apron update!

So, I have officially kicked the butt of the April challenge. I made not one, not two, but THREE aprons! (insert the Count laughing maniacally here). However, two were made as gifts, and I stupidly did not photograph them before they went to their new, happy home.

However, I made the third apron this evening, as my shoulder was still too grouchy to really work out. I thought about using a patter, then said, eff that!" Then, I let the adorable fabric take over. I shall photo it, and post it promptly on Thursday!

I also have mucho inspiration for sewing projects. Unfortunately, my machine has different ideas, and needs to take a much needed rest. Hopefully, a little tune up is all she needs, for I am very attached to her.

Happy Earth Day! Tanks - Teeny - Totes!

In celebration of Earth Day, and the excitement of being able to combine crafting with thrift store shopping - today's project is from Stitch Lounge:
Turn a thrift store tank into a teeny tiny shopping tote you can carry in your purse! (I feel as though this is a proCRAFTination solution for me, if only because every time I go to Trader Joe's I end up buying another reusable bag because I've forgotten the one I bought last time.)

In any case, here's what happened...

Quick and Easy!

So this doesn't really help with the ol' Craft Stash... but I was at Pier1 today and was perusing their clearance table textiles... Before I knew what had happened I'd picked up a place mat and coordinating napkin, with a dream of a bag.

And that dream has now become reality...

Not bad for $5 and about an hour! It could have been much, much worse.

So hard to wait!!!

So I finished my apron for the April challenge... but I noticed that we said we'd wait to post until May first! I don't know if I can make it.

In other news, my trials and tribulations with the Amy Butler "Sophia" bag continue. I did a heckuva lot of fusing today, and there is yet more to do! I have a bit of a reprieve though - I'm waiting for the purse feet to arrive. I anticipate that although this is a "trial run" I will never sew this bag again. Ever.

I also purchased a really inexpensive dress form today - to model my apron, and other crafty projects for photos. I consider it an investment.

And that's all I got.

we wouldn't be complete without a little cheesecake!

So Proptart mentioned a short time ago, our fateful trip to JoAnn Etc. (aka the artist formerly known as JoAnn Fabric). In addition to impulse purchases, I actually purchased things for a planned project! Imagine that. Not only did I purchase these items, I made the item in time to wear it as I had planned! Crazy. This little blog seems to be serving its purpose. I have completed two projects in a timely fashion.

On the left I am wearing a choker I made out of a braided trim and fringe, with a flat hook and eye closure. I made it to coordinate with the trim on the romper (a V-day gift from my hubby, off my wishlist) I wore to the Rubber Ball 2008 at Ground Zero Nightclub in Minneapolis. I also purchase a plume and a maribou clip which are in my hair. I was very pleased with the outcome, which was very old-timey tightrope walker or saloon performer.

...and scene...

Just had to pop in to say, I have officially finished the project from hell. It started out so innocuously, what I thought would be a thoughtful, useful gift. I picked the perfect pattern, fabric, notions. I cut out all the pieces. Then, I looked at the directions. Just when I thought I made headway, the next step would tell me to repeat the last five or so. I thought I was halfway, until I realized there was another page. However, I have conquered all 67 steps (those were just the ones that were numbered), figured out how to fix most of the mistakes in the directions, and live with the one I didn't catch.

I would post a picture and more details, but as it is a gift, that will have to wait as to not spoil the surprise! Now, onto a different gift, and the April Apron challenge!!

A confession...

...Raven and I gave in to temptation.

We went to JoAnn to pick up some trims and what-not, for already established projects... but we both purchased NEW FABRIC!

I feel better already.

The new yardage *is* intended for the April/Apron challenge though, so at least it is fabric with a craft in mind.

And they are going to be ADORABLE!!

Aprons, eh?

Somehow my game turned "April" into "Oven Mitts." I won't bother you with the mechanics of that incredible verbal feat!

Anyway, check out these hottie dottie oven mitts! I've been using a single, college-era oven mitt a'la Target for quite a few years. It was time for a new look!

Thank you to "Simple Sewing" by Lotta Jansdotter... a great book with some fab projects for your home! Cute, simple, and clean.

April showers bring....

Remember those word games where you start with a word, and letter by letter you change the word into new words until all the letters are changed and you have a completely new word?

For example:
April
Aprin
Apron.

Okay, so the middle one isn't a word, but it's the best I can come up with when I should be sleeping, but am not because my back is killing from bad rehearsal chairs and a bus ride home.

But, that brings me to what April brings...aprons!

Here is the first of what will be a potentially monthly challenge*. By midnight of April 30th, build an apron. Bonus points if you use stuff you already have lying around your house/craft room/garage/parents' basement.

We will post our results on May first, and will look for your results in the comments on May first!

Ready, Set, Go!!

*This challenge brought to you by the letter A, the number four, and our morning break.

*blink*

Wow, it's like we really exist or something.
I can't believe it.
I mean, a BLOG? Like we have something to say that people will want to read about?
This is a pretty high-pressure situation.

On the plus side, I think I totally have to buy new MOO cards with the blog addy on it...

Up and running!

So, this bad boy is set up! W00T!

Look for some fantabulous posts upcoming from the three Procraftinators, with perhaps some info about who we are, and what we are up to. We may take requests once we are rolling from our readers, as we love to help. In the meantime we hope to offer what we've learned, wonderful tips for crafty readers, and reviews of crafty products out in the wild, as well as what we're working on, and eventually where to find our goods in the internets!