Hungry Bears and Bear Hugs . . . . 

                                             . . . . . gifts for the kitchen!

With summer coming, life in the woodlands is filled with activity. The deer are eating the new sprouts, squirrels are zipping around the tree trunks, birds are chirping their lungs out, and the bears are coming out of their hibernation. It only seemed fitting to celebrate critters this spring with our new kitchen collection --- matching bear apron with bear oven mitts.

The Hungry Bear apron features a bear-faced yoke on Vanilla House's signature Four Corners apron style. The instructions show the interesting technique of attaching the yoke to the apron. The bottom half the bear face is appliqued on to the apron panel and the top half the face is a turned edge by the back-side fabric.

The Bear Hugs also feature the same bear face on a double-hand or single hand oven mitt. Again, interesting techniques are taught through the instructions to learn how to edge turn the top of the bear face yet raw edges on the lower part of the face that are finished with bias binding. 

Both projects make excellent kitchen gifts for the bear lover. We hope you  enjoy making these sweet projects with the step by step instructions, each step illustrated in complete detail.

See www.VanillaHouseDesigns.com for pattern ordering details. 

Five Great Projects in Klassy Kitchen

Our Klassy Kitchen pattern offers five projects that are such great gift ideas. Techniques shown in the pattern are well illustrated and easy to make. The apron shown below would work well for a hostess gift. The pocket adds tons of accent. The whole apron maybe takes an hour to make.

Handmade place mats, especially for wedding gifts, is always well received. You could add some glassware, silverware, or even some dishes to go with the placemats.

One of Vanilla House's favorite gifts is a mixing bowl, oven mitt, and a gift bag containing Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix. Who wouldn't want that?!

Gift Bag with Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix inside. Printable bag topper included.

Last but not least, coordinating an organizational accessory like the Pocket Hangers is always a big hit!

Coordinate your Klassy Kitchen -- spectacular in every way!

Cookies 'n Cream Apron is simply delicious!

Furthering our efforts to publish spin-offs of our famous apron, Four Corners, we have come up with another version of our signature 'square-on-point' apron series. Appropriately named 'Cookies 'n Cream', this version is simply delicious. Maybe the scalloped edges remind you of cookies and cakes covered with cream frosting. Or maybe the scalloped edges resemble lacy doilies under your favorite pastries! Whatever the connection, we are sure everything you make in this apron will taste delicious! 
Likes its original counterpart, the apron is lined with a coordinating print that matches the neckline flap, pocket flap, and neck and waistline straps. But different from Four Corners, the neck flap is is made semi-faux. The original Four Corner neckline flap folds over from the back. On Cookies 'n Cream, the flap is sewn on separately, and the neck straps are sewn into the seam. Made differently but looks the same. This apron is so easy to make and looks good on every figure. 

Cookies 'n Cream apron

The Four Corners Apron Series

I think I have posted the Four Corners apron series before but since the series

is growing all the time, so here we go again:

The Original 'Four Corners' apron.

Kid's Four Corners

Delicious Four Corners

His Apron!

Three by Three

Not Just for Christmas!

Boho Four Corners

Cookies n' Cream

It's Time! For Quilt Market!

Okay everyone! It's time for Quilt Market! Booth 1232! Are we ReaDy? -- I don't think you are ever completely ready but I feel unusually unworried this time! It is about our 25th Quilt Market so we should have this down. Of course, on our 24th Quilt Market, I didn't get copies of our order form. You would think after 23 Markets, I wouldn't forget something like that on the 24th Market. So wonder what I am forgetting this time!!?
Anyway, you haven't heard from me much lately because ---- pre-show, for weeks, I concentrate completely on the patterns. But here are a few of the new releases (more later) ---- TA DA:

"Boho 4 Corners" ----- P216.

A Bohemian version of Vanilla House's signature Four Corners Apron. Scooped neckline, big pockets, lined, one size fits all!

"Ergo Mitt! oven mitt!" ---- P217

Weird-shaped oven mitt ergonomically designed to fit your hand so your thumb does not dip into that hot dish! Two sizes included! Right and left option! Loop or no loop!!!!

"Zip Folios" ---- P219

Sophisticated zipper pouch for your important office papers. Lined, inner pockets. Size 13" x 15". Three appliques included and nine more appliques available to download with the address found inside the pattern.


Okay, all for now. I will add the other three patterns tomorrow! And eventually post all the pics of fabric options! There's tons to come!

Vintage Apron Ensemble

These half aprons, made from lawn, are some of my favorite aprons ever. I like the way they went together, especially Flower Garden. I actually don't wear them, but simply glad I own them. These three samples are the only ones I ever made and still have them (didn't give them away like other samples) - treasures for sure! I really should make some more!

Vintage Apron Ensemble - P134

Garden Flowers - my favorite!

Pretty in Pink (has hidden pockets in the center panel).

Roses and Old Lace

This is an awesome apron we designed sometime ago but still really love. It has a curvy, sweet element with a princess neckline but super, super easy to make. Great pocket on a second skirt layer! 

P149 Sweet Temptations! apron

Delicious Four Corners - great version of the original Four Corners!

I Love the Four Corners Apron - it really is the pattern we are most famous for! Delicious Four Corners (P143) is also very popular! Made from jelly rolls - it is really fun to make!

Four Corners available as an Epattern!

We now have 12 patterns available online as Epatterns. 'Four Corners' is one of our more popular patterns that is on the website!

One of my favorite models!

This model was one of my favorites. She is a very quiet, peaceful child  - who would pose and be perfectly still. 

She is wearing pattern P191 - Flower Power!  The little girls loved this apron  -- especially to twirl and see the skirt  petals fly out!