An Apron for Your Vermont Life-style

Autumn greetings from the hills of Vermont. The cool air outside breathes like a tall class of cold fresh spring water going down in mid-July. The leaves on the trees are starting to turn. All of us veggie growers are on the alert for frost warnings from the Eye On The Sky guys. Artists and craft makers around the state are gearing up to bring you an ample selection of wonderful unique gift options for the coming winter holidays.



Mountain Ash Design received the opportunity to reach folks far and wide this year with the inclusion of a limited edition full apron in the 2010 Vermont Life Holiday Gift Catalog. Buyer Jan Hubbard scoured the state searching for extra special Vermont-made gifts to offer in this year's "new and improved" catalog. I sent her five aprons to consider and Vermont Life settled on this little number.



I designed this full apron with a wide skirt and ample bib to catch the splatters and keep the flour off your black pants. This fabric combination is available exclusively through the VT Life catalog. It features a skirt and bib of new designer fabric in a cream print with soft pink dots and the sharp silhouettes of black birds perched on branches. The trim is a sophisticated black, violet and frosty blue vintage print of vining roses. The back waist ties are classic blue gingham repurposed from button-down shirts and other textiles saved from the land fill. The bib lining is soft vintage floral percale like you'd sleep on at Grandma's house. The result is a harmonious combination of vintage, recycled and new designer fabrics. Wearing this apron I feel entirely comforted and cosmopolitan, modern and retro at the same time.

And have I mentioned lately that aprons are all about role-playing? You know someone who needs to put on their time-to-feel-smashing-while-getting-dinner-on-the-table costume, non? To request a free catalog and get yours (and one for your aunt/sister/mother-in-law/bff) call 1-800-455-3399 or visit www.vermontlifecatalog.com.

These pictures were taken by Inger Swingforth in the Tunbridge Hill Farm stand at the Waitsfiled Farmers Market. A big thank you to Inger, Jean, Wendy and Rudey!