Like most of you, I suppose, I have a few dirty little secrets. (I’ll bet that got your attention!) Mine are pretty tame, but still, I hang my head in shame.
For starters, I have several dirty little literary secrets. MeMum and BigDaddy gave me a beautiful copy of Jane Eyre when I was a teenager, and even though I read a lot back then, I never managed to get it read. (Hasn’t everyone read Jane Eyre?)
In anticipation of the movie, I finished the book this week, and, of course, I loved it. It was fun to read my childhood version of the book too, as it’s full of pretty little pen and ink illustrations.
The illustration below is probably my favorite. I can’t wait to see the movie now. Have any of you seen it yet? I’m a little distressed — it won’t open here until the day I leave for spring market — I’m crossing my fingers that it will stay around for more than 10 days.
Another dirty little secret is one that I KNOW I share with many of you. Really old UFOs. Now that I’ve finished the crochet bag, I need some sort of handwork and I decided I really should try to work on a UFO. I’ve resurrected one from the early 90’s. (Ouch!) I was farther along than I thought though — two out of four borders are all appliqued — just two more to go and I’ll be finished. Why do we put these projects down when we don’t really have that much left to do on them? I have a plan this time, so I’m going to git ‘er done.
That’s enough for dirty little secrets tonight — I hope your dirty little secrets are more exciting!
To change the subject, I had a super fun encounter today at lunch. I ran to JoAnn’s to see if I could get the new Denyse Schmidt fabrics for Julia. When I asked about them, the clerk pointed to the back of the store and said they were all mixed in along the back wall. Really??? Arghh. There’s no way I can pick them all out — I barely know what they look like! Luckily, there was another clerk in the quilting section and she hadn’t put them out yet — they were all still together and wrapped in shrink wrap. Happy Dance about Perfect Timing.
And if that weren’t enough, as I was picking through them, this cutie with a little boy and girl walked up and asked for the same fabrics. I took one look at her, laughed, and said “Are you Jenny?” Poor Jenny, I think I shocked her, but what a wonderful surprise! Jenny and I have e-mailed and shared comments for a few years but never met. I think maybe we were both a bit too shy (stop laughing!) to suggest a get-together. I knew one day we would meet and always wondered how it would happen. So, Hi Jenny — I LOVED our chance encounter — it was the highlight of my day week! I hope your novocaine has worn off LOL!
I hope you all have a fun weekend. Maybe you’ll have a chance encounter too!
XOXO,
Anna
Jane Eyre was one of the first”grown up” books I read. I loved it sooo much, I was about 12 I think. As for the UFOs…geez my first full size quilt, a QIAD log cabin is still missing the binding after 15 yrs, it sits in a big trash bag taking up lots of room in the sewing room closet because i had the quilter use puffy batting…oh the shame of it all.
I am so excited about the movie!!!! I’m with you on the dirty little secret UFO thingie….right now I am working on my Fat Quarter Shop Designer BOM from 2009 where I have only 4 blocks to finish. Have no idea why I stopped….but believe me I have tons of UFO’s way older than that one!!
Ha! An aunt gave me Jane Eyre when I was about 8 I started it, but didn’t like it, put it aside, and have never read any more. A few years ago she self-published a sequel to Jane Eyre, and I have a copy of that, too. I really should find that original copy and read it and then her sequel – eventually!
Hello:)
I just found your blog somehow or other. Anyway I stopped and looked. I’ve never read Jane Eyre. I have seen to Hollywood movie version of the story many many many years ago. As far as UFO’s?…Oh dear:(…ummm well… I have 12 gray mice that I cut out to sew and sell at a craft market…in 1995. I’ve just finished sewing the bodies recently. Now I need to dress them…that might be much later.
That’s not too shocking at all Anna. I’ve never read Jane Eyre either. Maybe I should. I’ve a few UFO’s from the early 90’s, one has only three rows to go, question is will it ever get finished or end up in some yard sale way in the future, lol.
It’s been years since I read Jane Eyre. Time to dig it off the shelf again!
There is no chance I’m going to own up to any of my ancient UFOs …
Nope, never read it either. I think the closest I have come was reading ‘The Eyre Affair’ by Jasper Fforde.
Ah Jane Eyre. That’s been a long time since I read it. I didn’t even know they were making a movie again.
About those dirty little secrets: I have a bag lying around here with in there an unfinished knitted scarf. Yes, a scarf. Nothing difficult about it, but it has been lying there for two years now and I still didn’t finish it. And now it’s spring again. I’m afraid this could turn into a 5 year project at this rate :-D
How fun to run into a fellow blogger that way. That never happens to me *grin*, maybe I should start blogging in Dutch more. Or start traveling more. Hmm. That sounds like an interesting option…. ;-)
Jane Eyre is one of my favorite novels and the movie versions are enjoyable too. I read the book many years ago and perhaps ought to read it again. It’s worth a re-read. I can’t wait to see the new version when it is in my town.
Please do me a favor and watch the Masterpiece Theatre version of Jane Eyre with Ruth Wilson and Toby Stevens…it is so awesome….i heard about the new version but anything trying to be scary is not my cup of tea!!
so FUN to see you yesterday. and honestly, i think i was given enough novicaine to down a horse!! new dentist…will have to make sure that doesn’t happen again!!
Joanns needs to show a little more respect for the glorious Denyse! My store only had 4 prints from the line, and those I had to dig for.
Hi Anna, I haven’t read Jane Eyre either, I’ll have to check it out. I have a few “old” ufo’s too sometimes it’s hard to get inspired to finish them. Denyse Schmidt is at Joann’s how exciting, not as exciting as your upcoming trip to market though,I’m sure you will have a blast!!!! (jealous)
I have not read it either! I feel like the only person in the world who hasn’t read ‘the classics’ so I decided to download ‘little women’ on my ipad to read while the kids were at gymnastics (god bless concurrent classes, one hour of peace!)…
so, anyway….I started it and it was SO BORING that it is now in my UFB pile!
As for UFO’s…I have a massive amount of cut up giant applecores here, waiting to be sewn into a quilt. But I can’t bear to begin all those curved stitches that I just keep avoiding it!!
Loved hearing of your chance encounter – too funny!
Sas x
I have not read Jane Eyre, but I’m hoping to see the movie. I think it opened here last weekend but I haven’t gotten there yet!
Oh I love Jane Eyre! It’s one of my all time favorites and I can’t wait to see the new movie!!! Did your Okie family survive the storms last night ok?
Ohhh my dirty secret is most of the time, I would rather see the movie, than read the book. Although that is a charming version of Jane Eyre !!! xoxox Clarice
no I’ve not read that classic…. I really should! and if it is running During quilt market in SLC you could see it there!
I haven’t read Jane Eyre yet but I have been working my way through Jane Austen so maybe I’ll read that one next. I didn’t appreciate the books my teachers wanted me to read until I was in my thirties so I am trying to re-educate myself.
I often wonder myself why I put projects away when they are almost finished, I have an embroidered piece that I want to make into a pillow but it is just sitting there waiting while I start all kinds of new projects! ;0)
Pick that head up! If that’s all the shame you’ve got, you’re doing great. LOL And you really never do know who you’ll see when you’re out and about. Always makes like interesting.
Jane Eyre is one of my favorites. I’ve read the book a coule of times and seen several of the different movies made of it.
What a fun encounter. I’ve met a bloggy friend or two that way. I hope we can meet at Market! Can’t wait! And can’t wait to see your finished applique project.
Amber
Not only have I read Jane Eyre, I took a course during my University English days called “The Culture of the Quixote” (pronounced kwik-sote) in which I studied a book entitled “The Madwoman in the Attic”. I used to be very cerebral. But now I’m more proud of the days when I went to the grocery store with baby spit-up on my shoulder … and every day since then. :)
Now that you have read Jane Eyre, you will have to move on to Wuthering Heights, then Pride and Prejudice. I keep saying I am not starting another project until I finish some UFOs ……..
Oooh I love,love,love Jane Eyre and it’s a definate must read again for me this year in my book list. So looking forward to seeing the new film when I can. I’ve seen the trailer for it and it looks grand, moody and mysterious and very atmospheric just like the book! Fingers crossed
Have a great weekend! Leah x
I LOVE Jane Eyre…very romantic book! Masterpiece Classic did an adaptation a year or two ago that was the most faithful to the book and is my favorite. ;0
http://beeinmybonnetco.blogspot.com/2011/04/denyse-schmidt-fabric-at-joanns.html
Here’s some photos!
that is it? those are your dirty little secrets?
mine are WAAAAAY worse.
mine are staying secret.
:waves madly
Now go read Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde. So funny! I just finished his most recent — addictive!
Your dirty little secret isn’t as bad as being a shoe hoarder!
I’m so glad that I’m not the only one hiding UFOs from way back. I have actually contemplated to throw them out (as put them in den rubbish) but so far haven’t had the nerve to do it ;).
My oldest ufo is from the 90’s too…and I’d really like to finish it this year…or next :o)
I think those of you who have old UFOs are more optimistic people:) I used to have lots of them, but I eventually had to face the unfortunate truth (for me) that they weren’t going to finish themselves…and I wasn’t going to help them get finished either, ha, ha. I’ve wastefully tossed all of my UFOs or unraveled them.
I was a reader too and owned Jane Eyre as a kid, but I’m not sure I read it until I had to teach it. I also read it with my daughter when she was in junior high. We both loved it…and showed our low moral character be agreeing that we would have stayed with Mr. Rochester despite Bertha, ha, ha.
Seems that we share the same dirty little secret! Funny story about bumping into Jenny. How fun!
What a great story about meeting Jenny! That is so funny and wonderful.
I have a copy of Jane Eyre in the bookcase by my bed but have not read it. But I have seen five different productions of it, the oldest being a movie with Orson Welles as Mr. Rochester and the newest being the version that is in theaters right now. I saw it twice and would happily go see it again– it was very, very, very good. But my favorite version is the Masterpiece Theater mini-series with Ruth Wilson as Jane Eyre. I found the DVD at my local library.
Okay, I’ve yammered enough. Enjoy your Sunday, Anna!
What a lovely post! Chance encounters are the Best! Gifts from the Universe, my counsellor says! Who could argue with that.
I too, have never read Jane Eyre. Why I haven’t I have no idea, because I’ve been an avid reader my whole life, I own a copy of it and even have it downloaded onto my Kindle. I think I’m gonna have to use that saying “So many books, so little time”. Story of my life. :)
I’m not even going to talk about UFO’s. LOL
But I’m glad I’m not alone. :)
I wish you a happy palm-sunday and a great easterweek
Janine
hellooooo Anna,
To me, Jane Eyre = best book ever. I’ve seen every Jane Eyre movie ever made and studied the Bronte family in depth (ok… that was many, many years ago in Sr. English). Loved the new movie, as well.
I haven’t updated my blog or read other blogs for months. I have missed you.
Anne
I must admit I’ve never read Jane Eyre. It’s probably in public domain and I can download it for my Itouch and listen to it while I sew.
I must admit…I’ve read Jane Eyre many times and I never tire of it…it’s one of my favorites! What a romance!!
We won’t get into *my* dirty secrets (that’s probably not Thimbleanna.com appropriate content), but I haven’t read Jane Eyre either. And I read the Cliff’s Notes of Farenheit 451 and Tale of Two Cities in Jr High instead of reading the book. OK, to be 100% truthful, I watched the movie for Farenheit 451.
I’ve vowed to read them both in full as an adult, but haven’t started yet. VOW I SAY!
Well when I read the tittle of the post, a quote from John Henley came to mind. Well okay, lyrics from the Dirty Laundry song! As for UFOs in the early 90’s, thankfully I wasn’t a quilter so you got me beat! lol Let’s not talk about the late 90’s! lol Cheers!
We all have little secrets that we keep to ourselves. I applaud your courage in admitting the Jane Eyre and project stash secrets. I do have one or two or even more projects set aside which I should be finishing. I’m working on resolving this behavior, really I am.
Ah, yes, Jane Eyre. It’s been on my “must read” list for about 35 years. Maybe I will dive in this summer. As for UFOs- my whole house is full of them. Drat and blast! There are just too many distractions around here. Well, actually, there’s only one and her name is Emma. :)
I’m jealous that you’ll be at market and I won’t. One day….Have a great day. I’m off to work.
Not everyone…I have to admit that I’ve never read it.
Hi there,
I have a question about your site, would you mind emailing me back @ kthomas@primroseschools.com?
Thanks,
Kathleen
I’m an English teacher and I’ve never read any of the Brontes. (Hangs head in shame.) I keep meaning to but somehow I don’t fancy them. I know the stories. I’ve read biographies of all of the sisters. I’ve visited Haworth. But somehow…
Other than that, my life is as pure as new snow.
Still cold and rainy in the valley but snowy on Timp. Not sure we will be able to make our hike. I’ll keep you posted.
P.S. I have too many UFO’s to count. Don’t tell anyone though. I’ve got to quit partying, traveling, and doing house projects, if I ever hope to get back into my sewing room. I don’t see it happening in the near future. Everything is just too fun.
Ha! That’s an awesome dirty little secret. I won’t tell you mine! ;) — Loved Jane. And as for UFO’s I am still carrying around (through what, seven moves?) the first crochet afghan I ever started… when I was expecting my 22yo daughter! Yikes! (Lucky you: you can even see it here: http://www.inkstitch.net/inkstitch/2008/03/the-big-post-ab/)
Hm. Link didn’t work. I’m trying again, and if it doesn’t work this time you can erase the comments from that weird girl with the 22 year old afghan…
http://www.inkstitch.net/inkstitch/2008/03/the-big-post-ab/
Hmmm, dirty little secrets, I have some too :) I have read Jane in three languages, Czech, English and French. It was good in all three though not my favorite book. I see many people talking about the movie; I must say it does not really tempt me. I found the book just too sad.
Hey Anna . . . so sorry to hear about your red fabric snafoo. If you don’t have any Color Catchers, you need some. I never wash reds without them. Well, I put them in MOST of my wash. They’ve paid for themselves many, many times over.
And would you please post the ISBN on your lovely edition of Jane Eyre? I’d love to add that one to my library!
Have a wonderful day!