There was frost on the pumpkin last night. That's not an uncommon occurrence around the middle of October here in Maine. Or in Connecticut, for that matter. That's where I grew up. And Halloweens at our house back in the 50s, 60s and 70s were special.
My mother was obsessed with Halloween. She actually wished that she could change her birthday to October 31st.
Come October 1st, we kids knew that we were in for a month of treats--ghost stories, over-the-top decorations, ghost stories, and homemade pumpkin pies and donut holes. Inhale deeply on our street, and you'd catch the whiff of allspice and cinnamon. We even had little brooms and pretended to fly as we ran around the backyard. I still remember the year I was too "grown up" for practice flights and refused to participate. My mother was heartbroken.
The whole family got down to some serious decorating--orange and black crepe paper cobwebs from the ceiling (long before they had the realistic angel hair cobwebs you can buy today), tissue paper skeletons in the corners. Sheet draped over my parents art collection--looking like little ghosts. And rubber monster hands coming up from behind the sofa.
Designing Your Costume Can Be a Creative Exercise
Meanwhile, we kids naturally started planning our costumes. I always went in for the monsters and spooky characters with half my face melting off. Our neighbor was Helene Schubert (as in the Schubert theaters). On the weekends she had friends from the theater visit, and they gave me some basic theatrical makeup tips.
Did you know that if you take a package of Knox gelatin, dissolve it in warm water then smear it on your skin and color it with foundation makeup, you can create a horrible and very realistic looking scar? I once got out of gym class for a week with one of my make-believe scars. But that's another story.
When I designed my costumes, I liked to go for outfits that were comfortable and provided me a clear view. I still like comfortable, affordable costumes that I can pull together myself. That's why Matilda and I created the Rosie the Riveter costume kit. It's actually a set of essential Rosie the Riveter accessories that turn ordinary jeans and a blue shirt into a perfect replica of Rosie the Riveter--as in the "We Can Do It! poster.
Just pair our 27-square inch, red-and-white polkadot bandana, the authentic 1.25" embossed metal and hand enameled Employment Badge collar pin and our iron-on Rosie name patch (with polkadots) with any jeans, blue shirt and boots or loafers and you have instant Rosie.
And just for fun, we've included a mini version of the iconic "We Can Do It!" poster. It makes the costume complete.
The Socks are De Rigueur
About four or five years ago, we had the brilliant idea to add polkadot socks. Of course, Rosie wouldn't have had socks like ours, but they are sooooo cute. We couldn't resist. And they were an instant hit. They're also fun to wear with jeans all year long.
We sold them as a separate item for years when we had a "V-8 Moment." Actually it was Matilda Lou--Matilda's granddaughter--who made the connection. One day while helping to fulfill orders, she asked, "Why aren't you packaging the socks with the Rosie the Riveter costume kit?"
Out of the mouth of babes. And she was right. In fact, the extended costume kit with socks has become one of our more popular items.
And if you have the other items and just want to come back and get the socks, we sell those separately too.
This year for Halloween, Rock Your Dots!