Introducing the Little Wing Shawlette

Greetings friends! I'd like to thank all of you who lent a hand helping me select which project to work on by casting a vote.  Are you ready for the funny part - it was a tie! The shawls won hands down, but without a clear high score I had to go ahead and just pick.  I decided to go with the Little Wing Shawlette and make it in the Amazing yarn.  I like the versatility of this shawlette because it has all the lacy drape of a shawl with the functionality of a scarf. Also, it's a worsted weight yarn worked with a generously sized hook (US K) which means it should go quickly.  I've been doing a lot of work with little hooks lately and both my eyes and wrists need a break. It's worked from the long edge - which I typically avoid, because I like the flexibility that working from the tip give you. And I find those long starting chains a bit unmanageable. This one begins with a Foundation Single Crochet (Fsc) which is a little better.  I did run into a bit of confusion on the second row.  My symmetrical, orderly brain did not want to follow the instructions and work off center. But thanks to the Ravelry project page I was able to 1) review other people's notes 2) study the pictures and 3) contact the designer to make sure I'm doing the right thing! I forged ahead and completed the row as written. I feel confident that in a few more rows the balance that I crave will be restored and all will be right in the universe!

That's my Marlo Coat (I'm going to change the name to Marlo Cardigan, because to me that's just what it is!) in the picture too. It's a beautiful fabric that is (unfortunately) mind-numbingly simple to make. I've been working on it during breaks at work - and at the end of the day when I don't dare concentrate on anything tricky.  I know it's going to be lovely - I just have to keep the mojo working and not let the simplicity of the rows deter me!

This week I'm reading a young adult novel called The Last Book in the Universe by Rodman Philbrick. It's a bit sci-fi/fantasy for my usual taste, but it was highly recommended by a trusted patron as a must read for someone who loves books as much as I do. Even though it's a genre I normally shy away from I can safely say that I am enjoying it way more than the book I've reviewed for you today.  Take a look...

Imperfect - yes; Bliss - not even close

Imperfect Bliss by Susan Fales-Hill
Atria Books
July 3, 2012; 304 pages

The pretty pink cover, the Victorian inspired art-work and the proclamation of the novel inside being Jane Austin meets Reality TV are the reasons I selected this book.  I can’t for the life of me figure out what forces kept me reading past the first few chapters.

Here’s the storyline: Elizabeth (aka: Bliss) is a recently divorced single mother who is “temporarily” living at home while perusing her PhD.  She is one of 4 sisters.  Her mother is obsessed with British royalty so much that the girls have all been given the first name “Princess” or “Queen” and she wants nothing more than to marry her daughters off to rich men who will improve their station (yes this is a contemporary novel).

Mother’s prayers are answered and Bliss’ nightmares come true when her sister Dianna is selected to be the star of the latest reality offering – The Virgin. Lives are turned upside down as the TV series takes over.

It could be funny.  It could be a witty poke at the horror that is reality TV.  It could be many things. To me, it was a mess.  Bliss had potential, in fact all the characters had potential, but none of them were fully flushed out.  And what I did get to know of them I didn’t care for.  I don’t expect that I will love every character.  But I do expect that at least the main players will be given enough life so that I understand the reasons for their behavior. There was a peek at the ‘back stories’ but that’s all.  Had they been given more attention I might have embraced this dysfunctional family and their bizarre behavior. Instead I was annoyed with most of them and felt sorry for the rest.  

So why then did I keep reading until the end? Hope, maybe? I kept thinking that it would get better. That it should get better. For me, that never happened.  And in the interest of finding out how it ends, I did that sort of ‘skimming’ that I do when I’m not committed enough to read every word.

Too bad.  It’s a good idea for a book.  And even though I gave it ample opportunity to win me over, in the end I was left feeling a misled and disappointed. I say leave this one be and if you want something that’s “like” Jane Austin stick with the original!

Wednesday is a busy day with several great link parties.  This week I'm joining in with these bloggers and the creative crafters who share their work.  Click around and see what's happening.  I guarantee you'll find something that makes you say wow!

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Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me!
Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

Today's post is part of Blogtoberfest 2012.
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