On “The Snow Child”: A Book Review

Title: The Snow Child
Author: Eowyn Ivey
Genre: Fiction

About the book…
Jack and Mabel are struggling to make through another winter in the Alaskan wilderness, one that will determine whether they stay or will return to the life they once knew. One night they build a little girl from snow; the next day all that is left is a pile of snow where it stood and the glimpse of blue moving through the trees.

What I think…
This is one of the best books I’ve read in the past few years and one I know I will be re-reading for years to come.

It is loosely based on the Russian fairy tale ‘The Snow Maiden’, which is what first got my attention (in addition the beautiful cover), and, while set in the Alaskan wilderness during the 1920’s, manages to capture the essence of it beautifully. From the first line you are instantly drawn into the inner world of the characters and how they feel about their surroundings, as well as how they relate to those surroundings.

It is a meandering story in the most delightful way possible, keeping the reader engaged and guessing. I love that for a good portion of the book there is a thin line between knowing what real and questioning if what is occurring is happening or if it is imagination giving way to the lonely and desolate setting.

Bittersweet at times, but like the meandering, in a good way, it makes me love this book all the more.

To sum it all up…
Dreamy, imaginative while being realistic, and beautifully written. This is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a book that’s a little fantastical, but not doused in magic.♥

On the Very Inspiring Blogger Award

Way back in November of last year, the wonderful Sean of The Fictionista nominated me for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award and while it’s clearly taken me awhile to get around to doing so, I’m happy to be finally be able to do this post today. Thanks again for nominating me, Sean!

Here are my seven random facts:

1.  When I get something vintage with a brand name on it, I more often than not will research its history.

2.  I thoroughly enjoy reading etiquette books.

Two Amy Vanderbilt's and one Elinor Ames...
for some reason the ones by Emily Post in in different spots.

 3. The nickname Inky was given to me in high school. The lid of my pen wouldn’t come off and giving a really good tug resulted in the entire pen coming apart and a lot of ink ending up on my hand. Since the class had already started, I decided to attempt to rub off some of the rapidly drying ink.  This caught the attention of my teacher who stopped in the middle of lecturing, stared at me, and waited for me to ask to be excused. (The whole incident was actually very funny, but it’s hard to explain in a way that makes it sound like it.) This nickname works doubly well, though, since I frequently have ink on my hand after taking notes in pen.

4. From each clothing item I sew I keep a small piece of the fabric(s) I used. These I sew together like patchwork and plan to make a pillow.

I didn't realize how many pieces I hadn't added on to this yet.

5. I’m not sure if I have more books or more straight pins. There are a lot of both…

6. I detest grape flavored candy.

7. I love these socks:

And some lovely bloggers I’d like to nominate:

Alissa at In My Mind
Daffny at A Vintage Nerd
Jamie at Chatterblossom
Jessica at Chronically Vintage

Should you respond or not, I still think you’re all incredibly inspiring!♥

On a 1950’s Suspender Skirt

As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, my first project for this year was to make the suspender skirt from this pattern:

This was my first time making something from flannel (the print made me think of several fairy tales) and I found it to be an easy fabric to work with. For once, everything went almost entirely right in making this. I had just enough fabric to cut all the pieces with the exception of the facing for the straps, which I used black broadcloth for. The waist ended up being larger than expected, but unless you’re scrutinizing the construction it’s not noticeable and I’ll more than likely always wear it with a sweater.

A close up of the fabric and the waistband, which I adore.

The only bone I have to pick with this pattern is with the pocket, which is so shallow that you can’t possibly put anything in it without it immediately falling out. This, however, I think can be fixed with a few stitches to further close the pocket opening and make it a little deeper.

 

My hair stopped cooperating mid afternoon,
so I didn't try to fix it for the picture.

Overall, I’m really happy with the way it turned out and with a sweater, slip, and petticoat, I can wear it on a cooler day and be as snug as a bug in a rug.♥

On Tentative Sewing Plans and Goals for 2014

I’m not one to set resolutions, but last year I did decide I would come up with a list of the sewing projects and goals for during the year. This wasn’t something I stuck to rigidly, as throughout the year I added patterns to my collection and sometimes I’d come across fabric I thought would be perfect for something I wasn’t even thinking about making soon. However, this does help me come up with some of the things I want to focus on.

Instead of writing down pattern numbers and then descriptions, I made a collage in order to avoid having to remember what pattern goes with what number. Starting from the top left (sorry these are somewhat hard to see)…

-Advance 5749. I’m already off to a good start! I started making the suspendered skirt last Thursday and as of today all it needs is hemming, hooks and eyes, and some final stitching on the suspender’s felled seams. I’m hoping to wear it tomorrow!

-McCall’s 3829. I’ve already made a gathered skirt from this, but what I really bought the pattern for was the blouse and the jacket. I’m also planning to make another skirt (which is probably my next project).

-Simplicity 4884. The bird skirt! Need I say more?

-Simplicity 3409. I have a pink wool blanket that’s waiting to be turned into the coat on the left.

-McCall’s 1948. I was planning to make this last year and even have fabric for it, but I think the 11 yards of bias tape was a big deterrent. Also it needs a lining and I wasn’t quite ready to try that yet.

-Simplicity 8447. Both the swing coat and the dress.

- McCall’s 8610. This is going to be my adventure in using lace…that’s all I’m going to say about it for now. ;)

-McCall’s 1651, Advance 5758, McCall’s 1817’s transfer design (inspiration). These are lumped together because they’ll all involve the same fabric or go together to make an outfit. I saw the picture of the doll with the fish skirt ages ago (I have no idea where) and instantly decided I wanted a fish skirt. Recently I came across a picture of the actual children’s pattern it was from and I’m planning to recreate the design from it. The blouse pattern I’ll be making to go with it and the fabric left over from it will go for the skirt of the dress.

-Anne Adams 4811. I need to learn how to do fitting adjustments, making this one a learning process project.

Things not on the collage:
-The Wearing History 1940’s overalls. I’m setting this as next month’s project goal.
-A petticoat (color: green). I just have to brace myself for a daunting 48 yards worth of gathering and then binding (so really that adds up to 96 yards of work).

And some techniques...
- Linings.

- French seams. A few of my patterns call for them, so I’ll be learning how to do them. From what I’ve researched so far they don’t look like they’ll be too difficult.

- Fitting. I need to work on learning how to fit things properly, since my perspective has been if my sewing doesn’t fit perfectly, it’s like buying it and just having to live with the size because there’s no other option. This year I’m really going to try to avoid thinking this way.  While most of my things fit, there were cases when I could have done things to make them fit better.

Phew! This was a lot longer than expected, but now that I've shared some of the things (yes, only some. I've been in ambicious mood lately), I definitely feel like I have a good idea of what I want to do. And now I'm off to finish my skirt!♥