What Does A Pastel Apron & Ripple Throw Have In Common?

Pretty Pastel Pinks!

Pretty Pastel PINKS!

My pretty pastel apron is my inspiration piece for my next crochet project...a wave chevron ripple throw!

I have yummy Easter yarn colors in pinks, lavender, greens and blues just like my apron.  

This is my first try at doing a ripple throw.  It won't be perfect but I'm sure I will love it anyway. 

First, I looked at Jan Easton's patterns from her book "The Encyclopedia of CROCHET Techniques".  I made a practice piece of her wave chevron pattern and then I made one from our fantastic Lucy's - of Attic24 fame -  Neat Ripple Pattern (find it here) - Lucy says Jan's pattern inspired her pattern.  In the end I decided to go with Lucy's because it was easy to do and it looked slightly nicer I thought.  

Unfortunately my "hills" and "valleys" are not lining up as neatly as Lucy's but that's ok I consider this throw my practice throw.   I'm using my Loops & Threads Silky Soft acrylic yarn with my favorite H hook.  

Doesn't this make you think of SPRING!

   I don't think I will decorate for St. Patrick's Day this year.  I did last year because I hosted our neighborhood BUNCO group for the month of March.  But I am looking forward to decorating for Easter because I love all the lovely Easter colors and, of course, bunnies!

THINK PINK and THINK SPRING!

Welcome to Beverly's Pink Saturday .  Click on her link to see more PINK!

Pink and Blue

Aren't these cute?  

They belonged to my dear Mother who passed away in 1991 at a much too young 66.   

I have quite a nice collection of vintage aprons from both my Mom and my MIL.  

Sweet pink and I love this sort-of heart-shaped pocket trimmed in dark pink rick-rack.

And isn't this daisy fabric with the blue stripe just yummy!  

It makes me think of sweet Kim at Dear Daisy Cottage.  

Hope you enjoyed seeing these vintage aprons.  I have lots more to share with you.  

Vintage Apron Patterns

My paternal Grandmother was a wonderful seamstress.  She made dresses for all of her granddaughters every year and christening outfits for several of her grandchilden.  Here are four of her apron patterns - one Butterick and three McCalls.  All of these patterns cost 25 cents apiece.  Now it's been many a year since I bought any patterns but a few years ago I sat down in the pattern section of Joanne Fabrics and was shocked at the high price of patterns.  I have lots of aprons passed down from my Mother and my MIL which I hope to post about one of these days.  

Here's a closer look at the patterns.

I remember wearing aprons while growing up mostly on Sundays after church helping with Sunday dinner in the kitchen.   We didn't have as many clothes as we do now a days so back then we protected our good Sunday dresses.  We didn't play in our school clothes either - we changed when we came home and put on our play clothes.  My parents took me to Sears and Roebucks in August every year before the start of school and bought me one new school dress and a new pair of school shoes.  I was so proud to wear a new outfit to school the first day.  Boy, have times changed.  

I have to get some pretty new fabric and make these aprons!  I miss sewing and these would be fun to make.

 
  

J'aime le Chocolat

I can hardly wait to show you the package I received yesterday from my friend, Bev, of "Sew On And Sew Fourth" blog fame.  

As you can see even the outer envelope is wrapped so cute.  Don't you just love the stamp of the girl with her hives and bees?  Bev is also the witty writer of the blog "Bee Haven Acres".  If you haven't visited her blog about farm life at Bee Haven Acres you are missing out on delightful stories about her farm animals and BEES!

Who wouldn't want to get a package wrapped as cute as this - with sewing pattern wrapping paper, a lovely embellished tag and a beautiful orange ribbon tied through a vintage shell button.

And here it is - the "J'aime le Chocolat" apron!  Isn't it beautiful?  As you can see it fits like a dream!  I have visited Bev's "Sew On and Sew Fourth" blog the last two years drooling over her beautiful aprons.  You can visit her apron and craft blog here.  When she posted this one for sale this week I couldn't resist it.  Her apron is sewn to perfection using two beautiful fabrics - one with chocolate bonbons and the other with tiny chocolate cherries both trimmed with pink piping edging, French seams (that means no open seams to unravel on the underside - great for aprons that get heavy use) and her extra exquisite touches of adding gorgeous trimmings - lace doily, vintage buttons and that adorable vintage scene of the little old fashioned girl who loves chocolate.   The only problem is it is too lovely to wear in the kitchen!

   Thank you Bev for the most beautiful apron - I just love it!!!