Jelly Roll Jam Quilt/New Aprons

The Fat Quarter Shop posted a great

Jelly Roll Jam Quilt,

complete pattern and tutorial. 

I love the Fat Quarter Shop.

This is a super simple quilt, and it just so happened I had a couple of Jelly Rolls just waiting to be used. 

I've actually had them for over a year, (maybe longer) stashed in my craft room.

Don't know what a Jelly Roll is....

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE MODA WEB SITE

This pattern literally just takes just a couple of hours to make this quilt, start to finish. 

I made two of them. 

The quilts are lap size, measuring about 36x36. 

This was made from a Moda Jelly Roll, Coming Home by Deb Strain. 

I used the new Moda, Wool and Needle Flannel, by Primitive Gatherings, in black, for the backing.

The second one

is also made from a Moda Jelly Roll, Together by Brannock and Patek. 

I used the same Flannel backing as the other quilt, only in red. 

I cannot say enough good things about Moda brand fabric, 

and several other of my favorite makers. 

Yes, I have to admit it...

I'm a fabric SNOB!'

OK- I said it! 

I can't, and won't, settle for the cheaper fabric store brands. 

It's the feel, the texture, and the quality, and  that's what I choose to pay for. 

I always stick to the higher end manufactures and designers. 

Which brings me to the point of selling them.

I can't. Why?

Because I'm not so sure I could even cover my material costs in each quilt. 

Each quilt has about $50.00 of material involved. 

Which, does not include my time or thread. 

Each Jelly Roll runs about $40.00, I used half of a Roll in each quilt. 

The Flannel for the backing was $11.99 per yard, I used one yard in each quilt. 

The batting was $17.99 per bag, I used 1 bag, minus 2 feet,  for each quilt. 

So really, unless you have a fair knowledge about the fabric costs of the materials used, 

would you really be willing to pay $50.00 per quilt, or more?

I'm working on some new Aprons....

Here's a sneak peek at the fabrics I'll be using...

Another great manufacture, Robert Kaufman, designed by 

Mary Lake Thompson. 

I'm making more of the smock style aprons, and will be selling them for $34.95 each. 

They will be this style

I'm currently out of the chicken print, but if you're interested in these fabrics for an Apron, 

I'm pretty sure I can get more.

If you, or anyone you know, may be interested in purchasing an Apron, please contact me directly, before I list them in my Etsy Store. 

Which has been sorely neglected these past several months. 

Boo...:(

Have a lovely day. 

The Girasole Lady

'National Tie One On Day'

This year I am participating in 'National Tie One On Day'.

November 21, 2012

Here is a brief description...
(copied from the Apron Memories website)

National TIE ONE ON DAY™ is the opportunity to put the “give” in Thanksgiving by sharing our good fortune with someone in need of a thoughtful gesture. Annually recognized by Chase’s Calendar of Events and celebrated the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Nov 21st this year.

“Women clad in aprons have traditionally prepared the Thanksgiving meal, and it is within our historical linkage to share our bounty.” EllynAnne Geisel

Participation in National Tie One on Day™ is simple. Wrap a loaf of bread or other homemade treat in an apron and tuck in a sweet note. Then tie one on…an apron, of course! and deliver the wrapped bundle to someone…a neighbor, friend or charity…without your bounty and in need of physical or spiritual sustenance, a bit of recognition or just a kind word.

National Tie One On Day™ is a win-win, for the participant and the receiver. And by embracing NTOOD, you will make someone else’s day brighter.

You can read more about it HERE

The Girasole Lady

New Aprons

I never got around to making those pumpkins this weekend, life just got a little too busy.
I'll have to wait until later this week for that project.
Yes, sometimes I actually have responsibilities to take care of.
i know hard to believe, isn't it?

I did get the pictures of the full size aprons I made...

It's a smock style

with ties on each side

and big double pockets. 

For me, having the ties on each side is more comfortable than a tie at the back of my neck. My hair, often times, gets caught in the ties and pulls. (I have long hair, but I always wear it clipped up)

Too, with the ties on the side, it allows for more variation in size fit. 

French Post design on Michael Miller fabric. 

The ladder used to display the aprons is from the ranch Caveman grew up on (just down the road from our home),

it was used for picking olives. 

Mary Lake Thompson design, Down On The Farm, on Robert Kaufman fabric. 

The back is Chicken Fence print, matching the front pocket.

 This cute apron fabric, Chinese Take Out,  is a design by Sheri McCulley Studio (Sheri Berry Designs)

I'll be putting my new aprons in my Etsy store a little later today.

In the meantime - I'd best be getting to those darned responsibilities. 

The Girasole Lady

Vintage Table Cloth Turned Vintage Apron

This apron is created from a vintage table cloth I purchased at a second hand shop, and is 100% cotton. The ric-rac and trim are original to the vintage cloth. The complimentary fabric features nostalgic kitchen wares from Summer's past, and is also 100% cotton. 

Due to the age of the fabric there may be very slight irregularities, but only enough to add real charm and character to the perfect vintage apron. A truly unique apron that will transport you back in time to a slower, more simple way of life. 

Available at my Etsy Shop

The Girasole Lady

 Today is the first official day of Summer

and Summer Solstice. 

June is my first favorite month of the year, the second is November. 

The Girasole Lady

The Girasole Lady- A Shop For Aprons

Since my last post I have neither painted nor sewed, like I said I was going to do. Instead, I have spent the better part of the past three days setting up my Etsy Shop for my aprons. After talking about it for over a year or more, I finally decided to really go ahead and plunge in as a Seller.

It would not be fair to say I have worked entirely by myself on this endeavor, I really have to thank my daughter, Tonya, for her awesome help, not only in photography and editing skills on the amazing pictures of the aprons, but for her honest input through out the entire process. Today, for the most part, we worked at her house doing the photo's, uploading them to my shop, creating descriptions of each item, adding tags, shipping info, and ordering policies. Like anything else of value, it took time, way more time and effort than I had anticipated. A learning experience for sure.

Overall, I am happy with the end result, for the moment. I know along the way I will change and revise lots of things about my store, especially as I learn and become more experienced. Right now I am a novice at this  rewarding journey.

With that being said, I would like to kindly ask a favor of my family and friends....please click on the link and  visit my shop... Let me know if you like it or even if you don't, if there is something I should add, if the apron descriptions are clear enough to understand, if the pictures give a good impression of the apron itself, are the prices reasonable, any thought shared is appreciated, good or bad. I need to grow in this experience, and what better place to start than with family and friends. All I'm asking in return is a honest opinion.

CLICK HERE

It's really hard for me to ask..... please share my new shop with your friends and family, or anyone you know who loves aprons. If you know me well enough, you'll understand how hard it was for me to ask for your support, and it will be appreciated more than I could ever express. 

Thank You.

The Girasole Lady

Random

RANDOM- it's what I'm feeling right now.
Apparently I'm not able to focus on just one thing.
I love blogging, and I love reading other blogs. It's inspiring, interesting, and fun.
Several of the blogs I follow focus on particular things, like farming, gardening, quilting, sewing, photography, decorating, painting, and.... I think you get the picture.
Me... I'm all over the place. In the beginning Girasole Farm was meant to focus on farming, particularly Community Supported Agriculture. I soon realized I couldn't just put that out as the only thing I do, because... well, it just wouldn't be me. Sure, it's a big part of my life, but certainly not all.
I love farming and gardening, but I also love about a gazillion other things.

 2011 SUMMER VEGGIE GARDEN

 For a LONG time I have been reading about Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, I first heard about this paint at Miss Mustard Seed blog. When I went to Roses and Rust Vintage Fair last month, I happened upon a booth actually demonstrating the paint. I was so excited! I was even more excited to learn that a wonderful gal, Melony, carried the Chalk Paint in her booth, Well Worn, located in Chico at 8th & Main Antiques.              

Yes indeed, I hurried myself right on over there to get the paint and wax. I have the perfect dresser for this paint. I can hardly wait to get started.

I'm also planning on using some to make a Farmer's Market sign. This project idea comes from 

Donna at Funky Junk Interiors. 

She also has a great tutorial on making "Old" Signs

and How To Build Your Own Barnwood Shutters

I'm ready...

I made a Journal this week...

I'm a Stampin UP!  Demonstrator. I'm fairly new at stamping and paper crafting. I hosted my first Stampin UP! workshop last November, and have been hooked ever since. If you're interested and/or would like to learn more about Stampin UP!  please feel free to contact me. It's really fun and I'd be happy to share.

 Then there's two horses and a horse barn. 

Riding Arena (not too much of that going on these days)

The Eucalyptus trees were not intentionally planted here by the arena, they just volunteered. 

They even picked a perfect spot! 

The Egg Basket is filling in nicely. 

Succulents are interesting...   

The orchard is coming along too.

I fertilized all the trees right before the last rain. 

  PEARS

NECTARINES

PLUMS

MEYER LEMONS

    POMEGRANATES

ORANGES

There will be Apples and Cherries too. 

The Tomatoes are getting ready in the Green House to be put into the Summer garden. 

                   This is where we plant the Summer garden. 

The sun is setting, which means it's time to head on out to the barn and feed the horses. 

              

Who knows what random things will happen this week.

1. Sign?

2. Apron?

The Girasole Lady

p.s. I almost forgot.... I've been searching for a full size apron pattern that I like and is functional, but have been unsuccessful. 

At 4 o'clock this morning, I wasn't able to sleep, but came up with a great idea in my head. Jumped out of bed at 5AM to sketch it out in paper. I'm going to try my hardest to get going on that this week as well. 

Random.....

Downtown Aprons

The past few days I have been busy sewing Aprons.
These Aprons were sewn and sent to a dear friend in Georgia:

VEGGIE BISTRO

The veggie print fabric in this Apron is designed by Mary Lake Thompson.

It is called "Kiss The Cook".

 FRUIT BISTRO

I can never guarantee exact alike Aprons, because I do not buy my fabric in bulk. There are limits on what I have available, therefore each Apron has its' own unique look.

I am very excited to have some of my Aprons displayed and for sale at a local home town store.......

Mary Lake Thompson

1870 Montgomery Street

Oroville CA 95965

These are some of the Aprons that will be in Mary's store:

 The above Apron, except for the ruffle, is made from fabric designed by Mary.

I love the kitchen utensils.

This entire Apron is made with fabric designed by Mary.

The veggie print and adorable canned farm goods.

Mary sells this fabric in her store as well.

These Aprons are also in her store:

Apples

 Coffee & Tea

 Tea Pots & Farm

The cost for each Apron $26.95

I really love our small downtown. I try to shop and support the local business.

 I am certainly happy to see Mary carrying some nice quality fabrics. Mary's fabric designs are manufactured by Robert Kaufman Fabrics. Please have yourself a visit to her store. Mary has wonderful, charming items for you and your home. I promise you won't be disappointed :)

Once we had a wonderful fabric store downtown in an old house on Montgomery Street, "Something To Crow About". Does anyone local remember the store? It was so very nice, and I was a frequent shopper.

If I could afford it I would open a fabric store downtown.

Maybe for another time....

If you are interested in purchasing an Apron you may contact me

girasolefarm@hotmail.com

The Girasole Lady

Apron Box & Tags

I completed a display box and Apron tags today.
The box is a wooden wine crate that I covered with scrapbook paper from Stampin-Up.

FRONT

the top edges are out lined with green ribbon

 SIDES

 BACK

I will line the wood box with a wonderful smelling drawer liner.

This tag will be pinned to the Aprons

front of tag

back of tag



The Girasole Lady