Heidi Anne Heiner's Blog, page 90

Fairy Tales in Stitches Week: Joan Elliott's Designs

Cinderella
Today's fairy tale cross themed stitch designs are by Joan Elliott. I am torn between Sleeping Beauty and Rapunzel as my favorites here. Which do you like best?

Rapunzel
Sleeping Beauty
Snow Queen
Goddess of the Sea

The Reader
All images came from Joan Elliot's blog or 123Stitch. I am not affiliated with them but for convenience I recommend 123Stitch for acquiring these patterns. I have a favorite local shop in Nashville, but they don't do online orders. I have used 123Stitch personally in the past and liked their service, so I feel okay offering them as a resource link.

Bargain Ebook: The Princess Curse by Merrie Haskell for $1.99

The Princess Curse by Merrie Haskell has dropped to $1.99 from $5.98 in ebook format. This is the first time the book has been discounted this low.

This one takes inspiration from The Twelve Dancing Princesses, but some other fairy tales get thrown into the mix, too, such as Beauty and the Beast.

Book description:

Twelve princesses suffer from a puzzling (if silly) curse, and anyone who ends it will win a reward. Reveka, a sharp-witted and irreverent apprentice herbalist, wants that reward. But her investigations lead to deeper mysteries and a daunting choice—will she break the curse at the peril of her own soul?

Fairy Tales in Stitches Week: Nora Corbett's Mirabilia

Wow, believe it or not, I didn't realize that the SurLaLune blog will turn five years old next month in June. I don't mark the anniversaries for the blog so much since I mostly consider it a supplement to the SurLaLune main site which is much older--15 years old in 2013.

Back in November 2009 I had a Fairy Tales in Stitches Week which was fun for me since I occasionally do some cross stitch. It's rare since my free time these days is spent researching, compiling and editing SurLaLune book collections. But occasionally I miss the cathartic influence of making an image with needle and thread--while watching tv, of course. Makes tv viewing time much more enjoyable actually.

Fairy Tales in Stitches Week: Nora Corbett was one of my favorite posts since Corbett's Mirabilia line is one of my favorites--the one I have stitched the most myself. Although I have never stitched one of her fairy tale patterns. I need to rectify that after seeing the new designs--fairy tale and myth inspired--for the Mirabilia line.

Let me share the new ones--visit the old post to see the older Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty designs. I'll start with my favorite:


Red: I WANT to stitch this. Wow. It doesn't even fit in my decor, but I would find a place. 

Once upon a time, her mother told her to beware the dangers of the forest, but Red, all grown up, forges her own path. As she walks through the woods in her intricately patterned dress, she glances to her left, mindful of the wolves in her wake. Yet she smiles with satisfaction, confident her sumptuous and billowing red cloak has the power to mesmerize them; this time, the wolves will do her bidding.

Susan Redington Bobby

Biancabella

In honor of her mother who stitched in the palace orchard, Biancabella visits the place where her mother once pricked her finger and made a wish. Her heart’s desire was to be granted a lovely daughter with skin as white as the fragrant snowdrops at her feet, hair as black as the friendly raven who perched above, and lips as red as the crisp apples that hung from the branches around her.

Dressed to celebrate her birthday in a stunning robin’s egg blue gown trimmed with royal purple and embellished with fine ribbons and lace, she holds the last apple of the season aloft, admiring its succulent scent, wondering if it possesses the power to bring her a true love in spring.
Susan Redington Bobby

Ella, The Frog Princess

Rippit, rippit, rippit!

If there is one thing stitchers fear, it is a visit from the frog. But what if things are not always as they seem? Perhaps inside this diminutive creature lies a secret: the satisfaction of a perfectly stitched piece, the realization of a hope or dream fulfilled, or even a dashing and handsome prince. Bedecked in a three-tiered buttercream confection, festooned with fresh flowers and sparkling with gemstones, Ella stands poised to choose her future. Will she kiss the frog? Ella’s smile says “yes.”

Susan Redington Bobby

Sleeping Princess (This one reminds me of Princess and the Pea, but she is sleeping too well.)

Once upon a time, on a bed of tufted silks and embroidered pillows, a princess lies
dreaming of roses and lilies.

Nora

Persephone

Like the lotus flowers behind her, with their blooms growing up from the darkness, Persephone emerges from the underworld once a year to return to her mother Demeter and herald the beginning of spring. Surrounded by cranes, symbols of happiness, good fortune, and longevity, she embraces the beauty of the Victorian era in her aquamarine gown while she contemplates the luscious pomegranate and the coming harvest.

Susan Redington Bobby

Cassiopeia

Once confined to a constellation in the heavens as a punishment for her vanity, Cassiopeia returns to Earth, holding delicate palm fronds, symbols of triumph and eternal life. She lounges on her royal purple throne, hand-carved of gold, wearing a majestic teal ball gown embellished with feathers from exotic birds and intricate embroidery. Wary of tempting fate with a hand-held mirror, she avoids staring at her own reflection. Yet there is no doubt in her mind that her beauty outshines the Nereids, just like the pale yellow metallic thread which glows like clusters of fireflies in the dark, a brilliant reminder of the stars that once shone for her.

Susan Redington Bobby

Finally, I am not affiliated with them but for convenience I recommend 123stitch for acquiring these patterns. I have a favorite local shop in Nashville, but they don't do online orders. I have used 123stitch personally in the past and liked their service, so I feel okay offering them as a resource link.

Bargain Ebook: Goose Chase by Patrice Kindl for $1.99

Goose Chase by Patrice Kindl has dropped to $1.99 in ebook format. It was $3.99 so it is now half price, probably for a limited time. I have owned this book since it was published in hardcover so I am thrilled that it is now at a price I can justify owning in digital format, too. I only wish Kindl's Owl in Love was in ebook format at all. I read that one in grad school at a professor's recommendation and no, it hasn't left me despite the years since I read it. It's rather unique.

Goose Chase lightly borrows from Goose Girl, but it borrows from so much more than that, such as Rapunzel and Cinderella, and more which would be spoiling things. I've sent it to my niece, too, so we'll see what she thinks of it.

Book description:

Her name is Alexandria Aurora Fortunato, and she is as lovely as the dawn. But that is only one of her problems. There’s also the matter of those three magical gifts of treasure bestowed on her by a mysterious old woman. And King Claudio the Cruel wants to marry her for her beauty and her wealth, and so does his rival, Prince Edmund of Dorloo. Those are two more problems. And, worst of all, she is locked in a tower, with a grille of iron bars and several hundred tons of stone between her and freedom. Some days Alexandria wishes she looked like a pickled onion. Clearly the only thing to do is escape—and, with the aid of her twelve darling goose companions, that’s precisely what Alexandria does.

So begins the adventure of Patrice Kindl’s beguiling heroine. Her flight will take her to strange lands and lead her into perilous situations, all of which the plucky Alexandria views with a wry and witty spirit. Here is a sprightly tale of magic and romance, in which those geese play a most surprising role.

Happy Mother's Day and Ebook Bargains Ending Today

Happy Mother's Day! This is sort of a repost, since today is the last day to pick up these ebook bargains during The Big Deal: Kindle Books Up to 85% Off. There are several fairy tale titles in the sale which is quite gratifying. Before it's price goes up, I also wanted to note that Passion And Poison: Tales Of Shape-Shifters, Ghosts, And Spirited Women has a Bluebeard like tale in it for those of you who like that sort of thing. And know that Bluebeard wasn't a pirate.


A Question of Magic by E. D. Baker is $1.99. This has Baba Yaga! Fun!

Book description:

Serafina was living the normal life of a village girl, when she gets a mysterious letter--her first letter ever, in fact--from a great aunt she's never heard of in another village. Little does 'Fina know, her great aunt is actually a Baba Yaga, a magical witch who lives in an even more magical cottage.

Summoned to the cottage, Serafina's life takes an amazing turn as she finds herself becoming the new Baba Yaga. But leaving behind home and the boy she loves isn't easy, and as Serafina grows into her new and magical role answering the first question any stranger might ask her with the truth, she also learns about the person she's meant to be, and that telling the future doesn't always mean knowing the right answers.

In her inimitable and bestselling way, ED Baker has crafted a funny and romantic story that combines some fabulous details from the original Slavic tale, with an all new spin!

Passion And Poison: Tales Of Shape-Shifters, Ghosts, And Spirited Women by Janice Del Negro (Author), Vince Natale (Illustrator) is $1.99.

Book description:

"Giovanna undid her cloak, and it slipped to the ground. The sun was coming up over the edge of the sea, and the light caught the rubies around Giovanna’s throat and set them on fire. Rafael could not take his eyes from those flaming stones. Giovanna reached behind her head to undo the clasp that held the rubies."

Janice M. Del Negro’s unique storyteller’s voice enlivens this collection of eight original tales about strong, resolute females. Whether she’s spinning a story about a brave housekeeper who does not suffer fools gladly or a woman who uses her wits to avenge her sister’s death, she embroiders her tales with elegant language and vivid imagery. There are characters and settings that will chill the bones, from the skulls in a moonlit mausoleum to the apparition of a wealthy woman "in a cyclone of light and fog" to three cauldrons filled with hair, bones, and blood. Mysterious shape-shifters and ghostly figures appear, but the women here handle them with grace and conviction. Acting to achieve justice and fairness, these characters become heroines in the landscape of the imagination. An author’s note is included.

My Fair Godmother and My Unfair Godmother by Janette Rallison are $1.99 each.

Book description for My Unfair Godmother:

After her parents' divorce Tansy never really felt like her life got back to normal. And now that her too-busy parents and their respective new spouses don't seem to have time for her, Tansy has been sent to live with her semi-neurotic grandmother. After one incident involving a bad date, a can of spray paint, and the police, Tansy fears she is doomed for life. Enter Chrissy Everstar, Tansy's fairy in shining er... high heels. With three wishes to help set her life right, Tansy is taken along for a ride that includes Robin Hood and his Merry Men, who turn out to be trouble when they steal from the rich in her town. When the police chief's son, Hudson, sees Tansy hanging out with these fairy tale criminals, she'll have some serious explaining to do. That's if Tansy can find a way to stop spinning gold and undo the "help" that Chrissy has bestowed.

The Story of Princess Olivia by Charles Egbert is $.99.

Book description:

From School Library Journal

Gr 3–6—Princess Olivia lives with King Horace and Queen Cora in a crumbling castle in the Green Mountain Kingdom now known as Vermont. Her mother is a worrywart, and her father is quite melancholy-especially when he thinks about the poor condition of the royal bank account. Princess Olivia goes out to her bower one day to play, where she befriends a hoop snake, a snake that has swallowed its own tail, turning itself into a living hula hoop. In the woods, Olivia runs into the dreaded and villainous Count Carlos Maximillian Von Dusseldorf, who cannot believe his good luck to have stumbled upon the princess all alone. He promptly throws her into a cage and carts her off to the middle of the woods with his magical minion, Georgette, in order to blackmail a ransom out of her parents, not realizing that they are, in fact, destitute. With the moaning and groaning king and his worrisome queen rambling through the woods searching for their missing daughter, helped by the dashing Prince Dropoffsky, the Count and Georgette try to stay one step ahead of them, while the intelligent princess spends her time with Mr. Snake, plotting her escape. This slight but humorous story is filled with rigorous and playful vocabulary that would be fun to explore in a classroom. The bumbling actions of the royals, along with the descriptions of Count Von Dusseldorf, allow for creative-writing extensions as well. Pen-and-ink illustrations complement the text. Readers who enjoy fractured fairy tales and their original counterparts might enjoy this whimsical chapter book. Consider for larger collections.—Lisa Kropp, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY

Princess of Glass (Twelve Dancing Princesses) by Jessica Day George is $1.99.

Book description:

Hoping to escape the troubles in her kingdom, Princess Poppy reluctantly agrees to take part in a royal exchange program. She travels abroad hoping to find better political alliances and perhaps a marriage. But thanks to a vengeful fairy, Poppy's happily ever after gets complicated. This companion to Princess of the Midnight Ball will delight readers with action and romance.

Once Upon A Curse (Tales of the Frog Princess) by E. D. Baker is $1.99.

Book description:

Many years ago a slighted fairy placed a curse on a beautiful young princess-a curse that caused her and all her female descendants to turn into mean, ugly witches if they ever touched a flower after turning sixteen. Now, Princess Emma, who is about to turn sixteen herself, is determined to break the spell once and for all. Emma travels back in time to the day the curse was placed on her ancestor in the hope of preventing the curse from being cast. Unfortunately she isn't successful in her efforts, but she does learn how to break it. Armed with this knowledge, Emma returns to her own time full of hope. But disaster ensues and Emma is about to give up completely-until true love shows itself in the most unexpected place of all.

Secondhand Charm by Julie Berry is $1.99.

Book description:

In a secluded village, magic sparkles on the edges of the forest. There, a young girl named Evie possesses unusually strong powers as a healer. A gypsy's charms-no more than trinkets when worn by others-are remarkably potent when Evie ties them around her neck. Her talents, and charms, have not escaped the notice of the shy stonemason's son. But Evie wants more than a quiet village and the boy next-door. When the prince's carriage arrives one day, and his footman has fallen ill, Evie might just get her chance after all . . .Berry's debut novel garnered glowing reviews and strong sales-and now she's done it again with a beautifully woven tale to keep all readers, young and old, absolutely charmed.

Shifting by Bethany Wiggins is $1.99.

Book description:

After bouncing from foster home to foster home, Magdalene Mae is transferred to what should be her last foster home in the tiny town of Silver City, New Mexico. Now that she's eighteen and has only a year left in high school, she's determined to stay out of trouble and just be normal. Agreeing to go to the prom with Bridger O'Connell is a good first step. Fitting in has never been her strong suit, but it's not for the reasons most people would expect-it all has to do with the deep secret that she is a shape shifter. But even in her new home danger lurks, waiting in the shadows to pounce. They are the Skinwalkers of Navajo legend, who have traded their souls to become the animal whose skin they wear-and Maggie is their next target.

Fairy Tale Kickstarter: Loose Leaf Tea: Sip & Slip Into the Leaves of a Story by Rebecca King

An interesting Kickstarter project--Loose Leaf Tea: Sip & Slip Into the Leaves of a Story by Rebecca King--is nearly funded with two weeks to go.  The project is well-researched and if you are a fan of fairy tales and tea, this may interest you.

About the project:

Join the adventure of crafting great-tasting teas inspired by classic fairy tales.

This is the first step on a journey to creating a fairytale-themed tea room.

As you might have guessed from the project name, I love tea. I don't just like it - I love tea so much that for my birthday, my sister and brother-in-law gave me the largest tea pot I have ever seen. It holds at least 15 cups at a time. And I live alone, so that tells you how much tea my family thinks I drink.

I started my obsession with tea in high-school after visiting Zimbabwe. I traveled to the country with a team, and one of the girls on the team advised me to be sure to pick up a box of tea from the grocery store. It's a cultural staple and therefore a perfect souvenir. After getting home, I shared the box with my family and discovered my love for tea.

From there, it was just a matter of time before I transitioned from tea bags to loose leaf tea. When I discovered loose leaf (and the myriad of blends you can try), it felt like I had discovered a whole new world. I began ordering tea online so I could try new blends. I started comparing the quality of one company to another company to see how their blends varied (even within tea of the same name!). Now, half of my pantry is filled with over 50 different tea varieties.

But I didn't stop there. I started mixing different tea blends together, then began to create my own blends from the incredible variety of ingredient options. Now, I want to share my blends with the world. And since my favorite thing to do is read a book with a cup of tea in hand, I decided to use my knowledge of tea to create blends inspired by different fairy tales.

Once Upon a Time...

I want to create a special, unique environment where you can do more than just take a breath in the middle of the day. I want to create a place that is a source of inspiration - someplace where you can both relax and re-energize.

Ultimately, I want to create a tea room that reflects these values, and features delicious tea alongside beautiful stories and artwork. The first step is to launch a line of fantastic tea blends inspired by classic fairy tales, which I will be able to accomplish with your assistance!

The Quest

In order to launch my own line, I need to be able to purchase supplies in bulk from international growers. So I'm starting this campaign to raise the necessary funds, beginning with six unique teas that accompany three classic fairy tales. If this campaign is successful, I am planning on adding a new fairy tale each month to my tea line. (Stay turned for hints on the next fairy tale!)

A Happily-Ever-After

To thank you for backing my project, each level comes with great rewards. Whether you're a dedicated tea fanatic or someone new to tea, there's something for everyone. Read more about each tea blend and reward below! Also be sure to check out what my family thinks about each blend - I couldn't have gotten this far without their help and their taste testing of numerous tea blends.

Bargain Ebook: Wonders of the Invisible World by Patricia A. McKillip is $1.99 Today Only

Wonders of the Invisible World by Patricia A. McKillip is $1.99 today only in ebook format as a Kindle Daily Deal. This is a collection of McKillip's short stories, gathered from previously published sources. While McKillip usually lets folklore and fairy tales influence her work, some of the stories are specifically fairy tale and folklore driven, like "Twelve Dancing Princesses" and "Undine."

One Amazon review by Arthur W. Jordin provides an excellent summary of the table of contents:

"Introduction" (2012) by Charles de Lint describes his experiences with the author.

- "Wonders of the Invisible World" (Full Spectrum, 1995) takes a researcher to meet and record fanatics.

- "Out of the Woods" (Flights, 2004) follows a woman who becomes aware of faery.

- "The Kelpie" (The Fair Folk, 2005) draws a talented -- but self-centered -- artist into one final imposition.

- "Hunter's Moon" (Green Man Tales, 2002) exposes the Chase family to a surprise.

- "Oak Hill" (The Essential Borderlands, 1998) teaches a girl that her mother is right.

- "The Fortune Teller" (The Coyote Road, 2007) convinces a thief to change her ways.

- "Jack O'Lantern" (Firebirds Rising, 2006) presents questions on the nature of fox fire.

- "Knight of the Well" (Book of Wizards, 2012) brings a knight to Luminum for the dedication of a foundation.

- "Naming Day" (Wizards, 2007) takes a young magician out chasing an imp on her special day.

- "Byndley" (Firebirds, 2003) returns a wizard to the boundaries of Faery with a task.

- "The Twelve Dancing Princesses" (Wolf at the Door, 2000) solves a problem for the king.

- "Undine" (Faery Reel, 2004) inserts a water sprite into an ecological conflict.

- "Xmas Cruise" (Christmas Forever, 1993) involves two couples in an ecology themed cruise to Antarctic waters.

- "A Gift To Be Simple" (Not of Woman Born, 1999) divulges the innovative way a Shaker community recovers their energy.

- "The Old Woman and the Storm" (Imaginary Lands, 1990) traces the thoughts of a man taking a walk.

- "The Doorkeeper of Khaat" (Full Spectrum, 1990) concerns a man looking for a means to relieve his father's pain.

- "What Inspires Me" (2004) is the Guest of Honor Speech at WinCon 28. It spends most of the time answering another question.

The Great Courses: Heroes and Legends: The Most Influential Characters of Literature

My parents have long been fans of The Great Courses classes and have exhausted the history and art offerings there. Rewatching is one of their tasks before a trip, too.

I've always wished for a fairy tale related course offering. The closest option they have is Masterpieces of the Imaginative Mind: Literature’s Most Fantastic Works which contains a lecture on the Grimms as well as one on Propp. I admit my knowledge was already beyond what was offered here, but that's because this is what I do. It's a fine course, all the same. I haven't tried The Art of Storytelling: From Parents to Professionals, but that one also interests, despite my many forays into storytelling in the past. It, too, offers lectures on fairy tales and myth. I'd love to hear them.

Anyway, there is a new course now available: Heroes and Legends: The Most Influential Characters of Literature. It doesn't focus on fairy tales either. But lecture 22 is "Fairy-Tale Heroines—New-Style Princesses". The lecture description includes Angela Carter and Margaret Atwood (surprise! not!) so this would be of interest to readers here, too.

And, no, I'm not affiliated with The Great Courses. I'm just reminded every time I see them how much I'd love to offer a fairy tale course to the web. A lecture series open to the world on fairy tale themes would be awesome, wouldn't it? With guest lectures from all of those awesome professors who have taught classes to students over and over again. That way no one professor would have to reveal their entire lecture syllabus to the world, of course. I admit I collect syllabus outlines--or I used to--I haven't done a search for them in a while.

I dream big, don't I?

Today Only: Bargain Ebook The Uncertain Places by Lisa Goldstein is $1.99

The Uncertain Places by Lisa Goldstein is $1.99 today only in ebook format as one of the Kindle Daily Deals. The book was previously discounted to this price in December 2012--which is when I previously posted about it and when I bought a copy for myself.

The story creates a "lost Grimms' tale" as its impetus and plays with fairy tale tropes in general. Hence my posting about it here.

Book description:

An ages-old family secret breaches the boundaries between reality and magic in this fresh retelling of a classic fairy tale. When Berkeley student Will Taylor is introduced to the mysterious Feierabend sisters, he quickly falls for enigmatic Livvy, a chemistry major and accomplished chef. But Livvy’s family—vivacious actress Maddie, family historian Rose, and their mother, absent-minded Sylvia—are behaving strangely. The Feierabend women seem to believe that luck is their handmaiden, even though happiness does not necessarily follow. It is soon discovered that generations previous, the Feierabends made a contract with a powerful, otherworldly force, and it is up to Will and his best friend to unravel the riddle of this supernatural bargain in order to save Livvy from her predestined fate.

Bargain Ebook: Cinderella Ate My Daughter by Peggy Orenstein ($8 Drop)

Cinderella Ate My Daughter: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the New Girlie-Girl Culture by Peggy Orenstein has been temporarily dropped to $2.99 from $10.99 for ebook format.

I posted some thoughts and opinions about the book a few times when it was released, see New Book: Cinderella Ate My Daughter: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the New Girlie-Girl Culture and More Cinderella Ate My Daughter.

Anyway, for this price, it's a good book to have around as a touchstone in the fairy tale gender discussions, although the book is more slanted towards Disney discussions specifically if I remember correctly. I've continued to see articles related to the book in the three years since it was published, so this has been an important influence in recent discussions in the mainstream world.

Book description:

The rise of the girlie-girl, warns Peggy Orenstein, is no innocent phenomenon. Following her acclaimed books Flux, Schoolgirls, and the provocative New York Times bestseller Waiting for Daisy, Orenstein’s Cinderella Ate My Daughter offers a radical, timely wake-up call for parents, revealing the dark side of a pretty and pink culture confronting girls at every turn as they grow into adults.