kind of long ones for me I was feeling really under the weather but had a big event to attend for work. I got to go to the test track at Ford Motor Company and drive some of the new 2010 vehicles.

I had a blast driving all the new cars! I have been a long time Ford buyer but I have to say I am super impressed with the quality of the new vehicles. I can't wait to go out and get something new now, I am waffling between a Fiesta and a Flex. Total opposites as far as vehicles go but I really loved the feel and handling of both. If only I could buy 2 cars :)

Payton also developed infections in both his ears this weekend which resulted in a quick trip to the ER for some relief yesterday. But I am happy to report he is feeling good and up to his old tricks. He is staying home today with Grandma and last I checked he was splashing around in the baby pool.

Now that everyone is feeling better I am hoping to get more items completed for the shop. And maybe re-take some pics, I took these shots last week while not feeling so well. Going back with a clear head they look a little dark and I think they are a little tilted. What can I say folks I was sick!

Illustration #2

Illustration #2, originally uploaded by Sweet_Things_Design.

Another up-date on how the art is coming for the new Sweet Things apron pattern packaging. This is the 2nd illustration for the Flirty-girl apron pattern packaging. The illustration and inking are complete and now the watercolor begins!

To see the original image click here.

To visit Cheryl Oz's etsy shop for more wonderful watercolor images click here.

Thanks for stopping by!

New Packaging art

New Packaging art , originally uploaded by Sweet_Things_Design.

Here it is the watercolor for the first image is complete. It turned out so great! I already got a sneak peak at how it will look on the packaging and I am so impressed! It's turning out even better than I had hoped :)

There are three more images that will be done for the packaging. I will keep you up-dated on the progress.

For more great watercolor images visit Cheryl at her blog here, and at her Etsy shop here.

Work In Progress

Work In Progress , originally uploaded by Sweet_Things_Design.

My friend Cheryl was kind enough to share a photo of the progress she has made on the apron pattern packaging she is working on for my shop today.

The drawing is based on this original photo she took during our lunchtime photoshoot yesterday. Next step is watercolor... so exciting! Thank you Cheryl :)

Sneak Peak - Behind the Scenes

Sneak Peak - Behind the Scenes , originally uploaded by Sweet_Things_Design.

About a moth ago or so I introduced a new product to Sweet Things, the Girlie Apron pattern. Well my very lovely and talented friend Cheryl has very kindly offered to help me with the packaging.

Today at lunch we did a very fun photoshoot at my house with our friend Larissa as model. It went really well, this is a behind the scenes photo I took while all the action was going on. The photos all turned out good and we had a great time coming up with poses and props for Larissa. She was a great sport.

There is more to come on the packaging and these photos as they are going to be turned into beautiful watercolors before they are done. I will also be introducing a couple of new apron patterns to the shop once the artwork is complete.

To view the complete set of photoshoot images click here.

To read Cheryl's very inspiring blog click here.

And to visit her Etsy shop click here.

Flirty Girl Apron - Sweet Tooth

Flirty Girl Apron - Sweet Tooth , originally uploaded by Sweet_Things_Design.

Check out this super sweet new apron I just posted in my Etsy shop this week. It is the Flirty Girl design which means it has a fuller skirt and long ties that you can either wrap around to the front or tie in the back.

I used a new ribbon I picked up from Archivers for the waistband and the hemline. It is a ruffled ribbon. I love it so much it really added to the apron. It reminds me of the cupcake frosting. Love it! Get it while it lasts here.

Vote For Me!!!

My Flirty Girl Fleur apron has been entered in the 70's colors contest on the Retro Handmade Team blog.  The voting is open until June 12th at midnight EST.  Check out the blog here and vote for me :) 

Busy Busy Busy!

Oh wow where to start... I have been keeping really busy lately but I have not been a good blogger, so here is the up-date on the shop these days :)

I recently joined the Etsy Street Group Retro Handmade Team.  They are a great bunch of people who all love creating vintage inspired items, and I am so happy to have joined up.  If you are interested in checking out the team you can go to the blog (where you can even see some of my items in the Friday Finds), click here.  You can also check out other team member shops by typing retrohandmadeteam in the search on etsy.com.

I was asked to join a slideshow about aprons on the Fox News online magazine website, it was very exciting.  You can see the slide show here.

I received a very nice feature on the blog Sweet Cuddle Cakes.  The blog features all sorts of fab items for your baby or for a baby shower gift.  To check out the blog click here.  They also have a very cute etsy site filled with all kind of goodies, click here.

Oh and my cupcake apron was featured on All Things Cupcake which is a great blog especially if you have a thing for cupcakes, cupcake tattoos, and cupcake inspired items and lets face it who doesn't.  To check out the site click here.

Other than that I have been a sewing machine addict lately whipping up one cute apron after another!  Check out my new beauties here.

And now you can try your own hand at the Sweet Things Girlie Apron.  Introducing the Girlie Apron pattern, visit the shop today to get yours.