The favorite gift I gave - finally pics!

Here is the first pic of the wall hanging I did for my sister's Xmas gift. It is all hand-stitched of felt in the colors of Mexican folk art. The white flowers did not show up that well in the photo, but in real life they show up nicely. I am quite proud of this, and am glad she liked it!

I seem to be running out of projects... I finished the Quilt of Many Colors - pics to come tomorrow - and am stalled on the doll I am making until I get a little more fabric. The phoenix coat seems to be all I have left, so I guess it's back to work on that!

Cat Hat update...

And this morning, I have 5 more orders for hats. :)

That amuses me. And pleases me.

I Almost Forgot

My second-favorite gift-to-give for this year: the felt silhouette. In practice, it is much like a paper silhouette, but tougher to get the persnickety details just right. I hope my great-aunt likes it!

Cat Hats

So... the other day I was trying to make a simple fleece hat. My first attempt was the world's dorkiest looking fleece hat. Simply awful. So, after a little regrouping, I tried again. And wound up with a strangely cute fleece hat: the cat hat. I've now made two different versions - long and short. The long covers the ears, the short does not. The one at right is the short, and is the replacement. The original was bought off my friend's head - literally - while she was at work. Another woman wanted one for her grandchild for XMas.

Wore the samples to Joann's and wound up with an order for 4 more. Please ignore the stoned look - I am trying not to look at the camera, and I am just not terribly photogenic. I am wearing the long hat - the absolute original.

They are cuter in person than in pics, and they look none too bad here.

Rats!

The rat crew and a few of its members. Their numbers have actually increased since this picture was taken, and both striped rats have new homes. They are simple to make, and once I start, I have a hard time stopping. They are somehow like potato chips - you can't stop with just one. If I can scan the pattern, I may well do a tutorial on them, because they can be cute as all get out, or fairly decent looking, depending on the material. I have two styles, but the Baby Rats (no legs and nice and round) are easier to make. Less detailing.
Went to Hobby Lobby yesterday and saw a microwave kiln for glass fusing. Have decided that at some point in the future I would like to have one - I am already chock full of ideas on what to make. (as usual, because I need another project).
Still waiting on approval for character change, so I haven't started my garb for next year. I am getting impatient. Sure, I have to make only a bodice and a skirt, and a hat, but still....

QoMC top finished

Here, finally, is the Quilt of Many Colors top. I am still working on cutting out the squares for the bottom. This is not a very clear pic, but it DOES show how bright it's going to be. It's also of a decent size - each square is 8" when finished, and it's 12 squares by 12 squares. Should work out to 96" on each side when all is said and done. That is definitely big enough for my bed, and will keep me nice and warm.

Forgot to take a pic of the completed second-most-favorite gift-to-give. Will do that tonight.

Barring that, my XMas gifts are done/made/purchased. (For family, at least). I have MOST of my friends' XMas stuff done as well, but there are still some people I am having difficulties with.

Here's one of our XMas ornament/sachets. We put about a score on the tree this year (it's a big tree, goes to the ceiling) and the cats don't mess with the branches. An added benefit - it's pretty, smells nice, and the cats leave it alone!

It's funny how easy these are to make - a little ribbon, something that smells good, and beads. I'm tempted to put up a tutorial, if anyone is interested.

And of course, nothing says they HAVE to be solely for holiday decorating. Some are not terribly XMassy, and would make good sachets in the closet - hang it on the wall. We have a few that are strung together that make good garland, or would be nice in the kitchen. Maybe I'll hang one in the kitchen here and see how well it works. Spice, I think.....

Wrote a little yesterday - not as much as I wanted. But I am going to try to keep going. I've managed to advance the plot some, which makes me feel much better! The flow is working, the structure I've set for it is working... it's all working.

QoMC, XMas

So the Quilt of Many Colors is half-done - at least, the top is. The bottom hasn't even been cut yet. Perhaps tonight I can finish the top, take pics, and start on the bottom. We shall see. I have enough squares left over from my hyperactive square cutting to make a throw as well. I would normally call it a matching throw, but... in this case I don't think that fits.

Finished my favorite gift-to-give last night. It is fabulous, if I do say so myself. But... can't post it, in case the person who it's for wanders by. So, after XMas. Tonight I should also be able to make the other - next most popular - gift-to-give I am making. For that one, I will be able to post pics.

In the meantime, I am writing today.

And we are still up to our eyeballs in jewelry, so if anyone wants something, let me know! I probably have it somewhere in the piles of boxes!

Finally the coat pics... this one is obviously the back of the pirate art coat. You can also see part of one sleeve. The front and back are equally skulled-out. I am pleased with it, and it gets lots of attention. I will see about getting more pics up soon. I have so many ideas - I wish I could just visualize something and have it BE. Although that would take a lot of the fun out of the crafting....

And maybe later I'll get pics up of the test bodice of many colors. It didn't come out exactly like I wanted, but it's certainly bright and colorful!

After the Sale

Did all right at the sale - not fabulous, but not terrible. Sold several bookmarks and a fleece throw - the lion, which was cute - and several people asked about other types of throws. We'll see if they get in touch. Finished MY throw - the pink pirate flower. It's now sitting in my bedroom. The cat likes it. Big surprise there!

Gearing up for the XMas thing now. Today we are going to get the tree out of storage and corral the ornaments. After that, it will be get presents completed, wrapped, and so forth. THINK I can finish my favorite gift-to-give tonight. Maybe. I hope so!

Made a fleece hat last night - silliest looking thing. I looked like Gomer Pyle or an extra from Buck Rogers wearing it. My friend looked like Jinpei from the OAV version of Gatchaman. Not a good hat on either of us. Will look for another pattern tonight when we go for last minute fabrics.

Haven't worked on the QoMC yet - that's on the list for tomorrow, since tonight is gift-making. Donna is working on a project for herself - a coat. It will be a nice coat - faux leather of a reddish brown color. Very nice. But the pattern - not so easy to interpret. I'm helping a lot.

As far as writing goes, I haven't managed much recently. I really need to, though! I am so close on DoP, and want to finish it so I can get it edited and maybe actually DO something with it. And work on the next one in the line-up, of course.

Quilt of Many Colors and Fleece Throwing

Well, fleece throws, anyway... we've made the throws for the sale tomorrow. Seven total - eight counting my last minute pirate flower, which is black and white with a pink pirate print center. Cute, but don't think anyone but me will want it! (So I decorate my bedroom with it - no big deal). Here's the sunflower - it's far far brighter in real life. A little plain looking here, but not too bad. We've also got an owl, a panda, a cat, a lion, and several other flowers.

The quilt of many colors is pieced in strips and arranged to my satisfaction. I will work on sewing them together this week. Then... I can start working on the back, which will be the same style, but in muted colors (mostly brown, black, gray and white). A quilt for every mood. And warm, which I need.

Still working on XMas gifts - added another one to the list - think it will be a hit. Hope it will be, anyway.... I am particularly proud of one, but I don't want to post any info or pics just yet. After XMas I will, after the recipient has opened it.

So, the craft sale is tomorrow, and I should be in bed. The car is packed, we know how we're arranging things, and I should be asleep. Wish us luck!

Craft Show Prep

The next craft sale is on Monday. Therefore, we must spend all time getting ready.

Or something like that.

I have two blankets to make by Sunday evening. Donna has three, so I don't feel quite so rushed. Still have more XMas prezzies to make, so we'll see how much gets crammed into the weekend. There is also Fight Club to contend with on Sunday - hopefully we will start co-ordinating the big fight, and can start on the pub brawl and such. Need to run through the lane fights, too. (Sheesh, sounds like I will be doing lots of fighting next year!) Fortunately, one of the lane fights is already very well known, and I expect it won't take long to whip back into shape. Should be interesting.

Find myself looking forward to next year's faire, even with a slightly altered character. Will be interesting to see if we can pull it off.

As far as projects to come: blanket of many colors - top part is cut out and about 1/6th pieced together. The bottom has not even been started yet, it may have to wait for the days around XMas. Doll #1 - almost done except for the face. That will have to be after this weekend. Then I can stuff it and start on the clothing. Phoenix coat - the base coat is done, and I have the materials for the rest. Just need to start placing motifs and such. Waiting for approval on character before going forward with garb for the season. And may need to find something to make a dark gray cloak out of, if we get what we're looking at now.

Anyway, off to housework and fleecework.

Skull Coat and XMas Gifts

The skull coat is done and looks better than I anticipated. I have another one in the works already - a phoenix coat. The base is red, and the motifs will be, obviously enough, phoenixes, flames, and feathers. But I am also working on a new quilted coat - as soon as I figure out the motif, I will post more. Suffice to say that the test piece will be something different.

Some friends are preggers, and will be decorating the kid-to-be's room in sealife, a sea mural, and shades of blue. So they will be getting (at some point) a blue octopus. Matt dared me to make a blue-ringed octopus (the color changing kind). I think I can manage with taffeta... I will have to see. (After XMas gifts are done!)

I am also working on a brightly colored fleece blanket - just because. I want something simple and not terribly detailed for a change. The squares will be nice and large, but I still need something like 144 for a single-thickness, and obviously double that for the double thickness. I will bind it will scraps of quilt binding, so even the edges will be different colors.

Other than that, it's prep time for XMas... I've completed two Christmas presents for family already. Only... errr... more to go. Lots of work left to do.

Phoenixes in flight

Phoenix plush number one. I am almost done with number two, and have the pattern hashed out for baby phoenix. Only a slight obsession.

Still stitching the cat stuffie. So far it looks good. Maybe by Monday I will have it completed and have pics up.

Good news... job interview tomorrow. That's a good thing. And maybe another one early next week. Yay! And this weekend one of the local wolesale fabric places is having a sale - and faux fur is on sale. And since they also do free trim samples, life is good.

A while back a friend gave me a necklace with a phoenix pendant. I love it, but the chain kept turning my neck green. I finally got a new cord for it, and can wear it all the time now. I feel much better - my own personal symbol of things in flux and getting better. Let's hope it's a sign of better days ahead. I could use a few.

Pushing 122k on DotP, about to start Chapter 19. I am pleased with the way it's going so far, and hope the rest of it works as well as the bits I've completed.

It's rainy today, and the Vine Street bunnies were still out this morning. Several were sitting out in the middle of people's yards looking sad and pathetic in a wet-bunny kind of way. I guess when you're a bunny, if you're hungry, you have to go out to eat no matter what the weather.

Tuesday.

Definitely a multpilicity of bunnies. Several were carousing this morning, nibbling people's lawns, amusing themselves doing bunny-type things.... Figured there were more than one. Confirmation is good, though.

As noted, here's the back of the hapi-style coat lining. The far arm doesn't show up terribly well in the smaller pic, but it's a black and deep wine-y purple. Very pretty. The front is also multi-colored. When I get the other material (for the shell) I will be able to finish this one.

Did not get a chance to work on the stuffed cat yesters, so it's on today's list of things to accomplish. DID manage to get the lawn mowed, the dead limbs cut out of the tree, the scary insane homocidal rosebush trimmed and the equally scary homocidal holly cut before it took over the front of the house. So much accomplished on the outside.

Also took back up and old WIP - Teresa Wentzler's Tradewinds. I hadn't finished much on it, and now I will have to find most of my flosses all over again, but I figure... why not? It's something I haven't done in a while.

Not that much happening today.

After the Weekend

Spent a nice quiet weekend doing crafty-type things. And hanging out with the cat on Sunday. So, Saturday's list of progress involves: the hapi-coat style jacket - lining is done. Don't have the material for the shell yet. So, it will sit and wait. But, like a dork, I forgot to grab the pics, so that will have to wait until tomorrow. I like it, even if it's not exactly what I intended. Or expected. Still have scads of kimono fabric left, and want to find something to do with them that will show them off. Maybe another piece of clothing. Dunno. Also got almost finished with two kimono fabric bags. I have a clasp/closure for one of them - will try to get it stitched on tonight. The other... not so sure. It came out wider than deep, which is not a big deal, but not what I expected. And both bags still need straps.


Also finished six stuffed rats. Sounds like a line from the 12 Days of XMas. They are all cute. Like almost all the stuffed rats. I have to stop making these until I figure out what to do with them all!


Grand total of 26 bookmarks completed. Can finish about 5 more before I run out of ribbon/beads/etc. I like them, and so do several other people who've seen them.



THINK I've figured out the cat pattern. Will handstitch one today to make sure it doesn't come out looking wonky, and make sure it DOES look like a cat. Starting with black fleece, since it doesn't ravel and so forth, and not at all because it looks like my own personal hellion, Belanna. Honest. Never name a cat after a Klingon.


Didn't get much writing done, but that's okay. Hopefully will today, in between looking for new job.

Saturday was invited to friends' house for dinner. Wound up doing my crafting over there - it was nice to craft with other people for a change. I am a social animal, and like having people around when I feel like doing stuff. Writing is good on my own, but crafting... that seems to be a social effort to me. Always has, and maybe that's why. Anyway... dinner was excellent! And I got leftovers. BOY, did I get leftovers. Steak, risotto, salad, roasted garlic, corn on the cob. The whole bit! It was lovely, and the social part was great fun. I don't get to see both of them at the same time very often, so this was a nice evening.

Next!

Today I should finish at least the lining of my hapi coat. Brought everything with me to the lovely locale I call 'home' for job-hunting (thank you to the Rhodes!) and will have time to cut and stitch today. Also brought more bookmarks. I have plenty of them to do - 8 or 9 sitting ready for a little handstitching and a little plier work. Still need to get pics, naturally.

Broke 113k on DotP last night - technically 113,113 words. Yes, me being clever. Puts me over 540 pages. Think I am about 2/3 done, at this point. Maybe more. We shall see.

On the way over here today I saw the Vine St. bunny again. He/she is all over that street - or maybe there's lots of them, which is FAR more likely. This time I bunny-spotted under a truck. There it was, lounging under the truck like a cat or a dog, ears standing tall.

This weekend - with a little luck and concentration - I should be able to finish the kimono silks bag and maybe even knock out a few more dinosaurs. And a few more bookmarks, if I can get some blue beads and some wine colored beads. Must do so soon. Maybe find some old beat-up necklaces at garage sales. There are always garage sales in my area. Always.

Wow... June....

It's been way too long since I've posted. Too much faire, too little job. The usual. So faire is over for the season, and I have to wait until October to submit any changes for next season. So any of the sewing for next season has to wait until then. Boo. Here I had hoped to get ahead for once! Such is life.

Several people are leaving cast this year and I will miss them dreadfully. Especially Lys and Shado. Lys used to intimidate me, until she consoled me when I had a nerve-related crying jag. After that, she was my hero! I hope that they get what they want, but I know that they will be missed. Shado was my first arch-nemesis, and that will be hard to top - he made such a lovely one, kissing my boots and all. Wish I had a pic of that.

Onto the craft front.

I've started my sewing list on Tada lists. It's quite convenient, and lets me keep track of just about every sewing project I have, in order. And the order is flexible, which is nice, given my tendency to add and re-arrange!

So... my list of sewing projects... http://shayzamn.tadalist.com/lists/824569/public


The current craft of the moment is making bookmarks. Fancy enough, plain enough, made of ribbon or trim and beads, tassels, charms, whatever I can find that looks good! Need to take some pictures, once again. Need to dig out digital camera and take care of that.

The other project is using up all the kimono silks I got from http://www.kyotokimono.com/. Decided to piece all the pieces together and use them for a jacket. Turns out I have more than enough material for a jacket, so I will make a bag to go with. However, I decided that I would never actually wear a jacket that had huge pieces of kimono fabric - why? I don't know. I have another jacket that's not a whole lot more subtle. So, instead, I will make the outer shell of the jacket out of black (preferably silk) and use the kimono silks for the lining. I think I will make it in the style of a hapi coat. Seems appropriate, no?

Other than that, it's nice and warm. Almost hot, but I like it. The contrast between the indoor cool and dark and the outside bright and warm is somehow entrancing. I've been keeping up with my writing as well, feeling more like it than ever. At 112k words, I think I may actually be getting somewhere. Have to keep from working on the other one I want to work on, which would tentatively be called Hide and Seek in Texas.

So, back to crafting and job hunting. Hopefully I'll have pics soon. Hopefully I'll keep up with this better.

Dino Army and others

Well, the first parts of the dino army are complete.... I have 10 dinos of a variety. Working on number 11... Like everything else I pick up, they quickly have become an obsession. Fortunately, they're easy and fast!! Here's the green Nessie (pleisiosaur). He came out ridiculously cute.


Since Character Camp is only a week and a half away... I think... I am frantically working on the new underdress to go with my old black overdress, which needs new trim, since the old got more than a little... icky. But, I think it should be able to carry me through the first part of the season, at least. After that, hopefully I will have the new black underdress done to go with the copper overdress... or something like that. Mix and match is wonderful, and if I get the copper underdress with the copper overdress, boy would I shine in the sunlight!

This year, it sounds like lots of people want to carry canes. Because of that, I am ditching mine and picking up a new prop. I think - if I can get them done - I will use my gloves as a prop. I want to make embroidered cuffs for them. Given that I have a while, I still need to get busy. As well as getting busy on my blackwork project.

Speaking of blackwork, a friend - Ducky - made a blackwork hanky for me! It's lace-trimmed and quite nice! I shall enjoy flourishing it about this coming-up season. :) I'll have to get a pic of it and upload it.


So, current (working) projects on tap: dinos, copper underdress, fix black overdress, glove cuffs, blackwork, Ducky's husband's gift.