Find us at YouCanMakeThis.com

How exciting, our Reversible Crayon Apron is now featured on YouCanMakeThis.com . This has always been one of my favorite sites so it is a great honor to be alongside such great designers. Oh, and have you seen all the great new stuff they have added lately? Felt food, stuffed animals, filled tutus, oh my! I especially love the instant download feature...perfect for those of us who aren't so patient.

Apron Angel-Hurricane Ike

With Chase turning five (will post more on this later) I was so crazy last week I hadn't made my apron for the Apron Angels for Hurricane Ike. I whipped this one up last night to send to Shawnee (who is handling the distribution) and I am going to have to make more for myself!

This apron was based on the Cherry Bistro pattern in A is Apron's. I didn't use the actual pattern since it was easy to figure out by eye. It took me under an hour to whip up using these great new fabric's from Amy Butlers new Daisy Chain line. I also lined the panel with white chenille in order for it to be used as a dish towel. I hope whoever receives it is able to feel a small amount of comfort during this difficult time!

Ch...Ch...Ch...Changes

A few months ago while planning an enrichment dinner for my church, I had come across a talk that I love about the rocks in a jar and it really got me thinking.

I knew instantly what my big rocks were.....my husband, my kids, my faith, and giving to others. And I knew that when looking at my day to day life, most of my jar was actually full of my work and there wasn't much room for the things that matter most. But this was a tough reality to face since as moms, we really want to be able to do it all. I knew in my heart what the answer was, but it has taken me some time to face it.

I have decided to stop sewing for my Etsy store which was a very hard thing to do. I am very proud of my work and I love sewing and creating for others but it had gotten to a point where that is how I spent most of my day and I never got to make anything for my own family or myself. The daily tasks with my kids had become a rush and I wasn't getting the time to enjoy being with them much less did I have time to take them fun places or just play together. Now we are getting ready to foster another baby and I knew I had to make a change.

I will still be creating, swapping, blogging and running my main store http://cberrybaby.com/ . Part of this decision includes selling my patterns (much earlier then I expected), the first of which is the Reversible Crayon Apron Pattern which has been great for me and hopefully will be as successful for others! My loyal Etsy customers, you can always feel free to convo me for a special request. I know quite a few of you had new outfits in mind and items for the upcoming holidays!

As Benjamin Franklin said, "If we take care of the minutes, the years will take care of themselves."

New Swap, Hot Drinks for Hot Mama's Swap

My apronista friend, Val, is hosting her first swap Hot Drinks for Hot Mama's. I just love hot cocoa and apple cider and now that summer is nearing an end, doesn't that just sound so cozy??? Sign up is through the 25th so head on over. I have already purchased all the fabric and trim, this theme was really inspiring!!

Here is a sneak peek at what I chose:

If you decide to play along, this is is what is required:

1. *Create an apron (half or full) for your partner. There are loads of fun fabrics out there with tea pots, mugs, drink glasses, coffee beans, tea cups, etc. on them. If you can't find the right fabric, you could applique, embroider, etc. Add at least one embellishment.*if you cannot sew but want to play along, you may purchase an apron from one of the crafty people on etsy. No store bought aprons please, they are not considered hand crafted.

2. Choose 3 'little somethings' they will like to go along with the apron. Be creative, this isn't about how much money you can spend. It is about sending someone a little package with a few surprises. Some ideas include: fun cocktail napkins, recipe variations of their favorite hot drink, a kitchen/tea towel, singles of hot cocoa, tea or coffee, a bookmark or gently used novel you know they'll like, a fun hot pad in the shape of a cup or mug....etc.

3. Wrap everything in tissue with a simple ribbon before mailing.

Check out their blog for hints, you may make a new friend!Deadline to sign up: Sep. 25th. I will email everyone their partners within a day or 2 after closing.Deadline to ship packages: Oct. 25th. Feel free to mail earlier though :-)Please, if you do not have the time or interest to commit to this swap, do not join.Also, if you do not mail out on time or if you flake, you will not be allowed to play again.This is my first swap so I am opening it to active bloggers who live in the USA only.


If you would like to play, please email valpowery@yahoo.com with the following information:



1. Your name
2. Your address
3. Your email address
4. Your blog address
5. Your apron size
6. Your favorite hot beverage* (let us know if you need decaf or not)
7. Your favorite color
8. Your least favorite color

*don't forget all those other hot drinks like Espresso,Irish Coffee, Apple Cider, Cappucino, Spiced Hot Rum, etc

My Fantasy Vacation Apron

I received my apron from the Flirty Apron Swap yesterday and I was so exited! I had been drooling over this apron since my partner posted it last week but had no idea it was coming to me! One of my fantasy vacations was to stay in a Greek Villa and she really nailed it. Here is her inspiration photo:

I have always loved the rick rack apron from the A is for Apron Book but it always remained on my "to do list" but now I can mark it off!The package came packed full of goodies such as a Mediterranean Cookbook, Godiva Chocolates, honey, a tote and a recipe for Baklava. Thanks so much Amy!

What Country Are You

BTW I wish my booty really looked like this

You Are Argentina

You are a set of contradictions, and it often seems like you live in two worlds. You are introspective yet outgoing. You are modern yet traditional. You are warm and honest. Your life is petty much an open book. You are a hard worker, and you don't mind putting in long hours. And then you'll go party til dawn!

What Country Are You?

hmmmm.....I am not too sure how to take the first line but I do know the feeling!!!

What I Have Been Up To......

Life has been a little hectic but hey, when isn't it? Luckily I was able to squeeze in a few projects for fun between sewing orders.

First, here is my apron for the Flirty Apron Swap. We had to go with a vacation theme and my partner wanted to go to the Orient. For some reason this really threw me for a loop. I wanted an Asian theme but I also wanted to keep it light, modern and stylish. The fabric combination was rough and I really hope my partner likes it. I'll admit I am a bit nervous.....ohhhh, and time for a disclaimer here. I am wearing wide leg capris in the photo so I really don't have elephant legs like the picture looks, I promise:

Next is a project I made for my friend Jen's baby shower. She is always such a joy to be around and I wanted to do something extra special for her. She just beat my record and had her fourth little boy, in some countries we would be worshipped for having so many sons ;o)

The pattern came from Amy Butler's new book Little Stitches. If you don't have this book yet...GET IT! It is ten times better then any of her other books. It is loaded with patterns for everything baby you could imagine and it isn't generic things you would already know how to make just by looking at it. From crib bumpers to the cutest Kimono PJ's I have ever seen- you will actually want to make all these things straight away! For Jen, I made a soft book with pictures of her family in it. The pictures are printed on fabric so it is completely washable, perfect for baby drool!

Does It Get Any Cuter Then This?

Well, maybe if you threw our mini Cooper in to the mix but 2 kids and 2 puppies was hard enough! I don't think I could have gotten a good photo throwing a toddler into the equation!

Blogging Blues AND an Award to Give!

Recently I diagnosed myself (yes, I can add self proclaimed "MD" to my title now) with a case of the dreaded blahs. I don't know if it is winding down from the summer, the kids being back in school, loosing too much sleep so I could read the Twilight series, sewing orders or plain 'ole laziness.Whatever it is, I wish I could snap out of it because there isn't enough time in a day without me dragging!!!!

Anyways, two LOVELY blogging friends have given me awards. The first I will give out today and I am so embarrassed that it took me so long to do this, hopefully you will forgive me Shawnee!!! Shawnee is a fellow Apronista, teaches sewing class and is the host behind my favorite swap, the Flirty Apron Swap . I don't know how she does it all but her blog is fun to read and she puts all of us other apron makers to shame with her great designs!!!!

Okay, so here are the rules of the Brillante Award:

1. The winner can put the logo on her blog.

2. Link the person you received your award from.

3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.

4. Put links of those blogs on yours.

5. Leave a message on the blogs of the girls you’ve nominated

And the winners are......

Suzanne from Bella Boutique Creations. What can I say about Suzanne? Not only is she the most talented bag designer I have met, she makes me laugh on a regular basis and has become my rock star East Coast friend. Maybe this award will motivate her to blog A LOT more...hint...hint.....nudge...nudge......

Amy from Sassy Pink Boutique. A fellow boutique owner with yummy inedible treats for babies and winner of the 2008 Designer Chick Contest! Amy is as sweet as her creations and is full of creative fury!

Judith from My Life With Five Blessings. Talk about a woman with her priorities straight and the wonderful perspective on life. I enjoy hearing her updates about her beautiful family and she has the exact number of kids that I want to have one day.....did anyone hear that large gasp my husband just made?

Tiff from Three Peas In a Pod. Now I know I still owe you one Tiff, but I couldn't do this blog award without listing my very first blogging friend!! Tiffanie has all kinds of great tips, funny stories, recipes AND pictures of her children who have some of the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen! She also is a contributor writer on Sew For Less with a hilarious outlook on being a newbie embroiderer!

Lorri and Brooke from Z Daisy . I often think Lorri and I were separated at birth although she may not be flattered by that. Not only are these sisters the designers and inventors behind the great Z Daisy products like the Binkie Bungee but they are mom's who love to sew, create and share!

Kelsey at My Sweet Life. Okay, all you need to do is go on over and read a post and you'll understand. I always laugh at her funny recaps this one is my all time favorite...I think I laughed so hard I almost cried!

And last, but not least, Carrie over at Three-Girl Circus. It may be that her motherhood experience with three girls is so opposite from my world with three boys that it draws me in or it could be that the fun pictures of her kids having such fun always brings a smile to my face. Whatever it is, it is just a light fun blog to follow!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to you....... Dad, Kid Wrangler, Tuck-er In-er, Husband, Friend and Partner in Crime! Another year and still no gray hairs, I don't know how you do it in this crazy house.......we love you!