Sunday, August 5, 2012

Back in the Sewing Room!

My sewing muse, Sandra, is making work for me again.  After she made this sweet little earphone pouch, I decided to steal a little time from an overly busy schedule to make one, too. Then I realized--the night before a wedding--that I had no purse to go with my dress.  I hate when things don't match!  Frankly, if my underwear doesn't match, I feel uncomfortable all day.  Remembering the easy little Japanese Knot Bag  I made from this tutorial, I decided the free time would have to go to making a bag.  I forgot how easy these bags are to make.  This one went together together in a little over an hour from start to finish.

It went together so fast I even had time for that earphone--now lip gloss and Tylenol holder--pouch.
A matching set!

Perfect!  Here's a pic of me in the "dress in need of a bag" with my lovely husband.



A thank you to Sandra, the Sewing Muse for inspiring some very useful sewing.




Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Looking for a book for a 'tween? Try this one

                                                                                   


Orwell's Luck by Richard Jennings.  I'm a collector (and avid reader) of children's and young adult literature.  Every once in a while, I feel the need to share a special one.  Jennings' tale begins with a young boy finding a rabbit.  It's no ordinary rabbit, however.  The life lessons Orwell, the rabbit, teaches are gems.  I wish this book had been available when I was a kid!  Who wouldn't benefit from finding out early in life that we "learn by doing--there's no other way" or "the greatest gift we give is ourselves"?  Mother's might appreciate this bit of wisdom:  "Your mother needs help around the house."

 It's not a new book, the copyright is 2000. That's good because you can get it in paperback.  The downside is that Amazon is charging over $11 for it new.  Don't despair!  Amazon did have lots of used ones starting at a penny.  I buy those penny plus shipping ones all the time and have never been disappointed in the condition.  You might be able to get it at your library, too.  My library didn't have it--as is common with older books that are not considered "classics."  However, we are in a large library system, and two of the participating libraries had it.  You can also get a Kindle version for $6.00.   

Check it out.  There are five or six reviews on Amazon and every one of them is five stars.  I think it would make an great gift.