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Archive for October, 2013

fabulous friday: it’s my birthday!

Friday, October 25th, 2013

I know that it being my birthday isn’t necessarily helpful to your fabulousness…or is it? My advice for today is to embrace your birthday, and celebrate the hell out of another year of being awesome, and look forward to another year that will be even more awesome!!!

I’m basking in the birthday love, friends. xoxox

becoming a mad hatter: phase two

Thursday, October 24th, 2013

So, we left off with a cloche that had been wired and lacquered. I came back the next day with my head full of inspiration to finish the cloche, and to begin my next hat! W00T!

I started the day with some coffee, and grabbed my hat to get to work. Now, I thought the hardest part was behind me. Little did I know how wrong I was!! Right away, I had to grab some more petersham, shape it, and hand stitch it inside the hat. I was told that it didn’t matter so much what the stitches looked like, but I still tried to be as careful as possible.

Band in!

Now was the time for the trimming! Guess what I had to grab? Yup. Moar petersham. There was some super-cool ribbon available, but sadly it’s colorful self was not petersham. So, after much careful thought, I decided to go layered for the trim around my hat. A wider black band, with a narrower piece of screaming blue over it. So, threading the needle and hand stitching was commencing once more. After I got the first layer of ribbon on, I was seriously beginning to wonder what I was thinking with this two layer situation.

What was I thinking???

What was I thinking???

I briefly debated with myself whether it was really worth it to add the blue, and maybe it would be okay with just the black, but I decided I may as well just go all out. So, more stitching. By hand. But, it was totally worth it. The blue made it a little more unique.

See? Totally worth it!

See? Totally worth it!

Now, it was ready for the final embellishment. While I was noodling over what my next hat was, I decided exactly what my first hat needed. Rabbit ears. Nothing less would do. So, I set to work. I sketched out the shape on some of the scrap felt from the brim, and cut out some ears. Much like the other trim, there was a debate on how to go about the earring of the hat. I knew for sure I would be trimming the edges of the ears with more ribbon. However, should they be wired? I decided against the wiring. First, to save time. Second, I decided they didn’t need to articulate. They could just be formed, and be fine. So, as I did several times before, I cut more petersham, pressed it into shape, and stitched, stitched, stitched. Once the ears were attached, I was ready to line my hat. Unfortunately, I was up against two problems. The first was that my heart was set on bright blue to tie in with the trim. There wasn’t enough there to trim my hat, so if I wanted to line my hat before leaving, it would have to be another color. However, the clock was ticking, and it turns out there wasn’t enough time. So, the hat came home with me, where I did have the blue silk I was after. I admit, it was thoroughly tempting to kick back and let the hat chill…mostly done. However, I know too well how easy it is to let something sit, and the next thing you know several months have passed and you still have a hat you can’t wear. So, I drafted, and I cut, and I sewed (on the bright side, the seams of the lining could be done on my trusty machine!), and voila!

finished hat

There is a small part of me that is tempted to flop over one of the ears…but part of me also likes them pointing up. The ears!! The ears.

becoming a mad hatter

Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013

If you’ve been around for a while, and possibly paying attention, you may have heard me express interest in learning to make hats. I don’t mean crocheting a beanie for the winter, but blocking a proper felt hat. I knew it was something that could be done, after all, all those hats that exist had to come from somewhere. Once I read on a blog that the writer took millinery classes in her neighborhood (San Francisco), I knew I had to find a class of my own! However, finding such a class turned out to be tricky. I was worried that such a thing only existed in San Fran. Like I had at one point with taxidermy, I resigned myself to learning via the internets. Luckily, also like taxidermy, I found a class locally! It cost a few bucks, but provided me with lots of skills and resources!! Also, a new, fancy, one-of-a-kind hat! Magic!

Once I signed up for the class, we were given a materials list. Some of the things I had, some of them I didn’t. However, I did receive a reassuring e-mail that we didn’t have to have everything, but it would be nice if we did have some things. Whew. Also in said e-mail were the color options we had for making said hats. I knew I wanted to make something different from anything I already had in my collection, so I requested magenta. I also requested a second felt (which I paid extra for, as it wasn’t included in the class fee, and that was fine), so if I had time I could get started on a second piece. I went with red. Not just red, but bright, bold, screaming red. At least, that was what I was hoping it would be based on the color swatch via my monitor.

The first day of my two-day class, I was nervous. It turns out that even a crafty, artsy, fun class brings out similar stress to the old days of school. I was worried everyone else would be cooler, that I wouldn’t know what to say to anyone, that I would be the worst hat-maker to ever exist. So, I put on my favorite skirt, a comfortable and witty tee, and hoped for the best. I walked into the class with my sewing kit and hairdryer as I was told. Everyone was already gathered ’round the table, looking like experts. Huh. However, it quickly became clear that I was in a room full of pretty cool people, and this was going to be a lot of fun.

We each grabbed our felts (I began with my magenta), and told the instructor what we were looking to create. In my case, I was picturing a cloche with a flipped brim at the front side. She matched us up with the appropriate blocks. For most hats, you need the crown, or top, a spacer to get the height you want for the hat, and a brim. So, I got a round crown, a decent sized spacer, and a basic cloche brim. Then, two bolts and an allen key.

Assembling that Billy bookcase prepared me for this moment!

Assembling that Billy bookcase prepared me for this moment!

Once the block was assembled, I covered it with aluminum foil. Some folks prefer plastic wrap, but our instructor said she has found plastic wrap to be easier, and my instinct is to agree. I know that when I use plastic wrap, I tend to get it stuck to everything but the bowl I’m trying to cover. So, aluminum foil. The key is to get it super smooth, so one doesn’t wind up with weird lumps in their hat. Then, I took my felt to get it ready for blocking. Millinery felt comes in a vague hat shape. Either a hood, which is what I used for this hat, or a cape, which is used for a larger brimmed hat. This felt needs to be shaped so that it looks like a fedora, or cloche, or pointy witch hat, or what-have-you. This involves hot water, and/or steam. It was a little weird to douse this lovely piece of hattish felt in hot water and beat it up, but I did so, trusting my instructor whom I hoped had been vetted by the textile center that hosted the class. I then brought it to my block, and began stretching. One of the keys is to not stretch areas too much, or you wind up with a hole. So I carefully arranged my felt.

Starting to look more like a hat!

Starting to look more like a hat!


It was beginning to look like a hat! Mind. Blown. I shaped it a bit more, then it was time to dry it.

I was assured this was safe.

I was assured this was safe.


Basically, we fashioned hat dryers out of large moving boxes outfitted with hair dryers, and, in some cases, we also fashioned stands and weights to keep the tops closed. This was another point at which I trusted the instructor. I mean, I assumed she had done this before and had lived to tell the tale.

It takes a bit for the hat to dry and set, so we went to grab some eats and chat and whatnot, and came back. Despite a hiccup and the hair dryer trying to prove it was smarter than I and shutting off because of being too hot or something, it wasn’t much after lunch that I was ready for phase two. The phase where I had to take a deep breath and NOT PANIC. Taking the hat off the block and CUTTING the brim into shape. In hindsight, I should have trimmed less off the downturned part and more off the upturned, but it still came out okay. To prevent too much cutting regret, I measured and marked out what I planned to cut, did some cutting, and then did a bit of trimming. When I got to the point that the cutting was just going to end badly unless I put the scissors down, I headed to the next step, which is optional in some cases, but necessary in this one. Adding wire. There is special fancy wire for hats, and I got a piece, and went to town stitching it along the edge of my hat’s brim. Most of the construction of a hat is done by hand, including the stitching. In the case of the wire, the stitches wind up covered so they don’t have to be perfect. However, it’s nice to keep everything neat and tidy, so it still takes a while.
Wired!

Next, that wire has to get covered. There are different ways of doing it, I went with ribbon. Because of all the curves involved in a hat, one can’t just use any old ribbon they can get their hands on. Petersham is ideal. It’s easy to confuse this ribbon with grosgrain, but it is not the same! Grosgrain has a straight edge, while petersham has a toothed edge that means you can manipulate it much like you can manipulate bias tape into curves. I chose black, pressed it into shape, and went to town hand stitching it over the wire. Tedious, yet calming. In this step, it’s more important to make sure the stitches are neat and even, so it takes a bit. It was much like hemming a wee skirt.

Once the basic trim was done, the inside of the crown was brushed with lacquer, and I left it overnight….

Come back tomorrow for the rest of the action!!

linked: run away with the circus

Monday, October 21st, 2013

I read this story about the commotion about a fit mom posting an inspirational photo, and I was all, “WTF, mate?” I looked at this super fit mom with her kids, and thought to myself, “What’s my excuse, indeed!” Apparently, not everyone thinks that way?

I adored this piece at Never Undressed, with 21 controversial magazine covers that aren’t so controversial anymore. I didn’t understand the fuss over most at the time, and they seem especially innocuous now! (BTW, number 21 is my favorite. Stunning!)

A friend pointed this Buzzfeed piece on taxidermied animals. So very perfect.

So, Bansky had some art for sale in Central Park, for next to nothing. CAN YOU EVEN IMAGINE??????

Finally, some stunning old timey circus ladies, courtesy of Flavorwire. I totally need that book, now. Not because I come from circus folk or anything. Why would you say such a thing? I totally do not come from circus folk. Probably.

squirrely sunday: put a hat on it!

Sunday, October 20th, 2013

Yeah, I’m sure you read the title and thought of Beyonce, and started singing the tune of “Single Ladies.” Not where I was going, but that’s cool. I was thinking more like Portlandia and “Put a bird on it!”

I spent yesterday and today *finally* learning how to block hats! I already knew I wanted to go all crazy with the making of the hats, and this class was exactly what I needed! I also met a bunch of people with various useful skills (like tanning, and dying!) and it was super fun! I’m making my list of goodies to buy to make this a part of the ol’ accessory shop, and I will totally have a blog post this week chock-a-block full of the details of my first hat!

As with all the things I do, I already have schemed out how it will tie into what I already do. Taxidermy + accessories will be on the horizon. I found this darling on Etsy, that is good inspiration! I may kind of want it, even though me buying a hat at this point is kind of super overkill. Talk me down!!!

10.20.13 squirrel hat

the fun in funeral

Wednesday, October 16th, 2013

Laughter is so important. These days, with being exhausted, and hurting, and feeling so, so whiny, I will take any chance to laugh out loud.

A coworker shared this video with me the other day. I didn’t know what I was in for, but I knew something was coming. Simple, yet hilarious. I hope this makes you laugh, too.

xoxox

linked: light load

Monday, October 14th, 2013

I feel like I’ve been spending all my time on my computer, yet somehow my links are light today. Sorry about that. However, I did find a few things that should help you start your Monday off right!!

This piece by the Smithsonian combines two things I love: the macabre and (not-so) tasteful bedazzling!

People Style Watch tries some As-Seen-On-TV hair products so you don’t have to! I kind of want a Turbie Twist now, mostly because this is the first time in my life I could maybe get all my hair in it.

This faux documentary on carnival rides is fabulous! If only it were real (and possible), I would totally ride some of those!

Whenever the word “literally” pops out of my mouth, I can’t help but think of Chris Traeger. Check out this list of every one of his “literally”s. Literally.

I loved this look at We Anderson’s female characters. What’s nice is, it doubles as costume inspiration just in time for Halloween!

Hope this makes your Monday a little more exciting!
xoxo

squirrely sunday: ten thirteen thirteen

Sunday, October 13th, 2013

It is officially my anniversary with G! Twelve years ago today, at this moment, we were celebrating our wedding. The time flies, for sure. That day, twelve years seemed so far off, yet here we are and it seems like a drop in the bucket. When we very first set our date, it was for October 5, 2002. However, we felt like that was so far off, and since we knew we were getting married anyway, why put it off??? So, we moved it up a year, and went with the 13. Because, ten thirteen. Because, we’re super nerds. Of course, if you’re reading this, you must be totally nerdy and totally get the reference, right? No? Well, ten thirteen is the production company that produced the X Files. The production company was named such, because it is the creator, Chris Carter’s birthday.

So, yeah, nerds. So far, we’ve had our ups and downs. Marriage is not easy. However, we made our vows, and we are sticking to them. Because, at the end of the day, whether it’s all fun and games or we’ve had a fight, there isn’t anyone else out there I’d rather snuggle into bed with at night. You know, on those nights when we’re both home and we need to sleep at the same time.

So, in celebration, I found the cutest cake topper, in one of my favorite colors. When we were married, we had pewter fairies on our cake. Now, we might have had these guys. In fact…I might have to get them on account of their loveliness. I’m pretty sure the traditional gift for the twelfth anniversary is squirrels, so it’s necessary, right??

10.13.13 vintage ceramic squirrels
(Clicking the photograph will take you to the etsy listing. If you’re feeling generous, or if you want to peek, or if you want to snipe me out of pure spite.)

Happy day, friends!
xoxoxox

ten thirteen

Saturday, October 12th, 2013

Twelve years ago this evening, we had finished rehearsing and were feasting at the rehearsal dinner the night before our wedding. Tonight, we are heading out as a zombie bride and groom to the annual Zombie Pub Crawl.

This post is short, but sweet. Basically, after being married for twelve years, there is still no one I would rather feast on brains with.
My favorite wedding photo

gettin’ old

Wednesday, October 9th, 2013

Yeah, this whole narcolepsy thing is losing its appeal. Not that it had much appeal to begin with. However, at least at the beginning, it was kind of funny. I mean, you hear about narcolepsy all the time. But hearing about it, it always seemed like something that wasn’t real. Something made up. When I was told I had it, I nearly had to stifle a guffaw. Good one, doctor. Well played. Only it’s not that funny, it turns out. The little novelty there was quickly dissipated. Now, it’s just really annoying. I’m frustrated. I’m angry. I just want it to go away.

The real irony of it is that the narcolepsy is causing me to not sleep at night. I lay down. I turn out the lights. I close my eyes and drift off. Only I don’t really. I constantly wake up, and the sleep I get doesn’t give me rest. So, when I drag my tired ass out of bed I have a terrible time staying awake. Are you kidding me?

However, my sleep neurologist (As opposed to my other neurologist. Aren’t I fancy? TWO neurologists!) seems confident we can fix this. I just paid him a visit. I told him about the not sleeping, and the wanting to sleep. He talked about the sleep disorder causing another sleep disorder, and told me my natural night owl tendencies didn’t help. That last one caught me by surprise. I do not recall telling him about being a night owl. Most people I do tell find it amusing, and they suggest going to bed earlier. I tell them that even as a tiny child, my parents put me to bed, and I would read via night light, or play with blocks on the side of the room they couldn’t see from the doorway, or sneak into the hallway to peer around the corner and watch Johnny Carson. Until my parents would catch me and try to get me to go to bed. Lather, rinse, repeat. Eventually, they gave up. They would let me read or whatever, I suspect because they figured letting me read by a real light rather than a night light would be better for me. I digress. He figured me and my night owliness out. I guess that’s why he has all the fancy degrees on his wall. He asked if it would be possible for me to work a third shift job. I told him that wouldn’t work so well with my position. Our department is a great fit for early-to-bed-early-to-rise types. Strangely, it’s a highly creative department. I don’t understand how those two are supposed to go together. Damn. More digression. So, since I’m a night owl, with sleep disorders piling up, his goal is to get my system to shift so taht I am sleeping when I should be, and awake when I should be. Since the first try was a lot of very strong sedatives, which I could stay awake right through, the second try was amphetamines during the day to keep me awake. Those seem to do the trick. At least for keeping me awake. So, now we are trying to get the sleeping thing to happen. Also, the waking up. I get to take melatonin now. After dinner, pop one to three of those puppies. At nine o’clock, all screens must be off (so far, I seem to be getting there by 9:15. I need to get better). No television, no laptop, no tablet, no smart phone. Eyes shut by ten. It’s a struggle.

I do not understand how I can be exhausted. Painfully so. That’s not an exaggeration. I am so tired I hurt. Yet, I can’t fall asleep, and when I do, I can’t stay asleep. If I’m that exhausted, the sleeping should happen. When I’m in bed. Not when I’m on the bus, or in the shower, or whatever. Anyhow, I just need to trust the doctor with the fancy degrees. I’m really trying.

On the bright side, I get to wear a fancy wristband for two weeks. It seems suspiciously like my FitBit. It’s got special (magical?) crystals in it that sense my movements and which are supposed to determine how much I sleep. It also has a light sensor on it. I also have a chart to fill out daily, hour-by-hour to corroborate the data. I shade in when I am asleep, I notate when I have caffeine, alcohol, and/or meds. I notate if I exercise, and if I take off the band. I think it will be a little interesting to see how it compares to my FitBit, since the actigraphy watch costs like $1000 and the FitBit costs like $100.

So, per doctor’s orders, I am now shutting off the laptop. The TV is off, and my phone is put away. This is night three. I am really hoping for results. I know that in the grand scheme of things, this isn’t the most terrible thing that could befall me. Yet, it’s still getting to me. So, thanks for letting me rant, and I apologize for no post yesterday. I was tired and shaking off a migraine, and I couldn’t get past my winky/squinty crankiness. I will do better, and make it up!

Good night, friends!
xoxoxo