Something About Letters

There is something about the aesthetics of letters (also known as snail-mail) that makes them irresistible. I currently have three oh so succulent letters written with my cramp-inducing quill pen and sealed with the ultimate cherry of the stationary industry, a wax seal, perched temptingly on my bedside table. They are awaiting the address of my third far-fetched friend. There will come a time when I release them to the postman (or something) but for now I am free to ogle them every night. Tabula Rasa an amazing stationary shop where I spent (literally) two hours perusing leather bound books and personalized business cards I couldn't afford this winter! Even if I don’t have money to spend I like to gaze longingly at their excellent wares hoping that a cashier will take pity on me and kick me out for my own good. I just found out today (from my theater teacher, actually) that tabula rasa means ‘a blank slate’. A perfect name for this equally perfect shop. 

The Magical Land of Jo-Anns

There are better fabric stores out there (hopefully with way better selection, especially in the velvet department). But it is the best one I’ve found in America so far. My all time favorite, and first ever, fabric store was in Sweden. I say ‘was’ with emphasis. Two years ago I came to visit and it had closed. Shame! And it was right across from the world’s greatest sushi! Furulunds, it was called. With more inventory than Jo-Anns and a cozy little basement location. When I was a kid it was my favorite place. But who doesn’t love Jo-Anns coupons? I think the store has a special affiliation with strangers in the check-out line giving out excess coupons. At least, that’s what happened to me. I got almost 50% off on all my purchases! I can’t wait to move to the land of the free so I can begin hoarding coupons. Here in third-world China, we don’t have coupons or Huberts Lemonade. Please comment with a description of your favorite fabric store or any other fun textile stories (they can even be fabricated…ha). 

Thinking at Nine on Tuesday

It may not seem significantly late to you, but I am most comfortable going to bed at seven or eight. So when its nine o’clock on a school night and thoughts are cannoning into my exhausted head, this is the only suitable title. I actually thought of quite a few titles, including ‘High school’, ‘documentaries are good for you’, and ‘why so many shout outs?’. But seeing as this post is about all three, I am in no fit position to pick favorites.

The truth is, I’m feeling bummed about high school. And no, its not boys, homework, or friends. It’s the fact that I don’t feel like I am learning enough (what a thought)! I also have a limited time to sew, blog, write, paint, knit, and listen to the Stuff You Should Know podcast. Which, by the way, is perfect for filling up the empty space between constructing a garment and the clanking of you sewing machine.

And here we are, unintentionally, at topic number three (before topic two!): why so many shout outs? Why do I constantly mention other blogs, podcasts, books, and stores? Simply because I love them! I have wished countless times over that there was a blog out there that referred me to more of the kinds of things that I like, ALL OF THEM.  Since there are myriad numbers of those ‘things’ I decided to do it myself.

The reason I like to talk about other people’s blogs so much is because I am not the holder of the universe. I’m 14, and although I've "traveled and experienced a lot more than the average middle-aged American" (-mom), nothing can make up for time. The people whose blogs I mention have knowledge that is so diverse from my own and (in addition to being older) have accomplished many things that I have not.

Now for the documentaries. I love them, many people don’t. The reasons for that I have not heard, but I would be grateful if you would comment and explain. If I had a choice documentaries would be my media-diet, but I have a younger brother who is overly fond of 'Captain America' and 'Kick-ass'.

Pure fact (well, not ‘pure’) with dreamy adventures and the best kinds of stories: true ones. Several good ones that I’ve watched recently include ‘The Men Who Built America’, ‘The West’, ‘A History of Britain’, and ‘The Trials of Life’. 

My Sewing, Blogging Angel

Is Maddie from 'Madalynne'. When I was at an all time low, her tutorials on how to make a front and back bodice sloper sent me soaring into the sky! I adore her writing and her makes!  In my humble opinion, sewing is a lesson in making the best of the skills you’ve got as well as learning new ones. You don’t have to be a pattern making, blogging, and sewing guru (like Maddie) to make wearable and chic clothing. It’s a little bit embarrassing how much I love her blog. I have been meaning to create this blog for a long while (six whooping months) but she is the one who gave me the final push by having such a wonderful blog herself. Amazing pictures, cool posts, and funny ‘about me’ articles. My special favorite will always be her quote from Pinky and the Brain. The bottom line? Go check out Maddie’s blog! Yes, it really took me a whole paragraph to say that! I’ve always believed the essence of good writing is not only saying things no one has ever heard before, but saying them in ways that make sense like never before (not implying that the flow of my thoughts in this post is in any way logical). Have a nice day J