Best. July 4th. Ever.
Mood:  happy
Now Playing: Starbursts in my mind...

Last night was such a blast ! We could see part of the City fireworks, but a large tree was in the way. Still, even that was neat, seeing all these tiny glitter bits within a tree's branches. Competing with the $1000. a minute City presentation were numerous other residents - it was hard to know where to look ! Some of the stuff people bought was better than what the City had !

And we weren't the only ones out for the view. Neighbors up and down the street watched, and unleashed their own displays, and it was wonderful. Dearest Son got to play with sparklers for the first time, and Beloved Hubby was frequently enlisted to help light over-the-counter pyrotechnics. I went into the freezer and grabbed the big box of fudge bars, distributing to whoever wanted 'em. We also brought the XM box outside and shared some music. Good times. Good times.

Our neighbors had a lot more than the City did, too. For about two hours after the official show ended, we were still treated to a show. Aerial bursts, spinny color discs, huge sparklers, roman candles, little rolling tanks, Black Cats, and Chinese ladyfingers all littered the street and added to the fun. Especially when cars drove by.

And for that extra touch that means so much, Beloved Hubby set the garden hose to 'Mist' and gave us all an extra bit of 'cool'. As the party dwindled down to us and another family, we let the kids play with the hose, and washed down all the debris in the street. Just to be safe.

At midnight, it was all over. Soaked and fudge bar stained, we came in, laughing and giddy and overtired. My ears still rang, but I thought then, and still think now, that it's the best July 4th I've ever celebrated. Leia, who was outside with us, would probably agree. She got soaked, too, but she's nice and dry and smiling.

Beloved Hubby's already planning for a display of our own next year... He can light a Roman Candle like nobody's business !

Dearest Son got two more 'Lightning McQueen's from McD's Cars Happy Meals, too. He already had the 'dirty' one, but now has two clean ones, each with a different expression. This week's the end of the Cars promotion, and you'd think I'd be happy that I wouldn't have to scarf down any food with 'Happy' in the ordering, but it's not over yet. Next up is Pirates of the Caribbean, lots of neat toys. I hope he gets the cannon and adventure notebook. Personally, I want the little stuffed Jack Sparrow doll. Two if possible. One for Elphie's bed, one for my rear-view mirror !

Hope your yesterday - and today - has some magic in it.

Now even lazier than yesterday ! With bonus reminiscing !
Mood:  cool
Now Playing: 'Robots' - DVD rental

Beloved Hubby came home early today, so it's been a lazy day of naps and reading. We're gonna see if we can view the fireworks from our place, it's not worth fighting two hours of traffic each way to see twenty-three-and-one-half minutes of temporary sky decoration.

Ever since I got the latest Fiyero shirt to fit and look good - even though there's three mistakes in it - I've been in a haze. Memory and drive are equal in my mind. They're taking turns. The Fiyero shirt was more than a use for a bit of grab-bag fabric and a way to spend two or three hours of summer. Getting so close to success when not long ago it seemed beyond my skills now and forevermore is...odd. It's not good enough to be perfect, but it's way past what I thought I could do.

So part of my mind is looking back, and part is looking forward. The knockoff TG&Y strapless Barbie dress that so enchanted me in 1976 ? I've made it about a dozen times. That fluffy white SuperStar gown with the silver sequined sash-thing ? I dreamed about that one. Not that difficult. Even the much wanted Deluxe Quick Curl Barbie dress - the turquoise one - that I won on eBay after dedicated searches is also not difficult at all. My dearest 1978 Kenner Princess Leia's dress enchanted me. It looked so complex ! For a kid darn-near obsessed with gowns back in the day, I don't make 'em now, not at all. Barbie gowns are too cheap and easy to come by, Leia doesn't fit or look good in any besides her own, and Elphie's more into costumes than evening gowns.

It's funny. I used to be in awe of doll clothes. While I never really liked Gene, I stared at her clothing ads in doll magazines for hours. Turn me loose in a flea market, and I'd find doll clothes - and fuss for endless hours over which ones to get. Now that I can make things I never thought I could, I'm kind of stymied. Oh, I know I have light-years to go before I could match some of the Tonner stuff, but most of it is in the execution - linings, jewelry, miniature accoutrements - not necessarily the sewing. Isn't most of it made overseas ? Coupled with his recent decree to doll shops, reminiscent of Barbie Collectibles edicts, Tonner's starting to resemble Mattel, which isn't good.

My goal used to be that my creations would look as good as the stuff at Dollar Tree. When I wasn't looking, I sort of went past it. I'm somewhere around Mattel-wear, I think. And I'm not sure where to go from here. Not sure what to try next. But I can't stop now.

I'm really thinking of making something for Leia...

Grey Monday
Mood:  a-ok
Now Playing: XM 83 - 'Chrome' (classic Disco dance music )

Kind of a do-nothing day. Took Dearest Son to Dollar Tree, the exciting high-point of our Monday. He got an echo microphone and a knockoff Cars vehicle with candy in it, I got the last of their knockoff Kool-Aid. What can I say, Son likes it.

Designed the next project, Fiyero's Monarch costume. Unfortunately, we need another ink cartridge to print it. (sigh) While I can get about six trillion patterns out of a cart, Beloved Hubby's business stuff drains it, since he sometimes forgets to set it to 'draft print'. But, heck, it's not like I can really work on it right now anyway.

Tuna caught another mouse. For a stray who appeared on our doorstep about a year and a half ago, she's a darn good mouser. I think this is her fourth catch-and-kill.

I'm thinking of sewing Elphie a new dress tomorrow. Just can't seem to get into it today. But I got new fabric washed and ready, so... hopefully I'll be a bit more motivated.

Happy me - I *finally* got the 'Doll Reader' pattern right !
Mood:  celebratory
Now Playing: XM 83 - 'Chrome' (classic Disco dance music !)

Oh, you won't believe how happy I am ! Needed a break from shoes - this month's theme - so I looked over the 'To Do' list I posted last month for suggestions. For some reason, working that much-maligned Doll Reader shirt, from the Feb. 2006 issue, seemed the most appealing.

 

I remember that Erika M. suggested that the probable reason I was having so many problems with it was because it was an open-collar shirt, and I was trying to make it a button-to-the-throat one. That made sense, and the photo with the article wasn't much help. It showed it closed to the top with a tie, but that didn't necessarily mean much.

 

I also had some issues with the directions the first eight or twelve times I tried to work this pattern. I'm sorry, but I am not gonna sew the side seam, sew the sleeve, then sew the sleeve to the shirt. It's much easier to use flat construction - i.e., add the sleeve before sewing up the side seams. Then sew the underarm and side seam all at once. It's easier to ease in a set-in sleeve that way, too, and it looks better.

 

So I wasn't as strict with the directions as I should have been previously. As it turns out, about all I did incorrectly was sew the front facings wrong, because I thought the collar went to the neck's edge. Erika was right, it doesn't work that way, although the photo accompanying was misleading. Forcing it to fit of course threw the entire neckline off.

 

Once I figured out my error - and I really do owe you one, Erika ! - it went together well and it does look nice. About the only thing I did differently (besides the sleeve construction) from the published directions was let out the side seams (I took about a 3/8" seam allowance instead of a 1/4" - as-is, the shirt was a bit snug) and I sewed the facings before sewing the front and back together at the shoulders.

 

Got a bit more practice in curved hems and finished it, from cut to buttons, in one day. Fabric was from a Hancock Fabrics $1. grab-bag, and is actually too big a pattern for him, but I think it looks nice anyway.

 

Next one I do, I'll have to make the collar show up better. This one matches and everything !

Happy July !
Mood:  happy
Now Playing: XM 80- 'The Move' (underground dance music)

We got to watch the first two episodes of Season 2 : The Venture Brothers on Adult Swim Fix this week. Y'see, we don't have cable, and the TV's only for tapes and DVDs, it's not even tuned for broadcast television, so online was the only place we *could* see it. Episode 1 began with a 'rave' version of 'Everybody's Free (To Have Fun)' that Beloved Hubby and I really liked. Hence, we've been exploring other XM channels. Goss, I love XM. It was my birthday present last year.

Where to see VB online - Adult Swim Fix !

It was a quiet, wonderful day. Dearest Son got to spend some time with his grandparents at the SplashPad - y'think I talk about it enough ? They also went to the playgrounds and treated him to pizza and a snowcone. He was so tired when he came home !

While he was playing, Hubby and I got to play a bit, too. He took me out for a lunch of my favorites, and we rented a few movies - you know, Robots wasn't that bad. Some parts were quite cute. Heck, Miss Congeniality 2 wasn't as bad as it looked in previews. First one was better, but 2 was pretty good as well.

I was going to make Fiyero a pair of geta sandals, to go with his Happi Coat, but the one I pictured yesterday looks too much like a smoking jacket for the getas to work. Instead, I made him a pair of slippers from the same black fabric, some fun foam scraps, and ole regular white glue. They came out pretty good. I know most Basic Matt O'Neill dolls come with slippers, but Fiyero here was buck nekkid when he arrived. The first idea was to have the upper made from the same fabric as the jacket, but that was quickly rejected. It's fragile fabric, and since this was a first attempt - yet another prototype - I didn't want to use stabilizers and machine sewing. I did hand-sew the upper to the fun foam midsole, but that took maybe ten minutes for both.

So I used the same black fabric you see on his collar, cuffs, and belt. Came out pretty good. I'd write it up as a page, but most folks with a Matt doll have slippers already. Guess I could do it as a general 'make any doll slippers' page...

It's funny. I wanted to make an actual, reusable pattern if it worked - half the time I make something, there *is* no pattern, and I have to go back and make one. With little cardboard around (tons 'o paper, just no cardboard), I cut up a cigarette package that was lying around in the wrong place at the wrong time. So I even have a pattern to make more with ! Wheee !

When it was time to glue the upper-midsole to the outsole, I needed a few clamps. Clothespins make great ones ! Cheap, durable, and they have some 'give' to 'em. And since they're fun foam, they can be trimmed to fit better - or to eliminate glue over-run. Hmmm. I may have to write this up. Slippers are easy, and they can lead to bigger and better projects. I mean, haven't all of us felt a bit...at the mercy of doll shoe manufacturers ? I hate it when I pay more for doll shoes than I pay for mine !

I'd intended to do a 'make your own doll shoes' page last year, when I'd had some success with making Beautiful Crissy two pair. Now there's a doll whose shoes get pricey ! But subsequent attempts forced me to realize that I needed to work more on the concepts and basic execution before I shared 'em.

I think that'll be July's project. Rather than random 'I'm in the mood for x, y, or z', I'll work on shoes. Who knows, I may actually complete that long-delayed page.

Just gotta finish 'Tonner Taste' first !

The *really* Happi Coat !
Mood:  celebratory
Now Playing: XM 150 - Uncensored Comedy

Finally got off my big ole butt and did the photos for the 'Gloria Wine Carafe' set. It's on the 'Tonner Taste, Barbie Budget' page, just after the silica gel granules bit. It's all part of my diabolical plan to have ten updates, all from the same month, on the home page.

 

And this is what got it for me : Same as the other Happi Coat, just in fabric I bought specifically for this project. Wasn't until I went to do the cutting that I realized I'd never matched stripes before. Eeek.

 

Well, no time like the present. In some ways it's easier to cut stripes - you can center the pattern piece pretty well. I also forgot that this fabric is identical in construction and texture to the stuff I used for Gracie (My Size Barbie)'s cheongsam. And it's fraying like anything. If I leave it in the closet a few more weeks, I'll probably have a pile of yellow nylon and some thread. Live and learn.

 

I edged every piece in Fray-Check. It stained the test scrap, but I did it anyway. Any stain would be in the seam allowance, and even if it wasn't, with these dark colors, who could tell ? While it's supposed to be a Happi Coat, it looks more like a smoking or leisure jacket. Especially with the champagne bottle I taped in his hand ! Elphie likes !!

 

Champagne bottle's from the Gloria set I added to the TTBB page. It's been a busy day ! Finished a waiting project, updated the site, and got practice in fabric matching. I swear, though, all I wanna do is sleep !

(humming) On the road again....
Mood:  caffeinated
Now Playing: sound of son playin' with "Cars".

It's said that a skill unused will still manifest itself in unexpected ways. Since I'm not haggling and hunting much for my stuff anymore, today, I became a wheeler-dealer in the world of Cars.

Took Dearest Son out to lunch today, at his favorite place, at least since they started putting toy Cars in the Happy Meals. I don't know how he's gonna deal with it when this promotion's over in a week or so. Anyway, we got two Luigi cars this time. Yes, if it means getting Son what he wants, I will eat a Happy Meal in public.

Unfortunately, I'd eaten a thoroughly disgusting McBreakfast Monday to get him a Luigi. While he was distracted by kids in the PlayPlace, I quickly slipped the wrapped Luigi twins into my purse. I told him what we were doing - McD's will trade, as long as the toy's unopened - but he wasn't terribly thrilled about it. And it is hard to delay the fun of opening a new toy for the hope of a different one. Plus, Luigi comes with a tire iron (plastic, natch), and that's been the apex of the series so far. At least in our house.

But he handled it well, and after lunch, we were off on a Cars crusade. The W-Mart McD's offered us a 'track rash' Lightning McQueen for the first Luigi, and since we didn't have him dirty or clean, that was a done deal. He also scored a purple balloon from the bank and a Hot-Wheels size blue Lightning (evidently he changes sponsors during the film) in exchange for not going to Dollar Tree this week. That's worth $3. to me, easily. I was there twice last week.

On our way home, I remembered. There's another McD's off the highway. We rarely go there because 1) we normally eat McD's maybe once a month, and 2) this one didn't have a play area, and 3) highway is a bit chancy at rush hour. Still, it was on the way, not much out of it, certainly wasn't a rush time, and nothing ventured is nothing gained...

Ten minutes later, the second Luigi was traded in for a Fillmore. Which made a counterperson happy, she'd wanted a Luigi, but hadn't had time to hunt. While it's not as detailed as the Hot Wheels/Mattel one, it's still darn cool, and larger. Doll people, of all folks, can understand the importance of keeping the scale...

So now we only have one that remains MIA. Ramone. Evidently, he's the HTF (Hard To Find) one, although he comes in three colors. I'm eyeing a few on eBay, although I don't want to pay much more than $5. for it. Luckily, Son doesn't want the rarest color, he just wants the green one. I'm not sure which is the rarest Ramone - it varies according to what's on the auction page. If the purple is what's being sold, then it's the rarest, according to the auction page. Ditto for the yellow one. Green one seems to be the least in-demand.

What's funny is : if I snag one tonight, it'll probably be here before we could go to McD's again next week ! I'm really considering it. I mean, I have a survey check due in the mail any day now. That'll easily pay for Green Ramone. I was planning on buying a set of 'how to make doll shoes from card-stock' directions and patterns, but heck. That can wait. Seller's got dozens, probably just photocopies what he/she needs. Heck, give me a running start, and I might be able to figure it out myself, and make Elphie a set of Dr. Girlfriend knee boots. It's worth more to me that our son's happy.

Still, all this fuss over toy cars. Would my parents have jumped through hoops like this ? Well, they'd call Sears and order a choice item for Christmas and birthdays, but that was about it. I don't know what all this really says about either of our parenting skills, but it's great to see Son so happy, playing so creatively.

He has two smaller Sally cars, from breakfast cereal. I didn't know he was familiar with the concept of twins until he told me they were twins, and the McD one was mommy.

Hell, yeah. It's worth all the chasing around and more. Elphie, m'dear, you're gonna have to do without card-stock pumps for another week or two !

...SEW !
Mood:  energetic
Now Playing: more XM 150 - Uncensored Comedy

Finally, I started sewing again. What took me so long ? Well, sometimes ya just aren't in the mood for it, other times there's no time, and sometimes you wanna do other stuff. Like shopping, but sewing's better, especially when yer broke !

 

Since I had the pattern ready, I decided to try Fiyero's Happi Coat. Not bad ! This is a different photo than what's on his page - I like doing exclusives for you ! The cuffs I did on the fly, and next time - oh, heck yeah, there'll be more ! - I want to make them bigger. And in a way that doesn't make them rather over-long.

 

The belt is another excuse to use the tube turners I scored on half-price sale at Hancock Fabrics. I love those things. I think even he knows how close he came to having a polka-dot Happi Coat. Fabric was sitting right there, and it would have gone well with Elphaba's most recent dress ! But it didn't seem right, like a German taco plaza. But, gee, how much of that hospital green do I *have* ?!

 

I've got the fabric all ready for the next one. It's a lovely blue jacquard with black stripes. Gonna take a bit of figuring to decide how I want the sleeves. It'll have black trim and belt, with black slacks. I think it'll look great.

 

I also think tomorrow, I'll add the 'American Girl' part to the 'Tonner Taste, Barbie Budget' page. Then I can get the Elphie car up on the site permanently. And that chair everyone has. There's still 'Lucky finds in Human Scale' - that's where the jewelry box fainting couch will go - to do, but that page may never be finished. I rather like it that way !

 

Just hope I have time. Promised to take Son to McD's. I swear, if we can get the last of the Cars, I'll be happier about it than he will ! Today's trip to the SplashPad was a washout, if you'll pardon the expression.

Ready...steady...
Mood:  happy
Now Playing: XM 150 - Uncensored Comedy

Beloved Hubby's so busy. Workin' his butt off, starting his new business...sometimes it seems like all I can do for him is make his lunch and make sure the bathroom doesn't have a visible stench. I worry about him.

Dearest Son is doin' well. He suckered me into a bag of Funyuns after a visit to Great-Gramma's. He'd been patient as long as he could, longer than I expected. Growing up so fast. I always heard that about everyone's kids, and it seemed like Son was stuck at a younger age than his birth certificate said. But he's flown out of that gate, and I'm almost wistful about it all now.

I guess my confusion is due to the speech therapist telling me he's about where he should be, mentally and physically...but his teachers always act as though he's holding up the whole class, and it's not only Hubby and my fault, but we're clearly not doing everything we can for him. There are times I seriously consider home-schooling...

Came up with a prototype pattern for a Happi coat for Fiyero. Since I've already bought the few things I wanted, I think I'll come home after ferrying Son to school and sew. Don't know why I've avoided it for so long, but I'm eager to now !

Oh, and the two packs of black and white buttons I bought Monday ? Back of the package says 'minimum 75 buttons'. I got 80 white and 80 black out of the two. So much for my 'oh, this looks like it has a lot of black buttons, I'll get these two packages. Not that one, it looks like mostly white ones.' There were exactly 80 in there, 40 of each. I don't know why that amuses me...

oooghh...not feelin' very good.
Mood:  don't ask
Now Playing: Dinnertime !

Sorry to do another 'short' one, but my stomach's in open rebellion with the rest of my body. Have no idea what I got into. Serves me right for eating Happy Meals, even if it was to get Dearest Son those Cars. I actually found a Filmore - the VW Microbus voiced by George Carlin - in the W-M toy section (more later). He's severely short-packed.*

Found out that the Tonner site did indeed 'go live' with the mid-year collection. Midyear 2006 here. Eeehh. Nothing I see that I want. Kinda cheesed me that the 'evil' of the stepdaughters from the Cinderella line was the 'plus sized' one. Guess it's not worth getting my feathers ruffled for, though. It's not like I need more dolls or anything right now.

Of course, the drooling on Prego was well underway by the time I had a moment. One woman's actively considering selling her entire collection to obtain one exclusive or another. (sigh) Sometimes it's a relief to worry about your own stuff and not care much about the aching need over there.

I did finally get something I really wanted. Got over to the 'high side' Wal-Mart, and they had bunches of buttons. Exact ones I wanted. Our store's been out of stock for months. They had about six packets crowding the pin. Relieved them of two.

Remembered to check the jewelry section. Sometimes you can find nice 'chests' or 'armoires' in the jewelry box section. As it turned out, they had those 'fainting couches' back in stock, with matching chairs. $11.97. I remember seeing them just before I got Elphie - wanted one, but didn't know if it'd be her size, and the W-M on our side of town never had them, so I figured they'd sold out and stopped looking. About half the folks who have photos of their Tonner dolls out have one of these sofas, and I just love the shape, so I was regretting not getting one then.

I picked out a black one with a leopard seat - not my fave, but the best of what was available - and Filmore, buttons, and couch were gleefully on our way out. Wheee !

Elphie looks so fabulous on it. Now if I can just figure out how to reupholster over that leopard... Sure, it looks cool now, but eventually it's gonna look dated.

So it's been a full day. Even pain-full ! But it's been nice. Beloved Hubby's glad I got it (he knew about the search), and I arranged for him to give Filmore to Son. I often find great things for Son - but it's not fair for him to get all the goodies from me. Everyone likes to be generous !

*'Shortpacked' is a toy collector/merchandiser term. Ya know when there's only one of a certain character in a box of twelve other figures ? Let's say, 3 Darths, 3 Lukes, 3 R2D2, 2 Han, 1 Leia are in a twelve-box. Both Han and Leia can be said to be 'short packed'. Sometimes a toyline is done that way because the mfg. and license holder know a character is less popular, or to encourage chat amongst collectors, i.e., the thrill of the hunt.

For a great web comic about working toy retail, visit Shortpacked ! I've worked TRU and Disney Store, at Christmas (but not at the same time, I don't hate myself *that* much !) and the author, David Willis, has pretty much nailed the toy retail atmosphere, IMhO !