A Little Sewing Mouse

I actually wrote this post yesterday, but Typepad kindly ate it, so here I am for version 2.0! So, Sunday night we went to my mom's to pick out and decorate the tree. She always gets us each an ornament, so I thought that this year it was high time I make her one of her own.

This tiny spool of thread was kicking around my studio, and I knew that would somehow be a part of it...

Voila! A little sewing mouse is born.
I felted her body out of mousy brown-grey wool, and sewed the mini apron out of vintage findings. The eyes are just straight pins (ala Sarah's snowman project) and she is mounted on a sweatery button.  I ran a big piece of embroidery floss up through the felted body and secured it in a loop (for hanging purposes).

I really love her.

You know who else I love? Nigella.
You know that...and there is a fighting chance that you love her, too. Or that you care about and are concerned for women in general. Either way, this is absurd and made me rant and rave for oh, about an hour yesterday. What kind of a culture-damaged person would demonise a Nigella? And I don't really give a fig about this person, but what the heck?  Leave the girl alone.
I know this isn't a new war, but it's really making me sad lately. It's like the women who complained that those "controversial" Dove ad campaigns didn't "give them anything to strive for" (I can't find a link right now, I'm sorry!).
I would be so happy for my potential daughter, thin or chubby, to see Nigella on television...someone bright and lovely and talented and beautiful in her own, self-possessed way. I don't like that saying: "real women" have curves, because it's exclusive and inaccurate...I think real, happy women are active, try to love life, and don't base it on denying themselves. And they are all sorts of sizes. Thank you for listening about this...it's really weighing on my thoughts right now.

Happy Tuesday!
Tell all the girls you know that they're the kind of porridge Goldilocks would eat.

Comments

[Alice]

It really is a shame that anyone would demonize Nigella because of her body type, but there ARE other aspects of her that ARE nasty...such as her treatment of her dying husband and suspiciously gold-digger-esque behavior...

[Maria Alina]

Wow...it's so cute .......congratulation.....
Happy Christmas !

Gyuliana (Italy)

[Maria Alina]

Wow...it's so cute .......congratulation.....
Happy Christmas !

Gyuliana (Italy)

[Maria Alina]

Wow...it's so cute .......congratulation.....
Happy Christmas !

Gyuliana (Italy)

[Beth]

Nigella is AWESOME... check out her line of kitchen items.. all egg shaped and many in robins egg blue.. I am collecting all gazillion of them ;) cheers!

[Carrie]

Adorable mouse!

[erin (creme-tangerine)]

Comments like, "There is not one man I know who is into skinny women", can be just as hurtful as comments directed toward more average sizes. It's true that some skinny women just are skinny, but some skinny women have eating disorders as well. Being told they are unattractive doesn't help at all.

Everyone is beautiful in the shape they are meant to be, living a healthy lifestyle.

[Catherine]

WOMEN - don't vote FAT, don't vote THIN - vote being happy in your own SKIN. We are here once and your whole life can be eaten away by proccupations with your body.

I've learned the hard way - I'm 34 and BIG and it has taken a long time to come to terms with the fact that I may get slimmer and I may not!!

I have lovely, funny, warm friends of all shapes and sizes who are great because of their minds and hearts NOT their bodies!!

Love food, love laughter, love friends and family but most of all love YOURSELF!!!

[Sonya]

I followed the link from Blair's blog and wanted to say thanks so much for posting about this. I had heard about the Nigella brouhaha and had even seen the photos and read the comments about the Jennifer Love-Hewitt pics. I can't agree with you more about real women being all sorts of sizes.

[Mary Beth]

I love Nigella. Not only is she beautiful but so articulate, such a good writer, and so passionate. Love her! I haven't clicked on your link yet to see what the controversy is, but I know how I love my Nigella!

[erin]

Real women care more about the content than wrapping paper.

[Kelli]

She is gorgeous, and I LOVE her body. I've been just as upset lately about the hooplah surrounding Jennifer Love Hewitt. She also has an awesome body and people are so cruel. They are both beautiful, successful, women and more power to them! And they are NOT FAT!

[Kelli]

She is gorgeous, and I LOVE her body. I've been just as upset lately about the hooplah surrounding Jennifer Love Hewitt. She also has an awesome body and people are so cruel. They are both beautiful, successful, women and more power to them! And they are NOT FAT!

[Kelly]

Good post. I love Nigella, she creates beautiful and delicious food, and her love/lust relationship with food has many of the men in my life glued to her show. She is smart, seductive and sexy-it's a shame these gossip folks cannot be the same.

[Jessica Leas]

Um, men are just as bad at judging women by their size as women are.

That said, I didn't know of Nigella prior to your post, but she is a very beautiful woman and it is incredibly depressing that anyone would comment on her size.

I'm currently living in Sri Lanka where Bollywood is king. When I traveled to India in the late 1990's by traveling companion would constantly tease me that I was going to be snatched up by Bollywood produces because I have a rather shapely form (and long hair), much like the Bollywood starlets.

This same friend recently e-mailed to bring up the old joke ("have you been signed yet?") and I had to report, much to my dismay, that Bollywood has gone Hollywood. Isn't this sad that in a culture that once revered all sizes of women is now focusing on the extremely skinny. You would think that after decades of discussion this situation would be getting better, not worse.

The problem is that we as consumers do not insist on change. We continue to go to movies where only beautiful women are cast (but the men can look like anything), we continue to watch shows like "Beauty and the Geek," "America's Top Model" and well, any show on television really. We continue to allow the media to tell us that Jennifer Love Hewitt looks big (when she looks skinny in my opinion) and Nigella needs to loose weight. Adding comments to this post is a start, but real change has to made with your pocket books. Or at least write to the publications at fault and voice your opinion of their narrow descriptions of beauty.

[stilettoheights]

all of us girls with curves should just band together and take over the world.

:)

[Treacle]

Jesus Christ, that's adorable. A delightful creation, very inspiring, Emily.

[Rachel]

I would just love to get to the point where women's bodies/weights are not a topic of conversation. It is rare that a man is singled out for his weight - men come in all shapes and sizes and it is simply not commented upon.

I think this media blitzing has to stop - and I also think women need to feel better about themselves and quit slamming other women. "Skinny bitch" and "fat cow" are terms I hear women utter quite often, and it makes me shudder.

R

[Toni Brockliss]

I think Nigella is a beautiful, gorgeous woman. At my work, we would talk about her shows and I tell you, the guys who listened in to our conversation would say that she makes them drool, and what a sexy lady she is.
The only people who put pressure on women to be thin, is sadly, other women.
My husband loves my curves and while I try desperately to cover up my wobbly belly from having 2 beautiful children, my husband thinks that is my best bit. He tells me it's womanly, beautiful, and that this body made those two precious kids that we call our own.

[Blonde Pear]

snapdragon--i also have lost some weight and am currently a size 12, and i cannot believe how many people smile, talk to me more and just generally are nicer to me. i hope and pray i never treat someone differently because of what they look like. our bodies are individual works of art, all beautiful in their own unique way.

[Jennifer at pink ric rac]

Eeek! I'm in love with that mouse!!!!

[Julie]

I love Nigella, I'm totally addicted to her cookbooks. It bothers me that mlmost every time she puts out a new book, she is under such harsh scruntiny, because other women who are either don't look like her or don't cook like her feel threatened. I think that as women, we really don't do enough to support each other, and instead we hack apart anyone who is not exactly like us as a false version of a woman. And it bothers me that women are taught to judge their bodies and other women's bodies so harshly.

Your mouse is cutest thing ever!! You know if you put those in your shop, ther would be a stampede to Etsy!

[Sylvie]

Well said Noelle (and Emily for making a good point to begin with in blogland!) It seems acceptable to many to make negative comments about thin women...but it's just the other side of the same coin. I hope the women that complain about 'skinny' women will take a moment and understand how awful it is to hear any sort of personal comments that judge your body. We should all be on the same side.

And I cannot NOT comment on the adorable lil' mouse...so cute! :)

[Noelle]

Emily, thank you so much for saying:

"I don't like that saying: "real women" have curves, because it's exclusive and inaccurate...I think real, happy women are active, try to love life, and don't base it on denying themselves. And they are all sorts of sizes."

I was very thin as a teenager and still thin now, just not quite as thing. I'm tired of so called "women's magazines" and others insulting thing women while pumping up others. It's just as hurtful and damaging. Thin or not, there's not a lot you can do about your body shape or size, so please world, don't call thin women "coat hangers" or unattractive. Teenagers are listening and their hearts are breaking.

[Amy M]

Amen, sister!

and kudos to your little sewing mouse!

[Kimberly]

Wow. I think she is both beautiful and charming. Its amazing what lengths we will go to to tear one another down, in effort to make ourselves feel better (which, seldom if ever works). I am working on becoming a healthier person - I know my current weight and lifestyle is not healthy. But I have no desire to starve myself or fit someone else's image. I can remember back to junior high school, when I was like a size 6 or 8 - I could wear a bikini, but I thought I was fat... like HUGE. My sister was a "0" and tan goddess at the time, so my pot-belly and fair skin seemed less-than desirable. I know that the belief I was fat got into my head and made me give up trying even back then. Now I am having to work on changing my mental image of myself, and my expectations of my body. The fact that we feed these messages to each other as women is appaling. I am not a mother, but I try to instill in all of the girls whose lives I have influence in that they are beautiful and significant just as they are.

[Alexandra W.]

Amen.

[Amanda]

Your little mouse reminds me of when I was little and obsessed with mice. I would constantly draw them, making birthday cards for my mom with 10 tiny mice holding up a gigantic birthday cake. I think it was watching Tom and Jerry that did it.
And I love Nigella, too. As I get older I care less about my looks and more about my accomplishments and whether my behavior reflects my aspirations of who I want to be. And it's been much more rewarding.

[Kara Lewis]

What a wonderful post. I am 100 pounds overweight myself, and for health reasons, need to address that situation STAT. But Nigella? Nigella is what I aspire to. Not just in her size and her looks -- although both are beautiful -- but in her unabashed pleasure in herself and the things around her. Her boundless confidence and self-acceptance should be an inspiration to us all.

As are you, my dear -- hope you have a wonderful holiday!

[Ana]

It's so interesting when Nigella said that she never feels "fat" around men, just around other women. It's so sad. I love Nigella, I don't like most of the food she makes since I'm vegan but I must say that I really love that she loves food...cause I love food...and I'm going to eat it :)

[Melissa]

YES! I love Nigella too! She's a brilliant writer and soooo beautiful (which counts less but must be said),You keep telling the truth!!

Normally a lurker, but keen to further the cause, Melissa

[pauline guerin]

Well said! and well done! your mummy is a very lucky one! I 'd be wonderfully happy to see a fair-haired girl with bobbed hair and grey eyes with a horse, a hen or a rabbit, or even sitting in a cosy library ... in your etsy shop!
( sorry for my poor english, I write from France:) have a nice day !!

[cassie]

Cherry Tree Lane, I was going to say the same thing. I usually fluctuate between skinny and chubby but now, being 7 months pregnant, I feel the sexiest I have ever felt because there's no need to be worrying what I look like! My partner gives me so much more "attention" when I'm bigger - I think that say's enough :)

Emily I adore that little mouse!!

[momo]

what a cute little mouse!!

[Cherry Tree Lane]

Being pregnant has made me accept myself even MORE for what I AM and not how I look. How sad that it is the focus of so many peoples life. What a waste. Thanks for your post!

[Kayla]

I completely agree with you. I just wrote a paper for my college English class about how advertisements in magazines can further that thinking. Its really amazing to see those connections and yet there are no positive ones. Dove actually plans to feature women who have battled with eating disorders in their up coming advertisements. I think more companies need to stop alienating people and realize that we all come in different shapes and sizes.

P.s. I love Nigella and that chocolate loaf that she makes is just about the best thing ever.

[Monica]

"Strive?" I just do not understand!!!!!! I never will.

[Monica]

I had no idea the Dove ads are controversial! I also had no idea some women were saying it "gives them nothing to strive for." Wow. Crazy. How absolutely crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[A Fanciful Twist]

Miss E,

Oh my gosh!! I LOVE Nigella!! I am sooooo sick of all the chubby, thin, thing!

Thank you for your post!! Yes yes yes!! I so agree with you!! I think about all of the times I have been thin in my life and realize, I was miserable not in love and sad and depressed!!! Oh it all stinks about this topic doesn't it...

It is all about being happy inside and feeling emotionally free of saddness and just being who we are. Enjoying life... Argh.. Okay, I will shut up now!!

LOOOVE your little mouse !! xoxox

[Casey]

AMEN to your little rant!!! :) I couldn't agree with you more. :) I'm going through a really tough period right now with my weight, and it always is so hurtful to see people rant against such clearly BEAUTIFUL women like Nigella. :p Not to mention it just feeds the countless women who struggle daily with ED's and low self-esteem and image. *sigh* I could go on and on, as this is a topic that is very personal for me, but I won't. Anyway, I think Nigella is such a lovely person and so gorgeous (I'd kill to have her confidence!! lol!)--its just a shame.

And little miss mouse is soooo cute!!!! :) I've recently been making ornaments for family members too; though not as creatively cute as your's! :)

Hope you're having a lovely evening!

[KellyS]

What is sadder (or even more upsetting) are all those truly clueless comments on that blog after the Nigella story. Lots of chicks saying that "yes she IS fat," etc.

I can't imagine the interior lives of women like that, and what they most say to their own reflections when they look in the mirror.

[greeneyedgirls]

p.s. my 9 year old son said if he gets married someday...she will HAVE to have a soft round belly like mommas. he can't believe i grew him and his brother in there!

[greeneyedgirls]

i'm not gonna lie...i have body issues. i was skinny, now i'm curvy. i've been on both sides and neither of them has made me any happier. what's made me happier is learning how to eat better and how to dress my curves. nigella is so gorgeous. her body is absolutely perfect and so womanly.
i totally understand what she said about feeling more self concience around women!!!
thanks anyways emily for such wonderful words!

[Ann]

Nigella has a rockin' hourglass body -- and those Dove ads made me so happy when I saw them because the women looked so natural and lovely. Like the one above me, they remind me of the women in DaVinci's paintings.

[MissKoolAid]

Very interesting post today. I love your mouse ornament. So precious. I'm sure your mom will love it.

The "fat" issue. Makes people talk. You know, most of the painters from the middle ages and the renaissance had female models who were curvy and beautiful. Look at Botticelli, Michelangelo or Raphael's paintings. In those days, skinny meant sick or poor and nothing else.

Just my take on it.

[tiffany]

Love the mousy! I also love Nigella and don't even think I can read something negative about her. She is so lovely and graceful and so are you Miss Emily. I just love what you said at the end. I second that (I don't exclusive sorts of saying either).

[Zreekee]

As a woman recovering from an eating disorder I can say that I love the weight I have put on. And I don't feel that anyone should insult anyone who has a healthy weight. Extremely underweight is terrible, obesity is terrible; none are "pretty".

I am glad to see that women are taking back control of their bodies (J.L.Hewitt, normal-sized models, Kate Winslet, to name a few).

Adorable mouse BTW!!! I'm a lurking-fan!

[Du Buh Du Designs]

Oh God...you dont see them talking about Emeril Lagasse or Mario Batali's bodies. She's not even close to fat she's normal..above normal actually..ugh..I bet half those people who write that stuff are three times her size or cranky people who haven't eaten a meal in years!

The mouse is very cute by the way..any chance we'll be seeing more like her in the shop soon? :)
~Christine

[Shannon]

Thanks for bringing this to our attention. It's such a typical nasty British gossip piece. The press there can be so mean. I'm with everyone else here... Nigella is fabulous, inside and outside. I think her body is fan.tas.tic. And I'm not just saying that because it's quite similar to mine. : )

[Cameron]

Ahh, such a wonderful, and compleatly true thought. Real women are tall and short and curvy and skinny and have freckles and birthmarks and scars. And I for one believe that a real woman (or, to be compleatly fair, a real man as well) is just as beautiful as a human can be, just as she is.

And the mouse is adorable. Such a lovely tradition, with the ornaments!