Tales of a Crafty Mom

Apron Day

2009-05-11T17:43:00.000-07:00

My daughter made sure to tell me a few days ago that today was Apron Day. When I got up this morning, I remembered my apron. Along with the physical apron, I could only think about the things it symbolized. As a child, I had my beloved apron that my mother made me. I would clean our little house with my white apron. As an adult, I cherish the time I wear my apron to cook and clean for my family. For years, I hoped to share the same things with my daughter. Low and behold, as an adult she has the same love for aprons. The aprons symbolize things such as love for a family. The dirtier my apron is, the more love I have put into our various chores. I smile when I look at my apron covered in flour, because I know my family is enjoying their favorite pastries.

I got this poem a while back. It is something that I cherish and wanted to share with you. Go dig out your favorite apron and enjoy.

Mama's Apron

An apron played a big part in mama's life

As common to wear as being a housewife.

She used it to gather eggs at the end of the day

To gather vegetables to can and put away

To feed the family on a rainy day...

She used it to pick up chips

To start a fire in the old wood stove.

To cook the daily bread,

For her main concern was to keep her family fed.

She folded it around her hands

When at the table the blessing was said.

And wore it in the rain to cover her graying head,

She wrapped it around the baby's legs when it was cold

And sometimes used it to wipe his lil' nose.

It was a faithful servant thru sad and lonely years

She even used it to dry away her tears.

When the children were tucked in and their prayers were said...

She laid out a clean one at the foot of her bed.

Their job is over now, they did their best.

Mama and her apron have been laid to rest.

If all is true about Heaven I've been told,

Mama is now weaving an apron of spun gold…

Unknown Author

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-10T20:32:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day to all of the moms, young and old, new and old. This is a day of celebration for mom's who birth their babies, marry into families, and/or find children who yearn for a mother's love. I for one, can say a mother's love goes way beyond blood and DNA. Here is a poem that my daughter came across not long ago and shared with me. I hope you enjoy it.

Happy Mother's Day!

Before I Was a Mom

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not
my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind
and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night
watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn't want to put him down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of
having my heart outside my body...
I didn't know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond
between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom.

May you always be overwhelmed by the Grace of God rather than by the cares of life!

I Got a Package

2009-05-06T23:25:00.000-07:00

Today I was pleasantly surprised to find a package waiting for me today. It was my granddaughters and I's package for the Mother/Daughter Swap we were a part of. I was pleasantly surprised to find 3 very girly aprons in our box. They are not all matchy-matchy. More coordinating, with similiar fabrics. I am in love. We also got a kid's cookbook. I can't wait for the girls to see their new aprons. We are going to have to plan on some cookie baking.

I also received a package yesterday for Aunt Pitty Pat's Apron Swap. It is an adorable apron. I also got some handmade soap. Which I cannot wait to try. My Annie is also a gem. I got her after much fighting with the post office. I got a notice to pick up a package nearly a month ago, then my package was lost for a few weeks in the post office. I continued to check on it, and it finally appeared last week. Those Annies were just too much fun to make.

On anther note, I never meant to blog every single day. It just started out that way. But I highly doubt that I will continue to blog daily. I am aiming for 3 times a week. I hope I can keep up. With the school year winding down, things are getting a little hectic around the office. The next few weekends are solidly booked. And my spare time is being dedicated to sewing and gardening. On a side note, we are still hoping about the swap. I am going to send another note.

Getting it Together

2009-05-04T13:07:00.000-07:00

It's Monday, and it feels like a Monday. My husband and I enjoyed a nice time with friends yesterday. We spent hours talking at the party we were invited to. Of course there was food, lots of it, and we enjoyed it. But I have to admit, I am tired today.

I did manage to get my package together for the Green and White Swap (http://mommyholly.blogspot.com/) and got it to the post office this morning. I am still waiting to hear back from Shawnee. My fingers are crossed with hope. Work is a little crazy today, and my daughter is meeting us for dinner tonight. She is working with the Swine Flu and in the middle of her exams at school. My youngest is studying to be a doctor and works with lots of medical emergencies.

Other than the chaos of work, I am thinking about my swap packages. Wondering if my partners for Lucy and Shawnee's individual swaps have received their packages yet. I haven't heard from either one. I am anxiously awaiting my packages too. I find it makes my entire week better when I get something in the mail. I am going to have to take some pictures and figure out how to post them. I probably should have tried to post pictures of my finished projects. But that will all come with time.

For now, I need to get working on some baby shower gifts. A friend of our family just told me yesterday that her baby shower is on Saturday. I am not sure if I will be able to make the baby shower, we already have my granddaughter's graduation and dinner, a wedding, and there is one more party that I just can't remember right now. We are well booked Saturday. But I am still hopeful that I can crochet a sweater set and blanket. I am even hopeful that I can sew another blanket.

A Little Shopping

2009-05-03T11:46:00.000-07:00

I didn't tell you about it, but yesterday I did a little shopping. My husband and I left early for a graduation party and ended up at Target. It was planned. Target is out of the way from where we live, but on the way to the party we were going to.

Ever since our daughter worked there a few years ago, we enjoy doing some shopping there from time to time. I am a fan of the Dollar Spot socks, the clothes, and the shoes. I work with young kids and enjoy having some fun with an essential like socks. My husband has a collection of driving caps, and looks for a new one every time we go to Target.

Today we made a quick trip to Wal-Mart for some essentials for the week. And a couple of cards for 2 more parties. Is anyone else "partied out"? For a few weeks now, we have had a couple of parties every weekend. They are scheduled until the end of May. But that is OK, they are important events. I just hope we are able to get everything in.

The real reason for this post is to tell you that in my shopping, I was able to finally complete my package for a Green and White Swap (http://mommyholly.blogspot.com/) that Heidi and Holly are hosting and that I am in. I have been buying little things here and there, but I still needed a couple of things to complete my package. Now I just need to wrap everything up and head to the post office tomorrow. I hope my partner likes everything.

Garden Apron Swap

2009-05-02T20:35:00.000-07:00

Today we were sitting and talking about spring. It happens to be a favorite time of year for me. Gardening is one of my favorite past times. I was talking to my daughter on the phone about gardening and flowers. I was also trying to look around a bit online. But our internet service has been touch and go with the weather lately. After making a trip to the post office, and taking some time for family and friends get togethers, I found a new swap. A garden apron swap that Lucy and Shawnee (http://sassyflirtyapronswap.blogspot.com/) are hosting. I talked with the girls, and it looks like we are all on board. So I sent a message to Shawnee and am hopefully awaiting her response. I even have a few things I would like to donate as a prize for their giveaways.

Post Office Troubles

2009-05-02T15:25:00.000-07:00

This morning my youngest and I headed to the post office. We have been having many, many problems with our local post office. But we try. For example, we have been in a few apron swaps. We sent our packages, and then they never get to their intended locations. I have been highly upset by this. For one swap alone, I have sent 3 packages. And I still do not think my partner has received her package. But I can only be hopeful.

Today we were really excited though. We both were in a Mother/Daughter Apron Swap. I was in the swap for myself and 2 of my granddaughters. My daughter, she was "playing" for herself and 2 of her goddaughters. You see, she doesn't have kids. But those little ones are real close to her. I wish I could have taken pictures of the aprons we made. My daughter made 1 Mom apron and 3 girl aprons using cupcake material. They were just too adorable. I am going to keep the details of mine under wraps in case my partner reads this before she gets them. But I will try and post a sample of the material next week.

We also included some kid cookbooks. We got real lucky at finding those. But we packed up our treats and sent them off. Fingers crossed, they reach the lovely kids they are intended for.

From the Begining

2009-05-01T11:18:00.000-07:00

Hi all. I am a mom, a wife, a lover of crafts, and just a happy person in general. I am not at all good at computer stuff. I mostly rely on my youngest daughter for that help. But I thought I would start a blog to share my craft tales.

Mostly I crochet. But I also like to sew. I began sewing in school, many years ago. But I have been making things for my kids for nearly 40 years. I started with baby clothes, curtains, and the basics. Now I sew lots of scrubs for my youngest. But I find lots of joy in all of this.

I hope you come back to visit. I can't guarantee lots of pictures. I need some help with that. But I am sure to get a lot from my daughter.