Damn sinus colds! I had to stop by the store on my way into work, were I lost my glove and had to backtrack. Otherwise I'd have been on time. As it stands though I was only a minute or two late.

Damn it! Clearly I didn't trim my seams enough! Now what to do ... besides undoing it.

I even ran out of bias tape. Wonder if I have enough scrap to make more?

Tunic

Well my tunic is coming along nicely.  I just finished all the french seams. Ever since I learned how to make a french seam that's all I use on my stuff. It's just so pretty and professional looking! I have the lacing loops all in & my ribbon of choice for said lacings purchased.  I'm hoping my custom bias tape is enough for the arm holes and neck. I'd love to use it for the hem if I have enough. If not I'll just do a narrow hem instead.

I still have the sides to completely figure out. Guess I have more work than I thought to do.

Farm update:
Looked at a few more homes yesterday with the man ... no luck. Tiny yards or bad neighborhoods ... or just too close together. It'll happen!  I must have faith! In the mean time I must plan my garden & start planting. Awkwardness not withstanding!

It's Clear my blogging skills need improved!

Sorry for the long laps!

I've been super busy, what with commissions, house hunting and working multiple jobs. Thanks to some family drama I haven't even been out to see my horse! WTH!

I'm gonna try harder though ... promise.

So some quick updates:

I'm still house hunting ... go figure. I've gotten preapproved so that's good. As soon as I did, however, the homes I was eyeing went into contract. Really!! I did cut back what I was asking for though. I'm gonna start smaller and keep looking for that farm. In the mean time I'll continue to garden and hopefully it'll come to me!

I also make a big leap! I paid off my car. So that's another thing off my list!

My sister is keeping me super busy with baby commissions. Really testing my skills!
Sis: "Oh, I really like this! I bought this because I want you to make this exact thing, with this exact (mystery) yarn! Just like they did!"
Me: "uuh. I can make it but I don't know the yarn and can only hazard a guess on the cast on they used."

In the end it's fairly similar to what they made. The yarn I found is much softer then theirs and actually fit better so ... go me! I did tell her not to do that to me again! So stressful! Send a photo of what you want and I'll make you something sooo similar but with it in hand and her being so particular ... ouch! I'm not that good. ... yet! The next thing for her is a wee teddy! I'm excited about that one!

First pair was linen!

I am such a sadist! I keep looking at homes with land enough to farm knowing that they are out of my financial means. I really need to stop looking and find that homesteading supporting job first. Or just save enough money to buy out right ... like that'll happen in any reasonable amount of time.

Goals:
Acquire homestead-able property

Steps:
Homestead supportable and loan acquiring income
Pay off car
Get farm!
Livestock shop!

I'm already saving so that step was removed. Once that car's paid off my savings will increase dramatically.

I just gotta keep my spirits up!

It was just wee Evelyn and me today. We did a walk about the park, learning which plants were edible and which aren't.

Creepy...

Right in the middle of the woods

Good quote

No idea. For as fragile as this looks it withstood Evelyn tromping over them.

Looks poisonous.

I've got so many things going on ... per usual. I'm working hard at becoming self-sufficient, and boy is it hard. Working two jobs, heading to mothers to work my garden, job hunting, and most importantly (for me at least) house hunting. To say the least about selling my crafts. If I can get my farm I'll be one step closer so homesteading.

I'll have less travel time because my garden will be right outside my home. Watering will be so much easier and I can do it in the morning to reduce the chance of mold. When I get home I can weed while I unwind from social over exposure! Quick canning/fermenting/smoking ets. Though bringing everything home isn't really a big deal. (unless I'm riding the bike and I find a lot of ripe goodies)

I'll have more room for organizing.  As my garden supplies will be in the garden shed ... or the garage. Either way out of my craft room! Plants (aside from a few house plants) will be outside growing strong. I may even move my crafts to the barn. A small office as it were, not a dusty stall. In case anyone's unfamiliar with clean barns. Oh, and a full sized kitchen! Even a small kitchen will have plenty of room for a pressure caner and my cooking supplies.

I'm super excited about my lemoncello. I only started it last month, so I have 2 months to go but it's already looking good. I need to rain in my
impatience.

I mentioned yesterday that my niece loved her new dress. The effort and attention to details makes me very proud of myself. I lined the antique rose bodice with a pale pink cotton. The skirt is a dark mahogany which is pleated. There's a pocket made from scrap pieces that I hand stitched. I also hand stitched the front neck with an uneven blanket stitch. I even stitched around the arms.


Photo curtisy my sister

Chain stitch/crochet button loops

Detailed stitches

Pocket actually works

French seams and narrow hem

Side note:  Queen Anne's Lace! I thought the heart was only purple, but last evening I found one that was red. A deep red to be sure. Makes a more accurate legend. Apparently she loved making lace and one day she pricked her finger and a single drop of blood landed on the flower. Now, I know purple is the royal color but I'm sure they still bleed red.

End note:  What does a white caterpillar mean again? Bad snows? While working in my garden last night I found this little cutie hanging out with the sunflowers. I moved him to the bushes!

Random-ness ... Speedway surprizingly has good lunches!