Ode to Donna Reed

Dear Friends,

Like the Snail, I would like to begin my blogging life by admitting to you something that I don't normally share. So here it goes:

I have a confession to make. Despite all of the money I have sunken in to college in an effort to become an empowered, independent, working woman, I have a secret. I truly long for nothing more than to be a 1950s housewife. Honestly. Make fun if you must but I think it is every crafter's dream. Imagine a life filled with cake decorating, intricate sweater knitting, floral-print pastel dress making, and joyous days spent crafting and baking! Plus, all of those cute housedresses you would get to wear! This desire has only been fueled by my interest in the not-so-distant past that I find evidence of in my lazy Saturdays spent prowling around estate sales and my favorite antique and vintage clothing stores. Its always been amazing to me that I can look through other people's things and then take home bits and pieces of this romanticized past and create the collage of time periods that is my present. There is something so exciting and special about finding evidence of a life and a time that I otherwise wouldn't have known about.

To me, the true essence of the 50s housewife is her apron. Nothing says "I'm excited about cooking and crafting!" like a cute, well embellished apron. Even better if that apron perfectly coordinates with her outfit and if it has matching oven-mitts. Seriously. I think my interest in the perfect apron started about a year ago when my grandma gave me her lovely old orange apron with a tiny green and white flower print. It's pretty fabulous in that tiny old grandma way that I love.

When I got a new sewing machine to for Christmas it was only natural for me to begin teaching myself to sew with the simplest thing I could think of. The first thing that came to mind was, of course, an apron. I would make the perfect apron!! So I set out to make a little half apron for my cousin's birthday which, incidentally, was the next day. Now would be a good time to mention that I'm not a very practical person. Nonetheless, the apron ended up being just as simple as I expected to make. (that is not usually the case) I'm really pleased with the way it turned out and am excited to try again. Here's a picture of Emily modeling her new birdie apron. (The bird is also a pocket!)


I think Donna Reed would be proud. Next I'll take on a full apron. I'm pretty sure I can handle it.

Cheers!
Owl