Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Some Progress


So, a report on the Craft List o'Doom!

First up: A Black and Blue (and Grey) Jayne hat!
While said critter may look complete, I'm still unsure about the trustworthiness of that pom-pom. I think I may just sew the thing down before I release it into the wild.

Next: Kaitlyn's Candlemas Outfit!
I've got the chemise finished except for the hemming and the fancy work on the collar. The bodice is ready for eyelets and trim and the skirts, both hoop and outer, have yet to be cut out. I still need to go buy boning for the hoops anyway and I'm very temped to just go to a wedding supply place and purchase one due to the tight schedule.

Last but not least: The Gold Elizabethan hat!
It still needs bling, but since the last time you saw it was as a pile of parts I thought you might like to see how far it's come.



Saturday, January 1, 2011

Craft List 2011

Often for New Years we make really silly resolutions such as "I'll jog 5 miles everyday!" when we hardly get off the couch on a regular basis or "I'll cut all the sugar out of my diet!" as we start another batch of cookies. I'll admit, I've done both of those in my time and like most unreasonable things they didn't work out. Many times I get so frustrated with my lack of success that I react in a childish way, stuffing my face with fats or sleeping until noon just because things didn't work the way I wanted. This year may be a little different though.One of my friends was joking around with me and made the comment that I should make a list of all the unfinished craft projects I have laying around and then finish them. I laughed and blew it off at the time, but the thought stuck with me.

From that old urge to start the New Year right and a random comment from my friend, I've created this list of UFO's floating around my house. Currently my goal is too just finish them. A very few of them have actual hard deadlines, so I feel I can take my time and enjoy the hobbies I've chosen to learn. I'll also be able to prioritize things better when I can see what needs to be done, so they won't get swallowed up in school work and other stressers. This is supposed to be fun, not a death march, but I'd like to have this whole list cleared by the end of year.

With all the best intentions in mind, I often still fall short of my goals. So I give myself permission to take it slow, or stop altogether if need be. In that case the item must be reduced to component parts or given to someone else who will finish it as soon as possible since I have a limited amount of space and tools. I give you, the reader, permission to randomly poke me and ask about the status of a project if you feel it hasn't been attended to recently enough.

If you're curious, anywhere I have 'materials' listed it doesn't mean I haven't bought the stuff yet, it just means I don't have enough on hand.

  • Charles Hat- needs a pom-pom and shipping
  • Kai Black/Grey Armwarmers- needs pattern, correct yarn
  • Kaitlyn Gambeson- needs quilted, edged and closed
  • Kaitlyn 1490 Spanish Gown- needs fitted, hooped, trimmed and closed
  • Kaitlyn Purple/White Italian Ren- needs trimmed, hemmed and eyelets
  • Kaitlyn Red fringe Dance Belt- needs bells, more fringe
  • Kaitlyn Gold/ Blue Doublet- needs fitted, tabs, buttons (lots)
  • Kaitlyn Purple fuzzy Armwarmers-needs re-mathed and finished
  • Kaitlyn Green Persian Coat- needs fitted, lined, hemmed, closures
  • Kaitlyn Black Persian Pants- needs cut-out, assembled
  • Kaitlyn White Persian Shirt- needs cut-out, assembled
  • Kaitlyn Breastplate- needs fitted, rivets reset, back plates removed, new straps
  • Pink/Brown Starfish- needs more arms and belly
  • Black/Red Choli -needs sleeves, front panel, trim
  • Patchwork Choli- needs cut-out and assembled
  • Gold Turkish Coat- needs to be taken-apart, refitted, re-assembled
  • Blue/White Velvet Burgundian- needs fitted and assembled
  • Blue wool scarf- finish
  • Red lace Hat- check pattern, frog or finish
  • Blue Tudor Gown and Kirtle- needs more material, cut out, assembled, hemmed, trimmed, closed
  • Blue Sweater- check pattern, frog or finish
  • Green Saxon Braid Sweater- frog or finish
  • Red/White/Blue Stripe Scarf- frog or finish
  • Blue Stripe Sock- frog or finish
  • Grey Stripe Sock- finish # 2
  • Fluffy Grey/ Rainbow Scarf- check pattern, frog and fix
  • Blue Cotton Bikini- needs strap and assembled
  • Black/Blue/Grey Stocking Cap- check pattern and finish
  • Breastplate- needs bottom cut/curled, get help
  • Metal Vambraces- needs pattern, materials, strapping/buckles
  • Helm/Knees- needs rust removed and restrapped, look into plating
  • Spinning Wheel- needs head fixed in place, drive belts
  • Storage Chest- needs drawer repaired, top drawers waxed
  • Desk- needs leather top cleaned/sealed
  • Elizabethan Necklaces- needs pattern, pearls
  • Black Velvet Hat- needs cut-out, assembled, trimmed
  • Gold Brocade Hat- needs bling and feather
  • Trailer Curtains- needs cut-out, assembled and hung
  • Trailer Cabinets- needs materials, installation
  • Trailer Walls- needs materials, paint, insulation, assembly