Survivor, sewing, and a little princess...

Okay, the first thing I want to do in today's post is confess a couple of things. I watch "Survivor." I have been a fan from the first season (and edit: apparently I already confessed this a few months ago). Last night was the finale, and Sandra won. I did not want Parvati to win, but I was okay with Sandra winning. But honestly...I sort of wished Russell had won. I know. He was mean, lying, arrogant, obnoxious, paranoid, and a hundred other things. But he seriously plays the game. Come on, this dude is the king of hidden immunity idols. His social game is sorely lacking, which cost him. But still, as villainous as he is, I think he's one of the best players. And he always looks so hurt and disappointed when he loses...sort of like a sad puppy dog (mixed with an angry rhinoceros). How someone can disgust you one moment and make you feel pity for him the next, I have no idea.

The next order of business is a little sewing talk. I wanted to answer a couple of questions that were left in the comments of my last post, the one that nearly caused a crafty overdose. Someone asked if I had an online store to sell my stuff. The answer is, currently, no. I mostly sell my items to friends, family, and in the community. I have seriously considered making an Etsy store, and it still might happen, but not until after I finish school next spring. But if I do create an Etsy store, you guys will be the first to know! =)

Also, someone asked about how I made my wallets. For the most part, I follow this lovely tutorial, which I highly recommend. I did make a few changes, though. I curve the corners of the snap tap. For the credit card slots, instead of just folding over the edge of the fabric and topstitching (in step 12), I actually double that fabric, so it's a finished look on both sides, and then topstitch. Not sure if that makes any sense. I also use a layer of thin craft interfacing on one of the main body pieces and a layer of batting on the other, because this makes the wallet sturdy and soft. I also interface the snap tab, the largest credit card slot, and one of the pieces of the zipper pocket. But other than that, I follow pretty much along with the tutorial. Everyone always says something about how it must be hard to such small, detailed things like the wallets. Honestly, once you get used to it and make a couple of them, it's not hard at all. Just a lot of detailed work, like basting and topstitching, that takes patience. But they're really fun and really addicting to make! =) I've probably made close to 25 or 30 of them since I first came across the tutorial about a year ago. If any of my sewing readers make one, I'd love to see pictures!

My iPod/phone cases are my new favorite, easy things to make. I'm considering posting a tutorial for them (or maybe for one of my clutches) if anyone's interested.

I've been planning on posting about "A Little Princess" for nearly a week now. I just read the classic book for the first time, and it was so lovely. Sweet and sad and inspiring. I loved to read about Sara Crewe, a wealthy and privileged child who is so selfless and endearing. She's just the sort of little girl that you would want to know. I'm reading "The Secret Garden" now, and I think it's interesting that Frances Hodgson Burnett wrote about two little girls who were in similar situations growing up but who turned out so differently. I loved this book and even though it's considered a children's story, I think it is just as much for adults. I love the way she uses words and creates the story and characters.

I have had a VHS copy of "A Little Princess" for years and years, and I remember watching it when I was little. It's the 1939 version with Shirley Temple. So as soon as I finished reading the book, I watched the movie. It's such a sweet movie, and Shirley Temple is a doll. But isn't she in everything? I love how she's like a little adult with the dignified way she speaks, and she's just adorable. Still, she didn't seem like Sara Crewe to me, especially after just reading the book. I didn't like the fact that- spoiler coming up- in the movie, her father didn't die. Not to mention, the whole story plot with her father's friend right next door and the big family was missing. The fact that her father dies in the book is terribly sad, but everything works out and I think it had a lovely ending, so I don't see why they had to change things in the movie. Oh, well, that's the way it goes with so many movies and books. Don't get me wrong- I love the Shirley Temple movie version. It's just that I loved the book better. =)

Shirley Temple has got to be one of the cutest little girls ever.

Until next time,