Flibbertygibbet

I have the cloud. Now show me the goddammed silver lining.

Landed at SFO safely.  Good.
In Mountain View now.  Not so good.

There have been a few 'challenges' as my too polite boss often says.

• Missed first meeting, but that's ok.  Except the guy now isn't available tomorrow at all.  Oops.
• BlackBerry is dead.  Luckily I can now get online or wouldn't know where I was going (I know, there's a lesson in that)
• Tried to get $ out using my Switch card like I always do.  But all of my cards have been declined.  There are no 24 hour HSBC numbers (that pick up) so I am hoping I can get on to them tomorrow in my AM.  Having no money and being disconnected is scary.  At least my normal mobile is working.
• Taxi driver (thankfully prebooked using credit card) did turn up.  Very sweet man. But smelled of bad bad BO.  It was a long journey in many ways.
• It's fricking hot here.  I laughed and thought the BBC website was wrong - but inland it's 100 degrees.  Not that bad here I think but definitely a little heatwave.  Pasty white Irish girl didn't think to bring sunscreen.  (I know P, I should have known after last year at RC).
• Got to hotel, no room for me.  Manager obviously forgot to 'squeeze me in' like she said.  Luckily they had a cancellation.

It's all going to be better tomorrow.  Right?  Right?!

Oh, and got almost all of the increase rows done on a Clapotis for me in Blue Sky Alpaca Silk, the yarn I bought in Purl Soho last year.  Love the colour but it's a bit splitty.  And now it feels like the RSI is flaring...gnnnnnnrughhhhhh....

The Doll House

(Photo from Times Online)
I went to the Viktor & Rolf exhibition on Thursday with the lovely Abi and it was quite the eye-opener.  See something of it here.  I didn't know anything of their clothes beforehand and during the exhibition itself the jury was out (I started off feeling rather like this journalist) - but by the end, having paid close attention to the captions around the exhibits, I was both intrigued and inspired.  Particularly by the third coat in the Russian Doll series above.  This questionnaire is interesting - partly the first question about the women they design for, because I felt a strong sense of depersonalisation of women and of the models (literally reducing them to mannequins just to show the clothes); the doll heads are supposed to echo the porcelain miniature figurines that the fashion houses of the 30s and 40s used to showcase their collections but the childlike expressions were sinister. it seemed just too ironic that one exhibit was framed by the names of all the supermodels that were 'in' that year.  But it's definitely worth seeing, and as Helen told me, it benefits from repeated viewings.  I don't doubt it.  My recommendation is to view all the collections and the films and then go to see the Doll's House.

There are lots of workshops being held as part of the education programme, and I may even find myself sneaking back.  Sadly I will miss Ruth's workshop as that day I'll be off indulging my textile tendencies in San Francisco.  Ok, sorry to miss it but won't be sad... she said gleefully as she tripped off across the Atlantic to Renegade Craft!  I think there may be a few tickets left for Ruth's session - good luck in snaring one!

The art of no craft

How do I have as many hours in a given day as anyone else and not feel productive?  I'm hoping to change that.

Last weekend my too-small-to-be-of-much-use table looked like this:

Another episode of all the gear no idea, this is me crafting such fripperies such as feathery bits for my little hat and a watch-parts pendant for White Mischief. The remainder of the feathers may end up on the wall at some point.

It strikes me that being able to solder (accurately; and at home rather than in workshop or at a course) would be very beneficial but I cannot take on any more hobbies at the moment. Or buy anything else that could be classified as 'equipment'. So superglue it is for now. There was probably as much enjoyment gleaned from taking the old watches* apart as reconstructing them.  Though I would say I'm all about whether something works, as opposed to why it works. That may explain my challenges with knitting patterns.

This weekend the table looks like this:

Proof-reading so that I can earn some cash for a mooted diving trip; but also firstly for San Francisco.  I am trying to simplify a little and I think there's a declutter coming.  For a while I've been trying to avoid acquiring 'stuff' but I'm not sure it's working so well.  Well, there's stuff ie those delectable Dan Hillier prints
(will put the photos in the last post to show off their gorgeousness) which is good for my soul - and then there's bucketloads of crap.  Magazines whose subscriptions I can't figure out how to cancel; spare bedding with nowhere to store it; and 'stuff' that doesn't have a home here yet.  I tried to make it to a yarn swap/sale last week but TFL foiled me and the bag of yarn for sale is still in the hallway.

So while these tools of the trade have occupied me most of the weekend

I've also cast on with some of the precious Debbie Bliss silk from the stash.  I really did try to do the bolero from the Pure Silk book but seriously (in pursuit of sanity) short of paying someone to write me a line by line pattern, and despite assistance from helpful Ravelry people, I have decided to try the plain shrug. I have made it to the second section (where it asks you to cast on another 38 stitches mid row - still working on that).  But the colour and the drape will be fabulous so it's worth persevering.

There's lots at my day job to keep me busy too.  My uncle is visiting the next two weekends. I am terribly behind on my laundry (putting it away - my bedroom looks like Benetton with lots of folded clothes everywhere) Need to get going on making a few extra hours in each day. I have some ideas... deleting the newly-found Stumble Upon may be the best one... (Penni, that's all your fault!)

* though of course now I am utterly suspicious of all those pre-White Mischief transactions as one of them may have been the cause of the paypal nightmare.  Latest update is that the money that was claimed from my paypal account, though not from my bank account because I'd alerted the bank about it, has now been credited back to my account.  Hence more calls to paypal to explain that now there's money in my account that isn't mine.  That really is ironic. 

As Alannis would say...

...isn't it ironic.  After saying how much I was drawing from the internet, I had a nasty experience with someone drawing quite a lot of money fraudulently from my bank account.  My paypal account got hacked.  It's been a nightmare. The bank, Paypal and the police all going around in ever decreasing circles with nobody being definitive (though the bank was great eventually)  A friend used to work at Paypal and has been able to help somewhat but I can't see me using it ever again in the future.  The suspicion is that it's something to do with some of the many small purchases I made from Ebay in the run up to White Mischief. It was almost £500 ($1000) in total over three fake transactions.  One was withdrawn almost immediately after I raised them all with Paypal.  One is still being contested and what really freaked me out was that the bastard sent me a piece of paper by UPS  on Monday morning with something rather sinister written on it - so that presumably he could 'prove' that he 'sold' me something.  It was so upsetting:  the intrusion and the deceit as much as the annoyance and the worry.

The latest development is that the third transaction has been reversed to my account; but as I shouldn't ever have had any money leave my account, it's a bit confusing.  I think that the guy who tried to take my money has now had the same amount debited from his account which gives me a credit balance. My colleagues all told me to transfer the cash to my current account - hey, it's not like I couldn't do with it but that would be very bad karma and I just want it all over.  I will not use either service again which is pissing me off because of various things I wanted to buy for friends on Etsy and other places.

The good thing is that I have a reason to be saving my pennies - and that is a work trip to San Francisco!  My boss agreed that I can go for the weekend of Renegade Craft so it's a free trip essentially (and my summer holiday though Ting and I were talking about diving in the autumn...).  Can't decide whether to work before or afterwards - I guess if it's the end of my trip that might work better for me.  So I have some questions for any of you folks that know SF:

Where to say?  It will probably be at one of these hotels and I have the option to stay in the city and take the shuttle to work, or stay in the valley and move back to the city for the weekend.  Or commute from the city all week, it's about an hour each way which I'm ok with as I won't hire a car; just have to work out what time it leaves in the evenings to return to the city.

What to do?  Apart form Renegade Craft.  I know there's more than a weekend's worth of stuff but let's not worry about that right now.

What are the 'can't miss' places or hang-outs?  Who knows the city and has recommendations?  Fabric shops, trimmings, LYSs, foodie spots, Japanese craft stores or bookshops?

Tell me all!

No pics as camera is dead - may revisit soon x

Weekending

White Mischief was great fun, which started off with a trip to the Telectroscope which I loved.  For some reason the mythology that's been created around it really appealed to me and I found myself completely absorbed by it.  Plus it was nice to be jumped to the front of the queue so that we could wave at the steampunks in New York.

Someone asked about what I was going to wear: it was something along these lines:

Except that the feathers were on the daft little hat.  Which wasn't on my shoulders.  I wore a slightly different wrap.  I have to say it probably looks better on Dolly and rather than a waistband, I used bias binding to lessen the bulk.  But the cheap polyester which was exactly the look I wanted was a bitch to fray, frankly, and it hasn't stood up very well so I won't be able to wear it again.  But I think that's not a problem as I won't need to wear it again.

This afternoon we went to the Art Car Boot Fair in Brick Lane.  I didn't see anything that I couldn't live without - or more to the point, anything I could live with.  Then in the Up Market I found two fantastic prints from the very lovely Dan Hillier - two of his 'Ladies' will soon be gracing the bedroom walls. There was some amazing stuff on offer - mostly jewellery and fab art softies from Bobby Dazzler.  I've been thinking a lot recently about how creative blogs and snooping on crafty types via Flickr has really opened my eyes and how it's inspiring me to invest in the nest.  Any suggestions for more wonderful artists - going with the 'buy handmade' pledge?

New places to play

I'm off to a yarn swap soon... but have found some lovely new and new-to-me blogs recently.  Some are IRL friends, and some are new cyber discoveries.  Have a look:

Nancy Campbell - amazing letterpress art.  I'm getting some letterpress supplies from her soon - v excited.

Claire Payne - ubercute felt creations

And Ruth's book has its own blog too!

Keeping this short as Typepad is still being r e a l l y slow....

Bag lady

I've always loved purses, ever since I was a little kid.  By 'purses' I mean snap-frames rather than handbags.  Cath Kidston used to carry rather adorable oilcloth ones but I can't find them now. 

I used Lisa U-handbag's tutorial and she makes it pretty simple.  I was using a bright silver frame that came from Klein's, which I mucked up the first time, using inferior glue. So I popped in there one lunchtime and the staff were really helpful (and I got the 'good stuff' - hellishly tough Gutermann fabric glue).  Her tutorial shows you how to make a pattern for any frame, I just didn't take into account the fact that this particular frame doesn't have channels (into which you glue the body of the bag) all the way down to the hinges.  My bad.  But I still like it.  I will definitely be making more of these.  It might have been better to have taken a photo of it before I took it to a wedding - I think that's a little red wine stain there!

No work Wednesday

Got as far as the gym this am, then realised that the 'My head hurts because I am up early' pounding wasn't going away.  So came home and thought a nap would sort it.  Woke up at 2pm. Can't imagine getting much done today. That's probably not a bad thing.

I am trying to decide what to make for White Mischief.  I have a black corset and need a skirt.  I've got lots of silk and taffeta in my stash, in green with white spots, rose pink, black, metallic green.  It seems I've been working up to costumes for quite some time.

Something like this:

Vena Cava has lots of historical patterns.  Of course it takes a lot of fabric, and might just add a lot of bustle to my already substantial ahem 'natural bustle'.







Then there's this skirt from Vollers.  However I would have a go at making it myself as it's rather far outside my budget.  At £225 I would expect exquisite fabric and detailing. Not that I'll be able to replicate that myself but then again I won't spend that kind of money on it either.







Or then there's something like this one from Fairy Goth Mother.  Such fun!  Also would be perfect in the emerald green with white polka dots fabrics that I've got.  Lucy has kindly offered to lend me her petticoat for the night if I go down this route because I can't see me managing to get a petticoat made too. 

I think it will be the second or third options.  Any thoughts??


And just to add:  whether as a meeting point before WM or not, I want to visit here...

Whoops, just realised I didn't enable comments - the new Typepad is driving me a little mad... enabled now1

All the fun

of Carter's Steam Fair at Paradise Gardens.  Made it down there on Saturday in the sunshine, anticipating the downpours on Sunday.

I have a thing about merry-go-rounds, or 'gallopers' as they are called in Carters.  Apparently all the horses are named after members of the Carter family which I find quaint, endearing and slightly freaky all at the same time.


There were plenty of non-fairground attractions. The Central School of Speech and Drama Costume Archives exhibition showed some of their treasures.


The tea dance tent - infectious music, enthusiastic audience participation.

 
Even the staff quarters at this amazing fair are authentically retro.


A rather unusual artist called Paka, who was hilarious.  At one point he nearly barbequed a small dog at the front of the crowd. (Yes.  Those are real flames.)

Followed by Eurovision on Saturday, baking and guests on Sunday, then Hot Breath Karaoke (I'm kind of sorry I missed their Eurovision event because it looked priceless) at the Lauriston, stumbling distance home.  I love my 'hood. 

How do you spell 'Ewwww'?

 Ting, you shouldn't read this...


Ok so I am playing around with Typepad's new settings.  Now you can see in huge detail just how much I don't like my socks.  I was ok with the first one as the weirdly-dyed one because it's spiralling in a just-about-acceptable way.  This is Purl's custom colours Lorna's Laces and more fool me for not saying "um, why does it sort of fade out rather than cutting from white to purple..." when I got it in my hands in the shop - but you know how it goes, the overwhelming 'Woo-hooo I'm yarn-shopping in New York' feeling...and hell, if you get the same dyelots you're streets ahead... actually looking at the Rav stash pictures, I don't think you can see it in the hank.


Has anyone else had any problems with this?  The second one isn't even spiralling (see above, it's sort of turning into Tetris gone wrong) but I think it's not worth ripping back. Also even though they are the same dyelot, the colour is weaker on the second sock.  Bah.  The knitting girls reckon I should email Purl about it (and ask them to have someone knit the socks in the same yarn to the same point and post them back, thanks).

Getting back into sewing a little bit and have some plans for dress-making over the bank holiday weekend as long as the fabric I ordered arrives, to make something to wear to this.

Tingles, happy Lucy's birthday...it turned out to be harder than I thought to make a "blue or maybe purple but not red or green" sock bag, seems that there is a void in my stash in the colour blue ... I am sure I will be able to rectify this when I go to San Francisco.  Britex and Rare Device are on the 'must visit' list at the moment. 


There's lot of news in our little circle at the moment - as someone remarked last night, over the past month there's been [a] death, then [impending] births and now news of a marriage to come.  We're all still sad about the first, and thrilled to bits about the latter announcements.  People are writing books, starring in plays, generally taking over the world. I am constantly impressed. 

So what have you got planned for the long weekend?