A Few Quick Updates

Ugh, I have been so lazy in keeping up to date on my posts these last couple of months.

Part of the problem is I haven't had a hardcore costume project to keep my mind focused for a while. I've been mostly doing quick sewing projects since the start of the year that don't warrant too much research of time for putting together. I'm planning to make some changes to that (more on that in a couple of posts).

Part of my distraction lies in that I've been starting to make plans for August for traveling, and my wedding next year. Yep, I'm engaged now!This happened back at the end of April, but due to aforementioned laziness, I'm just now mentioning it.

I have to show off my ring though because Kerry proved just how well he knows me by picking a vintage ring. We know it's about 100 years old, but that is about it since it has no maker's marks and came with no provenance. I absolutely love it though and the gentleman who gave it to me!

Better Late Than Never

So for the last week of February, I had a week off from work. While I had all sorts of plans for sewing projects for my days when I was sitting around the house, that sort of ended up going out the window once I sat down in my sewing area. I had more chore projects stacking up and small projects that I had put together.

I opted for the project pile since it would help to clear up some space for me. To start, a couple throw pillows that went with the curtains in the bedroom. Not my idea of anything exciting, but they were done in a couple hours. In addition, my friend Sarah had a baby recently so I was putting together some fun stuff for her.

In the process of cleaning through the project pile though, I did finish this small wedding sampler (also for Sarah) that was originally promised to her shortly after her wedding. As you can see from the picture, it's been a while.

With one cross stitch project being finished, that means I can have another in progress! Because these can sometimes be very time consuming, I try not to have more than two going at a single time. My next one is Charlotte from Mirabilia patterns.

Shakespeare and Mermaids

So I got not one but TWO of my cross stitch projects finished within the last couple of weeks.

The first, Mermaid of the South Seas, turned out pretty spectacular. All the colors and beads pulled it together nicely and I really wish I had to place to hang it! So it goes into the finished bin for now until that time.

The next piece I finished was The Kiss, aka Romeo and Juliet. I started this one back in 2010 right after Jenna told me she'd gotten engaged. The original was done in pink and olive tones, which I switched to purple and green. The only reason it took so long to finish was I didn't have a date to stitch on the bottom. Of course I was able to finally get one last fall, but dress sewing kept me too busy to put it on at that. It's finally finished though, so off to the framer's next week!

Happy New Year 2015

Between various ailments (having a cold on top of stomach issues is not pleasant) and trying to get back on a normal schedule after holiday retail hours, it's been a slow start to the new year for project planning and sewing. Given how crappy I've felt, I decided to pull from the eternal WIP pile that I have of various sewing and craft projects.

I opted for a piece of cross stitch that I've had sitting around for a while (and by a while, I mean I started it so long ago I don't remember exactly when). Actually, there isn't much left on it. A few pieces of thread here and there, filling in some spots that I initially missed, and doing the beading.

So. Many. Beads. But I'm loving all the bright colors together!

Beading always presents itself to be a small challenge since I use invisible thread to attach everything and while it is great, it's a b*tch to work with at times. The pattern is South Seas Mermaid (MD92) from Mirabilia, my personal favorite for cross stitch.

MD92

The final piece is turning out to be much brighter than the example photo included in my pattern. As for the beading, there's a lot of it still to do (along with running to the store for the ones I'm out of) but it's been coming along rather smoothly.

Once I'm finished with this piece though, I'm definitely planning on some sewing.

Attacking the UFOs

The last time I had posted, I discussed the start of an overskirt for a ball gown that I have in the closet but have just never gotten around to finishing. I was all ready to get started on it, and then this funny little thing called life happened.

I had more setbacks with my long overdue bonnet project. Mother's Day popped up and I found myself wanting to make things for my awesome mumsy. I had project materials finally come in so I could finally finish a few things. Best of all, I get to go to my best friend's wedding in October! Her wedding theme is Alice in Wonderland, so I've been starting to put together costume ideas in my brain that could work and have been spending a lot of time looking at pictures from the recent Tim Burton film version.

Any who, that's another post for another day.

With all the UFOs (Un-Finished Projects) laying around, I decided to put aside my Black and White Challenge and make a list of the UFOs that needs to be tackled. 

• Wedding samplers for friends
• Regency Ophelia bonnet
• Late bustle evening bodice
• Black skirt from Vogue
• Petticoat to go under a Natural Form (1877-1882) period dress
• Calico Garibaldi blouse

Mind you, these are just the projects that are sitting out immediately in my living room. I'm sure there's more buried in my room.

Today was a good start to tackling this list. I finished my long overdue cross stitch piece, at least one of them.

Now to head off to the framer!

The petticoat should be fairly easy. I pulled out my favorite petticoat pattern from Truly Victorian (TV170) which covers almost the entire Victorian Era. With the exception of the bottom hem piece and the waistband, everything has been put together.

I'll be off in a couple more days so I should be able to get the last row ruffled and hemmed, and the waistband added.