Confirmed: my job does get in the way of my “art”

In between catching up on the laundry and grocery shopping, I have been spending the remainder of my vacation in the sewing room.  I have completed the 1872 Lilac Dreams bodice!  Yeah me!

Truly Victorian 1872 Vested Bodice TV403

The white part has little white buttons running up it that the glare washes out but I was making myself crazy trying to get the fabric to not look blue and didn’t notice I had washed out the white part.  Me thinks I need a better camera.

I think I may need to tack that bow down a bit more.  It seems to be sitting a bit cockeyed.

That is how it is supposed to sit.

In addition to finishing the bodice, I have cut out and sewn two skirts a la assembly line style.  There is a purple skirt to go with this bodice and a blue one for another project.  I’m at the hand sewing stage now.  They both might get some trim but I’m going to wait and see how they look with their bodice and over skirt first.  They might not need anything…especially the purple as the pattern it pretty wild on its own.

 

Mexico-my home away from home

I’m back from my annual pilgrimage to Mexico.  The past two years, we have been going to Playa Del Carmen but this year we tried Cancun.  Cancun wasn’t my cup of tea.  It has a busy city/party place feel and I’m past that stage in life.  But, I can’t say I had a bad time because I really didn’t.

There was fabulous views

Cute sites and photo ops

Interesting food…okay, I didn’t eat these because there was so much more to choose from. But I thought these were cute.

We saw a show with a fire-eater.

We had a catamaran ride. It was pretty wavy so Mr Victorian got a bit sea sick.

I tried sitting up front on the “hood” of the catamaran but it was so wavy I was sure I was going to slide right off my perch into the ocean.  There was a sweet little Chilean Grandmother in the same “boat” as myself and we clung to each other for dear life.  Once we moved to the back and sat in proper seats all was well.  But, I made a friend for life.  At the end we babbled to each other in our native tongues and she gave me a big hug and kiss on the cheek.  That made me feel really good.  I think of her as my adopted abuela (grandma).

While on our trip, we saw this ship which is part of the Captain Hook Dinner and Show.

I was so taken by the idea that we had to try it a couple of days later.

It is a ton of fun and I highly recommend it!

Those are the highlights of my trip. Cheers!

Almost home

My blog has been on automatic pilot for the last week or so while I catch some rays in Mexico.  This will be the last pre-made post.  I thank you for putting up with it and I hope I will have some good stories to share when I get back.  While you wait (all three of you faithful readers) I will give you a wood and feather fan dated 1880’s to enjoy.

From the Costume Museum of Canada’s collection

Anxiety is not a new thing

I bought an Edwardian cabinet card on one of my trips to the States.  I was really interested in her lacy top and the broach and chain around her neck.  They seemed to imply a degree of comfort and wealth.If you can zoom in on this photo you really should-the details are quite clear.  But don’t just zoom in on her shirt and jewelry  Look at her face.  There seems to be sadness? Fear? Anxiety?  It isn’t the stoic no smile you expect.  Her face is bursting with emotion.  Sad really.  I feel bad for her.

Awe! Makes me want to have a Victorian baby!

Dated 1885 and in the Costume Museum of Canada’s collection.