Once upon a time, in a far away land called the Cotswolds, lived a little girl named Lilly. Lilly lived in a tiny cottage on the Hidcote Manor grounds with her mother, who worked in the manors great gardens. Every morning Lilly and her mother would have their tea and scones and then follow a small windy path to the gardens. Once inside the garden walls they would plant, weed and pick baskets of beautiful flowers for the many bouquets needed in the great manor. Lilly loved how the whole garden was divided up into smaller more private ones, with each one being unique. One garden especially was treasured. The romantic Rose Borders garden was Lilly's favorite. Her mother told her that little rose fairies flitted about at night, dancing and playing with each other while she and Lilly slept. Lilly was told that sometimes, if you look really carefully under the rose bushes, if you are lucky, you might find a tiny slipper that one of the fairies lost while dancing. Lilly never ended her gardening day without peeking under every rose bush....today might be the day!
I have been working on a new couture apron for the last week and finally finished it on Tuesday. I must admit...I love the super feminine look of it. It turned out exactly as I envisioned it. My 'new' apron is almost entirely fashioned from 'old' fabric. I bought the white cotton linen skirt ages ago at my Salvation Macy's. The second I saw it I knew it was destined for a more beautiful life. It originally was all white, but I hand painted the bottom flounce a pretty watery blue.
While on my visit to Pennsylvania Amish country (read about that trip here) My friend Roberta and I found a lovely thrift shop, where I immediately spotted a whole rack of fabulous antique embroidered runners, hankies and doilies. It took 10 Wet Wipes to remove the silly smile on my face. I came home with a big tissue wrapped bundle....that I look at every night ;-)
I made some pretty Yo-Yo's and trimmed them with vintage lace for the bodice. The vintage floral bodice is completely lined in the same fabric. Gorgeous colors and I love Hollyhocks..so English garden.
I embellished with more Yo-Yo's and some jumbo rik-rak at the waist.
(click on pic to enlarge)
Just look at the fabulous floral embroidery and cutwork on the runner overskirt. The top doily is actually a pocket to stash little treasures. Maybe seeds from your garden walks or tiny Fairy slippers that have fallen off in flight.
The pretty runner is trimmed in the palest pink crochet cotton lace. It has a few small unraveling spots, but in keeping with the shabby vintage look of my apron, I chose not to repair them. I think it gives my creation more personality and authenticity.....Oooooo big words for an apron!
Of course what girlie-girl apron is complete without a big full bow! This material is of the palest blue which I think compliments the painted blue flounce at the hem.
So that's what I have been working on...what have you created this week???
Until next time..be kind and stay creative.
UPDATE: I just spent two hours writing a little story to accompany my apron, listed it in my Etsy shop and 5 minutes later it was SOLD!!! Talk about ending my day with a bang ;-) Thank you sweet lady from Texas!
Looks like it is back to the studio!
