these were for making buttons, some mine, some from this year's Guild Event. I had said I would post and think I have forgotten... 1. starting with thread on the wooden bead. (on the other side is a simple half knot, to keep it in place) 2. weaving the button (top) - this one is going under first, given visible spines. You can also go over first to give a smoother button 3. after passing through threads for the shank 4, buttonhole stitch over the shank and cutting off the tuft (you could thread on a pearl)...

French Macaroons = 1
J & B = 0

I was so afraid of over mixing the batter that I think I didn't mix it enough... B says they came out constipated. LOL! Here's hoping batch #two will be better! *crossing fingers*

I actually worked on my new Regency stays last night! The cording is almost done. Well, the sewing for the cording, anyway.

Predictably, I ran out of the silk buttonhole twist that I was using to sew the cording in. However, since I expected this, I was careful about how I used it. Instead of doing a section and finishing and cording it, I sewed all the outer outlines and now just have a few of the inner parts left. I'm going to sew those in some pearl cotton that I have. It's thinner than the buttonhole twist, but hopefully won't be too bad a compromise since I'd rather not order more buttonhole twist. I could actually do the eyelets, bind them and save the rest of the cording for last, but I don't want to. Enough of a reason, I think.

I'm starting to be ready to be done with the corset. I'm enjoying working on it, but really need to move on! I can't do the dress without it. Well, I could use my old stays but I'm not completely happy with them anymore. They're too thick--even though I based the thickness on a period source, I don't like four layers--and they end at just the wrong spot over my stomach. I'm sure they didn't end there when I first made them!

And no stays? Seriously not an option. Regency looks horrible on me without stays! Majorly frumpy :)

We have a snow blitz so it was rather dark as i took the picture, so it is rather dark in the light, but taken without flash.
I managed to do a lot of laundry today and i have baked cookies, lots of cookies, namely vanilla rings.
Have to tidy up my birdcage, and go shopping for dinner, so i wont have time for any sewing.
I also found a nice fashion print of a hat i want to make for the polonaise, my brain is going to think what i can do to make it as high as it is in the back of the head, my girl dont have that much hair to make a large pouf.
You can read more here: or rather look, because its danish:
http://www.my-drewscostumes.dk/1.veninde.htm

Bjarne

So I've decided to finally tackle a Regency dress. I have that white on white striped voile left over from the Chemise a la Reine as well as a few patterns on hand. I have the Sense and Sensibility Elegant Lady's Closet and the Simplicity version of her Regency Gown pattern. I can't decide if I want a flatter, less gathered bodice like in the Simplicity evening version or if I want the gathered drawstring version. I'm doing elbow length sleeves. What do you think? I feel the non-gathered version will make me look less frumpy. As a girl of average height with curves, I have to consider such things.

I then plan to make an open robe of my black and red striped taffeta

... when governments of the world actually don't care at all about the planet.

One exemple ? The Aral sea.



"The Aral Sea, once the fourth largest inland body of water, has been disappearing since the 60s, after the Soviet Union started using its water sources to irrigate crops. It is now less than 10% of the size it was 50 years ago, and the southern portion continues to shrink (no effort is being made to save it).

A grand monument to the foolishness of the human race."

Via ck/ck

I have four way stretch matt black vinyl!!!!!!! Wooot!!!!!!!



Templar and possibly Hush Catwoman and Mara make over here I come ;)

I will have some left over so if anyone is interested let me know :) It looks about 120cm wide. And has a good heavy hand.

The theme of this winter break has been sleep. I've slept late each day, and also napped yesterday and today.

Also, I have zero motivation to work on my Jane Austen Evening things. This isn't good! A month is enough time to finish the corset and make the dress, although maybe not as elaborate as I want it to be. Oh well, it's also really nice knowing I have a backup wardrobe!

Things that made me happy on Sunday:

1. Bridget is home!!!!

2. Snow! All 15" or so of it was super pretty with the sun making it sparkle. What a lovely thing to wake up to!


3. Taking a long morning walk in the snow with my sister. Good exercise and good discussions. Entertaining moments included Bridget running into a ditch to avoid a snow plow and me falling on my butt on Rutherford Drive. Wipe out!


4. Watching people wipeout/get stuck on our hill. Actually we live in-between two hills, one steeper than the other, so it was a constant form of entertainment in both directions! The highlight was our next door neighbor wiping out right in front of our house, straight into our ditch.


5. Venturing out into public for a Wegman's (grocery store) and Costco run. By far the most dangerous part of the trip was the inexperienced and silly drivers around us. If you don't know how to drive in snow and ice STAY THE HECK HOME! *ahem*

6. Hanging out with Rachel over fried rice - yay for good friends!

7. Christmas lights glowing under the snow. Freaky!

Things that made me happy on Saturday:

1. Bridget is HOME!!!!


2. Being snowed in Christmas week! Life does not get better than this – being snowed in with beloved ones, Woodhouse chocolates, Fortnum's Earl Grey Tea and card games of much hilarity. *very contented sigh*


3. Shoveling snow while it's still snowing. We did it three times throughout the day. Really with three people working on it together, it’s pretty fun!


4. Watching people wipe out/get stuck on our hill. It shouldn't be so entertaining but really it is. :>


5. Finishing my Christmas cards. The first and probably last time I make my Christmas cards. They are cute but it took WAY too much time! And that was with cutting my list super short this year too!

Loads of fun! And even if I never got my right skate on properly, I managed not to fall. Sarah and Twila even knew what they were doing. Oh, and we went out to lunch. And a little shopping!

While skating, we were asked if we were Mennonites. Too funny!



Shoe shot!

( More this way! )

I have just finnished the polonaise skirt. Took it on the dress form and i am so happy because it has just the shape i was after, the fluffy shape. Its the light weight silk wich falls so nicely. I have sewed on all the trimming, wich is the frill and the puffed ribbon + all the roses. Its so nice. I wont be able to give you any pictures before tuesday when i am home from work because i hate the flash pictures.
I really have some buisy days the next before christmas, i must go and buy some more cotton calico for draping tomorrow, so that i can start draping the bodice for the polonaise. Also i have to do all the shopping for our foods because i have to work all christmas except christmas evening, where we celebrate the christmas. We are going to have a roasted duck, and ris allemande, wich is a dessert we eat with almonds, rice, whiped cream and vanilla, served with yummy cherry sauce. Leif is wishing a new watch for christmas, i wish a tv series on dvd, danish one called Matador. Its our history seen from 1920- 1950.
We have had a lot of snow here, maybe we are going to have a white christmas after all. I only remember 1 other white christmas, when i was a child.

Bjarne

I'm still hoping to the get my own copy of an Austen era cookbook, but as I don't have one as yet I've spent a teency bit of time today looking for picnic ideas for February.  I've found a recipe for ratafia biscuits - almond meal & orange liqueur mmmmh.  I'm going to make me some of them.  Naturally, my mind then turned to drinks and found this recipe for Yellow Escubac, which seems to be possible (apart from the expense of saffron).
  http://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/2008/04/19/regency-drinks-jane-austen-food-cooker/

In some ways it seems to be silly of me to be hoping to host a properly authentic austen era picnic - in a time without servants, and when I personally won't be handsewing a dress. pffft.  I'm all for those of my posse who do, but I reserve the right to reject the concept for myself.

ooh, and an Austen website lists Cornish Pasties ... chicken & muchroom ones. mmmmmh so I'm saved from eating potato but still able to eat these.
http://www.janeausten.co.uk/magazine/page.ihtml?pid=395&step=4

I decided that since I went to two events without making anything, I needed to make something for ice skating, right? So I decided to make the ale-house dress early :)



( More, of course! )

Before Williamsburg, I'm going to make a new shift with tighter sleeves, a new bigger cap and do big hair :)

Oh, locked entries unlocked too. Not that they're super exciting or anything :)

I just noticed on Facebook that someone joined a group called this:

Were against Facebook charging 14.99 pounds a month from July 1, 2010

OK, so you* were* against it? Now you're for it! Well, good to know :)

Apostrophes are our friends. Execept when they're not, that is :)

The mitts are done! Hmm. Must update Ravelry status. I think I'll wait to officially call them done until I have pictures of them with costume tomorrow though. I'm also happy because I found all of my costume bits, even with both 18c shifts deciding to hide in totally the wrong place. I was afraid I'd have to cut down the sleeves on the Tudor shift! Which I wouldn't have done, but I think contemplating it made it easier to find the 18c shifts.

I even sewed black ribbons on my black felt hat. Seems better than straw :)

Anyway, tomorrow, attack things with the lint roller. No point in doing it tonight! I'm very excited about ice skating in costume tomorrow. Can you tell? And I have been ice skating before. During college, and despite the obnoxious teenage hockey players doing their best to ignore everyone else, I managed to stay up with no difficulty. And though it's been years, I do know how to rollerblade :)

It was fun though! But tiring. On the way back home I had a quadruple iced latte and went straight to bed. See, I've always had weird sleeping habits :)

Is it just me, or are these stockings
with cherries printed all over them in the Met some of the most
amazing things ever?

I want some. Seriously want some!

I have had so manny hopes for this conferrence held in my city, but now i can see that it has all been in vain. The world wont take any actions to the climate changes.
I am very very happy that i dont have any children. To those of you who have, ill just say that i pitty you, the future for the generations to come, is going to be very very bad!

Knitting the mitts (almost done!!!) has made me want to do something I
never thought I'd want to do. Knit stockings. It really doesn't look so
bad. Of course, I'd want to do cotton, not wool since I think I'd like
them for Williamsburg in June, and while I'm all about the tropical weight
wool for a comfortable dress, wool stockings? Uh, no.

They don't look so bad. I'd follow this chart.
I think I'd be happy with 10-12 stitches an inch. And purled clocks,
because really, why not?

Plus, I really want to try knitting garter stitch in the round the way
it's described in the notes for the pattern. I wish I had seen that
before regular purling on the mitts. I still have some garter stitch
left, but I want to do it the same way as I did the first mitt.

Could be a fun project :)