Live simply, stay sane. Life hacks for home managers.

A Patchwork Apron to Inspire Your Work

by Tsh on January 30, 2009

This giveaway is now closed. The winner is Jessica A. – congratulations!

Today’s giveaways all feature Etsy stores, one of my favorite online shopping spots. Buying from Etsy means supporting small businesses, cottage industries, and parents who can make extra money while staying home with kids. And when you buy Etsy, you receive handmade, one-of-a-kind products – it’s a win-win situation.

fabric
Photo by Liz Moreux

The first shop is The Little Room, a delightful little shop from Liz Lamoreux. She sells patchwork aprons, pillows, scarves, bags, and most recently, necklaces.

I’ve had my eye on her aprons for awhile now, and now, one Simple Mom reader will win one called “A Day For Painting In The Studio” (shown at right). Her Selma Patchwork aprons are perfect for crafting, housework, and a myriad of other home management tasks.

Inspired after her great-grandmother Selma’s quilts, Liz’s patchwork aprons embody simplicity, unique design, and color. I love them.

Here’s How To Win:

1. Leave a comment on this post, answering this question – What’s your favorite household chore?

2. To get a second entry – and a second entry on all the giveaways this week – subscribe to the Simple Mom feed and email me the movie quote at the bottom of any post in your feed reader or email inbox (there is only one quote for all the giveaways). Send it to simplemomblog (at) gmail (dot) com, and put the quote directly in the subject line. The body of the email won’t be read. And you only need to email me the quote once in order to get a second entry for all the week’s giveaways.

3. Finally, to get a third entry, post or tweet about this giveaway – if you use the URL of this post, I’ll receive it – no need to email me.

This giveaway will end this Sunday, February 1 at noon EST. I hope you win!

Written by Tsh Oxenreider

Tsh is the editor and writer of this place, and is the founder of Simple Living Media, a little company with the mission to help people live simply. While she waits for her first book to show up in stores late 2010, she spends time drinking coffee and being mama to her three little ones.

A Holiday Giveaway: Dayspring

Summer Week of Giveaways: Angie Warren Designs

Summer Week of Giveaways: Olive Manna

Summer Week of Giveaways: Lisa Leonard Designs

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Chance to WIN a free Apron! « Le Dolce Vita (the good life): January 30, 2009 at 10:35 am

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Next Comments →

1 Sara January 30, 2009 at 12:22 am

This is just up my alley. How lovely. Thanks for introducing her blog to us!

2 Jenni January 30, 2009 at 12:36 am

wow – beautiful!
My favorite household chore is the floors — I love vacuuming and freshness it adds to any room…

3 Kira January 30, 2009 at 1:17 am

I like tidying up the beds and cleaning the kitchen counters. Those give me the most satisfaction! Chores are SO much better when my kids willingly pitch in, which is, thankfully, more often that I’d ever thought possible!

4 Kim January 30, 2009 at 1:17 am

I love Etsy too. Great looking apron.
My favourite chore is cooking. Although I enjoy it enough that it’s hard for me to think of it as a chore. I love chopping, stirring, and of course, the final product!

Kim´s last blog post…A Dress for EcoKid

5 Becky January 30, 2009 at 1:00 pm: My favorite chore is vacuuming. Nothing makes the house look cleaner faster!

Becky´s last blog post…Farewell to 2008….

6 doran January 30, 2009 at 2:08 am

My favorite household chore would definately be cooking! Love spending time in the kithcen, chopping away…

7 Tina January 30, 2009 at 2:09 am

Love that. I don’t mind dusting and tidying up. I like you to feel welcome when you step inour home. Thanks

Tina´s last blog post…Valentines

8 Angela January 30, 2009 at 2:16 am

My favorite chore is doing the dishes. There’s a clear beginning and ending (unlike laundry, which goes on and on and on), and the kitchen looks so nice when everything is put away and tidy.

9 E January 30, 2009 at 2:20 am

Hiya! My favorite chore has become cleaning the kitchen. I used to hate it but like Angela, I feel like I can see a start and an end. Plus now that I have a habitual way of doing this (left to right, top to bottom), I even find it to be meditative.

E´s last blog post…western woman

10 Jodi January 30, 2009 at 2:21 am

I probably like doing laundry the best. Although I don’t like folding very much!

Jodi´s last blog post…Movie Madness Answer

11 Jessica January 30, 2009 at 2:57 am

I love laundry, all of it! The sorting, the washing (I don’t mind handwash at all), the pegging on the line or the inside clothes rack, then the removal and the folding once all is dry… I play games with how much I can hang, readjusting to use even one more tiny bit… I have loads of fun… until it turns to my ironing pile, and then I like it a little less… ; )

12 MVB January 30, 2009 at 2:58 am

Very cool….I think I like cooking and baking the best, though I don’t really call those chores….so I guess vacuuming….I love to see clean, crisp carpets before the dog and kids get them dirty again!

13 Brandy January 30, 2009 at 3:11 am

cleaning the kitchen…I know I’m crazy

Brandy´s last blog post…Another one just for fun

14 Shannon January 30, 2009 at 3:11 am

I love folding laundry. The neat piles at the end are so lovely.

Shannon´s last blog post…Prepare Your Home For A Day Of Rest: My List

15 Jessica January 30, 2009 at 3:18 am

I would say my favorite chore is cleaning the kitchen. Such a great feeling when it is all done.

Jessica´s last blog post…There she goes…

16 terri mac January 30, 2009 at 3:20 am

I really like laundry and dishes. Something about the rhythm of it, I guess!

17 Amy January 30, 2009 at 3:22 am

Cooking and baking. Love the apron!

Amy´s last blog post…Another hat

18 Julie January 30, 2009 at 3:25 am

Call me crazy but I love doing laundry. I enjoy the crispy feel and smell of clothes after they’ve been line-dried. Now, I don’t like ironing, but that’s a different chore!

19 AnnMarie January 30, 2009 at 3:35 am

Baking bread, hands down. In fact, I wouldn’t even call it a chore!

20 Donna January 30, 2009 at 3:38 am

My favorite chore is vacuuming. Laundry would be my second choice but I really don’t enjoy the putting it all away part.

21 Krista D. January 30, 2009 at 3:40 am

About two months ago I would have laughed at that question. But I have to say that God has really changed my heart in the matters of making and managing a home. Now, my favorite household chore is Making Beds.

22 Pat January 30, 2009 at 3:50 am

My favorite chore is cleaning the kitchen although vacuuming is a close second!

23 Amanda January 30, 2009 at 3:52 am

Oh, I am OBSESSED with patchwork right now. That apron is beautiful!

My favorite chore is… well, anything in the kitchen. I love cooking, doing the dishes, pulling everything out of the cabinets to reorganize, everything!

Amanda´s last blog post…Navy Bean Soup.

24 Elizabeth January 30, 2009 at 3:53 am

I love cleaning my kitchen every evening…it makes me happy to walk in there the next morning!

25 tacy January 30, 2009 at 4:00 am

Dust or BUST!

tacy´s last blog post…Windows and Bubba

26 sandi January 30, 2009 at 4:01 am

wow, the apron reminds me of the ones I wore as a child, just beautiful. My favourite household chore is cooking if that counts, and dusting too.

27 Cyndie January 30, 2009 at 4:02 am

The apron is beautiful!
My favorite household chore is washing windows.

28 Mari January 30, 2009 at 4:03 am

My favorite chore is vacuuming. I love that the results are instant and it doesn’t take much effort. Plus, I feel like for the money, my Dyson should get used A TON!

29 Stephanie January 30, 2009 at 4:04 am

My favorite chore is laundry. I do not love the folding part, though!

Stephanie´s last blog post…Snow Day!

30 Laura Moore January 30, 2009 at 4:08 am

I think folding clothes is my favorite. My husband and I spend the evening watching our favorite television show while we fold clothes and catch up on the day. It’s our way of turning chores into a date of sorts.

Laura Moore´s last blog post…Who doesn’t want a free magazine subscription?

31 Heather January 30, 2009 at 4:09 am

Cooking. For me, that’s NOT a chore, it’s something I really enjoy.

Heather´s last blog post…Haircuts, All Around!

32 Kathleen January 30, 2009 at 4:10 am

I love vacuuming. I like to see how clean the floor looks.
Kathy (O:

33 TR - Experiencing Motherhood January 30, 2009 at 4:12 am

Favorite chore? Making the bed. I get a real sense of accomplishment when it’s done every morning – probably the only chore that’s done on a daily basis.

TR – Experiencing Motherhood´s last blog post…Labor is Hard, It Hurts, and You Can Do It

34 Aimee January 30, 2009 at 4:14 am

Such a sweet apron! I’d love to add it to my collection!
Tough question, but I suppose folding laundry can be mindless and relaxing.

Aimee´s last blog post…Foodie Facebook: Michele

35 Toni January 30, 2009 at 4:14 am

I love to vaccuum, expecially since getting a Dyson. It is very satisfying to see all the gunk that was once on my floor. And disgusting, but let’s focus on the positive, right?

36 Aimee January 30, 2009 at 4:15 am

I see some people put cooking– it didn’t even cross my mind as a chore!

37 Katharine January 30, 2009 at 4:16 am

Now that I have a high efficiency washer and dryer, it is the laundry. I can get twice as much done in the same amount of time, and I sometimes even feel “caught up”.

38 Jamie January 30, 2009 at 4:20 am

i can honestly say that most things are my favorite. my two absolute least favorite are putting away the dishes and cleaning the fridge.

39 Beth January 30, 2009 at 4:22 am

The chore that gives me the most bang for the buck is washing dishes. I do not like the thought of doing them, but once they are done, it makes a quick difference in how the entire kitchen feels.

40 Christina January 30, 2009 at 4:23 am

This apron is totally cute! I have to say my favorite household chore is vaccuming. I love the feeling of have clean rugs, and I don’t mind the actual chore itself at all!

Christina´s last blog post…Cheap and Family Friendly Cleaners

41 Stephanie January 30, 2009 at 4:23 am

Vacuuming — when it’s done and the dog hair is gone.

Stephanie´s last blog post…Moving on

42 alfredsmom January 30, 2009 at 4:25 am

Folding laundry! That’s a sense of accomplishment!

alfredsmom´s last blog post…Hey! I’m UNGREATFUL!

43 Mindy January 30, 2009 at 4:27 am

Vacuuming because it’s quick and easy and you can see the results until the kids mess it up again!

Mindy´s last blog post…I got nothin’

44 Laura Jones January 30, 2009 at 4:35 am

I love washing dishes with my husband!

45 Brianna January 30, 2009 at 4:35 am

My favorite household chore, hmmm? Well, definitely NOT laundry! LOL. I think one of my faves is sweeping. Something about the rhythm of the movement, I think. I also really like decluttering. My husband wishes I didn’t like that so much.

46 Lindsay January 30, 2009 at 4:37 am

My favorite chore is baking my weekly loaf of sandwich bread. After that comes sweeping the floor. A Moment FREE of Dog Hair!

Lindsay´s last blog post…It’s SNOWING!

47 Jessalyn January 30, 2009 at 4:39 am

Anyone who saw the piles of laundry waiting to be folded in my bedroom wouldn’t believe this, but laundry is my favorite household chore.

48 Rachel January 30, 2009 at 4:39 am

My favorite chore is laundry. I just toss it in and let it go while I do something more enjoyable!

Thank you for the giveaway!

Rachel´s last blog post…This Modern Mommy 1/30/09

49 anja January 30, 2009 at 4:40 am

I like cooking and baking, also the organization stuff–keeping a family calendar, making menus, and paying the bills.

anja´s last blog post…Bike/Bus Winter Commute Planning

50 Leigh January 30, 2009 at 4:41 am

BEAUTIFUL apron!!!! I’m going to check out her other stuff too! My favorite chore… is doing dishes. I love emptying out a full sink and leaving it clean and shiny!

Leigh´s last blog post…My New Thing: Letting Go of Guilt

51 Stephanie January 30, 2009 at 4:42 am

Vacuuming for sure! I LOVE to vacuum!

Stephanie´s last blog post…Today I’m grateful for….

52 Avlor January 30, 2009 at 4:44 am

Favorite household chore – making my son’s lunches, after that dishes in the morning – so my counters are clean the rest of the day.

Avlor´s last blog post…Tuna thinks he can hide from my camera…

53 Amanda January 30, 2009 at 4:44 am

I love these, I’ve been needing an apron!

54 Sally January 30, 2009 at 4:45 am

I like mopping. It’s almost magical how the globs of baby food disappear.

Sally´s last blog post…Way Back When-esday

55 Amanda January 30, 2009 at 4:47 am

I forgot to add my favorite chore. I love to straighten up my boy’s rooms and make their beds. I love for their rooms to look nice and tidy!

56 Southern Gal January 30, 2009 at 4:49 am

I love being in the kitchen. Cooking.

57 Valerie January 30, 2009 at 4:50 am

My favorite household chore is cooking! As long as I don’t have anyone attached to my pant leg.

58 Ashley January 30, 2009 at 4:50 am

I don’t really have a favorite. I just tolerate it to get something done around here:)

59 Heather January 30, 2009 at 4:51 am

Believe it or not – I love laundry. I do one load a day, taking it down with me when I go downstairs for breakfast. Some days it’s clothes, other days, sheets and towels. That way I never get behind, and I find it very satisfying.

60 Amy B January 30, 2009 at 4:52 am

Favorite household chore? Isn’t that an oxymoron?

If I HAD to choose one, it would be laundry. Smelly and yucky going in, fresh and soft coming out.

61 Di January 30, 2009 at 4:54 am

I actually love to wash dishes and tidy the kitchen. Since it’s my refuge I love to make it a fun place to be.

62 Nicki at Domestic Cents January 30, 2009 at 4:54 am

Cute apron! My favorite chore is making beds and cleaning bedrooms. It feels nice to have a calm place to retreat to.

Nicki at Domestic Cents´s last blog post…What’s Your Profession?

63 Sarah January 30, 2009 at 4:55 am

I love aprons!
My favorite chore is hanging the laundry on the line in Spring, Summer and Fall.

64 theresa January 30, 2009 at 4:58 am

My favorite household chore is cooking for my family. I love choosing the foods I know they enjoy eating, and then while I’m cooking one of my boys will usually come in the kitchen and ask to help, so we get to spend some fun time together.

theresa´s last blog post…Beware the doghouse…

65 Amber T January 30, 2009 at 4:58 am

I love to clean in general….but i guess vacuuming is my fav!

66 Jody January 30, 2009 at 5:01 am

OOOH…that is a lovely apron! I don’t really have a favorite chore unless you count cuddling with my kiddos!!! OK, if I have to pick, my favorite would be spring cleaning since it means open windows and fresh air are just around the corner.

67 Shalae January 30, 2009 at 5:05 am

Laundry – for me it’s relaxing to sit and fold clothes. It’s not relaxing when my little boy decides to pick all the folded clothes up an throw the all over the floor!

Shalae´s last blog post…God the Father

68 Dean January 30, 2009 at 5:09 am

My favorite chore is cooking for my husband…so I could use the apron while I do that!

69 Zoe January 30, 2009 at 5:11 am

Hoovering has to be my favourite – not least because it amuses my 10 month old!

70 Amber January 30, 2009 at 5:12 am

I’ve pretty much turned my most-loathed chore into my favorite: I’ve always HATED to iron, but after my husband bought me an ipod for Christmas 2 years ago, I save my favorite podcasts for ironing time. Now I look forward to putting #3 down for a nap and listening to the latest Agatha Christie mystery while knocking out a pile of shirts!

71 Diane S January 30, 2009 at 5:14 am

Mopping. I really like mopping. It’s very therapeutic for me.

72 Elizabeth January 30, 2009 at 5:15 am

My favorite chore is cleaning the bathroom. Seriously. It’s good, hard work that is very rewarding. Come on, who doesn’t love a spotless bathroom?

Elizabeth´s last blog post…Tiny Chef

73 Kim R. January 30, 2009 at 5:16 am

Checking my favorite blogs? Just kidding. Doing dishes and having a clean sink.

74 Pam Barnhill January 30, 2009 at 5:19 am

LOVE this. My favorite household chore is baking. You can take the rest, but let me make bread any day.

75 Allison (Dog Mom) January 30, 2009 at 5:22 am

I really like to vacuum. I find it kind of therapeutic.

Allison (Dog Mom)´s last blog post…Video Viernes!

76 Vanessa January 30, 2009 at 5:23 am

What a beautiful giveaway!

I love housework, what can I say? I enjoy organizing, baking and cooking, cleaning the kitchen, and more!

77 Melaniesd January 30, 2009 at 5:23 am

It sounds like we have a lot of simular minds here!

I also love laundry (especially since I bought a new front loading set) and cooking & baking. Tidying the kitchen always makes me feel good too.
**I love aprons!!

78 Krista January 30, 2009 at 5:24 am

i generally detest housework actually… but one thing i do love is cleaning my floors. whether it’s vacuuming the carpet in our bedroom or mopping the wood floors in the rest of the house… i LOVE seeing them come clean, especially the shine on the wood!!

Krista´s last blog post…Montreal-bound

79 Shannon January 30, 2009 at 5:27 am

I like anything that’s not laundry.

Shannon´s last blog post…Changes

80 Denise January 30, 2009 at 5:27 am

cooking or baking

Denise´s last blog post…green

81 Dyann January 30, 2009 at 5:29 am

I love patchwork things. I love aprons. I love that apron!

As for chores, I think sorting laundry is my favorite thing. It’s so methodical. I also like hanging things on the line outside, but taking them down even more! It’s just the putting away that I’m not so thrilled with…

I do also like handwashing dishes. It becomes rather medatative for me.

82 Kristen N January 30, 2009 at 5:30 am

My favorite chore is making dinner. I love being in the kitchen making yummy food. The other chores I could do without.

83 Kelley January 30, 2009 at 5:32 am

Getting out the Dyson is a daily ritual for me. I can’t say I love it but with a yellow lab leaving dog fur all over the house, I don’t feel like I can start the day until I have vacuumed!

84 Tracie January 30, 2009 at 5:32 am

FAVORITE household chore, isn’t that an oxymoron…just kidding. I like doing yardwork. I love planting things, weeding, raking up dead leaves, pruning, etc. I do all the inside stuff too, but I really enjoy the outside stuff!

Tracie´s last blog post…Snow Day

85 Gina January 30, 2009 at 5:33 am

My favorite household chore is vacuuming. I’m saving up for a Dyson right now!

Gina´s last blog post…Only a Mother

86 Kirsten January 30, 2009 at 5:34 am

I love making a bed with crisp clean sheets that have dried in the sun. Getting in the bed and smelling the sunshine is amazing but I don’t think that is a chore!

87 Kristy January 30, 2009 at 5:37 am

I like cooking and baking … too bad we can’t form some partnerships with the other commenters, I would gladly bake cookies for anyone who wants to vacuum my house for me! lol Thanks for the giveaway!

88 SK January 30, 2009 at 5:37 am

cooking

89 Lori January 30, 2009 at 5:40 am

Hmm…not to be repetitive, but I actually like doing laundry (NOT ironing). I love all the fresh clean neat piles of clothes. Love the apron!

90 Gabriela January 30, 2009 at 5:40 am

My favorite house hold chore is organizing/ decluttering. I love putting things back in their place at the end of a day.

91 Sweet Em January 30, 2009 at 5:40 am

My favorite “daily” (ya right) chore is sweeping. I also fantasize about “cleaning out” various closets, cupboards and drawers. I am currently on bedrest for my pregnancy. I don’t miss the sweeping but I’m crazy to clean something out.

Sweet Em´s last blog post…Nothing New

92 tara January 30, 2009 at 5:45 am

Cleaning the kitchen. I love a clean kitchen.

tara´s last blog post…newness

93 Jennifer January 30, 2009 at 5:45 am

I love cleaning my kitchen, from floors to counters to the inside of the microwave. I was shining my sink and changing my towel before that Lady was in flight! But I don’t wear my shoes around the house.

94 Dina January 30, 2009 at 5:52 am

I have a love-hate relationship with my mop. I feel like my house is sooo much cleaner and I feel so much better after mopping, but I hate to do it.

95 Meerkat January 30, 2009 at 5:52 am

wow, this is a lovely little apron and would my my attempts at being domestic so much more inspired!

96 Natalie January 30, 2009 at 5:53 am

My favorite chore is ironing – very satisfying to have those wrinkles just disappear.

97 NancyB. January 30, 2009 at 5:53 am

It’s a toss-up between vacuuming and dusting in terms of things I consider chores. Cooking and baking are more satisfying so I guess I don’t think of them as chores.

Very cute apron and very helpful blog! Thanks!

98 Freedom January 30, 2009 at 5:54 am