.reversible aprons.

I have found my new favorite thing to sew/make! Reversible aprons. I made myself a Christmas apron and love how it is basically two aprons in one.

See?

There are two ways to tie them...

...and the fabrics coordinate. As soon as I slip this apron over my head, I immediately want to whip up a couple dozen cupcakes and a few loafs of freshly-baked banana bread!

I can't wait to wear this apron while I make pecan pies for Thanksgiving this year. Of course, I'll have to make myself an apron out of Fall fabrics and save my Christmas one for the Winter!

It's not like I'm looking for an excuse to make another one or anything...

I would love to make a customized reversible apron just for you! They also make great Christmas gifts if you know any ladies that like to bake. Email me at shabby.threads@gmail.com to place an order (or two).

They are $30 if you purchase the fabric. Otherwise, they are $30 + the cost of fabric. You can choose exactly what you want or trust me with the choice. It's up to you!

Here's wishing everyone a blessed holiday season.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Linked to: Link Party @ Tools are for Women too

.2010 cma recap.

This year I made it a point to sit on the couch with the hubs and watch the whole CMA show. It held my attention the whole time, and I loved almost everyone that performed. I was especially happy for Blake Shelton's win of male vocalist of the year. He was up against some stiff competition, so I can only imagine how elated he was when they announced his name. I thought he and Miranda Lambert were so sweet the whole night, so supportive of each other and I loved the "crazy" thing he mouthed into the camera after Miranda performed. They just seem like a "real" couple that I wouldn't mind hanging out with!

I was glad I got to see a glimpse of Band Perry performing their song live. It made me realize how ethereal the lead singer's voice is and how much I really like the song "If I Die Young."

Oh, and the hosting job... A+ in my book! I love Brad Paisley (such a talented song writer and he seems so FUNNY!) and Carrie Underwood. (She's like a life-size Barbie with perfect legs and impeccable taste in dresses. I love that she's so in love with her hubby of 4 months that she glows when she sings "Mama's Song.")


I have to give some recognition and LOVE to Jennifer Nettle's short little pixie hair cut. She is always pretty and such a fun performer, but with this new 'do, she's even CUTER and SASSIER!


I was pretty much swept away by Taylor's performance of "Back to December." It is one of those songs that I loved the first time I heard it. I have a lot of respect for singers that also write their own songs. I don't think there's anyone that could deny Taylor's song-writing ability. She has that ear for radio-friendly, sing-along melodies.

I was really excited to hear Gwyneth Paltrow make her country debut. I didn't even know she could sing, so I couldn't wait to hear her voice. I have to say I LOVED her voice, her swagger standing on the big stage with that acoustic guitar. However, I didn't particularly like the song she sang. I know it's from a movie, but it just didn't seem authentic coming out of her lips. She's so glamorous and grew up with a celebrity mom, so to hear her sing about being "Country Strong" seemed like a big farce. Did anyone else think they saw Miranda Lambert sort-of roll her eyes as she clapped for Gwyneth or was that just me?

I enjoyed Jason Aldean's duet with Kelly Clarkson. I think their voices blend well, and the song had great drums and guitar.

I was happy that Lady Antebellum's song "Need You Now" won for single of the year.

Oh, and I almost forgot... When Zac Brown Band performed with Alan Jackson I was all giddy and excited. I love their new song...and I'll admit...I have an odd, unexplainable crush on the lead singer of ZBB...I like his hats and his voice...and beard...

I miss seeing Faith Hill at these award shows. It's time for a Faith comeback!

Country musicians I'm over: Reba, George Strait, Kid Rock, Little Big Town and...drum roll...Rascal Flatts.

If you watched the show, I'd like to hear what you agree and disagree with. Those are just my humble opinions!

I love country music!

.a shabby threads GIVEAWAY!.

In honor of reaching 100 fans on my facebook page for .shabby threads. I have decided to host a very exciting giveaway!

I am giving away a Christmas pillowcase dress in the size of the winner's choice!

The fabric for the winner's dress will be picked by me, but don't worry...I promise it will be too cute for words!



All you have to do to enter this giveaway is go to: shabby threads on facebook and leave a comment on Tuesday's post about the giveaway.

A winner will be chosen a week from today, on November 9th, using a random number generator.

Comments on my facebook page's status from Tuesday, November 2nd are the only ones that will be counted. Commenting on this blog post does not qualify for an entry. :-)

Pass the word along about this exciting giveaway, and a big THANK YOU to everyone for your support!

.cb2 love.

So I finally got on top of my game and ordered a cb2 catalog. It came today, and I fell in love! A few years ago, I remember my style was so "country," and I abhorred anything streamlined and contemporary. Something has definitely changed since then because now I wish I could decorate my whole house that way! I've been crazy about the colors gray, mustard, and orange lately. Those colors are running rampant in the newest cb2 catalog! Here are a few of my favies. If only I had the funds to re-decorate my whole house and make it ultra-mod!

grellow lamp

hatfield rocker

gray & mustard bathroom

orange sectional

theo bed linens

.a country fall day.

Today was a great day! Lots of time spent outdoors in the beautiful Fall weather, lots of time out in the country and on a farm, and lots of firsts for this girl!

My friend Loren and I had a grand ol' time at the local pumpkin patch.

I'm loving the miniature white ones!

We conquered the corn maze. It only took us 13 minutes! And it was 13 minutes of pure silliness and lots of laughter. :-)

We had lunch at a small town burger joint that looks like this on the inside, and that's why we love it. :-)



After lunch we ended up at Loren's farm where I got to ride a 4-wheeler for the first time in my life! I probably busted Loren's ear drums with all my nervous laughter and screams, but it didn't take me long to realize I LOVE riding on the back of a 4-wheeler and I can't wait to do it again!

Another first: feeding cows...and touching one!

Loren grew up a farm girl. I was one for a day. :-)

I hope this is just one Fall adventure out of many more to come!

.perks of the job.

I absolutely LOVE my job as assistant editor of our local family magazine, Peekaboo. One of the many perks of this job is the fact that each year we help sponser an event hosted by our local library called "Conversations with..." which brings a different novelist each year to our convention center for a private reception with sponsers and special guests. Since we sponser, we get tickets and autographed copies of the featured author's latest novel. At these private receptions, we get a chance to converse with these amazing writers and ask questions about their craft.

Last year I rubbed elbows with James Patterson.

This year I conversed with Carol Higgins Clark.

I was hoping next year might hold the possibility of a certain novelist named Nicholas Sparks (who just happens to be my favorite)... As I shared this wish with Kim, the editor of Peekaboo, she informed that Nicholas came in 2008... the year before I came on board...

But then I remembered... Oh yeah! That was the year I got to meet Mr. Sparks himself at our local Sam's Club. He signed my book and exchanged a few words with me before I quickly snapped a pic with him. No, pictures were not allowed at this signing, and I'm not usually one to break the rules, but I was NOT going to miss out on an opportunity to get a picture with my favie.

Nicholas and I chillin' back in 2008

.boo.

Been sewing lately.

I'm sensing a trend here...