I finally forced myself to take a serious look at the book collection. This is just the books in my studio, not anything from the rest of the house! It's scary. The shelves have been over-flowing for a long, long time. Too many times, I've managed to acquire duplicates. My interests have changed, yet books have not moved on when they no longer suited my activities. It's time for a change!
Getting rid of books is not easy, if one is not willing to drop them at the local thrift store. I can't do that, not with this many books, many of which are brand new, unread and still, really wonderful!
Listing them in e-bay is a pain in the neck. Likewise for Etsy. For now, I'm just listing them on a page on this blog, in a table format with prices. It will be interesting to see if any of them move! In a couple of months, I'll look at going back to the e-bay store arrangement, if necessary.
I just really want my shelves to be neat and orderly again, or at least to have room for all that I need them to hold. Once the books are under control, next will probably be the sewing patterns. I think I've reached my breaking point, being tired of being overwhelmed every time I set foot in my studio. Time to say enough already. This has got to end!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
And so it continues!
Down again this morning. No, I don't want this blog to be about my weight-loss trials and tribulations, but I'm feeling to good not to share this here. I really did pass the 2nd of the 'zero' numbers and it looks like it will stick - I won't be going back and forth across it for a few days at all. Yeah!
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Stepping stones
I've been using very small stepping stones to keep myself on track with the whole diet thing. Some days are better than others. My goals are based on numbers ending in zeros and number that are in increments of 10 from where I started. So my first goal was to get from a number ending in four to a number ending in 0; second was to get from that number ending in zero, to the first lower number ending in four. Does that make sense in writing? I don't know. I just know that it works in the everyday world. It's nice having small goals, so I'm not so over-focused on the big goal. That can get discouraging.
Anyway, this morning, after a few days of living as if I'd never even heard the word diet, I figured I'd better step on the scale. I had crossed the first zero number several weeks back, and had snuck up on the first of the 'four' numbers just a few days ago. To my surprise, this morning, the scale told me that I've crossed the second of the zero numbers, so I'm down 15 pounds! Yeah Me!
I should say that I am trying to do this deliberately slowly. I know that I lost the 60 pounds way too fast back in 2002, and never did complete the maintenance portion of the program. This time, I'm working in bits of maintenance as I go. The plan is to lose for a month - 5-8 pounds - then just maintain for a month. It may take a full year this time, instead of 6 months, to lose 60 pounds, but I feel much better about this. In 2.5 months I've lost 15 pounds. That is a wonderfully sensible 6 pounds per month, with built in maintenance and a really strong sense of being able to see this through to completion. I haven't had that at any time in the previous 3-4 years. I can do this and it feels really good.
The only downside to all of this, just happens to also be an upside. I'm going to end up needing smaller garb! Luckily, much of the period stuff is rather neutral in sizing, so it will see me through quite a few pounds. I'm a little leary of sewing anything really fitted for a while, like say a Tudor kirtle, but there are other things that I can work on while I head towards my healthier future.
Anyway, this morning, after a few days of living as if I'd never even heard the word diet, I figured I'd better step on the scale. I had crossed the first zero number several weeks back, and had snuck up on the first of the 'four' numbers just a few days ago. To my surprise, this morning, the scale told me that I've crossed the second of the zero numbers, so I'm down 15 pounds! Yeah Me!
I should say that I am trying to do this deliberately slowly. I know that I lost the 60 pounds way too fast back in 2002, and never did complete the maintenance portion of the program. This time, I'm working in bits of maintenance as I go. The plan is to lose for a month - 5-8 pounds - then just maintain for a month. It may take a full year this time, instead of 6 months, to lose 60 pounds, but I feel much better about this. In 2.5 months I've lost 15 pounds. That is a wonderfully sensible 6 pounds per month, with built in maintenance and a really strong sense of being able to see this through to completion. I haven't had that at any time in the previous 3-4 years. I can do this and it feels really good.
The only downside to all of this, just happens to also be an upside. I'm going to end up needing smaller garb! Luckily, much of the period stuff is rather neutral in sizing, so it will see me through quite a few pounds. I'm a little leary of sewing anything really fitted for a while, like say a Tudor kirtle, but there are other things that I can work on while I head towards my healthier future.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Photos...well a couple anyway...
I'd hoped to have more photos by now, but the camera crisis continues, and I haven't had time to borrow a digital with an actual working flash, so for now it's tent pics.
On the Sunday before our intended Wednesday departure for Highlands War, I finally came to understand what my son intended when he told me he wanted to build his own tent - maybe something like a tee-pee. He had figured out, like I had, that modern dome tents are just not that comfortable. This has to be especially true when it is his 6' plus self getting in and out of a very low-to-the-ground, one-man tent. He wanted something more comfortable!
I spent the rest of Sunday (or so it seemed) researching medieval tent options. I showed him pictures of Saxon getelds, a type of wedge tent. They're pretty simple to build and easy to put up, at least for the two of us.
Monday morning, I visited my only local option for canvas-in-a-hurry, Phoenix Tent & Awning. The untreated cotton canvas was much more affordable than Sunforger, the ideal option. I went with the untreated canvas, since this was all an experiment. Next time, if there is such, I'll go with the good stuff, and I'll order it on-line, ahead of time. I calculated 11 yards, rounded up to 12, took the extra yard that was left for 13 yards.
I layed out this monstrous chunk of fabric on the living room floor and started measuring and marking. Gee, I was short about 2 yards. Oops. Miscalculated. Back to Phx Tent & Awning, then back home to finish cutting. I started sewing late Monday afternoon, and only had to sew the hem and attach the tent stake loops on Tuesday morning. The fabric part was finished.
We arrived at Highlands War with the canvas, a 6' 2x4, and 2-8' long poles plus some hardware to join the sections. I figured that the poles needed to be shortened one foot, and figured on doing that at the campsite, but of course forgot the saw. As it turned out, the poles needed to be shortened 2 feet, and the tent is not as tall as I had intended it to be.
The instructions that I had followed were from this site: http://www.ydalir.co.uk/crafts/tent/pattern.htm. While the instructions were reasonably simple and clear, the information on yardage required was rather vague, as they themselves pointed out.
Now I know a little better how to measure, so I could definitely see making another one someday, enough taller that the poles could be 7 or 8 feet and there'd still be plenty of spread to make for nice interior space for the camper and all his stuff. I can even see fixing the first one, just by removing the stake loops, adding a 1-2 foot extension all around, in sections to match the original, and reattaching the loops. A bit of work yes, but it would enhance the usability of the tent in both head-room and floor space, so probably worth it!
Barely visible in the background is the tent that I build back in Jan.-Feb., a carport cover that gave me fits and almost killed a sewing machine. Yes, it really made it to an event and I really did use it! However, it has some problems. In addition to the roof being totally NOT waterproof, the walls are too long around the frame, and tall enough that I need to get taller poles. If I can raise the walls up a little higher, I'll be able to stake them more tightly and still get nice slope for better wind and water resistance and floor space. I also need to pleat out some of the excess around the frame, either top to bottom or just as pleats at the top. If I leave them at the top, but make them near the corners, they'll help with the corner shaping.
I also need to replace the ties, at the top of the walls, with something easier to fasten and unfasten. I saw people using ball bungees on shade pavilions and could try those, but would have to install a lot of grommets, the large ones that my setter won't do. Lots of time with the hammer that way. Urgh. I'm still thinking about this one. Another suggestion was toggles and loops, so I have options to consider.
I've built some additional garb, but am still not able to take indoor pictures, so maybe one of these days...
I spent the rest of Sunday (or so it seemed) researching medieval tent options. I showed him pictures of Saxon getelds, a type of wedge tent. They're pretty simple to build and easy to put up, at least for the two of us.
Monday morning, I visited my only local option for canvas-in-a-hurry, Phoenix Tent & Awning. The untreated cotton canvas was much more affordable than Sunforger, the ideal option. I went with the untreated canvas, since this was all an experiment. Next time, if there is such, I'll go with the good stuff, and I'll order it on-line, ahead of time. I calculated 11 yards, rounded up to 12, took the extra yard that was left for 13 yards.
I layed out this monstrous chunk of fabric on the living room floor and started measuring and marking. Gee, I was short about 2 yards. Oops. Miscalculated. Back to Phx Tent & Awning, then back home to finish cutting. I started sewing late Monday afternoon, and only had to sew the hem and attach the tent stake loops on Tuesday morning. The fabric part was finished.
We arrived at Highlands War with the canvas, a 6' 2x4, and 2-8' long poles plus some hardware to join the sections. I figured that the poles needed to be shortened one foot, and figured on doing that at the campsite, but of course forgot the saw. As it turned out, the poles needed to be shortened 2 feet, and the tent is not as tall as I had intended it to be.
The instructions that I had followed were from this site: http://www.ydalir.co.uk/crafts/tent/pattern.htm. While the instructions were reasonably simple and clear, the information on yardage required was rather vague, as they themselves pointed out.
Now I know a little better how to measure, so I could definitely see making another one someday, enough taller that the poles could be 7 or 8 feet and there'd still be plenty of spread to make for nice interior space for the camper and all his stuff. I can even see fixing the first one, just by removing the stake loops, adding a 1-2 foot extension all around, in sections to match the original, and reattaching the loops. A bit of work yes, but it would enhance the usability of the tent in both head-room and floor space, so probably worth it!
Barely visible in the background is the tent that I build back in Jan.-Feb., a carport cover that gave me fits and almost killed a sewing machine. Yes, it really made it to an event and I really did use it! However, it has some problems. In addition to the roof being totally NOT waterproof, the walls are too long around the frame, and tall enough that I need to get taller poles. If I can raise the walls up a little higher, I'll be able to stake them more tightly and still get nice slope for better wind and water resistance and floor space. I also need to pleat out some of the excess around the frame, either top to bottom or just as pleats at the top. If I leave them at the top, but make them near the corners, they'll help with the corner shaping.
I also need to replace the ties, at the top of the walls, with something easier to fasten and unfasten. I saw people using ball bungees on shade pavilions and could try those, but would have to install a lot of grommets, the large ones that my setter won't do. Lots of time with the hammer that way. Urgh. I'm still thinking about this one. Another suggestion was toggles and loops, so I have options to consider.
I've built some additional garb, but am still not able to take indoor pictures, so maybe one of these days...
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
And it's done!
Yup, Chris' new tent is finished! I'm pretty much blown away and he is just thrilled. He's going to enjoy, so very much, having a tent in which he can stand up and maybe even walk around a little bit!
I knew the wedge-type tent would be much easier than what I did in January/February, back when I swore I'd NEVER make another tent, but this was just delightfully easy, even if 15 yards of canvas is a lot to have in one's lap, all at once. I could maybe even see doing one like this again someday, if a need arose. It was just cool. Hmmm....maybe in a striped fabric - something with really wide strips!
Back to packing for Highlands War. Pictures of all tents and garb and everything from the last few months of sewing to follow!
I knew the wedge-type tent would be much easier than what I did in January/February, back when I swore I'd NEVER make another tent, but this was just delightfully easy, even if 15 yards of canvas is a lot to have in one's lap, all at once. I could maybe even see doing one like this again someday, if a need arose. It was just cool. Hmmm....maybe in a striped fabric - something with really wide strips!
Back to packing for Highlands War. Pictures of all tents and garb and everything from the last few months of sewing to follow!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Oh, no way!
I'm going to take a stab at another tent, last minute, right before Highlands War. Yup.
Chris had indicated that he'd like to have a plain, simple tent; even that he'd like to make it - something along the lines of a tee-pee. I had him look at a few pictures in the Panther Primitives catalog and he seemed to like the Anglo-Saxon geteld best of everything that he saw. Of all of the wedge-type tents, it does seem to be the simplest. An hour or so browsing Google results gave me diagrams and patterns for variations on the idea. I'm going to Phoenix Tent & Awning early Monday morning to buy the canvas. Hoping to cut it out and get it mostly sewn that same day.
We'll need Tuesday for last minute details and for emptying and loading my van. We're due at Mormon Lake on Wednesday, as early as we can manage, to help set up the site for Highlands War.
We might even have both of our new tents!
Yeah! I hope.
Chris had indicated that he'd like to have a plain, simple tent; even that he'd like to make it - something along the lines of a tee-pee. I had him look at a few pictures in the Panther Primitives catalog and he seemed to like the Anglo-Saxon geteld best of everything that he saw. Of all of the wedge-type tents, it does seem to be the simplest. An hour or so browsing Google results gave me diagrams and patterns for variations on the idea. I'm going to Phoenix Tent & Awning early Monday morning to buy the canvas. Hoping to cut it out and get it mostly sewn that same day.
We'll need Tuesday for last minute details and for emptying and loading my van. We're due at Mormon Lake on Wednesday, as early as we can manage, to help set up the site for Highlands War.
We might even have both of our new tents!
Yeah! I hope.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Well darn...
It seems that old habits have snuck back up on me! I haven't posted in almost 2 months? Wow...
Well, the end of the semester was a bit hectic as always, but mostly, I've just been hung up by the fact that I really want to get more pictures up here and both cameras are out of commission. I may have to borrow one somewhere, for a day or two, so I can photograph everything all at once and post a whole bunch!
Meanwhile, getting ready to teach my first SCA class, an embellishment technique. I'll be teaching it at Kingdom A&S Collegium this weekend, and then at Highlands War next weekend. Nothing like diving in head first!
I'm determined to have garb suitable for the warm weather that can show up at Highlands, so I'm working on some Greco/Roman stuff, all in very light, cotton gauzes. Chitos, peplos, and some wraps to provide a bit more modesty than what the gauze would give otherwise. Considering doing some as fully lined, double layers of the gauze, as I have plenty with which to work. I know, this is a bit early for our period, but I love the look of the chitons and peplos and I'm sure that they will be very comfortable. Just have to decide on what will be beneath them, for a little extra comfort, as well as for that modesty issue. I should probably looking more at building Roman tunics and stolas, which have much in common with the Greek styles, but I just love the look of the chiton with the should seam pinned together.
Oddly, for these too-early-for-our-period garments, the thing that got me all fired up was an image too LATE for our period - a late pre-raphaellite image:
While the painting is definitely far, far after our period, I have to believe that this artist, John William Godward, must have seen some original art from the Greco/Roman era, statues especially. This may not be period, but it looks pretty good, and should be easy enough to back it up with some really period sources. It will still be too early for SCA, BUT...I'll be comfortable!
Image source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f7/Godward_La_Pensierosa_1913.jpg
Well, the end of the semester was a bit hectic as always, but mostly, I've just been hung up by the fact that I really want to get more pictures up here and both cameras are out of commission. I may have to borrow one somewhere, for a day or two, so I can photograph everything all at once and post a whole bunch!
Meanwhile, getting ready to teach my first SCA class, an embellishment technique. I'll be teaching it at Kingdom A&S Collegium this weekend, and then at Highlands War next weekend. Nothing like diving in head first!
I'm determined to have garb suitable for the warm weather that can show up at Highlands, so I'm working on some Greco/Roman stuff, all in very light, cotton gauzes. Chitos, peplos, and some wraps to provide a bit more modesty than what the gauze would give otherwise. Considering doing some as fully lined, double layers of the gauze, as I have plenty with which to work. I know, this is a bit early for our period, but I love the look of the chitons and peplos and I'm sure that they will be very comfortable. Just have to decide on what will be beneath them, for a little extra comfort, as well as for that modesty issue. I should probably looking more at building Roman tunics and stolas, which have much in common with the Greek styles, but I just love the look of the chiton with the should seam pinned together.
Oddly, for these too-early-for-our-period garments, the thing that got me all fired up was an image too LATE for our period - a late pre-raphaellite image:
Image source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f7/Godward_La_Pensierosa_1913.jpg
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