Happy Birthday to Me

01. March 2011 · Write a comment · Categories: Events, Sewing, Website · Tags: ,

Yesterday was my birthday and it was quite frankly one of the best birthdays ever.  My hubby took me out to dinner with friends and we had not one but two sushi boats!  Well, to be honest we had a sushi Titanic and a sushi life raft comprising a total of 58 rolls that met a tragic fate on the high seas of our dinner table.  It was epic.

I’m still in the process of organizing my plans for the wardrobe project, what I want to work on first, and what I’m going to do about the Flanders gown.  I’m almost ready to make a fabric order but first I need to make a couple of pairs of brais and maybe a new fighting shirt to send of with my husband to Gulf Wars.

One thing I have been debating is whether or not I should merge my website with my blog moving everything into WordPress, or whether I should continue to maintain both a separate site and blog.  While I still think Joomla is better than Worpress for creating a stand alone site, I do like the idea of having everything together and I think WordPress would work better for merging the two since it’s way better at handling static pages (its weakness) than Joomla is at blogging.  Still weighing things out though.

Cleaning Out My Garb Closet

24. February 2011 · Write a comment · Categories: Sewing · Tags: , , , ,

Do you ever stand in front of your closet looking for something to wear on to realize that you absolutely hate 90% of it?  That’s the realization I came to over the past couple of weeks while I was getting ready for KASF and Ymir.  My garb closet is full of clothes but many of them are too big now and a lot of them (especially in the case of my rapier armor) are quickly nearing the end of their lives.

So I’ve decided it’s time to redo my wardrobe.  Everything that no longer fits or is in desperate need of repair/replacement must go.  Part of me is torn.  I hate to spend hours making new garb only to have it be too big in a matter of months.  But at this point I think I’d rather make the alterations than only have one or two things I can wear.

I’ve decided to start with replacing my rapier armor since that’s the most in need of replacing.  Plus pants are super easy to take in and if my fencing doublet is a little big it won’t really matter.

And I am going to continue to work on my jacket.  Thankfully I’ve started with the sleeves.  Once they are both done I’m going to double check the fit again before proceeding to the body.  There shouldn’t be much change in my arms so even if the body pieces need to be adjusted the sleeves should still be ok.  Or, worst case scenario, if the difference is too great for an adjustment and the whole garment needs to be repatterned I could use the sleeves somewhere else.

I’ve spent some time thinking about what I want from my wardrobe and I’ve done a basic write up of the project here. This project is still in the planning stages.  Also, the wardrobe project is part of a larger over all effort to revamp our kit so there are notes regarding other aspects of the overall project.

I will continue to discuss this project in more detail as it firms up in my head over the next two weeks.  For now I have pulled everything that I do not want to keep out of my closet and placed it in the guest room.  It will go into an empty hall closet for the time being just in case I need any of the garments.  I also need to pick up some organizers for the shelves for my hats, shirts, and accessories.

How to Tell When a Project Just Needs to be Shelved

18. February 2011 · 4 comments · Categories: Ebooks, Embroidery, Fighting, Goals, Sewing · Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Sometimes it happens.  You had this fab idea for a project.  It was exciting and it really got your juices flowing.  But once you got further into it you realized that it wasn’t quite what you had had in mind when you first got started.  It’s just not making you happy any more and you find yourself wondering if it’s better to trudge through and finish it up or shelve it until it does start to make you happy again.

I’ve been feeling that way myself lately.  And I’ve come to the conclusion that sometimes it may just be better to shelve a project rather than to keep working on something that is no longer bringing you the joy it once was.  Sometimes its better to shelve it and free yourself up to take on other projects that will bring you joy.  After all, isn’t the fact that they bring us happiness and some measure of joy and fulfillment the whole reason we do these projects in the first place?  Besides there is nothing that says you can’t come back to that old project at a later date.

So I’ve decided to step back from the projects that haven’t been bringing me joy so that I can focus on the things that are.

What am I putting on hold?

  1. The eBooks. Working on them and selling them through the site just hasn’t been as fun as I thought it would be so I’m shelving the project.  What will I do with the two I already have?  I’m not sure yet but I’m pondering several options.
  2. The Flanders Gown. It was so much more fun when I started it but once the fur went down hill it just wasn’t as inspiring anymore.  Since all it needs are sleeves I will probably finish it but I’ll do something more simple that I had originally planned.
  3. Commissions. I’ve enjoyed working on the commissions I’ve taken but now that my most recent one is done I’ve decided to take some time for myself for a while.  I have about 20 buttons to make and that’s it.  I’m going to finish them in the next couple weeks and then I’m going to focus on some personal projects that have really been calling to me.  The calendar will probably open up again for commissions at some point in the future but for now I’m going to focus on personal projects.

What am I still deciding on?

  1. The Etsy Shop. I just don’t know what to do about it.  On the one hand I’ve enjoyed it and I have some big ideas for changes to it but on the other I’m not sure that the things I want to produce fit in best at Etsy.  Still pondering this one.

What am I going to do more of?

  1. Fight. Fighting has been bringing me a lot of joy lately and I want to free up more time for it.
  2. Sew and Embroider for myself. I have several personal sewing projects that are calling to me.  Plus less free time has meant less time for my embroidered jacket.  I worked on it recently and it reminded me how much I’ve enjoyed this project and really want to free up more time for it.
  3. Enjoy the fresh air and warm sun. This winter was rather stressful but the thing that always made me feel better was going outside and walking around the building.  Now that its starting to warm up being outside is even more pleasurable.  I want to spend more time outside, go to fighter practice in the daylight, move my workouts outdoors, and get in a little diving.  I can’t wait for Spring.
  4. Write. I’ve really enjoyed the FR and YWU articles that I’ve written and I have several ideas for new tutorials and HMA articles that I’ve been neglecting.  I have two more FR articles in the works and I want to get started on at least one of the HMA articles after Ymir.  I might even see about teaching at summer University.

Pictures on the Way

10. February 2011 · Write a comment · Categories: Events, Sewing, Website · Tags: , , , , ,

I did get pictures of my Flanders gown.  They are still currently on the camera with my KASF pictures because I’ve been totally lazy about downloading them but I should have them up before the end of the weekend.  In pseudo related news I discovered at KASF that I have to take in my last last pair of bodies and I expect I will have to alter my Flanders gown now as well.  That was pretty cool.

KASF was really inspiring.  I’ve been rather uninspired project wise lately and it really helped to get my juices flowing.  I’m currently brainstorming a couple of projects and I’m getting back to my long sidelined jacket project.  I am doing some reevaluating of the jacket project though.  My vision of where I’d like it to go has changed a bit and I don’t know whether it’s better to alter to project to suit my vision or to continue to push on to finish it as is.

I’m also considering a website reorg and maybe a new template.  It’s been about two years since the last one and since I usually get this itch every 2 years or so this one is hitting me pretty much right on schedule.

Flanders Gown Update

04. February 2011 · Write a comment · Categories: Sewing, Tutorials · Tags: , , , ,

Well, I’ve postponed this post for 3 days because I wanted to have pictures to go with it but I still haven’t taken them.  I think I must be the worst costumer ever but hopefully you all will forgive me. :)

Last weekend I got a lot of work done on my Flanders gown.  I ironed all my pieces, put the bodice together, lined the skirt, attached the skirt, and even did most of the hand finishing.  In fact right now it is sitting on my dress form lacking only sleeves, a hem, and it’s front fastening.  I’ve even started the sleeve mock up although I think I still need to tweak it a bit.

Tonight I need to pack for KASF so I doubt I’ll have a chance to work on the sleeves but I am going to try to get pictures up so at least y’all will be able to see it in its current state.

Don’t forget our Tutorial BOGO Special!

We are still running a special on our tutorials through February 6th at midnight! From now through then if you purchase one of our tutorials I will email you the second tutorial for free! Please see my website for details!

Flanders Gown To-Do’s and Website Ponderings

24. January 2011 · Write a comment · Categories: Fighting, Sewing · Tags: , , , , ,

Sorry there was not a practice update this week.  I was very busy with work on Thursday and unable to make it out.  Hopefully this week will be easier and I will be able to make it out.  I’ve really enjoyed the last few practices and it feels good to be out again even if it is freezing cold in NC this winter.

Not much happened with the Flanders gown this weekend.  We helped friends move into their (very beautiful) brand new house on Saturday, Saturday and Sunday I had to go into work to check on a freezer that decided to start acting up Saturday, and I spent Sunday afternoon running a low grade fever, drinking lots of juice, and working on a web design project.  I’ve been thinking though that I would really like to wear the gown to KASF in a couple of weeks (Feb 5th).  Everything is cut out and the interlining has been stiffened so I really think I could finish it up by then if I set some time aside for it.  So my plan for tonight is to make sure everything is ironed and sketch out a rough schedule for myself.

The other thing I’ve been considering over the past week is what to do about my site and my expanding costuming interests.  I’ve been branching out more and more into 19th and early 20th century fashions.  However discussing them and putting them up on “Elizabethan Mafia” seems out of place.  I’d like to continue to keep Elizabethan Mafia focused but at the same time I’d like to start discussing my other costuming endeavors.  Currently I have several options running around in my head:

  1. Just keep everything at Elizabethan Mafia.  I’ve spent six years building a following here and this is already how everyone knows me.
  2. Make a second site dedicated specifically to 18-20th Century costuming and keep my 14th-16th Century costuming and HMA research at Elizabethan Mafia.
  3. Refocus Elizabethan Mafia around my HMA research and move all my costuming to a new site.
  4. Build an entirely new site from that would cater to all my interests and redirect traffic to it from Elizabethan Mafia.

Thoughts?  Suggestions?  Am I over thinking it?  Am I crazy?  (Most likely but it would be nice if you all told me no.  :) )

Practice Log 1/13/2011, etc

18. January 2011 · Write a comment · Categories: Fighting, Sewing · Tags: , , , ,

Sorry for all the quiet last week.  With the ice storm we got last Tuesday and the holiday yesterday I’ve been completely thrown off schedule-wise.

I did make it to practice last week although sadly it appears last week was my goob practice*.  I forgot my contacts, forgot just about everything else, felt sick, etc…etc…etc.  I still fought just not particularly well.  Ah well, these things happen.  I just need to make sure that they don’t happen again this week.

I did spend some time working on my Flanders gown this weekend.  I didn’t get a lot done but I did get the remaining pieces cut out so I can finally get started on the assembly.  I also think I’ve changed my mind about the sleeves again.  I really need to get this project done just so I can stop changing my mind about it.  I also fit my shell jacket mock up.  It’s currently still up on my dress form as I debate making some other alterations to it but otherwise I’m pretty happy with it.

*goob practice:  That particular practice when coming back to regular practice from a break when a fighter seemingly forgets everything they’ve ever known.  It may be the first practice back or it may wait until practice 2 or 3 to strike.

16th and Early 17th Century Cloth Stockings Tutorial Coming Soon

29. November 2010 · Write a comment · Categories: Fashion, Sewing, Tutorials · Tags: , , , ,

Just a short post this morning but I wanted to let you all know that my 16th and Early 17th Century Cloth stocking tutorial (the one that was published at Foundations Revealed this past May) is going to be available through my website very soon.  I want to do a little reformatting first but I’m hoping to have it available before the end of the year.

In Between Projects the 2010 Review Begins

28. October 2010 · Write a comment · Categories: Embroidery, Fighting, Goals, Sewing, Tutorials, Website · Tags: , , , , , , ,

This week I start to find myself between projects.  My last article was published and I’ve started writing the next next one.  I’ve finished a couple of sewing projects and I’m getting ready to start a new commission.  This is the time that I generally make updates to my site.  So today when I was making some of those updates I found myself looking over some of my recent accomplishments and thinking that it’s nearly November and the end of the year is on it’s way.

More »

War of the Wings 2010

14. October 2010 · Write a comment · Categories: Events, Sewing, Tutorials · Tags: , , ,

I need to write some more fencing posts!  Well, that will have to wait until next week when my article has been submitted.  It’s all done except for two pictures I need to take tonight.  It’s getting turned in tomorrow.  Excellent.

But I’m sure what you want to read about is War of the Wings, which I went to last weekend.  More »

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