Seven Aprons is Two Days..

The Christmas Holiday is slowing down, and so am I. I want to share with you the aprons that I completed for orders this holiday. Before I do that, I need to thank a few people for getting me out of a bind. Two weeks before Christmas I took my apron pattern to JoAnn fabrics to purchase the material I needed for the seven aprons. A few days later when I got ready to sew them, I went into my bag and the pattern insert with the pattern pieces was missing. Panic set in. I went to JoAnn's and I was told by the manager that she had thrown it away, because she didn't know what it was. I was in disbelief. I put an S.O.S out and some dear friends I have met through blog land came to my rescue. Each of them sew beautiful aprons, and were willing to lend me a helping hand. Shawnee from Shawnee's Tangled Tales, contacted Lucy from the Sassy Apron Swap. Lucy scanned me the pattern pieces and sent it to me via email. My friend Amy from A Little of This and and Little of That Federal Expressed me the pattern. It's amazing how wonderful they all were. During this busy season they were willing to give of themselves and to think we have never met face to face. Thank you dear friends!

Well all the orders were finished two days before Christmas. so let me share with you some of the aprons that were "Creations From My Heart".

First of all I created this apron for myself. After all the holiday stress, I felt as if I needed a little pick me up, so I made this sassy apron for myself and I wore it all day on Christmas!

I have a wonderful couple who are drapery client's of mine. The husband contacted me and asked if he could order three aprons for Christmas gifts. They were to be a surprise for his wife, daughter and future daughter in law. I thought that was so sweet of him to think of this idea! This was the apron for his future daughter in law. I added the large Gerber daisy and made my custom matching dish gloves.

Doesn't every girl need a pair of matching dish gloves?

This little flirty apron was for his daughter. She is such a sweetie and I wanted to make something special for her. I just love the print and I thought it was perfect for a young woman.

Once again, I added the flower (which can be removed when the apron is washed). The gloves finished off the ensemble. I wonder if she will wear some pearls while she's cooking?

My client told me that his wife's favorite color was black. I found this cute little print and paired if up with a wonderful polka dot print. A bit of white Rick Rack enhanced the apron.

I had to add the flower with a vintage button.

The apron came complete with matching dish gloves.

On Christmas morning around 10:00am my business phone rang. It was Gloria the mom, she was so excited. I could hear all of them in the background yelling with excitement about their aprons. All three of them had opened their aprons and were wearing them. They said they just had to call to tell me how excited they were about getting them. It made my Christmas morning, to hear how much they liked the gifts that were truly a "Creation From My Heart".

The next three aprons were special orders. They all were for grandmothers. This little boy calls his grandma "Nana". I did all the printing on my computer. I used Cotton fabric that I ran through my printer. I held my breath each time I ran the fabric through the printer! Here's a close up of the photo and the saying,"Nana's Blessing from God".

This apron did not have a photo of the grandchild. I just used a bible verse,

from Proverbs 31:28 "Her children will arise and call her blessed".

I also added a poem about grandmothers.

This apron said "Grandmas are blessings from God" .

Lots of matching ribbons and buttons embellished the apron.

I love creating these gifts that will become little treasures for years to come. Now that the holidays season is winding down, I hope to add to my Etsy Shop. I have some aprons coming with matching gloves and more journals and photos albums which are one their way. Before the holdiay season is over, take some time to create something that you can treasure for years to come.... "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised". Proverbs 31:29-30

In With the New...Out with the Old...

Since I have begun blogging, many of you have commented about my blog header. Well Michelle at Shabby Creations designed it especially for me. I couldn't be happier with it. It is everything I wanted. Well now she is having a giveaway. Head on over to Shabby Creations and check out the giveaway and her new blog headers.

It's Christmas Eve, we went to church this evening and now the boys are in bed and we have just finished wrapping the gifts. Since our boys are teenagers, they will not be waking us up at the crack of dawn. That is a blessing, especially since the last few nights I have been up quite late finishing my last minute gifts. I have made seven aprons in the last two days. I'll share photos of them with you in a few days. I wanted to wish each and every one of you a Blessed Chistmas. Through my blog, I have made many new friends this past year. Each of your comments and words of encouragement have been a blessing to me. It is wonderful to have friends that you have not met face to face, but share so many like interests. Thank you for visiting and may your Christmas be filled with love and happy memories shared with your family and friends this holiday season.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.... His name shall be called

Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasing Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

What a Blessing... Just in Time for Christmas.

I can't believe it... I got an email at the end of last week, letting me know that I won the Christmas give away. I had submitted my idea to Keeping the Kingdom First . My idea came from my blog post "Gifting my services" . I spoke about ways to cut back on money spent this Christmas holiday. They chose my submission.

and the prize was .....

A $500.00 gift certificate to Wal-Mat. What a blessing. Can you believe it!!! I love Wal-Mart. I get my groceries there and lots of other things, including some fabric. If you haven't looked at the fabric at Wal-mart, check it out. Some of my cutest apron fabric has come from there. Well the gift certificate will surely help out this holiday. As I have told you, we are from Michigan and the economy is at an all time low. My husband Has been searching for a job this past year and I have been trying to branch my business out into other things. We have been blessed in so many ways, and that I am thankful for. Sometimes we need to remember that! This gift card was a reminder of the constant blessings that are presented to us daily.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

1 Chronicles 16:34

Can anyone PLEASE help me out...

I was at Joann Fabrics buying fabric for some aprons this weekend. Once I arrived home I realized I had lost one of the inserts for View C from the pattern book "MORE Retro Aprons" by Cindy Taylor Oats. I need to have the aprons done by Friday. If you have the book can you email me. My email is on my blog profile. I am desperate to get these finished. I was hoping that one of my blog visitors could help me out. Here is a picture of the pattern book. Do you have it?

My ETSY Shop is officially OPEN!

My ETSY shop is finially up an running. Just click on the button to the right, that says ETSY shop and it will take you there. It has taken longer than I expected and I haven't put everything in the shop yet. All the photos are taken and I just need to load up the last of them. I have some things listed and in the next couple of days I am hoping to have everything in. If you are interested in a special order please contact me through my email. I have had so many of you ask when it would be open...so here it is. Thank you so much for your interest in my work. I love to make "Creations From My Heart". Let me know what you think or what you would like to see.

Well today began the "Garland Show and Tell" over at the Nester. Stop by to see all the wonderful posts and get some one of a kind ideas for your mantel. Below is my idea for a "Gift of Garland". Take a look and let me know what you think of my new idea for Christmas gifts.

In Everything Give Thanks....

This past weekend has kept me quite busy. I have taken a new approach to buying Christmas gifts this year. The Michigan economy has really hit our family like gang busters. This past year has certainly been different for us. My husband has been unemployed this year and we, like many people in Michigan have had to cut back. I titled this post, "In Everything Give Thanks", and it is so true. We have had to make changes in our lifestyle, but we still have many blessings to be thankful for. God has a plan for us, and though I may not be happy about our current circumstances I will give Him thanks always. Well you may be asking what is my "NEW APPROACH", to gift buying. We'll I am just not buying many gifts this year. I am gifting people with my services rather than purchasing material items. Last week I gave my mother and mother in Law their Christmas gifts. I decorated their trees and mantels for them. I love decorating for Christmas and they both enjoyed having me do this for them. This is my mom's mantel that I decorated.

I used traditional colors, red and gold. I love to add lots of white lights and stands of beads swagged in from of the mantel. The red ribbon had a wonderful gold Fleur-De-Le design with a gold wire edge. I added gold feathered picks that were covered with glitter and added lots of BLING.

I combined two different types of artificial roping. A traditional roping along with a long needle pine roping with pine cones. Some beautiful red berries were added for color.

The meaning of Christmas never changes....It is always the same. Our Savior came to earth as a baby for our salvation. This I will always give thanks for.

Our family's situation may be different this year, but with a little bit of creativity, regarding gift giving everything will work out. CHRISTmas isn't about the material presents, it's about the present that was sent to earth from above.

" Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever"

1 Chronicle 16:34

A Wonderful Giveaway...Just in Time For Christmas...

One of my visitors in blogland just told me about a giveaway that we could all use during this holiday season. It's a $500 Walmart gift card! All you have to do is go HERE to Keeping the Kingdom First and enter to win. Trying to save some money this holiday season? Be creative. If you enjoy baking, bake some gifts. Enjoy working on the computer? Bless someone with your services. What ever your talent is, use it this holiday season as a gift. You will bless that person and save money at the same time. Wishing you a blessed Christmas season.

Christmas Decorating Doesn't Seem Like Work...

Isn't it wonderful when you go to work and it doesn't seem like work, it's fun! Well that's how I felt this week while I was decorating a client's house for Christmas. I love decorating for Christmas. My client's husband's work party is at their house, so she wanted it to look extra special. After meeting with her and going over what she wanted done, I was off shopping. Seven hours of shopping, to be exact. I had to purchase everything for the job except for the tree and some garland. It was fun shopping for the decorations. Here's some photos of the completed job. The client wanted the colors in the tree to match the wallpaper and the kitchen decor.

The colors were gold, rust and lots of glittered copper...

I used three different ribbons on the tree. 120 yards to be exact.

The colors for her living room we traditional gold and red. My FAVORITE. Lots of twinkle lights, ribbon and beaded garland.

Gold ornaments and gold berries added to the design.

I added some greenery, poinsettias, berries and ribbon to some tables. I used the clients St. Nick statue and dressed up the lamp with a piece of greenery. I found a few crystal candle sticks from the dining room and added it to the tabletop. The corner baker's rack in the kitchen also got a makeover. Here it is before... Now here is the transformation... Some ribbon, bows, glittered fern, copper poinsettias and greenery finished of the display. Just add some ordinary ornaments to a glass hurricane and you have a quick holiday accessory. I just love the copper reindeer!

The bird lamp just needed a bit of embellishing and all the glitter added just the right touch....

I also did staircase garland and a few other arrangements. I'll share more photos this week. Now I need to finish my house. 20 days and counting. I better get a move on! During this busy season take time to reflect on the TRUE meaning of CHRISTmas and make some memories with those people whom you love.

"Christmas is The day that holds All time together."