My First Pattern Review!

I just posted my first pattern review, for Amy Butler's Frenchy Bag. It's no masterpiece, to be sure, but it's a big step for me in taking the risk to blossom. ;)

The first time I made the purse, it was for my daughter. I knew she'd like it, but I didn't think the style would appeal to me. I was wrong. I liked it very much and decided to make one for me. The fabric is from Amy Butler's "Belle" collection, Gothic Rose in burgundy and pink Coriander.

In other news, I scored two good-seat concert tickets for the Celtic Woman - Isle of Hope Tour next month. My daughter and I were fortunate enough to attend their "New Journey" tour a few years ago, and it was wonderful! They are incredibly talented and the show was a feast for the eyes as well. The stage design, lighting and gowns were breathtaking. I took a pair of binoculars last time...not the dainty little opera-glasses, but big solar-system-gazing binoculars and I'm so glad I did. It allowed us to see, in great detail, the beadwork on their gowns..absolutely stunning. We are one row closer and 7-8 seats more to the middle than last time. The Frenchy Bag is the perfect purse to carry when we go, as it will hold those binoculars and still have a plenty of room for everything else. :)
I still need to make my daughter the pajama pants I promised. I have four pairs cut out, I just need to get sewing -- hopefully today.
Constructive criticism on my review is welcome -- really and truly. You can e-mail me from my profile page.

Book Review: The Ivy Chronicles

I purchased The Ivy Chronicles off the bargain table at Barnes and Noble hoping for a read comparable to The Nanny Diaries.

The book's main character, Ivy Ames, is newly-divorced from her husband, her high-powered job, and their wealthy lifestyle. Needing to become self-sufficient, Ivy starts her own business as a consultant, assisting parents with the admissions process in the competitive world of NYC private schools.

I found Ivy to be self-absorbed and ridiculous -- and those are her better qualities. This is chick lit -- I wasn't expecting a literary masterpiece, but as the plot unfolds it ranges from implausible and idiotic to just plain pathetic. A couple of Ivy's former co-workers die, having been eaten by alligators. Ivy believes that the daughter of one of her client's will have a better chance of getting accepted into one of the schools if she's a minority, so she takes the girl to a salon for a couple of dark spray-tans, dresses her in an ethnic African-American-inspired outfit, and calls her Wa'Shaunte (the girl's name is Winnie).

Reading through this drivel to a predictable ending was a chore. To be more accurate, I read about two-thirds and skimmed the remainder. If I hadn't purchased the book, I'd have quit reading much sooner.

Quoting Dorothy Parker: "This is not a book to be cast aside lightly. It should be hurled with great force."

Christmas, 2008

I hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful holiday with family and friends. Our family did. :)
We had an ice storm on my birthday, so we had to change our plans for that day, but it was fine. My husband gave me an organizer for my scrapbooking supplies, my daughter gave me a large bottle of my favorite bubble bath, amazing grace by Philosophy, my mom gave me money and my MIL sent me a devotional/journal. Instead of the usual chocolate cake, we had gingerbread. Here's a peek at my presents. :)

I did a little redecorating after my "Deck the Halls" post. I just couldn't stand it that the buffet in the entryway was lightless. So I added some lighted garland, but they only put 35 measly lights in the garland, so I had to add another 50 -- which helped.

Then DH came along to lend a hand and he added this.

I left it there for a couple of days before I tossed it.
I finally found a round tablecloth for my kitchen table in a shade of red that was a "cool" red instead of a "warm" red. Yay, for Target! I added the coffee cups DH bought me for Christmas a few years ago. I keep intending to make fancy coasters to sit them on -- maybe next year.

Here's the wreath on our front door. I forgot to take a picture of it the first time around.

The ice melted during the day on Christmas eve clearing the way for my mom to come over on Christmas. We ate too much, exchanged gifts, played board games, and listened to a CD of James Earl Jones reading The Christmas Story from the book of Luke.

My husband surprised me with something I've wanted for a long time, my very own American Girl doll. I'm young at heart (see Dec. 23 post) and the company is retiring Samantha, which makes me sad. Samantha was the first AG doll my daughter received.

And if that wasn't enough, he gave me a Magna-Hoop, a roller foot for my sewing machine, and he shopped at Archiver's, picking out scrapbook paper, stickers, a layout book, albums, a storage container and a $50 gift card! I just think it's so sweet that he actually shopped the scrapbook store on his own. My daughter wasn't with him, and I hadn't asked for anything specific. He said the woman working in the store was very patient in helping him. :)
You're a good and thoughtful man, Brad; and I'd have said it even if you hadn't given me all the great presents. :) xoxo
My daughter replenished my favorite Fiskars scissors, as I was sorely in need of new ones.
DH, DD, and DM enjoyed their gifts, too. :)
My daughter was pleased with a purse I made for her using Amy Butler's Frenchy Bag pattern. I finished at 3:00 a.m. on Christmas. I'm planning on doing a separate blog post about the purse and pattern, but here's a photo of DD holding it up for the camera.

And to all a good night.

God bless us, every one

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ~Isaiah 9:6

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
~Luke 2:8-14

Growing old may be mandatory; but growing up is optional

Happy Birthday to me!  I'm 46 years young.  :)

"Years are only garments and you either wear them with style all your life, or you go dowdy to the grave."  ~Dorothy Parker

Congratulations to My Daughter

I just wanted to write a quick note to publicly congratulate my daughter on the successful completion of the writing fellowship she was awarded in the last semester of her freshman year.

She is now officially qualified as a writing tutor and is employed at her university's writing center. 

Successfully completing this course was no small feat.  It is a graduate-level course and it required hours of writing, study and evaluation.  She worked conscientiously and was rewarded for her work.  As an extra bonus, the fellowship allowed her to fulfill her senior year internship.  Not bad -- polishing off your senior internship as a first-semester sophomore.

Great work, my sweet girl.  I am, as always, very proud of you. I am blessed.

Happy Birthday, Jane Austen

Though it's a bit late in the day, I want to acknowledge the birthday of Jane Austen, one of my favorite authors.  :)

Jane was born December 16, 1775,  in Steventon, Hampshire, England.

Love and Freindship (yes, that's her spelling of friendship) is one of the juvenilia writings authored by Jane when she was 14 years old.   Below is a favorite passage of mine from Love and Freindship -- a series of letters.  All misspellings are the young Miss Austen's.

"Beware of fainting-fits… Though at the time they may be refreshing and agreeable, yet beleive me they will in the end, if too often repeated and at improper seasons, prove destructive to your Constitution… My fate will teach you this… I die a Martyr to my greif for the loss of Augustus… One fatal swoon has cost me my Life… Beware of swoons, Dear Laura… A frenzy fit is not one quarter so pernicious; it is an exercise to the Body and if not too violent, is, I dare say, conducive to Health in its consequences — Run mad as often as you chuse; but do not faint –”  Letter 14, Laura to Marianne

I will endeavor to do my best to "run mad" and "not faint".  ;)