A Little Color Outside FINALLY!!

It is finally spring here in Iowa. Spring last approximately 3 weeks. From the first really nice day to the first day that the bugs carry you away is about 3 weeks. My definition of a really nice day is one that is nice enough that you can open your windows without freezing. The day these photos were taken it was about 75 outside. The day before it was 50 and the day after it was also 50. This day was thrown in as a teaser before we got the next rain system.

Mason wasn't too sure about the grass at first.
He got used to it though and started having fun.
Looking at my work gloves in the stroller. Yes I have work gloves. Austin makes me help him outside and I'm not about to get my nails messed up.

Don't mind the ugly curtains. They came with the house and they are the only set I haven't changed yet. I am looking but haven't found what I want yet.



We are told that these are tiger lilies. Last year we had a late frost and they didn't bloom.

Cold Cold and more COLD

I can't wait until I can get outside in my flower gardens. I am afraid they are in pretty bad shape. Austin was in charge of them last year. Between being pregnant and gallbladder surgery I was in no shape to do anything with them. I love my husband but if he touches my gardens again I will have to do him some serious bodily injury.

I love to sew so that is what I do to keep my sanity in the winter. As of right now I am working on two aprons. I have a jean apron that I am doing free hand (no pattern) that I can't decide how I want to finish. I do have a couple more pockets that I could put on top but I just don't know. I don't want to mess this up because these are all second use fabrics so I can't go and buy more readily. The jeans I got from my brother and the flower fabric used to be a "door" in our old rental in Ames while Austin was going to college.

Front- I haven't decided how to connect the top and bottom.

I have the straps almost done. I didn't want to finish them until I had completely decided on the rest.

I put a front and a back to all of my aprons. That way I have another layer of protection. I tend to spill stuff easily. Not to mention the splatter that comes after the spill. Hence the reasons I need so many aprons. More than one is usually dirty at a time.

Better view of the back fabric. This is also what I used on the straps.

I've toyed with the idea of putting the old belt loops on it and not having the waist straps even attached to the apron. Knowing me though I will most likely lose the waist strap then.

The other apron I'm working on is a little out there for me. The rest of my aprons are solid colors. Nothing too bizarre. I thought it was time for a change. That and this fabric was on sale for $1 a yard. So this whole apron cost me less than $10.

This is an idea of what the shape will be like. I use the pattern as more of a rough guideline. I have never had something come out looking anything like the pattern.

I just couldn't resist the orange back fabric. I then decided to go with orange rickrack and green thread. It should really pop.

The little old lady at the fabric counter looked at me strangely and said "This is new for you. Are you sure you're okay with this much color? This must going to be a gift. Right?" She couldn't believe it was going to be for me. Neither could Austin. That is saying something. After 7 1/2 years it is hard to surprise each other.

I think he was just happy I wasn't using this for a quilt. Not that the thought didn't cross my mind. I have thought about going and buying the rest of the bolt. Just imagine what I could do with 9 yards of this fabric. Wouldn't he just have a heart attack if he came home and found that I had made curtains, bed sham, and pillowcases for our bed out of this fabric. It would be worth it just to see his face.