Oma's - Apron Strings and other things

2011-02-07T20:24:00.002-05:00

It's been forever since I've been here, time for an update. We're about to finish our 4th season of craft shows. Despite the economy, this year has been okay. I've now sewn almost 1200 aprons and never tire of it. We did the show at Mt Dora, north and east of Orlando and did very well there; over 300 booths and the crowd was estimated at 350,000. I actually had "stage fright" for a couple of months prior to the show. We sold aprons sight unseen, and those were shipped within a week.

At home, we had to say good-bye to Lady, our 11 year old blonde cocker. She'd had pancreatitis and despite our efforts, we couldn't get her well. I'd been telling Carson "no more dogs" for some time, so I brought in 2 of the feral kittens the end of June. Elsi loves to watch me sew, and I've learned to work with my hand cupped around the needle so as not to get her tail in there! Kati is our Miss Prissy-Pie, just don't know what else to say about her.

And then a couple of weeks ago, we captured another 2 kittens. My intentions were to have them spayed/neutered, then release them back into their outside family. Turns out the HOA has threatened to poison the stray cats - so these latest 2 are now housecats. D-sl is a long-haired gray guy, just as sweet as can be. And Lili, short (pun intended) for lilliputian, has a tiny face, a short tail, short little legs, even a tiny voice. It's official, I've lost my mind!

2009-04-15T20:39:00.002-04:00

As you can see, we have a future super hero in the family!! Bee-ba told him he'd have to sit real still while getting his face painted at Epcot and when he got into the chair, he announced "I'm gonna try not to move". What a cute kid!! Minnie got a nice big hug at breakfast at Chef Mickey's in the Contemporary Resort. We stayed at Coronado Springs, very nice!

2009-04-15T20:27:00.001-04:00

2009-03-25T20:26:00.003-04:00

The kitties lounge near the front door, waiting for their dinner. If it takes too long, they'll come right up to the screen and peek in. These are the 2 "babies", and they're about to have some new family members. I've got to get them trapped and have them spayed / neutered. They're really nice cats and we don't have mice in the utility shed any more.

Today I had dinner with a dear, dear friend. Mom & Mary Lou, Dad and "Harm" were best friends before the guys called out "Hubba-hubba" back in the day. They just always seemed like extended family, many happy times together. Of the 4, only Mary Lou is still with us, so seeing her is very special, but somewhat bitter-sweet.

Rumor has it that there are more lay-offs planned for next month at the County. While it's a concern for me, worrying about it won't make a bit of difference. There doesn't seem to be much of a recession / economic crisis at Disney.

Trying to get an e-bay store going for the aprons, haven't given it the time yet to figure things out. Maybe this weekend.

2009-02-15T18:10:00.004-05:00

This is from our show last weekend at Lake Placid FL. Good crowd Saturday, and a sheer joy to be outside for the weekend. We have 2 more shows to do and will be done by mid-March for the season. I'm taking a couple of months off from sewing - there will be many months of unbearable heat when I can stay in the a/c and prepare for next season.

I've re-joined Weight Watchers for the ___?___ time and have realized that I won't lose the weight until I journal every bite, every day. A workmate has done just that and last week hit 75# gone! We're walking each day at noon, perfect weather in FloriDUH this time of year. Worked in the yard most of the day Saturday, did myself and the landscaping some good.

This spring we're to have a family vacation at Disney's Coronado Springs. The kids (3 of them) will love the pool & play area. We haven't had a real vacation for some time and this will be a treat. Disney's making it easy for 4 families to be next to each other so that the grandparents can babysit and the young adults can have a break. I'm sure it will be loads of fun!

2008-12-18T19:34:00.002-05:00

Okay, so who's responsible for speeding up the calendar??? Grandma B said that the older you get the faster time goes. I was a smarty-pants of 10 or 11 at the time and thought she'd lost her mind. There were, after all, 24 hours in a day, 7 days a week, etc. How could time possibly go faster - or slower, for that matter? Turns out Grandma was right, much to my dismay!

We've had back to back shows and even a trip to Kerry's over Thanksgiving. I'm physically and mentally exhausted from it and just need some down-time. Have 1 more apron to sew (local, thankfully) for a Christmas gift. Once that order's filled, I'm taking a break for a few days.

Bought Vinny a small laptop from Toys R Us, it's a 7" full fledged computer, even has a web-cam!

2008-11-24T20:16:00.002-05:00

This past weekend we had a very good show at Longwood, northeast of Orlando. It's a well-established and very organized production. As the aprons were selling, I began to realize that a couple styles are almost depleted from my inventory. Looks like I'll be sewing again before the next show!

Yep, it's a rocker / recliner. And a tractor seat on wheels... a bikebarrow?

2008-11-09T16:28:00.002-05:00

2008-11-09T16:15:00.005-05:00

The pictures above are just a small sample of what you might see at Florida Flywheelers. An important part of the event, and I have no pictures, are the tractors. In January, their next event, I'll be sure to get some pix of the tractors. As you can see, anything with wheels, a motor and a seat will serve as transportation. And let's not forget about the passengers. From wagons outfitted with recliners to wheelbarrow beds, anything goes for the riders. It's hard to describe the sounds. From putt-putt-putt to rhythmic wheezing and gasping to powerful roars, it's quite the cacophony! And let's not forget the ever present dust and grit blowing around in the breeze. It's not the place for the genteel, that's for sure. And you may think I've saved the best for last; an early version of a riding lawnmower; reel type mower on the front of a bicycle.

2008-11-01T22:04:00.002-04:00

IMPOSSIBLE PUMPKIN PIE (crustless)
2 Cups canned pumpkin (the 15 oz can)
1 1/2 Cups fat free milk
3/4 Cups Splenda
1/2 Cup low-fat Bisquik
2 Tablespoons margarine (I never put this in & it's fine)
2 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 large eggs (use 1/2 cup Egg-beaters)

Mix everything together with a whisk, pour into a 9" pie dish coated with cooking spray (butter flavored). Bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes. Enjoy

I've made this for the past 4 years and love it! Husband doesn't care for it, but his family has made fabulous pie crusts for generations! I like pie a little too much, so this is a good version for me.

2008-10-27T19:25:00.003-04:00

Oct 25 & 26 was Lake Wales' Pioneer Days. We set up in the rain, but by noon the sky was clearing and the crowd was good. Sunday was absolutely perfect! The white apron on the mannequin had been requested by someone who wanted "white with ruffles, suitable for 'Mrs. Claus' during the holidays". Turns out she no longer does that, so the apron will find another use; possibly painted for part of my advertising.

2008-10-27T18:54:00.003-04:00

He's quite intense in measuring for a blanket! No matter how careful, it seems that no 2 pieces are the same size. One stretches a bit, the other doesn't. Somehow, it all fits together into a cozy throw / blanket! (note the ever favorite "tank top"!! - I hate them)

2008-10-24T08:45:00.006-04:00

This ornamental grass in the corner of our front yard is so pretty when the evening sun hits it. It has a lavender / purple glow and catches a lot of attention. The grasses are pretty much plant and forget. When it gets too big or unruly, chop it off to about 8-12" from the ground and watch it get pretty again!

2008-10-15T20:08:00.002-04:00

Our first show of the season is this Saturday, at Polk Community College. Last year, it was our first ever show and we did better than I'd expected. We'll have 2 booths, the 2nd one will be for the blankets and the colored sand bottles. I'll try to get plenty of pictures and post here. It will be interesting to see how this season compares to last year. My inventory is better, I learned a lot last year and yet, with the economy being what it is, I'm really uncertain. The weather sounds perfect; high of 83 and sunny!!

2008-10-15T19:46:00.002-04:00

Kelsy is the newest addition to my family. She's in Ohio, so it will be a while till I get to meet her. The blanket and name pillows are fun to make.

Today Lady choked on a piece of pizza, she was a gonner until Carson realized she was in trouble. He dug it out of her throat and did mouth to mouth to get her back. I'm sure it was a horrible experience. That dogs' eating is totally out of control. Needless to say, that's the end of table scraps!

2008-10-01T18:37:00.003-04:00

The pot people have been sitting on the bench for a couple of years now, and they're looking a little worn; a leg's fallen off, an arm twisted. On all sides of the thing, I've planted ornamental grasses. In front of the bench, hidden under some weeds, is a patio stone that I poured. It has a couple of ceramic tile and the sentiment "Gone to pot!" It seems more fitting as we get older. Working in the yard was my mental therapy for the first 6 years here. I love the way it's turned out, even if not quite the way I'd imagined it would look like. The roses were too much to take care of. Ornamental grasses are pretty much plant and forget, seem to survive just fine even in the heat, drought, rain every day, you name it, they're okay. Summers are too brutally hot and I could no longer dig up sod and work outside all day like I used to. Now it's a matter of trimming, keeping the weeds down, and adding a little color with annuals. We have 3 fountains and the newest one needs re-positioned. The air's getting a little more tolerable, so I'll be working on that soon. It's just a little one, outside my sewing room and the kitties have drank from it.

2008-09-17T19:49:00.002-04:00

Baking my favorite cookie, "Trailside Oatmeal Treats" and a cake, "Swedish Pineapple" for tomorrow's bake sale at work. If you're curious, you can do an easy search on the interweb and the recipes will pop right up. Medication is making my mouth taste like a tin can, so I won't get into either one of them, which is a good thing.

Selling baby blankets and an apron here and there at work. Getting my inventory built up for the shows that will start Oct 18th. There are earlier shows, but I can't stand to be outside in the Floriduh heat. Even mid October can be unbearably hot, so I'll be hoping for cool weather.

2008-09-08T21:30:00.003-04:00

Last nite I was going to set up my new Mio GPS, but apparently it needs to be charged before doing so. And what's with no printed manual? In fact, the cd says it cannot be printed. That means on a trip a passenger needs to have a laptop to get to the instructions? I must've been busy doing laundry by the stream when the technology train came thru. Growing up in the 60's and a young adult in the 70's - need I say more? I've learned how to take a digital photo, put it in the laptop, and even send it in e-mail, so maybe I'm not totally hopeless. 20 years from now; can you imagine?!

2008-09-04T18:03:00.002-04:00

This is the apron and 4 matching placemats that are being raffled for our United Way fund-raiser. Our director has given me permission to keep the display in our lobby for the duration of the event! A wonderful opportunity for some advertising. And today we sold 18 chances, so made $15. The drawing will be the 25th and I'm hoping for a decent amount of $$ by then.

2008-09-03T20:04:00.007-04:00

This was Carson's idea and it turned out really nice! I loved the graphic the minute I saw it, hope to get a pix of Vinny & I like that. Those are 2 ladybugs on the right side, under the S in aprons. The back, well, that's the type of sewing machine I learned on a few (!!) years ago. I'm anxious to get my 'new' treadle machine working, just waiting on a belt for it.

2008-08-30T20:45:00.005-04:00

Today was perfect for the beach! The kites flew high in the breeze, and the clouds were so pretty all day long. That's Vinny running as fast as those little legs will take him!

2008-08-25T17:24:00.004-04:00

"What one thing finally got you to Weight Watchers?"
that was the question and here's my 2-cents worth, for what it's worth!

It was my underpants that finally got me to WW! One day I was folding clothes and I held up a pair of my "granny panties". Good grief - they looked like Gramma Minnie's underwear! My sister and I would be so embarrassed when Mom would hang clothes outside and we'd plead with her to put Grandma's underwear on the middle line where nobody would see. Little brat Eddie Willeman would come by and make snide remarks, and it always would end up in an argument over whose Grandma had the biggest, ugliest unders!! Well, when my own started looking too much like theirs, I knew it was time to get some weight off. And now everybody knows!

2008-08-20T18:07:00.003-04:00

We survived Fay just fine here in Winter Haven. But listening to WFTV in Orlando, it sounds like northeast of here has flooding problems. It's not just rainwater, but sewers have backed up into homes!! Eeeewwww and yuck! We didn't hear any reports of damage in Polk county, not even any power outages. So once again, we've dodged a bullet. I feel very fortunate.

2008-08-17T18:40:00.004-04:00

People in central FL are buying up gallons of water and watching reports on what this Fay will do. Lessons from Charley, Frances and Jean in 2004 - all within 6 weeks - have convinced me that being in the center of the state doesn't mean we're immune from hurricanes. Yes, they lose strength over land, but then they spawn tornadoes. Carson will be on the "ride-out" team at Disney if necessary. We're hoping it will fall apart over Cuba. Still, we're paying close attention to the latest updates.

2008-08-11T18:54:00.004-04:00

Today I found some clip art that will be used for signs on the trailer. Didn't know this sewing project would take on a life of its' own, but it has. Not really making any $$ just yet, but I believe that will change over the next several months. We have most of our supplies bought as far as equipment goes. Have a LOT of fabric on hand and even continue to buy when I find something that really catches my eye. Been doing fleece baby / kids blankets and those are going to be a hit. In fact, Carson sold 3 of them at work today, with an order for at least 1 more.

2008-08-09T12:04:00.003-04:00

My current project has been fringed fleece blankets / lap robes. The hardest part of that is laying out a design. What colors go together? Are the pieces the right size? Do I have enough of that particular fabric, etc. I'll be glad to get back to the aprons!

2008-08-09T12:01:00.001-04:00

2008-08-09T11:46:00.003-04:00

This is the view from my sewing machine. I'll work on this area during the winter, re-planting some decorative grasses and something for color. On the other side of the black fence, the "firecracker plants" are beginning to look decent. I first saw them at Cypress Gardens several years ago. There was an entire wall of them, in both the red and white, and I liked the way they hang. Had them in the front yard, near the street. But they grew a little taller than expected and became a hindrance to visibility. Won't be in anybody's way now.

2008-08-07T06:25:00.004-04:00

I started reading Ann Landers' column in my early teens, and found much wisdom and humor there. Although I quit reading it many years ago, two things from that column have stuck with me for 40+ years:

1. "We all have thoughts that would shame hell."
And here I thought I was the only one who'd had such thoughts and feelings! The website PostSecret proves that we're not alone.

2. "Will your life be better with or without (fill in the blank_______________) ? " Can be applied to people, possessions, relationships, and almost anything else.

2008-08-03T13:32:00.003-04:00

Yesterday I spent the entire day in the sewing room, finishing some placemats and trying to put binding on a baby blanket - which I found impossible. Maybe too tired, as that was my last project of the day. I'm nowhere near where I wanted to be by the end of the summer as far as inventory goes. Still, in better shape than last year when I took time off my day job to sew before the shows. Speaking of shows, I've sent payments in for all but 1 of this coming season's events. Only our local Carols in the Park to pay for yet. Last year that was very successful for me, and I'm hoping it will be again. The timing is good - 1st weekend in December, and it's held in the downtown park in Winter Haven Floriduh. It will be good to make some $ instead of paying!

2008-08-03T13:20:00.003-04:00

Purple has been Vinny's favorite color, so I tend to use it when possible. He's a "big boy" of 4 1/2 now, so maybe that's changed. I've not been able to get a kiss from him for some time now; said he's too big for kisses, but will give them again when he's 5. This is one Oma who will weasel one out of him over Labor Day, which will be our next visit! Miss them terribly since they've moved to a location that's 8 hours instead of the former 2-hour drive. I'm hoping for some beach time with him. As you can see, he thoroughly enjoys the sand, wind and water!

2008-07-28T06:14:00.003-04:00

My sister Deb and husband Bill are on the right, Carson & I on left. This was during their spring visit when we went to Sea World. It was a fun day. We bought a pass that's good till the end of the year, will hopefully get back once the heat breaks a little. We live in Floriduh for the insurance at Disney - period. It's too hot, too crowded, too much road rage. Yes, there's a lot to do, but all that comes at a price. And the winters are wonderful. Not sure where we'll end up at retirement, IF we can ever retire. For the time being, our health remains good and I can't imagine not working full time. Why, oh why, was I born so gorgeous instead of filthy rich?????

2008-07-26T06:46:00.003-04:00

This morning we'll go garage sailing. Seems we always find something that can be put to good use, especially for displaying the aprons & placemats. One of my recent finds was a 4-piece set of dishes that features a rooster in the center, trimmed around the edges in a softer shade of orange. Those will look good with a particular fabric that has rooster - now I just need to dig out that fabric and sew up some placemats and an apron or two. Our home at times feels a bit small for all the "stuff", but that will change once the craft shows start. Some organizing on my part will help, too.

2008-07-24T22:22:00.002-04:00

Today I received the application for a juried show, so they liked the pictures that I sent! This one is put on by the Historical Society, it's in Longwood and is well established with big crowds. Timing is good too, the weekend before Thanksgiving. By then I should be able to sew on the treadle and yes, it will go along for the 2-day event, as long as there's no rain in the forecast. I'm making more of my own bias tape. Takes longer, but I can use prints and match colors perfectly. It just makes for a better, more unique product.

A sample of my work

2008-07-23T19:18:00.004-04:00

Here's an idea of the aprons and placemats that I've sewn recently. The kids' half apron is pretty cute. The full adult is one of my favorite patterns - in fact, I've done so many of them in this style that it almost sews itself! The placemats; let's just say I couldn't quite imagine what I'd do with that white fabric with seashells. You see, a year or so ago I put out a call on Weight Watchers message board to see if anyone had fabric they wanted to get rid of. Over the years, I've bought and then discarded many pieces of fabric for one reason or another. Wondered how many other people did the same. I had terrific response to that question, and the center of the placemats was just one of several pieces that arrived by mail over a period of 3 or 4 weeks. My favorite quilt shop was having a sale, so I took that fabric along and Carson (hubby) found this gold-ish yellow that's a perfect match. These will be posted on Omasaprons.com in the next few weeks, and taken to craft shows beginning in October.

I usually buy 2 yards of any given fabric. That gives me enough to make a couple of aprons and perhaps placemats. Of course, some fabrics are better to work with. I know this will sound weird, but sometimes the fabric has to talk to me.... I look at it, wondering which style would look best, who might like the fabric, what color trim, etc. Sometimes it takes some mulling over, and then I'll pick it up and suddenly just know what to do with it, without any doubt at all.

At any rate, this is a really pretty set and I can't wait to see who buys it!

2008-07-23T19:15:00.001-04:00

A good friend will bail you out of jail. But a TRUE friend will be sitting beside you, saying "Man...that was fun!!"

2008-07-22T21:42:00.002-04:00

If your cat could talk, it would lie to you.

That's just the way cats are. I don't hate cats. In fact, I'm feeding 3 strays, and have named them Scaredy, 'Fraidy, and Itty Bitty. They wait at the front door in the morning, and after work they let me know they're hungry again. We received our HOA letter a couple of months ago and it said not to feed the strays, but by then they had already adopted me.

The girlie-girls

2008-07-20T21:19:00.005-04:00

No couch potatoes here! This is Bambi on the left, and Lady on the right, taken a couple of years ago right after they'd been to the salon - which makes them look shiny. They're litter-mates, born on Carson's 50th birthday. Lady came to us in July, 1999 and Bambi joined us in early September. They love to help in the kitchen, cleaning up any spills and letting us know when the timer goes off with wild barking and running from us to the oven. Don't know how we'd cook anything if it weren't for their skills!

2008-07-20T21:05:00.002-04:00

My first fabric purchase: it was 1960-something and the project for home-ec class was an a-line skirt. Went to The Charles Company, a local department store (long before China-Mart) that had a little bit of everything. In the basement, they had home furnishings, children's clothes, and a wonderfully large fabric department. I knew how to read the pattern to figure out how much to buy, and after some searching in various areas I found exactly what I wanted. The ladies working there seemed to act as if they didn't like my choice, but after all, it was MY choice! It was kind of an ivory color and had stripes. It was a heavy fabric, like denim. Well, when I showed Mom what I'd bought, she didn't just laugh, she cackled!! Was I really going to sew a skirt out of that?, she wanted to know. Yes, I liked it!! Turns out it was pillow ticking! Well, I ended up having her help me and chose a dark navy with a lime green narrow stripe. Made the skirt, a blazer, and slacks out of that fabric and wore it in various combinations many times! I'm no longer interested in sewing clothing. Love making the aprons, but my wardrobe now comes from sale racks and much of it from a favorite consignment shop where I get fantastic deals!!

2008-07-10T19:09:00.001-04:00

A couple of weeks ago I bought this treadle sewing machine. According to the serial number, it was made in 1924. It had a motor and light attached to it, but we'll get a belt for it and I'll see if I can still get that hand/foot/eye co-ordination going again. Mom had a treadle that sat in the basement for many years. It's what I learned to sew on.

2008-07-08T19:18:00.000-04:00

So what does Oma mean? I heard the term from a man who'd lived in South Africa for many years. When I told him I was going to be a Grandma, he folded his hands, sat back in the chair, and said "Ah, you're going to be an Ohma!" He explained that it was a respectful term used for an older woman, or a Grandma. I liked the way it sounded, and felt it would be easy for a little one to learn. So, I was referred to as Gramma Oma and sure enough, Oma it is! It sounds even sweeter coming from a little one.

The male version of it is Opa, but Grandpa didn't express any interest in the term. He was called Grampa, and when sounds and words came about, it came out as "Be-Baw". We're Oma & Be-Baw, and that's that!