Friday Finds

Every Friday I post about interesting things I’ve come across in the blogosphere:

• For Christmas this year the Greek Virgo bought me a new ring.  My previous ring fell apart.  Check out the Etsy Shop.
• My heart broke reading Dear Penelope by James Altucher.  It is a very touching post written to another blogger who makes me think.  May peace find you, Penelope Trunk. 
• Cool graph from Visual News depicting earth’s history in 24 hour period.  Fascinating.  (They always have great stuff.)
• Sharon Sews shared a great new (to me) website Sew Can She.  Tons of sewing tutorials.
• Lazy Stitching made me laugh with her pattern buying flow chart.

Happy Reading.

Sewing Blogs to Recommend

Last month Tilly blogged about sewing blogs, specifically what would we recommend and if we had criteria for picking them.

Tilly put a lot of thought into this post and it really got me thinking:  What makes or break a sewing blog for me?

I thought.

Then – bingo – it hit me and it is one simple thing: email feeder.

I prefer the convenience of reading blog posts in my email box.  Of course, I love having a sewist who inspires me too.  I also think Tina’s comment summed it up nicely for me:
Tell me ….

WHAT you made,
in WHICH fabric,
using WHO'S pattern!

So without further ado … my favorite sewing blogs in no particular order:

• Sewaholic
  
• Sew Weekly
  
• Coletterrie
  
• Gertie’s New Blog for Better Sewing
  
• Tilly and the Buttons
  
• Miss Celie’s Pants
  
• SEWN
  
• Magical Effects of Thinking
  
• Sewin’ in the Rain
  
• Handmade Jane

Check them out.  You may find some cool new blogs to read.

You know the vacation is over when

the view out your window goes from this …

(Nice, France)

to this …

(Denver, Colorado)

Welcome home!

Why aren't there classes like this in Denver?

I subscribe to a number of blogs.  One of them is Whipstich Fabrics a fabric shop in Atlanta which also offers classes.  I discovered it through Motherhood Uncensored's post which mentions Whipstitch and where her daughter took a sewing class.

Whipstich Fabrics sends out a newsletter which includes her upcoming classes.  Here are twoI would love to take:

1 - Sewing Knits without a Serger.  Self-explanatory and only $145 (two sessions) a bargain in my book.

2 - Patternmaking.  Learn to draft a pattern for that outfit you have in your head but can't find a pattern for.  $185 for three sessions PLUS the text (I didn't get a lot of of this book but it could have been because you need someone to explain it.  Read my review here.)

So why aren't there classes like these in Denver?

source: Wren

Picture This: How Pictures Work

Picture This: How Pictures Work by Molly Bang

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I discovered this book on Penelope Trunk's website.  I don't usually go for books like this and almost didn't read it before returning it to the library.  But I am sure glad I did.  And be sure to read the whole thing (i.e. the introduction) it explains it all.

This was such a fascinating book and you will never look at art, pictures, etc. the same.  I inhaled this book.  I wish I could renew it to be able to read it again and again and refer back to it.  It's that amazing. 

It's not difficult reading but there are some serious concepts in it that will change how you think about perspective. 

Seriously, one should read this in grade school, high school, college, our 30s, 40s, 50s, etc. 

This would make a great book club pick.  It's not a long read but thought provoking.  Everyone could bring one of their favorite pictures, artwork whatever and talk about how it speaks to them and how they think about it after reading the book.  Wouldn't that be a fun book club, different than the usual stuff?

If your library doesn't own this book buy it - it's only $11 on Amazon.

View all my reviews

An Ode to Jillian Michaels

Jillian Michaels I loathe to like you.

Jillian Michaels (from now on will be known as "JM") I aspire to hate you.

JM you make my hammies & buttocks sing.  Soaring to the previously unreachable soprano's aria of high C.  Every time I walk, I attempt to sit, or basically any time I start or end any normal human movement. 

I hate you.  I love you. Won't you shut up already about how I can't phone it in.  Do you really think I'm bringing my mobile with me to these torture sessions?

Seriously, go to the library or WM or Costco or wherever you prefer to deposit your paycheck and pick up her newest exercise DVD: Ripped in 30 Days.

source: www.jillianmichaels.com

I completed workout one yesterday and thought it went really well.  I got up a good sweat, moved around a lot.  Yes.  A new one to add into the rotation.  Good job JM.

I went on with my life: work, errands, bookmobile, dinner, walk, veg on the couch, etc.

** fast forward to this AM **

My lovely alarm chirps promptly at 4:45 am (yes - you read it correctly) and I bound out of bed for a new day and my daily exercise.  And my legs won't move.

I ponder this for a moment (I may have actually fallen back asleep) and try again.  O.M.G.  What in the blazes is wrong with my legs!?  Have I suffered from some mysterious side effect of the West Nile Virus?

(I did go on a walk yesterday and the Denver Post had an article about how it is remotely possible to be bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus.  Note: I did not read the article.  Not even a skim, just a glance at the headline & picture.)

Oh heavens no ... it was my dear, beloved exercise demon coach JM who had done this to me.  (Mental note: return JM secret society decoder ring pronto.)  That b*&/!.

So how do I respond to this dilemma you ponder?

I did another JM workout because I am a masochist.  There -  I said it.  Someone send me a link to a meetup of others like me (either recovering or still into it; I could go either way).

Now to be nice to my body I did the JM Yoga Meltdown DVD because you don't really work out your hamstrings in yoga.  Right?

source: www.jillianmichaels.com

crickets

Oh, crap, is it time to get up again?

HA!  I'll be amazed if I can move after sitting on my backside all morning at the library.  I hope no one needs help with the printers.  Dammit, law students, you are on your own with your fancy duplex print job.  You already have one degree.  Didn't that include a class on how to use technology?

Oh - that's right - you were too busy drinking the night before thus hungover (and probably still wasted) to make it to your Tuesday 10am tech class.  Sorry, I forgot what it's like to be twenty and entitled.

So ... JM ... will I see you tomorrow?  Will I still love you when I can't get off the floor?  You betcha!

And that's all I've got to say about that.

Sacred Hearts

Sacred Hearts by Sarah Dunant

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This book took me 10 days to listen to.  Wow - that's a long time for me. 



This was a very thought provoking book for me.  I oscillated between liking it a lot and really hating it.  The writing was fine.  The characters were fine.  However, the restrictions and structure of convent life similtaneously enthralled & repulsed me. 



At certain points the idea of living with a bunch of women in a community was very appealing.  Then, I'd think about it a bit more and realize it would awful.  Then, I would wonder how could I find something so appealing then so loathsome.  I don't know.  But I think it is worth exploring and discussing.



View all my reviews

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


If you haven't read this book, immediately stop what you are doing & get to the nearest library and check out this book! (If you are into audiobooks be sure to listen instead of read the narrator is excellent.)

I cannot believe I waited this long to read/listen to this fabulous novel.  (BR - why didn't you tell me I HAD to read it ASAP?)



Let's see, what's not to love? It's set in Savannah during the late 60s.  and the characters are a group of strong but diverse women. 


I wish I could just jump into the book a la Thursday Next.


And I don't know which character I love better or would want to be ... CeeCee, Aunt Tootie, Oletta, or Mrs. Goodpepper.


I was a bit nervous when I began it, poor CeeCee has a challenging life with her mentally unstable mother, and thought something awful would happen to CeeCee.  But it turns out a-okay.


This is a wonderful story about the healing power of love.  I wish we all had such a tribe as CeeCee does.


View all my reviews

7 months, 4 days: a confession

Hello my name is Jane and I am a pattern-holic.

It's been three days since I purchased a pattern.  I was doing so well.

I hadn't bought a pattern all year but I couldn't keep away and visited JoAnn's on Monday to celebrate the national holiday in typical American style: I consumed.

I only purchased four new patterns (McCalls) for the bargain price of 99¢ each.

Yahoo!

I'm sure you're dying to know what I purchased, no?

M6346 - a loose-fitting dress with optional ruffles

M6277 - a lined, princess seamed dress with optional flutter sleeves (Laura Ashley)

M5805 - another lined dress with a fitted bodice and empire waist (Laura Ashley)

and M5718 - a loose fitting, lined coat or jacket with yoke (I just can't help myself when it comes to coats.  Someday I'll be brave enough to make one.)

Either of the Laura Ashley dresses would be perfect for Mena's theme for Sew Weekly: American Apparel

What will I make first?  I need a plan. 

Wordless Wednesday: Amazing Amaryllis

Mennonite in a Little Black Dress

Mennonite in a Little Black Dress by Rhoda Janzen

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


I really wanted to give this 3 stars but I cannot bring myself to do it.



First, it is an enjoyable book.  I loved the stories about her family & her Mennonite background.  But she needs a better editor.  Perhaps I would feel different if I had read it instead of listening to it.


I don't know.


I really didn't like how the story was laid out.  The reader gets the impression that out of the blue her husband leaves her.  We find out later on that their relationship had always been tumultuous.


Then in the chapter about her brothers she (or the narrator) regularly interchange her brothers names.  One minute Caleb is the older one and Aaron is the younger, then vice-versa.  It was very confusing.


I also had hoped for a little more depth on why she left the Mennonite faith when the culture is so obviously ingrained in her personality.  Plus, I wanted her to delve more into her relationship with her father.  He is mentioned in passing.


A bit disappointing intellectually, but cute anecdotes about growing up Mennonite.







View all my reviews

July 2011 Mini Goals

One of the many excellent blogs I read is Move to Portugal.  It's about a lovely woman, Laura, in the UK who is simplifying her life and working towards the grand goal of moving to Portugal.

Every month she posts about her progress on her goals.  I am going to borrow the idea.

So ... let's do it.

Mini goals for July:

1. Lose 5#
2. Exercise four times a week: two aerobic & two yoga sessions
3. Read one Shakespearean play
4. Sew two dresses (i.e. FINISH, including hems & buttons)
5. Design a new header for blog
6. Save $100

The Penderwicks at Point Mouette

The Penderwicks at Point Mouette by Jeanne Birdsall

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I want to be a Penderwick!



I love these girls.  Love 'em!



Another great adventure for Skye, Jane, Battie and honorary Penderwick Jeffrey.  Every young girl should be reading these books.



This is how summer should be.



View all my reviews

A Red Herring Without Mustard

A Red Herring Without Mustard by Alan Bradley

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


If you aren't reading this start!



The narrator is perfect.



Fun, fun, fun.



View all my reviews

Talk About Orchids ...

I purchased these orchids in January using the xmas money from dad (thanks) from Fantasy Orchids in Louisville, CO. There are two different types of orchids here: dendrobriums & cattleyas. The dendrobriums have a lot more blooms & last a long time. The 'Fantasy' orchid had 32 buds on it but only 29 bloomed. It smelled divine, as did 'New City'. I still have blooms on the Green Lantern, continuous blooming since Jan. 24 (when I bought it). I don't know when it originally bloomed but at least 3 months now. Pretty amazing.

And guess what? I just discovered that there are wild orchids on Lesvos (the island in Greece that ET is from). Check out it out here.

There is also some great wild bird watching on Lesvos!

LC. Volcano Sunset ‘Yuki’

Lc. Burgundy Delight


Den. Oriental Smiles ‘Fantasy’

Den. Green Lantern

Blc. Chia Lin ‘New City’

Quote of the Day

"If you are lucky enough to find a way of life you love, you have to find the courage to live it."

-from A Prayer for Owen Meany, by John Irving

Free eBook - Funny in Farsi

Pretty much everyone knows that I love a good bargain but a free book? Does life get any better? Well maybe if they were handing out free orchids.

You can download the book either to a Sony E-reader or your PC. Be patient it's a big file. I've never read an e-book before. Have you? Enjoy. And if you do read this let me know what you think.

Funny in Farsi by Firoozeh Duma

My Top 5 Favorite Blogs

1 – Dooce Written by Heather Armstrong.

She posts almost daily about her life with her husband & daughter. She also includes a daily photo, a daily photo of the dog, Chuck, and a daily style photo. I've really enjoyed the style photos & have used her ideas as a springboard. She posted a picture of her faux wedding ring & I loved the nail polish she had on. Not too long after she posted the info about the nail polish. I went to the store & promptly picked a shade pinker.

2 – The Lazy Organizer Written by Lara Galagher.

She posts about her lazy organizing habits which aren't really lazy at all. I think they are very creative. She posts about her kids, her crazy life, homeschooling & her attempts to eat raw, be more punctual, & improve her habits. Great photography too! Oh – she also responds promptly to her readers. Love her!

3 – Mandajuice Written by Amanda Who?

She posts mostly about her trials & laughs of her kids. She also has a great series about her journey through gastric bypass surgery. I also like her "What's for dinner?" sidebar. I've tried a few of her recipes & have been very pleased. She is also great on responding to her readers comments. BTW – did I mention she's writing a book?!? Wow. I can't wait to read it.

4 – The Pioneer Woman Written by Ree Drummond.

I LOVE her website. First of all, it is beautiful; so clean but colorful & not too busy. Second, the recipes – oh my heck – the recipes are fantastic. There hasn't been one thing that I've made that isn't divine. And her humor … I think we are cousins separated by a family feud. Did I mention her photography? I didn't? Well she has some awesome photos & very helpful tutorials. Yea Ree!

5 – From Single to Married Written by Tabitha Who?

This is the only blog on this list that I read through RSS. To be honest, I find her website a bit busy. However, I really love the content. She has a series of posts about her wedding, honeymoon, conception journey, and my favorite, her posts about her city Washington D.C. All of her photos are top notch. And I love seeing Tabitha's name in the comment section on The Pioneer Woman.

Happy Birthday Margo!

Wordless Wednesday: Squibb

The best water ever!