I thought last week would be easy. I was wrong. First of all, I was sick all last weekend. I thought it was allergies, but then Neale got it, so it was a cold. Tuesday and Wednesday were spent cleaning and packing my classroom. Thursday ended up being eaten up entirely be lawn care and errands. Friday was my one day off. I tried working on the lengha choli for Live Weapons. Choli is half done. It needs sleeves and finishing. I think I'm going to sew about three pairs of ties along the sides and tie it closed. If it gaps, people will see the band of my bra, big deal. It's an easy fix. If it doesn't work, the dance plan will go on hold until a later event. The skirt.....the sari fabric is awful, evil, and ravels like a son of a bitch. Fortunately, I have a blue skirt already. It's not a pretty, swirly skirt, but I can wear the royal blue skirt and hip scarf with the turquoise choli, and be monochromatic, if not matching. Unfortunately, the pretty silver jewelry set Neale ordered isn't going to be here in time for the event, which is just one more sign that maybe I should just give up on the plans for this event, and put them off for later.
I think I'm going to work on embroidering a handkerchief and possibly make parsley bread for the Standard Bearer competition. After all, why not go big my first time out? I could end up Baronial A&S champion for my first competition.....but not likely. For the handkerchief, I'm thinking oak trees in opposite corners, red roses with stems in the other two corners, a blue border, and maybe a blue peacock in the center. I need to get around to drawing my device, but I'm kind of thinking I'm going to do the silver oak tree, on a blue or blue and green field, with red roses across the top. I just think the peacock would be cool. I want to incorporate more blue into the design, and I want to have something in the center. Eventually, I think it would be cool to take some of the pictures I have of the pietra dura stonework from the Taj Mahal and embroider a hanging based on those designs. There's a really beautiful one with flowers in the center and an arabesque design around it. That's a project that would take ages, though.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Tomorrow is the last day of school. Yea! The week of madness is very nearly over! Neale started working on the lawn tonight. Considering he's never mown a lawn in his life, it's not bad. He wants to get a push mower. Not because he wants to be eco-friendly, but because I refuse to use the gas mower, because I don't like loud machinery (also the reason I don't like skill saws, and will avoid using them whenever possible), and he wants to share the joy of lawn care.
The magnolia is sick. This is really bad, because it's very close to the sunroom, and the place where the power line comes into the house, and the fence. If it dies, removing it will have to be a professional job, and therefore, expensive. I called a tree specialist, a state-certified arborist, according to the Yellow Page listing, who gave us an estimate of $250 to come and apply fertilizer, pesticide, and fungicide over a couple of weeks. Apparently, this will involve climbing up into the tree to apply stuff, which I am happy to pay someone to do. I remember my broken arm, it hurt like a bitch.
I have discovered Shimmy. Fit TV has a bellydance show. It's on at 3 every day, and on Tuesday night. I record it. It's basically little half hour workouts that focus on 4 or 5 different moves. I dig it, because it's not overly complicated, it's not five hundred choreography-specific things. It's pretty much "here's this step" (repeat several times), "now let's put these together," and from there, it's pretty much switching off from one to another, in different orders. It's only been a few days, but it seems to be a better way of working on the things I have trouble with (mostly figuring out what to do next) than the dvd's I have. They're either pre-choreographed, usually so specific that the combos aren't applicable to other situations, or it's so open-ended that I have a hard time getting a sense of how to put things together. Really, I need to get with Trudy about dance lessons. Mom's old teacher is apparently still around, too. That would be cool. But there's the issue of style. I'm highly unlikely to dance for an audience outside the SCA. Egyptian cabaret is not the most appropriate style for the SCA. It's pretty, especially the decorated bra and belt sets and the circle skirts, but there are too many modern influences. I do dig veil work, though. It's pretty. And my idea of what constitutes bellydance is still influenced by watching my mom practice when I was a little girl. No jewel in the navel, though.
The magnolia is sick. This is really bad, because it's very close to the sunroom, and the place where the power line comes into the house, and the fence. If it dies, removing it will have to be a professional job, and therefore, expensive. I called a tree specialist, a state-certified arborist, according to the Yellow Page listing, who gave us an estimate of $250 to come and apply fertilizer, pesticide, and fungicide over a couple of weeks. Apparently, this will involve climbing up into the tree to apply stuff, which I am happy to pay someone to do. I remember my broken arm, it hurt like a bitch.
I have discovered Shimmy. Fit TV has a bellydance show. It's on at 3 every day, and on Tuesday night. I record it. It's basically little half hour workouts that focus on 4 or 5 different moves. I dig it, because it's not overly complicated, it's not five hundred choreography-specific things. It's pretty much "here's this step" (repeat several times), "now let's put these together," and from there, it's pretty much switching off from one to another, in different orders. It's only been a few days, but it seems to be a better way of working on the things I have trouble with (mostly figuring out what to do next) than the dvd's I have. They're either pre-choreographed, usually so specific that the combos aren't applicable to other situations, or it's so open-ended that I have a hard time getting a sense of how to put things together. Really, I need to get with Trudy about dance lessons. Mom's old teacher is apparently still around, too. That would be cool. But there's the issue of style. I'm highly unlikely to dance for an audience outside the SCA. Egyptian cabaret is not the most appropriate style for the SCA. It's pretty, especially the decorated bra and belt sets and the circle skirts, but there are too many modern influences. I do dig veil work, though. It's pretty. And my idea of what constitutes bellydance is still influenced by watching my mom practice when I was a little girl. No jewel in the navel, though.
Monday, May 18, 2009
OT - but it's my blog.
I saw on the stupid joke that is Fox News that the RNC is talking about re-naming the Democratic Party the Democratic Socialist Party. If they can do that, can I re-name the Republican party the Fascist Asshole Party? It's pretty sad when the right-wing "news" casters on Fox ask the rep from the RNC if they don't have more important things to do than re-name another party.
On the bright side, I got my garden planted this weekend. All my seedlings are in the ground. Now, it's up to them to be tough. I'd post more now, but I have to go finish making dinner.
On the bright side, I got my garden planted this weekend. All my seedlings are in the ground. Now, it's up to them to be tough. I'd post more now, but I have to go finish making dinner.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
There's going to be an Arts & Science competition at Live Weapons in June, 'cause apparently, the royals think that the LIVE WEAPONS-centered event must also have EVERYTHING else SCA, cause the a&s competition and the heavy tournament won't steal the spotlight away from live weapons and archery, and defeat the entire purpose of a live weapons event. I don't really mind the a&s, it sounds low-key and the tourney entrants are supposed to either enter or sponsor an entry, so that's somewhat integrated. Also, it's a kingdom-level event, so the pool of potential judges is a bit higher than the average local event, so taking advantage of that makes sense. Having a heavy tourney, though, that's kind of.....tacky. I don't think there should be classes, unless they are thrown weapons/archery related classes, and I don't think any other form of martial activity should be available. But, that's just my opinion, and until some fool decides that unleashing Queen Medb on the unsuspecting kingdom is a good idea, and that fool fights for me and wins Crown List, my opinion doesn't count for much. Of course, if baking bread determined the next crown, I could be queen by my own hand. Hey, it got me a husband.
So, I've been working on a handkerchief embroidered with peacocks. The motif comes from a shawl that I have that's imported from India. It's all chain stitch, which was a specific type of embroidery done in India, I forget the name. The stitch is definitely period. In Turkey, people used embroidered cloths to wrap things in, called bohca, think ridiculously elaborate gift wrap. I think all I really need to do is tie all the elements to India, or tie the design to Turkey. I'm sure the Mughals had linen, and some kind of small embroidered cloth, handkerchief, goblet cover, whatever. This will require some thought.
So, I've been working on a handkerchief embroidered with peacocks. The motif comes from a shawl that I have that's imported from India. It's all chain stitch, which was a specific type of embroidery done in India, I forget the name. The stitch is definitely period. In Turkey, people used embroidered cloths to wrap things in, called bohca, think ridiculously elaborate gift wrap. I think all I really need to do is tie all the elements to India, or tie the design to Turkey. I'm sure the Mughals had linen, and some kind of small embroidered cloth, handkerchief, goblet cover, whatever. This will require some thought.
I has dress! Yea!
I'm opening this week, and I took my half day yesterday. It was pretty productive. I finished the dress, and even wore it to school today. I must make more of these, although the neckline could be a bit higher. It's comfortable, it covers well (except the cleavage when bending over), it looks pretty good, if I do say so myself. I just need to go back and zigzag over the raw edges. I cut out stuff to make the skirt for the lengha choli, and pre-washed the fabric, but I did that in the reverse order from what I wrote. We'll see how fast this one goes. I need to post pictures. I'll do that soon.
I was thinking about buying a new cotton sari, but I found out today that fixing my bridgework, which needs to happen this year, is going to cost $6,900. I think I'm going to be shopping around a bit. I may actually be going to my old dentist in Pine Bluff, if he charges significantly less for this. So that's put a damper on my day. Just a bit.
On the plus side, Star Trek kicks ass and takes names. We saw it twice, and it was still good the second time.
I was thinking about buying a new cotton sari, but I found out today that fixing my bridgework, which needs to happen this year, is going to cost $6,900. I think I'm going to be shopping around a bit. I may actually be going to my old dentist in Pine Bluff, if he charges significantly less for this. So that's put a damper on my day. Just a bit.
On the plus side, Star Trek kicks ass and takes names. We saw it twice, and it was still good the second time.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
I've finally had enough of trying to work with people who's idea of working together seems to consist of them doing whatever the hell they want, while I do the best I can around that, and if I am somehow screwed over, inconvenienced, or left hanging, too bad. Or maybe I'm the only one who thinks that we're supposed to be working together? Or maybe I'm the only one who thinks that working together is a good thing?
I've started on a dress. I've had the pattern and fabric for over a year. I was going to make the dress for last graduation, and never quite made it. It's a Simplicity 2 hour pattern. The 2 hours is specifically sewing machine time. Nice cya, there. So far, I think I've used about 20 minutes. Clock-wise, I think it was more like 30, but I wasn't really in a hurry, and did a good bit of fiddling with pins and stuff, so I'll say 20. The dress is the kind that was popular in the mid-90's, and looked fabulous on me, and is, of course, no longer made. It's a long, princess seamed dress with ties and short sleeves. The dress can be made in long or short versions, with long or short sleeves, and with or without pockets. I could make work dresses forever with this pattern. (And for Neale, probably a couple of short ones for going out, too.) I'm starting to have second thoughts about the pattern, it's dark blue batik with this curlicue pattern on it, sort of like climbing vines with no foliage. I've got the front of the dress put together, and holding it up and looking in the mirror......it's more pattern than I'm used to, but I'm trying to reserve judgement until it's done.
When I got the material for the dress, I also got a couple of yards of tan batik to make a wrap skirt out of. That's a project I'd like to tackle before school starts, but first, after graduation dress, will be a lengha choli. I want to make a lengha choli as a dance outfit for live weapons. I bought some pretty, but synthetic (and expensive!) sari fabric for the skirt, a yard of so of kona cotton for the choli, and a couple of yards of chiffon with a brocade border as a veil. I just have to make the outfit and, oh yeah, maybe figure out a routine before the first weekend in June. I'm thinking of using something from my Sevara Nazerkhan cd. She's from Uzbekistan. Not part of the Mughal empire (Indian-themed event), but a neighbor. I wonder if I could borrow Mom's old sword......
The choli pattern I have is from a costume pattern, either Simplicity or McCall's, I'm not sure which. It's supposed to zip up the back. I adapted it to close in the front. Either there's way more ease in the pattern than I thought, and I made it a size or 2 too big, or I added way too much to allow for the overlap in the front, because they're way too big. I'm going to try using the big size for the top part, and actually making it a little longer, so it will fit over my breasts a little more closely, and then make the band a little longer, to cover my midriff, and size it to fit my rib measurement, even if I have to mismatch pattern pieces to do it. I also want to make the front and back in one piece, and lace the choli closed on the sides. I'll sew the sleeve closed, and then a few inches into the underarm seam, and I think the rest, from where the band of my bra would start, to the bottom, will probably need to be laced, to get it to fit. We'll see how it goes....
I've started on a dress. I've had the pattern and fabric for over a year. I was going to make the dress for last graduation, and never quite made it. It's a Simplicity 2 hour pattern. The 2 hours is specifically sewing machine time. Nice cya, there. So far, I think I've used about 20 minutes. Clock-wise, I think it was more like 30, but I wasn't really in a hurry, and did a good bit of fiddling with pins and stuff, so I'll say 20. The dress is the kind that was popular in the mid-90's, and looked fabulous on me, and is, of course, no longer made. It's a long, princess seamed dress with ties and short sleeves. The dress can be made in long or short versions, with long or short sleeves, and with or without pockets. I could make work dresses forever with this pattern. (And for Neale, probably a couple of short ones for going out, too.) I'm starting to have second thoughts about the pattern, it's dark blue batik with this curlicue pattern on it, sort of like climbing vines with no foliage. I've got the front of the dress put together, and holding it up and looking in the mirror......it's more pattern than I'm used to, but I'm trying to reserve judgement until it's done.
When I got the material for the dress, I also got a couple of yards of tan batik to make a wrap skirt out of. That's a project I'd like to tackle before school starts, but first, after graduation dress, will be a lengha choli. I want to make a lengha choli as a dance outfit for live weapons. I bought some pretty, but synthetic (and expensive!) sari fabric for the skirt, a yard of so of kona cotton for the choli, and a couple of yards of chiffon with a brocade border as a veil. I just have to make the outfit and, oh yeah, maybe figure out a routine before the first weekend in June. I'm thinking of using something from my Sevara Nazerkhan cd. She's from Uzbekistan. Not part of the Mughal empire (Indian-themed event), but a neighbor. I wonder if I could borrow Mom's old sword......
The choli pattern I have is from a costume pattern, either Simplicity or McCall's, I'm not sure which. It's supposed to zip up the back. I adapted it to close in the front. Either there's way more ease in the pattern than I thought, and I made it a size or 2 too big, or I added way too much to allow for the overlap in the front, because they're way too big. I'm going to try using the big size for the top part, and actually making it a little longer, so it will fit over my breasts a little more closely, and then make the band a little longer, to cover my midriff, and size it to fit my rib measurement, even if I have to mismatch pattern pieces to do it. I also want to make the front and back in one piece, and lace the choli closed on the sides. I'll sew the sleeve closed, and then a few inches into the underarm seam, and I think the rest, from where the band of my bra would start, to the bottom, will probably need to be laced, to get it to fit. We'll see how it goes....
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