On “The Fairy Tale of My Life”: A Book Review

About the book…
The Fairy Tale of My Life is the autobiography of Hans Christian Andersen covering from 1805 to 1867.

What I think…
While I consider Andersen to be my favorite of the fairy tale writers and collectors, I am sorry to say I did not take equal enjoyment in reading his autobiography.

The first portions of the book relating to his childhood and early travels, I found to be the most interesting. In several instances he mentions events that can be seen as inspirations for his stories, including "The Snow Queen" and "The Red Shoes", which were quite fun to read about. I also learned just how much he was devoted to and involved in writing for the theatre.

In later portions, however, the book becomes very rambling. His accounts of travels become filled with the people he meets and the history of their travels as well as the history of their travelling companions. Had I perhaps a better knowledge of the people during this time period (especially in the area of theatre) this may have been less dull, although I did like reading about some his encounters among them the Grimms’ (Jacob had no idea who he was when they first met), Jenny Lind, and Charles Dickens. Much time is also, and understandably, devoted to discussing his ill health and how it was affected by the various climates of the different places he visited.

To sum it all up…
This book is probably better suited for someone who knows a great deal of European history of the time, especially in the areas of art and the theatre, or for someone who would like to know H.C. Andersen’s thoughts on life in great detail. Despite not enjoying it, though, in no way did this book change my fascination with his fairy tales. ♥

On Some Sewing Ideas

Over the weekend I did a bit of fabric shopping and among what I came home with was this very cheerful bird fabric.

When I picked it up nothing immediately came to mind as to what I might use it for, but it reminded me of something Mary Blair (LOVE her concept art!!) would have drawn and that was enough to make me want some. I became even happier when I realized it was a Robert Kaufman print because I absolutely adore their fabric designs (I’ve curtains, several bags, a few pillows, and at least two dresses made with prints by them, just to give you an idea as to how much).  Now after a few days I’m beginning to have some ideas and I’d be happy to know what you lovely readers think.

First off, the print is a bit large. As you can see from my picture, the bigger birds are about 5 inches, which for me rules out using it on a bodice because it would look funny. I briefly contemplated using it for a gathered skirt, but realized even with a petticoat the print would be too gathered for it look good. Using a skirt pattern with too many panels was also out due to the fact the print would be broken up by so many seams. Then I thought of this 1950’s dress/jumper pattern!

The skirt is made up of four panels, fortunately with a cutting layout that would place the birds flying straight across and keep the correct drape. Because I really don’t want any half birds flying into/out of seams, I thought it might be fun if I took fairly skinny ribbon in the three colors of the birds, picked two to sew over the four seams to make them less noticeable and then used the third color ribbon for a belt. As for the top I’d like to find a bright blue, to match a light weight blue material that I think would look nice sewn along the bottom edge (so it looks like another layer was underneath, not as a strip of binding).

So what do you think? Does this print look enough like a 1950’s novelty print that it will work for this dress? Do you think my ideas might work out or do you think it will make the outfit look too childish? ♥

On a Happy 4th of July to Everyone!

Happy 4th of July wishes to those in the USA!

And a happy beginning of July to all, hope your month is off to a wonderful start!



A charming photo of some of my relatives being patriotic!

♥♥♥♥

On Being Nominated for the Liebster Award

Monday morning I had the nice surprise of having been nominated for the Liebster Award by the wonderfully sweet Sean of The Fictionista (Thanks, again!).

Here are the rules when receiving the Liebster Award:
-You must answer the 11 questions set by the blogger who nominated you.
-You yourself then pick 11 blogs who in turn have under 200 followers. You must then think of 11 questions for the blogs you have picked and also tell them.
-Finally link back to the blog that nominated you.

Almost all the blogs I follow have over 200 followers (Not surprising as the writers of those blogs are all so wonderful!), so I can’t fulfill that part of the requirements, but perhaps I qualify for this “no strings attached” version?

(Not my image, found mentioned here)

Anyway, here are my answers to Sean’s 11 questions:

1. Besides what you blog is dedicated to, what are some of your other interests?Arts and crafts (things aside from sewing, of course)! And I also really enjoy looking into my family history.

2. If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money?
I’d want to take a trip to England and visit a ton of literary and historic places!

3. What made you want to start a blog?
Originally, I wanted to improve my creative non-fiction writing, since it’s always been a weak area for me in my writing. Since then though, I’ve expanded to sharing some of my sewing adventures, my love of vintage, and doing book reviews.
 
4. What took you on the journey to embrace vintage?
I don’t really remember what started it off, although I do have a distinct memory of telling a friend during high school that I wanted to dress vintage. Right around that time I had started watching a considerable amount of movies from the 40’s and 50’s, so I’d say it was probably a big influence. Other influences include having been using 50’s and 60’s Christmas decorations from a very early age, a polk-a-dot dress I found at my grandma’s, time spent looking at family photos and my love for old books.

5. Have you met any kindred spirits through the world of blogging?
Without a doubt, yes!

6. What does your SO/family think of your vintage lifestyle/blogging?
All sorts of positive things.

7. Do you have a favorite decade in fashion and/or history {or both}?
The 1940’s and 1950’s would have to be my favorites. I also love the Victorian Era and Europe’s medieval period.

8. Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
I don’t really have one single inspiration; it’s more like a combination of inspirations in different areas.

9. Dresses or separates?
Both. I like wearing dresses, but wear separates much more frequently for practicality’s sake.

10. Your favorite item currently {does not have to be vintage}?
Not sure if this was meant to refer to a clothing item or not. If so, a sundress I made a few months ago with a delightfully large collar. If not, the vintage train case I bought a few weeks ago to store my vintage patterns in. :)

11. What is your favorite quote?
Just one?! I have quite a few, but some of the tops (excluding book and poetry quotes, in which case we’d be here all day) would have to be…

“Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted”—Albert Einstein
 
“If you always do what interests you, at least one person is pleased”–Katharine Hepburn

“One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar”—Helen Keller

♥♥♥