Teal deer: had a wonderful weekend, enjoyed the concert, happy to see my uncle after 10.7 years, considering moving out east?!
( Read more... )
( Read more... )
Dead Boy Detectives
May. 1st, 2024 07:33 amDo you like ghost stories? Queer stories? Queer ghost stories? Please watch Dead Boy Detectives on Netflix. It just came out and I freakin' LOVE IT. As I have mentioned in the past, I am not at all familiar with the source material (being side characters for one Sandman issue that then generated a fair bit of their own stories, when I am only vaguely familiar with Sandman to start with), but it looked interesting even though I was still mad about the cancellation of both Shadow and Bone and Lockwood & Co. It came out last Thursday, and on Wednesday there was a premiere with a cast panel and the first episode. I loved it right away but I did not have a chance to watch it until after I got home on Sunday, when I binged 5 eps that night and the final 3 on Monday morning. And now I'm watching it again.
Y'all, it's so good. George Rexstrew is *perfect* as a horribly repressed gay boy in Edwardian England who was sent to Hell bc of a clerical error, coming to terms with the fact that he is in love with his best friend Charles (Jayden Revri, who is also perfect as an 80s alt kid). Charles is pretty unphased by this development and they go about solving ghost crimes. There's a Cat King who I am OBSESSED WITH. The antagonist is fabulous. They meet a girl who can't remember her past because she was possessed by a demon and shenanigans ensue. The girl lives above a butcher shop, which is owned by a goth lesbian, and the girl across the hall is just the cutest girl in love with love. None of the queer stories are treated with disdain and they are all up front with no hiding. It's just wonderful!
(Someone did ask if this show was going to be queer, with the implication that they didn't want it to be, and Neil replied with something like "it's a queer show. it always was and it was always going to be and we didn't dumb it down." And quite frankly I didn't expect the show to be so up front about it. But it was, and I loved it. Edwin's sexuality was a core element of the storyline, but it wasn't the focus.)
Y'all, it's so good. George Rexstrew is *perfect* as a horribly repressed gay boy in Edwardian England who was sent to Hell bc of a clerical error, coming to terms with the fact that he is in love with his best friend Charles (Jayden Revri, who is also perfect as an 80s alt kid). Charles is pretty unphased by this development and they go about solving ghost crimes. There's a Cat King who I am OBSESSED WITH. The antagonist is fabulous. They meet a girl who can't remember her past because she was possessed by a demon and shenanigans ensue. The girl lives above a butcher shop, which is owned by a goth lesbian, and the girl across the hall is just the cutest girl in love with love. None of the queer stories are treated with disdain and they are all up front with no hiding. It's just wonderful!
(Someone did ask if this show was going to be queer, with the implication that they didn't want it to be, and Neil replied with something like "it's a queer show. it always was and it was always going to be and we didn't dumb it down." And quite frankly I didn't expect the show to be so up front about it. But it was, and I loved it. Edwin's sexuality was a core element of the storyline, but it wasn't the focus.)
(no subject)
Apr. 23rd, 2024 09:30 amFinished stitching the seam allowances down and pressed them as flat as I could. Restitching them back together is going much slower for various reasons - thicker thread, more closely spaced (I've measured them at 15 st per inch with doubled thread, pattern suggests 18-25), and the cotton I used for the support layers is SO TIGHTLY WOVEN that getting a needle through it is hard enough without the extra thread thickness! I need a needle that is both sharp and sturdy without being too thick. I got a few inches sewn before the thread broke and I called it a night.
IN other news, J sent a video about a building on fire in the city, not far from M's work. At first it was just filled with smoke billowing into the air. He sent videos of a smoke cloud when he was a good 50km (30 miles) from the city wondering if that was what he was seeing. He sent another video of the building well and properly on fire, and then the roof and front (or back?) collapsing in on itself, engulfed in flames.
According to news sites, ash and debris were falling all over, but the few fires that caught on other buildings were extinguished before they became dangerous. It's been so dry and windy these past few days, which did not help (except that the immediate area around it was recently excavated so there was no bone-dry grass to catch) and the building was old and made of wood. Eleven crews were out to contain it while it burned The good news is that no serious injuries were reported, no other significant damage to anything nearby.
I am having a lot of capital F Feelings about this fire because A: it was incredible (neutral) and B: the building was... well it was old. It was an airplane hangar built in 1942 by the US to support war efforts in WWII. The airport it was attached to closed several years ago and the airfields have been under redevelopment, and the whole area was and is an important part of the city's history. The building was declared a historic landmark in 2022 and now it is just... gone. The only one like it left now is the aviation museum.
IN other news, J sent a video about a building on fire in the city, not far from M's work. At first it was just filled with smoke billowing into the air. He sent videos of a smoke cloud when he was a good 50km (30 miles) from the city wondering if that was what he was seeing. He sent another video of the building well and properly on fire, and then the roof and front (or back?) collapsing in on itself, engulfed in flames.
According to news sites, ash and debris were falling all over, but the few fires that caught on other buildings were extinguished before they became dangerous. It's been so dry and windy these past few days, which did not help (except that the immediate area around it was recently excavated so there was no bone-dry grass to catch) and the building was old and made of wood. Eleven crews were out to contain it while it burned The good news is that no serious injuries were reported, no other significant damage to anything nearby.
I am having a lot of capital F Feelings about this fire because A: it was incredible (neutral) and B: the building was... well it was old. It was an airplane hangar built in 1942 by the US to support war efforts in WWII. The airport it was attached to closed several years ago and the airfields have been under redevelopment, and the whole area was and is an important part of the city's history. The building was declared a historic landmark in 2022 and now it is just... gone. The only one like it left now is the aviation museum.
(no subject)
Apr. 22nd, 2024 07:43 amOn Friday I got home DETERMINED to do some sewing. I wanted to make another project bag, particularly for the shawl I've just started. The one that I wound yarn for the other day. During lunch I got it up to the point where I would start the decorative elements and it has been living with my sock knitting, so it was time for it to have its own bag.
The absolute irony that I was in the midst of sewing the bag when I thought, I need to get a drink, turned from the machine and found the sock bag on the floor, clearly devoid of the shawl project. "Oh no," said I, picked up my water bottle and went in search of the kittens. Where I found my project in the middle of the hall, partially de-needled, its string leading to the remains of the ball and then the giant pile of spaghetti tucked up against the chair just inside my bedroom door. Quickly scooped it all up and shoved it into a space away from their prying claws (I want to say it was back into the sock bag but I honestly can't remember now). Got my water, finished my new bag, put the mess that was to be a shawl into it, and hid it under a blanket.
Fortuitously, I had another aunt's birthday party the next day where she has dogs but no cats, perfect for trying to untangle the yarn. I arrived at 2:15, and at 4:45 (with a break around 3 for lunch) I finally got the last knot out. I was hand winding it into a ball because there was no WAY I'd be able to use the winder with how much "and now the ball has to go through here..." was going to be going on. I'm going to rewind it soon. Currently I'd like to get the socks pushed through, and also perhaps the other shawl project I couldn't finish due to lack of yardage, which is currently on the needles I want to use. So there's that.
Saturday morning I started pulling apart my stays so I could fell seams down. And overhand all of the places where I cut the tabs to the basting line. Don't do that! It took most of the weekend to get 8 out of 10 panels done, with more bag sewing in between. My zippers arrived so I excitedly finished off the wristlet I'd made the week before, sans zipper, and then a pyramid bag for socks yesterday once the kittens let me up from the couch (they were so cute and sleepy, to make up for the absolute terror they reigned on my knitting).
I am headed south this weekend for an expo, and y'all I am STRESSED about it. I have a fistful of dollahs to my name for the next two weeks and this trip is going to eat up all of them, and more. Why not cancel, you ask? I'm so glad you did.
A: my tickets are nonrefundable (unless the guest cancels, which is still a possibility). That's $176 I'd be out of pocket regardless.
B: I am the driver. I don't want to force M to find alternate arrangements, plus eat the cost of the hotel.
C: Her friend is coming up from Colorado for this. I don't want to force HER to find alternate arrangements too.
M offered to help with some gas costs and I plan to ask my friend who is vending if I can borrow some $$ to keep myself fed. I knew this was going to be tight, budget wise, once I agreed to getting the dental work done and after paying my taxes, but I didn't really have an idea of HOW tight. It hurts. I'll get through it, but ouch.
The absolute irony that I was in the midst of sewing the bag when I thought, I need to get a drink, turned from the machine and found the sock bag on the floor, clearly devoid of the shawl project. "Oh no," said I, picked up my water bottle and went in search of the kittens. Where I found my project in the middle of the hall, partially de-needled, its string leading to the remains of the ball and then the giant pile of spaghetti tucked up against the chair just inside my bedroom door. Quickly scooped it all up and shoved it into a space away from their prying claws (I want to say it was back into the sock bag but I honestly can't remember now). Got my water, finished my new bag, put the mess that was to be a shawl into it, and hid it under a blanket.
Fortuitously, I had another aunt's birthday party the next day where she has dogs but no cats, perfect for trying to untangle the yarn. I arrived at 2:15, and at 4:45 (with a break around 3 for lunch) I finally got the last knot out. I was hand winding it into a ball because there was no WAY I'd be able to use the winder with how much "and now the ball has to go through here..." was going to be going on. I'm going to rewind it soon. Currently I'd like to get the socks pushed through, and also perhaps the other shawl project I couldn't finish due to lack of yardage, which is currently on the needles I want to use. So there's that.
Saturday morning I started pulling apart my stays so I could fell seams down. And overhand all of the places where I cut the tabs to the basting line. Don't do that! It took most of the weekend to get 8 out of 10 panels done, with more bag sewing in between. My zippers arrived so I excitedly finished off the wristlet I'd made the week before, sans zipper, and then a pyramid bag for socks yesterday once the kittens let me up from the couch (they were so cute and sleepy, to make up for the absolute terror they reigned on my knitting).
I am headed south this weekend for an expo, and y'all I am STRESSED about it. I have a fistful of dollahs to my name for the next two weeks and this trip is going to eat up all of them, and more. Why not cancel, you ask? I'm so glad you did.
A: my tickets are nonrefundable (unless the guest cancels, which is still a possibility). That's $176 I'd be out of pocket regardless.
B: I am the driver. I don't want to force M to find alternate arrangements, plus eat the cost of the hotel.
C: Her friend is coming up from Colorado for this. I don't want to force HER to find alternate arrangements too.
M offered to help with some gas costs and I plan to ask my friend who is vending if I can borrow some $$ to keep myself fed. I knew this was going to be tight, budget wise, once I agreed to getting the dental work done and after paying my taxes, but I didn't really have an idea of HOW tight. It hurts. I'll get through it, but ouch.
(no subject)
Apr. 5th, 2024 09:36 amI finished my biweekly report already, what is happening?! Time for more farting around, I guess.
Gramma's surgery was on Wednesday, and it was successful. No further updates at this time.
Last night I finished the bag as much as I could without putting the D-rings on. It's very close to being done, just attaching and top stitching left. Woohoo!
Several years ago I crocheted a hood for my dance teacher, and she gave it back to me pre-covid so I could put a lining in to protect her hair. Ripped some very shreddy satin to do that at last, and sewed it in. Only took me 4 or 5 years (facepalm).
Sat down to put eyelets into the second back piece, and my thread tangled in the same way twice in less than 5 minutes. It finally broke from trying to detangle it, so I put the whole thing aside and played video games. I will try again later.
NEED to go out tonight because I am out of dry cat food! So my plan is to get gas (I am on --- kms left in the tank), get cat food, pick up d-rings, get dinner (unless I cook first which hahahahaha no), potentially get groceries depending where I end up, and then, if I have any energy left, finish the bag. If not, video games, Drag Race and/or reading.
Tomorrow I will head out to where my gramma is, after first checking in with my aunt, potentially visit the fibre show too (there might be alpacas there? I would like to cuddle some alpacas...) and other than that, my plans are very chill. I have not finished my March socks, let alone wound yarn for April socks, so perhaps knitting. Definitely some sewing, and I should absolutely go for a walk. Baking. Basically i am going to chill HARD.
Gramma's surgery was on Wednesday, and it was successful. No further updates at this time.
Last night I finished the bag as much as I could without putting the D-rings on. It's very close to being done, just attaching and top stitching left. Woohoo!
Several years ago I crocheted a hood for my dance teacher, and she gave it back to me pre-covid so I could put a lining in to protect her hair. Ripped some very shreddy satin to do that at last, and sewed it in. Only took me 4 or 5 years (facepalm).
Sat down to put eyelets into the second back piece, and my thread tangled in the same way twice in less than 5 minutes. It finally broke from trying to detangle it, so I put the whole thing aside and played video games. I will try again later.
NEED to go out tonight because I am out of dry cat food! So my plan is to get gas (I am on --- kms left in the tank), get cat food, pick up d-rings, get dinner (unless I cook first which hahahahaha no), potentially get groceries depending where I end up, and then, if I have any energy left, finish the bag. If not, video games, Drag Race and/or reading.
Tomorrow I will head out to where my gramma is, after first checking in with my aunt, potentially visit the fibre show too (there might be alpacas there? I would like to cuddle some alpacas...) and other than that, my plans are very chill. I have not finished my March socks, let alone wound yarn for April socks, so perhaps knitting. Definitely some sewing, and I should absolutely go for a walk. Baking. Basically i am going to chill HARD.
In seeing all of the wrap-up posts on Instagram, I realized I did not have NEARLY the creative year I wanted to have, and also realized that that's ok. I spent a lot more time protecting my time and energy which was so needed with all of the uncertainty from February to September. One of my local peeps wrote out a list of everything she'd made in the year, and that inspired me to do the same. I made 26 things between knitting and sewing, only four of which was costume-related. I am proudest of the fitting I did on a dress that still needs buttons, and of the bras which solved another fit issue I was experiencing. My most worn make is the Orchidee dress out of floral poly and rayon, it's so floaty and doesn't cling and I love it!
Today marks an anual challenge hosted by one of my author follows, which is "Begin as you mean to go on", spend 15 minutes doing something you want to do more of in the coming year. Last year I chose spinning which went precisely nowhere, but this year I am choosing reading. There's about 8 other things i also want to spend 15 minutes on with intentions of building habits, but one thing at a time lol.
More challenges I've tasked myself with: self striping socks to be finished before the end of February, and 12 pairs of socks in a year, 1 per month. This was always something I could have taken on, people are always posting about this, but I found a yarn dyer hosting one and decided that this is the year. I have SO MUCH SOCK YARN, it's time to start using it and having the cosiest feet ever. I have exactly two sets of self-striping, both of which have already been made into socks, so I think im going to sit on those for a bit. I need to get another 40" sock needle because I foolishly left the WIP unattended on the couch, and Calcifer chewed on the cable. Thankflly I also have a 32" one that is fine for legs and feet, but tighter than I'd like, and is supremely not useful for turning heels.
Also want to finish up some WIPs. I wrote all of them down on little pieces of paper and I will find a pretty jar to put them in and take one out whenever I feel like I want to work on one/have nothing else to do. (actually that's another great item for the 15 mins/day) It's just time to get them out of my life and off my mind. One of my ravelry groups used to host a challenge for this, work on WIP a week and don't work on anything else, but at the end of that week put it down and pick up the next one. I like that too.
If you follow me on Instagram, I posted my newest sewing machine acquisition, an 1891 Singer fiddle bed vibrating shuttle no. 2! I had seen it on Facebook marketplace at least a day before, and when it popped up again, I told myself at least reach out, it may not be available! But the seller responded right away, said can you come tonight? So we made a plan and off I went, and it came home! I paid $80 for it and its table, which has seen slightly better days, the coffin case is missing but the shuttle was still inside, WITH a bobbin. The guy told me that he has a vintage rental company and the machine was just never in demand, and I thought that had carried over to its sale because I saw it at least 24 hours apart. I never see them locally, and what ones I have seen have been listed for sale at at least $150. These are one of those machines that is OBVIOUSLY an antique, the fiddle bed is just not common compared to all the 27s and 201s. I am very pleased with my acquisition and i promise there is not many more that I want! (priority given to a Featherweight for less than $100 and mid-century green machines, and bra sewing with the modern machine makes me want to have a vintage zigzag-capable one.)
I hope everyone had the new year's celebrations the enjoyed the most, and that the coming year brings comfort and joy. And go write your elected officials for a ceasefire.
Today marks an anual challenge hosted by one of my author follows, which is "Begin as you mean to go on", spend 15 minutes doing something you want to do more of in the coming year. Last year I chose spinning which went precisely nowhere, but this year I am choosing reading. There's about 8 other things i also want to spend 15 minutes on with intentions of building habits, but one thing at a time lol.
More challenges I've tasked myself with: self striping socks to be finished before the end of February, and 12 pairs of socks in a year, 1 per month. This was always something I could have taken on, people are always posting about this, but I found a yarn dyer hosting one and decided that this is the year. I have SO MUCH SOCK YARN, it's time to start using it and having the cosiest feet ever. I have exactly two sets of self-striping, both of which have already been made into socks, so I think im going to sit on those for a bit. I need to get another 40" sock needle because I foolishly left the WIP unattended on the couch, and Calcifer chewed on the cable. Thankflly I also have a 32" one that is fine for legs and feet, but tighter than I'd like, and is supremely not useful for turning heels.
Also want to finish up some WIPs. I wrote all of them down on little pieces of paper and I will find a pretty jar to put them in and take one out whenever I feel like I want to work on one/have nothing else to do. (actually that's another great item for the 15 mins/day) It's just time to get them out of my life and off my mind. One of my ravelry groups used to host a challenge for this, work on WIP a week and don't work on anything else, but at the end of that week put it down and pick up the next one. I like that too.
If you follow me on Instagram, I posted my newest sewing machine acquisition, an 1891 Singer fiddle bed vibrating shuttle no. 2! I had seen it on Facebook marketplace at least a day before, and when it popped up again, I told myself at least reach out, it may not be available! But the seller responded right away, said can you come tonight? So we made a plan and off I went, and it came home! I paid $80 for it and its table, which has seen slightly better days, the coffin case is missing but the shuttle was still inside, WITH a bobbin. The guy told me that he has a vintage rental company and the machine was just never in demand, and I thought that had carried over to its sale because I saw it at least 24 hours apart. I never see them locally, and what ones I have seen have been listed for sale at at least $150. These are one of those machines that is OBVIOUSLY an antique, the fiddle bed is just not common compared to all the 27s and 201s. I am very pleased with my acquisition and i promise there is not many more that I want! (priority given to a Featherweight for less than $100 and mid-century green machines, and bra sewing with the modern machine makes me want to have a vintage zigzag-capable one.)
I hope everyone had the new year's celebrations the enjoyed the most, and that the coming year brings comfort and joy. And go write your elected officials for a ceasefire.
home + noodles on making
Sep. 6th, 2023 07:49 amI had big ambitions yesterday, of unpacking more boxes and getting a few groceries. My body said "the fuck you are" and I took an hour long nap. And then ordered dinner because my tummy was going RAWR HUNGRY but my brain hadn't gotten the memo yet. And then went to bed because I was still damn tired.
And I'm STILL damn tired. The bloody revolution is expected shortly, and I've been waking up with my alarm at 5:40 perfectly timed for the nightly (morningly?) rush of hormones that leave me DRENCHED in sweat. The air quality has been horrible for a week (i think the lowest it's been is a 3 on a scale of 11+). I've been sleeping about as well as I usually do, but after all the fun of moving, I am drained.
This morning I discovered where the recycling and garbage bins are, so I will endeavour to take those out tonight. I would also like to unpack two (2) boxes and make dinner. Start small.
The local community has an event this weekend that they are looking for volunteers for. If it was NEXT weekend I would sign up in a heartbeat. This weekend I need more rest, and time with the kittens.
--
Yesterday, a maker I follow posted the MOST ADORABLE FABRIC that I absolutely must purchase, and combined with tossing out a piece of paper I'd had pre-flood that I'd written bag sizes on, it got me thinking about perhaps starting up the bag-making projects I'd wanted to start before. She factors in "research time" to find her fabrics, and while I was doing this at work, it absolutely should be counted into the financial aspects. (Another maker I follow has built her brand on "hand-selected fabrics from Japan" which means she can write off trips to Japan... mixed feelings about that one.)
I have a cottage license for a particular style of bag for sock knitting (ie: the designer's permission to sell the things I make), and "basic" bag patterns are plentiful. I want to make things in nerdy or "unusual" fabrics, things with themes. I think it's time to revisit that idea. And like, I'm excited by this prospect. Even back then, it seemed hard and overwhelming, and then the flood and the panini happened and it was even worse! But now I'm rebuilding myself and how I want to live my life, and this is something I can work towards.
Unrelated, I saw this quilt kit on FB marketplace and I have a BURNING NEED. (link goes to the pattern only, but the listing was the whole kit, which is only not currently in my hands because it was $250)![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
danabren this one is for you!
And I'm STILL damn tired. The bloody revolution is expected shortly, and I've been waking up with my alarm at 5:40 perfectly timed for the nightly (morningly?) rush of hormones that leave me DRENCHED in sweat. The air quality has been horrible for a week (i think the lowest it's been is a 3 on a scale of 11+). I've been sleeping about as well as I usually do, but after all the fun of moving, I am drained.
This morning I discovered where the recycling and garbage bins are, so I will endeavour to take those out tonight. I would also like to unpack two (2) boxes and make dinner. Start small.
The local community has an event this weekend that they are looking for volunteers for. If it was NEXT weekend I would sign up in a heartbeat. This weekend I need more rest, and time with the kittens.
--
Yesterday, a maker I follow posted the MOST ADORABLE FABRIC that I absolutely must purchase, and combined with tossing out a piece of paper I'd had pre-flood that I'd written bag sizes on, it got me thinking about perhaps starting up the bag-making projects I'd wanted to start before. She factors in "research time" to find her fabrics, and while I was doing this at work, it absolutely should be counted into the financial aspects. (Another maker I follow has built her brand on "hand-selected fabrics from Japan" which means she can write off trips to Japan... mixed feelings about that one.)
I have a cottage license for a particular style of bag for sock knitting (ie: the designer's permission to sell the things I make), and "basic" bag patterns are plentiful. I want to make things in nerdy or "unusual" fabrics, things with themes. I think it's time to revisit that idea. And like, I'm excited by this prospect. Even back then, it seemed hard and overwhelming, and then the flood and the panini happened and it was even worse! But now I'm rebuilding myself and how I want to live my life, and this is something I can work towards.
Unrelated, I saw this quilt kit on FB marketplace and I have a BURNING NEED. (link goes to the pattern only, but the listing was the whole kit, which is only not currently in my hands because it was $250)
danabren this one is for you!I'm meltiiiinnnggggg
Jun. 13th, 2023 01:29 pmWeather continues to be a rollercoaster, with highs of Too Much, smoke blowing in from the west (one of the towns evacuated in early May was evacuated again...) and a couple of promising thunderstorms (that ended up being nothing but rain and some very rude wind).
Saturday I sat outside a yarn store with a friend and we knitted for Knit In Public Day. People were inside knitting, but it was really a lovely day despite the high smoke and wind. After I got home, I was going to work on some sewing, but once I finally decided that I was going to make mockup #2 of the Lora dress and make it in a nicer fabric, I pulled that fabric out, realized it had never been washed, and it definitely needed to be after first coming from my aunt's estate (age unknown) and then surviving my asbestos-laden flood. I then realized I definitely had A Colour I Buy A Lot because there were three other lengths of various fabrics in the same colour family so they all got washed. That was nice at least.
Audiobook got put on while I waited for the washer to finish, and I sewed that tank top from the other day.
Sunday I fitted the bodice with a bra on, and tried it with both my regular one and a bralette that I like. In the end, I liked the fit of the non-adjusted bodice better, with a lowering of the armscye and taking in the sides a lot. Over lunch, I noodled on how best to adjust some of the fit, because I kept struggling with it? And then I had an epiphany. I kept trying to account for fit at the side seams because EVERY GUIDE EVER says that's the preferred way to do it, but that's not where my issue is. My issue is FRONT AND FORWARD. So I made some slices and added both width and length to the front piece, which resulted in a bigger dart but you know what, it f'n WORKED. My fabric is no longer escaping towards the side seams where it thinks it belongs.
Yesterday I sewed it all up and tried it on and I am so happy with the fit. I also pressed a few hems that had been waiting, and today I am wearing my BRAND NEW ME-MADE TANK TOP and I actually love it! I was worried about the fit (I made a size too small) and the fabric (this is the most polyester fabric I own outside of various taffetas) but it's super great. The fabric drapes beautifully, so it falls off my boobs and hangs. The smaller chest means it kinda hangs towards the back, but it looks intentional. It doesn't touch so much of my skin that it makes me want to crawl out of it, either.
The beanies have their first ever vet appointments next week. They're so close to being 100% ready to be adopted (teary eyes)
Saturday I sat outside a yarn store with a friend and we knitted for Knit In Public Day. People were inside knitting, but it was really a lovely day despite the high smoke and wind. After I got home, I was going to work on some sewing, but once I finally decided that I was going to make mockup #2 of the Lora dress and make it in a nicer fabric, I pulled that fabric out, realized it had never been washed, and it definitely needed to be after first coming from my aunt's estate (age unknown) and then surviving my asbestos-laden flood. I then realized I definitely had A Colour I Buy A Lot because there were three other lengths of various fabrics in the same colour family so they all got washed. That was nice at least.
Audiobook got put on while I waited for the washer to finish, and I sewed that tank top from the other day.
Sunday I fitted the bodice with a bra on, and tried it with both my regular one and a bralette that I like. In the end, I liked the fit of the non-adjusted bodice better, with a lowering of the armscye and taking in the sides a lot. Over lunch, I noodled on how best to adjust some of the fit, because I kept struggling with it? And then I had an epiphany. I kept trying to account for fit at the side seams because EVERY GUIDE EVER says that's the preferred way to do it, but that's not where my issue is. My issue is FRONT AND FORWARD. So I made some slices and added both width and length to the front piece, which resulted in a bigger dart but you know what, it f'n WORKED. My fabric is no longer escaping towards the side seams where it thinks it belongs.
Yesterday I sewed it all up and tried it on and I am so happy with the fit. I also pressed a few hems that had been waiting, and today I am wearing my BRAND NEW ME-MADE TANK TOP and I actually love it! I was worried about the fit (I made a size too small) and the fabric (this is the most polyester fabric I own outside of various taffetas) but it's super great. The fabric drapes beautifully, so it falls off my boobs and hangs. The smaller chest means it kinda hangs towards the back, but it looks intentional. It doesn't touch so much of my skin that it makes me want to crawl out of it, either.
The beanies have their first ever vet appointments next week. They're so close to being 100% ready to be adopted (teary eyes)
Yet more wardrobe thoughts
May. 12th, 2023 08:06 amYou're sick of it by now, aren't you ;) Well too bad!! Weather is heating up again to mid-70s to mid-80s starting today (and even worse, theres still wildfires burning ridiculously all over the province, and this is not helping and I still need summer clothes.
But! Good news. I was lamenting the lack of summer weights in my wardrobe and a friend offered for me to come shop her stash. She lives on my bus route, so yesterday we made plans and I went by. She had pulled some options for me, and then let me dig through some bins and fished out some pieces from the closet. Then we had tea and chatted before I headed home.
I came home with a HUGE bag of mostly blues and greens, some dotted voile and a couple ginghams, some stripes, a sweater knit, navy rayon and a sheer navy with floral print (that she said was "too pink" for her; the pinks are indeed very bright for her usual palette) that I've already decided what to make first.
She's hosting her birthday party tomorrow so aside from those few hours, I plan to spend my whole weekend inside. Today is the perfect time to start planning what else I want to do.
In other news, I will be going to visit the kittens today. They have been super enjoying sleeping on Dad. He sent me a couple photos with the accompanying message, "I'm trapped under kittens. Don't send help." I offered to write him a nice eulogy.
But! Good news. I was lamenting the lack of summer weights in my wardrobe and a friend offered for me to come shop her stash. She lives on my bus route, so yesterday we made plans and I went by. She had pulled some options for me, and then let me dig through some bins and fished out some pieces from the closet. Then we had tea and chatted before I headed home.
I came home with a HUGE bag of mostly blues and greens, some dotted voile and a couple ginghams, some stripes, a sweater knit, navy rayon and a sheer navy with floral print (that she said was "too pink" for her; the pinks are indeed very bright for her usual palette) that I've already decided what to make first.
She's hosting her birthday party tomorrow so aside from those few hours, I plan to spend my whole weekend inside. Today is the perfect time to start planning what else I want to do.
In other news, I will be going to visit the kittens today. They have been super enjoying sleeping on Dad. He sent me a couple photos with the accompanying message, "I'm trapped under kittens. Don't send help." I offered to write him a nice eulogy.
Rollercoaster weekend. Overall good, but the highs were high and the lows were low. To whit...
Lows
Thursday evening I had.. a panic attack? I think? that was continuing into Friday morning, and I think it even messed with my meds. My brain was a little zappy on Saturday and that night I had a bout of sleep paralysis. The zaps happen when I don't take my anxiety meds, and they worked REALLY WELL on the sleep paralysis, but I have definitely been taking them. That was uh... fun.
Yesterday I was feeling "pangolin-y". You know how a pangolin will walk around with its forefeet held in front of it almost like it's wringing them together? Like that. I had about 18 things I could do and I just needed to PICK ONE and do it. The only one I didn't want to do was work on the puzzle we have on the table, because I spent 4 hours doing that on Saturday and my neck was feeling it lol.
Mids
Grocery shopped early on Sunday and picked up a roast with the intent to have a dinner with all the fixin's including Yorkshire puddings. I thought I was doing well, but it all ended up being done at nearly 830pm! It was delicious, but oh so late!
Decided to try a fitting method for pants known as "top down centre out". Fit the waistband first, then a one-legged mock up with very generous side and waist seams to fine tune the fitting. I watched a series on YouTube from someone who used it and showed the changes made with diagrams. With a regular fitting (to the tune of 2+ mock ups), she would have basically redrafted the pattern with several adjustments. With this one, the extra allowances give room to play and also preserve the design intent of the pattern and in the end, she added some height to the CF and CB waist and that was it. It was fascinating so I thought yes, let's do it! ( Pants fitting )
Highs
Speaking of the puzzle, I filled in one corner and found a few singletons that had been plaguing us since the early days of it being on the table. I also put in some pieces that connected the entire bottom from one side to the other. But as I mentioned, I was feeling the effort in my neck the next day so I swore I would not work on the puzzle! I did put a few pieces in but... I consciously walked away.
Once I settled on a project, I finished my rewatch of Shadow and Bone while working on some knitting. Not only did I finish a pair of socks, I also finished a headband. That's TWO projects off my needles yessssss. I also decided to rip out some colourwork on a pair of fingerless mitts I had put in like... August? I need more practice, my colourwork gauge and tension is horrible.
Since I prefer shorter socks, I have a significant amount of yarn leftover. I think I will turn it into a hat to wear with the socks. Same for the headband, I have more than half the ball left, although that will become mitts. I love matching sets.
Astronomical
MY DAD'S NEW KITTEN HAD KITTENS.
My sibling started messaging me on Friday saying that Peri (approx 8 months old) was pregnant, because she was having kittens in their closet. WTF??? She's still a baby! But there she was, dropping 5 lil beans. I knew she had come from someone else, not through a rescue or anything, and they obviously had an unneutered male around, and she likely went into heat and was knocked up before anyone even knew she was ready. Extra suspicious because all of the beans are the same colour. I was scared to ask where she had come from, because I had a suspicion it was people I knew who have had a TERRIBLE track record of "she just got out!" (bull fucking shit). My dad mentioned that while she had come by way of these people, she was living with someone else before, and reportedly everyone was "totally shocked!!!!" and "had no idea!!!!!" Dad needed to take her to the vet, needed to get her spayed, but he just couldn't make the numbers work yet. And then she got rounder and rounder... Y'all. Can you see the twitch in my eyelid.
My annoyance with the humans aside, Mama Peri and the beans are doing good. I was going to meet them yesterday but the day got away on me (and I was waiting for an invite? I should have just invited myself!). My dad is nervous because his lease only allows two pets and he currently has SIX (though five of them are not going to be independent for months). He said he would ask me to foster them all until the beans are older except for Roomie M's severe allergies. (I asked anyway, they would have been confined to my room for the first couple months). So if his rental company says absolutely not, he will be looking at other foster situations and is aware that he may lose her in the process (like he would have to surrender her).
BUT THERE ARE TEENY TINY BEANS and even though I can't foster them I live a literal 5 minute walk away! BEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!
Lows
Thursday evening I had.. a panic attack? I think? that was continuing into Friday morning, and I think it even messed with my meds. My brain was a little zappy on Saturday and that night I had a bout of sleep paralysis. The zaps happen when I don't take my anxiety meds, and they worked REALLY WELL on the sleep paralysis, but I have definitely been taking them. That was uh... fun.
Yesterday I was feeling "pangolin-y". You know how a pangolin will walk around with its forefeet held in front of it almost like it's wringing them together? Like that. I had about 18 things I could do and I just needed to PICK ONE and do it. The only one I didn't want to do was work on the puzzle we have on the table, because I spent 4 hours doing that on Saturday and my neck was feeling it lol.
Mids
Grocery shopped early on Sunday and picked up a roast with the intent to have a dinner with all the fixin's including Yorkshire puddings. I thought I was doing well, but it all ended up being done at nearly 830pm! It was delicious, but oh so late!
Decided to try a fitting method for pants known as "top down centre out". Fit the waistband first, then a one-legged mock up with very generous side and waist seams to fine tune the fitting. I watched a series on YouTube from someone who used it and showed the changes made with diagrams. With a regular fitting (to the tune of 2+ mock ups), she would have basically redrafted the pattern with several adjustments. With this one, the extra allowances give room to play and also preserve the design intent of the pattern and in the end, she added some height to the CF and CB waist and that was it. It was fascinating so I thought yes, let's do it! ( Pants fitting )
Highs
Speaking of the puzzle, I filled in one corner and found a few singletons that had been plaguing us since the early days of it being on the table. I also put in some pieces that connected the entire bottom from one side to the other. But as I mentioned, I was feeling the effort in my neck the next day so I swore I would not work on the puzzle! I did put a few pieces in but... I consciously walked away.
Once I settled on a project, I finished my rewatch of Shadow and Bone while working on some knitting. Not only did I finish a pair of socks, I also finished a headband. That's TWO projects off my needles yessssss. I also decided to rip out some colourwork on a pair of fingerless mitts I had put in like... August? I need more practice, my colourwork gauge and tension is horrible.
Since I prefer shorter socks, I have a significant amount of yarn leftover. I think I will turn it into a hat to wear with the socks. Same for the headband, I have more than half the ball left, although that will become mitts. I love matching sets.
Astronomical
MY DAD'S NEW KITTEN HAD KITTENS.
My sibling started messaging me on Friday saying that Peri (approx 8 months old) was pregnant, because she was having kittens in their closet. WTF??? She's still a baby! But there she was, dropping 5 lil beans. I knew she had come from someone else, not through a rescue or anything, and they obviously had an unneutered male around, and she likely went into heat and was knocked up before anyone even knew she was ready. Extra suspicious because all of the beans are the same colour. I was scared to ask where she had come from, because I had a suspicion it was people I knew who have had a TERRIBLE track record of "she just got out!" (bull fucking shit). My dad mentioned that while she had come by way of these people, she was living with someone else before, and reportedly everyone was "totally shocked!!!!" and "had no idea!!!!!" Dad needed to take her to the vet, needed to get her spayed, but he just couldn't make the numbers work yet. And then she got rounder and rounder... Y'all. Can you see the twitch in my eyelid.
My annoyance with the humans aside, Mama Peri and the beans are doing good. I was going to meet them yesterday but the day got away on me (and I was waiting for an invite? I should have just invited myself!). My dad is nervous because his lease only allows two pets and he currently has SIX (though five of them are not going to be independent for months). He said he would ask me to foster them all until the beans are older except for Roomie M's severe allergies. (I asked anyway, they would have been confined to my room for the first couple months). So if his rental company says absolutely not, he will be looking at other foster situations and is aware that he may lose her in the process (like he would have to surrender her).
BUT THERE ARE TEENY TINY BEANS and even though I can't foster them I live a literal 5 minute walk away! BEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!
let the resting begin
Dec. 26th, 2022 10:58 amand by resting I maybe mean "haze of depression" but YMMV.
Saturday was my last day of work at the holiday job, and it was going really well until I spotted my stepdad in the food court when I went down for lunch. And that means if he was there, my mom was nearby too. To say I wasn't panicking was a damn lie, and it had me on edge for the rest of the day, even after I left. But my team was amazing, at least two friends who were aware of the problem and were ready to leap into action if needed.
Roomie J and I went to pick up Roomie M and then went grocery shopping. After dinner, we went for a drive down a nearby street known as Candy Cane Lane, where lots of people had light displays. Somewhere in all this we watched Home Alone.
Sunday I spent a couple hours at my friend's house with her amazingly fluffy cat (who judged and ignored me and tried to convince me that he was starving, actually). Not long after I got home, my roomies were awake and about and we settled in with Home Alone 2 and present opening! Roomie J loved his gift from M which is tickets to see Broadway's Aladdin in July. I got a fuzzy sweater and a fandom bag made by M, a Funko pop of space daddy and his baby, and a donut baking kit complete with mini baking pan (M got a matching brownie pan, we delighted in having cast iron pans small enough to reasonably use as weapons should the need arise). Friend gifted me a cute little mug with a lid and a spoon, with a cat and a strawberry on its head. Dinner was a whole turkey breast as provided by Butterball (A+ would buy and eat again), perogies, boxed stuffing and roasted zucchini. After we maxed out on holiday movies, we watched an episode of the new Criminal Minds series.
Y'all, we are loving what they are doing with this show now that they aren't beholden to network tv. It's the same characters, but it's gorier (in some ways) and grittier (Rossi has been dropping f-bombs like candy!) and in the second episode they had one character acknowledge that a person can only soak up so much trauma!
I'm home today mostly alone, and tomorrow we all have the day off so we maybe will go see a movie or something. Today I plan to do some cleaning (we've avoided taking anything out to the bins thanks to the cold snap), bring in the Hello Fresh box when it arrives, and that's it! I think I will spend some time in the sewing room too. I got into a pattern test and want to make sure everyhting is in order before I start :3 (pattern was received late Friday, well after I'd gone home, so printing to happen on Wednesday!)
Saturday was my last day of work at the holiday job, and it was going really well until I spotted my stepdad in the food court when I went down for lunch. And that means if he was there, my mom was nearby too. To say I wasn't panicking was a damn lie, and it had me on edge for the rest of the day, even after I left. But my team was amazing, at least two friends who were aware of the problem and were ready to leap into action if needed.
Roomie J and I went to pick up Roomie M and then went grocery shopping. After dinner, we went for a drive down a nearby street known as Candy Cane Lane, where lots of people had light displays. Somewhere in all this we watched Home Alone.
Sunday I spent a couple hours at my friend's house with her amazingly fluffy cat (who judged and ignored me and tried to convince me that he was starving, actually). Not long after I got home, my roomies were awake and about and we settled in with Home Alone 2 and present opening! Roomie J loved his gift from M which is tickets to see Broadway's Aladdin in July. I got a fuzzy sweater and a fandom bag made by M, a Funko pop of space daddy and his baby, and a donut baking kit complete with mini baking pan (M got a matching brownie pan, we delighted in having cast iron pans small enough to reasonably use as weapons should the need arise). Friend gifted me a cute little mug with a lid and a spoon, with a cat and a strawberry on its head. Dinner was a whole turkey breast as provided by Butterball (A+ would buy and eat again), perogies, boxed stuffing and roasted zucchini. After we maxed out on holiday movies, we watched an episode of the new Criminal Minds series.
Y'all, we are loving what they are doing with this show now that they aren't beholden to network tv. It's the same characters, but it's gorier (in some ways) and grittier (Rossi has been dropping f-bombs like candy!) and in the second episode they had one character acknowledge that a person can only soak up so much trauma!
I'm home today mostly alone, and tomorrow we all have the day off so we maybe will go see a movie or something. Today I plan to do some cleaning (we've avoided taking anything out to the bins thanks to the cold snap), bring in the Hello Fresh box when it arrives, and that's it! I think I will spend some time in the sewing room too. I got into a pattern test and want to make sure everyhting is in order before I start :3 (pattern was received late Friday, well after I'd gone home, so printing to happen on Wednesday!)
Shipping fails
Dec. 20th, 2022 09:07 amI had my fancy pens and ink shipped to my work address because it's winter, and I didn't want a package to sit on my step for potentially hours and freeze. Y'all, UPS cannot get their shit together. It's been "out for delivery" three times (as of today), and around 5pm it reverts to "on the way" with "end of day" still listed, before changing to "we'll update the estimated time closer to the actual delivery!"
This morning I discovered that this changes around 3am. My office is open 7:30-4:30, so why the fuck can they not get it here on time. If it doesn't come today, I will sign up for a fucking UPS account and have it redirected to the house. Even if it sits on the step for a few hours, it's better than another day of waiting for the UPS guy to never show up.
I also ordered some fandom related things, one of which is for my roommate, and it was delivered yesterday, but they left a notice instead of the package. I have to go to the worst post office in the world, a drive through. Y'all, it is -33 C right now (IDK what that is in F. It's fucking cold) and I am NOT driving my car anywhere. It'll be warmer in a few days, but it's fucking Christmas and the post office-slash-couriers will be closed!
Shipping fails :( I just want my murder children and fancy ink!
This morning I discovered that this changes around 3am. My office is open 7:30-4:30, so why the fuck can they not get it here on time. If it doesn't come today, I will sign up for a fucking UPS account and have it redirected to the house. Even if it sits on the step for a few hours, it's better than another day of waiting for the UPS guy to never show up.
I also ordered some fandom related things, one of which is for my roommate, and it was delivered yesterday, but they left a notice instead of the package. I have to go to the worst post office in the world, a drive through. Y'all, it is -33 C right now (IDK what that is in F. It's fucking cold) and I am NOT driving my car anywhere. It'll be warmer in a few days, but it's fucking Christmas and the post office-slash-couriers will be closed!
Shipping fails :( I just want my murder children and fancy ink!
(no subject)
Dec. 12th, 2022 08:30 amI guess it's time for an update. I've been trying to build a habit and writing in a paper journal with the fountain pen every day, and I've been fairly consistent with it. I swear my ink is evaporating faster than it had gone into the pen, the space between the piston and the ink is much larger than when I filled it. Oh well, I have more!
Lessee. Last week:
I worked a lot.
I cast on a sweater on the 4th and it has been my main home project (a second sock being the travel project) since I utterly missed the deadline on a self-challenge knit.
Decided that the next sewing project would be to finish the silk Amalia jacket. I'd like to trim it so that the tails don't blend into the skirt so much. I had a fashion plate in mind when ripping panels for skirt trim, though I apparently didn't save it ever. That plate also had a jacket with contrast trim edges, though the two pieces were very different colours, I don't see why I can't do something similar. More research required. But I DID finish sewing the bodice together (and did it not as instructed whoops) and then cut the sleeves and straps. Stitched the strap backs and one sleeve seam yesterday while watching the final episodes of The Expanse (extremely excellent sci fi show, highly recommend).
I want to revisit the pattern, perhaps to make another curtain jacket (inspired bymarianme). I made the first one nearly 2 years ago, when I didn't truly understand some of my fit issues. The pattern was traced onto the world's shittiest tracing paper, so I would also like to update my pattern pieces to something that won't fall apart as soon as I lay it onto fabric (only a slight exaggeration). Perhaps I will wait until I make new stays.
Did some shopping, mostly for myself. A friend sent me "gifty monies" so I immediately turned around and bought sock yarns. Now that it's winter, I want ALL OF THE SOCKS!!! They're also delightful for wearing around the house over slippers. My feet always overheat and get sweaty in slippers, but in wool socks they stay warm and dry. Then I also purchased a few things that I had been eying for months, one of which is a gift for Roomie M, and a larger purchase for myself. See, a local-ish (Canadian) fountain pen company put out a pretty ink, that I could have gotten locally, but I couldn't have gone to pick it up until (shrugs), and they sold out! And then they were having a sale! So I bought myself some ink, a pair of pens, and a notebook.
SPEAKING OF NOTEBOOKS. My current one is a Moleskin that was left behind at work, and while the first several pages were delightful, I'm currently "meh" on it. Then I saw a post on Tumblr about how Moleskin quality has really declined over the last while, with thin paper that is scratchy and see-through, and people assume it's their pens that are the problem and not the paper itself. It used to be really good, and now it's shit, and people were recommending their favourite books over those. So now I am on a Quest (tm) to find a notebook that is also lovely to write on with my lovely pen(s).
I've had quite a few comments on my fic, which I have been slowly poking at since my last update in May, wondering if it was ever going to be finished or that it had likely been abandoned but they wanted to let me know how much they enjoyed it (one anon even said "it got me through this year"). So I am fired up to work on it again. Not that I haven't been, but the current POV is a difficult one and I've been avoiding it. So it's time.
EDIT: Oh yeah! The most exciting thing! Tomorrow is the 8th "birthday" of my car, which means I am SO CLOSE to paying off the loan! I may have already done so, in fact. My last payment was suddenly $60 less than it has been for the past 8 years, very consistently. I mentioned it to my friend who worked in vehicle financing, and she said that that would have been the final one. I won't know for sure for sure unless I call (nope), or wait for the letter of lien discharge to come in the mail (soon-ish). I'm so excited!!!
Lessee. Last week:
I worked a lot.
I cast on a sweater on the 4th and it has been my main home project (a second sock being the travel project) since I utterly missed the deadline on a self-challenge knit.
Decided that the next sewing project would be to finish the silk Amalia jacket. I'd like to trim it so that the tails don't blend into the skirt so much. I had a fashion plate in mind when ripping panels for skirt trim, though I apparently didn't save it ever. That plate also had a jacket with contrast trim edges, though the two pieces were very different colours, I don't see why I can't do something similar. More research required. But I DID finish sewing the bodice together (and did it not as instructed whoops) and then cut the sleeves and straps. Stitched the strap backs and one sleeve seam yesterday while watching the final episodes of The Expanse (extremely excellent sci fi show, highly recommend).
I want to revisit the pattern, perhaps to make another curtain jacket (inspired by
marianme). I made the first one nearly 2 years ago, when I didn't truly understand some of my fit issues. The pattern was traced onto the world's shittiest tracing paper, so I would also like to update my pattern pieces to something that won't fall apart as soon as I lay it onto fabric (only a slight exaggeration). Perhaps I will wait until I make new stays.Did some shopping, mostly for myself. A friend sent me "gifty monies" so I immediately turned around and bought sock yarns. Now that it's winter, I want ALL OF THE SOCKS!!! They're also delightful for wearing around the house over slippers. My feet always overheat and get sweaty in slippers, but in wool socks they stay warm and dry. Then I also purchased a few things that I had been eying for months, one of which is a gift for Roomie M, and a larger purchase for myself. See, a local-ish (Canadian) fountain pen company put out a pretty ink, that I could have gotten locally, but I couldn't have gone to pick it up until (shrugs), and they sold out! And then they were having a sale! So I bought myself some ink, a pair of pens, and a notebook.
SPEAKING OF NOTEBOOKS. My current one is a Moleskin that was left behind at work, and while the first several pages were delightful, I'm currently "meh" on it. Then I saw a post on Tumblr about how Moleskin quality has really declined over the last while, with thin paper that is scratchy and see-through, and people assume it's their pens that are the problem and not the paper itself. It used to be really good, and now it's shit, and people were recommending their favourite books over those. So now I am on a Quest (tm) to find a notebook that is also lovely to write on with my lovely pen(s).
I've had quite a few comments on my fic, which I have been slowly poking at since my last update in May, wondering if it was ever going to be finished or that it had likely been abandoned but they wanted to let me know how much they enjoyed it (one anon even said "it got me through this year"). So I am fired up to work on it again. Not that I haven't been, but the current POV is a difficult one and I've been avoiding it. So it's time.
EDIT: Oh yeah! The most exciting thing! Tomorrow is the 8th "birthday" of my car, which means I am SO CLOSE to paying off the loan! I may have already done so, in fact. My last payment was suddenly $60 less than it has been for the past 8 years, very consistently. I mentioned it to my friend who worked in vehicle financing, and she said that that would have been the final one. I won't know for sure for sure unless I call (nope), or wait for the letter of lien discharge to come in the mail (soon-ish). I'm so excited!!!
(no subject)
Dec. 1st, 2022 12:48 pmI did, indeed, get sick, but not with what my roommates had. I THINK I had an ear infection, because my ear was painful, especially when I swallowed, and it was all down the right side of my neck and mouth. By Saturday, when I was realizing that I did not have whatever cough they did, I thought if it hadn't cleared up by Monday, I would go to the doctor. Thankfully, it DID clear up, and I do not have any lingering other-symptoms, like the cough that still plagues my roommates.
Went to work sick on Thursday, but went home early, crawled into bed, and stayed there until Sunday afternoon.
Vacaciones! I sewed up the sleeve mock-up, did a quick fit test with the completed-to-there dress, deemed it Acceptable and carried on. Sleeves were stitched and basted into the armscyes before I left for work. Tuesday morning I fitted them on the dressform, got into stays to test how they looked on me, and with one minor adjustment deemed them Acceptable and carried on. After a costco visit they got fully stitched and straps placed and stitched, and then removed all of the basting.
That means my Angelica gown is DONE, minus any of the extra bits that really make the look. My inspo gown has a small ruched trim on the neckline, which I think I will copy. Pictures still forthcoming because it was late, and then...
Downhil after that. I woke up on Tuesday at 8:30am and aside from a brief nap yesterday at 9, I have been awake util 6am this morning. Yes friends, if you're keeping track, I was awake for 45.5 hours and I do not recommend it. I don't think I've ever been awake that long before. Awful! Zero stars! Never go here again! I couldn't *do* anything because I was too tired, mentally, and I spent the two nights-into-early-mornings reading an absolutely banger of a Bridgerton fanfic that was 188k words. I am TIRED still, I only slept for about 5 hours total, but it's more normal and less... whatever that was.
I spent some time on Tuesday with my fountain pen and wrote out a big list of projects I want to consider. I'll write those in a different post.
Went to work sick on Thursday, but went home early, crawled into bed, and stayed there until Sunday afternoon.
Vacaciones! I sewed up the sleeve mock-up, did a quick fit test with the completed-to-there dress, deemed it Acceptable and carried on. Sleeves were stitched and basted into the armscyes before I left for work. Tuesday morning I fitted them on the dressform, got into stays to test how they looked on me, and with one minor adjustment deemed them Acceptable and carried on. After a costco visit they got fully stitched and straps placed and stitched, and then removed all of the basting.
That means my Angelica gown is DONE, minus any of the extra bits that really make the look. My inspo gown has a small ruched trim on the neckline, which I think I will copy. Pictures still forthcoming because it was late, and then...
Downhil after that. I woke up on Tuesday at 8:30am and aside from a brief nap yesterday at 9, I have been awake util 6am this morning. Yes friends, if you're keeping track, I was awake for 45.5 hours and I do not recommend it. I don't think I've ever been awake that long before. Awful! Zero stars! Never go here again! I couldn't *do* anything because I was too tired, mentally, and I spent the two nights-into-early-mornings reading an absolutely banger of a Bridgerton fanfic that was 188k words. I am TIRED still, I only slept for about 5 hours total, but it's more normal and less... whatever that was.
I spent some time on Tuesday with my fountain pen and wrote out a big list of projects I want to consider. I'll write those in a different post.
No more emergencies tyvm
Sep. 28th, 2022 03:40 pmAnd by emergencies, I mean "emergencies", because nothing of the past week has been life or death, it's just been personally urgent.
Friday: Bride starts panicking that my outfit hasn't arrived, which I had already told her I already had a plan for. I start online browsing local stores, especially ones that show their stock levels. I pick my favourite out of the bunch and make plans to go after work. Outfit finally clears customs at noon. In Vancouver. Dress purchasing is a go!
Bride then informs us we need to buy loads of fake flowers from the dollar store, because we are not going to be folding paper ones as we'd planned, and oh BTW we need to make bouquets and table pieces. Tonight. For the wedding tomorrow.
Dress shopping goes very well, and I only need to trim the tulle so I don't trip on it. By the time I arrive for wedding rehearsal/arts n crafts, the crafting is nearly complete.
Saturday: Wedding is beautiful, my friends are FINALLY married, many happy tears are shed. My boobs looks great in the replacement dress, and do not have any weird gender feelings all day. Undoubtedly helped by wearing yoga shorts under it, because its fucken wimdy!! I'm not showing off my china pot tyvm.
Sunday: Brunch at the newlyweds. Husband has to leave in a hurry bc his mom has an epileptic seizure (she forgot her morning meds the day before so took them at night, and then her night meds in the morning - don't do this y'all) but she's ok! For a short time. (She had 2 more seizures, but last I heard she was doing ok and she's back on med schedule). Bride's friend gifts me a gorgeous vintage Brother sewing machine in a stunning green colour. Junior bridesmaid is ill so we are all watching ourselves now, though she did not have confirmed covid.
Monday: First day of second week without old boss or experienced coworker! New coworker starts. Other coworker starts feeling sick so I have to cover the last of her shift. Grocery shopping for the first time in like 2 weeks. I am le tired!!
Tuesday: OH BOY. Work has a big event planned and they need some printed articles that I can't do in house. The last round of edits comes in at 4:20 pm. The vendors all close at 4. I stay late again to help with set up and get that revised document sent off and pray someone will see it early enough to have it delivered by 8am the next day.
TODAY: THE BIG EVENT HAPPENS. The print arrives before 8 am! There are things happening all over! 3rd floor is offlimits! I have to make copies of a smaller doc! I have to wear fancy shoes bc the VPs and EVPs and other fancy people are here! I see none of them!
I have had enough energy when I get home to make a bare bones dinner and go to bed to read for a bit, and only because I am forcing myself to read a bit. Tomorrow should be a quiet day (at least we do not have any large events planned that might have the planners calling me saying hey we need this thing to happen in the next 20 minutes) and then Friday is Truth and Reconciliation day, where the office is closed and gave us permission to not come in, though my company doesn't recognize it as a "holiday" as such, so we had to either book a vacation day, take an unpaid day off, or do 5 hours of training. I had a float day saved up yet, so I will be sleeping.
And really hoping I'm not getting sick. It only started today, but when I sneeze, it hurts because my sinuses are so dry.
Friday: Bride starts panicking that my outfit hasn't arrived, which I had already told her I already had a plan for. I start online browsing local stores, especially ones that show their stock levels. I pick my favourite out of the bunch and make plans to go after work. Outfit finally clears customs at noon. In Vancouver. Dress purchasing is a go!
Bride then informs us we need to buy loads of fake flowers from the dollar store, because we are not going to be folding paper ones as we'd planned, and oh BTW we need to make bouquets and table pieces. Tonight. For the wedding tomorrow.
Dress shopping goes very well, and I only need to trim the tulle so I don't trip on it. By the time I arrive for wedding rehearsal/arts n crafts, the crafting is nearly complete.
Saturday: Wedding is beautiful, my friends are FINALLY married, many happy tears are shed. My boobs looks great in the replacement dress, and do not have any weird gender feelings all day. Undoubtedly helped by wearing yoga shorts under it, because its fucken wimdy!! I'm not showing off my china pot tyvm.
Sunday: Brunch at the newlyweds. Husband has to leave in a hurry bc his mom has an epileptic seizure (she forgot her morning meds the day before so took them at night, and then her night meds in the morning - don't do this y'all) but she's ok! For a short time. (She had 2 more seizures, but last I heard she was doing ok and she's back on med schedule). Bride's friend gifts me a gorgeous vintage Brother sewing machine in a stunning green colour. Junior bridesmaid is ill so we are all watching ourselves now, though she did not have confirmed covid.
Monday: First day of second week without old boss or experienced coworker! New coworker starts. Other coworker starts feeling sick so I have to cover the last of her shift. Grocery shopping for the first time in like 2 weeks. I am le tired!!
Tuesday: OH BOY. Work has a big event planned and they need some printed articles that I can't do in house. The last round of edits comes in at 4:20 pm. The vendors all close at 4. I stay late again to help with set up and get that revised document sent off and pray someone will see it early enough to have it delivered by 8am the next day.
TODAY: THE BIG EVENT HAPPENS. The print arrives before 8 am! There are things happening all over! 3rd floor is offlimits! I have to make copies of a smaller doc! I have to wear fancy shoes bc the VPs and EVPs and other fancy people are here! I see none of them!
I have had enough energy when I get home to make a bare bones dinner and go to bed to read for a bit, and only because I am forcing myself to read a bit. Tomorrow should be a quiet day (at least we do not have any large events planned that might have the planners calling me saying hey we need this thing to happen in the next 20 minutes) and then Friday is Truth and Reconciliation day, where the office is closed and gave us permission to not come in, though my company doesn't recognize it as a "holiday" as such, so we had to either book a vacation day, take an unpaid day off, or do 5 hours of training. I had a float day saved up yet, so I will be sleeping.
And really hoping I'm not getting sick. It only started today, but when I sneeze, it hurts because my sinuses are so dry.
(no subject)
Sep. 22nd, 2022 10:41 amI don't what it is about thursdays that triggers my "must post" feelings, but here we are.
Boss has left (sob sob) and other well-trained coworker is on vacation, so it's me and a bunch of newbies. We're getting through it, I guess. I'm trying very hard not to micromanage, or even manage, bc that's not my role, but I am jumping in wherever I need to. (TBF, my interim manager was the manager of the site for several years, and the other person is crushing it at 4 months in)
Wedding is in 2 days. My outfit has not arrived yet, with no updates since the 14th. We aren't sure if it's one of those items that disappears once it gets to Canada or not. I have an emergency plan of hitting up a bridal store Saturday morning if required.
Saturday was Con day. It was underwhelming. Roommate and I spent more on our ticket than on anything else. We stayed for 3 hours and then peaced out.
Sunday I pleated up my Angelica skirt and basted down many of the pleats. Once that's complete, it's "pin to bodice and try on everything. Again." time so as you can imagine I am not especially eager nor properly energized for that.
Especially since these first few days without my boss and after spending a weekend peopling, I've needed to take naps when I get home. So like nothing has happened at all. I haven't even knitted despite having 2 timed knitting projects, one of which I was aiming to have done by Sunday (I haven't started). I've played video games and typed a few words and that's it.
( Other stuff aka: brains, why )
Boss has left (sob sob) and other well-trained coworker is on vacation, so it's me and a bunch of newbies. We're getting through it, I guess. I'm trying very hard not to micromanage, or even manage, bc that's not my role, but I am jumping in wherever I need to. (TBF, my interim manager was the manager of the site for several years, and the other person is crushing it at 4 months in)
Wedding is in 2 days. My outfit has not arrived yet, with no updates since the 14th. We aren't sure if it's one of those items that disappears once it gets to Canada or not. I have an emergency plan of hitting up a bridal store Saturday morning if required.
Saturday was Con day. It was underwhelming. Roommate and I spent more on our ticket than on anything else. We stayed for 3 hours and then peaced out.
Sunday I pleated up my Angelica skirt and basted down many of the pleats. Once that's complete, it's "pin to bodice and try on everything. Again." time so as you can imagine I am not especially eager nor properly energized for that.
Especially since these first few days without my boss and after spending a weekend peopling, I've needed to take naps when I get home. So like nothing has happened at all. I haven't even knitted despite having 2 timed knitting projects, one of which I was aiming to have done by Sunday (I haven't started). I've played video games and typed a few words and that's it.
( Other stuff aka: brains, why )
Back to normal. Ish.
Aug. 8th, 2022 08:19 amThe trim for my silk sack arrived, and I excitedly pinned some in place with the stomacher ruffles. I don't love-love it, but I don't hate it either. And it's hard to fully judge something from only two small pieces rather than the entire outfit. So on it goes. I'm going to need to find a way to keep the petticoat ruffle upright, as it is already falling over without the added weight of trim. I suspect the answer will be "tack it strategically".
Most of the weekend was spent either watching the roomies play LEGO Star Wars while stitching hems and trimming on top, or watching The Sandman on Netflix while stitching hems and trimming on top. Roomie J asked if I could sew it on with the machine, and while I could, I'm not going to. I have no deadline for this, I fully expect to spend the next four months on it.
Sunday morning, I got all kitted up in chemise, stays, two petticoats and a split rump to measure myself for the Angelica gown, and later in the day took laundry down and traced/cut/sewed a mock-up. I did try it on, though not over any of the underlayers, but like, my measurements were more or less the same. I had at least a hand-span's worth of extra room at the back waist, which seems excessive. I even traced a smaller upper-half size (knowing that it's almost certainly drafted off a modern B-cup block) and did most of the waist-size grading at the front only, and like. What? I'll have to get kitted up again to do the fitting, but this doesn't seem right.
---
On the home front, roomies discovered Friday night that some enterprising wasps have decided to make a part of our home into theirs, accessing a space between the outer wall and the basement window well for their nest. We are confident it's a fairly new development as it is not far from our AC unit and water spigot, and I was out there near both of those perhaps a week earlier. We aren't sure if it's something the condo board deals with or if we do, but Roomie M is potentially allergic (as her mom is, but she has never been stung and we don't intend to ever have that be the way to find out) and also none of us want wasps in our house regardless! She reached out to an exterminator for a quote, but of course it's the weekend and it's not urgent... yet. They have not yet accessed the house itself, but we will be on this this week to get it taken care of ASAP. Our neighbours across the lane had a wasp nest under their stairs, and the condo board's solution was to put spray foam in the gaps. Which did precisely nothing.
In a rental or an outright ownership situation, the solution is obvious. Condo is great most of the time, but this is a little more serious than "who mows the lawn".
Most of the weekend was spent either watching the roomies play LEGO Star Wars while stitching hems and trimming on top, or watching The Sandman on Netflix while stitching hems and trimming on top. Roomie J asked if I could sew it on with the machine, and while I could, I'm not going to. I have no deadline for this, I fully expect to spend the next four months on it.
Sunday morning, I got all kitted up in chemise, stays, two petticoats and a split rump to measure myself for the Angelica gown, and later in the day took laundry down and traced/cut/sewed a mock-up. I did try it on, though not over any of the underlayers, but like, my measurements were more or less the same. I had at least a hand-span's worth of extra room at the back waist, which seems excessive. I even traced a smaller upper-half size (knowing that it's almost certainly drafted off a modern B-cup block) and did most of the waist-size grading at the front only, and like. What? I'll have to get kitted up again to do the fitting, but this doesn't seem right.
---
On the home front, roomies discovered Friday night that some enterprising wasps have decided to make a part of our home into theirs, accessing a space between the outer wall and the basement window well for their nest. We are confident it's a fairly new development as it is not far from our AC unit and water spigot, and I was out there near both of those perhaps a week earlier. We aren't sure if it's something the condo board deals with or if we do, but Roomie M is potentially allergic (as her mom is, but she has never been stung and we don't intend to ever have that be the way to find out) and also none of us want wasps in our house regardless! She reached out to an exterminator for a quote, but of course it's the weekend and it's not urgent... yet. They have not yet accessed the house itself, but we will be on this this week to get it taken care of ASAP. Our neighbours across the lane had a wasp nest under their stairs, and the condo board's solution was to put spray foam in the gaps. Which did precisely nothing.
In a rental or an outright ownership situation, the solution is obvious. Condo is great most of the time, but this is a little more serious than "who mows the lawn".
(no subject)
Jul. 13th, 2022 08:54 amRoomie's heart is fine, but there was something going on in his chest wall that was causing the pain, so he was held overnight with regular blood pressure checkups and blood tests. Some value was at a 6, and if it had been 3 or less he could have come home, but it wasn't so the technician said see you in three hours and Roomie was left trying to sleep on one the tiny emergency beds. I'm glad it is not more serious.
I was EXHAUSTED last night. I was so sure i was going to start on the shorts, but then I wasn't feeling super great (probably from reading on the bus), Jeremy was cooking so I waited until he was done to make my own dinner, but by then I was so tired I decided to go to bed. Bc anything I had the energy for, I could do while laying down. And then of course my brain was running a million miles a minute so even when I lights-out and tried to sleep, I suddenly wasn't tired at all. Sigh. So I am similarly tired today, but hoping for a better distribution of energy later.
It's also hot. Yesterday hit 32C/89F and today is expected to be similarly toasty with a chance of severe thunderstorms. Please understand that I am far more equipped to deal with -40 than this garbage, and thankfully the house has AC. If it doesn't rain later I will have to go water my plants, they will be so thirsty!
Edit: Direct link to the initial guide I was using to construct the waistcoat
I was EXHAUSTED last night. I was so sure i was going to start on the shorts, but then I wasn't feeling super great (probably from reading on the bus), Jeremy was cooking so I waited until he was done to make my own dinner, but by then I was so tired I decided to go to bed. Bc anything I had the energy for, I could do while laying down. And then of course my brain was running a million miles a minute so even when I lights-out and tried to sleep, I suddenly wasn't tired at all. Sigh. So I am similarly tired today, but hoping for a better distribution of energy later.
It's also hot. Yesterday hit 32C/89F and today is expected to be similarly toasty with a chance of severe thunderstorms. Please understand that I am far more equipped to deal with -40 than this garbage, and thankfully the house has AC. If it doesn't rain later I will have to go water my plants, they will be so thirsty!
Edit: Direct link to the initial guide I was using to construct the waistcoat
(no subject)
May. 3rd, 2022 10:53 amI know I keep saying this, but what is time, really? I could have sworn I posted late last week but uhhhh apparently not.
Did not go grocery shopping until Saturday morning. Left the house around 9. Roommate had already texted at 8:16 to say that the bus people were not a vibe and she was already done with the day. (The bus people apparently were yelling at each other and on the verge of a physical altercation when the driver kicked them off. They had not even left the transit centre yet.) This experience carried over to groceries, but I was done PDQ and home well before 10. Still need more groceries, but nothing so desperate I needed to go out again.
Actually FINISHED the petticoat, buttons and everything!! After groceries, I did an adulting task of getting our internet services upgraded, and then decided to call my car loan holder to update my address and find out my balance. Their wait time was estimated at 45 minutes. Well ok, left it on speaker and sewed on the lace, trimmed, pressed, stitched, restitched, threaded a tape, made buttonholes and sewed on buttons. It is 100% done! But no photos, because I was on hold.
Then I started noodling about clearing off the table so I could tape together a pattern when an agent picked up! Hurrah! Except he couldn't do what I asked, and he had to transfer me to the loans department. Another 45 minute wait. But I did get what I needed done, and I am on track to have my car loan paid off at the end of the year. So that's good.
Laid out the pattern and taped it together, traced a new copy, it's a corset and I was oddly motivated to work on it? Except the only corset-appropriate fabric I have is, predictably, navy. I stopped for lunch and browsed fabric sites for something suitable in white. Debated going to a local store. Decided not to. Taped together the other half of the pattern (drawers) and cut that out. Most of my fabric is packed away in bins and being used as a shelf for other stuff from the renovation. Called it a day and took a nap.
Sunday I wrote a bit, and played my game, and just as I was about to get laundry started, the doorbell rang, and it was our new modem! So spent 20 minutes hooking that up, and then my discord friends wanted to watch some of our sci fi murder show (according to my roommate; we are watching The Expanse lol) and then it was nap time again...
So I didn't sew nearly as much as I wanted to. I hit that weird stage where I wanted to work on This Item But Couldn't Because Reasons And Nothing Else Will Do (tm). Last night I also had a window in which to sew, but didn't because I was (wait for it) napping.
Also, Sunday night/Monday morning I woke myself up by CHOMPING on my tongue, and I was very uncomfortable. Everything hurt in my mouth, the sore spot rubbing against my teeth every time I swallowed (which is rather a lot). It still hurts a bit today, but not like yesterday.
IF, and it's a big IF, we go ahead with this nebulous plan of Edwardian on the weekend of May 21-22, I still have a little under three weeks. I need to hem the skirt. Possibly make a different skirt, that's less heavy and on the correct grainlines. Need to make a shirtwaist. Need to make a combination (cami/drawers). Should have some padding, esp on the hip. I can use a different corset if required, that is not urgent.
But working on something that is not strictly needed is of course an A++ procrastination method so... I really ought to work on the other stuff lol.
I reached a point on my fic chapter that I simply could not look at it anymore and turned it over to my beta/editor. She gave me a lot of really excellent notes and feedback, so I've been plugging away at that too. Hoping to have it complete by hmmm next week. This is the lowest point of my story, and from here it's slowly up up up.
Did not go grocery shopping until Saturday morning. Left the house around 9. Roommate had already texted at 8:16 to say that the bus people were not a vibe and she was already done with the day. (The bus people apparently were yelling at each other and on the verge of a physical altercation when the driver kicked them off. They had not even left the transit centre yet.) This experience carried over to groceries, but I was done PDQ and home well before 10. Still need more groceries, but nothing so desperate I needed to go out again.
Actually FINISHED the petticoat, buttons and everything!! After groceries, I did an adulting task of getting our internet services upgraded, and then decided to call my car loan holder to update my address and find out my balance. Their wait time was estimated at 45 minutes. Well ok, left it on speaker and sewed on the lace, trimmed, pressed, stitched, restitched, threaded a tape, made buttonholes and sewed on buttons. It is 100% done! But no photos, because I was on hold.
Then I started noodling about clearing off the table so I could tape together a pattern when an agent picked up! Hurrah! Except he couldn't do what I asked, and he had to transfer me to the loans department. Another 45 minute wait. But I did get what I needed done, and I am on track to have my car loan paid off at the end of the year. So that's good.
Laid out the pattern and taped it together, traced a new copy, it's a corset and I was oddly motivated to work on it? Except the only corset-appropriate fabric I have is, predictably, navy. I stopped for lunch and browsed fabric sites for something suitable in white. Debated going to a local store. Decided not to. Taped together the other half of the pattern (drawers) and cut that out. Most of my fabric is packed away in bins and being used as a shelf for other stuff from the renovation. Called it a day and took a nap.
Sunday I wrote a bit, and played my game, and just as I was about to get laundry started, the doorbell rang, and it was our new modem! So spent 20 minutes hooking that up, and then my discord friends wanted to watch some of our sci fi murder show (according to my roommate; we are watching The Expanse lol) and then it was nap time again...
So I didn't sew nearly as much as I wanted to. I hit that weird stage where I wanted to work on This Item But Couldn't Because Reasons And Nothing Else Will Do (tm). Last night I also had a window in which to sew, but didn't because I was (wait for it) napping.
Also, Sunday night/Monday morning I woke myself up by CHOMPING on my tongue, and I was very uncomfortable. Everything hurt in my mouth, the sore spot rubbing against my teeth every time I swallowed (which is rather a lot). It still hurts a bit today, but not like yesterday.
IF, and it's a big IF, we go ahead with this nebulous plan of Edwardian on the weekend of May 21-22, I still have a little under three weeks. I need to hem the skirt. Possibly make a different skirt, that's less heavy and on the correct grainlines. Need to make a shirtwaist. Need to make a combination (cami/drawers). Should have some padding, esp on the hip. I can use a different corset if required, that is not urgent.
But working on something that is not strictly needed is of course an A++ procrastination method so... I really ought to work on the other stuff lol.
I reached a point on my fic chapter that I simply could not look at it anymore and turned it over to my beta/editor. She gave me a lot of really excellent notes and feedback, so I've been plugging away at that too. Hoping to have it complete by hmmm next week. This is the lowest point of my story, and from here it's slowly up up up.
Chuggin' along
Feb. 8th, 2022 09:58 amFinished sleeve #1 of the cardigan last night. That means I have just ONE MORE SLEEVE of the 5 I had at the beginning of the year and then I am DONE!!! And then I can start on new sleeved garments XD
On Saturday, I forgot to go to the pharmacy for my brain meds, and they were closed Sunday. I felt relatively ok on Monday morning so chose to wait until the end of the day to go get them, and that was a mistake. I was already kinda zappy and out of sorts on Sunday night, and by 4pm Monday I was really out of sorts, getting really anxious (there were a lot of loud teenagers at the bus terminal, I just wanted to run away so bad), and my tummy was doing weird things. Popped that into my mouth as soon as i could. I went to lay down as soon as I got home, also because I hadn't slept well the night before (two 2-hour chunks) and my whole body was EXHAUSTED.
Feeling much better today. Normal tired. Brain hasn't zapped in a couple hours. Sigh of relief. Never ever ever want to do that again.
On Saturday, I forgot to go to the pharmacy for my brain meds, and they were closed Sunday. I felt relatively ok on Monday morning so chose to wait until the end of the day to go get them, and that was a mistake. I was already kinda zappy and out of sorts on Sunday night, and by 4pm Monday I was really out of sorts, getting really anxious (there were a lot of loud teenagers at the bus terminal, I just wanted to run away so bad), and my tummy was doing weird things. Popped that into my mouth as soon as i could. I went to lay down as soon as I got home, also because I hadn't slept well the night before (two 2-hour chunks) and my whole body was EXHAUSTED.
Feeling much better today. Normal tired. Brain hasn't zapped in a couple hours. Sigh of relief. Never ever ever want to do that again.
