channeling June....

For this month's challenge, I decided to go with a different fabric than I originally picked.  Afterall, martinis are Mad Men, not JUNE!  (more on THAT apron later.....)

Instead I used some cute fabric someone sent me in an apron swap EONS ago.  Very cute, very Betty Crockerish....and perfect for June Cleaver.

The apron pattern I used is Mango Tango out of A is for Apron.  It is precious on...except it doesn't fit.  story of my life.  Anyway, instead of altering this one as planned, I am going to stash it away.   I've made notes on the pattern though...so hopefully, the next one will fit me!

sneak a peek

this may be channeling Mad Men more than June Clever....but right now, it is the fabric of choice!

June's theme and giveaway results!

First of all, Kerry won the giveaway for May...I'll be sending you a little goodie soon!!!!

Now for this month's craft along!

Every time I hear June, I think of June Cleaver from that old tv show "Leave it to Beaver."  I grew up thinking that is how I would look when cleaning house. (fat chance...I'm more like the Domestic Diva ladies you see making all the wise cracks.)

Well, times have changed but I still love aprons so this month's challenge is to make a June Cleaver inspired apron!  

I love to make aprons anyway and this gives me an excuse to make one without hosting an actual apron swap!



If you don't sew, try out washable fabric glue...and pinking shears for edges...or make jelly or jam...or whatever....

If you want to play along, simply post your finished picture here (or email it to me and I'll post it.)

I'll do a drawing at the end of the month.  I usually wait to see who wins and send the winner stuff I know they will like!

Now I'm off to locate Osa.  Give me strength, that puppy can get into a mess in less than 5 seconds! 

surprise!

the other day I unwrapped some business card holders I had made.....one just happens to fit this month's theme...

Coming up with these themes each month is fairly easy but doing them is sometimes NOT!!!!!!

That being said, this month's theme really tested me. I had something else in mind but they didn't work. I may try one more time this weekend....

sooooo, my first TWO ladybug ornaments were a fail!

I embroidered.
I added sequins.
I added beads.
I added teeny tiny antennae and...

FAIL

I painted.
I painted dots.
I painted a face and a cape and....oops.....

ANOTHER FAIL

I'm officially stumped, this theme is tougher than I thought it would be.

back to the ladybug drawing board....thank goodness I had the sense not to swap this month!!!!

I found this while playing around google.......precious!

June's theme!

With the onset of spring, I look forward to the return of many things...one of which is the ladybug.

Ladybugs are known as a symbol of good luck and health and a always welcome in the garden.

June's ornament: The lady bug
June's challenge: create a ladybug house for winter and hang somewhere sheltered from the elements.
June's activity: host a lady bug ball or go lady bug hunting

"Never hurt a ladybug
We need them in the garden
Ladybugs help flowers grow
So please give them pardon!"
~Author Unknown

June Gnomes

Box of goodies

Kim was my June partner. Unfortunately her mailman wanted to join in and "misplaced" the package she sent me. Eventually they tracked it down and it finally made it to me.

A fun box of goodies was waiting for me when I got home from my most recent MRI/arthogram. It was a great thing to come home to after a long day of being tortured. Even the box is fun!

Our theme was Gnomes. I think of these like the Hansel and Gretel of the Gnome world. They even have a nice tree home to live in.

Gingerbread people doilies

Snowman pine cone ornament and painted pine cones

ribbon, beads, and buttons

train ornament, cork bottle caps, and curling ribbon

scrapbook signs

some kind of cards (I think)

Teeny, tiny adorable crocheted Mr. and Mrs. Claus. I know alot of work went into these. The thread is so thin and the crochet hooks are teeny, tiny.

and a fun apron. I think the universe is trying to tell me that I need aprons because Kim is the second person to send me an apron.

Gnomes, Gnomes, Gnomes

Kim was my partner for June. I  made her a felt ornament and a crocheted stuffie. Once again this poor Gnome has no arms or legs. Keeps them out of trouble that way, right?

I also made her this felt Gnome banner. I guess I can only do "cute" things. I've tried to go over to the "dark" side but I guess it's just not me lol. I used mushroom ribbon for the tabs. I love being able to add little touches like that. The ribbons were sent to me earlier in the swap. Sorry, but I don't remember from who. I'm rotten that way.


***Gary the Gnomes 4th of July***

As usual it rained for most of the day. I can't remember a year that we didn't have rain for most of the 4th. Gary watched the rain fall hoping it would let up in time for fireworks.

While it rained outside Gary was inside telling me how to sew properly. Ha! Gary has no sense of color. He's even worse than I am!

The rain let up enough later in the day so we could go outside and play with Robbie on the dome.

Gary helped Daddy grill up some burgers. They were delicious! I am horrible at grilling burgers so we let Daddy take care of the burgers. I made 6 pounds of tater salad and we also made some pickled beets. Open a can of Bush's grillin' beans and you have a nice meal.

No fireworks pictures because I was in charge of holding the dog's leash. She was determined to jump up into the sky to catch the bright lights. Silly dog. After fireworks we went inside to eat some red, white, and blue Jello cake. A sweet end to a sweet day :)



A little extra bragging...

I was featured to day over at Stitchin' Heaven. WooHoo!!

Gary the Gnome

This is Gary the Gnome. He is my gnome doll buddy for this month. He is a happy lil fellow that enjoys spending time outside in the trees. Unfortunately for him we do not have many trees in our yard. He is sitting on the one stump that hasn't been removed. I won't let Hubby take it out because I like the charm it gives the yard. We have a grapefruit tree and a mystery fruit tree in the back yard. We have lived here for 8 years and the tree has produced one fruit 3 times so far. The first time the lone fruit was picked by our youngest who was 4 at the time. The next time Hurricane Charley came through and blew the fruit off the tree. This year there is another fruit way up high. Hopefully it will be able to ripen before something happens to it.

Gary the Gnome

This is Gary the Gnome. Poor Gary doesn't have any arms or legs lol.  I used this pattern (on the sidebar) but added the eyelash yarn for the beard instead of the felt that the pattern called for.

June Door Prize

Wow, it's my turn, already!

I've got June's door prize as this cute handbag I made! But, that's not all! I have a mystery goodie bag, too! (I'll post that the day of the drawing)

I'll announce the winner June 30th!

A day out.

This month, I had the pleasure of swapping in PERSON!

My partner was Courtney. She lives far away but was going to be close for Father's Day weekend. We got together for lunch and to swap and visit.

I had more fun and I loved meeting a fellow blogger in person!

I was seriously spoiled with the goodies she made me

sweet embroidery patterns, a lovely necklace and handmade tote bag, a darling embroidered hankie and a hootie! The dammit doll is in LSU colors...of course!

Here is a close up of the cutest gnome ever!

and a sweet pincushion with handmade pins...

She even made a sweet bag for Curly Girl...


Now for what I created....

Here is the gnome I made using this tutorial

and I made these 2 for her also...

and some cupcake toppers..in case of a party...you know how gnomes love a good party!


and an acorn gnome with some cotton tape with my mini mushroom stamped on it


other goodies were some bias tape, clover seeds, a crocheted pattern for some gnome dolls and other stash goodies...all ready to be packed into the red paper covered box.


I had such a great time, I wish I could meet ALL of you!

June's challenge

I think she turned out pretty cute! I can't wait to 'use' her for next month's activity!

My mermaid arrived

I received my mermaid from Jenny today. She is a beautiful embellished paper mermaid with glitter, button, and cutouts and ready to hang on the YOE tree.

 She also included ocean fish chewy candy.  So cute. Almost too cute to eat!! AND some shell/beach napkins. And cute post it notes and note pad and a bunch of  little gel pens.  Oh, and a flea market style magazine.

Thank you Jenny for a great package.

This is the mermaid I made and sent to Jenny. She's a paper mermaid top and glittery pompoms for her lower body, legs and tail.

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I couldn't wait any longer to announce June's theme! I've also emailed everyone their new partner information. Please email one another if you need too. Also, remember that all ornies must be hand made.

June ornament:
GNOME!!!!

June challenge:
to create a gnome toy/doll to use over the next couple of months.
I encourage everyone to do this month's challenge. I can't tell you WHY yet.

June activity:
place a "toad abode" in your garden near a leaky faucet.
A flower pot tipped on its side works great...the frogs and toads will thank you during the hot days of summer. If you do this, please post photos for us all to see!

"...because garden gnomes dance 'round the toadstool at night, singing merry little cheerful songs."

June's partners!

Val & Courtney
Robin & Kim
Nikki & Missy B.
Anna & Gin
Sandy & Kerry
Jenny & Natalie
Sherry & Missy H.
Ramie & Melinda