Random Photos

So I was sorting files on my computer and came across some photos I thought I would share.

I had tried my hand at cake decorating a while back and tried to make a haystack cake with fondant animals.

As you can see it was only semi successful.

It was a super hot day and our AC was out. So looking back it was not the best weather for this project.

I also found these pictures of a vintage wedding dress and its reproduction that I had taken at an estate sale.

The one on the left is the original and the right one is a reproduction.

It is a 1950s wedding dress.

Here is the original.

And the reproduction.

I also found these pic of my Georgian that I have not yet done a complete post on. Shame on me.

Now that I actually have hair (and have altered the dress.) I want to do a proper photo shoot with a friend. Hopefully I can do that this spring if we have good weather some day.

Well, that is it for now. We are gearing up for a production of Oliver! the Musical that opens this month. After that I am designing Peter Pan the musical this summer.

Fun Fun!

Toodles.

Reasons I Love Summer

As many of my friends know summer is my favorite time of year. While most people don't enjoy rising temperatures, I love them. That is partially given to the fact that I was raised in Botswana, Africa. So hot is what I am used to and love.

So here are a few of the reasons why I love summer. These are not in any particular order. Just reasons why I love summer!

Stargazing late at night.

Playing volleyball with friends.

Cucumbers fresh from the garden. (Cucumber water, cucumber face washes, cucumber salads, cucumber sandwiches.... all good!)

Picnics with family and friends. 

Rainstorms.

Canoeing.

Running.

Camping out and roasting marshmallows to perfection.

Mini Lime Milkshakes after 8pm at Sonic. (1/2 price all summer!)

Tomatoes from the garden. (Come to think of it, anything from the garden is great!)

And that is a few (just a small few) of the reason I LOVE summer!

Toodles

Knitted Cape!

So I finally finished my knit cape. After tearing it out two times the third time was the charm. I did not use a pattern and that might be why it took so long to finally do something that I liked. But I had been unable to find a pattern that I liked and wanted to do. 

I really like it and it turned out really good.

It is just the right length and I even have yarn left over. I only used about three 1/4 balls of yarn. And since I got the yarn for a dollar per ball that means the whole thing was less then $4!

Unfortunately my glasses are the ones that tint when in the sun. That is nice for my eyes, but not for pictures. In most pictures of my outside it looks like I am wearing dark glasses and am blind or something. So that is why most of the pictures are just of my back.

And I am not too partial to my face in pictures anyhow. It is not that I don't like my face. I just do not feel that it is captured on camera very well.

I am super excited about this and look forwards to finishing the rest of the outfit that goes with it. It is for an entwife costume in case I had not mentioned that before.

That's all for now.

Toodles.

Opps, no tutorial...

So it didn't work to write up a tutorial yesterday. I simply ran out of time. So that won't start till next week. 

Anyhow, I do have some exciting news. I finally found the cable to use for getting the pictures off of the camera!!!

So that means I have just downloaded a whole bunch of pictures and simply have to sort through them and post them. So you have something to look forwards to.

I had mentioned last year that I made my first gingerbread house and had taken pictures to post. Well, here they are. I know.... really, really, really, late. 

And I would like to introduce you to one of my best friends. That's right, my sewing machine! She is a Bernina 930. None computerized, all metal parts and a dream to sew on. I shall write a review on her one of these days.

The other day I learned how to use my new favorite toy, the gathering foot!

I also learned how to use my ruffler.

There were piles like this all around the house as I played with the different stitch length/thread tension ratios.

I took pictures and will post a tutorial on them both. 

You can actually sew and pleat at the same time. So you can pleat one fabric onto another fabric. It is cool.

That's all for now.

Toodles

Still Alive?

Well, yes, I suppose I am.

I have been rather busy what with the play there for a while. (We were doing You Can't Take It With You.) 

After the play my parents came home from a business show with a whole bunch of sewing orders that needed filled (and we keep getting new ones that still need filled, which is great.) So I have been sewing for him. 

I have also been working on possibly getting an Esty shop started. I have also started taking in custom sewing and alterations locally. And I am a Pampered Chef consultant and have been writing for a couple of different local papers. Not to mention babysitting. 

The most exciting thing that I have done this week so far is cleaned out my closet. It was amusing. It was kind of like traveling through time. I have clothing from the 1950's through the 1820's (the real deal clothing.) Then  in the clothing that I actually wear I have costumes from the 1950's and the Regency Era and the French Revolution and pirate costumes and steam punk and ect... the list goes on. 

I also realized the I must like hats (I only have 16) and belts (only 13 of those.)

I am thinking about trying to come up with a schedule to follow on my blog here. So that I can be for faithful about posting. 

I want to bring back my Designer of the Week (which I think I only ever posted one of.) And I was thinking about something like a Tutorial Tuesday or something  like that. And I might come up with some other ones, we shall see. 

Anyhow, I have a whole bunch of pictures that I have been taking and as soon as I figure out how to get them off of my brothers camera I shall try and post them. I know, you are probably tired of the constant promise about "one day I will...." But I promise! 

I have a tutorial on how to make a super full gypsy skirt in an hour and a half... Yes it is possible. 

And so much more. So till tomorrow (Tuesday Tutorial remember.) 

Toodles.

P.S.  I noticed that I have more posts on this blog about Shakespeare then sewing. That is sad since it is supposed to be about sewing.

Toodles

Coffee!

Up this morning at 5. 

Had a cup of coffee. I don't know if I can express just how much I enjoy coffee. I enjoy it not only because of the energy boost it gives in the morning (which is nice) but I really like the flavor. I have always drunk my coffee black and I just really really like the taste of a good cup of black coffee in the mornings. 

Chocolate, coffee and bacon.... the three best things in the world. If God gave us coffee, bacon, and chocolate here on earth just imagine the amazing things he has saved for heaven!

Anyhow, I have decided that I didn't like the way the cape was turning out that I was knitting (I was knitting a cape in case I hadn't said that earlier and was trying to make up the pattern as I went.)

So I decided to rip out the whole thing and start over with a basic pattern to follow this time. So I found a pattern and printed it out.

I also have some really pretty rainbow yarn that I want to make into a lacy wrap/shawl.

So I found some different patterns and printed them. I just have to decide which one I like most.

I also just got this magazine for Christmas. Jane Austen Knits. I pretty much love it, even though I haven't made much of anything out of it. All I have knitted from it is the scarf on the front cover.

I really want to make this cape someday. I already bought this homespun looking peach yarn for it.

I have always liked capes and the idea of knitting them makes me happy. I just wish I knew more about knitting (like how to read patterns.)

There are so many different patterns in that magazine that I wish I could do.

Who doesn't need a spencer?

Or cameo mittens. So cute!!!

And everyone likes scarfs.

Fingerless gloves are also on my top ten things I wish I could knit list.

Sigh.... another cape.

Well that is enough hyper coffee ramblings. Off to get more done. Maybe there will even be time for some knitting today!!!!

Toodles.

Typewriter!

I have a typewriter that works!!!

My brother-in-law gave me it to me last summer and I had put it away in my closet for a future date when I could get it to working condition again. 

I was deep cleaning the other day and found it in my closet (along with the corset that my great grandmother wore in the 1800s which I shall post about later.)

I pulled it out and handed it over to my brothers to give a look over and see if they could do anything about making it usable.

Two hours later I had a fully functional typewriter.

It is a 1920s Underwood

I love the feel of it and there is something therapeutic about using it. I wrote 10 pages yesterday and have written several more today. I think it is going to help with getting me back to my writing.

Just a quick update for now.

Oh, and I spent the entire afternoon dry brushing a stage floor so that it looked like wood flooring. That turned out to be a interesting afternoon and very educational.

Well, toodles.

Knitting

During the run of White Christmas I started knitting again and have finished several projects since then. I have completed three hats, two scarfs, a couple of beards and other random stuff. I have also sewn a vest and skirt set and a new top. I have also designed my costume for an upcoming LOTR themed ball. But I won't show you that because I want it to be a suprise.

I will show you pictures of my sewing and knitting projects when I get pictures taken. Until then you will have to be patient.

My sister did send me a new knitting magazine that I have been enjoying. It is called Jane Austen Knits. I have made one thing out of it so far and it turned out looking good. I want to make some other stuff from it, but I have to get my Christmas projects done first.

I also made my first Gingerbread house this past week. No pictures downloaded on that either. Sorry.

It also got consumed rather quickly by many talented actors and actressess.

So there is the random quick update. I shall try to give a better ones with more pictures and maybe even tutorials.

Toodles

Attempts at Scrapping

For the last few years I have had the honour of organizing a wonderful group of young ladies in a literature discussion group. The first year we read and studied Pride and Prejudice, the next year we did The Scarlet Pimpernel, and last year we studied The Tale Of Two Cities. We would always close our study off at the end of the year with a Christmas party. As a part of the party we would do a gift exchange. Last year I tried my hand at scrapping and made a set of greeting cards. I did it all free hand with my calligraphy set, scissors, and a paper cutter. I had collected and printed the fashion drawings from the computer and lightly coloured them with pencils. You cannot really see the colouring in the pictures because it is so light. I enjoyed it, and would enjoy taking up scrapping, but don't think I really have time to take on one more craft.

Here they are.