Since I missed Knittin' Wednesday this week a crafty Thursday will have to suffice.

I made myself this little apron and here is how. As of late on the crafty blogs there has been a lot going on with the making of aprons (i.e. Tie One On). In addition, there has been much excitement about Japanese craft books. So, when I made my last trek to Kinokuniya Bookstore in San Francisco and found this: I got all excited and immediately purchased said book (called Sashiko Zakka, isbn# 4277341071)which has many great embroidery ideas beyond this one.

I had picked up some beautiful tea towels designed and screenprinted by locals at the botanical gardens on Kauai earlier this year and was loathe to sully them with the daily detritus that is inevitable in my kitchen. This little lovely just sat on the shelf until this inspiration came along.

I headed home and over to my friend Molly's store Ambatalia Fabrics. She has great taste, runs an organic and sustainable fabric store and has a plethora of vintage ribbons and buttons. I picked up this fabulous vintage ribbon and asked her 'pretty please' to sew the ribbon across the top of the towel with her machine (since I don't have one yet).

Back home to look online for the perfect bird to embroider. I found this little sweety on the NeedleCrafter website, printed it out, traced the design (I freestyled the 'flight path') with my iron-on transfer pencil, then ironed her on and got to embroidering. What an easy and gratifying little project! I am thrilled with the finished product. This is the first time I have embroidered anything and feel a new obsession coming on.

Please do email me if you have any questions and especially if you make one yourself - I would love to see it :)