Because I Need Another Project

Fish, Fish, More Fish, and Yellow Wallpaper

2010-07-06T08:06:00.001-05:00

Louisiana.... I've been before, but not to the area we visited this long weekend. It was ups and downs: I'd never been there before, so I didn't know the people, and they didn't know me. I was definitely the outsider. So that was uncomfortable. The bathroom was a little odd: half yellow and green plaid wallpaper, half yellow and green floral print (very vivid print, at that). The floor was a slightly puffy yellow Moorish tile pattern linoleum. With a sage green bathmat.

We went fishing. A lot. I don't even like to eat fish. But. We went fishing. I caught a few brim, a catfish - and lost two more, including the requisite "big one that got away." The weirdest thing about the catfish... they make noise! The one I caught made little oinking sounds. I guess he was trying to be scary, but it just made me feel sorry for him. Glad I am not going to eat him/her/it. I also went 'vegetarian fishing.' Caught a leaf, a tree, and two tufts of grass.

I did manage to finish reading The Weed that Strings the Hangman's Noose. It was even better than the first book - I enjoyed all of it, and the main character has learned a little humility. It was an excellent book. I just wish it wouldn't be as long a wait as it will be before the next book. (If that makes sense).

I missed my cat, I missed my sewing machine, and missed my own bed. There's so much to catch up on now that I will be busy busy busy for the rest of the week.

Books books and more books

2010-07-01T08:39:00.000-05:00

Finished The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie last night. An excellent read - good enough that I went immediately on to the next book - The Weed that Strings the Hangman's Bag. So far it's just as engaging, if not moreso. The only problem will be once I finish this one... I'll have to wait. Fortunately, there SHOULD be another Terry Pratchett out this year (in a few months, I hope).

On mine, I've reached 34k. It's migrating along just fine, save that one of my characters completely re-invented himself. He was angsty originally. He is no longer - instead he's disgustingly cheerful. I am all right with that - better that than angst. He just caught me off guard. So, off to rescue a dead man from Hell while the world falls apart around them....

And sewing. I am still putting hair on a doll. It's taking longer than I expected - mostly because of Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie and Weed that Strings.... I can't put them down!

New Look and New Goal

2010-06-29T08:47:00.000-05:00

I officially declare this blog a do-over. Give it a make-over, send it out into the world revamped and renewed.

I am currently working on several projects. I've finished several more, and am keeping busy with a variety of things. On the WIP list I have: Condor doll, fleece quilt, and costuming for Faith Strangeways (a traveling faire character). On the finished list: several more dolls, a gift for my sister, and a small pirate-themed purse.

I am keeping up with the writing: 29k words into it - started almost three weeks ago. I am also reading: how can I not? The most recent reading list (in progress) includes: Complete Dorothy Sayers Stories, Cheer Leader (from the 50's), and The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (borrowed from my sister). Two are good and one (Cheer Leader) is silly.

Faire is over for the summer, and I am in some ways glad. I can relax now - time to have weekends back for a bit. Catch up on all my projects, spend time with the cat, and just hang out. It's been brutally hot and humid here - never a good combination - so we've been doing a lot inside recently. And lots of estate sales. I've gotten some interesting things, and if I had more room would have gotten even more. Oh... and we bought wild plums at a farmer's market, and I am going to plant the pits and see if we can grow our own. That would be cool - and maybe next year or beyond I can make jelly for my dad: he loves plum, and we used to make wild plum jelly every summer. It's gotten harder to find wild plums on the road side, so we stopped.

So... there's the first update. This blog will now hopefully be more consistent, about more than JUST the sewing projects - although a lot of it will be that - and more about the misc. other things happening in my life.

2010-04-27T13:28:00.000-05:00

I know... it's been obscenely long since I've posted. Since last we met, I've made 7 skirts, 2 bodices, and lord knows what else these days. Oh, and a moose. I will try to post pics of everything soon - tomorrow or the next day. Life gets in the way sometimes.

All is reasonably well, just... had more time for sewing and doing than blogging.

Baskets baskets baskets

2009-12-07T21:17:00.000-06:00

We made twenty-odd fabric baskets this weekend. And now we are making twenty-odd scarves... because we have plans. But. I am amazingly proud of all of these baskets. We took pictures galore... I am only posting the nicest of them all... It went very swiftly with two of us working on them.

So far we've been asked by 5 people if we are making them to sell. Initially the answer was, "Well, no, not really...." But from here on out, the answer is "Why, yes... yes we are. Interested?"

Sitting here drinking cherry-pomegranate juice with a little lemon juice mixed in to cut the sweet of the cherry. It's really quite tasty, and a very pretty color.

I accidentally tripped the breaker on the den tonight... apparently two space heaters (one is for the plants on the back porch, the other for inside) is too much. So.... tripped breaker and my roommate saying "Oh, THAT'S not good." I came close to panic, since the last house I was in the breakers fried themselves and took out the electricity to half the house. But, all was well, just unplugged the inside space heater and re-set the breaker. No harm done. *whew* And ultimately, when in the den, I can dress warmer. The plants can't. So they get the space heater. I can still have the one in my bedroom. (Roomie likes cold. I don't. My knee doesn't. My lungs don't. She sleeps with her windows open when it's 20 degrees outside. I have a space heater. It works).

No snow...

2009-12-04T08:25:00.001-06:00

A little disappointing. But, probably better for all of us.

The outdoor plants are weathering well. I have a blood orange off of one of my trees, and I am delighted. Maybe I can convince my roommate that we need to go by the nursery and get another citrus... maybe a tangerine... we don't have one of those yet. :)

Finished hat #2, but didn't get pics. Maybe today. It's still mostly black, but the next one... I have PLANS for the next one. Ivory and red, with lace trim...

The sky is a pale steel gray, clouds over the dim and pale yellow of dawn. What I can see of the city outside is sullen and grim under the sky, gray-roofed like reflections of the clouds.

Tonight I am hoping we will make pearsauce - like applesauce, but obviously not. :) We have huge numbers of pears left, and if the pear sauce comes out well, we can make pear butter.

And another wreath

2009-12-03T08:38:00.000-06:00

I forgot about this one, too.... I finished this wreath - gold and red. It has been given to my roommate's mother...it turned out quite nice.

And tonight I make another bonnet with some reverse applique and work on dolls. I have got to finish them. When I do, there will be more pictures.

Project update

2009-12-03T07:29:00.000-06:00

Finished not two, but three projects last night (at least the test versions of each). One was a success, but I don't like the way the pattern makes up, so I did not bother taking pictures. (Additionally, it was all black felt and would not photograph very well).

Of the two that were photographable (more or less), here's the first - a larger version of the fabric basket I made before. This one is about 12" long and 4" wide and I forget how deep... maybe 5"-6". Doesn't sound that big, but it holds a lot. Like the small one, it is completely reversible. I made this one with simple cottons that had been hanging around my roommate's mother's house for years, so I have no idea of their provenence. Two pictures this time, one empty, to show the lining, and one full, to show how much stuff it holds. (All of the stuff came out of the pantry - two or three boxes of rice, honey, there's a 12 oz. mug tucked in there, a box of pomegranate bars, a bag of rice, Vidalia onion dressing/marinade, and something else that I don't remember. Not half bad for a little basket). The weight was substantial, but not enough to do any damage, so I am confident about this basket. I like it, like the pattern, and like the speed with which it makes up.

Now if I could only measure right the first time.... Measure twice cut once didn't work - the finished basket was SUPPOSED to be 15" long... I mismeasured the shell fabrics and had to cut the lining down. By the way, on the empty picture, there is nothing in it, not even cardboard. It stands up on its own, even though it's just two layers of thin cotton.

The other project of the evening that turned out well was this: a folk-style bonnet. I am not sure that 'bonnet' is the right term for it, but it came out well anyway. It's a little too big for my head, so I will make a slightly smaller version tonight - 90% of the original (or maybe 95%, we'll see which works best). The original found online used two layers of felt. This one is one layer of felt and one of fleece. The next one will be two layers of fleece and an outer layer of felt (because I don't have that much felt in different colors). I want to try a little reverse applique on the next one. The forward shot is a little tough to see, so we took a side shot as well. If the next one turns out well, we'll just take a picture of it on my head instead of the mannequin head.

The bonnet is designed to sit on the upper back of the head; it doesn't cover the entire head. The next one will not be all black, I promise, so it should photograph much better.

They are forecasting a chance of snow tonight and tomorrow... we'll see what happens.

Because I Need....

2009-12-02T13:36:00.000-06:00

Picked up two more projects today... HOPEFULLY I can get them done and get pics taken tonight. If not tonight, tomorrow... I am making an early 'resolution' to be better about keeping this blog up and to keep up with the pics.

I am trying to get ready for Christmas/Hannukah/the Solstice/Saturnalia, whichever people celebrate, and my friends celebrate all of the above and more. I am not sure about Kwanzaa... I'd have to ask. I have plans for decorating. I have this image in my head of the house I would love to have and the Christmas decorating I would do. The house of my dreams isn't really even that big, but it would be one that reflected me and my tastes. Comfortable. Not brand-new. Biggish lot. A place for a cottage garden and a vegetable garden and maybe a little greenhouse. A place I could dedicate to writing (not that I don't have a computer room and so forth where I can write, but a place that wasn't cramped and crowded with all sorts of stuff, but a place of books and the furniture I need, no more, would be nice).

Every time I look around, I think I could pare down my belongings, get rid of some of the dross. But... I am not a minimalist. I inhabit two rooms in a friend's house, and am grateful for them. But I know the house of my heart.

I will temporarily assuage the desire for this dream house in crafting, in creating, and maybe one day make a version of it, whether full-sized or in miniature.

Snow....

2009-12-02T07:41:00.000-06:00

Somehow I do not expect snow in North Texas... out in West Texas, sure, but not here.... And yet, we have snow. In November (err... December... I forget we've switched months). Hard falling beautiful white-gray silver snow. I am saddened that it will not stick, but given the driving proclivities of Dallas-Fort Worth drivers, it's probably for the best! Those who are not here at work are calling to say it is snowing. Those who are here are looking out the windows and talking about the snow.

Have so many crafts to do, and so much to write, and I want to go play outside. Here I sit at work, staring out the distant windows, craning my neck to see the snow fall that is so thick it's a blanket, but flakes so large you can see individual ones plummet past. No gentle dry snow this - heavy, wet, flakes that drop like little boulders. I want to be out there.

But I will drink homemade hot chocolate and look out the windows, and be grateful that I have the choice - I have a nice warm place to be.

There is writing to be done, and crafts to be done. I will be able to get more done tonight if I can stay awake. I have a group project I am working on, I need to finish Joanne's doll, and I need to work on my Christmas presents.

Oops

2009-11-25T09:15:00.003-06:00

And I forgot about my other easy-peasy completed project... Skull and Crossbones Pillow... It took me all of a few hours to complete. His nose looks a little like an old Star Trek emblem to me, but I like him.

So long between postings

2009-11-25T08:57:00.009-06:00

And so many projects completed. The topsy-turvy doll is still being completed - the noble half is done, but the peasant half needs her dress still. So, no pics of that yet. And I finished two simple shearling blankets. I'd have pictures, but because it's gotten cold here they are under several layers of bedding.

However... the projects I have completed and have pictures of are here.

This is a fabric basket, made off of a pattern I found online. I am going to try to make a larger version at some point now that I have figured out how to do it. I am also toying with the idea of turning it into a hat - again, slightly larger, but still should be relatively simple. Not that I need another hat, but it would be something else to put on the ever-growing project list. This one was made with silks from Japanese kimonos.

And... wreaths... I need to take better pics and get them posted, but here is the green and gold wreath I made for our door at home. It's a simple project, really - just requires a LOT of ribbon. About 150 yards grand total (could probably get away with 120 yards, but nevertheless, it's a lot of ribbon). The one on the right is the burgundy and gold wreath I made for my Grandmother. She gets a new (or mostly re-made) wreath every year, so I thought I would just make her a new one entirely. I found the inspiration for this online as well, but they used fabric from a ready made roll of matching fabrics (all from one line). I went with wired ribbon instead. Made the cutting go so much faster.

And finally... little Emma. She is a doll of my current faire character. Next season I will have an outfit that more closely matches this one, as I found brown silk at a garage sale for a dollar a yard. Fifteen dollars later, I am happy as I can be!

The TRF day trip was LONG but enjoyable. We are planning all sorts of mayhem for next year, and I am looking forward to it immensely. And Dust is done - the first draft, anyway, and being edited by several people. I am 50k into a novel that should be only 75k - so may have the first draft done by the end of the month, if I am good. Mind you, that means writing over 4k words every day, but we shall see.... It's called Two Corbies. Fantasy, but not my usual.

Monday

2009-09-28T12:52:00.002-05:00

Friday, tired....

Saturday, five hours on stilts and lots of fun, even if my pants kept trying to fall off.... gangsta ghost. that was me. :)

Sunday, fight club and stoolball.

Tonight, run by Joann's to look at fabric one more time... maybe at the cottons this time to make a duvet cover. I want a green comforter, but cannot find what I want. I know exactly what I want... but I might take a temporary fix for now...

Meanwhile... the topsy-turvy doll is getting her skirt beaded, and one of the miniature stoolball dolls is almost done. And I've been playing Shaiya way more than I should.

But Dust is moving along again, so maybe I will actually finish it!

Argh

2009-09-25T19:27:00.001-05:00

.... Here it is 7:30 pm. I came into work this morning at 7:30 am. Still here. No end in sight, unless my manager takes pity on me....

I love my job I love my job....

Still terrible abut updating.

2009-09-08T07:23:00.004-05:00

But here it is. First, pics and such.

Baby bunting. For the co-worker of my friend Donna. She is having a girl, and the colors are tan and pink. So I made a quick bunting, very simple, no pattern. A few folds, a little shaping, a little velcro, and all is done. Too bad I couldn't get a good picture. :)

And the totebag #1. Finished pics finally. And I have managed to purchase the stuff to make #2, so hopefully a tute soon.

There is still much work to be done, and many projects in the works. I am still stilt-walking - this coming up weekend will be long and busy - stiltwalking Saturday, Fight Club and Stoolball Sunday, and stiltwalking on Monday. Whee! It's all fun, but I will be TIRED.

Peg Stilts, sewing, and stoolball

2009-09-02T12:15:00.002-05:00

Monday was more stilt-walking. Paige and I (my stilt buddy) want to get shirts made that read "Stilt-walkers" on front and on back "Not Stilt-standers." Our instructors' favorite saying is "This is stilt-walking class, not stilt-standing class." So it seems appropriate. Maybe I'll see what it would take to do a few shirts. :)

Last night I finished the first kimono-sleeve tote-bag. Pictures tomorrow, and maybe a tutorial soon as I work on the next one.

Stoolball is still going great guns, and hopefully will continue to do so!

Fight CLub and Stoolball

2009-08-31T10:50:00.003-05:00

Had 2nd Fight Club meeting - training for stage combat - yesterday, and afterwards, Stoolball practice. We're actually getting a team together that can PLAY, not just play around. We'll be a better exhibition at faire, and there are other faires that want to play us.

Now... the fight director, Bill, wants to see about getting our team, when it happens, a sponsorship from an actual British team to go over there and play. Eek! Too, too cool, but eek! We need to get better!

More stilts, more sewing, and so forth

2009-08-26T07:27:00.002-05:00

Had the third stilt lesson this Monday. I went from regular stilts to jumper stilts. WOW. I had such fun on them - walked for almost two hours solid, went across all sorts of rocky and grassy terrain - and I want to do more! I learned to walk backwards, walk side to side both by 'sidling' (just shuffling to the side, really), and by strafing (crossing one leg over the other as you walk sideways). I even went for a jog with one of the instructors holding my hand. Which is good, as I almost fell. :) He caught me, though, so I still haven't fallen completely over.

On jumper stilts it's almost impossible to stand still. You have to keep shifting your weight, because the pads are not that big - maybe a couple of inches wide on each side - and slightly curved, so it's difficult to stand still. It was a great time, and I learned that while I can't sing well, I can sing on while walking on stilts. It doesn't make me sound any better, but I have the energy to sing.

On the sewing front, still working on the beaded bodice and a few other things. We re-arranged the sewing area so we have a much nicer cutting table (as in, now we have one and don't have to use the cutting board put on the bed to cut fabrics). Things are getting better, and I can start working harder on stuff now! (I am currently making a totebag out of a kimono sleeve - pics of it when I am done).

Stilts!

2009-08-11T08:17:00.002-05:00

Last night I learned the basics of walking on stilts. My goal is to be a stiltwalker at Screams this year, and thus... stiltwalking classes called to me. The folks teaching said I 'rock' which is a good thing! I learned to walk, turn, and deal with terrain - and in theory to fall, even though I haven't. Yet. I am certain it will only be a matter of time, though!

Next Monday evening I should learn slightly more advanced things - walking backwards, side-stepping (strafing) and walking backwards uphill.

I was given the chance to walk on 2 foot and 3 foot stilts. I like both of them... and I am shooting for the jumping stilts. THOSE look like they would be a blast!

http://www.getjumpingstilts.com/pom115bl.html

This is my goal. :) We'll see if I can get there!

Friday, at long last....

2009-08-07T08:14:00.002-05:00

My cat has been sick, so we finally took her to the vet. She has a viral infection, and has to have meds twice a day - pediatric Amoxicilian. She does NOT like it, but it's a liquid version, so she doesn't have much choice in the matter. And she's already feeling better - well enough to strenuously object to medicines. She's only 12 pounds, which surprises me. She's... dense... for 12 pounds. :)

And Donna's been having computer issues - for about 4 days solid. I THINK we've managed to fix things. I certainly hope so.

Still working on the bodice for NEXT year's TRF... although I am further along than I expected to be at this time.

This weekend hopefully will be the ReStore, looking for a table to use as a cutting table in the craft area, and maybe a few estate sales. I hope so. I love estate sales. Maybe this time I'll take the camera with and snap some pictures. And we need to go by the fabric store and find broadcloth to match the scarlets worn by Cpt. Sharpe so I can get back to work on that.

I have an idea for a craft, but I haven't found the perfect base for it yet. Maybe this weekend. And I need to dig out the linen and cut it to edge the circle skirt I made for next year's garb. Or maybe TRF garb. We'll see.

Going to make a bracelet for my GM for her birthday this month - she wants a bright red bracelet. I can do that, most likely with what we have on hand.

Changes and Whatnot

2009-08-04T11:05:00.002-05:00

So... deleting several things off the project list as un-doable right now. There's not much point in making a big fancy outfit to wear at TRF one day. And only one day. So I am not going to. I will cobble together something from the bits and pieces I have... after all, it's a shopping trip and time to hang out with friends as much as anything. So. No phoenix outfit this year.

But... I do want to see what the outfit would look like, so I will do a doll version. Because, as usual, I need another project. *sheesh*

And because one idea spawns another, now I have 2 phoenix dolls on my list.

But the beading on the bodice is coming along nicely.

Bed and Dress

2009-07-21T20:38:00.005-05:00

Okay. As promised, here's the pic of the bed. It was a whole $10.00 - ten dollars - for the bed. Very nice bed, very comfy. And cheap! We found it at an estate sale that really didn't care - they just wanted to get rid of stuff! We expected it would be 50-100 dollars, but the owner said ten, and we looked at each other and said "yes, please." It's nice, and in good shape - just a few chips in the veneer. Things like this are why I like estate sales. It's a little creepy sometimes, sure, going through the belongings of a dead person - or worse, some poor soul being moved to a nursing home or assisted living facility who sits and watches you go through their stuff. I don't think I could sit there and watch. It would be too hard.

And... the dress. A friend threw a League of Extroardinary Gentlemen party. So.. I went as Lady Blakeney, (wife of the Scarlet Pimpernel), who was part of one of the Leagues. Here I am. My hair isn't done and I don't have my feathers, but most of the rest of it is right. A modified chemise de la reine. The sleeves are actually attached to the overdress, because I was feeling lazy and it was for a costume party. The entire thing is made of muslin (period correct), and some fabric that I've had for a few years... at least two... just sitting around. It shades from coppery to goldy and back, and looked pretty good. Somewhere there's a pic of the front of the dress, with corset showing. :)

So... that's the update so far. More later.

Another doll

2009-07-16T12:03:00.003-05:00

So the party is tomorrow, but today's post is about another doll. This one is for someone I've never met, but I had a picture and descriptions to work with. Apparently it turned out very close to the person in question, so... here's Winifred.

She's a Pettyjohn - a daughter of the Scarborough tax collector. From what I know, she's the 'good girl.' I hope that the woman who played her likes her poppet.

Tonight I will try to update again to show my new bed... story about it later.

Updates....

2009-07-09T07:12:00.002-05:00

Okay, so I let lots of time lapse between updates. Real life - that life outside of faire and sewing, that is - got in the way. For one, I now have a real, 40-hour-a-week, professional job. Makes me happy to finally be back in a job! However, it does mean less time for sewing and stuff, since I am away from home between 10 to 12 hours every weekday. And weekends... that's the running around doing things and doing housecleaning that I don't have as much time for on weekdays.

That doesn't mean I am not sewing, though. Currently I am making a chemise de la reine for a League of Extrordinary Gentlemen party. The overdress is done except for the hemming, and the underdress is waiting for a corset to arrive from a friend, so I can match fabrics.

The other project is a doll for a former faire actress, now living in Europe. Her 'sisters' commissioned the doll, and it's the first one I've done 1. with a hoop and 2. from pictures and drawings only. Never met the woman who played the character, but have pictures a plenty. Once these dolls are done, I will do the sisters.

And of course, I am working on several long term projects, and adding more all the time. I am almost done with a pirate doll for myself. He needs a headscarf and an eyepatch and he will be done. Those SHOULD be done tonight, and maybe I can get pictures up soon. Took measurements for silk duvet covers, and planned out one of two Christmas gifts that I will hopefully make this year for relatives. I had thought about a third, but if I do it, it will wind up as a birthday present next year. :( Too much to do and too little time to do it in.

Anyway... hopefully I will get updated soon with more pics.

Bustle the Seahorse

2009-06-05T22:17:00.002-05:00

Bustle is a seahorse for a friend's kid. The same one getting cat hats and the octopus. Bustle is... well... he started out life as a bustle for a dress my roommate is making. But, she decided she didn't need a bustle, so here he was, lying there, waiting for something. I took one look at him and thought: "That looks a little like a seahorse." So, restuffing, eyes, and fins later, he is a seahorse.

Now I'm thinking about how to make a Loch Ness monster... because I need another project.

Lion stuffie

2009-06-05T11:59:00.003-05:00

Finished yet another project - the heraldic lion stuffie. He didn't come out exactly like I wanted, but he's not bad looking. If I were to do him over, I would embroider a little more on him and probably fix his head... go ahead and stuff the entire thing. But I like him anyway, and I might do a tutorial on him - make another one with the embroidery, etc.

Either way, it's another project off the list. Only 17 more to go! (although I technically have 2 more that can go on the list soon).

More updates

2009-06-04T07:57:00.006-05:00

More sewing done.

This time - dolls. Gypsy dolls. The adult has bells in his stuffing, so he jingles when he's moved. I only intended to do him, but the others were just too cute not to do. He's a gypsy storyteller - all I need to do is embroider his vest with various motifs. Most of the clothing is hand-stitched, and the patterns for the little dolls were bodged together based on larger patterns. Seemed to work out reasonably well.

The other completed project - a dress for the wedding of friends. It's a Claire McCardell 1940's pattern, and worked out better than I had expected, in all honesty. It looks pretty darned good on me, as well. Now all I have to do is come up with jewelry and a 1940's hairstyle!

The pic doesn't do it justice, really. It's floor length and drapey... very nice. And flattering, which is a nice change for me and dresses! All it lacks is a hook-and-eye for the back and I am completely done with it. Yay!

Next up, working on the Bento Box quilt and other dolls. Probably. Except working with Donna to finish her dress for the wedding.

Right.. updates

2009-06-02T09:28:00.012-05:00

So, between being sick as a dog and faire and all... I've been busy. Mostly being sick. But... it's almost all gone, and faire is over, so I can make time for posting again!

There are a LOT of updates to be had: my project list has changed dramatically - added more, finished some, and so on. And we've decided to add a fence to the garden-to-be, and are using pallets to make the fence. Means staining the pallets as we get them. I would do some today, but it just rained, so no staining today.

This one might just be picture heavy, so be warned. I've done a lot recently.

The octopus for the child of friends. He's made of blue/black tafetta, so his color shifts. He will stand up on his eight legs, too, thanks to a little rice in the tips. I may add eyes to him. He looks like he is blowing a kiss. The pattern is adapted from Runi, who makes absolutely fabulous little stuffies!

The metallic pillow. It was a test for another project, and did not turn out like I wanted, but I like the look, so it became a pillow. It's stuffed with pieces of fabric - heavy, but comfy. Three layers of silk dupioni in copper, silver, and gold. It's like a D&D gamer's favorite pillow - all the monies you could need!

After seeing Johanna, other people decided they wanted a poppet of their characters. So, the ones I have completed so far are: Katherine Boothe, the town crier, in blues, and Ellie Chandler, the candle maker's daughter, in the yellows. Like Johanna, each of them comes with their own set of accessories: a bell for the crier and candles for Ellie. Although the picture doesn't show it, Ellie's hat is singed and burnt, like the original's.

A cat hat for a newborn. There are three others to go with this, all in various shades. Now all I have to do is find a time and way to get them to the kid.

These are not the only things I've done, but they are all I am going to post right now. I have also completed a new skirt for myself at faire (a circle and a half, very swirly), a poppet for my character (who needs the new skirt still), finished cutting out the pieces of the Bento Box quilt I am working on, and started on a dress for the reception of a friend's wedding: it's to be a masquerade ball, which means I need to find my mask. And think about hair styles. And there's more... but right now I can't think.

The test vest

2009-04-28T15:19:00.004-05:00

As I mentioned before, I've finished the test vest for the diagonal stitch lines. I don't like it as much, but we shall see. It's hard to see here, since the slashes haven't opened up as much - lighter material and fewer washings. But... on the whole, I like the original better.

So, on to the next projects: the Emma Dare doll and the Character Camp Rug #2.

Johanna doll

2009-04-27T19:10:00.003-05:00

Johanna is the character played at faire by my friend Donna. I decided to make a doll of her because a - it looked like fun, and b - the custom dolls by the dollmaker at faire start at $80 and go up from there. So... here's Johanna!

I've also finished a test vest - much like the previous slashed vests, but stitched on the diagonal. I don't think I like it as much, but I will post pics tomorrow.

Update

2009-04-21T09:06:00.003-05:00

I hate being sick. Period. Coughing, fever, etc. Seems like I can't shake it for any great length of time. Stayed in bed all day yesterday.

On the moderately plus side, that meant I got to work on Donna's Johanna doll (Johanna is her faire character). The doll is complete, and the clothes are almost complete. She'll have red bloomers, blue and black skirts, a black chemise, and the yellow tabard. All topped off with the black hat. I should be able to finish her garb today, and give her tabard over for painting.

Then I might start on an Emma doll for myself (Emma being my faire character). Maybe. It depends on how I feel.

Right now, that's not very good. Think I am going back to bed now.

Hoodie pics

2009-04-10T11:58:00.005-05:00

So here is a pic of the hoodie. It's not the best pic, but I don't claim to be a photographer. In life, it's more lime than the pic shows. I may add some felt or fleece detailing in cream to match the zipper - geometric designs of some sort. I haven't quite decided yet. But for now... it's done.

And of course, had an idea last night for another project. Will take me a while to do - if it turns out the way I want it to - but will be worth it. Long vest, done in the same style of the slashed fight vests, but set on the diagonal. Diamond-shaped slashes. Going to make a sample to see how it looks first, in a short vest. Just to see. Pics of that when it's done, as usual.

Oh, and I am starting several other new projects as well. Figures.... Among other things, discovered that I DO have more of the material I used for my Dare skirt, so I could make a poppet of her. Now all I have to do is figure out a goat head for it....

The vest and the rug

2009-04-09T13:14:00.004-05:00

So I now have pics of the vest and the rug. The only thing left on the vest is grommeting, which will be done by Donna either tonight or tomorrow (probably tomorrow). The rug just needs binging around the edges, and that can wait until it gets flatter and more the tromped-down shape it's going to be in the future.

Here's the front of the vest. The back is, of course, more of the same kind of slashing. As it ages and gets washed, the slashing will open up more to reveal the underlayers, which are black, green, and black, respectively. Hopefully Morgan will like it - it's only for mud days at faire on the chessboard, but still....

Speaking of Morgan. It's her birthday this Saturday. She will be 18. The vest is part of her gift. The other is music. Because music is always good.

And then, of course, there's the rug. One of two - have the pieces for the other one, but haven't started putting them together yet. I'll work on that one soon... It's amazing what you can do with a bunch of remnants and samples from upholstery places!

The fleece hoodie is done, I just haven't taken any pics of it yet. It's comfortable, a little rough looking, and just the way I want it. I like it, exposed zipper and lack of hemming included. I may take pinking shears to the edges just to add a little something to it, though. The hood leaves a lot to be desired; there's not a whole lot of hood there! But... I rarely use the hood on a hoodie anyway, so it's all good. Pics of that up next time, I guess, along with whatever else I finish.

Right now I am working on the rain hanging. Hard to explain, but should be quite nice when it's done.

Update

2009-04-07T23:59:00.002-05:00

Vest cut out and partially marked. Still two seams left to do on rug. No change in hoodie. Only two more bento box quilt squares to do, and then we have to start looking for more fleece.

*sigh*

This Week's Projects

2009-04-06T14:44:00.001-05:00

Green and black vest for Morgan to fight in on mud days. Seven more bento box quilt squares. Finish linen chemise. Finish rug #1. Finish fleece hoodie.

Guess I should get busy!

Two more seams on the rug left...

Note to self: take pics of everything, too!

The Totally Useless SAL

2009-04-03T10:53:00.003-05:00

Signed up for this... late, but better late than never, no?

http://dragonmyneedle.blogspot.com/2009/01/progress-and-new-sal.html?showComment=1238768040000#c5308464103557306026

So I'm doing it. Starting with all the thread bits from my vest and bento box quilt scraps. Now all I have to do is figure out which of several jars to use!

Argh! Too long between posts!

2009-04-03T09:15:00.009-05:00

In the rush to get ready for Faire season, I've let this lapse... well, between Fight and prep and workshops and job hunting and all the rest. However, I need to be better about updating this thing. Really I do! So, in the interests of what I've been doing, project-wise....

Finished:

Sea-serpent marionette

Various bits of garb for Scarborough Faire (3 bodices, chemise, two vests, skirt and a cloak).

Couple of pouches

Couple of purses

In progress:

Bento box quilt

Fleece hoodie in lime green

Rug for character camp next year (probably two of them)

another chemise for faire

Map wall hanging

Rain wall hanging

More purses (just need handles!)

And a few pics.... First up, the vest for a friend at Faire. I have one like it now, but in green and black that laces up the front.

And the sea serpent marionette:

That's it for now... but when I get my vest washed, I'll post pics of it, too.

And of course, the list of projects is always growing....

Another Update

2009-02-22T23:51:00.005-06:00

I've made a quillow (a quilt that folds into a pillow). It wasn't that hard, once I stopped thinking about it. *shrug* Here's the quillow - a little lumpy, I admit - closed. Unfolded it's the same shade of tan as the upper left corner, but mottled. Very pretty.

I've also made recently a double handful of shrugs/wraps. They are simple to make, and very nice. So, more pics.

A white plaid wrap of wool. Nice and warm, but very sleek. Trimmed with simple red binding - there's no need for anything fancier. I've also done two red plaid wraps, one bound with red, the other with black. The material is cotton on those - lightweight, not as warm as the white. Also not as dressy looking.

Random Updates

2009-02-22T09:13:00.002-06:00

Yes, it's a skull wall-hanging. It's entirely made of beads and buttons (mostly buttons). Why? Because I could. And I had lots of buttons.

It's been far too long since I updated, but now we're on DSL so it will be easier and faster - pics will actually LOAD now. :) So there will be more pics, oh yes there will be!

2009-01-28T08:16:00.002-06:00

Just entered a Japanese fabric giveaway - you've got until Midnight PST Feb 1 to comment and be entered into the giveaway - $25 gift certificate for fabric. Too fabulous!

http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/209893/38881860

Today it's too icy to go anywhere. Almost everything is shut down, so we're staying in and crafting. Which is a good thing, since I have now 20-odd things on my list. Today's projects will include a nice warm flame-and-black cat hat for myself and leg warmers to match. :) As well as plaid wraps, most likely. And maybe a quillow (quilt in a pillow). We shall see.

Garb and more

2009-01-07T08:07:00.002-06:00

Today is garb day. I need to make 2 bodices and a skirt for myself today/tomorrow, so I can then start working on Morgan's. Character Camp is in 2 weeks, so they need to be done. I would also like to make a few new pouches and maybe get a new brown belt instead of my black.
Mind you, today is also house-cleaning day.
And I will be working on questions today - 16 of them, due January 23rd. Nikki Baker goes in on the 23rd for her nose surgery. (Squashed it at work - not just broke, but squashed).
And I need to work on the cat hats again.

So why am I here, updating this??

Mix N' Mutts, etc.

2009-01-05T09:06:00.002-06:00

Saw patterns for toy stuffed dogs, and discovered they were modular. So now I am designing Mix n' Mutts - the dogs that are held together with Velcro - so people can design their own mutt (or purebred, I suppose). Got a few more hat orders as well.

Time to make garb for character camp, if nothing else. Still waiting on faire approval. But will make the garb now, since character camp is in two weeks! (Ack! Sew like the wind!) Looks like right now I don't really need another project - I've got enough for the time being. Also will probably be sewing garb for Morgan, who's also on crew. So... four bodices, three skirts, two chemises (and a partridge in a pear tree). Time to get busy!

Finished reading The Mystery of Mary Rogers - a non-fiction book about Mary Rogers, a young woman whose murder became sensationalized in 1840's New York. The murder became the basis of many novels, including Poe's "Mystery of Marie Roget." This particular book is sub-titled Sex and Culture in 19th Century New York. I am still trying to decide if I enjoyed this book. While interesting in the main, I am not sure the book succeeds in the discussion of sex or culture as it regards Mary Rogers. Not much is known of Rogers, and the author points that out several times, and then tends towards generalizations of the period. She says often "But Mary doesn't fit this mold," and continues on with the same generalizations. The book seems to lose focus on Mary Rogers as the model for 19th century sexuality, since the author doesn't know all that much about Rogers. All in all, while at the time it seemed a good book, after the fact there are too many questions for my liking. (At least it was only $1.00 at the Half-Price Books!)

The favorite gift I gave - finally pics!

2008-12-29T09:38:00.002-06:00

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...

2008-12-18T09:09:00.002-06:00

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

That amuses me. And pleases me.

I Almost Forgot

2008-12-17T21:42:00.003-06:00

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

2008-12-17T21:32:00.004-06:00

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!

2008-12-16T08:31:00.003-06:00

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

2008-12-12T09:21:00.006-06:00

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

2008-12-10T08:33:00.003-06:00

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!

2008-12-09T08:45:00.005-06:00

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

2008-12-09T07:25:00.002-06:00

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

2008-12-07T23:47:00.003-06:00

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

2008-12-05T09:24:00.004-06:00

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

2008-12-01T13:28:00.002-06:00

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

2008-06-19T11:35:00.004-05:00

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.

2008-06-17T08:40:00.004-05:00

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

2008-06-16T08:41:00.007-05:00

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!

2008-06-13T08:36:00.003-05:00

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....

2008-06-12T09:40:00.005-05:00

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

2008-01-10T12:04:00.000-06:00

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.