30 days

My last blog post was pretty depressing. I've tried to write posts more recently but always get frustrated and give up. Today, that changes. Today, the real countdown begins. The man burns in 30 days. My goal is to blog about my preparations for my third trip to Burning Man this year.


Of course the prep has already begun. On the weekend I went to Mountain Equipment Co-op, and purchased two lovely giant red duffel bags. I broke the zipper on my old one, so it has to be replaced, and since they were only $36, I figured I could afford a matched set. And now I'll be able to spot my luggage coming out of the baggage conveyor thing at the airport from a mile away.

So I've already started packing. I have one duffel full already; full of costumes and boots mostly. And many of those outfits received upgrades of some sort, it works with the Evolution theme, I think. Even my old costumes are evolving. Some daytime outfits got embellished with sequins and fringe and little stars. My burn night dress got a lace up corset back, and it's way more comfy now. My playa coat finally got a hood (with ears! - this worked out prefectly as I had just enough matching fur leftover) and EL wire.

I've also created a few new outfits. Pictures to come, maybe... One of the new outfits is made from some old leather jackets I bought at the thrift store. It sort of has that tribal feel, scraps sewn together and leather feathers embellishing it. It might be my wednesday-trek-across-the-playa outfit. I also created a skirt and tank top out of a few yellow t-shirts. With sequins sewn on well, and freezer-paper stencils of wings on the back, and feathers all around. I guess feathers are a bt of a theme in my creations this year. Real feathers aren't allowed at Burning Man, because they create moop (matter-out-of-place - a big no-no at a leave no trace event), so I had to improvise.

There's lots more preparation going on, but I'll save some for another post.

Coriolis socks

Coriolis socks
Originally uploaded by fairysari

Finished a pair of Coriolis socks! Deatils, of course, on their Ravelry project page.

Jack O'Lantern Tarts

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Originally uploaded by fairysari

Something Halloween-y I did get a picture of were the tarts I made. I think the second batch (the one in the picture) turned out way better than the first (which is somewhere in my photostream...). They are pumpkin tarts, and the recipe is from Martha. I cheated for this bath and bought premade tart shells, but it worked out so well. The faces came out too big the first time, and too small the second time, but I think I like them small. Too big is kind of a pastry overload. But they must have been good because they disappeared on Halloween!

Halloween

PA310642
Originally uploaded by fairysari

I had camnesia! I think someone must have got a picture of Craig and I in our costumes together, but i will have to track it down. For now, there's just this one of Craig. The vest and shirt were part of the pattern I followed, and I made the tie too, which matches my costume. The hat is something Craig bought on a trip to Austin. There was also a coat, hopefully will turn up in another photo.

Sweet and spicy pumpkin seeds

Courtesy of Martha Stewart. I plan on making some pumpkin tarts tomorrow, so today I made some pumpkin puree by roasting a sugar pumpkin. I left the seeds in while it cooked (just over an hour at 400 F), then separated them after I peeled the pumpkin. From there I followed Martha's recipe pretty closely, and wow! Best pumpkin seeds ever.

Next up on the crafting block

I finally got started on those Halloween costumes. I cut out the pattern for the Saloon Girl last night. I was thinking of putting EL wire in the bodice instead of piping, but now I'm thinking it's not quite the right costume for EL wire. I also got a huge pile of fabric and notions at Fabricland yesterday for the Halloween costumes. (I would be posting a picture now, but my camera has mysteriously disappeared. It'll turn up soon, or I'll use my phone or something.) So I already had some black satiny stuff for the bodice, it's probably el cheapo lining, but its nice enough, and for Halloween its perfect.

We spent forever wandering around Fabricland looking for fabric so that our costumes would match or look nice together, but not be too matchy-matchy. We wound up finding the perfect combination on one of the upholstery fabric discount tables. So I got some shantung fabric in a light khaki green for the skirt of the dress. It matches well with the heavy twill paisley in mustard, green, and rust red that I got for the Old West Dude's vest. The green shantung will probably be used fo the tie on that costume as well, just to tie (aha!) it all together. And I also got a pile of black broadcloth and some interfacing. Still need some material for the shirt for Craig's costume.

I did get a bunch of notions as well, the Saloon Girl dress needs a whole bunch of trims and ribbons and stuff. Black lace in two different thicknesses, green and gold beaded trim, buttons (they're pewter coloured but now I'm thinking they should have been gold to match the beaded trim... oh well....), black satin and green grosgrain ribbon, bias tape, and I actually bought matching thread for once! Still need a few more things, including giant feathers which I'm hoping to get at the Oktoberfest store in Kitchener.

I'm a little bit ahead of myself too, because I've started working on Christmas and holiday gifts already too. So far the idea is to make knitted dishcloths and handmade soaps for friends, thrummed mittens for Craig's family and maybe my dad, this scarf for my mom, and I'm not really sure what Craig is getting yet. I've made one dishcloth, I dyed the yarn and have started the scarf for my mom. I'm hoping to get some roving and some worsted wool at the KW Knitter's Fair this weekend to make the mittens. And I'll get some extra so maybe I can make matching hats if I have a ton of extra time (which I might, seeing as I'm off work until January).

Great time of year

Just back home from Burning Man, off work for a little while, Halloween costume making just starting, and holiday gift making just around the corner. Soon it will be cool enough to think about knitting sweaters again.






Uploading the pictures is taking forever, so there's just a few.

Halloween costumes this year will be a saloon girl and old west dude, using patterns Simplicity 2851 and Simplicity 2895.