10.21.08
Posted in Dance at 8:05 pm by deRomilly
So my dance troupe is putting together a new piece — and I “get” to make my own costume. Now usually this is a good thing — but usually it’s not a full traditional bra and belt set that I have to make in three months!
So. I have a bra to use as a base. My theme is “water.” I decided that I didnt’ have time to bead the fringe myself, although I have an appropriate pice started – it’s just going to have to go on another costume because I’m not going to have time to finish it.
I found on ebay a set of 5 and 8 inch Egyptian beaded fringe in turquoise and snagged it. It’s not quite what I’d call turquoise – it has a greyish quality to it, but it will work. I also found two turquoise/teal valances at BigLots for $3.00 each. Bought them, too. Yes, I am planning on working the beaded edge they came with into the design as well…
The fringe and valance (click to embiggen by lots!):
I’m going to cover my bra – I’ll actually have to start from scratch on the belt, which means that the shape is completely up to me! Great, yet more decisions. I think I’ll just use one I’ve got and that fits as a pattern.
So. The idea is currently to cover the bra and belt in the valance fabric: put a row of fringe across the bra at the bustline, and sequin/bead above that. The belt, because I get to start the design from scratch – will probably have a dip in the front, fringe around the bottom, and sequinning in easy wave patterns around.
I have a mottled evening blue silk skirt from a current performance, and am toying with the idea of adding a silk gauze overskirt in green & white dappling to make it look even more like water.
So. That’s the basic design. You’re actually not getting all the thoughts on it, because I’ve been wanting both a turquoise cosume and a water costume for a couple of years now. I’m combining two ideas into one, although in the long run I still want my ocean costume that’s dripping with glass fringe, swarovski crystal and pearls! (Yes, I’m already collecting the expensive parts for it!)
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10.14.08
Posted in Stitching Genres at 7:59 pm by deRomilly
I love crewel. I love the designs. I love using multiple stitches, and I love the feel of the yarn moving through linen twill. I don’t, however, love the current trend of the big design companies to print their designs on evenweave (tabby) fabric. It makes it really difficult to make edges smooth, as they must be to look correctly. And the fact that the fabric is usually 28 count or lower doesn’t help, either. Next thing you know they’ll be printing them on aida.
I’m currently sorting threads from a kit like this. Sometimes I wonder if I’m just masochistic, but I really liked the design! And it fit in my budget… I may hate it by the time it’s stitched.
As with many things, you get what you pay for, and the nice kits with quality supplies are going to cost you. Many of these are imported from Britain as well, which also raises the price point. So I suppose that the lesson I am trying to teach myself is that no matter how much I like a design, it just isn’t worth it if the materials are second rate: I should have saved my pennies and bought my coveted Jacobean Lace pillow design in a month or two, rather than succumbing to immediate whim driven by a sale to buy the inexpensive one. Not that it will keep me from stitching it, but I’ll probably whine a lot while I do.
And yes, this does mean that I have bought cross stitch kits for thirty dollars and then gone out and spent the same amount on linen to replace the aida to stitch them on. And I think the result was well worth it, too! 
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10.10.08
Posted in General at 7:54 am by deRomilly
I found this in an old journal the other day and realized that it still applies, or should, to my life. Not really needlework or shimmy-related, but rather overarching:
I trust…
my intuition. That the Universe will give me signs as to the direction I should take.
I trust my abilities and my sense of self, and that my support network will see me through. I trust in God/dess; home and hearth, and that if I act locally I can change the world: or at least be a part of that change.
I trust that human nature is generally good, and that if people would look within for peace, peace would manifest without as well.
I place my trust in nature: that spring will follow winter; predator will chase prey; and newborns will refresh the world.
Yup. I’m an optimist. I’m going on vacation with my husband today– the first time in about 2 years that we’ve been able to get away together! As I realize how I’ve let some aspects of my life get away from me, the above passage reminds me of who and what I am. I’ll be gone without internet access until Monday, so if you leave a comment, it may not get moderated until then. 
Have a wonderful weekend, all.
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10.06.08
Posted in General, Samplers at 7:00 am by deRomilly
After a summer of frustration, I finally received appropriate fabric to stitch my current three sampler patterns (Esther, her companion, Della, and the huge as yet unnamed monster.) It was actually fabric for the monster that was the hardest to find. Apparently people are having a hard time keeping a full yard of antique white cashel on their shelves.
But it’s here now, as is most of the antiquie ivory that I’ll stitch the two little ones on. Yay!
Now all Ineed to do is get that business license taken care of and I’ll be set again. Remind me not to move cross country again. It wrecks havoc on the needlework business for years! WooHoo! Here I come!
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10.01.08
Posted in General at 6:57 am by deRomilly
A friend of mine in Oregon, a talented jeweler and beadworker, has put her line of fine jewelry into a new website.
Her pieces focus on the beauty of the stones she uses, and inspiration from Nature. They’re stunning in photos and even more so in person. I highly recommend you go see her site: MiladyCarol.com and take the time to relax and explore it.
Pretties!!!
Only affiliation is a friendship.
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