it's like the eye of a duck

Another Pro: about the Droid - the camera kicks like a mule! Check out the detail on these photos of my Pleats Please consignment find:

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• 17:08 Just got glossy "new fashion books for 2010" from academic publisher in the mail. Enablers, all of 'em! #
• 17:46 @quasigeo - 2 days a week already :) You'll be making with the stabby in no time! #

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• 12:47 @daudi_g - Awesome, thanks! #
• 20:07 It's a flat cat day - first warm day of spring/summer and the A/C doesn't appear to be working :/ #
• 20:45 I think I'm the only person watching #smallville to comment on the hot Zod/Tess foe yay action. More of this and Chloe plz? #
• 21:19 @SnarlingBadger - UniqueThrift really does have everything. #

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...or how I made something ok into something better.

I used to thrift a lot in college, but got out of the habit due to lack of time. However, I was dropping some things off at Goodwill and on a whim stopped in to browse the racks. I found this:



Yes, I know - hot pink! A color I DON'T wear except on very special occasions. But it fit well, was only $7, and didn't have to stay pink.

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I'm extraordinarily fortunate to live near a quality fabric store.

I went in for a yard of trim to cover threadbare cuffs on a sweater (really, that's all I stopped in for!) and came away with said trim, a new pair of scissors (because I cannot find my regular ones for the life of me), AND ~$7/yard(!) black silk taffeta from a remnant table. I think the latter was marked down because of chalk markings, but those wash off and even if they don't I think there's enough to get a bongrace out of.

Also, I browsed the trim section beyond my needs and if I ever do get it together enough to do the hussar/Adam Ant jacket (aside: frack, this showed up on Google), there is enough variety and quantity of gold and silver cords and braids that I might be able to find everything locally.

• 16:59 RT @wax_fm: #ilovevinyl for the warmth, the artwork, the ritual, the smell, and the thrill of chasing down great old records

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A few weeks ago I was having a chat with dreamtigress about how I take a certain (maybe irrational) pride in making all my own garb. Sure, I don't have much of it, but I can't see spending hard ca$h on something I could make to my own measurements and specifications myself.

Well, I've capitulated, on at least one count.

I went ahead and purchased an SCA-legal undergarment instead of making my own. It's nothing special to look at, but it's from a vendor I trust, it's relatively inexpensive, and wearing it under any of my other garb makes it automatically safe for rapier fighting under SCA rules. This gives me time to make the outer Shiny Pretties instead of fumbling away on the basics.

I may also do the same with stockings/hose, as I've found woven, bias cut off-the peg for sale.

Yes, I CAN technically make these myself, but having stretched out hemming a skirt to 2 weeks it's time to face facts that in order to make the fun stuff, I may have to [shudder] not do it all myself.

Speaking of that skirt, the lining ain't doing itself....

Today was the first of likely several trips to the local Renn faire this season, and just about a perfect one to start with.

The weather was excellent - not too cold to be comfortable or too hot to wear garb. The company was excellent: vree, skill_grl and J., with lots of time spent at dreamtigress' booth/"treehouse".

In the past couple of years I've spent less time shopping and more time at the stages and pubs. This year vree turned me onto The O'Danny Girls (ribald Irish Andrews Sisters) Pyrates Royale (funny folk) and The Interpreters (bawdy sing-alongs).

I did shop a little - I found a feathered hatpin for upcoming hats and considered some tankards. I steered clear of most clothing and even managed to extract myself from the bookstore without incident :P

Mostly it was a pretty day spent with good friends, music, and food on sticks :)

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This was preceded by more merriment Friday at Badger's birthday party! The food was barbecue so tender it fell apart and chocolate chip cupcakes among other goodies. I got to nrrd with kiya and lady_masque. We all played a fencing version of "capture the flag", which was very fun (and my legs didn't punish me too much).

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The less said about Spice's follow up vet visit, the better. The good: antibiotics are working and she's going to be fine. The bad: the logistics of getting her to and from the vet + cleanup :( An hour after getting home she's happily rolling around in the floor purring while I'm exasperated by the ordeal of trapping, transporting, bathing and cleaning up. It must be nice to have a minimal frontal cortex sometimes :P

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Finished the lacing holes on the kirtle last night. The lacing tape is pre-shrinking in the wash as I type.

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Have a few longer posts brewing in the back of my mind, but not now. It's 9 pm Sunday night and I am still sweaty from faire and have laundry to do, with tired eyes besides. Perhaps later when some of my thoughts "gel" a bit more.

• 09:23 Feint is to 1) gather info 2) deceive opponent. This is last night's lesson in < 140 char. but it deserves more extensive writeup.
• 10:09 RT @librarycongress: President, Mrs. Obama to be Honorary Chairs of National Book Festival: tinyurl.com/orjvo7 <- yay, it continues!
• 10:33 Forgot to put pn makeup today - my pores are showing. Ah well - my monitor doesn't care :P
• 12:15 Fantastic customer service re: tabi boots :) If you're local & ever want/need a pair lemme know.
• 13:30 I think... I think I might be caught up. On housework, hobbies, and the like. Wow - can't remember the last time this happened!

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