jane's apron

midsummer

That midsummer panic hit me this week.  It's predictable at this point and something I'm sure every teacher experiences.  Yes, I still have a lot on my summer todo list but, when I really think about it, the little stuff sometimes adds up.  For one, I added hooks to the vintage sign on our back porch (the vintage hooks from my mother-in-law's house that I soaked in paint thinner then neglectedly let get really rusty; nothing a little clear sealer couldn't fix).  No one has poked their eye out (an irrational fear that my husband has about anything hanging at eye-level) and, even better, there's not as much junk on the kitchen floor.  

I've also done some random acts of painting (vingage stool, wooden accent table, front hallway and ceiling) and some sporadic crafting (including my own sewing "kits" so I'm ready to go when I have time).  I also want to get all of the cool artwork that my kids have made out of the drawers and into our living space.  But I've got the rest of the summer for that, right?

love hate pinterest

Pinterest.  It's a love/hate thing.  I have used Pinterest for reference (mostly for recipes) but the bulk of my activity is pinning stuff I forget 30 seconds later; never to be seen again.  

For some reason (my love of letters/graphics?) I remembered the idea about spray painting plastic letters because when these letters arrived at school in a box of hand-me-downs, I grabbed them.  And when I was spray painting a vintage stool and had some paint left, I painted the letters.  This was not as easy as it seemed but it turns out that the letters are pretty cute with their cohesive "seaside" color scheme.  But our refrigerator is not magnetic,  So why?  Why did I do this?  I'm not sure but know I will eventually find a use for them (as long as I don't need more than two Es).  

So ballpark it.  What percentage or fraction of Pinterest ideas do you put into play?  I'm going with an optimistic 10%.  Love.  Hate.  

summer picnic pork tenderloin

Sometimes I rename recipes so we all know what I'm talking about when asked "What are you making?".  We have "aunt missy chicken" and "party potatoes" and the recently renamed "summer picnic pork tenderloin".  It's marinated overnight, baked at a low 325, and served at room temp (or chilled).  

Summer Picnic Pork Tenderloin

2 - 3 pork tenderloins

1/2 cup whiskey (I use Jameson)

1/2 cup soy sauce

4 Tbsp brown sugar

Combine all ingredients and marinate in the frig overnight.  Bake at 325 for about 1 1/2 hours (until internal temp is 160).  Allow meat to cool to room temp (or chill) and cut into bite-sized cubes.  Serve with chilled dipping sauce.

Dipping Sauce (this makes a lot)

2/3 cup sour cream

2/3 cup mayo

1 Tbsp grated onion

1/2 tsp vinegar

 

We had this dish at our recent graduation party.  And that's my embroidered 1947 picnic tablecloth that has made a few appearances here before...something new to see everytime we use it.  

thrift store {one more time}

This is the last time I say "OMG my thrift store is back"...promise.  But it is so nice to get my thrifty groove back...like a long-lost friend.  This handmade patchwork potholder (and three others like it)?  Love.  The green and yellow potholder (a set)?  Color happiness.  

And just a few more goodies...

So, it's an established point that I won't belabor.  But am certainly happy to share.  

creator, producer, or both {a question}

I'm more of a straight-edges kind of girl.  But polka dots?  That's a different story...I love them.  I thrifted these dotty tumblers last week and they add instant happiness wherever I set them down.  

So...my question...

Yesterday I had the calling to cut and paste and turned that energy into two new train cases.  These are the last of my stash and that's OK with me.  I've been feeling the pull of a different crafty direction and clearing out the old makes room for new ideas...whatever that might be.  

I am a creator; my inspiration comes from things I have in front of me and I always start a project by gathering a pile of supplies.  Everything comes from that pile and the final design is always a surprise to me.  I love that process.

Occasionally, I am a producer.  I make 'more' versions of an original idea.  I don't love that process...at least not for very long.  This makes for bad business and disappointed friends (ack...so sorry...I haven't felt like making "insert item here"...guilty feeling).  

Are you a creator that sometimes becomes a producer?  Are you good at it or do you struggle?  Do you move on to the next thing without looking back or...not?  

pickers

Ellen and I spent a quick weekend visit in Davenport, Iowa...a short ride along the river from the home base of American Pickers (we stopped, it was cute, didn't see Mike).

I haven't watched the show very much but of course I can relate...driving a cute truck, hitting the best thrift stores and estate sales (my version of picking), and putting it all into a shop?  Dream job.  

american history

My thrift store change is for real.  The old manager is definitely back and that store is organized...skirts sorted by length and color (scored two for my teacher wardrobe).  

Even better, I added a new plate to my classroom collection.  American history at its prettiest.

better now

A nice stack of linens, a glossy red "e" for Ellen's room, and my new favorite panel-print apron.  I was wondering why I saw the old manager at my thrift store a couple of weeks ago.  Sarahtold me last week that the other Value Village near us recently closed.  

Hmmm...is it possible that my bad thrifting can be reversed?  I speculated that the manager at my store was throwing away anything made before 1970.  Is is possible that the old manager is back for good?  Do I have my old thrift store back?  Fingers crossed. 

thirty-one days {28}

Getting the nest back in order here.  Cleaning out drawers and closets that have had a little too much stuffed into them over the year.  The apron section got edited, folded, and restacked.  

thirty-one days {25}