A Place for Jade: 2017

Friday, December 8, 2017

Bookworm: I Just Finished... The Sun is Also a Star and Out of the Easy (December 2017)

The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

Written by the same author as Everything, Everything, The Sun is Also a Star is a young adult novel that primarily shifts in perspectives between two teenagers. Natasha is a pragmatic, no nonsense young girl desperately searching for a way to avoid her family’s impending deportation, a result of her father’s recent arrest for DUI. Daniel is a young Korean-American whose pre-med future has been mapped out for him even though he’d rather be a poet. Their lives intersect, and they spend a day together-- likely the most magical and heartbreaking either of them has ever experienced. Making this novel unique, the entire plot takes place over the course of one day. Also, there are a few short chapters from other perspectives that add to the omniscience of the story. I had a hard time getting into the book at first; I felt confused. But, after I settled in, I really enjoyed it. I’d recommend this book to anybody who likes YA lit and to those who enjoyed Everything, Everything as they have the same sort of “forbidden-love” feel.

Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys

I am sad that, at this point, I have read all of Sepetys’ books. What an amazing author. Out of the Easy departs from the WWII setting of Between Shades of Gray and Salt to the Sea. It takes place in New Orleans in 1950. The books centers around Josie, the well-read daughter of a brothel prostitute, who longs to attend college in New England. Working as a personal assistant to the brothel’s madam, Willie, and also at a bookstore with her best friend, Patrick, Josie has all the perfect combination of book and street smarts. Yet, because of her lack of pedigree, loyalty to Willie, and thieving mother, she feels as though she’ll never escape the French quarter. Additionally, Josie becomes obsessed with the mysterious death of a bookstore patron, which only proves to complicate matters further. I loved this novel for it’s colorful setting, it’s complex characters, and it’s fast paced plot. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good fiction read. Bonus for historical fiction fans. I was sad when it ended.

Saturday, November 11, 2017

Bookworm: I Just Finished... Salt to the Sea and Turtles All the Way Down (November 2017)

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

Loosely connected to Between Shades of Gray, Salt to the Sea was another standout historical fiction novel. Set during the end of World War 2, it switches in perspective between three young adults fleeing East Prussia as a result of Germany and Russia fighting over the land as though it were a child’s toy. Joana (cousin of Lina in Between Shades of Gray) is a young nurse whose family fled the Russians in Lithuania and repatriated due to her mother’s German heritage. Florian is an anti-Nazi trying to disguise his way to safety with a pretty large secret. Emilia is a young girl who is in danger of Hitler’s army and their disapproval of her Polish heritage. The fourth point of view is Alfred, a Hitler-worshipping sailor assigned to one of several ships promising to transport Germanic refugees to safety only to be struck by tragedy. Sepetys’ storytelling is raw and gripping, yet lyrical in quality. The short chapters are perfect for readers who can only sneak in a few minutes at a time, and it felt good to be more informed about the biggest maritime disaster in history. I’d highly recommend this book to anybody. It’s seriously worth the read.

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

Hoping to download a book in literally under five minutes, I logged onto bn.com and saw John Green had released a new novel. While I’ve liked some more than others, I have never been disappointed by his writing. The title threw me, having not even read the blurb, so I had no idea what type of story I was getting myself into. Turtles is told in the point of view of Aza, a teenage girl caught up in the mysterious disappearance of an old friend’s billionaire father. Solving the puzzle takes a back seat throughout the book to Aza’s battle with obsessive compulsive disorder and her ability to form and maintain relationships, both platonic and not. As somebody who struggles with mental illness (albeit a different disease than Aza’s), I loved the honesty of her voice and the risk John Green took in creating a narrator that’s not entirely reliable. I would recommend this book to pretty much anyone. If not for the story, then definitely for the insight it provides.

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

DIY: Throw Pillow Covers

Throw pillows are one of the easiest ways to seasonally refresh your decor. The bummer is that most cost anywhere from $20-50 a piece, and they rarely wash well. This can make changing it up expensive, especially for homes where wear and tear from children and pets is inevitable.

The solution is to use throw pillow covers. These can be sewn to cover your existing pillows, or to cover inserts.

For my birthday this year, I asked for a sewing machine. I wanted to be able to update my home decor without having to overspend, so my first project was envelope pillow covers.

I used this website for directions: http://www.heytherehome.com/how-to-make-an-envelope-pillow-cover/

But, here’s my version of the how-to:

For starters, determine the size pillow cover you will need. Purchase your fabric accordingly. I decided to make a five piece collection including 2- 16”x16” covers (1 yard of fabric), 2- 12”x12” covers (⅔ yard), and a 12”x22” cover (½ yard).
Cut your fabric. For each pillow, you’ll want to cut a front piece. I find it doesn’t hurt to give yourself a little allowance on each side. Unless the fabric stretches, I give myself an extra inch. So, for a 12”x12” pillow, I’d cut a 13”x13” front piece. Each pillow will also need two back pieces to form the envelope closure. These should be the same height as the front piece with 4-5” taken off the width. So, for the same 12”x12” pillow, I’d cut two 8”x13” back pieces. For stretch fabrics, I don’t go any more than ½” larger than length and width of the pillow insert.
On each of the back pieces, pin and sew a straight seam on one of the longer sides. I shoot for approximately a half inch seam. I also find it helpful to iron the fabric once it’s pinned, but before sewing, to help keep the seam straight.

Lay the front piece down face up on the table and line up the two back pieces upside down on top of it. Once you have it aligned, pin the sides to hold everything together.

Sew around all four sides using at least a ⅝” seam.
When done, cut excess string, flip inside out, and stuff with an old pillow or insert.

I was so pleased with the results, I have been buying fabric and making pillow covers ever since. I love being able to switch it up without going broke in the process.

Love the idea, but don’t have the time/resources to do it yourself? Vinton Street Upcycling is now happy to offer ala carte throw pillow covers as well as collections and custom options (sample looks below). We are working on adding these to our Etsy shop, but in the meantime, please contact us at vintonstupcycling@gmail.com to place an order or chat about your vision/needs.