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The Accidental Tourist, by Anne Tyler

September 3, 2014 by Mom on the Make 1 Comment

accidental touristI decided to read The Accidental Tourist after finding it on Liane Moriarty’s list of her top ten most loved books.  Moriarty wrote What Alice Forgot which I adored, and so I decided to read a few of her top ten.

Tyler has the ability to make her characters so very real.  You feel each emotion they feel and it seems that you are right there with them as they go through the various ups and downs of life.

The story is mainly about Macon Leary, a travel guide writer, who is coping with losing his son and separating from his wife.  He meets Muriel, an employee at the Meow Bow, a pet boarding business, and begins to date her.  Muriel is Macon’s polar opposite, but for whatever reason, this is exactly what he needs at this point in his life.

The story is not light or hilarious, like some of my recent reads.  Instead, it is very tender and sweet.

I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it if you’re in the mood for a well written, very real story. You will find yourself really caring about the characters and hoping for the best for them as they sort out their topsy turvy lives.

The movie has William Hurt, Kathleen Turner and Geena Davis playing the main characters.  Its on my list of movies to watch soon.

 

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Books Tagged With: accidental tourist, anne tyler

What Alice Forgot, By Liane Moriarty

August 23, 2014 by Mom on the Make Leave a Comment

Stop everything you’re doing and get your hands on this book.  If you are a 40 what alice forgotsomething Mom with young kids, you will love this.

The story begins with Alice falling off her bike at spinning class and bumping her head.  When she bumps her head, she forgets the last decade of her life.  In that last decade, she completely renovated a house and had three kids.  She has absolutely no recollection of any of this happening in her life.

When she wakes from her fall, she wonders where Nick, her husband, is….why is he not racing to the hospital to be by her side??  And so, the story begins.

The novel takes you through the history of Alice and Nick’s relationship, the ups and downs and everything in between.  The mystery of the last 10 years unravels.

This story is so unique, so well written and completely riveting.

Love, love, love this one.  I immediately looked up Liane Moriarty to check out her other books.  Will review them as well.  I also looked up on goodreads to see Moriarty’s favorite authors and books.

Its fun to love see what writers inspired a writer I love.

I’m reading one of her favorite books right now and will report on that later.

 

 

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Books Tagged With: liane moriarty, what alice forgot

Where’d you go Bernadette? By Maria Semple

August 23, 2014 by Mom on the Make Leave a Comment

Love this book so much, I can’t even believe it.

So, so funny.  This is a hilarious, while sometimes serious, journey of one Mom in a dilapidated old house with a software engineer husband and a bright eighth grade daughter.

There are misadventures galore that will make you smile throughout.

Bernadette is kooky and so very real.

I have recommended this book to several friends who have subsequently read it and LOVED it.

Highly recommend.

 

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Books Tagged With: good book for 40 something mom, maria semple, where'd you go bernadette

Mabel Messenger Bag By Jenna Lou Designs

October 24, 2013 by Mom on the Make Leave a Comment

I finished my Mabel Messenger Bag by Jenna Lou Designs this morning.  LOVE it!!!

This is my third bag since learning to sew over the past three weeks.  I picked up several new skills with this pattern including:

  1. Sewing a lining in a bag
  2. Sewing a pocket in the interior
  3. Inserting a magnetic snap
  4. Sewing rounded corners and making use of the pivoting skill

This time I used a quilting cotton fabric for the outside and a light denim for the inside.  Jenna Lou recommends heavy fabric on at least one of the interior or exterior.  I can see how it would be much more rigid with a heavy canvas for example.

Next time, I’m making this with one of the many Enchino fabrics I’ve been eyeing over the past few weeks since beginning my sewing journey.

I also really wanted to add a zippered pocket as the pattern called for, but due to time constraints (and wanting to finish the bag), I opted for the slip pocket……perfect for my iphone.

Here’s some pics of my latest creation……

mabel messenger bag

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mabel messenger bag

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mabel messenger bag jenna lou

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Mabel Messenger Bag

Filed Under: Sewing Tagged With: sewing

I Made a Clutch!

October 17, 2013 by Mom on the Make Leave a Comment

My second handmade bag project was also this past week.

I love clutches and wanted to try my hand at one.  I chose the “Easy Peasy Clutch” pattern from Lisa Lam at U-handbag.com.

The lollipop pattern makes this clutch extra sweet.  I chose the bright stripe interior to add to the sweet look.

Here she is…..

Handmade Clutch purse

interior of handmade baghandmade clutch

handmade bag

Filed Under: Sewing Tagged With: bag making, crafts, sewing

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