Project update

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....

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....

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

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

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

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

.... 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....