I really wasn't into Christmas until we got snow last week. Not just a little snow, We ended up with about a foot of the white stuff.
Spent 4.5 days in Fort Wayne, traced some patterns and learned how to fit a ballgown bodice. Since then I've been busy sewing, knitting and cleaning to get ready for Christmas. I've got just about everything finished. Men's drawers are all that left, they need a bit of handsewing then buttons & buttonholes, then they're done. So now I'm off to put the sewing away until after Christmas. I will update my other blogs after Christmas when I can get pictures of the items I made for Christmas.
Have a great holiday season! Nollaig Shona Dhuit! Merry Christmas!
Monday, December 24, 2012
Monday, December 3, 2012
December 3, 2012
Well, December is here again. So far it definitely doesn't seem like Christmas is literally right around the corner. Yesterday when we went and cut our tree it was 52 degrees. It's not supposed to be that warm! It's December and it's Wisconsin. I'm just hoping that we do have some snow for Christmas so that we don't end up with a brown Christmas (which I find somewhat depressing). Any way.... The tree is up, the lights are on and tonight the ornaments will start finding their way out of the boxes and onto the tree.
As I mentioned on Friday, I did finish the Lady's Knitted Under Petticoat from Godey's Lady's Book & Magazine (December, 1864). I had started it back on October 15th. The pattern and my notes are on my KnittingAside blog. I have another one already started but I'm going to have to start it over. Somehow, I managed to drop several stitches and since it's only row 5 or 6, I don't really mind taking it out.
Saturday was supposed to be spent cleaning the living room and kitchen. However, I got talked into taking my daughter to the barn. She wanted to see if she was finally big enough to ride in the 15 1/2" western saddle that we own. Good news! No more pony saddle. She's very happy. She also did some ground work with my horse and he actually listened to her. Now, she just needs to go work with him everyday so that he stops looking like he's pregnant. He definitely needs the work!
Saturday evening I started working on a new knitting project (big surprise). More on that will be posted on my KnittingAside blog. (oh and I already finished it last night, except for some buttons)
Today, I'm off to the sewing room to finish drafting patterns for a customer and then cut out a couple of "ensemble" pieces for civil war clothing. Don't worry, there will be pictures eventually.
Hope everyone has a great day!
As I mentioned on Friday, I did finish the Lady's Knitted Under Petticoat from Godey's Lady's Book & Magazine (December, 1864). I had started it back on October 15th. The pattern and my notes are on my KnittingAside blog. I have another one already started but I'm going to have to start it over. Somehow, I managed to drop several stitches and since it's only row 5 or 6, I don't really mind taking it out.
Saturday was supposed to be spent cleaning the living room and kitchen. However, I got talked into taking my daughter to the barn. She wanted to see if she was finally big enough to ride in the 15 1/2" western saddle that we own. Good news! No more pony saddle. She's very happy. She also did some ground work with my horse and he actually listened to her. Now, she just needs to go work with him everyday so that he stops looking like he's pregnant. He definitely needs the work!
Saturday evening I started working on a new knitting project (big surprise). More on that will be posted on my KnittingAside blog. (oh and I already finished it last night, except for some buttons)
Today, I'm off to the sewing room to finish drafting patterns for a customer and then cut out a couple of "ensemble" pieces for civil war clothing. Don't worry, there will be pictures eventually.
Hope everyone has a great day!
Friday, November 30, 2012
November 30th, 2012
Finally, finished the knitted petticoat I've been working on. You can find the pattern I used (with my notes) on my KnittingAside blog.
I also finished a boy's paletot today that I started last week. This one is for a boy 3-6 years old. It's 100% wool, cape lining and facings are 100% cotton twill, trim is 100% cotton corduroy & velvet.
I also finished a boy's paletot today that I started last week. This one is for a boy 3-6 years old. It's 100% wool, cape lining and facings are 100% cotton twill, trim is 100% cotton corduroy & velvet.
Other than that, not much is going on today. Have a great evening!
Saturday, November 10, 2012
November 10, 2012 - September & October, 2012
Okay, so here's what I was up to in September & October.
September - Labor day weekend was spent packing for an event and trying to get a new phone. Which I did finally get (all though I had to go pick it up at the store) Labor day was spent driving down to meet up with my friends. We spent the weekend at the Maryland, my Maryland event and despite of the rain on Saturday we had a great time. We had a really nice meal at Dan's Restaurant and Tap Room at the corner of Main & Potomac in Boonsboro, MD.
Oh, and I got to bring my sewing machine (which was in the shop being fixed) home with me. I forgot how much I like using my Janome 6600P. Thanks to my friend, Kay for taking it to her Janome dealer to be fixed. However, one of the projects I worked on in September, I had to do handsewn button holes on (4 early 1800's boys shirts). I did get some other sewing done for the mercantile, mainly boys' hats.
If I'm not sewing, I'm knitting. I made a Dalek hat for my daughter, I also knitted a hat for a customer.
Otherwise, I don't think there was too much exciting going on in September.
October - Travelling again. Met up with a friend and drove down to Perryville, KY. I had a great time, seeing old friends again. Moneywise, this was the best event I've had since Cedar Creek. I sold a bunch of yarn and a corset that I made that ended up not fitting. Got home, did laundry and started to repack for Raymond/Vicksburg event. I did get some sewing done before I left, but not much.
Raymond/Vicksburg Civil War Reenactment
We left on Monday for the event, not including the stopover just outside of Springfield for a couple of hours (Thanks, Jim & Tracey), it was about 19.5 hours driving (with three horses the last 12.5 hours). I had a great time living in a cave from Thursday-Sunday with Amie, her family & Jeannine. All six of us lived in one cave the entire time. We set it up so that the one that was partially dug out was our pantry (the farthest form the cave we slept in). The one next to it we left with some stuff in it to make it look like one that was used by someone who came down just when they were firing on the town. Then there was our cave, we had two single beds and one full/queen size bed in there and we still had room to spare. Amazingly, we never were in each others way and we never tripped over each other. In my opinion, it was more comfortable than putting up and living in a tent. The last dugout, Amie and I put a tent fly over and we set that up as our dining room. Thursday & Friday we spent "entertaining" school children. We got a lot of the normal questions: Is that a real fire, did you sleep out here, etc. Best ones: is that a real baby, where do you go to the bathroom, My daughter & one of the other kids were asked to eat & walk to prove they were real. (and I can just see the look on here face when she was asked to do that too. lol) However, the kids from the deaf school did have the best questions (wish I could remember them, they really were very good questions).
I've been reenacting since 1988, so it takes a lot to impress me now. But this was definitely one I'd have to add to my top 5, as of right now it's #1. It was quite a learning experience. Oh, did I mention, I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I wish I could take the cave with me to events, Thank you to my friend Amie for putting us all up Tuesday and Wednesday nights and thanks goes out to her friend who put the horses up on Tuesday night too!
When we got home it took me three days or so to do all the laundry and I still haven't gotten everything put where it belongs. I'm already looking forward to next reenacting season!
Except for what's been going on already in November, that's what's been going on here.
September - Labor day weekend was spent packing for an event and trying to get a new phone. Which I did finally get (all though I had to go pick it up at the store) Labor day was spent driving down to meet up with my friends. We spent the weekend at the Maryland, my Maryland event and despite of the rain on Saturday we had a great time. We had a really nice meal at Dan's Restaurant and Tap Room at the corner of Main & Potomac in Boonsboro, MD.
Oh, and I got to bring my sewing machine (which was in the shop being fixed) home with me. I forgot how much I like using my Janome 6600P. Thanks to my friend, Kay for taking it to her Janome dealer to be fixed. However, one of the projects I worked on in September, I had to do handsewn button holes on (4 early 1800's boys shirts). I did get some other sewing done for the mercantile, mainly boys' hats.
If I'm not sewing, I'm knitting. I made a Dalek hat for my daughter, I also knitted a hat for a customer.
Otherwise, I don't think there was too much exciting going on in September.
October - Travelling again. Met up with a friend and drove down to Perryville, KY. I had a great time, seeing old friends again. Moneywise, this was the best event I've had since Cedar Creek. I sold a bunch of yarn and a corset that I made that ended up not fitting. Got home, did laundry and started to repack for Raymond/Vicksburg event. I did get some sewing done before I left, but not much.
Raymond/Vicksburg Civil War Reenactment
We left on Monday for the event, not including the stopover just outside of Springfield for a couple of hours (Thanks, Jim & Tracey), it was about 19.5 hours driving (with three horses the last 12.5 hours). I had a great time living in a cave from Thursday-Sunday with Amie, her family & Jeannine. All six of us lived in one cave the entire time. We set it up so that the one that was partially dug out was our pantry (the farthest form the cave we slept in). The one next to it we left with some stuff in it to make it look like one that was used by someone who came down just when they were firing on the town. Then there was our cave, we had two single beds and one full/queen size bed in there and we still had room to spare. Amazingly, we never were in each others way and we never tripped over each other. In my opinion, it was more comfortable than putting up and living in a tent. The last dugout, Amie and I put a tent fly over and we set that up as our dining room. Thursday & Friday we spent "entertaining" school children. We got a lot of the normal questions: Is that a real fire, did you sleep out here, etc. Best ones: is that a real baby, where do you go to the bathroom, My daughter & one of the other kids were asked to eat & walk to prove they were real. (and I can just see the look on here face when she was asked to do that too. lol) However, the kids from the deaf school did have the best questions (wish I could remember them, they really were very good questions).
I've been reenacting since 1988, so it takes a lot to impress me now. But this was definitely one I'd have to add to my top 5, as of right now it's #1. It was quite a learning experience. Oh, did I mention, I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I wish I could take the cave with me to events, Thank you to my friend Amie for putting us all up Tuesday and Wednesday nights and thanks goes out to her friend who put the horses up on Tuesday night too!
When we got home it took me three days or so to do all the laundry and I still haven't gotten everything put where it belongs. I'm already looking forward to next reenacting season!
Except for what's been going on already in November, that's what's been going on here.
November 2, 2012 - Busy Year So Far
Wow. I guess it's been a busy year for me (at least since June). It's been almost six months since I've been on here to blog. We'll see if I can remember what's happened since the last time I've blogged.
In July:
Again this year we took our horses over to Old World Wisconsin for the 4th. We ended up having 6 Morgans there this year. We had a great time despite the heat.
A couple of days later we were on the road to the civil war reenactment at Wauconda, IL. When we arrived it was 107 degrees (110 heat index). I'm glad I broke down and bought a battery powered fan, it made sleeping Friday night bearable. Saturday, I had two students for my Tunisian crochet class. We didn't have too many spectators on Saturday, most of us think it was because of the heat. Saturday night was a bit cooler and I didn't need the fan to sleep. Crowds were much better on Sunday. Wauconda is a "home" event for us. It's also the event where our friends who have "retired" from the hobby come out and visit. Some of them I hadn't see in 6+ years.
July was also a busy month for sewing. I finished a bunch of corsets. Also, finished a four piece boys outfin in linen (jacket, paletot, & vest were all made of white linen), a pair of cotton trousers, a collarless linen vest, & a silk tie for a customer.
The last weekend of July was spent at a millinery workshop in Fort Wayne. I worked on a couple of corsets.
Then came August and what was the beginning of what seems like non stop traveling. We spent the first weekend of August at a civil war event in Boscobel, WI. Sunday was cool enough (or at least it felt cool enough) that I went and got one of my husbands shell jackets out of the horse trailer. The following weekend we took both of the horses down to a one day show in Brodhead, WI. Our daughter entered a couple of in hand classes, on of which was split in two so because there were around 40 horses entered. She got called back in the final 12 but ended up not placing. I entered in an inhand class, which my horse wouldn't stand still or be quiet for. But I did end up placing 5th out of 6th in one of my mounted classes. That was the first time I've ever placed. My husband entered in one mounted class with his horse. Unfortunately, they didn't place, but they did look good together.
Ended up spending a weekend of August 17th, in Hampshire, IL working on women's Regency petticoats and girls chemises. We finished all but two of the women's petticoats.
As usual, I had some corsets to due in August. Other items I finished for customers in August were a women's pinner apron, toddler dress and a small boy's shirt out of five yards of cotton calico, a silk rosette belt, a pair of men's pants and a sheer cotton dress. I also finished up some knitting and crocheting projects for Ravelry's Ravellenics (formerly Ravelympics).
I did get a chance to have some fun too. We spent a day up at Mt. Olympus. The rest of the month I spent on the road for the mercantile.
I'll finish the catch up later. (September & October next time).
In July:
Again this year we took our horses over to Old World Wisconsin for the 4th. We ended up having 6 Morgans there this year. We had a great time despite the heat.
A couple of days later we were on the road to the civil war reenactment at Wauconda, IL. When we arrived it was 107 degrees (110 heat index). I'm glad I broke down and bought a battery powered fan, it made sleeping Friday night bearable. Saturday, I had two students for my Tunisian crochet class. We didn't have too many spectators on Saturday, most of us think it was because of the heat. Saturday night was a bit cooler and I didn't need the fan to sleep. Crowds were much better on Sunday. Wauconda is a "home" event for us. It's also the event where our friends who have "retired" from the hobby come out and visit. Some of them I hadn't see in 6+ years.
The last weekend of July was spent at a millinery workshop in Fort Wayne. I worked on a couple of corsets.
Then came August and what was the beginning of what seems like non stop traveling. We spent the first weekend of August at a civil war event in Boscobel, WI. Sunday was cool enough (or at least it felt cool enough) that I went and got one of my husbands shell jackets out of the horse trailer. The following weekend we took both of the horses down to a one day show in Brodhead, WI. Our daughter entered a couple of in hand classes, on of which was split in two so because there were around 40 horses entered. She got called back in the final 12 but ended up not placing. I entered in an inhand class, which my horse wouldn't stand still or be quiet for. But I did end up placing 5th out of 6th in one of my mounted classes. That was the first time I've ever placed. My husband entered in one mounted class with his horse. Unfortunately, they didn't place, but they did look good together.
Ended up spending a weekend of August 17th, in Hampshire, IL working on women's Regency petticoats and girls chemises. We finished all but two of the women's petticoats.
As usual, I had some corsets to due in August. Other items I finished for customers in August were a women's pinner apron, toddler dress and a small boy's shirt out of five yards of cotton calico, a silk rosette belt, a pair of men's pants and a sheer cotton dress. I also finished up some knitting and crocheting projects for Ravelry's Ravellenics (formerly Ravelympics).
I did get a chance to have some fun too. We spent a day up at Mt. Olympus. The rest of the month I spent on the road for the mercantile.
I'll finish the catch up later. (September & October next time).
Sunday, June 17, 2012
June 17, 2012 - Happy Father's Day!
It's been quite a long time since I've added anything to my blog. Today is Father's Day, so Happy Father's day to all the dads out there.
It's already been quite a year, I spent 10 days early in the year working on 4 Tunisian crocheted vest and six boys jackets for a TV pilot (thanks to my friend, Marta, who let me spent a couple of extra days at her house trying to finish them on time), then we spent a week down in Tennessee for the 150th Shiloh Civil War reenactment, took a horse up for Midwest Horse Fair, and my daughter to her first "real" horse show (the first one where she wasn't in a leadline class). While my husband and daughter were in Sacramento, KY for a event, I went down to Evansville, WI and hung out with friends from the Timekeepers. It was nice to go to an event (even for a day) and not have to do anything or be anywhere.
I've been quite busy with all of the sewing & stuff. Needless to say that's why I've not been on blogging. We'll have to wait and see when the next post will be added after this one. In the last month or so, I've done a bunch of corsets (sorry, I lost count on how many), finished a few UFO's (Unfinished Objects or in this case projects), and made some headway on some others.
The beginning of May, I finally finished a cotton Civil War period dress for myself including collar and cuffs (which is what most of my dresses tend to lack unless a friend sews them on for me). Which I wore for the first time to the event in Evansville, WI.
One of the most recently finished was a slightly off white paletot to go with a pair of linen boys' trousers and vest. (This outfit will be for sale shortly here.
So, as I've said it's been a busy year already. Oh, did I mention, I published two Tunisian crochet patterns this year (so far). Both are translated from the original German, to modern English crocheting terminology (they also include the original German). One is for a Ladies' Sontag, it includes two variations and the other is a Gentlemans' Scarf. Thanks to my friend, Kay for letting me use her Der Bazar Magazines!
Yesterday, I spent the day enlarging a boy's vest pattern & jacket (from an original 1864 pattern) and cutting out 6 pairs of boys' trousers, 2 pair of boys' short pants, one vest & one jacket. Of these 4 pairs of the trousers and 2 pair of boys' short pants are for customers. Also, on my to do list are: 4 vests, two jackets, two pleated front white shirts, two paletots, one sheer dress, & a rosette belt for customers. As well as, two ladies' ensembles (vest, jacket & white bodies). I'm also working on another Tunisian crochet pattern that I hope to have available later this year.
Some how amongst all this work, I've also been getting some reading done. My daughter and I joined our library's summer reading program. I've found that I really enjoy reading Fantasy novels, no not the ones that have any type of apocalyptic theme. Earlier this year I read, Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder. I loved it and can't wait until the next one in the trilogy comes out. I've also enjoyed reading her Study series and am currently working on her Glass series (I've already read Storm Glass). However, I'm currently reading The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle) & Black Orchids (Rex Stout) and The Way of Shadows (Night Angel #1, Brent Weeks). I've got several more books on my reading list.
Anyway, I suppose it's time to get off of here and go get something done. Have a great day!
It's already been quite a year, I spent 10 days early in the year working on 4 Tunisian crocheted vest and six boys jackets for a TV pilot (thanks to my friend, Marta, who let me spent a couple of extra days at her house trying to finish them on time), then we spent a week down in Tennessee for the 150th Shiloh Civil War reenactment, took a horse up for Midwest Horse Fair, and my daughter to her first "real" horse show (the first one where she wasn't in a leadline class). While my husband and daughter were in Sacramento, KY for a event, I went down to Evansville, WI and hung out with friends from the Timekeepers. It was nice to go to an event (even for a day) and not have to do anything or be anywhere.
 |
| One of the UFOs A very sheer, CW dress |
 |
| My Cotton Dress |
One of the most recently finished was a slightly off white paletot to go with a pair of linen boys' trousers and vest. (This outfit will be for sale shortly here.So, as I've said it's been a busy year already. Oh, did I mention, I published two Tunisian crochet patterns this year (so far). Both are translated from the original German, to modern English crocheting terminology (they also include the original German). One is for a Ladies' Sontag, it includes two variations and the other is a Gentlemans' Scarf. Thanks to my friend, Kay for letting me use her Der Bazar Magazines!
Yesterday, I spent the day enlarging a boy's vest pattern & jacket (from an original 1864 pattern) and cutting out 6 pairs of boys' trousers, 2 pair of boys' short pants, one vest & one jacket. Of these 4 pairs of the trousers and 2 pair of boys' short pants are for customers. Also, on my to do list are: 4 vests, two jackets, two pleated front white shirts, two paletots, one sheer dress, & a rosette belt for customers. As well as, two ladies' ensembles (vest, jacket & white bodies). I'm also working on another Tunisian crochet pattern that I hope to have available later this year.
Some how amongst all this work, I've also been getting some reading done. My daughter and I joined our library's summer reading program. I've found that I really enjoy reading Fantasy novels, no not the ones that have any type of apocalyptic theme. Earlier this year I read, Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder. I loved it and can't wait until the next one in the trilogy comes out. I've also enjoyed reading her Study series and am currently working on her Glass series (I've already read Storm Glass). However, I'm currently reading The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle) & Black Orchids (Rex Stout) and The Way of Shadows (Night Angel #1, Brent Weeks). I've got several more books on my reading list.
Anyway, I suppose it's time to get off of here and go get something done. Have a great day!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)