The End Is Nigh!!

No, no!! I haven't become one of those "Doom and Gloom" merchants ... I'm pretty sure the world will keep turning ... at least for a bit longer, I hope, cos I still have an AWFULLY long "To Do" list, never mind my "Bucket List"! Tee! Hee! Hee! Nope, the 'end' that I was thinking of ... well ... there are TWO really ... was the end of the WEEK and the end of the MONTH ... today is BOTH! How's that for economy ... two for the price of one! :0)

So, being Friday, it was my regularly scheduled day off and for the first time in MONTHS I actually got to stay home and play in my sewing room - YAY!! :0) As a result, I have been able to add a couple of finishes to my OPAM list in my sidebar - YAY!! The first finish (which is actually my second finish for the month really!!) was my apron that I showed you the 'before' photo of last time. Here's what I came up with ...

Ta! Da! Some red and black loveliness to keep my clothes clean when I'm cooking ... I have a very bad habit of wiping my hands on my belly or my butt ... probably cos they stick out the most! Tee! Hee! Hee! I took the original pocket off the apron ... and BOY! was it attached securely ... very unlike most bought items!!! :0) I used it as a template to cut a red Eiffel Tower pocket, then used it as the lining for the pocket to give it a bit of strength. Add a blanket-stitched applique fleur de lise and a splash of vivid red writing proclaiming "Vive la France!" and I now have a designer apron. Hmmm ... in more ways than one, since I'm a designer and now have an apron! :0) Here's a close up of the writing and fleur de lise ...

I love how it's come up and I even managed to position one of the Eiffel Towers in the centre of my fleur de lise. Now I just have to make it to the kitchen to cook and try it out! :0)

The second finish today ... third for the month ... was a denim bag that I have been meaning to get around to making for some time. In fact ... I made a bag like this for Mum around this time last year and have had the denim and trim fabric earmarked for another ever since ... today was the day! :0)

It was a bit tricky trying to get a good photo of it, as it is a decent size, so kept sagging in various spots ... bit like me, really! Tee! Hee! Hee! There's a reinforced pocket on the front for keys or tissues ... you know ... those things you often need to get to in a hurry. And on the inside ...

... another pocket with a divider in it. A perfect size for sunnies or mobile phone. Can I just say ... I was reminded why I DON'T work with denim very often!! PHEW! It was hard work to manoeuvre the heavy fabric, especially the reinforced straps. Last year, Toni made a whole quilt out of recycled denim ... I loved the quilt, but have to say ... I will NOT be making one anytime soon! :0)

So ... that was my productive end-of-the-week day at home ... oh, along with several loads of washing and the usual household type chores. I'll now add these to my OPAM list ... and OPAM gals, if you haven't already, don't forget to update YOUR finishes on your sidebar list for September so that if you don't get around to emailing me or Sweet Peg, we will still be able to quickly see how many projects you've completed this month. Oh ... and did any of you notice that the OPAM button on our sidebars has had the total number of finishes updated again?? The number of finishes should now be BLACK ... if not ... you'll never know where we're up to! :0)

Just a little reminder, too ... if any of your lovely OPAM gals have made changes to your blog name or email address, please let Peg or I know so we can update our spreadsheet. I found one by accident yesterday and the lovely gal has now updated me, so we're up to date there. :0) Also ... If you've had a spring clean of your blog and changed the backgrounds etc ... please be sure to pop both the OPAM logo button and your list of month by month finishes back on ... last month I came across a few blogs on our list that didn't have the button or had lost their list of finishes ... these things just help Peg and I as we do our blog hopping.

OK ... well ... that's it from me for today and I think I've worked hard enough today to deserve a cup of tea before I think about cooking dinner. :0) I hope you've all had a wonderful and productive week and that your weekend includes some time for you to sit back, put your feet up and relax with some stitching or a pretty craft magazine ... or two ... or three! Tee! Hee! Hee! Til next time ...

BEAR HUGS!

CHEERS!
KRIS