The heat is fixed! Yea! This was mainly taken care of by The Husband, while I was curled up on the couch, dozing. I think I may have been fighting something off, because Monday and Tuesday, I was a little congested, but feeling really run-down and tired. Today, I feel a lot better, but I'm more congested. Go figure.
Last night was Open House at school, preceded by the mad dash to get things mounted and hung on the wall. It actually went a lot faster than I'd thought. At 2:00, I was beginning to be afraid that I'd have to stay really late, but I was on my way home by 3:15. Everybody seemed to have a good time. They usually do, but it's always nerve-wracking, because I have the paranoid fear that someone is going to be unhappy with some aspect of their child's work and make a scene. I know it's crazy, but knowing is half the battle. I really appreciate team-teaching this year. It's so nice to be working with someone who's creative, and has so many good ideas, like writing down some of the funny things the children have said and putting them up on the wall.
I'm really digging the shawl pattern. I've used up a skein of yarn, and it's maybe a foot long. Fortunately, I've got, like, 11 more I can use. Now, though, I need to go start dinner.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Diamond Wars is over! Yea! I will not be nastycrat for an event for a long, long time. I am totally cool with having to ask my children at school "did you flush the potty and wash your hands?" because they're still learning to take care of themselves. The fact that I had to clean up after adults at this basic level disturbs me. I should not have to wipe urine off a toilet seat after a grown man, nor should I have to flush for an adult.
Our heat is out. Fortunately, the home warranty is still in effect, and someone should be calling tomorrow. Even though it's been chilly outside, the temperature inside the house has stayed in the 60's, mostly upper 60's.
I'm starting to get back into projects. I'm still working on one sock. I'm kind of waiting until Friday nights even out, so I can get some help with turning the heel of the second one, and write down the instructions this time. I've started working on a shawl with the wool/alpaca yarn I collected. I'm using a stitch pattern from the book of, well, knitted lace patterns I have. I can't remember the name off hand. It's just a rectangular shawl in pale blue worsted weight yarn. I'm going to finish Hunter's quilt, and then after I finish piecing it, I may start a new dress.
I'm getting back into my original persona, which is late period Irish. I think I'm going to go late 15th/early 16th century. Actually, I've kind of decided on Italian/Irish. Italian woman married to an Irishman. I've even decided on a name and device, Medb an Doire, "Medb (pronounced MAY-ve) of the oak grove." I may register an alternate Italian name later as my "birth" name. I even have that picked out, Mea Caterina Della Rovere. I was going to register that, but still go by Medb, figuring that my Irish husband picked that as my Gaelic name, but it would cause less confusion, I think, if I just register that as an alternate persona name. It kind of still works with wearing Turkish garb. There are a lot of portraits of Italian women, particularly from Venice, wearing Turkish enteri/yelek/caftans open over gowns, even closed over chemises.
Our heat is out. Fortunately, the home warranty is still in effect, and someone should be calling tomorrow. Even though it's been chilly outside, the temperature inside the house has stayed in the 60's, mostly upper 60's.
I'm starting to get back into projects. I'm still working on one sock. I'm kind of waiting until Friday nights even out, so I can get some help with turning the heel of the second one, and write down the instructions this time. I've started working on a shawl with the wool/alpaca yarn I collected. I'm using a stitch pattern from the book of, well, knitted lace patterns I have. I can't remember the name off hand. It's just a rectangular shawl in pale blue worsted weight yarn. I'm going to finish Hunter's quilt, and then after I finish piecing it, I may start a new dress.
I'm getting back into my original persona, which is late period Irish. I think I'm going to go late 15th/early 16th century. Actually, I've kind of decided on Italian/Irish. Italian woman married to an Irishman. I've even decided on a name and device, Medb an Doire, "Medb (pronounced MAY-ve) of the oak grove." I may register an alternate Italian name later as my "birth" name. I even have that picked out, Mea Caterina Della Rovere. I was going to register that, but still go by Medb, figuring that my Irish husband picked that as my Gaelic name, but it would cause less confusion, I think, if I just register that as an alternate persona name. It kind of still works with wearing Turkish garb. There are a lot of portraits of Italian women, particularly from Venice, wearing Turkish enteri/yelek/caftans open over gowns, even closed over chemises.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Well, the Mongol coat didn't really work out, and I have too many other things to do for this event, so I'm giving up on making new garb. I'm still going to try to make Neale a new undertunic, but tunics take no time at all.
I need to get to work on the handouts for the bread class. I hate store-bought bread at feast. I'm not crazy about it most of the time, unless it's real bread, but at feasts, it's particularly disappointing. So, as part of the chef's seminar at Diamond Wars, I'm going to teach others how to cheat with refrigerated dough.
I need to get to work on the handouts for the bread class. I hate store-bought bread at feast. I'm not crazy about it most of the time, unless it's real bread, but at feasts, it's particularly disappointing. So, as part of the chef's seminar at Diamond Wars, I'm going to teach others how to cheat with refrigerated dough.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
I'm older now
Since the last post, I've had another birthday, finished my embroidery projects, and that's about all. I'm currently working on getting the trim ready to put on Neale's Mongol coat, which is cut out, but not sewn together yet. I'm not quite sure how I'm going to do the neckline, with it being wrap-front. I think if I measure from where the sleeve is supposed to attach and cut the actual neck-hole based on that, I can sort of fit the rest of it on Neale. Maybe.
One unconventional thing I'm going to do is the placement of the trim. Traditional Arab tiraz bands go around the bicep, above the elbow. For one thing, the bands I embroidered aren't quite long enough to do that without some empty space. For another thing, Neale chose the pattern because "it looks like the Captain's braid on the original Star Trek uniforms." So, I've decided to put the trim a few inches above the ends of the sleeve, about where the braid would be on Captain Kirk's tunic, just for Neale. It's actually in keeping with the way Mongols decorated their clothing, but to be really authentic, I'd need lots more decoration.
One unconventional thing I'm going to do is the placement of the trim. Traditional Arab tiraz bands go around the bicep, above the elbow. For one thing, the bands I embroidered aren't quite long enough to do that without some empty space. For another thing, Neale chose the pattern because "it looks like the Captain's braid on the original Star Trek uniforms." So, I've decided to put the trim a few inches above the ends of the sleeve, about where the braid would be on Captain Kirk's tunic, just for Neale. It's actually in keeping with the way Mongols decorated their clothing, but to be really authentic, I'd need lots more decoration.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
I'm starting to feel the Diamond Wars pressure. Always, I want to make, like, all-new clothes for big events. I don't know why, but I get carried away. Originally, I was going to make, like, 2 new Turkish outfits, and a Mongol coat for Neale. Not happening, not with the embroidered tiraz bands I'm making for his sleeves. Instead, this is the list:
For Neale: new short-sleeved tunic, long-sleeved lightweight undertunic, Mongol coat
For me: blue Turkish coat I've been planning to make forever, new salwar (pants for Turkish outfit), tunic I can wear to work in, new linen kamis
The tunics are easy, if my sewing machine is being nice and cooperative, I can knock one out in an hour or two. The pants are easy, too, they're just baggy drawstring pants that taper to the ankle. I'll use a pair I've already made as the pattern. Seems manageable.
Julie and Julia was very good. I agree with the NPR reviewer, Nora Ephron's stuff is annoying and condescending. The parts with Amy McAdams as Julie Powell are annoying, and when she gets heavily into Julia-worship, just a little uncomfortable. Meryl Streep as Julia Child is awesome, and very well complimented by Stanley Tucci as Paul, and their awesomenes makes the movie worth watching, in my opinion.
For Neale: new short-sleeved tunic, long-sleeved lightweight undertunic, Mongol coat
For me: blue Turkish coat I've been planning to make forever, new salwar (pants for Turkish outfit), tunic I can wear to work in, new linen kamis
The tunics are easy, if my sewing machine is being nice and cooperative, I can knock one out in an hour or two. The pants are easy, too, they're just baggy drawstring pants that taper to the ankle. I'll use a pair I've already made as the pattern. Seems manageable.
Julie and Julia was very good. I agree with the NPR reviewer, Nora Ephron's stuff is annoying and condescending. The parts with Amy McAdams as Julie Powell are annoying, and when she gets heavily into Julia-worship, just a little uncomfortable. Meryl Streep as Julia Child is awesome, and very well complimented by Stanley Tucci as Paul, and their awesomenes makes the movie worth watching, in my opinion.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
I haven't made a lot of progress since I last posted. I've started sewing the blocks of Hunter's quilt together. I have, I think, 4 complete pinwheels, and 5 more to go. The last time I made a Roman Stripe quilt, I sewed half the pinwheels going clockwise, and half going counterclockwise, and I was so tired of sewing, because it was all hand-pieced, that I just went with it. It's not that bad, it's just not that great. It's not one that I would bring out as an example of my best work, but it's still warm. It's not holding up well, though. I tied it instead of quilting it, and it's starting to show its age. When I used it to make a pallet for Hunter to play on at Live Weapons, it got pretty torn up, which is okay, it's fairly old, and not my best work. After I finish Hunter's quilt, and garb for Diamond Wars, I may make myself another quilt.
My other project has been embroidering trim for Neale's Mongol coat. I'm going to do a band around each sleeve. I think I'm almost done with the first one.
I have to say, one of my proudest moments of the last week or two was explaining to a Laurel and two apprentices (arts and crafts equivalent of a knight and two squires in the SCA) that yes, a complex design can be successfully appliqued, and explained my bastardized English paper piecing technique. In English paper piecing, you make a paper template for each piece of cloth, cut around it, turn the seam allowance down and baste through the whole thing, press it, whip-stitch the pieces together, then pull out the basting stitches and remove the paper. It's usually used with a pattern that I think is called Grandmother's Garden, or something like that. It's a pattern of little hexagons. Anyway, that's how I applique. I make a paper template, pin it to the fabric, and cut around it, allowing 1/4 inch seam allowance all the way around, then I turn the edges under, and baste them down. I iron the pieces well, and then you can pull the basting stitches out, remove the paper, and they should be creased so that the seam allowance stays down. Then, you just sew it onto the background.
My other project has been embroidering trim for Neale's Mongol coat. I'm going to do a band around each sleeve. I think I'm almost done with the first one.
I have to say, one of my proudest moments of the last week or two was explaining to a Laurel and two apprentices (arts and crafts equivalent of a knight and two squires in the SCA) that yes, a complex design can be successfully appliqued, and explained my bastardized English paper piecing technique. In English paper piecing, you make a paper template for each piece of cloth, cut around it, turn the seam allowance down and baste through the whole thing, press it, whip-stitch the pieces together, then pull out the basting stitches and remove the paper. It's usually used with a pattern that I think is called Grandmother's Garden, or something like that. It's a pattern of little hexagons. Anyway, that's how I applique. I make a paper template, pin it to the fabric, and cut around it, allowing 1/4 inch seam allowance all the way around, then I turn the edges under, and baste them down. I iron the pieces well, and then you can pull the basting stitches out, remove the paper, and they should be creased so that the seam allowance stays down. Then, you just sew it onto the background.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Why I shouldn't write a cookbook
Red Currant and Plum Tarts: Makes 6
Shortbread pastry (from Simply in Season)
1 cup flour
2 tbsp powdered sugar
1/3 cup butter
1 cup of red currants
1/3 cup of sugar
1 tbsp flour
1/4 cup of water
3 red plums
You should probably start with the pastry, or you could do it backwards like I did. Take the currants off the stem (or not, you're going to strain it, anyway, and stemming these suckers is probably the most time-consuming step).
Add the currants, sugar, water, and flour to a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until the fruits burst and the liquid boils and thickens. (I wasn't paying attention, so I don't know how long. Mine turned out great, but it was a happy accident.) Strain the liquid into a bowl. Use a spoon to push the good stuff through. Throw away the seeds, or compost them.
Halve the plums and remove the pit and any crunchy bits. I didn't peel mine, but you could. Cut the plums into small pieces and stir them into the currant mixture.
For the pastry, cut the fat into the dry ingredients until it has a sandy consistency, with no big pieces. It should stick in a clump if you squeeze some, but still be very crumbly.
This recipe could maybe make a very shallow tart, but if you don't have one of those shallow tart pans, you could make mini tarts. Put about 2 tbsp of the crust mixture into a muffin tin and press it into the bottom and up the sides. Cups might be helpful, but I didn't think to use them. Fill the shortbread cups with the filling mixture. Bake at 350 (I think, maybe 400) for 15-20 minutes, or until the filling is bubbly and the crust is slightly golden brown around the edges. Once they've cooled, a knife run around the edges should mostly loosen them, unless you were smart, and used paper cups.
Shortbread pastry (from Simply in Season)
1 cup flour
2 tbsp powdered sugar
1/3 cup butter
1 cup of red currants
1/3 cup of sugar
1 tbsp flour
1/4 cup of water
3 red plums
You should probably start with the pastry, or you could do it backwards like I did. Take the currants off the stem (or not, you're going to strain it, anyway, and stemming these suckers is probably the most time-consuming step).
Add the currants, sugar, water, and flour to a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until the fruits burst and the liquid boils and thickens. (I wasn't paying attention, so I don't know how long. Mine turned out great, but it was a happy accident.) Strain the liquid into a bowl. Use a spoon to push the good stuff through. Throw away the seeds, or compost them.
Halve the plums and remove the pit and any crunchy bits. I didn't peel mine, but you could. Cut the plums into small pieces and stir them into the currant mixture.
For the pastry, cut the fat into the dry ingredients until it has a sandy consistency, with no big pieces. It should stick in a clump if you squeeze some, but still be very crumbly.
This recipe could maybe make a very shallow tart, but if you don't have one of those shallow tart pans, you could make mini tarts. Put about 2 tbsp of the crust mixture into a muffin tin and press it into the bottom and up the sides. Cups might be helpful, but I didn't think to use them. Fill the shortbread cups with the filling mixture. Bake at 350 (I think, maybe 400) for 15-20 minutes, or until the filling is bubbly and the crust is slightly golden brown around the edges. Once they've cooled, a knife run around the edges should mostly loosen them, unless you were smart, and used paper cups.
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