On “Thus Were Their Faces”: A Book Review

Title: Thus Were Their Faces 

Author: Silvina Ocampo (Translated by Daniel Balderston)

Genre: Fiction, Short Stories

About the book… 

A collection of short stories and a novella by Argentine author Silvina Ocampo, compiled from seven of her collections written from 1937 to 1988.    

What I think…

This was an interesting collection. While she remains a strong writer through all the works included, the earlier stories are better, in my opinion. 

These are not feel good type stories, but are often dark and have unexpected twists, which overall adds to the fantastical elements she integrates into many of them. Her poetical style also makes them a pleasure to read.

The novella included, from Autobiography of Irene, called “The Imposter,” stands out to me as being one of the best things in this collection with a slow building suspense that keeps you on edge about the direction the story will end. 

A good many are written in first person, which if you’re reading multiple stories at once can get tiresome. On the other hand, while similar themes are addressed in some of the stories there is a very clear distinction between all of them. 

To sum it all up… 

A unique collection of stories from an author that I don’t think gets as much attention as she should and that I wish more translated works were available for. ♥

On How I "Felt" Compelled...

...to make several pins out of felt this month (sorry, but not really, for the pun). Normally, I do the majority of my felt crafting in December for Christmas related things, but every once in awhile I decide that I want to step away from sewing on a larger scale and end up coming up with something or other that I deem felt worthy.  

This month I went in for animal pins. Earlier in the month I made two cats, one purple and one black. I wanted a more 50's bowling pin shape than the metal 60's pin I have and am pretty happy with them.

Last night, in light of Easter, spring, and my shockingly complete lack of jewelry with rabbits, I whipped up a quick bunny pin. I goofed on the legs a bit, but it actually turned out better because of my mistake.

Happy Spring and a happy Easter Eve!   

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On "Buggies, Bustles, & Barrelhouse": A Photo Post

Despite having quite a number of records, I tend to rotate the same four of five in my frame throughout the year. Normally this time of year I'd have my Vivian Leigh record with the giant rabbit on it (previously seen in this post) for spring, but I decided to go with something different this time. Not only is the art work on the cover charming, but it's a great album to listen to!

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On a Towelephant!

Earlier this month I made an elephant out of a washcloth, which I’ve decided to call a towelephant because the two words go so conveniently well together.  It was based off an idea in a 60's magazine (either Family Circle or Woman's Day, I can't remember which at the moment) for a washcloth pig, which I made probably about three years ago for a friend.

I had purchased a really inexpensive set of washcloths, which, along with the pink I used for the pig, also included blue and green. While I had intended to make a fish out of the green, I didn't have any plans for the blue until recently when I randomly decided I wanted to sew an elephant! Hence, why I'm sharing these photos with you today!

The End!

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On a Happy Birthday to Dr. Seuss!

...and not one, but two outfits and a bag to celebrate!

Last year to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday I had plans to make a skirt with a fabric printed with the goldfish from The Cat in the Hat (first discovered when making a book cart cozy with Oh, the Places You’ll Go! fabric), but it didn’t happen. Fast-forward to the last two months and as I’m preparing to actually make the skirt, I get bitten by a Dr. Seuss fabric bug.

I go to buy fabric for a bag lining and I end up with half yards of two more The Cat in the Hat prints with plans to make a bag. Buying underlining for the hem of my goldfish skirt, they have fabric with the Cat on it. After a night of considering, I decide clearly I was meant to make a blouse and I go back to get some. And guess what? I actually got all three items done in time!

The goldfish skirt is made from my most favorite Simplicity 3773 and I wore it yesterday. First, I must say I will never be doing scallops on a hem of this measurement again! Ever! It took me over an hour to get them cut out, since I accidentally put four per skirt panel instead of my planned three (why it’s bad to sew when you’re tired, but at least it was a mistake that looks good!). Then the underling took me three hours to get positioned and sewn on by hand. With the exception of forgetting to put interfacing in the waistband, everything else went smoothly.

Next is the bag. I drafted the pattern myself and opted to use both of the fabrics. The strap I topped with two ribbons.

The blouse was super quick to make (made last night, in fact), since all it required was stitching up the shoulder and side seams, hemming the bottom and sleeves, and folding over the top to make a casing to slip ribbon into. I cinched it as the waist with the bow belt from my favorite dress (conveniently with only one bow end, much like the Cat’s bow tie). 

Version 3

I also made a button this morning as a finishing touch.

Happy birthday to Dr. Seuss!!!

This cat will absolutely not wear a hat. Not in a house, not with a mouse...

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