October 30, 2013

Wow! I can't believe it has been more than 6 months since I've updated any of my blogs. It has been an extremely busy year so far. Sewing up a storm since April for TWO 150th anniversary Civil War events: Gettysburg in July & Chickamauga in September. I know there will be some people that disagree with this but I thought both were great events. Yes, that is my opinion. Most of the time, even if it's pouring rain the entire weekend (or every afternoon like Gettysburg) as long as I'm "playing" with this particular group of people it will be a great event. Some people would think I'm nuts because I'd rather drive 8+ hours to meet up with this group of friends than stay "home" and play with the local reenactors.  I'm looking forward to the next (last) two years of the 150th anniversaries and I am VERY happy to call all of those who have been with us at the BGA civilian towns friends (and a few family).

Now, the good thing is that all of the sewing and knitting means that the bills are getting paid. The bad thing is that I'm too busy to update blogs, read books (all though I do get a couple in here and there), riding my horse, etc. I did get a chance to go see the Fashion & Art exhibit at the Art Institute of Chicago before it closed in September. It was really cool seeing some of the dresses & artwork that I've only seen on the internet in person.  My daughter had been wanting to go down to the AIC to see the Van Gogh paintings they have there. (Thank you, Doctor Who!!)   We also walked over to Buckingham Fountain and Millennium Park. I hadn't been down to Chicago in several years.

Now, that I have a lens on my camera again, another thing I've been trying to find time for is photography. I've found myself playing with the different modes on the camera instead of using m dSLR as a point and shoot. It's been a lot of fun playing and I've even surprised myself with a few of the pictures (and that's before playing with some of the apps and photo software).

I suppose it's time to head back to the sewing machine or pick up the knitting needles again.  Have a great day!

Busy, Busy, Busy - Lots of Sewing & Knitting.

It's been a very busy year so far. Lots of sewing & knitting/crocheting for customers. I've had very little time to get sewing / knitting done for me and my family. What is it they say about the cobblers family never having any shoes.  I think that may ring true for me and mine this year, except that it will be clothing for civil war reenactments.

So far this year I've worked on costumes for the Madrigals at my daughter's school.

I've been working on the normal sewing projects, corsets, lots of corsets. I've also been working on a few women's ensembles. This one is a trimmed wool jacket, white body and silk vest (with antique glass buttons.

Currently, I'm working on girls' dresses, which will be available in the mercantile (Originals by Kay) in a couple of weeks.

I've also been doing quite a bit of knitting when I'm not sewing, you can find out what kind of things I've been working on at my KnittingAside blog.

Eventually, I will move my sewing stuff over to the SewingAside blog (which still doesn't have any content on it) but in the meantime, the sewing stuff and other stuff will stay here.

Now, I'm off to update the KnittingAside blog, then off to work on the girls' dresses. Have a great day everyone!

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Happy Easter!

Just wanted to stop in and let everyone know that I do plan on getting back here and posting.  It's been an extremely busy year so far. Also to wish everyone a Happy Easter!

January 9th - First post of the new year - 2013

First of all, I'm very thankful that the world would end in December. Now, let's move forward and try and make it a better place to live.  There are so many things that can be done.  I think one of the things we really need to work on is our environment, clean air, clean water, clean soil, you get the picture.  I, for one, am very interested in growing heirloom vegetables, not modern hybrids (unless it's something I find completely facinating) and definitely not anything that is a GMO. I'm currently trying to decide what to grow in my garden (and I will post it here what I end up starting/planting).  If you're interested in heirloom or organic gardening, check out Seed Savers Exchange, Baker Creek Heirlooms, Organic Gardening, etc, here on the web (most are on FB also).  Also, talk to you local garden club or even your local library has TONS of books available, go check them out!

Since it is the new year, I know a lot of people have done the whole new year's resolution thing.  I decided this year not to make one but to try and set goals instead.  Hopefully, that will be easier than the whole resolution thing that makes you feel guilty if you don't keep up with it.  My biggest one is trying to get myself and my horse into some semblance of shape. Another one, try and get all of those unfinished projects finished.

It's already been a busy year for sewing and knitting.  I'm currently working on finishing up a wrapper for civil war reenacting and just finished a pair of knitted undersleeves. The finished undersleeves are for sale and the original pattern and my version are posted on my knitting blog.

We're also getting ready for the Midwest Civil War Civilians conference in Fort Wayne, IN.  It will be at the end of the month.  It's a lot of fun and a lot to learn.  You can find more info here.

Also, this year is the 150th anniversary of several civil war battles, including Gettysburg and Chickamauga.  If your interested in attending the BGA's (Blue Gray Alliance) Gettysburg event, here is the link to the website or the Chickamauga event here.

Have a great day everyone!