Some "ME" Time!

I was a bit naughty today ... OK ... so tht's probably not TOO unusual for mel! :0) I'm in the midst of working on three magazine projects, all of which are at various stages of completion, but after I posted the first off today, I decided to take a little "ME" time ... sort of! :0)

You see, even though it was a project I was choosing to work on, it still isn't for ME. It's a belated birthday gift for my bestest-buddy-since-grade 4 Lynette. Her birthday was in November, but over the years, we've worked out a system where we don't buy or make each other something for our birthdays or Christmas just so we can hand something over on the right date - we're both grown ups (contrary to all evidence! Tee! Hee! Hee!) who would rather wait a little and receive something 'just right'. Plus, the agreement is we don't actually turn a year older until we received the last birthday gift, so the longer it takes, the longer we get to wait til we're 'officially' another year older! Tee! Hee! Hee! Hey ... it's OUR logic and it works for US! :0)

However ... I digress ... I know, THAT'S not too unusual for me either! :0) OK ... so ... Lynette is a really good cook and often whips up a batch of bikkies or a yummy slice for her three kids ... and sundry others who follow her home! :0) ... for afternoon tea when school's out for the day, so she put in an order for a "pretty-but-practical" apron. I cheated a bit and bought the plain apron then decorated it. Here's the result ...

I started off by appliqueing the two cute cupcakes ... appropriate for an apron, I thought! :0) Then I decided the cupcakes needed to be sitting on SOMETHING, rather than being in thin air, as it were, so I added a lace doily ... then dressed up the top of the apron and the top of the pockets with some pretty gingham print ribbon, some bright wooden buttons ... VOILA! A designer apron fit for a Super-Mum Chef! :0) Here's a closeer look at the cupcakes ...

Didn't they come up well!! One has lovely roses swirling around it, while the other looks like a chocolate cupcake with strawberry icing and a strawberry on top. I have to confess, I cheated here a bit too. These two gorgeous designs are from a very handy little book by a clever-clogs designer and my good blogging buddy Kerryanne English of Shabby Art Boutique. The booklet is "Shabby Doodles" and there are SOOOOO many fabulous sketches and designs in it that can be used for card making, decorative painting, applique and stitchery projects - limited only by your imagination! Check out Kerryanne's website for details about this ... oh ... but be careful! She has so many FABULOUS things on her website, including faux cupcakes and art for sale, that you're likely to get very sidetracked! :0) I think Lyentte will like her apron. I'm thinking of looking for a couple of tea towels to match and perhaps a pot mitt ... shall see what I can find to match.

I hope all OPAM Challenge gals are enjoying their stitching time and don't forget to pop in and visit some of the clever-clogs stitchers on the sidebar list to see what people are creating. Not only are you sure to be inspired, you might find you make some new blogging buddies and encourage some new bloggers along the way. Well, the weekend's here and after taking a day off to 'play' a little, it will be nose back to the grindstone for me tomorrow to meet my deadlines - good thing I love what I do! :0) Enjoy your weekend! Til next time ...

BEAR HUGS!

CHEERS!
KRIS