Pull Up A Chair, Niblet

I've been thinking about the upcoming cooler seasons lately (and by lately, I mean a couple days ago). Besides trips to the mountains and our week long vacation, I look forward to baking.

Admittedly, Chris does most of the cooking. He always has. Not because I can't cook, because I can. I make a pretty mean lasagna and, while it's not the most difficult meal to prepare, I taught Chris everything he knows about getting the veggies just right in stir fry. I have a couple other specialties, but in general I can cook whatever I want. But he enjoys it too. He likes to experiment with all types of herbs and spices, while my culinary creativeness only goes so far as pure vanilla extract.

Which is one reason I love baking. I love vanilla. It makes everything better. In my opinion, of course. But getting back to my point. I'm looking forward to fall and winter because I'm starting to get the baking bug. And baking just feels right when the temperatures are cooler. Fresh, from scratch blueberry breads and pumpkin loaves. Pumpkin pecan pies (for Chris, not me), gingerbread men, peppermint candy cane cookies, almond sugar cookies... Mmmm.

Baking can get messy though. Flour tossed about here and there, egg shells, sticky spoons, butter dribbles. It's very dirty business, baking. And I don't have an apron. I've never really been a fan of them, but I made my MIL one for her birthday this year and then my SIL one right after that. And I loved both of them so I thought I should make one for myself, but put it off. For several reasons, including I've been poking around for another pattern that I liked, but I've also had several other projects that I've wanted to get to first.

I've been on quite a bit of a fabric kick lately too and have slobbered over this Laura Gunn fabric trying to come up with something I could use it for. I love it, but I haven't really been making things for myself and I really am starting to feel guilty about the heaping pile of cloth I've been squirreling away lately. Then I came across this giveaway on The Fabric Shopper recently and my notion for making an apron for myself was rekindled. I mean, how awesome is this?




I love those lantern pods and I think it looks perfect on that apron. And the style of the apron? The gathers in the bust and tie around the waist?! Love it!!

Of course when I think of getting in the kitchen for some seasonal baking I think about having my Niblet with me, enhancing my experience and doubling the mess on the counter tops. I remember when my brothers were smaller, seeing them dragging a chair up to the counter to help Momma cook made me smile. It'll be awesome to have my sweet one in the kitchen with me...my own little helper!

So naturally I had to find some rockin' fabric to make Arwen her very own Niblet sized apron. (K, I know, I know...I'll blame this purchase on you. hehe) Here's what I picked up from Matatabi. She has some really amazing Japanese fabrics; here are the two I got. What do you think?

(Photos courtesy of Matatabi)