Around the Web and Some Gifts

     I didn't get my usual Around the Web with a Cup of Tea post up yesterday for a couple reasons. First, I just wasn't on the internet much last week. Days are busy with kids and crafting and my evenings were full of the Roosevelt series on PBS. Second, we enjoyed a day as a family which included going for a walk and flying kites for the first time all summer (we got it in just under the wire) and watching a movie with my husband who was very patient about the 7 part Roosevelt series. We watched The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and both of us miss Tobey Maguire. Enough said. 

If I had done a post yesterday here are the two things I would have linked to.

     The Toronto Book Fair. I've been thinking about it all week and been trying to figure out how to go. With a toddler. Impossible. I think I'll go in a couple years. Although Margaret Atwood and Meg Wolitzer are at the one this November. Hmmm.

     And since I mentioned it so much already, here is where you can watch The Roosevelts online. I need to rewatch a couple of them as I fell asleep. I fell asleep because the Little Guy likes to get up at 6am and not because they are boring. And sometimes I had to watch the 10pm repeat instead of the first showing at 8pm and I was just done. I figure this series saved me from reading 3 biographies and I learned a lot. Being Canadian, I knew the basics about the Roosevelts but really enjoyed learning more about them. Spoiler - they all die.

Saturday, my best friend and I had our birthday supper. It's nice to go to a restaurant with no kids and talk. I had my first beer in two years. It was great and took me almost 2 hours to drink. And I had the biggest and best piece of chocolate cake ever. I'd go back just for another piece of cake. And the waitress must of overheard us talking about our birthdays as we both got our desserts for free. Above is a slipcover I made for my friend. They bought a new couch this summer and the pillows that came with it were ugly. Her mom had given her this fabric several years ago and she asked me if I could make her some new covers with it. I made them for her last week and gave them back to her on Saturday.

I used an envelope cover so she could take them off if needed.

However, I suggested she never take them off. The fabric was not cotton and frayed a lot. I warned her about it when I gave them to her and that I was afraid her two cats might wreck the fabric with their claws. I offered to make her new ones when these ones get ruined.

I zigzagged over every seam to try and help with the fraying. We'll see how long they last.

I had been making her a scarf but decided to make her this list guy instead. A Cyclops Cactus for her desk at work. In October she'll celebrate one year at her job.

I think she's pretty cute and would love to make more.

Little flower on her head.

And in return, she went into a quilt store for the first time and gifted me the charm pack and pattern. I think she got the post-it notes from somewhere else but they are so me.

Writing Wednesday : The Atwood Edition

I found out last week, but I kept it a secret since I didn't believe it... I won a signed copy of Margaret Atwood's latest book, Stone Mattress. I was one of five who won via a giveaway on twitter that happened in June, although winners weren't announced until last week. I had totally forgotten about it and was very surprised and delighted when I received an email from the publisher. It arrived at my door on Monday.

Ta-Dah!

It's doubtful this particular book was ever in her hands as the signature is on a book plate instead of the actual book but it's still signed and I'm so happy to have it.

Here is some of my Atwood collection (with some Carol Shields and Margaret Laurence thrown in for good measure). My mom is borrowing some of my Atwood books. Since I first started reading Margaret Atwood, I have kept her books near my bed. There is something comforting about having her close and I like being able to pick them up and look at them, especially her books of poetry. "You Are Happy" and "Power Politics" have some of the best poetry I've ever read and I have read them over and over.

My mom had Atwood's book, Moral Disorder, signed for me several years ago. 

Margaret Atwood is definitely close to my heart. I've shown it before but this is my view when sitting at my very messy desk. And what's that right beside the shelf?

Atwood and I, with the third book I have signed by her, "The Year of the Flood". My awesome husband sent this picture to her and she signed it. My parents got it framed and it was gifted to me for my birthday in 2010. I have treasured it ever since. I have joked with my husband that I have to work Margaret's saying, "Keep on Truckin'" into all my novels.

Thank you Margaret for a great birthday present. I told my husband he doesn't need to get me anything as nothing can top a signed copy of an Atwood book. We'll see if I get anything tomorrow.