Will work for champagne

I've managed to do quite a bit today, but feel like I did nothing.  Oh well.

Fabric has been laundered for a corset for a friend of mine.  Just waiting to get the energy to start some patterning for it.  I've either lost or loaned my 19th century corset pattern, so I'll be using my underbust one as a guideline for Tracie's project.  She fit in mine perfectly, so this should be pretty easy to transfer measurements.

While I wait for myself to not be lazy, I started some research on the court dress.  After reading the write-up on the basics of court dress that Kendra put up, it made me realize I'm not sure what I was thinking.  I won't be needing my stays, so there was really no reason to tear apart the garage/laundry room for a second time.  oops.  I will be going the route of the boned bodice, using the 1660s one in Patterns of Fashion as a base.  After seeing the construction photos (and the finished result) over at Before the Automobile I'm really pleased with the idea.

Oh and I painted the garage door today.  A huge improvement I'd say, even if it is just temporary.

It only took 2 whole years

December 2010.  No paint, drab nasty green curtains

Summer 2011.  New paint job, same crappy old door, and the nasty green curtains that do not match and are hung improperly.

September 2012.  New curtains (hung incorrectly for the moment), paint all finished, living room reorganized

September 2012.  Curtains rehung in the correct position, tie backs secured to the wall and everything in place.

Hi I'm Charlie and I approve of the work my mom does.  It makes me happy

 This is part of why it takes me a million years to sew anything.  I keep working on putting our household in order and making it pretty.

Busy times

What have I been up to lately?  Well....tons of things.  I broke a window so I had to replace it, that was fun.  The process of course required me to smash it further.

 I worked like crazy on a corset and bloomers for a co-worker

 I debated about wearing an old regency period dress I made for Halloween, opted not to though

Oh yeah this was my Halloween: me, a co-worker, and the boss.  It was a fun day though, normal routine but in undies.  Got a few fitting issues to finish working on though.

My to-do list:
1. Brenda's corset: finish the alterations
2. New fun skirts for Becky
3. Maroon wool bodice for me
4. Striped dress with matching Swiss waist for me

List of house things. lots of work ahead

Long-term plans
KITCHEN:
- Add yellow and white ceramic tile to counter tops and a back-splash to replace cheap OSH from 1990s remodel
- Embroider white linen curtains in yellow thread as a keepsake
- Redo the tile on the floor in either black or white.   completed April 2013
- New refrigerator in a vintage style that actually matches
- Acquire 1950s cooking implements (all Foley brand if possible with red wooden handles)
- Add Drawer pulls for cabinets and drawers       completed May 2011

BEDROOM
- Replace windows so they're not broken
- carpet
- new closet doors and organization system for closet

BATHROOM
- Remove plastic shower insert and retile in ceramic tile
- Redo flooring
- Remove counters and replace with pedestal sink, shelves, and tall cabinet piece
- Remove door to "closet" and replace with wall like it originally was
- Install a ventilation system
- Replace the window so it won't be rotten

SPARE BEDROOM
- Remove the wardrobe that was added in 1990s remodel
- Knock down the wall to gain access to the original closet

LIVING ROOM
- Recarpet
- Remove WalMart particle board bookshelves and replace with permanent wood ones that are attached to the wall (floor to ceiling)
- Arrange Mark's stereo stuff on the other wall
- Replace the window with better glass and weather stripping
- Replace door with a  new one so you can't see daylight around the perimeter

Distraction...yet again

Well I  managed to get absolutely no costume related things done yesterday.  I spent a good 5 hours painting and managed to finish the primer and get the first coat on half of the ceiling.  Hopefully I can finish that up tonight so I can start on the pretty blue (called Port-au-Prince).  I can't stand to look at dirty plaster with spackling covering all the nail holes and cracks anymore.  I want COLOR!

The upside of not doing any sewing for myself yesterday, I've almost managed to get one of my mom's birthday socks done...almost a week late.  Eeek.  Better late than never.  Oh and Charlie was good as gold which is always a bonus.

Today seems to be going the same direction as yesterday though.  I've done no costuming, I did think about it though.  Mostly while I was attacking the blackberries that are encroaching from the swamp by our house.  Yet another thing that makes me sad, to see a perfectly good yard suffer neglect and blackberries move right on in.  I know it's not always possible to keep up on things, but I am going to make a concerted effort to never let our lovely little house get like that again.  I've got a good portion of the easily accessible ones cut now.  Problem is that it opens up the chicken wire fence and all the problems with that to Charlie.  And believe me, he does like to go exploring.  Hopefully I'll be able to start fixing things up though and make the yard safer for him.

And now, off to do some painting while I try to distract the puppy at the same time.  Then maybe I can start on some sewing stuff.