Are Scrubs The New Apron?

I was reading Slip's post about how fashionable scrubs are now and it got me thinking... Maybe scrubs are the new aprons.

I know you vintage lovers are groaning -- but hear me out!

Scrubs do all the same things aprons do:

Being properly clad makes one feel dedicated to, prepared for, & protected from the job.

Looking & feeling nice makes any job more enjoyable too.

Not only that, being able to change out of those work clothes helps one leave the job -- even if they don't leave the work site when they are done with their shift (as if it's ever really done!)

With scrubs as low as $9.99 a piece (or even just $7.99 each when you buy 3 or more) at Scrubs and Beyond, what could be more practical and comfortable for cleaning around the house?

Don't worry about size issues either; they have tall scrubs, petite scrubs and plus size scrubs.

I'll admit, I bought a Cherokee scrub top at a thrift store for one of our furniture refinishing jobs and wished I that I had grabbed more of them because they were the perfect lightweight clothing for heavyweight work. And so easy to care for.

You vintage living folks don't need to feel like you're abandoning your pretty aprons; you can still wear an apron over your scrubs, or simply -- and literally -- save your best aprons from the heavy work and wear them only when doing light cleaning &/or entertaining.

But, if you're seeing the merit of scrubs as a very practical & comfortable way to dress while housekeeping (and isn't that the very essence of home economics?), then you might want to consider some of the more fashionable medical scrubs designs.

The cargo style Cherokee scrub pants are stylish -- and practical too with those pockets. I might have to rethink my butt in them...



But then again, in black with the FX wide placket scrub top (also in black) by Landau medical scrubs how much more chic could I look in the kitchen? Seriously.

How To Organize Spools Of Thread

A tip sent in by a reader of the The Modern Priscilla magazine (1921) on how to organize threads with a homemade sewing room wall hanging with pockets:

Advice From Grandma: Don't Waste Your Gift Cards

Christine Frietchen of Consumersearch.com was on CBS talking about gift cards with Harry Smith. She said, among other things, that 25% of gift cards from 2007 haven't been used yet. It's a bad idea to wait so long to use gift cards -- along with the possibility of the cards expiring, approximately $100 million worth of gift card money has been lost to store closings in 2008, and with the recession, it's likely to get worse. Frietchen has other gift card tips:

Tips For Cleaning Pots & Pans

In the same issue of Modern Woman magazine (Vol 14, No 5, 1945), tips on cleaning kettles and pans.

First, using an onion to clean badly burned aluminum pans. (I believe it would be the natural acid in onions which would help with the cleaning.)



Second, to rid your cookware of the onion odor (and fish odors), add a tablespoon of vinegar to hot watter.

Things To Do With Cookie Cutters #3

Also in that first issue of Good Housekeeping Needlecraft magazine (Fall-Winter, 1968-1969), clay medallions to hang on the wall. They could also be made into wind chimes.



You can use cookie cutters to make the shapes in rolled-out clay, and cut-out details such as eyes & designs. Remember to cut holes in the top to hang the finished medallions with yarn or twine.

Re-gifting Down? Not For Fruitcake.

Online selling of unwanted gifts is up; so says survey paid for by eBay. But fruitcake remains re-gifted.

The most popular items adults who took the survey said they would re-gift include wine, champagne or spirits (21 percent); trinkets or collectibles (21 percent); beauty or bath products (21 percent); DVDs, CDs or books (16 percent); electronics/appliances (14 percent); and fruitcake (14 percent).

The most popular items adults resell online include personal electronics (12 percent); DVDs, CDs or books (11 percent); home technology (10 percent); event tickets (10 percent); trinkets or collectibles (8 percent); and sporting or fitness equipment (6 percent).

Use Bouilon For More Gravy

A tip on getting gravy to spread further, from Modern Woman magazine, Vol 14, No 5, 1945.

Quick Bargain/Thrift Post

You can be a lazy bookseller and let Powell's buy your used books from you online -- they'll even pay for the shipping. Note: they pay for books at wholesale price-not retail, and with store credit, not cash; but that's still something for books you no longer want cluttering up the place.

A Slip of a Girl has lots of contests this week -- go get some free stuff.

Things To Do With Cookie Cutters #7 (Felt Ornaments)

I collect cookie cutters, and am always looking for ways to put them to good use -- when I'm not baking. Because most of my cookie cutters are vintage, I'm still protective of them and are not interested in altering or damaging them; yet their simple & charming shapes seem to beckon to be put to use more often then just to make sweet treats.


Because their shapes are recognizable and pleasing to children -- with styles and objects to appeal to both boys and girls -- and because they are also relatively simple shapes, I've long been thinking that cookie cutters would make great templates for simple crafts for kids.

Saturday, I put it to the test with Destiny, my 12 year old making felt ornaments.

Here's her felt rabbit made from a vintage tin rabbit cookie cutter:

The project is simple:

Trace the cookie cutter onto felt with a pen -- twice.


(Note: If using patterned felt, you'll need to cut out one piece, then flip it over and trace it onto the patterned felt; otherwise they pieces won't both be patterned on the 'outside'.)

Cut out the shapes.



Match up the shapes, then sew them together with embroidery floss using the whip stitch. Start stitching between the two layers of felt, hiding the knot; and stop before stitching all the way around, leaving an opening for the stuffing. (The whip stitch was a new stitch for Destiny -- but she picked it up really fast!)



Stuff with cotton balls (as well as felt scraps from cutting & trimming and left over bits of thread).



Finish sewing & then decorate. Children can make the eyes & other details by sewing on other bits of felt, using knots &/or other sewing stitches, or gluing on 'google eyes', pipe cleaners, and whatever other crafty bits you have around the house.


Destiny had so much fun, she kept making more of them -- for 4 hours. And she plans to continue to make more during the week for gifts for family this holiday. (Rather amazing as I had great trouble getting her to finish her latch-hook rug. I think the fact that one of these ornaments can be completed comparatively fast, giving her a sense of satisfaction quickly.)

Other ideas: These do not need to only be Christmas tree ornaments. They can be shade pulls, key rings, jacket pulls, cellphone &/or purse decorations -- and if made with just one piece of felt, glued onto magnets & used to hold up notes and more kids' art on the refrigerator.

It's inexpensive too. Felt pieces are (currently at Hobby Lobby) 5 pieces for $1 for solid colors and 2 for $1 for patterned pieces; embroidery floss runs between $1-$2. Everything else (scissors, cotton balls, needle etc.) can be found in the home.

It's a great simple and inexpensive way to keep children busy when home for the holiday vacation from school.

Heat & Moisture-Proof Table Tops

Another tip from How To Protect & Preserve America's Homes (Moore's Handy Index Book); this one one how to refinish a wooden table top so that it is heat and water proof.

(I personally get a kick out of using a brick as a buffer because hubby collects bricks.)

Burnt Almonds Recipe

An old recipe for burnt almonds from The Book Of Knowledge, circa 1910.