Just a few things...

I've been busy trying to get ready for Ragnarok. There are still two things I want to get sewn, but before I tackle those I'm trying to get everything packed and organized.

In the meantime, I did finish my dress! I'm going to save the pattern and there are a few more slight changes I might make. I'd like to put lacing in the front and back instead of just the back.

It falls from just above my knees to halfway down my calves. I'm really very happy with this dress. It is made of linen and is loose enough to be both comfortable and not require anyone else to lace up the back for me. I may also try lacing the sides on one of the future dresses I make. It can be worn with or without leggings. I still need some practice getting things fitted properly and modifying patterns but I think I'm the only one who has noticed the flaws in this dress. I also firmly believe that all the book learning in the world is no substitute for diving in and actually DOING.

I've been doing a little cross stitch here and there still to relax a bit before I sleep. This week I've been working on my Samurai.

And then I found out that Heaven and Earth Designs was running a sale on their patterns. I couldn't resist picking up a couple.

This is Forbidden Doorway by Meredith Dillman

and The Fairy Spell by Steven A. Roberts

No idea when I'll get to these, but I also created an account and a wishlist on Heaven and Earth Designs, you know, so that I can keep track of all my future projects that I will complete in all of my infinite spare time.

After Ragnarok I plan on getting a few quilt tops quilted, for all of you who are wondering what is happening with those. I probably won't be posting again until after Ragnarok, so have a lovely couple of weeks everyone!

Focus on the Positives

Here we are, about a week and a half before Ragnarok and

Have I made any new garb for me? Finished any garb for Jack? Aired out and collected camping equipment? Assessed and repaired and packed what garb we do have? Tested the new recipe I was going to make for dinner one night at Rag?

Nope. Sorta. Nope, nope, and nope.

Somewhere about the time Jack broke his thumb, we lost most of our Ragnarok mojo.

So its time to let a lot of that go, really acknowledge that this trip isn't going to turn out quite as planned, and focus on the positives, like the few things I have gotten done.

For example, I finally put the trim on my cloak! Again, bought this trim at the Pillaged Village. Saving up my spare change to raid their merchant booth at Rag this year! FYI, it took about 10 yards of trim to finish this.

And I finished my froggies today.

I'm actually pretty excited about completing a cross stitch project. I haven't done that in ages.

I suppose I should get off the computer and get a little Rag prep done. Wish me luck!

Ribbit

The frogs are almost done! 

I was kind of wishy-washy about what project to work on the frogs are done. Pick up a new one or work on a UFO?

I eventually decided to work on a UFO and went looking for my Fredrick the Literate cross stitch project but could not find it, so I ended up taking Maggie the Messmaker by Dimensions into work for next week. The frogs should be finished sometime in the middle of the week.

Neat looking project isn't it? I didn't get very far before this one became a UFO.

Have a great weekend!

A Lack of Epic Craftyness...

...is resulting in a lower stress environment.

This week, as part of simplifying things around here (Simplifying My Life Day # ...umm... Yep.. lost count already) I completely cleaned out the spare room. It is now home to ALL ZERO JUNK, the result of another ten box donation to Purple Heart. The remaining items to be moved out belong to either my brother or our family friend who stays over occasionally. Since my parents are visiting this weekend, I'm hoping to pawn my brother's stuff off on them.

Its a lousy picture I know, but I thought all of you would appreciate the appearance of a clean floor. One room down, rest of the house to go.

I've also shredded two large trash bags worth of old bills and paperwork and whatnot. Yes, I finally got around to unpacking my new shredder. I wouldn't call it a beast, but it gets the job done and on the plus side it hasn't jammed or overheated yet. Several more trash bags to go, I'm sure.

I've already resigned myself to not getting all the things for Ragnarok done this year. That's okay, Jack and I may be attending Badon Hill or Battle of the Five Armies this year to make up for him missing Ragnarok fighting. Plenty of time to get my Garb Kit together for those events.