The ART of Homemaking

I know you must wonder what I do in my spare time...well -- THIS is happening....

Announcing a New Exhibit!

The Art of Homemaking

Homemaking:  A mostly North American term to describe the creation and management of a home, especially as a pleasant place in which to live.

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In 2002, Rita Farro turned her love of vintage bed linens into a book, “Dress Your Dream Bed” Vintage Linen Inspirations for Today’s Elegant Bed.  Rita is an avid collector...of many things.   Besides bed linens, she also loves (and collects) aprons, spooners, toast racks, embroidered linens, cook books, Singer Featherweight sewing machines, 7-Day-a-Week Dishtowels, napkin rings, quilts, and cross-stitch samplers....well -- you get the idea.

What began as a love of vintage bed linens became an obsession with homemaking arts.

December 2nd, Farro is curating an exhibit of her personal collections for the Bettendorf Library called “The Art of Homemaking”.   The plan is for her to fill every showcase, shelf, wall or blank space in the library with examples of the Homemaking Arts.

Farro says, “This exhibit is about what women have done, through generations, to make their home a welcoming haven for their family and friends.  It’s about the love they put into setting the table or making the family beds.  The traditions they create by using Grandma’s soup tureen on Christmas Eve or Aunt Rozella’s silver for Sunday dinners.   Every homemaker hopes their personal family traditions will create lasting memories for their loved ones.”

Homemaking is an art -- and every woman has her own way of doing things.  This exhibit features some ordinary and extraordinary handiwork of mostly anonymous homemakers.  Farro says, “for me, the sad thing is that the most beautiful items were often never used.  They were packed away in a trunk or a drawer, waiting for a special occasion...

I believe EVERY DAY you spend with people you love is a special occasion.   Bring those treasured family heirlooms out of the closet.  You cannot create memories if you don’t use them.  There’s no reason you can’t eat pizza on Grandma’s china!!

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The Art of Homemaking exhibit will be on display throughout the library for the entire month of December.