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November 30th, 2009

05:33 pm - Last day of the month Better Uncounted Originally uploaded by shazrasha My sewing machine it appears has gremlins because despite me fiddling with it and not getting anywhere all the engineer had to do was rethread it...I feel slightly foolish but have managed to make up for this by sewing things today. The first was a doublet I decided it was about time I had. They are such elegant garments and I have a nice brocade so now several hours later I have an almost finished doublet in red and gold. Then I decided to work on the waistcoat pattern that I needed for my hedgehog. This too has been sewn rather more rapidly than expected. I love it when a pattern works especially when I sort of guess my way forwards. Both garments have roughly the same thing left to do one them, sleeve holes, button holes and buttons. I have started on Mole 2.0 which should fix a few of the niggles of Mole 1.5... On top of that I have been good and done my Monday cleaning so I feel accomplished. It's amazing what a working sewing machine does for my mood. Current Mood: accomplished Tags: crafting, sewing

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November 27th, 2009

03:33 pm - When the sewing machine is away... Ok, the sewing machine is still in the living room but I blame this on having to wait for a delivery man by which point I decided I may as well take in the machine on Monday. So what does one do when you can't do the sewing machine? Well I decided to start with adding spines to a hat for the hedgehog look. I think maybe a few more spines to help round it out a bit but it is a good start. Then I moved on to sewing shut the foxtail I made a while back as it seemed silly to have left it that long. I also, after a reminder from midnightoak, added the ability to carry a candle and matches to my calligraphy bracer. And then becuase I get really twitchy when I see ideas that haven't been completed yet, I tried my hand at a mole nose. I had trouble to start with but eventually I managed to get it to sit right. After all this I was unsure what else to do but with scraps of leather now lying about and having reread the Winter in the Willows setting I decided to create some tokens for trading. Current Mood: accomplished Tags: crafting, witw

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November 25th, 2009

04:20 pm - Crafting the third... Today crafting took a bit of a back step due to my needing to catch up with my cleaning. So by 11o'clock the bathroom, kitchen and living room with adjoining stairs and hallway were cleaned. This did lend itself randomly to making my crafting a bit more organised as I cleared away all the things that I no longer required. Now I have neat little piles of each thing that needs doing. In crafting news I set about adding buckles to my calligraphy bracer so that is now wearable...though I am, after a discussion with [Bad username: midnightoak"] feeling the urge to decorate it with lovely burning and gilding... Then I started on my doublet getting the back fully done and cutting the front collar. I also started on Arnthor's doublet tester...it was about this point when I realised that the sewing machine wasn't doing Zigzag stiching. The timing on it is still slightly wonky. Not enough to be out of commission but enough to cause issues. So I have now called the shop and set about getting them to fix it again (still for free - yeah warranty). This leaves me with all the non sewing crafts to work on instead. Oh and in other news I got a parcel that failed to deliver despite being in the house at the time they called. Ah well it's an excuse for a walk tomorrow. Current Mood: disappointed Tags: crafting, sewing

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November 24th, 2009

04:11 pm - Further crafting adventures Having started a lot of projects yesterday I felt the urge to finish something today. So I set about looking at the crafts that could be made as efficiently as possible. I dipped the Hedgehog spines a bit more. They might be ready or I might need one more grading of colour. I've not quite decided. I then finished the Rabbit Hat which by a slight miscalculation ended up being about half an inch too small for my head. Not that that was important as such. I also finished the hat I plan on using as a base for the hedgehog spines so once they are done I can get that out of the way as well. Then I decided to work on my bracer of calligraphy things. I think it worked. Though am not sure the pen looks right so might swap that for something else. All in all a semi productive day. I can't quite get enough energy together to work on something else as well despite knowing that tomorrow I'll have to do a lot of cleaning to catch up. My energy levels I blame on the wierd dream I had with a dryad that could heal people, but needed to get energy from the blood of her victims which she then cast revenge spells with...Not sure what my brain was up to there. Current Mood: tired Tags: crafting, dream, sewing

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November 23rd, 2009

07:34 pm - Projects and Ears After last weeks MOT shocker I had a weekend with Bats and Zoo and lovely people. This week I decided to make myself a todo list and start on the pile of crafts I had that needed getting done. Now when I get into a crafting mood I can be a bit insane so below is the list of things I started today. Hedgehog spines Waistcoat Doublet Doublet for Paul Hat with Rabbit ears Hat for Hedgehog Bracer for Calligraphy stuff Larpsafe book I shall continue work on them all tomorrow. With any luck something might get finished. Current Mood: cheerful Tags: crafting, sewing

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November 4th, 2009

09:01 am - Things that made me unexpectedly cheery this morning Feeling motivated enough to plan a to do list and know I would do it Dipping things in Latex for testing Getting in the car to find the radio playing Footloose Watching a small shadow creep up a shadow roof Bopping to the song and possibly being caught at it by neighbour The madness that makes me wish for a video screen phone just so I can make a prop from warehouse 13 Seeing an advert for V (As in V the Tv Series of 83 for those not sure what I'm talking about) They...are...coming! Current Mood: amused

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October 30th, 2009

09:29 pm - Pumpkin pie and leftovers My new face Originally uploaded by shazrasha I was given a new challenge this week. choccoweeble decided that she wanted pumpkin when I took her with me to the supermarket for the first time in ages. After searching a while I found a recipie to try out and set about dealing with the orange thing. Then of course I had to deal with the leftovers. So, how did I do for my first try at pumpkin carving? Current Mood: accomplished

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May 18th, 2009

12:36 pm - A random query I am in the process of getting rid of things I don't need and one of these is a bottle of 10W\40 part synthetic motor oil. I think I have roughly 2 litres of the stuff would have to check to be certain but it's a litre at least. So the question is...does anyone have a car that uses this stuff because we don't and I don't want to throw it away..? Current Mood: curious Tags: car

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February 21st, 2009

10:01 pm - Five random topics as supplied by Ed_fortune ( Hope, Photography, Costumes, Love, The Future ) Current Mood: amused

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January 18th, 2009

08:48 pm - Coming soon to a telly near you So I thought I'd mention this as I know a lot of my f-list showed an interest when a one off Pilot was shown on BBC 4 for a show called Being Human. Basically a tale of a flat share with a Vampire, Werewolf and a Ghost. Well for those who were looking for it becoming a series then here is the latest. It's due on our screens end of January BBC website for Being Human There's been a little bit of a change of cast members since the pilot. The werewolf remains the same but a new vampire and ghost have been picked. Here's to it being as good as the pilot. Current Mood: happy

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December 14th, 2008

06:16 pm - Vampire from the Abyss The skyman came by today...and brought the sky into our living room. There was talk of rain but it all seems to have gone well and we've now got a new dish and strange things like the bio channel (Not for cleaning clothes) and wine tv. Currently I'm watching Vampire from the Abyss. A lovely show that prompted the following conversation with lucian_albrecht. Shazrasha - apparently we've found "vampire from the abyss" to watch lucian_albrecht - that sounds.....profound Shazrasha - yeees :P very very deep lucian_albrecht - does it have big sharp pointy teeth? Shazrasha - no idea we've not been introduced yet lucian_albrecht - in this case, I am not sure deep==profound. it is a girl abyssal vampire or a boy one? or a vampire squid, perhaps Shazrasha - a squid yes lucian_albrecht - I was kidding...... Shazrasha - I wasn't lucian_albrecht - well, it sounds fun at least Current Mood: amused Tags: humour, sky

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November 20th, 2008

09:14 pm - No really...You've got a wrong number... It's not often that I get a strange number on my mobile phone. Ok, I should say it's not often I have a strange number on my phone that isn't related to some agency trying to call me about a job I don't want. I have no idea what the guy was called but the number was London based. I answered the phone without my name as I am want to do when I don't recognise the number. A guy said hello and then waited. "Who is this?" He asked after a moment. I told him and asked who he was and he hung up. All right, I thought, someone clearly dialed incorrectly and that was that... or rather it wasn't as he called again. This time I answered with "It's still the wrong number." "No it isn't" he said. "Yes it is." "No it isn't" He said firmly. "Well who do you think you're phoning?" I asked amused. "Me Mam," He replied. "And you must have nicked her phone. If I ever find out who you are I'll..." I cut him off when he started swearing at me. He tried three more times with me cancelling the call before he gave up. What amused me most was how in Earth I could have just nicked a phone(number) I've had for over 5 years. To make sure he doesn't bother me again I've entered his number in my phone book as Daft Wrong Number so I'll know him the next time he accidentally call 'his mam' Current Mood: Bemused Tags: wrong numbers

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October 28th, 2008

12:06 pm - Titta Madiken det Snöar! Just a note to go yeah! snow! Yes it will be cold, yes it will be wet. I don't care. IT's SNOWING! Current Mood: amused Tags: snow

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October 20th, 2008

08:52 pm - So there was sewing... I took my mock up apart and used it to cut out a load of pieces that I've now pieces together. Made sleeves of flowiness and put the thing on. This is the point when I realised that I had made a slight error. I had underused the seam allowance. A few seams taken in and I was back to making a lovely top until I suddenly took in a seam too many...Oops. I'm now suffering from unfortunate boob squishage >_< Having misplaced my first seam ripper I managed by fluke to find the other one so I'm now taking it apart as I watch the next episode of Sanctuary. Current Mood: confused Tags: sanctuary, sewing

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September 19th, 2008

11:00 am - What I learned today - Size matters 75 cm might not seem that much, but as two hill walkers have proved it is the difference between a mountain and a really rather large mole hill. Current Mood: amused Tags: humour, mountains, walking

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July 17th, 2008

10:53 pm - See you all after or at Maelstrom I don't have to be me 'til Monday! Current Mood: chipper

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March 14th, 2008

06:39 pm - Not the best time to decide to look for your rivets... So yes I said I only had one project left to do for Maelstrom. An easy project now that I've spent time thinking about it and working out how to remake my armour so that it fit. I even have a week in which to work...However I still haven't found my rivets. Trying to decide whether to let it stress me or not. Place your bets now... It's one small bag of rivet tops in one large room of crafting supplies...if I'm lucky. If I'm unlucky they could be anywhere. In good news I managed to find the details for Le Prevo who were the place I got them from in the first place. A place whose customer service extended to calling me to point out that I needed longer rivets for my bosses and made sure I had enough for what I wanted. However I doubt that I can get the rivets on time if I reorder them. This is more for buying new ones if I can't find them after the event. It can't be that hard to find them can it? Current Mood: aggravated Tags: maelstrom, rivets

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March 13th, 2008

06:09 pm - Because General Korupin is a skinny begger So I have actually managed to be organised for this Maelstrom and all, Yes that is right ALL, my sewing is actually already done. *Smug* This is of course ignoring the sewing of armour to trousers which I always do at events... In fact our mokosh Bruce is also almost done, just a few minor finishing touches, oh and the teeth that apparently I need to give him according to the costume guide for mokosh and gnolls. Prominent incisors needed... Not only did I finish all the new things I was supposed to make, two tunics and a cloak, I also fixed or well hid the burn mark on my tunic. However I also realised that I had to take the tunic in yet again. I thought it fit rather well until I took it in and went "oh that's why it looked wrinkly..." Now all I need to do is find my rivets so I can deal with the armour. Current Mood: accomplished Tags: larp, maelstrom, sewing

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March 3rd, 2008

08:43 pm - A pre hunt visit and an invite... For those that did not read the declaration of the hunt I am planning on visiting quite a few National Trust properties this year to take full advantage of my membership card and also indulge my inner history buff. I started this kick with a trip to Little Moreton Hall - Preempt from the hunt as it was too short notice and was a change for choccoweeble   to renew her card. ( Minor details ) This does lead me to announce my first official hunt. Time: 8th of March Dunham Massey - One week's notice I know, it isn't much but the two weekends after are kind of booked. Location: just west-southwest of Manchester Map here Price:Gift aided £8.50 (Normal £7.70) Membership costs: Look Here Space available in car: 2-3 depending on how squashed you want to be. This is from Chester. We're happy to pick up and drop off Manchester people and those close by to avoid extra cars. Especially as parking is limited as they are doing work on the carpark. Facilities available are: Shop, Cafe, Picnic area, walking, garden and new for this year, Exhibition of toys from Dunham's hidden collection...but no dogs allowed. Current Mood: cheerful Tags: national trust

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February 28th, 2008

05:51 pm - Shhhhhhh...I'm hunting history... 1st of March is Open Season. The Guide book is getting dusted off and my membership card is being put in pride of place in my wallet. My camera will be at the ready, and the camelpak is going to be put to good use. The National Trust is properly opening its doors for 2008 and I plan to take full advantage. I shall also post an open invitation for those wanting to join me in this endeavour. I shall post which place I am planning to visit with location, price¹, time and car space available before each 'hunt' and any intrepid explorers who want to join me are welcome to come. Each of these will also come with optional crash space if the night draws in and the option of foul weather alternatives. 1. There will occasionally be a spare membership card which will be offered to the first person who asks (Who can feasibly pretend to be the name on the card...) Current Mood: mischievous Tags: history, national trust

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