Sewcial Studies Book Review

I went a little crazy on Amazon a few weeks ago. 


That's what happens when you don't leave work on your lunch hour & instead spend the time carousing the world wide web. 


Now before I give you my little review let me first say that I was not asked to do this nor am I being compensated in any way by anyone, anywhere. This is simply my honest to goodness, unadulterated, extremely novice opinions on some books I purchased in an attempt to hone my skills. M'kay? 

Oh and furthermore: I am purposely not providing prices or links because, not only do I not have an affiliation with any one source, but I don't want to make it THAT easy for you to spend money unwisely. As I may or may not have the tendency to do. If you want to know more than my measley opinion of these titles, you'll have to go searching on your own. This covers my buns in the event you go hog wild. 

And now down to business...

Sew Serendipity by Kay Whitt



I really like this book & am really happy to have it in my collection. It's written in a way that my pea-brain can understand & comes with paper patterns in the back. The pictures are adorable but to be fair they are simply cute vignette's are pretty girls wearing the finished frocks. The pictures of the steps are actually color pencil drawings and while they do the trick, I prefer photographed step by step instruction. Overall, it makes me HAPPY. 










The New Handmade: Simple Sewing For Contemporary Style by Cassie Barden

Not what I would call a "must have" for your collection, sorry. It has great photographs but any pattern pieces would have to be photocopied first. Not only that, but there isn't a single project in the entire book that you cannot find a free tutorial of on some amazing sewista bloggers blog. Just sayin. My copy may end up being a donation to my city library. My apologies Cassie, I'm sure you are a fabulous sewista and maybe at the time your book was published these were brand new ideas. I just didn't find it to be what I want in a book over $20. 






1000 Clever Sewing Shortcuts & Tips by Deepika Prakash

Oh Em Gee this book is a never-ending source of sewing smartness! Deepika compiled a THOUSAND idea's from various people from around the universe. Despite it's size being somewhat like a magazine only thicker I still think it's a great book to cart around with you to doctor offices or the beach. It reads kind of like one of those 1001 Things You Never Needed To Know Bathroom Readers that your husband probably has. Your husband doesn't read those? Oh um then neither does mine, haha. 


Last but not least, the book I forgot to take a picture of. Figures! But in case you care, its the one on the top of the stack in the first picture. 


The Sewing Machine Accessory Bible by Wendy Gardiner & Lorna Knight
Now for all of you that grew up sewing and were taught by Moms & Grandmoms - this book is probably nothing new to you. But for chicks like me who came to sewing later in life & without the benefit of having a family member close enough (or alive enough) to teach them, this is really & truly a Bible. It demonstrates the various feet & how to use them. I love it & will NOT be donating this one to ANYONE because its MINE MINE MINE!

Celebrity Apprentice Week 1

I admit it. You don't even have to twist my arm. 

I will say it loud & proud: I am a Celebrity Apprentice Junkie.

Go ahead & judge if you must, but know that I am without shame on this.

You can keep your Bachelor and your Bachelorette and your Survivor and every single one of those Look What Washed Up On The Jersey Shore-ites. 


Just leave me The Donald. 


I know, I know. He's orange. He sports a really bad comb-over. He's completely full of himself. I grant you all of it. 


But I don't care because I don't love the show for him. 

I love the show for the tasks and the creativity. And, fine, sometimes even for the sub-par celebrities too. 


But does that matter? Can't I just like a tv show please? It's not like I'm one of those middle aged Twi-hards. Gosh!

Last night was the 2 hour season opener, which required me to take a nap so that I could stay awake for it all. I really wish Mr. Trump would consider breaking the show into 2 one-hour episodes/twice a week – especially since we are talking about school/work nights. This would also keep me from having to wait an entire SEVEN days between shows.

I’m not much of a re-capper but here are my Week 1 opinions of the 2012 cast:

Tia Carrere – her facial expressions appear painful...are those cheek implants supposed to resemble shoulder blades?

Pauly Teutel Sr – Somebody please make him take his manners out of his acid-washed-Levi’s pocket.  I hope predict he will be the first dude to be fired.

Lisa Lampanelli - I knew right way I’d like her because I already enjoy her brash & sassy persona. Plus? She said “Holler”, emphasis on the -er. Funny!

Penn Jillette – this dude took my attention by surprise. When he stepped up to strategize on the whole “Chopper” branding thing, I was like “oh hey, he’s a smart one!”.

Adam Corolla – quick with the comedy relief, but kind of suspect he won’t know when the reel it in when in the boardroom. That may get annoying.

Victoria (OhMy!) Gotti - the only other human orange-er than The Donald. Can we get hair & makeup on damage control with this one please? STAT?!

Arsensio Hall – I think he’s just there for fun. I don’t see him taking anything too seriously.

George Takei – Not meek. Got it. Type-A fo’sho though.

Cheryl Tiegs – I didn’t think she’d be the first to go until she started separating cheese slices at a slower rate than it actually takes to process.

Aubrey O’Day – Who?

Lou Ferrigno – Hulk SMASH! Sorry, had to. Ok so how did he not know that “guns” was slang terminology for “My, what large arms you have!”?

Dayana Mendoza –could have sworn she was Marc Anthony’s ex. Anyhoo, pretty sure she’s hitching her star to Patreeceeah’s wagon.

Patricia Velasquez – I want to like her, but me thinks her pride will goeth before her falleth.

Debbie Gibson – Debbie, Deborah, Debbie again…does she just keep changing it Out Of The Blue? Haha, get it?

Clay Aiken – Tweeted during first episode that he didn’t want hear about George Takei’s loins…Oh Clay. Me thinks thou doth prostest too much.

Teresa Guidice – does not amuse Victoria in the slightest. Is it wrong to hope for a confrontation between these two?

Dee Snider – after having recently watched his wife Suzette on Celeb Wife Swap, I’ve decided he is an okay guy married to an wonderful woman.

Michael Andretti – the Cheryl Tiegs of the men…perhaps much too nice for this brand of competition. 

Hoping for Snow

We've had such a mild winter here in Southeastern Virginia that it's kind of hard to believe that we might actually have some snow on the way...but it's starting to feel like a possibility! The downside is the opening act is a Nor'easter...bleh. We're snuggled in here at Casa Jones (ho-nez) ready with snacks & waiting with blankets & movies. Too bad it's a Sunday!


Work has kept me busy and out of blogville for awhile so I don't have anything fun to share at the moment ~ but I've come acrossed some totally-awesome-must-make stuff that I thought I'd share instead...you'll love it!


Microwaved cake in a cup? In a minute? One of my dreams come true!
http://thehiddenpantry.blogspot.com/2011/11/aunt-bettys-1-2-3-cake.html


Puffy star pillows:
http://www.matchingpegs.com/2010/02/15/star-fruit-cushion-tutorial/


The Olfa Chenille Cutter is a pretty expensive little gadget. I know this because I found mine at Hancocks for 30% off this past week & still had a minor coronary. But what's a sewista to do when she see's making several of these in her future?:
http://www.aestheticnest.com/2010/08/sewing-heirloom-cut-chenille-baby.html


Enjoy!