The Apron Strings That Bind Us ~ a mini bloghop!

WARNING:  This post is for non-perfectionists only. Do not attempt to read this post if you are a seamstress! I fully admit that I AM NOT!  My sloppy stitching may cause you to have nightmares, be sick to your stomach or worse.  Do not read further if you love perfection, order and all things cohesive.  Please do not attempt to look at these photos if you are prone to outbreaks of itching, heart palpitations or cringing if you like things to match.  This is not the project for you.  This product is the combination of random scribbles, giggles and stitching that added up to good time and some love.

I have a special tribe...I call them my art friends.  They are the people I have met and felt an instant connection to at these "art gatherings".  One of the reasons I love going to these events is finding "like-minded kindred spirits" and the retreats are packed with them ~ it's such a rush to be around creative, fun women! I feel so fortunate to have discovered this tribe.  Two members of that special tribe met up with me at Art-Is-You in Memphis ~ Carolyn and Maria.  I have known Maria for a few years since we met at an art retreat, and I met Carolyn at AIY Nashville. The girls introduced me to their sweet friend Julia.  Julia and I were separated at birth (although we didn't know this until we met at AIY Dixie)....now I can't imagine ever NOT being friends with her! We completed each others' sentences and "got each other" if you know what I mean.  Truly Special Tribe. 

So back in April at Art-Is-You Dixie,  Carolyn, Maria, Julia and I all signed up to take Linda Willis's apron class.  I must admit, I was a little hesitant since I am not patient enough to be a "good seamstress".  I am not careful, and I am "okay" with some mess.  But I really wanted to spend time with my friends since we rarely get a chance to meet up and I am always game to try something!

We had the BEST time!  Linda was soooooooooo super patient, generous and just all-around lovely to have as a teacher!  She was very hands-on and helpful and I learned so much! I love her ~ she is genuine, kind and quite funny.

She will be teaching two classes at Art Is You in Stamford, CT again if you want to sign up for one of her classes or for Carolyn's "Meet the Crazies" class, please click here.  Sign up soon before they fill up!!

I had to include this picture below, because I seriously busted out laughing!!! What was I doing here? Talking bras sizes? I don't know, but it was funny.  Clearly it was at the beginning of class, so I can't imagine I was being too silly...yet. And I wasn't being a good student either, I was chatting with Julia (my secret partner in crime).

We laughed .... A LOT.  We sang. We teased.  We painted. We met a new friend, Ahn.  We drew.  And we relaxed.  I must say that was what I felt most leaving her class. I felt relaxed. 

None of us finished our aprons, but we vowed to take them home put our finishing touches on them and do a big blog reveal together ~ so here it is!

I had quite a bit of random paint on mine to start with as I was loving trying all the fabulous products in class.  And of course there were tons of StencilGirl Stencils on it.    When I got it home I knew I wanted it to be more personalized to me.  So I started by adding some of my custom fabric with my own art designs on it (from Spoonflower) and sewing them on to the apron.

I then added on some words, more doodles with my Tulip dye pens and Fabric Markers by Sharpie.

This trim for the bottom of my apron was made my Linda and she gave it to me to add to the bottom. Swoon ~ I love it and I love that she is officially part of my apron! :)

I sewed on the pocket and voila ~ I have my official art teaching apron!  (Here is a super goofy pix my hubby took of me wearing it in my studio.)

I {heart} it! I will always think of my sweet friends and the special time we had every time I wear it!

Join my friends and hop along with us to see how different each of our aprons turned out! And please extend a special warm welcome to my lost "twin" Julia as she launches her blog and life in the colorful world of art after leaving a successful career in corporate America.   She truly defines what it means to be brave ~ love you Julia xxx!

Here is the Blog Hop Order:

Julia Kellogg 

Kirsten Reed 

Carolyn Dube 

Maria McGuire

Supplies Used

- Lots of StencilGirl Products! 

- Bits of trim and fabric pieces from my stash 

- Laughter  & Imagination