Little Bucket Buddies walk out of the Hodgepodge

The first purchases made at the Holiday Hodgepodge this year were our Little Bucky Buddies. My 2 favorite ones walked out with the first 2 customers!! I almost wanted to take them away, but I knew they were going to good homes. One was headed to a condo in the Keys! How can I complain about that?! We've done several custom orders since the Hodgepodge. That is the fun part --making something just for that certain person-- Adapting it to their colors or likes or age or need.

I "invented" the Little Bucket Buddy when my grandson was trying to carry around his dad's 5 gallon tool bucket with the tool apron. The entire thing probably weighed 3 times as much as this little tot. I designed my own tiny version of the tool apron put it on a 2 gallon bucket. Then I woke up in the wee hours of the morning one morning and knew what I was supposed to call this "invention" and how to market it. Eureka, "Little Bucket Buddy" was born--a beach bucket, a "diaper" bucket, a carry in the car bucket, a gardening bucket, a toy bucket, an all purpose bucket. We've made them from denim and from designer drapery fabrics! They have been shipped out of state for gifts. Each one is my new favorite (until I make the next one). I'm glad I don't have to choose!!!!

Are we doing this for every holiday?

We had such fun with the summer pillowcase dresses, but now the weather is turning cold. What is a little girl to do? How about pillowcase dresses or shirts with leggins or tights? Granddaughters are such good models! And they are such good advertisements plus the fact that they are appreciative and VERY CUTE!! Generally, they are happy to perform, but you can see that apparently, one little one is not happy about it at all. Perhaps the pay was not up to her expectations!! The Halloween PC Tops are cute, and we're on to Christmas!!

My Favorite Design

I did a HUGE job for our local Chik-fil-A's 50's Week. Lots of Poodle skirts, but they had cows instead of poodles. Complete with a pocket that said, "Eat more chicken." They asked if I could make poodle skirt aprons. I made, remade and cut and recut until I had the "perfect Poodle Skirt Apron." After I finished all the CFA stuff, I decided to take the apron to a new level. I put a poodle on an PSA (poodle skirt apron), and it looked very cute. However, my mess when I cook is always on the front, I need a bib front apron. So I went "retro" and made a funky bib for my PSA then added "retro Christmas" embroidery designs. It's become my favorite thing I've designed. I begged Bekah to model it for pictures. She agreed if I wouldn't get her face. Don't tell her I accidentally (he he) got her face in one of the pictures!

Since I wrote last, I've had to come up with yet another design for CFA who wanted all three of their Santa's helpers to have different aprons. I like the snowmen because it lengthens out how long you can use the apron. Some folks seem to think a Christmas apron is not very practical! But as one friend pointed out "Christmas comes every year!" So I now have Christmas ornaments in bright colors, a Christmas tree, and the snowmen.

Is this Child Labor?

I've made string backpacks for all the grandson's this year with their names on them. Now that Bryson is being potty trained, mommy has him carry his own extra clothes. He looks very proud of the fact that he carries his own "stuff"!! But my question is: Is this child labor?!!