I will be getting up early (must to Mr.'s dismay) to watch said event. Fortunately, we are both off of work tomorrow so he can't use the "I have to get up early for work" excuse to try and dissuade me.
I give Kate credit and I hope someone gives her something to help her sleep tonight. I had a wedding with 88 people attending (including me and Mr.) and I got an hour of sleep the night before. I could not imagine have billions of people watching me.
The other big news story is what will Kate wear?
Let me start by saying I do not like Princess Diana's dress and don't see why there is all the hype. It was way too poofy and that material? Bad choice! It is so wrinkly. She was enveloped by that dress. Way too much going on.
Grace Kelly, however, got it right.
My hope is that Kate will wear an a-line dress. I hope not too poofy. Princess dresses can rarely be pulled off by those over 24. And while I realize this is really a royal wedding, I can't get behind a grown woman in a giant poofy dress. She will be covered up for sure with sleeves of some sort for the ceremony. I would like to see a v-neck. Maybe some gloves if the sleeves are short. No blusher. A single tier cathedral length veil. I'd love to see some fab designer shoes (that is for you Mr. who said to me earlier today with a sarcastic tone while watching the Today Show, "And now what shoes will Kate wear?"). I'd like to see an ivory dress, not bright white. I also can't get into tiaras but since I realize this is a royal wedding, I will say I would like to see her in a tiara that is simple. I also hope she wears her hair up. I know she wears her hair down almost always but, frankly, in most weddings I have attended where the bride wore her hair down, it almost always looks nappy and straggly by the end. It's a long day. An up-do will hold out. I do also realize that she probably has hair dressers who could brush her hair for her if she wears it down. But, I still hope for up. I think it would also be fab if she does a whole outfit change for the big party late night at Buckingham Palace. Maybe there she can put her hair down then? I would also like to see some great earrings.
Oh and three cheers for omitting "obey"!
April 28, 2011
April 27, 2011
Let’s Talk Baby Names
I am going to start this by saying Mr. and I do not have children but one of the websites I frequent has a message board for baby names. I like to peruse this to see what the current trends are because names are fun and more importantly I love to judge people and talk about them even if I don’t know them.
I am not a big fan of many of today’s trends like boys names for girls or anything ended in –aden or weirdo “unique” spellings like Mykayla. (People it’s Michaela just like Dr. Quinn…. Medicine Woman….)
To the point, my vent today is about people obsessed with making sure their kids’ names match.
What do I mean? Well here is an example post:
Hi. My son’s name is Jim. I like the names Bob, Reginald, and Bert. What will match the best with Jim?
My question to these people is why does it matter? Now, these cases are when I think some consideration should be taken (because you can’t make blanket statements without a few caveats):
1. No themes (i.e., naming your girls all flower names like Charlotte from SATC or, as someone we actually kind of know in real life, alcoholic beverages: Brandi and Sherry)
2. No everyone starting with the same first initial like the Duggars (unnecessary).
3. No rhyming or way too similar names like Bill and Jill or Chuck and Buck or Patty and Paddy (why?).
Maybe someone can explain this to me? Outside of childhood does this even matter? Even in childhood, it’s not like me and my siblings hung out together outside of our house and family. We were in different grades, had different friends. Today, I don’t go around saying my name is X, my sister is Y. No one I come into contact with on a daily basis even knows I have siblings let alone what their names are.
Furthermore, my siblings and I don’t have names that “go”. My siblings have more traditional (aka in the Bible) names. I have a born in the 1950s “mom” name. No one ever said “Oh my! What were your parents thinking? Your names are stylistically different! Shame on them!”
I don’t think I ever gave a thought to “sibsets” until I started reading this board. If every child is unique, shouldn’t their name fit them and not their sibling? I think it’s ridiculous that parents would forego a great name they love because it doesn’t flow with the child’s sibling’s name. Dumb. Judgment hat on.
PS Mr. gets annoyed when I rant about strangers on the internet and what they are doing so this is why you are being graced with this. Because I had to get this out and he has cut me off.
I am not a big fan of many of today’s trends like boys names for girls or anything ended in –aden or weirdo “unique” spellings like Mykayla. (People it’s Michaela just like Dr. Quinn…. Medicine Woman….)
To the point, my vent today is about people obsessed with making sure their kids’ names match.
What do I mean? Well here is an example post:
Hi. My son’s name is Jim. I like the names Bob, Reginald, and Bert. What will match the best with Jim?
My question to these people is why does it matter? Now, these cases are when I think some consideration should be taken (because you can’t make blanket statements without a few caveats):
1. No themes (i.e., naming your girls all flower names like Charlotte from SATC or, as someone we actually kind of know in real life, alcoholic beverages: Brandi and Sherry)
2. No everyone starting with the same first initial like the Duggars (unnecessary).
3. No rhyming or way too similar names like Bill and Jill or Chuck and Buck or Patty and Paddy (why?).
Maybe someone can explain this to me? Outside of childhood does this even matter? Even in childhood, it’s not like me and my siblings hung out together outside of our house and family. We were in different grades, had different friends. Today, I don’t go around saying my name is X, my sister is Y. No one I come into contact with on a daily basis even knows I have siblings let alone what their names are.
Furthermore, my siblings and I don’t have names that “go”. My siblings have more traditional (aka in the Bible) names. I have a born in the 1950s “mom” name. No one ever said “Oh my! What were your parents thinking? Your names are stylistically different! Shame on them!”
I don’t think I ever gave a thought to “sibsets” until I started reading this board. If every child is unique, shouldn’t their name fit them and not their sibling? I think it’s ridiculous that parents would forego a great name they love because it doesn’t flow with the child’s sibling’s name. Dumb. Judgment hat on.
PS Mr. gets annoyed when I rant about strangers on the internet and what they are doing so this is why you are being graced with this. Because I had to get this out and he has cut me off.
April 25, 2011
Don't Read This!: The Countess and the King
By Susan Holloway Scott
I am ashamed to say that this book took me a ridiculous two weeks give or take to get through. That is a long time for me for a book like this. Part of this was due to my new iPhone and playing sudoku at lunch time and on the train instead of reading. Part was it was that this book stunk.
When one picks up a book at the Borders big sale like I did and when that book is entitled The Countess and the King, one expects a nice piece of naughty historical fiction. One does not expect to be bored to tears over the highly detailed political intrigues spelled out in this book.
The Countess and the King is told from the first person perspective of Katherine Sedley, a mistress to James II of England. The book recounts her unique youth among her father and his friends, then her development into a lady of King Charles II’s court and eventually her attachment to his brother James.
This had the makings of a good story and there were parts that definitely kept me interested what ruined it was that the author got way too into heavy details regarding the politics of the time particularly the Protestants vs. the Catholics. While I do think some background would have been helped the story along, it was not necessary to go into so much detail. If I wanted to read a historical account of Charles II’s reign, I would have bought a history book.
I am ashamed to say that this book took me a ridiculous two weeks give or take to get through. That is a long time for me for a book like this. Part of this was due to my new iPhone and playing sudoku at lunch time and on the train instead of reading. Part was it was that this book stunk.
When one picks up a book at the Borders big sale like I did and when that book is entitled The Countess and the King, one expects a nice piece of naughty historical fiction. One does not expect to be bored to tears over the highly detailed political intrigues spelled out in this book.
The Countess and the King is told from the first person perspective of Katherine Sedley, a mistress to James II of England. The book recounts her unique youth among her father and his friends, then her development into a lady of King Charles II’s court and eventually her attachment to his brother James.
This had the makings of a good story and there were parts that definitely kept me interested what ruined it was that the author got way too into heavy details regarding the politics of the time particularly the Protestants vs. the Catholics. While I do think some background would have been helped the story along, it was not necessary to go into so much detail. If I wanted to read a historical account of Charles II’s reign, I would have bought a history book.
April 24, 2011
April 21, 2011
Home for My iPhone- Follow Up
As I mentioned in previous post on this topic, I was not happy with the amount of padding produced by my first iPhone attempt. So this is attempt 2.
Instead of 2 pieces of 3x5 batting, I used 4 pieces of 2.5x4.5 batting. The rest of the measurements and supplies are the same. Changes to round 1 are bolded.
I did attempt a new way to close the top since I ran into problems last time. Here is what I did for round 2.
1. Cut fabric so that you have 4 pieces of 6 x 4.25 inch fabric and 4 2.5 x 4.5 inches of batting.
2. Pin the two outside fabric pieces together with the right sides facing in.
3. Pin the two lining fabric pieces together with the right sides facing in.
4. Sew a 5/8 inch seam around three of the four sides of both the lining and outside fabrics leaving the top open. Leave an inch or so unsewn toward the top on both sides.
Make sure if your fabric has a direction you don’t sew the top accidentally.
5. Trim the seam down to about a ¼ inch for both. I also trimmed the corners to eliminate bulk.
6. Take the extra scrap and fold it in on both sides and then in again. Sew a line down the middle.
7. Pin the inside of the outside fabric top to the inside of the lining. Right sides face in. Pin the piece of fabric in step 6 folded in half with the ends sticking into the seam. Sew across this about a 1/2 inch seam.
Fold the other sides of both fabrics down. You don't want to sew these other two sides.
If this seems confusing. Here is a visual for what this will look like when you are done.
8. Line up the batting on the lining to make sure it will fit within the seam.
9. Put two piece of batting on the inside of the seam you just sewed in step 6.
10. This is going to be confusing so it may help if you look at the pic in step 7.
The green fabric is the lining. The blue is the outside.
Take the lining fabic with the batting next to it on the side with the sewn top seam and shove it into the pocket created by the sewn outside fabric. It is kind of like folding socks.
In the end, you should have the lining inside the outside fabric on the side with the loop and sewn top seam.
11. At this point I sewed the button on about an inch and a quarter from the top to the outside fabric only on the unsewn side.
12. Fold the unsewn top pieces of the case in about a ½ inch and pin.
13. Hand sew the open sides and the open top shut. Now, I did try to sew the open sides with the sewing machine but I didn't backstitch and the stitches fell out so I ended up hand-sewing them. If you can sew the side seams with the machine, more power to you.
14. So at this point, I was done! Voila!
Instead of 2 pieces of 3x5 batting, I used 4 pieces of 2.5x4.5 batting. The rest of the measurements and supplies are the same. Changes to round 1 are bolded.
I did attempt a new way to close the top since I ran into problems last time. Here is what I did for round 2.
1. Cut fabric so that you have 4 pieces of 6 x 4.25 inch fabric and 4 2.5 x 4.5 inches of batting.
2. Pin the two outside fabric pieces together with the right sides facing in.
3. Pin the two lining fabric pieces together with the right sides facing in.
4. Sew a 5/8 inch seam around three of the four sides of both the lining and outside fabrics leaving the top open. Leave an inch or so unsewn toward the top on both sides.
Make sure if your fabric has a direction you don’t sew the top accidentally.
5. Trim the seam down to about a ¼ inch for both. I also trimmed the corners to eliminate bulk.
6. Take the extra scrap and fold it in on both sides and then in again. Sew a line down the middle.
7. Pin the inside of the outside fabric top to the inside of the lining. Right sides face in. Pin the piece of fabric in step 6 folded in half with the ends sticking into the seam. Sew across this about a 1/2 inch seam.
Fold the other sides of both fabrics down. You don't want to sew these other two sides.
If this seems confusing. Here is a visual for what this will look like when you are done.
8. Line up the batting on the lining to make sure it will fit within the seam.
9. Put two piece of batting on the inside of the seam you just sewed in step 6.
10. This is going to be confusing so it may help if you look at the pic in step 7.
The green fabric is the lining. The blue is the outside.
Take the lining fabic with the batting next to it on the side with the sewn top seam and shove it into the pocket created by the sewn outside fabric. It is kind of like folding socks.
In the end, you should have the lining inside the outside fabric on the side with the loop and sewn top seam.
11. At this point I sewed the button on about an inch and a quarter from the top to the outside fabric only on the unsewn side.
12. Fold the unsewn top pieces of the case in about a ½ inch and pin.
13. Hand sew the open sides and the open top shut. Now, I did try to sew the open sides with the sewing machine but I didn't backstitch and the stitches fell out so I ended up hand-sewing them. If you can sew the side seams with the machine, more power to you.
14. So at this point, I was done! Voila!
April 19, 2011
Where Have All the Caramels Gone?
I need caramels for a treat I am planning for Easter.
But I can't find them anywhere.
I have been to four stores.
What the heck????
Do they not make caramels anymore???
But I can't find them anywhere.
I have been to four stores.
What the heck????
Do they not make caramels anymore???
April 16, 2011
Home for My iPhone
As Mr. mentioned, we recently got iPhones. While Mr. was suckered into an iPhone case at the store, I was not. When I got home and realized maybe I do want a case, I did some internet searching and decided I could make one using what I already had and so in effect it would be FREE! I love free so why not?
Here is what I did:
Supplies:
2 6 x 4.25 inch pieces of fabric for the outside
2 6 x 4.25 inch pieces of fabric for the lining plus 1 additional scrap about 4 inches long and maybe an inch wide.
2 3x5 inch pieces of batting
1 button
1 spool of thread
I have a ton of left over fabrics and chose two from there. They ended up being the same fabrics I used for my yoga bag a few months ago. I also used some of the batting left over from the baby blanket I just made and a button that was in my spare button bag.
1. Cut fabric so that you have 4 pieces of 6 x 4.25 inch fabric and 2 3 x5 inches of batting.
2. Pin the two outside fabric pieces together with the right sides facing in.
3. Pin the two lining fabric pieces together with the right sides facing in.
4. Sew a 5/8 inch seam around three of the four sides of both the lining and outside fabrics leaving the top open.
Make sure if your fabric has a direction you don’t sew the top accidentally.
5. Trim the seam down to about a ¼ inch for both. I also trimmed the corners to eliminate bulk.
6. Flip the outside fabric pieces so that they are right side out.
7. Line up the batting on the lining to make sure it will fit within the seam.
8. Stuff the batting and lining inside the outside fabric. One piece of batting should go on each side.
9. At this point I sewed the button on about an inch and a quarter from the top to the outside fabric only.
10. Take the extra scrap and fold it in on both sides and then in again. Sew a line down the middle.
11. Fold the top pieces of the case in about a ½ inch and pin.
12. Take the extra scrap that you have sewn, fold it in half placing part of each end in the seam. Make sure you have enough length so that it will close on the button.
13. Now, at this point, I was originally going to hand sew the top seam closed. But hand sewing takes awhile and I thought it could use an edge stitch to look complete. My issue was I had a small hole to sew around and I wasn’t sure of the best way to go about doing it since it wouldn't fit sleeve-like over my sewing machine. I thought that if I could go slowly and just push the other part back, it could work. I also changed the foot on my sewing machine to a zipper foot because I thought it would give me more leeway. I think this may have been not so smart. Either way, there has to be a better way to do this but I am not a professional so eh, I was making this up as I went and the edge stitching could have looked better but it will do. I am trying to visualize a better way to do this for future use and will keep you posted.
14. So at this point, I was done! Voila!
UPDATE: I have been using this case for about a week and love it for the most part. However, I wish it was bulkier to give the phone more protection. So I am going to work on a updated case and will let you know how it goes.
Here is what I did:
Supplies:
2 6 x 4.25 inch pieces of fabric for the outside
2 6 x 4.25 inch pieces of fabric for the lining plus 1 additional scrap about 4 inches long and maybe an inch wide.
2 3x5 inch pieces of batting
1 button
1 spool of thread
I have a ton of left over fabrics and chose two from there. They ended up being the same fabrics I used for my yoga bag a few months ago. I also used some of the batting left over from the baby blanket I just made and a button that was in my spare button bag.
1. Cut fabric so that you have 4 pieces of 6 x 4.25 inch fabric and 2 3 x5 inches of batting.
2. Pin the two outside fabric pieces together with the right sides facing in.
3. Pin the two lining fabric pieces together with the right sides facing in.
4. Sew a 5/8 inch seam around three of the four sides of both the lining and outside fabrics leaving the top open.
Make sure if your fabric has a direction you don’t sew the top accidentally.
5. Trim the seam down to about a ¼ inch for both. I also trimmed the corners to eliminate bulk.
6. Flip the outside fabric pieces so that they are right side out.
7. Line up the batting on the lining to make sure it will fit within the seam.
8. Stuff the batting and lining inside the outside fabric. One piece of batting should go on each side.
9. At this point I sewed the button on about an inch and a quarter from the top to the outside fabric only.
10. Take the extra scrap and fold it in on both sides and then in again. Sew a line down the middle.
11. Fold the top pieces of the case in about a ½ inch and pin.
12. Take the extra scrap that you have sewn, fold it in half placing part of each end in the seam. Make sure you have enough length so that it will close on the button.
13. Now, at this point, I was originally going to hand sew the top seam closed. But hand sewing takes awhile and I thought it could use an edge stitch to look complete. My issue was I had a small hole to sew around and I wasn’t sure of the best way to go about doing it since it wouldn't fit sleeve-like over my sewing machine. I thought that if I could go slowly and just push the other part back, it could work. I also changed the foot on my sewing machine to a zipper foot because I thought it would give me more leeway. I think this may have been not so smart. Either way, there has to be a better way to do this but I am not a professional so eh, I was making this up as I went and the edge stitching could have looked better but it will do. I am trying to visualize a better way to do this for future use and will keep you posted.
14. So at this point, I was done! Voila!
UPDATE: I have been using this case for about a week and love it for the most part. However, I wish it was bulkier to give the phone more protection. So I am going to work on a updated case and will let you know how it goes.
April 13, 2011
Gonna Party Like It's 2009!
At the end of 2004 Motorola introduced its RAZR cell phone, a thin, lightweight flip phone that was all the rage throughout 2005. All the cool kids (and adults) rushed out to buy this latest advancement in cellular technology and style. Needless to say, Mrs. and I jumped on the bandwagon . . . in May 2007. That’s when the RAZR became the free phone AT&T was giving away when you signed up for cellular service. As we’ve mentioned before, we’re rarely ahead of the technology curve.
And here we were almost four years later still rockin’ the RAZR. But a couple of weeks ago Mrs. made a confession to me. She was embarrassed of her phone. And why not? Everyone has moved on to Smartphones these days. With their phones they can search the internet, send texts, check e-mail, listen to music, play games, record videos, and even (I think) make calls. With our phones we could make calls and take low resolution grainy surveillance photos. I was embarrassed too. I mean, my phone didn’t even work in all rooms of our house. Everyone we knew had a Smartphone. We had the equivalent of carrying around a portable CD player with giant headphones. People were starting to stare. So we finally decided it was time to retire the RAZRs.
In early 2007 Apple, Inc. unveiled the iPhone, a revolution in modern technology. And yes, that was 2007, about four months before we “upgraded” to the RAZR. The iPhone became the “it” gadget to have. And all the cool kids cast aside their RAZRs (this is why they were free for us) and made Steve Jobs an even richer man by purchasing iPhones by the truckload. Apple, Inc. then introduced its iPhone 3G in June 2008, followed by the iPhone 3GS in June 2009, and then the iPhone 4, which was released earlier this year. So after some research Mrs. and I decided to make the trip out to the AT&T store and get ourselves iPhones. But let’s not get crazy, we didn’t get the new iPhone 4. No, no, no. We are now proud owners of the old iPhone 3GS, $49 each now that they need to get rid of the inventory to make room for the new model.
So we might not have embraced the latest in technology, but we did move from 2005 to 2009. And even though Mrs. is paranoid about getting mugged for her phone (no one was going to steal the RAZR unless they were heading to the Antiques Roadshow), we’re excited to finally join the Smartphone revolution. We can now join the rest of society by pretending to pay attention to our friends and family as they talk to us, all the while staring at our phones, looking for the score of the game, texting someone else, or checking out the weather in Cupertino, CA. And we’re looking forward to upgrading to the iPhone 4 in 2015.
And here we were almost four years later still rockin’ the RAZR. But a couple of weeks ago Mrs. made a confession to me. She was embarrassed of her phone. And why not? Everyone has moved on to Smartphones these days. With their phones they can search the internet, send texts, check e-mail, listen to music, play games, record videos, and even (I think) make calls. With our phones we could make calls and take low resolution grainy surveillance photos. I was embarrassed too. I mean, my phone didn’t even work in all rooms of our house. Everyone we knew had a Smartphone. We had the equivalent of carrying around a portable CD player with giant headphones. People were starting to stare. So we finally decided it was time to retire the RAZRs.
In early 2007 Apple, Inc. unveiled the iPhone, a revolution in modern technology. And yes, that was 2007, about four months before we “upgraded” to the RAZR. The iPhone became the “it” gadget to have. And all the cool kids cast aside their RAZRs (this is why they were free for us) and made Steve Jobs an even richer man by purchasing iPhones by the truckload. Apple, Inc. then introduced its iPhone 3G in June 2008, followed by the iPhone 3GS in June 2009, and then the iPhone 4, which was released earlier this year. So after some research Mrs. and I decided to make the trip out to the AT&T store and get ourselves iPhones. But let’s not get crazy, we didn’t get the new iPhone 4. No, no, no. We are now proud owners of the old iPhone 3GS, $49 each now that they need to get rid of the inventory to make room for the new model.
So we might not have embraced the latest in technology, but we did move from 2005 to 2009. And even though Mrs. is paranoid about getting mugged for her phone (no one was going to steal the RAZR unless they were heading to the Antiques Roadshow), we’re excited to finally join the Smartphone revolution. We can now join the rest of society by pretending to pay attention to our friends and family as they talk to us, all the while staring at our phones, looking for the score of the game, texting someone else, or checking out the weather in Cupertino, CA. And we’re looking forward to upgrading to the iPhone 4 in 2015.
April 10, 2011
April 7, 2011
Read This!: Summer Sisters
By Judy Blume
Back in day, like when I was 10, I read some Judy Blume but I always get her and Beverly Cleary confused so I can't be certain. I think I was more of a BC fan because I loved the Ramona books but I for sure read Are You There God? It's Me Margaret. Anyways, outside of Forever which I read maybe 10 years ago, I haven't touched a JB book since, until now.
Summer Sisters explores the friendship between Vix and Caitlin who spend their summers every year at Caitlin's father's house on Martha's Vineyard. Vix is quiet while Caitlin is all flash. Over the years, the two girls experience the ups and downs of love and friendship. The story is told mainly from Vix's perspective so you see more of her reasoning for what is happening and not the whole story making the end a bit interesting when you finally learn what Caitlin is all about.
I am not sure what I was expecting going into this book but I found it a bit smutty (oh my Catholic upbringing). I am not sure why I was surprised considering I did read Forever but eh, I was. Either way, we are all grown ups, and this would be a good beach read so I recommend. I am thinking of picking up one of Judy Blume's other books written for adults like Wifey but we'll see.
Back in day, like when I was 10, I read some Judy Blume but I always get her and Beverly Cleary confused so I can't be certain. I think I was more of a BC fan because I loved the Ramona books but I for sure read Are You There God? It's Me Margaret. Anyways, outside of Forever which I read maybe 10 years ago, I haven't touched a JB book since, until now.
Summer Sisters explores the friendship between Vix and Caitlin who spend their summers every year at Caitlin's father's house on Martha's Vineyard. Vix is quiet while Caitlin is all flash. Over the years, the two girls experience the ups and downs of love and friendship. The story is told mainly from Vix's perspective so you see more of her reasoning for what is happening and not the whole story making the end a bit interesting when you finally learn what Caitlin is all about.
I am not sure what I was expecting going into this book but I found it a bit smutty (oh my Catholic upbringing). I am not sure why I was surprised considering I did read Forever but eh, I was. Either way, we are all grown ups, and this would be a good beach read so I recommend. I am thinking of picking up one of Judy Blume's other books written for adults like Wifey but we'll see.
April 6, 2011
Read This!: The Hundred Secret Senses
By Amy Tan
I used to be really into Amy Tan books. The summer before my senior year of college, I think I read all of the ones in my local library but alas since then, the only one I have read was Saving Fish from Drowning on my honeymoon almost four years ago. Yikes! Time flies! However, I came across The Hundred Secret Senses and it seemed interesting so I bought it.
Kwan and Olivia, the two main characters, are half sisters who share the same Chinese father. Olivia was born and raised in America but Kwan immigrated in her early teen years. Kwan has “yin eyes” which means she can see dead people, just like in The Sixth Sense. In most of Amy Tan’s books, it is the Chinese mother driving the American daughter crazy with her old world ways but in this one, the older sister is driving the younger sister crazy. Olivia doesn’t care for Kwan’s ghost stories and other idiosyncrasies. But, Kwan is pushy and usually gets her way.
Within this story is another story about Kwan and Olivia in a past life in China. (I have to confess when the stories switched I was lost for a second and was like huh? But, then I got it. I do have some brains after all.) Kwan narrates the past life story to Olivia over the years as the ghosts tell her. But, if some of these ghosts are Olivia and Kwan in a past life, how can they talk to them now? Aren’t they the same person? A point to think about I guess.
Anyways, I am not sure my description does the book justice but I was trying not to reveal too much. Long story short, I liked this book much better than the last one I read by Amy Tan and think it is worth reading. As I have mentioned before, one of my favorite genres is books set in China, I am not sure why, maybe I was Chinese in a past life, so I am probably biased.
I used to be really into Amy Tan books. The summer before my senior year of college, I think I read all of the ones in my local library but alas since then, the only one I have read was Saving Fish from Drowning on my honeymoon almost four years ago. Yikes! Time flies! However, I came across The Hundred Secret Senses and it seemed interesting so I bought it.
Kwan and Olivia, the two main characters, are half sisters who share the same Chinese father. Olivia was born and raised in America but Kwan immigrated in her early teen years. Kwan has “yin eyes” which means she can see dead people, just like in The Sixth Sense. In most of Amy Tan’s books, it is the Chinese mother driving the American daughter crazy with her old world ways but in this one, the older sister is driving the younger sister crazy. Olivia doesn’t care for Kwan’s ghost stories and other idiosyncrasies. But, Kwan is pushy and usually gets her way.
Within this story is another story about Kwan and Olivia in a past life in China. (I have to confess when the stories switched I was lost for a second and was like huh? But, then I got it. I do have some brains after all.) Kwan narrates the past life story to Olivia over the years as the ghosts tell her. But, if some of these ghosts are Olivia and Kwan in a past life, how can they talk to them now? Aren’t they the same person? A point to think about I guess.
Anyways, I am not sure my description does the book justice but I was trying not to reveal too much. Long story short, I liked this book much better than the last one I read by Amy Tan and think it is worth reading. As I have mentioned before, one of my favorite genres is books set in China, I am not sure why, maybe I was Chinese in a past life, so I am probably biased.
April 1, 2011
Blanketology
I recently made this blanket for our new niece Baby A. I made this pattern up as I went after looking at a few other blankets for ideas.
Supplies needed:
1 ½ yards fabric to be used for the top
1 ½ yards fabric to be used for the bottom
2 layers of batting
1 spool of thread
I used flannel for the top and minky fabric for the bottom. I chose to do two layers of batting to make it thicker so that the blanket would be super warm or good as a floor play mat. Obviously you can use one layer, two layers, or zero layers of batting. Similarly, any measurements can be modified according to the size you need.
1. After washing all of your fabrics including the batting to account for shrinkage, cut everything.
I cut my batting to 35 inches square and the outer fabrics to 36 ½ inches. I chose 35 inches for the batting because that was the width after it was washed. This way I only had to cut one side since the pieces lined up like so:
Nice way to save yourself some measuring. I was envisioning the blanket would be about 36 inches square anyways so that worked out well.
I made the outer fabrics a little bigger so that I could sew the standard 5/8 inch seam and so that when the blanket finally was together, the batting would have some room and not bunch or need to be cut down to fit inside the fabric.
If you are using a patterned piece that is geometric like the harlequin pattern I used be sure to figure out what the center of the fabric is and cut accordingly so that everything stays in line. I am crazy so cutting out the harlequin pattern took me forever. This didn’t cross my mind when purchasing the fabric or else I might have made a different choice. Obviously, for those more relaxed, you can cut it any way you want. I would also recommend a cutting mat and rotary cutter for this part. I used scissors and it was a major pain to keep everything straight.
2. Pin the two fabrics so that they are inside out.
Make sure that the fabrics are facing the correct direction if there is a clear up and down to your pieces. If you are using minky like me, make sure the nap is facing down. I pinned the corners together first. Minky is stretchy and I wanted to make sure everything was aligned properly. Then, I pinned the middles and then the rest.
3. Begin sewing making sure to leave an 8 inch or so part unsewn. Backstitch at each end.
I eyeballed the hole size but just make sure your hole is big enough to flip the blanket and get the batting in. I used a 5/8 inch seam because it’s standard and the sewing machine has a clear mark on it for when to turn the corner. I used a standard sewing needle size 90/14 with a standard stitch.
Once this was done, I actually trimmed down the seam to about a ¼ inch. I hate dealing with too small seams so the few minutes it took to do this was an easy trade off for fighting with my sewing machine.
4. Cut the corners to remove extra bulk. Make sure not to cut the seam open.
5. Flip the blanket so the right sides face outside. Push out the corners with a tool if need be.
6. Put the batting in.
I did this like I do our down comforter when I am switching the duvet by holding a corner to keep everything in place from the outside and then using my skills to smooth everything out.
7. Once the blanket is smoothed out and the batting is lying flat, sew the opening shut by hand.
This was my least favorite part.
8. You could use the blanket as is. But, to keep the batting from getting all mixed up and moving around, I did a one inch topstitch around the outside of the blanket. Backstitch at each end.
My machine doesn’t have a one inch mark so I measured one out and made a line on my machine. I also measured out where to turn the fabric so that the stitching is one inch on all sides. I marked this on my machine as well.
9. You are done! Voila!
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