Recently, I received an email from fiber friend and fellow farmer/ blogger, Michelle McMillen, inquiring as to the state of my heart; as in, is it beating?

The last post you put on Open Salon was all about what could have killed you in your life but didn't. Now you go and leave us wondering if something finally DID get you, because it's been four weeks!

Frankly, I had not considered this scenario.  I had not intended to write about my near-deaths and then disappear for an indiscriminate time period.  Yet, that is exactly what I did.  And yes, I admit to a slight perverted thrill upon this realization.  Heh.

In the spirit of “What I Did Over My Summer Vacation” school reports everywhere and at the risk of a posting 1,000 words of egocentricity, I submit the following:

What I Have Been Doing Since March 5, 2009

As some of you know, my husband, David, and I hosted an Open Salon meet-up centered around the lovely Joan Walsh’s Annual Scottsdale Spring Training visit.  Since our guests were due to arrive on the 19^th and 20^th of the month, and were all staying at my home, I had work to do.  In general (and in specifics for that matter), I am a bad housekeeper.  Although my home is warm and loving, it is also very messy, filled with dog hair tumbleweeds and extensive floordrobes (as the lovely Verbal Remedy describes them).

Pretend Farmer and Verbal Remedy 

I cleaned; I did laundry, a lot of thankless never-ending laundry.  I dusted the tops of things long neglected.  I worked and worked and worked.  But it was all worth it as I had a kick-ass somewhat-lost weekend with people who will be lifelong friends (at least, that's what they told me before filing their restraining orders).

After everyone left, I was, one might say, fatigued.  Weeks of harder than typical work followed by late nights, early mornings, and the consumption of massive amounts of food and spirits tend to do that to me.  I think I took a couple of days off.  And then I started to sew.

Now, when my children were younger, I sewed a lot of clothes, frilly, girly dresses for Jessica and Meagan, matching overalls in coordinating colors for the twins, simple dresses or skirts for myself, even an occasional short for David.  I never was what one might call an expert seamstress and hated, I mean hated, to do any mending work (story of my life, I’m great at creating, piss poor at maintaining).   I had a piece of crap sewing machine but managed okay.

Today, courtesy of my fashion school dropout stepdaughter who needed some fast cash, I have a very nice sewing machine.  Until about a month ago, it sat on the floor beside the desk in my bedroom virtually unused.

Then, one day toward the beginning of April, my almost 20 year-old daughter, Jessica, wore a sheath dress I had made ages ago when my body looked as good as hers does now.  I call it “my daisy dress” and, to this day, I still mourn not being able to wear it anymore. 

Jessica had just begun working at a new coffeehouse in North Scottsdale and the lady who manages it, upon learning that I had made the dress Jess was wearing, asked her if I could sew aprons for them.  Being a habitual “maker” of one thing or another, and needing the extra cash, I said yes and got down to business.  I was given carte blanche as to the design and envisioned something with a vintage flair, a June Cleaver-esque number that one could wear cooking dinner or mixing a martini, strand of pearls optional.

Jessica modeling first apron. 

After presenting the first apron, seen here modeled by my lovely ham of a daughter, the owners were pleased and suggested I sew enough to stock a created-new-for-me retail area in the shop.  I giggled and began questing for fun and fantastic fabrics.

Cowgirl Pinup Apron 

Searching the internet, I found this wonderful “Cowgirl Pinup” fabric and worked it into my next design.  Thrilled with the results, I ordered the material again, two yards with a pink background and two with cream.  I started having way too much fun fondling the cotton at JoAnne’s Fabrics and perusing the images on the PurlSoho website.  And, in the meantime, I sewed.  Then, being a bit of a ham myself, I posted the photos of my apron on my Facebook page .

"The Sandy" Prototype 

The orders began trickling in, enough to justify further fabric purchases.  I’m nothing if not a collector.  Sandra No Longer Miller aka Stephens ordered a saucy number (still in progress) which I named “The Sandy” to be customized just for her in the spirit of Midwestern kitchen curtains and repressed fifties housewives.  Another friend ordered a different vintage number with the entreaty to make it “bright and girly”.  Whether from a desire for simpler times or a yearn for something completely fun and frivolous, the vintage aprons have become a small hit and, for that, I am thrilled.

Another "Sandy" Prototype 

By the way, these are very good quality, painstakingly made aprons.  Each apron contains at least three and typically four different fabric choices.  Often, I awake in the night and slug into the sewing room/no-longer-dining room and start throwing assorted material on the table, exploring the way the fabrics complement one another, figuring out what trims to use, rickrack, bobbles, paillettes, sequins, anything I should add for ideal vavavavoom.  The bodice of each apron is fully lined and the ties and straps are all backed with coordinating fabric.  Each apron is a thing of beauty.  And yes, I am saying so myself.

Thus ends the tale of my absence.  Although Simone de Beauvoir is probably rolling in her grave over my domestic pursuits, I enjoy creating the aprons and love imagining them worn for years to come, sharing in the creation of delicious meals, eavesdropping on warm conversations, and providing the perfect attire for a role-playing romp.  I hope the interest in them continues; after all, I do have to continue justifying my massive and still-growing fabric collection. 

I also hope to get back to active posting here on Open Salon, a place that has provided me with dear friends, enlightened subjects, and wonderful writing.  I’ve missed you all.  Now, if you’ll please excuse me, I have some sewing to do.

Update: I am amending this post as I have already gotten a few requests for orders (hooray and thank you everyone!).  The aprons can be sewn in many colors, themes, and sizes and cost between $40 and $80.  If you are interested in ordering one, message me and we'll exchange email addresses to discuss color and design choices.  Since I am the only person in my wee business, I do have a waiting list so your patience is appreciated.  Thanks again.