Darth Revan in Progress

Mostly a place to hold the pictures at this time.

 

 

 

 

The Ballad of Evil Betty

Several years ago, I volunteered to be the gatekeeper  for a large medieval reenactment event (Diamond Wars, SCA).  Yes, I did call myself Zuul all weekend.    My campsite, and the campsites of my nearest and dearest friends, was set up near the building serving as the "gate". 

In my guise of Zuul, the Gatekeeper, I befriended a feral cat.  He was black, and seemed friendly enough, so we began to ponder names for this cat.  The night was long, but there was laughter and snacks!  Delicious cheese and crackers!  When the time came to collapse into our tents, though, a large hunk of the cheese remained.  I put it in a bowl , wrapped it up in a linen veil, and left it on the picnic table since it was pretty cold out, and I would likely be back up in about two hours anyway.

When the cold light of dawn spread over the camp, the cheese was in the paws of the cat, the bowl was still on the table with the veil wrapped around it, and the veil had a huge gaping hole gnawed through it.  Thus, the cat was dubbed "Evil Betty".  Mainly because we are a bunch of nerds, and we had been talking about Kung Pow: Enter the Fist the day before.

This was about 4 years ago.  Why on earth would I keep a linen veil with a hole gnawed through it by a feral cat for four years?
Memories, man.  Memories!  Plus it was linen, and that stuff's not cheap.  Plus linen feels good, and I compulsively keep things "just in case".

This veil with a hole gnawed through it made its way to my kitchen towel drawer, and I'd used it on several occasions as a bar towel.  Then yesterday, when I pulled it out of the dryer (all the while marveling at its softness and whiteness), I thought, ...SOON.  Soon you will be more than a veil with a hole gnawed through it!

 

 

 

 

And, Lo, it came to be that the Veil of Evil Betty became, through the power of sewing and desire to 'get stuff done' over summer vacation, the Apron of Evil Betty.

Another project added to the list

     I'm always adding to my project list.  I just can't tell myself no.  I add costumes, crafts, and home projects to an ever growing list of things that do eventually get done, but the add rate far exceeds the completion rate.
I see something cool and start making mental note, pinning stuff on Pinterest, chatting on forums...
     The part of my brain that manages the list is saying, "Beth.  What are you doing? Beth? Stahp!"  I waved my hands and said loud things to that part of my brain to distract it while I add another costume to the list!

     Already a member of the 501st with my Darth Traya costume, I've decided to tackle another one!  Senator Viqi Shesh! Never heard of her? Star Wars Expanded Universe novels, New Jedi Order and the Yuuzhan Vong invasion, specifically.  She's a bit of a baddie...

 

Want to read more about her? Go here: All about Viqi Shesh!

 

     She's got an awesome outfit, though, and my hair color and eye color fit for not having to do too much work other that the costume itself and accessories!

     There are, naturally, specific guidelines for completing this costume, and I'm looking forward to working on it.  I'll likely work from the inside out, and the bottom layer is a white jumpsuit/unitard.  Today, I acquired the pattern I think will work for the basic shape. Alterations will have to be done for the sleeves at the wrist and possibly the neckline.

 

So excited!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2013, the year we make...stuff and progress!

It's a whole new year in which to be lazy about updating my blog, too, so there's that bonus.

My horoscope said I should make stuff because something something planets something nodes something constellation something.  Well, mysterious planets, nodes, and constellations don't have to tell me twice to get crackin'.  This should shape up to be a year of completing projects.  I have several in process, in planning, and some just floating around in my head.

 My one true hope is to make some real, measurable progress on the home make-over.  I was aided in this hope by the passing of our downstairs TV.  It's timely demise has ushered in a new downstairs order, conceived in liberty and dedicate....er, well.  Let's just say that the old TV was a noble, ancient beast.  300pounds of lovely CRT goodness and light.  It had it's own special housing, flanked by massive bookshelves and corner curios.  Both the TV housing and the curios are about to bid us a fond adieu for other climes.  I see a tall dark stranger in their future.  I think his name is Craig.  It looks like he's got some sort of list...