Hanky Dresses with Aprons

These Hanky Dresses; all with aprons, are a specialty style that was born out of necessity.  You know the old adage, "Necessity is the mother of invention." Well that was exactly the case with each one of the dresses pictured below. 

The aqua dress on the right was the first dress I ever made that I put an apron on. I had this charming Southern lady hanky; but there was a problem. Most of the hanky was badly damaged with rips and holes. This one corner was in great shape and I was mulling over what I could do with it when that magic light bulb came on. "Use it to make an apron!" 

Both of these aprons are made from damaged hankies, as well. The apron on the Christmas dress serves a dual purpose. The bib of the apron conceals a less than desirable bodice design on the dress.

Both of the above dresses were created at the request of my clients from undamaged hankies. The lavender one is very special because it was created from her grandmother's hankies. The pink dress was created using two of another client's childhood hankies. You can find the complete story on that one here - N is for Nancy.

This St. Patrick's Day Dress is another of my early apron creations. I had this wonderful but badly damaged Irish linen hanky. Zoom in so you can see the sweet little shamrocks in the lace. Is that special or what? These aprons can be very tedious to make because the seams are so small and they must be made to fit the dress exactly.

One Duck - Four Easter Hanky Bouquets

Looking for last minute Easter decorations? Well I am. Here is how I am going to spruce up my bathroom a little for my Easter guests.

I have this sweet vintage duck vase which just happens to be the exact same age I am. I know this because I found it many years ago at a yard sale and the man that sold it to me said it was given to his mother as a gift by a friend when he was born....and he told me when that was....however, I am not going to tell you, hee! hee! hee!, that's my secret.

So which hanky do you think I should use in my little duck for Easter? 

Duck #1 has a lovely purple and yellow hanky.

Duck #2 has a vivid spring flowers hanky.

Duck #3 has a hanky with more pastel colored spring flowers.

Duck #4 is all yellow and so adorable!

The duck hanky bouquet is actually setting in front of a house plant in my bathroom...he just looked pretty there. So which one do you like best? Please leave a comment below and let me know. 

Wishing you all a blessed Easter with your family and friends.

Which is Your Favorite St. Patrick's Day Hanky Dress?

I've put together a collection of some of my green Hanky Dresses for St. Patrick's Day. I have described each one's special features here. Remember to click on the photo so you can get a closer look at the details described. Once you're done looking; please hop on over to my Facebook Page and vote for your favorite.

The Hanky Dress Lady on Facebook

This first Hanky Dress was made from a lovely green linen hanky with a hand crocheted edging. The button at the waist is actually a four-leaf clover with a rhinestone center.

This second dress is the perfect contrasting companion to the first dress. It is made from a white linen hanky with a lovely green and white crocheted edge. The sweet little green buttons are a classic vintage style.

This vintage hanky was a rare find and I just love the Celtic look this Hanky Dress has. I think it could also be interpreted as Art Deco.

This Hanky Dress is simple yet very special. The design is created with white French knots worked on a green linen hanky. The button is a lovely carved mother of pearl.

This Hanky Dress is a bright kelly green cotton with a white floral design which is machine overstitched. The buttons are small vintage imitation pearl; and, I added some tiny vintage rick rack at the waist.

One of my oldest and personal favorites is this sweet little Hanky Dress. It is smaller than the others at only nine inches. The apron was created from a damaged Irish linen hanky. What makes it so special are the four-leaf clovers incorporated into the design of the lace.

Crocheted Stones

Today I want to share with you the work of a very talented artist and relatively new friend of mine who just happens to live in my neighborhood. We met a couple of year's ago when I was watering the flowers around my steel magnolias and she came walking by early one morning with her sweet dog, Sage.

Marti is a multi faceted crafter and artist who excels in many areas. She sews, quilts, crochets, knits, is a woodworker, paints....and wants to try everything else. 

Have you all seen crocheted stones? Well, I have been admiring them for quite some time. Sadly, I am not skilled at crocheting....but Marti is!!! So I asked if she had ever seen crocheted stones and suggested she give it a try. 

Here is the result. Aren't they just wonderful! 

They make great desktop paper weights, look pretty on a dressing table, or can be used as a coffee table conversation piece.

She creates a free form of crochet designed to cover the entire stone; therefore, it is decorated on all sides. 

I have tried to get photos from several angles for you.

By the way - this conversation all got started because we found out that we were also both long-time rock hounds. We love rocks!

Wait until you see Marti's paintings! She paints these marvelous scenes and word signs on weathered wood. I hope to share some of those with you sometime soon. She is also new to Etsy and and you can find her there as the Resourceful Crafter.