Book reviews, patterns for Easter clothes and other randomness

Happy Thursday - it almost Friday- are you excited? Easter is coming and I want to make the kids something for Easter (good sewing practice). Joann's is having their simplicity pattern sale this week so I am heading there to check it out.

If you've ever been to a craft store the week of a pattern sale you know it is almost impossible to look at a pattern book so I search for patterns on-line and write down the numbers of the ones I like so I can just grab and go. Here are some patterns I found that I like:

The first one (above) is my favorite because even the boy stuff is cute. I don't understand why there are so little patterns for boys but millions for girls.

Here is another girl and boy pattern. These would all be cute for Easter.

Have you ever tried making baby shoes? I did from a website pattern and they took me forever! Maybe I need a better pattern or maybe they are just hard because they are so small. I don't know but these shoes make me want to give it another chance.

Oh and I rented this book from the library and I want to order it. It is great. If you sew at all but not ALL the time you forget stuff - like zippers, modifying patterns etc and this book has photo illustrations so if you ever forget you are covered!

Other randomness:

This week I finished watching the Lightening Thief movie and reading book 1 and 2 of the Olympian series. I have to say I thought the movie was okay before I read the book but after reading the book I don't get it. They left out all the GOOD STUFF. They made a totally different storyline. Almost nothing in the movie is like the book. The book is so much better than the movie.

I don't think it will be as hot as Harry Potter but it is good. I think Harry Potter is so unique because it created an entire new world (with history) from scratch.

Have you read it? What did you think?

Book Recommendations

Well hello, hello!

I wanted to share just a couple book recommendations with you. I have a little bit of a goal to read more this year, but I haven't done well so far!! At all. So I was thinking about what stands out from my favorite books from when I used to read a lot, and a couple of the things that I read last year—it was not a lot.


My top pick from 2009 is "I Will Teach You To Be Rich,"a personal finance book. But I promise, this is not your typical finance book. It's written by Ramit Sethi, a 27-year-old Stanford graduate who takes a really to-the-point and practical approach to money. He is NOT one to advocate frugality and trying to save money by not buying a daily Coke or latte. It's more about big wins and very clear, strategic instruction. I think this is a great book for anyone wanting to get started into the world of budgeting, credit cards, investing, 401Ks, etc. I'm going to send a copy to our 18-year-old brother, because I think this is essential stuff to know even before you really find yourself in the middle of all this. Check out his blog too, which also includes a bit of a entrepreneurship emphasis. He also is a fantastic marketer and I'm really impressed by the brand he has created for himself.


Because I am an editor, I often find myself sheepishly reading grammar books. But they are interesting!!! I promise. If anyone is remotely interested in language usage and answering simple grammar questions, check out Grammar Girl. She has a couple books out, and all of very informative and basic. She also has a podcast series that you can listen to on her site or by subscribing through iTunes. For a look at some basics, try "Lay vs. Lie," "Affect vs. Effect," and "How Do You Pronounce 2010?"

The final recommendation goes a WAYS back. Seriously. This LDS fiction series became my favorite when I was in the 6th grade. I don't know if that's a determent, but I really was reading well above my age level. The author's kids actually attended my same school, and my friends I all read her books. The main trilogy starts with "Ariana: The Making of a Queen."

What are your recommendations and some of your favorite reads? Please let me know, because I've got a lot of reading to do this year.