The more I look at the shelf behind my desk at all the totes sitting on it the more I shake my head. If we ever moved and I had to move those totes would there be anywhere for the stuff in them to go? Most likely not. It’s time to start purging and that even means some of the decorations we’ve collected over the years.
As I was getting ready to pick out a tote to go through I begin to think about all the cup towels I’ve collected over the years. You know the ones! The Christmas cup towels, the fall cup towels, and all the other holiday ones I bring out to decorate our home throughout the year.
But then the holidays pass, and what happens? I fold them up, tuck them away in a tote, and put them where they won’t be seen again until next year. And sometimes, even during Christmas, I have so many pretty cup towels that some of them never even make it out of the tote!
One day, David told me I should start collecting aprons. Now, that got me thinking. Why go out and collect aprons when I might be able to make some cute ones myself using the cup towels I already have? Then reality set in. I CAN’T SEW! Nor, do I want to learn to sew although I kinda can thanks to my Grandma Dorie and if she was here she could have helped me make aprons and I think thats why I don’t want to get started because I don’t have anyone to help me if I get stuck.
. Can you imagine me taking one of my favorite cup towels, cutting it up, and making a mess of the whole thing? I’d be crying over a perfectly good cup towel before I ever got started! Oh, my goodness that isn’t going to work. So I thought, why not practice first? And what better place to start than with paper towels?
That’s right, folks. This morning, we’re making paper aprons in our home instead of paper dolls! I can just see my grandma Dorie standing behind me, laughing out loud and asking, “Glenda, what in the world are you doing now?” And you know what? I can almost hear her laughing already! But they she would say move over Buttercup and lets get this done.
That the fun of it. We don’t have to be expert crafters. We don’t have to own a sewing machine or spend a fortune at the craft store. Sometimes, all we need is a little imagination, a few supplies we already have at home, and a willingness to laugh at ourselves which I dod more times than not. Do you laugh at yourself as well?
We’ll start with paper towels, scissors, markers or crayons, and some ribbon, yarn, or string. We’ll shape our paper into little aprons, decorate them with fall colors, pumpkins, leaves, or whatever our imaginations come up with, and see what we can create.
And if our first apron doesn’t turn out quite the way we imagined? Well, it’s only paper! We can try again before we ever touch those precious cup towels. This is a simple, inexpensive activity to enjoy with the kids. They can decorate their own aprons, pretend they’re helping in the kitchen, or put on a little fall cooking show. Who knows? We might even discover a new family tradition along the way.
And here’s another thing I love about this idea: it gives us an opportunity to put down the electronics for a little while and actually make something together. We can talk, laugh, create, and enjoy being a family. It doesn’t have to be perfect to be fun. And it certainly doesn’t have to cost a lot of money to make a memory.
A Little Tip Before We Get Started. Now, remember, when you’re using paper towels, yes, the stronger ones are going to hold up better! But since we’re making pretend aprons, you don’t need to spend a fortune on fancy paper towels. Head to your local dollar store and see what they have. Or, if you’re already making a Walmart run, check out their small rolls of paper towels. I believe you can find some for less than 50 cents, although prices may vary by store.
Why spend a lot of money on something we’re just using to practice our apron-making skills? I’d much rather save my money for those pretty holiday cup towels I’m hoping to turn into real aprons someday! After all, we’re making memories, not trying to win a fashion show. And if our paper aprons turn out a little crooked, we can laugh, try again, and enjoy the time we’re spending together.
Because making memories with your family shouldn’t cost a fortune! This is a fun craft to do if your #Homeschooling your children as part of a Art Class and there may be reading involved which can be a part of our 30 Minute Reading Challenge. You will find this fun cradt inside our Interactive Fall Gift Guide so if you do the activity grab your ticket in our challenge.
So come join me this Monday morning as we trade paper dolls for paper aprons and see what kind of mischief we can get into. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll learn enough to work up the courage to turn one of my beloved holiday cup towels into a real apron someday! Until then, we’ll practice, we’ll laugh, and we’ll be grateful for the little things that make an ordinary day special.
What more could you ask for on a Monday morning, Lord?
Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed,
GreatfulMoments.com
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
