Right.. updates

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.

Johanna doll

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

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.

The vest and the rug

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.

Argh! Too long between posts!

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....

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.