December 11, 2006 4:40 PM
Apron Power! a photo contest
After years of never wearing an apron, I am rarely without my I Love Lucy retro apron - one of those from-me-to-me presents I splurged on last Christmas.
Here I am wearing it while making enchiladas on Christmas Eve:
I was 70 pounds heavier then. I'll take another this Christmas Eve and post them side by side :)
Unfortunately, the aprons and the company that made them seem to have disappeared - which I only learned as I was prepared to urge you all to get one for yourselves.
Shannon from Austin wrote me last week to let me know that on the Sunday Morning Show, Charles Osgood had interviewed a woman who is doing her best to bring back the apron. As I looked up the background, I realized that I had grown to love wearing my apron this year - I put it on whenever I am in the kitchen and it means I am ready for business! My kids and hubby seem to enjoy seeing me in it (lots of warm fuzzies thinking of mom cooking for them) - not to mention how much cleaner my clothes are because of it :)
There is actually an Apron Chronicles exhibit of photos and stories of aprons making its way around the country.
See Apron Memories for retro aprons like this:
Announcing the Apron Power! Contest I say it's time to bring back the apron - and I don't mean the unisex cloth chef's apron, but the frilly feminine - even to the point of useless - kind.
Send me a picture of you in your apron and I promise not only to run it, but to send the best ones a copy of my new book The Mommy Survival Guide. Remember, practical is okay (mine is practical because it covers a lot and is made of oilcloth), but the criteria for this contest includes femininity.
Other criteria:
You must be wearing the apron
Context and creativityPlease spread the word! Our last photo contest - Meet Me in the Laundry Room (winners here) - was so much fun.
Entries due January 12. I will post them as I receive them, but also in a batch on January 13 for voting. Winners will be announced January 19.
(I'm sure to be making more comments on the contest in the weeks to come as I gather more ideas to share with you. All will be gathered in my Contest Archives - you might want to bookmark the spot.)
And be sure to spread the word!
Posted in Apron Power!, Contest | Permalink
Comments
I have a totally useless HOSTESS apron my dear grandmother used to tie on when all the work was done and the company just minutes away from arrival. It is sheer, or tulle or something, and has appliqued poinsettias for pockets. I can see her yet! If I can find it, a picture you shall have.
I also have a couple of my mother's well-worn apron patterns from the 50s-60s. I have sewn a few, using them. I LOVE MY APRONS. It really does mean down to business!
Posted by: floorplan | December 11, 2006 6:32 PM
awwww...I don't have a holiday apron! I have an apron that I won when I was in Germany...but it's not even a GERMAN apron, it's a BBQ apron with a bunch of military unit emblems on it...but it has three big pockets in the front (which is where the towels reside when I bake) and I love it!
Posted by: Linda | December 12, 2006 8:52 AM
This is so exciting! Can we make it an annual tradition!? And I can't wait to see your "after" I Love Lucy apron picture:)
Posted by: Keri L. | December 12, 2006 11:23 AM
Does the apron have to look "holiday-ish" or just the whole photo in general that should have a holiday look?
Posted by: Cheri | December 12, 2006 11:57 AM
I love aprons! I wear mine all the time, but it's really ugly. In fact, I've asked my husband for a new one for myself and the kids for Christmas. Can you have people post where they got theirs, especially if it's an online store? I love the one you have, Barbara. I would totally buy that one!
Posted by: Lucy | December 12, 2006 12:27 PM
Aw, I am so sad that apron is no longer available! I really wanted one!
Posted by: Michelle | December 12, 2006 12:39 PM
Oh yeah! I get to show off my apron with dogs all over it. The crazy print covers a myriad of spills :) And my youngest daughter (1) points at me all the time and says "dog!"
Posted by: MicheleinNZ | December 12, 2006 12:58 PM
Barbara,
I received the exact same Lucy apron for mother's day this year from my husband after I saw it on your site. It is so cute, and he loves to see me in it. I found it on Amazon for those of you who are looking.
Posted by: Meagan | December 12, 2006 8:32 PM
I just posted a pic on my site of me wearing an apron. I thought aprons were for the.... Well, not for me, but after making lots of bread this past year and lots of soap...I got oils all over my clothes and ruined them. I went on a mission to find some aprons. They are hard to find. A customer sent me the apron I wore knowing I have a cow motif. It was hand made by her. I would enter it in the contest, but I am struggling to find a christmas motif to go with it. It was a love gift. Ahh...shucks, don't think it fits the criteria. But, I love your mission. I guess I am more of an offical prairie muffin now.
Love the apron you are wearing!!
Posted by: KSMilkmaid | December 12, 2006 9:03 PM
Hi, Barbara! It's late and I'm tired, so I probably just don't see it, but is there an email posted somewhere here where I can send you a picture? I have an adorable one of my three daughters wearing gingham aprons I made for them last Christmas.
Thanks!
Carmon
Posted by: Carmon Friedrich | December 22, 2006 3:06 AM
Well I'll tell you, my favorite apron is PURE function. It's bright yellow and says "Eat 5 fruits and vegetables a day" or something on it, but it covers me and saves my shirts and I LOVE IT! I never cook without it. (But a photo in it? I think not...it's not feminine or pretty, although I do plan to replace it someday!)
Oh, and I saw that Retro Apron on a site the other day, if I can find it again I'll leave a link in your comments.
Posted by: Sheri | January 4, 2007 11:13 PM
I've gotta have an apron on when in the kitchen. I'm a sloppy cook and I cook all the time! My 20yo daughter took a pic of me cooking in my apron because she has fond memories of me in it and wanted a keepsake. Isn't that sweet. Apron contest? Yep! Let's do it! I love yours Barbara!
~Jody
Posted by: Jody | January 5, 2007 6:56 PM
I'm now disappointed that I don't own an apron - clearly this should have been on my Christmas list! Your apron is amazing!
Posted by: Keziah @ A Woman who Fears the Lord | January 6, 2007 11:08 AM
Someone please help me to understand how to enter the contest, how do I send my entry, I am a slow with technology and very behind. Please help me.
Posted by: Mrs. Rebecca Williams | January 11, 2007 10:17 AM
Dear Rebecca -
Just email the photo to me (there is an email link at the top of the blog)
Barbara
Posted by: barbara | January 11, 2007 4:24 PM
http://www.susanbranch.com/shopping/shop5-07/aprontest.pdf
I was looking around the internet for apron patterns and came across your site and this....
Posted by: Lisa | February 19, 2008 9:41 AM
