I also made a sexy sexy honeymoon shirt that ties in the back. I'll get a shot soon. Will try to finish up those coverups tonight as well.

ttfn

A couple of checkbooks. Please ignore the dirty windowsill.

A tie for my dad, modeled by a reluctant J.

Here I use the term "completed" very loosely. I covered a couple of lampshades (given to us, with lamps, by Aunt Patty. Thanks, Aunt Patty!) with some leftover silk from this dress. The inside, however, leaves something to be desired. When I find the right ribbon, I will tack it in so they are not so ragged.

Also, a fellow villain. I feel for you, Dr. Horrible.

Ok here we are being showered!

It was very well planned (thanks mom!) and went smoothly. Not that I want to have another one. Don't get any ideas, now. I am totally fine that this is both the first and last shower of my life.

Relaxing afterwards took a whole week at my folks' place in the country. Crickets! Chirping! Wow! Sure beats loudmouth drunks at 3AM here in the North End. I have been trying to finish up chapter three and so far I'm on about page 45. I hope to have a draft by the end of the week so that next week I can devote ENTIRELY TO SEWING!!! That's right folks, provided that I get a draft of this monster done this week it will be sewing around the clock here at Weasel Hill (err, that's the name of our apartment. do you all do that, too?)

Other than that, I have been reading completely non-scholarly fiction and loafing about. I just got some reception shoes today! I ordered some light blue Converse yesterday from Zappos and they came today. Man do I love Zappos!! I realized that I am not going to make it the whole day in my heels. I thought about getting ballet slippers, but then J and I decided to change into our Chucks for the reception. He'll really look like Dr. Who then! Yay!

We are considering visiting some friends in CT this weekend, but are not sure of their schedule. If it falls through, I'd like to take a jaunt down to Providence and tool about a little. It is only like $7 to get there on the commuter rail. Any recommendations for food and fun in the area?

When next I report: actual sewing content. I mean it. Really.

ps J got the game Portal the other day. Amazing! So amazing it is to be a significant part of chapter 3! Check it out if you are able.

ps I'll try to get some sewing done at my folks place. My mom just picked up a bunch of new patterns and there is a pretty great fabric store in town. We'll see how it goes...

(Edited to add: Ok, so it looks pretty good with a belt. Still, I'm a little frustrated. I need to break out a Tried & True to make me feel like I actually know how to sew.)

Too bad the mini fedora got cut off. It is really his best accessory.

Courtesy of Blingee.

P.S. Made a dress tonight. Black and red cotton a-line for myself. Well, I'm almost done with it. Have to venture to the zipper shop tomorrow. For some reason I hate that place. Oh well. It will be cute, I think. Stay tuned...

Isn't he cute and jaunty?

When J started going to yoga with me, I promised him a bag. It only took me a couple of hours to make, though the fabric languished on my ironing board for much longer. It is pretty much the same as mine, except the pockets are not as plentiferous. I fan out of the cloud fabric and since he didn't want the pockets in the contrasting fabric (used for lining, ties, and bottom circle), I just made them smaller.

Today there is a BBQ festival at Government Center. Since it is the middle of the Sanguine Deluge, I am in the mood for some red meat. I think I could be a vegetarian most of the time (love that Quorn!!), but when the period hits, only beefs will do.

TTFN, me hardies!

It is flame colored dupioni from Silk Baron. Very pretty in person. Obviously, the dress needs to be pressed and I have to finish the edges of the back seam. It's a pretty simple pattern, but that was what she was aiming for. Most of the MOTB dresses out there are just horrible: all that beading and weird stuff and so frumpy! This will look super cute on, I'm sure of it. All she will need is a sash or shoulder warmer and she's set! What do you think?

It is a bit cooler out (figures, since we just broke down and ordered an air conditioner!) so I will be getting more sewing done. I need to do some more writing, but I should be able to finish up a project or two tonight... wish me luck!

It has a drawstring top (ribbon from Paper Source) and French seams. Very simple. I just laid down the dress on some fabric to get the basic shape and voila! No more hoops showing!

I also stitched a couple of voile/lawn dresses that I will be using for bathing suit coverups. I just need to get some elastic for the neck and arms and then they're done.

J has started coming to yoga class with me! He got a mat the other day and now I have to make him a spiffy bag to match. I had better get working...

Also, J and I bought our rings today!!!!! I can't wait to wear them!!!

I'm not wearing the jewelry (gotta save something for the day, no?) and I think I'll have on my normal black glasses instead of these red ones (even though I bought them especially for the dress), but other than that -- this is my weddin' dress! You can't see the birdcage veil too well against the red armoire, but it is cute. I will take the flower off my dress and use it to hold my hair instead during the reception.

Would a tutu be better? How is the hoopskirt? Too obvious? I won't hem it until after I know for sure. Thoughts anyone?!

Perhaps tomorrow you will get a sneak peak at the dress w/jewelry, hoop, veil, shoes, etc. If you are very very good.

I'm sure you will be.

My folks were in town for the reception tasting, so we spent the weekend with them, mostly eating tons and tons of food. You'd think that I'd never want to eat again after all of it, but no. I am always hungry. Like right now.

As far as sewing goes, I cut out a couple of voile/lawn coverups in the Built By Wendy shirt pattern that I have used a billion times. Should be quick to sew up once I procure some elastic. I need to tack down the lining and get a zipper for a champagne silk dress I made a while ago, too. Looks like I'll have to trek down to the dreaded button store. After it stops raining though.

Before the rents came I got a few dozen roses from Fresh Roses in CA. They came in packed with ice and needed a couple of days to open. When they did they were lovely! I plan to use this company for the wedding and shower roses. I was quite pleased with the product, customer service, and price! Thanks, Fresh Roses!

I have been mostly reading fiction, but did get a little (emphasis on the little) work done today on the next chapter (which I want to finish before the wedding). I told myself that I have to write five more pages before the 5th of June.

Well I can't think of anything else that has happened recently besides chowing down and procrastinating, but if something comes up, I will be sure to let you know. Ok, off to find some chips!

(update: still eating my comments... I will investigate further and hopefully fix it. wish me luck.)

J's brother chided us for not even looking at one another. We were going for a sort of tough "us against the world" look that avoided the vacant stares of zombie-like disorientation that seem to afflict some brides in their engagement shots. I think you might be drooling there, gal. Is that love or a morphine drip? No thanks!

I have some good news and some bad news.

Good: I put zippers in several dresses that were languishing about the apartment: the orange silk from a while ago, the golden too-short wearable muslin (will add ruffle later), and the blue short snort as well as both red wedding dresses.

Bad: Two of those dresses are now too small for my ample bosoms, even though it seemed as though they would work before.

Extra Bad: One is the sexy Vogue dress that I made first. So sad. I will keep it around in hopes that I can add some panels to it one day. J requested specifically that I do another one of this dress. Next time, I'll make the next bodice size up.

Bad: I could not managed to shoehorn the girls into the cute blue strapless number either. Shucks. What went wrong? Maybe because I went down a size from the version I made last year. Not quite ready for that!

Good: I am going to give that dress away to some (always deserving) reader! It is pretty petite, though there is plenty of room in the waist and hips. So, if you or someone you know would like a fully finished Villain creation, just email me and we will see what happens! principia (at) gmail dot com is the current address. I considered doing a "Cinderella Project" donation, but I'd like to see if anyone in the blogosphere wants it first. It's cute! And free!

Good: I got a nice invisible zipper in the strapless dress and it looks pretty great! I'm not sure if I am totally in love with this bra, though. I think I'd like something a teensy bit less padded. The shape is great, but it just feels a touch too much, you know? It looks like the strapless is going to be the one. It is too bad about the other dress, but the zipper pulled something fierce. It was a good zipper, though, if I do say so myself. I have debated whether or not the strapless looks too bridesmaidy, but I think it doesn't. If, when I post a pic, you think it does, I would appreciate it if you didn't tell me. You don't want to break my heart, now, do you?

Bad: I ate greasy Chinese food AND pizza today. I am going to fitness hell. Tomorrow J and I are going running. Really! I posted it, so I have to stick to it now!!

Goodish? Badish? Oopish?: I mentioned last time that I accidentally bought a ring on eBay. (I really truly thought that someone would outbid me!! It was a foolish thing to do and I have no excuse!!) It came today. Did I mention it is a diamond ring and just loverly? I have major reservations about diamond engagement rings (feminist and economic). I also like sparkly things. Every time I stare into its Asscher cut beauty, I will force myself to contemplate the political ramifications of my rash, rash act. My rash but awfully perty act. We hadn't exactly budgeted for such a thing at this time, but. it should work out fine, though :D Naughty Villain!

I got my new schmancy bra in the mail the other day. It is Le Mystere (apparently Oprah's favorite brand, but whatever). I feel a bit like I'm wearing a breastplate, but the girls aren't going to be moving around, that is for damned sure! This means that Journey to Zipperville may commence. Zounds! I move forward with some trepidation. If it were a center application, I think I could rock it, but I haven't put in an invisible zipper in ages. I guess that center application just isn't appropriate? Or what?

What I have been working on in the mean time: favors! I still have to put the pinbacks on these, but all the flowers are made. How do you like The Monarch and Dr. Girlfriend presiding over them? They are our cake toppers!!

These are the tissue holders I made for the shower my mom is throwing. Not sure if that many people will actually show up, but a gal can never have too many tissues, right? Especially during allergy season. I had some trouble with allergies after moving to Minnesota and they are in full effect here, too. I never really had them growing up, but it looks like my allergy luck has run out. If I don't take my Claritin in the morning, I am done for.

In other news, I have been doing tooth whitening trays. Oh My God. NEVER LEAVE THEM IN MORE THAN 30 MINS. I was up all night once because the pain was unbearable. Even after a multitude of ibuprofen. Teeth are looking a little brighter, but I'm sure I'll dull them up again with all the tea I drink. Can't give up that tea, though!

Ok, all for now. Hopefully I'll be able to send some postcards from Zipperville soon! Wish me luck!