“Now is the time to call loved ones at a distance. Share your news.” Yep. We had Chinese food for dinner tonight and that was my fortune. Hmm. The only news I have to share with anyone is that I am really, really stuck as to how to start this blog entry. Too bad Confucius doesn’t have a cookie for that. Guess I’ll just have to figure it out on my own.
You see, I’ve struggled all week with what to discuss here. I’ve run the gamut on topics. Parties-in-a-box. Emergency party kits. Party planning notebooks (Jessica’s already been there, blogged it, got the t-shirt). But nothing was working. Then, a little Spotted Canary bird suggested aprons. Hmm. That sounded like some fun. That’s a blog subject that could involve sewing and better yet, maybe even sewing with ribbon. My giddiness level shot up. Way up.
So with a topic finally decided upon, I hit the web and found some fabulous inspiration pieces constructed of dish towels. I love how this one from Jen Love at Crafty Daisies is gathered at the top.
And how uponawhim at the Insructables web site used two different towel patterns to create a fun look.
Halleluiah, there was light at the end of my blog entry tunnel. But wait; here came the preverbal brick wall.
I turned my attention next to that one key blog element, that one component that ties the whole thing together and breathes life into a post. I needed an anecdote; a funny little story involving an apron and, well, me or some unsuspecting, defenseless family member. Hmm. That could be a problem. Too bad the topic didn’t involve a skunk, a dog and a dad running across the yard in his underwear. Have I got a story for that!
So because procrastination and going off on tangents are two of my best talents, I sat on the couch and watched some football with my husband tonight. And during the bits of game he was fast forwarding through, I managed to engage him in a conversation about my predicament. He asked for an example of what I was looking for and I reminded him of the story I told a few weeks ago about my dad baying at the neighbor’s dogs on New Year’s Eve.
Well, let’s just say that this conversation became very revealing. And because you all have lives to get on with I won’t go into too many details. But let it be known that from now on the day after I post something here, I will be quizzing my extremely supportive and very devoted husband about its contents : ).
My husband was not shocked or taken aback by father’s impish behavior. In fact he divulged a little something about himself. He admitted that as a kid he would do the same thing … he just did it in the shower. Instead of singing a happy tune, he howled. Howled like a werewolf. Wahahahaha! How stinking high-larry-us is that (ok, and a bit weird)! But the frivolity of the moment soon left me as reality hit. Hit me like a ton of bricks. I had married my father. Geez. How many hours in therapy will that take to work through?
With this new insight to my inner psyche, I went back to racking my brain for a familial apron story. And what did I come up with? Nothing. Seriously. I may have to get a new family with different tales to tell. Too bad. I was just getting used to the one I have. So my thoughts then wandered off (I told you I have a talent for tangents) to recalling all the aprons I have owned in my life. Ok, my “all” equals about two or three, but as I was remembering them, it hit me. Hit me like a ton of bricks. I had turned into my mother.
My mother is a saver. Not a hoarder, but a saver. She has always shelved things like towels, clothing, and especially tablecloths so that they wouldn’t be ruined and could be kept for that one special occasion. She reasons that her behavior stems from growing up during the war years when commodities were hard to come by. That makes sense. What doesn’t make sense is that without even realizing it, I have picked up this same habit.
Case in point. I bought this apron last fall. Bought it at the same time I bought one for a friend's birthday.
Notice how shiny and new it looks? Well, that’s because it is. It has been hanging up in the closet without being disturbed since the day I unwrapped it. I’ve been too afraid to wear it for fear that something might be spilled on it and it becomes ruined. Sound familiar? Geez. How many hours in therapy will that take to work through?
The answer. Too many. So instead, I’ve decided to throw in the towel and just accept the fact that I am a product of my parents; the good, the bad and the ugly. They intentionally and inadvertently shaped who I am and I am ok with that (except for the thunder thighs that came via my paternal grandmother … thanks Grandma Wilhelmina).
So as a way to celebrate this freeing acceptance of parental influence, and, most importantly, to include the last element of this blog entry, I have created an apron made from two dish towels. I used the above mentioned links and my shiny new apron as inspiration for its design.
Here are the basic steps for sewing one (for more detailed instructions click on the photo). Make a few at a time to have them ready on hand as hostess gifts. Or better yet, make one to match your party decor or theme.
1. Wash, dry and iron towels.
2. Make casing in center towel for neck strap.
3. Cut side towel in half.
4. Pin pieces together and machine stitch to secure.
5. Press seams open, easing top of the center section's seam into a fold so it will lay flat. Machine stitch to secure.
6. Center ribbon on apron and machine stitch in place.
7. Thread ribbon through neck casing and machine stitch at apron center to secure.
8. Finish ribbon ends to prevent raveling and embellish with a pinned on felt flower.
So literally with two towels, five yards of ribbon and about an hour of time, you can whip up a new apron for yourself. Or one for your mother : ). And while you’re sewing away, take a few moments to embrace those traits you’ve inherited. The good, the bad and the ugly. I did. That’s why this apron is going in my pot holder drawer to be used and abused and why the other apron is going back in the closet to wait for a special occasion.
By the way, the winning lottery numbers on the back of the fortune are 2 14 32 33 39 43. Good luck!
~ Elizabeth (ekb)