Apron Challenge

I'm back. I've been busy - too busy to stop to post.  But I was inspired by a recent blog post I stumbled upon by BoPeep who blogs at Willow Homestead.   She's a Wisconsin gal like me.  I raise dandelions on my city lot.  She raises sheep in the country.  How cool is that?!?!

She recently found a clipping from a 1959 article of the Milwaukee Journal (now the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel).  Or, if you live in Milwaukee, but disagree with the Journal's slant on stories, you might refer to it as the Milwaukee Urinal. 

We're a classy bunch in this town, aren't we? 

Anyway, the article issued a challenge to ladies of 1959, which  BoPeep has passed on to us:  to make a differnt apron for every month.  With today being the VERY last day of October, I'm squeaking in my entry:

I used McCall's 6132, which was super easy to do and, the way it's set up, you actually line it which I love since I USE aprons when I wear them.  Thin cotton just won't cut it for this messy cook.  Here's some detail:


I used candy corn printed black for the base with a witchy orange for the pocket. The trim is another shade of orange with little spiders on it.

Here's a closup of the pocket.  It's such a whimsical print~  I asked The Conductor to zoom the camera in on the pocket and rick-rack.  And he said, "Ok, sure!!  But what's rick rack?"   Boys.....

Here's the kitty's face.  Isn't he cute?   More of the spider print for the ears and nose, ribbon for the whiskers, and green buttons for the eyes - because every Halloween cat needs green eyes.

I worked on this while the neighborhood kids were out trick or treating.  I followed my Grampa's annual tradition of closing all the curtains and turning the lights off to keep the trick or treaters away.  (I don't have kids so I don't hand out candy.  But my Grampa sent his kids out.  I think that's awful not to give out treats when your own kids are getting them!)

I finished this right when Trick or Treating was over - just in time to pack it up in a box for next year.  ~Sigh~

One final shot:

Happy Halloween!  This apron wasn't the only cat I got recently....In my next post, I'll tell you all about my new kitty cat! 

Bowl Full of Lemons - House Binder

You can see by the button on my sidebar that I'm participating in A Bowl Full of Lemon's newest challenge.  (Click on the button to get to Toni's write up).

Our first task was for me to take all of this:

and turn it into a useful house binder.  I've been meaning to do this for years and Toni's challenge was the kick in the pants I needed. 

I used a small 6 x 8 binder so that it fits in my errand-running purse

Because I take this binder shopping, I put a funny reminder on the inside cover to keep myself in check

The caption reads "Remember:  Today's must haves often become tomorrow's what was I thinkings!"

Toni has a linky party set up so we can see the work of other participants. Lots of others are moms so their binders include pages for keeping track of doctor appointments, extracurriculars, and weekly meal plans.

But I'm single with no kids so I don't need to track those things. My binder will look a little different but I hope the tabs I use inspire moms and non-moms alike:

ROOM TABS - I have a separate tab for each room.  Whenever I'm shopping I inevitably find a cute knick-knack, picture, pillow, etc. that catches my eye but I"m never quite sure if it will fit or match.  These tabs will help me out.  Each has a similar page that works like this:

First, I designed the page layout and printed it on 8x11 paper.  I cut an inch off the right side, and hole punched the left:

Then I folded the right side towards the back.  Cutting off the the far right edge allows each page to be folding back in such a way that the hole punches are exposed.

  The grid is where I colored in the floor layout for each room.  I'll show my kitchen as a sample:

I wrote in the measurements.  The diagram also shows the way each door opens, and where counters and windows are.  Lastly, there are symbols showing where each electrical, phone, and cable outlets are. 

Second, I measured each physical feature of the room - door and window sizes, shelf height and depth, and closet floor space and wrote them next to the appropriate symbol. 

This page is also where I'd note measurements of things I always forget.  For example, my Basement tab would have the measurements of the furnace filters I need. 

Third, You can see how this page looks like it flips open.  Indeed!  On the inside I put the paint chips and fabric swatches for each room.  Now I'll know for sure if what I want to buy will match or not:

Other tabs are:



PRICE LIST

Those familiar with The Tightwad Gazette books will know how much the author stressed taking a price book with you to the store to ensure that you're truly getting the best prices.  Living in a big city, my shopping choices are overwhelming so I wanted to add this tab so I at least have a point of reference in the stores. 

INVENTORIES
When I do find a good price, I buy a lifetime supply. That's food, hobby supplies, hardware, anything.  Here's PART of my pantry

(um...yea...and I'm single with no kids).    I added a tab for a running inventory of these types of things so I can shop at home before I run out to the stores and use up what I've got first.

COLLECTIONS - I added a tab for lists of various items I collect, such as old Nancy Drew books, so when I'm out thrifting, rummaging, or antiquing  I have a ready list of which parts of my collection I have and which I still need.

DIRECTIONS - This tab is for when I'm out and about and can't remember how to get where I want to go

KNOW-HOW - This tab is a catchall tab for such things as measurement conversions, and other shopping helps.  The picture below is a picture list of various nuts, bolts, and screws.  The directions for a project may say "five cartirdge bolts" but heck if I know what they look like.  This tab will show me the way.

And if we ever geet rid of this:

I want to add a tab for my yard and garage as well. 

And while I don't have a typical "mom binder", I did notice that a lot of moms in the party have a section for phone numbers.  I need to add one of those - I'm too reliant on my cell phone for storing numbers.  So thanks to the many moms in the party for that good reminder.

I'm ready to see what the next week's challenge is.  But there's another challenge I have to deal with today.  I live in Wisconsin.  We have a little town here called Green Bay.  And they have a football team playing a game today.  Here's my contribution of Oreos baked inside brownies with green and gold sprinkles on top. 
Go Packers! 



A Lemony Challenge

With a kitchen that looks like this:

And a closet that looks like this:

And a hobby room that looks like this:

What do you do? 

Join a Challenge, of course! 

Toni at A Bowl Full of Lemons started a Weekly Challenge to get her readers organized.  Lord knows I could use the motivation. 

Click on the button on my sidebar to start the challenge.  Or Click on the link in this post to get to Toni's blog.

This week's challenge is to make a home management binder.  I've kind of started one.  Um....a few years ago...so I know what I want it to do, I just need to get it done.  Stay tuned!