Step away from the sewing machine

My mother has told me she is 'sick of seeing bloomin skirts' , she didn't say bloomin but I am being polite. She also mentioned that I may be addicted to sewing at the mo, if that is the case then Backstitch.co.uk should cut me off, wonderful 'dealer' that they are.

It was this book that suddenly started me off again, 'Lovely Things to Make For Girls of Slender Means' by Eithne Farry. I just saw it by the till at Foyles, it called to me and I bought it. In fact both my skirts were made from this book.



Then I found the Grosgrain Blog and her 'Frock by Friday' - hence the blue dress.

Sewing has given me far more satisfaction that I remembered. I like the feeling of having made something, and yes being complimented on it makes it more so. (Just as well no one looks too closely, I'm not a great and accurate seamstress.)

It's not just that, it is kind of meditative, it stops me ruminating, stress and generally being anxious.Let's face it, it has meant I done' have too much time to fret about PD being out of work; or how I will juggle being a mum with maintaining a job, retraining for a new career and if I will be able to afford to follow that career let alone manage to logistics of getting across London whilst doing nursery drop of and pick up, once I have trained; or how we scattered Grandad's ashes off the pier so he really is gone; should I get a boob job; whether or not Glampervan we will be the success we need it to be because we love Clementine so much; should I get a boob job; blah blah blah.....

And it doesn't leave my hands free to blog or to tweet.

The fact that it let's me have pretty and original outfits is a bonus too!

One last picture, I made this for Isobel who refused to have her picture taken but wore it for two days.








Normal service will now
resume. Well once I have made a couple more dresses for Isobel, fixed her curtains, a skirt and dress AND a top for me... guess the sewing machine won't be going away anytime soon.

Reddit

I have just finished a Big Book and I’m feeling bereft.

It was a fabulous Big Book, Shantaram, and for just over a week it has been my almost constant companion, causing me to neglect many things, like this blog. It’s given me back ache from weighing down my handbag. I’ve neglected sleep as I have been unable to put it down.

And now it’s over, and I am lost. I turned the last page I felt a stab of fear, what will I do now, now it’s over…

This book taught me that in a knife fight I must hold my weapon dagger style not like a fencer; why we say and Bob’s your Uncle, and it isn’t because Bob IS my uncle, seriously he is, my Uncle Bob the weather man; I was reminded about Singularity and I had to look it up to remember what rebus meant.

This book is amazing, one minute it’s all about love and life and the next it’s about gouging someone’s eyes out with your finger nails. But, it is so beautifully written, it’s one of those books that makes you say ‘so true’ over and over again.

I think it’s a true story about a heroin addicted prisoner who escapes to Bombay. He had to write the book three times because it was destroyed by prison guards, which is sad because even though the book doesn’t end there, it means he was caught again.

He lives a simple life, a mafia life, a war torn life and if you read the book you will live it too. I love books set in India, it seems such a colourful culture, these books make me itch to go there.

Buy it; read it; but please don’t ask to borrow it. I’m precious about my books and will only lend my favourites if I trust you to return them in the condition you got them (normally looking pretty untouched), and not many people get on that list.

Anyone suggest another good read?

Ps. I thought it taught me about why we say Bob’s your Uncle, but Wikipedia gives a different explanation!

Pps. thanks to Mamma Po Emily at Maternal Tales for the tweeted recommendation

Word association

I have recently read a good book, a book that resonates, a book that I have now evangelically recommended as it was recommended to me via Twitter by Butterflygrrl.

The book is called F*ck It.



There are no two words I wish to say more than these right now.

The book is right it is the 'ultimate spiritual way'. I mean don't you feel so much better just saying those words at any point in time, if only briefly.

Unfortunately, with a daughter who is learning to talk I feel I would be ill advised to say it out loud so maybe that is why it isn't quite working.

Let's face it these do not have quite the same effect, or the same hint of defiance:

Fudge it
Frig it
Fluff it
Foot it

Perhaps when I come up with a suitable word I will be able to rise above it all.

Any suggestions?

My World in Motion -Jo Whiley

Last week I was lucky enough to receive a copy of Jo Whiley's autobiography.

I obviously looked at the photos before I started to read the book - you have to don't you? Let's face it, if you have ever 'tuned in' to the mid morning slot on Radio One you will already be a little envious of her life, combining a beautiful family with gorgeous stars and providing her own soundtrack in between. Me, I LOVE the Live Lounge.

So all in all I was excited to read her tale.

I would say if you have never heard Jo on the radio you may find this book hard to read. She writes as she speaks and it is like a conversation, albeit one with herself, you how easy it is to digress and then repeat yourself? So, as you read this you will expand her audience to two (you'll understand this when you read the book).

Anyway, it isn't a straight chronological catalogue of her life, but rather it is about all the bits of her life that make her her. From her lovely but different sister and those trials and tribulations, to the life she has now, the life where Mika pops in for breakfast - well nearly.

I must say it isn't smug, and she isn't blase about the VIP life she can have now. You actually continue to like her more and more, as you read the book. Although her sister has very special needs, she has what appears to be a perfect family, in the one she came into and the one she has created. It is definitely this strong foundation that has allowed her to forge her way in the world.

Would I read it again, probably not but I would love to be there in person to have the conversation and save her talking to herself.

*While looking to create the link from Amazon I spotted that this is available on CD, and you know what, that might be the way to go, as I said she writes as she speaks.

Words but just not mine

I do tend to bury myself in a book when I can't face the world. Right now I am losing myself in the 'The Luminous Life of Lilly Aphrodite' but more of that another time.

Before I could start on this I had to finish Salman Rushdie's 'The Enchantress of Florence'. I have only recently discovered the joy of Mr Rushdie's story telling; Midnight's Children had me racing through the pages yet willing it not to end - always the sign of a good book.

The Enchantress is indeed a talented tale, a tale of tales within tales as varied as the lead character's multi-coloured lozenge coat. It really is a fairy tale, Laurence of Arabia meets Lucretia we travel through time and lands, fantasy and history.

It really wouldn't seem at all credible except that there is a four page bibliography at the back. I admire the amount of research almost as much as the imagination.

It is a little complicated so really not a dip-in-and-out read more of something to loose yourself for hours, long pleasurable hours.

Candy coloured cover - The Wedding Party by Sophie King

Let me start off by saying I really did enjoy The Wedding Party and I am more than happy to write this review.






The thing is chick-lit (I'm sure the Guardian came up with a better name for it but I can't remember what it was) is not my usual choice of books. I tend to pass over the pastel covers on the 3 for 2 table in Waterstones, I do judge a book by it's cover and these just don't intrigue me. Not like, say the cover on The Book of Lost Things.



It's not just that though, you always know what is going to be inside. For me this kind of a book is an illicit pleasure, but ultimately it's read and then forgotten. It's same as me liking dark, dark chocolate but every now and then I fancy a bit of light and fluffy Dairy Milk. So, as this isn't the kind of book I normally buy, I quite enjoyed reading it, even if I was a little embarrassed to be seen reading on the train.


(No I don't want to know what you think this says about me, I can probably guess)

The thing with chick-lit is that, although the characters are often based on similar archetypes, the book always relies on them generating a great deal of feeling towards them and Sophie King does that with a enough kinks (wouldn't go so far as to say 'twists') to keep you guessing. And being a journalist, it's as well written as you would expect, there is definately enough to keep you turning the pages.


At the centre of the story is Becky, a working mum who is afraid of her children, seems to be happy to hide at work and is disturbed by the her father's forthcoming nuptials. Her soon to be stepmother causes more angst than just that of reminding her that her parents are not ever going to reunite and is the catalyst for her having to get to know her children better - surprise, surprise she likes it; well, once she realises she can do it (ring any bells?).

All generations are woven into this story, and even the unlikely best-friend's elderly housemate is touched by the wedding, and not just in her role as planner for 'For Weddings and Funerals'. I could tell you more about the female vicar, a love interest, a dog, a wheelchair and a pond, but that give away too much of the story.


Does it matter when it's such an easy read? I don't know, but just in case...


The thing I learnt from this book is that we are 'living in the age of the panty liner'. (I'm trying not to think of theose Tena lady adds for weak bladdered thirty years olds, WTF?)

It's light, the characters are all relate-able to, it is different enough from the pastel covered book next to it to mean you should buy both. It does touch on topics such as faith and morality, but it didn't lead me nto contemplation, nor change my life, but then I don't think it was intended to. It simply helped me while away a few entertaining hours.