I Saved How Much?

On a recent excursion to my local craft stores (JO-ANN and Michaels), I had two interesting things happen, one at each store.

In the days when I received the Sunday paper, I always saved the flyers for both stores, just for their coupons. But now I print them online. Both stores coupons have some small print, but I have never read it in full. Does anyone? I did know that the coupon could not be used for anything already on sale

Michaels was the first stop. I had no real reason to go there - I just figured I would stop in to see what was new and use the 40% off coupon. I selected a book and a rubber stamp. Neither were advertised as being on sale. When I got to the check out and handed the cashier my coupon, she informed me, "Coupons are not good on books, it is in the small print" - oh well, I really wanted to get the book. The stamp was on sale, but I really wanted it too. I spent almost $30 and left with my coupon in hand.

Scrap Potholders

My daughter's friend came over tonight to show us an old pot holder she found and asked if we could try to reproduce it with fabric scraps. So, just in time for the holidays, we've made eco-friendly pot holders and trivets out of our scrap pieces of apron fabrics!

These can be customized to fit any one's color scheme, and they're are a great way to save  bits of fabric from a sad demise. 

If you've got any old clothes, quilted place mats, or fabrics that you don't use anymore but can't seem to part with, I think you should send them to us so we can transform your nostalgia into something you can use everyday.  

My daughter had a favorite skirt that no longer fit . . . she loved it so much had it for so long. She'd clean her closet and put it in a thrift store pile, and take it out and put back in the closet. When we made these pot holders tonight, she realized a way she could put the skirt to good use and know it's still in her life!  She agrees it's silly, but it is really hard for her to throw out clothes. Can you guess which fabric was from the skirt?

Fall Aprons

I love the Fall . . . even in Southern California where it is a subtle change.  We know we have some of our hottest weather to come, with the Santa Ana Winds (and dang fire danger!) but we still get in the autumn mood.

My fabric stash (which consists of mens shirts and ladies skirts) is overflowing with the colors and patterns for fall: browns, rusts, olive greens, deep plums, golds, and lots of plaid. Since they are some of my favorite colors all year, it is no wonder that I found so many choices to put together the autumn aprons.

I am showing a few pics from the fall apron collection taken at the Beck Estate (La Vigne Grove.) We were there along with Lilygirl Jewelry designers: Denise and Lori . . . and Lori's dog, Lily!

Joel Navarro from Imulsion Imagery Studio was on hand to shoot for us. We were all very excited to be working with a pro. Joel shoots many types of events, including weddings. We highly recommend him!