My Favorite Things: eBooks

It’s has been awhile since I’ve done one of these posts, I guess I kind of forgot

Something I have almost always enjoyed doing is reading.  I say almost because I’m sure I probably didn’t feel too enthusiastic about it when I was just a little kid learning how to read, though I don’t actually remember.  Anyway, I also enjoy using my netbook and downloading all the new goodies I find.  So naturally one of my favorite things are…

…eBooks!

Most the eBooks I have I downloaded from Gutenberg (for free!), but I have found them in so many different places.  Some include:

• Internet Archive—It’s basically like an online library, you can find tons of free eBooks, videos, etc.
• Open Library—It’s similar to Internet Archive, except not all the books are free, though many of them can be “checked out” just like a regular library.  And there’s plenty of classic books to download for free.
• Scribd—this one blends eBooks and social media together.  You can read and download tons of books and share ones you’ve written.
• CNET—this is actually a place to find software of all kinds including eBooks and eBook readers.  Most of the software is free or free to try. 
• Greater Phoenix Digital Library—this is a local resource for me.  Anyone with a library card for one of 10 different public libraries in the Phoenix Metropolitan area can log in and check out eBooks and videos there.  For those outside the area, check with your local library for similar programs.

Now please excuse me, I’m in the middle of re-reading Little Women.  Happy reading!

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New Patterns Anyone?

I wanted to post this yesterday, but I had some major technical issues.  Basically Live Writer wouldn’t work, something about connection problems.  Anyway, the other day I stopped by Bookman’s for the first time in a while.  I had plenty of trade credit leftover and a specific reason for shopping.

I wanted to get some more patterns and I was lucky to find some gems.  I found three packets of vintage patterns that I both liked and were in my size.  That doesn’t always happen.  My favorite is the Simplicity one, can you see why?  I think it is the cutest dress and I just need the right fabric.  Look forward to seeing it on a future list.  All the patterns were $2 each, not too bad.  They did have a bunch for $1, but I couldn’t use most of them.  Darn.

I managed to also get some inkpads for $1 each and found a cute new rubber stamp to add to my collection for only 75 cents.  And just for fun, I got a graphic novel for a series I hadn’t read yet.  It’s called Pichi Pichi Pitch.  The characters are cute and there’s plenty of gags, but the story is a little hard to follow.  There seems to be some inconsistencies and some little details that aren’t explained much.  Still, I’m dying to find out what happens in volume 2.  Better get back to my sewing.  Should have the next project finished by tomorrow or Thursday.  Look forward to it.

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Organized Time

I’m still alive, so don’t worry.  I have just been a little preoccupied lately.  One of the things I’ve been up to besides the usual stuff is reading up on organizing and decluttering.  I figured if I cleaned up a bit and organized everything, then I would have more time for important things, like crafting and sleep.  Here’s some of what I have been reading, maybe it will help some you who may have the same problems with time and stuff.

• The Queen of Clean Conquers Clutter by Linda Cobb—This one really popped out at me because it was pink and glittery, but it’s fantastic.  It helps you get started almost instantly, you just have to know what Q.U.E.E.N. stands for.
• Simply Organized by Emilie Barnes—This one is as simple and straight forward as it’s title, it is also so thin that you can read through it in a hurry.  Good for a “there’s no time to organize but I need to” solution.
• Emilie’s Creative Home Organizer by Emilie Barnes—If you liked the last title, you’ll love this one.  More help from the wise one.
• Clutter Cutters: Store it With Style—It is hard to organize all your junk if you have no where to stash it.  This one helps you to declutter and store what left so your house won’t be one big eyesore anymore, not that it is that bad.

Hopefully I’ve learned enough to successfully keep all my obligations in check with these resources.  Or at least I've learned enough to keep my sanity as I try to be superwoman.  It’s an improvement.

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Grown Up Dolls

One of my hobbies includes collecting dolls.  Not Barbies, although I do have a reproduction of a vintage bubble cut. 

This is one of my favorites.  Her name is Violet and she’s a bed doll.  Apparently they were popular from about the 1920’s to 40’s, although I’m not an expert on this.  I got her on EBay with another that I gave to my mom. 

The price was a steal, but understandably so because they had no clothing at all except for Violet’s socks.  So I set to work trying to make an outfit that fit and hopefully was accurate to the style.

The little crocheted hat is adorable and a necessity because to my knowledge many manufacturers of these dolls only added enough hair as to peek out from the hat and left the rest of the head bald.  At least this is the case with most dolls wearing hats.  Again I’m not an expert on this topic. 

The little flower on the brim was just something I added because it needed a little something.  I had meant it to be temporary, but it’s actually been there for several years.  Oh well.  The matching scarf was just because I thought it was cute.  I actually made one for myself, although I don’t plan on wearing it anytime soon.  Darn Arizona summers.

The dress was made fairly quickly since I lacked patience, strange that years later it still technically isn't finished.  I still need to hem the sleeves and add some snaps and stuff.  At least she isn’t naked anymore, and her appearance has improve greatly since I cleaned her up and all.

If you’d like to learn more about dolls like her, there’s a fantastic book called Dolls of the Art Deco Era, 1910-1940 by Susanna Oroyan.  It has tons of info and it is really fun to read, plus it has patterns so you can try to make your own bed dolls.  I haven’t tried it yet, but someday maybe.  As soon as I finish Violet’s outfit, in like 20 years.

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