A Bookish Life

I shall bake myself a cake.

I know I said January was the month for the challenge, and it is, but I had to start right away. Here is a jewelry organizer I made yesterday to hang in my closet and hold all my earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. I haven't ever seen a box that I liked and my jewelry is neither expensive nor bountiful, so this works just perfectly for me. I used all scraps which equals cleaning out the nursery and got to pick fabrics only by the whims of my taste. It reminds me of river rocks.

The baby is certainly going to get one of these useful organizers too, for all her baby things.

Speaking of the little one, she is 28 weeks old these days. I am 28 today, on the 28th of December. A person wouldn't plan a thing like that; it's just a charming little coincidence. So far I have only woken up groggily and spilled coffee all over myself. Sort of a portentous beginning.

The third trimester is here, and I had a dream last night that I was holding my tiny little daughter. The hopeful, somewhat feared, glorious end is in sight!

When you get a sketchbook for Christmas

All of a sudden I'm drawing. There's almost no way to tell when a new hobby will present itself. I find that I want to draw primarily animals and trees- when I had was a little girl I had a sketchbook full of fantastic dresses.

I should say I'm not posting this because I think it's particularly expert- it's only my 4th drawing and I plan on getting much better! It is, however, a way to tell you about my idea for January 2008- the Make Something Everyday month. Creativity is a muscle that needs excercise, and artistic tendencies do get better with practice. It's also therapeutic, relaxing, and discipline-building. There are no rules about what the something could be- food, poems, quilts, sketches, baby clothes- but something must be made each day.

Are you in?

I used to make clothes

Somehow the same drive isn't there anymore. Perhaps I am jinxed by knowing maternity fashion is short-lived; there are only two to three more months and no guessing how long anything will fit. Perhaps I am frustrated at the shape that I want to believe is beautiful, not knowing quite how to dress it well.

We get to jaunt off to the fancy theatre in the city this week, and I have limited options of what to wear. So I'm building an outfit from the neck up- check out my first foray into gems and baubles. I decided to explore jewelry making for the same reason I originally took up sewing, the items I like are non-existent or too, too expensive.

Yesterday I popped into a little shop called Beading Dreams in a cool, eclectic part of Dallas. In less than 5 minutes, one of the friendly staff showed me how make clasps hold tight (my perpetual problem), and walked me around to pick up a few beginner's tools. It was a spontaneous early birthday present to myself, and I have been excited about the tiny packages of smoky, silver beads since I got home. Whatever else I find to wear- we crafters can be a resourceful lot- I know it should match my new necklace that succeeds in making me feel just a little more glittery than usual.

I should also clarify that the attitudes toward the roundness of my belly, and the ensuing self image issues I struggle with couldn't be more foreign in the rest of my house. Brian has looked at me with nothing but delight and takes every chance to make me feel beautiful. The cat has been a little bit miffed with the new "no stomach" policy, but appreciates my renewed commitment to napping. And Amos, well, as you can see, that guy just plain adores me. Have you ever seen such loving eyes or funny, silky ears?

Pardon my pouting. Most days I really am happy with pregnant-me. I miss skirts and dresses though. They just don't quite look the same.

Finally, something I can show you.

This was a somewhat lengthy detour from Christmas crafting that started out as research. While cleaning out the sewing room/nursery, I happened upon the pattern for Amy Butler's Weekender Tote and found myself wondering if this could be the perfect packaging for select friends and family Christmas presents. Obviously, the plan derailed at some point or I couldn't show you now.

The pattern was fairly simple to follow; I think AB patterns are improving in that respect. Maybe it helps that I have been sewing a bit longer-- I wouldn't recommend them to beginners. I changed a few things to make the project go a little faster (no piping) and to improve the usability (adding snaps to the large pockets). It was a great size though- imagine a bowling ball bag that's just a little bit bigger.

Ultimately it wasn't the right Christmas present to make in mass, but I could definitely see it taking shape as the baby shower gift for 2008. Pack it with bottles, a matching baby quilt, and items from the registry and I think it makes the perfect sized hospital bag for a new mother.

Back in the saddle

Christmas baking has restored some health to my soul. Here is a trio of the brown paper packages that have flown out our door for the last few days. The Almond-Orange Shortbread was a recipe from the Everyday Food holiday baking special. And it is delicious. I think Brian even declared them perfect.

Other than that I've been reading some blogs, and finding some new projects to inspire and delight in the coming new year.

For one, I am thrilled to pieces that Disdressed is starting a line of little girl patterns.

Secondly, Manda pointed out Ottobre, which I am suddenly interested in- expecially now with the little one on the way.

I also learned about Tulle, a place to spend my post-baby wardrobe dollars (I'm saving for a shopping spree extravaganza), Amy Butler's new bag design that I love, and these prints from Little Paper Planes.

Whew! Good thing I have a birthday coming up!

Taking a sick day

I've contracted some sort of sore throat disease, in addition to being pregnant, so my coffee consumption is at an all time low. Good thing for me that even tea looks good in these new mugs!

We ordered a trial run from a place online and hope to have them in the Bookish coffee shop sometime toward the beginning of next year!

Other than tea and soup, the day holds for me an assortment of sick day treats- reading, You've Got Mail, and cuddling with the cat, at least until Brian comes home.

Around this house

We are desperately reaching for the Christmas spirit. I am reading A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, as well as G.K. Chesterton's biography of Dickens. We are even going to see A Christmas Carol performed at Bass Hall in a couple weeks- a surprise early present from my parents.

Somehow I know we'll get to a certain point where Christmas, in all of its richness, beauty, and grace, will be stronger than my dad's cancer. I'm just not exactly sure how to get there from here.

We are buying presents, making presents, wrapping presents, baking up a storm, crafting up a storm- and ultimately trying to keep the blues at bay. Some days it even seems to work.

Shh... no guessing who it's for.

So, I've been oh so good at not showing off the Christmas presents I've been making. This one should be safe to show, and I'm afraid I've hit an impass.

Halfway through any quilt I'm beset by second and third guesses. Are these the right colors? Is it too bright? Too plain? Too homemade?

We have 15, yes FIFTEEN, days until Christmas. Any I'm wondering if this will be a stunning or embarrassing gift. I need to perservere in order to get past the second-guess-middle. But I thought maybe it would help to see it on a computer screen for a day or two.

Thoughts? PS. If you know who the recipient is, please leave no clues in the comments. Thanks!