New reads:

This week I'm reading The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin. It's my pick for my bookclub's September selection and so far, I'm really enjoying it.

Here's what it's about, if anyone's interested:

"A.J. Fikry's life is not at all what he expected it to be. His wife has died; his bookstore is experiencing the worst sales in its history; and now his prized possession, a rare collection of Poe poems, has been stolen. Slowly but surely, he is isolating himself from all the people of Alice Island -- from Chief Lambiase, the well-intentioned police officer who's always felt kindly toward him; from Ismay, his sister-in-law, who is hell-bent on saving A.J. from his dreary self; from Amelia, the lovely and idealistic (if eccentric) Knightley Press sales rep who persists in taking the ferry to Alice Island, refusing to be deterred by A.J.'s bad attitude. Even the books in his store have stopped holding pleasure for him. These days, he can only see them as a sign of a world that is changing too rapidly.

And then a mysterious package appears at the bookstore. It's a small package, though large in weight -- an unexpected arrival that gives A.J. the opportunity to make his life over, the ability to see everything anew. It doesn't take long for the locals to notice the change overcoming A.J., for the determined sales rep Amelia to see her curmudgeonly client in a new light, for the wisdom of all those books to become again the lifeblood of A.J.'s world. Or for everything to twist again into a version of his life that he didn't see coming.

As surprising as it is moving, The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry is an unforgettable tale of transformation and second chances, an irresistible affirmation of why we read, and why we love."

My senior year of high school, I wrote my AP English paper on isolation in Silas Marner by George Eliot. Have you ever read it? It's a lovely little novel. As I read this though, I can't help but draw similarities to Silas Marner. Anyone else see them?

What are you reading these days? Anything you want to recommend?

Sewing:

I've been going a little crazy in the sewing department lately. Mostly stuff for M but a few things for myself (yay!). Maybe it's nesting. Maybe it's that I'm finally feeling like I have energy again. Either way, I'm taking advantage of it to get some stuff done.

Here's what I'm currently working on:

Maxaloones by Max & Meena. I can't seem to stop making these pants. So cute, so comfy, and they last forever! I can wax poetic about my love affair with these pants for a really long time. I have a lot to say so stay tuned.

Small Fry Skinny Jeans by Titchy Threads. Little M has yet to own a pair of jeans. This is about to change because I just bought some denim on sale and hit the jackpot and got the end of the bolt so now I have about a million yards of dark wash denim on my hands. Needless to say, I will be making multiple pairs of these.

The Jude Jacket by Shwin Designs. You have no idea how excited I am to make this coat. Andrew is totally jealous that it doesn't come in a larger size. 

I'm making it in a charcoal wool (see above) and lining it with that grey and orange lightning bolt fabric. Did you see it in all its glory? Hearts in eyes. I also just got him a lightning bolt shirt for the fall/winter. My Harry Potter infatuation is finally rearing its ugly (or awesome) head.

I've also got big goals as far as future projects. They include:

This Totoro costume. Because, well, did you see it? Must make now. I've already got M's Halloween costume all planned out but I may just make this to wear around the house. 

These ridiculously adorable coats by the super talented Little Goodall. She sells these beauties in her shop but also sells patterns to make your own. So, of course, that's what I'll be doing.

I've also got some other projects in the works, including those of the non-sewing variety:

• 2 maternity shirts for me
• Winter maternity leggings
• Newborn sweaters (more on those later)
• 2 winter sweaters for M
• Winter sweater for A
• M's Halloween costume
• M's annual homemade Christmas gift
• Baby bibs
• Headbands for a good friend to help raise money for her adoption

So, yes, I'm back and very busy. I wouldn't have it any other way, though and I can't wait to share all my projects as I work through them. 

Hello, hello:

So, this space has been pretty dead lately and for good reason:

We've had our hands pretty full the last couple of weeks. I've been busy, exhausted, and a million other things. It's been so much harder this time around but things are finally starting to die down a little (knock on wood) and I am feeling more like myself again.

So be prepared for some major updates coming your way. Because we have a lot to tell you about!