Currently...

Vitameatavegamin I Love Lucy collectors edition Barbie I gave my Mum for Channukah, givin' you a sideways glance for the blog's 100th post!

Watching: The entirety of the James Bond series! I had never seen most of the Bond films (certianly nothing pre-Brosnan), and seeing as how Ephraim owns them all, I thought it was high time to work my way through them.  I went to see Skyfall a couple weeks back, and now that I have seen Dr.No and From Russia With Love and Goldfinger I have really enjoyed all the little references to those films in the most recent installment! I mean the Aston Martin is pretty obvious, but the fact that Skyfall begins with Bond and Moneypenny in Istanbul, when she says in From Russia With Love that she wishes Bond would take her there... just such good writing.  I love when a series can look back to its beginnings, keep itself on track, and still entertain a modern audience like it's nobody's business.  Also, Sean Connery was pretty foxy.  So there's that, too. I also wrapped up Breaking Bad last week and MY GOD.  I think that was the BEST series finale I have ever seen.  I am getting goosebumps just thinking about how everything wrapped up.  Wow.
 

Listening to: Mother Mother - The Sticks.  I am so in love with this album, and fell more in love with it after seeing Mother Mother perform in Toronto earlier this month.  If you're not familiar with their music, I encourage you give them a listen! My favourite Canadian band, by far.
 

Planning: A pleasant little holiday break.  I don't leave Niagara until boxing day, so I have a couple days on my own to do some crafts, work on whatever last ditch attempts at my Four Simple Goals I can, and probably play some video games.  I have an N64, and recently picked up Banjo Kazooie, Kirby 64 The Crystal Shards, and an expansion pack so I can finally play The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. I am probably going to be kind of glued to my TV for a couple days, there.  Fun fact: I worked at multiple videogame retailers while in high school, but have never owned a console newer than the N64 (okay well I was gifted an NDS but I don't actually have any games for it, so... I'm not sure it really counts).  I suppose I should also plan on actually making the handmade portion of Ephraim's Christmas present too, hmm?
 

Thinking about: How to fund my life being an independent artist and designer.  I have been immensely fortunate in getting a full time gig in the arts doing what I want to be doing, right out of school.  But as this position is intended for a recent graduate, the fairy tale has to come to an end sometime.  Being self employed full-blown-all-the-time freaks me out, and I have no doubt I will panic and try to get my crappy Fabricland job back to keep me calm (but not really because Fabricland customers mostly suck).  I have many practical skills, but haven't as yet had to put my all into getting a small business off the ground as a means to support myself.  For the last few weeks I have been dreaming up clothing lines, jewelry concepts, I have worked on acquiring some footwear lasts (the foot form you use to give the shoes shape) so that I can continue to work on my shoe work as I cannot afford to go overseas to complete my training.  It's scary, and exciting, and I am so thankful that I have taken the time and effort to build a platform through this blog that I can use as a springboard for future pursuits.  So, don't be surprised if this kid starts advertising my own online store around these parts in the (for now rather distant) future.  I have plans a-brewing.
 

Reading: Dune by Frank Herbert.  Probably not the best choice as an attempt to complete my pathetic goal of reading 2 books before 2013, as I only started reading it a couple days ago and it is 500 pages long, but I am starting to really get into the mythology of the story. 
 

Making me happy: I have lots of supplies to create some new fun things! I had a big shopping trip to Michael's and Bulk Barn and I am well equipped to make all kinds of bark, brittle, and decorated cookies.  It's going to be a tasty week! I also picked up some supplies for a few craft projects I have been wanting to work on, and make use of some items laying around my house.  I'm really looking forward to being productive in my upcoming time off! Well, when I'm not playing video games, that is.

--Erin

"Currently" is a feature started by Megan of the blog Megan is Love.  I have used her sample categories, but the answers are all tragically my own.

Life As Of Late: Working Holiday and Faking It Till You Make It

Ephraim has bought me more flowers than I've received my whole life over! And certainly they are the most beautiful bouquets

My vacation from work is slowly coming to a close, and I can hardly believe it.  Where have the weeks gone? For that matter, how am I going to finish reading these plays?! I'm going to have to turn to hypnopaedic methods to cram the last few in! Or, you know, lazy mornings while I'm in Quebec next weekend.  Ephraim tends to be a later riser than me, and sometimes I take this as a good excuse to stay in bed and snooze and cuddle, but other mornings I just want to GO GO GO.  Instead, I will READ READ READ and SIP SIP SIP some tea.

Actually that sounds pretty heavenly.  If I were a day timer kind of person, I would write that down in my daily itinerary. 

Congratulatory flowers to celebrate the opening of my first realized design for The Shaw Festival

I'm just finding it so difficult to believe that I'm about to begin my second season at The Shaw Festival.  I always hoped to be there for another season (or two!), but it doesn't quite feel like a reality yet.  None of my life feels that real right now, and maybe that's because things are running pretty smoothly for a change.  I've gotten pretty used to living from one disaster to the next, so this smooth sailing has got me on my toes; does something terrible lay in wait around the corner? Or did my hard work pay off (or did I just get really lucky??).  

I'm excited for the challenges and growth this next season will bring, and am particularly pumped to get started on model building straight away when I return.  Maquette building has been the area in which I grew the most in the last year, and I constantly surprised myself with my ability to achieve realistic and proportional model furniture and rooms at such a small scale (1/2" = 1').  There are so many skills I want to develop in my time at the Shaw, and the faith they have in me never ceases to both comfort and alarm me.  I'm faking my way through so much.  But maybe that's just what the whole game is.   

I've also been invited to my old University to talk to the first year theatre students about my life after York University, as part of a panel of alumni.  I remember idolizing Jeff Churchill of Jitterbug Boy Original Footwear (where I was lucky enough to work for a short time) from the instant he walked on stage when I attended the same lecture in first year.  I leaned over to my best friend and said "that guy.  I want to be that guy.  Look how cool his shoes are!".  Then we learned that he had hand crafted those shoes himself.  How can I possibly be as inspiring as him? How can the university hold my career path in the same ball park, let alone the same auditorium? I don't feel that I'm there yet, and I certainly have a long way to go till I "make it". But I really hope this is telling of the things to come.

Life As Of Late: The Directors Project (and completely unrelated photos)

I know, that's a picture of a branch and some berries, not a photo of anything theatre related.  But, well, I don't have a release to share any of the photos from the show yet, so I'm sharing these instead!

At long last, yesterday morning, The Directors Project opened! 

Our first performance was for Shaw Festival company members only, and it was a really great show.  The environment of people coming to support their fellow company members is just awesome.  So warm, inviting, and downright fun.  It was pretty amazing to be a part of, even if I was hiding in the back of the theatre with the directors and the lighting designer (mingling is scary, and, in fact, for lame people. FACT.)

Today we perform again, for more assorted company members as well as Shaw Governors Council members, and some special invited guests.  It's strange being such a major part of a production which, though it is small in budget and size (and run, let's be honest), it is so chock full of incredibly talented and experienced individuals.  And then there's me.  My bio (which accompanies my head shot in the lobby) is roughly 3 lines long, only about 1/3 as long as everyone else's.

And I know that should freak me out.

But mostly I'm just grateful to have had such big opportunities so early into my career.

Here's hoping it's all up from here!

--Erin

I think this wall would make such a great backdrop for outfit posts! Too bad it's the side of someone's house...

Four Simple Goals

Elsie of A Beautiful Mess (psh, who doesn't know the Martha Stewart of the internet?) had a challenge for us all this week.  She likes to write down 4 simple goals for the fall, which is also her busiest season.  I've always liked the sense of renewal of fall, and as I am not returning to school this year, I thought it would be nice to embark on some projects that have been on my list for some time.

In the true spirit of the internet, Elsie extended an invitation to share your 4 simple goals and link back to A Beautiful Mess.  Ah, audience participation.  They'll be showcasing some people's progress as they blog about it.

Here are Elsie's "rules" for the goals:

1. Choose simple goals that will make your life richer and happier on a daily basis. Choose things you may not otherwise get done, but that are not difficult to accomplish. 

2. Do not choose result oriented goals, choose activity oriented goals. for example.... instead of "lose 10 pounds", choose something like "eat fresh fruits and vegetables every day". Get what I'm saying? Positive actions instead of just the end result! 

3. Choose goals that are personal that you believe will truly make your life richer just by doing them! They can be daily, weekly or one time experiences. 

4. Choose a reward for each goal as it is accomplished! It can be a small or large reward- it's up to you. 

5. Blog about your goals, each one as you achieve it and a big post when they are all finished before the new year! I'll be doing this too! Link back to this post if you want to and leave us links to your goal blogs in the comments of this (or any) post for a chance to be featured on ABM before the new year. We will be sharing some of our favorite reader goals with links to your blogs!

Here are my goals:

1.  I've owned my leather patcher "Doris" for over a year now, and have yet to really use her for anything.  Before the new year, I'd like to get a little practice and maybe make a simple bag or something with her!

2.  I started this painting in highschool, and haven't touched it in about 4 years.  I've always liked where it's headed, so I'd like to buckle down and get it finished.

3. Ever since I had to binge read all the plays for last season (11 plays) in one week (actually 5 days, 2 or 3 plays PER DAY, madness), I've been feeling burnt out about reading.  I've always read a lot, and this slow down has been unnerving for me.  2 books isn't much, but it's better than I've been doing, and hopefully it's enough to get me out of this rut.

4. I love to make stuff.  I imagine the holidays will provide a good opportunity to create something I've never tried before! 

Do you have any goals you'd like to accomplish for the new year? Easy things you just keep putting off? I'm glad to be putting these goals out there, so I have a little accountability for actually completing them! Haha!

--Erin

O.O.T.D: Trying to Catch Some Butterflies

 The Deets:

Dress: Vintage

Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell

Glasses: Rayban

Here's the little ensemble I put together to go to the Butterfly Conservatory.  I read that butterflies are attracted to bright, saturated colours and floral patterns, and this was the best I had. Turns out that butterflies actually prefer pale colours and don't give a damn about patterns, but there you have it! 

I bought this dress a couple months ago from a vintage shop in Toronto.  The second I saw it on the racks I fell in love.  It's a great deal louder than most of the stuff I own, so I was a little afraid to buy it, thinking I might nt wear it much.  Truthfully, this is only the second time I've worn it out, and only the first time I've worn it out all day, in public (last time I wore it to the theatre, which doesn't count!).  I got a couple weird stares, but no worse.  I just put on my best "don't give a fuck" face, and lived my own damn life. 

Ah, yes, that bull stance.  I was recreating a scene from Baz Luhrmann's Strictly Ballroom, one of my favourite movies.  The film takes place in Australia, and there's a character in the film named Tina Sparkle, which sounds hilarious with an Aussie accent. Before taking these photos, Ephraim and I had been saying "Teeena Spaaahkle", so I thought that striking a few epic dance poses was in order.  And if you haven't seen Strictly Ballroom, please do, it is one of the greatest films of all time.  And if you think Baz Luhrmann sounds familiar, that's because you probably know him from his little films Romeo and Juliet  and Moulin Rouge.  Guy knows how to create a beautiful spectacle.  So you can bet I am WAY pumped for The Great Gatsby to come out this winter!!

--Erin

D.I.Y: Sewing Scallops

Got a skirt that could use a cuter hemline? Scallops.

Want a collar that stands out? Scallops.

 

Pillowcases putting you to sleep? Scallops.

Today I'm all about scalloped edges.  This super-sweet hem style has an awesome retro vibe that can be dressed up or down.  But getting crisp scallops as a seamstress can seam (haha get it??) a daunting task.

I'm here to tell you all that scallops are actually really easy, and with a couple tips, you'll be ready to sew that shit on 'errythang.

Let's get started.  You'll need:
Fabric of your choice (I'm using old pillowcases with a cute pattern!)
Fusible interfacing in a medium weight
Coordinating thread
Ruler
Pencil (something soft, 2b or higher)
A template of the diameter of each scallop (I used a drinking glass).
Sewing Machine
Good sharp shears
optional: needle and thread for hand finishing.
optional: trim (ribbon etc.)

1. Iron your hem inside out (good faces in) about 1/2" longer than your desired finished length. This will create the front and back of the scallops.  Turn in (good face out) 1/2" of the raw end.  This will end up sewn into the hem.

2. Draw on your scallops onto the inside of the hem, using your template, with the lowermost edge 1/2" above the ironed edge.  You can keep the scallops consistent by marking the centre of your template at even intervals, or eyeball it if you feel comfortable.  The inner points where each scallop meets must sit at least 1/2" under where the hem ends on the inside, so that the turned in fabric will lay flat.

3. Cut a strip of fusible interfacing as long as the edge being hemmed, and the width of the total hem, less 1/8" to keep the sewn edge crisp.  Iron this strip onto the bad side of the outside fabric.  So, the interfacing isn't on the hem that has been ironed, but rather onto the back of the "face" of the finished piece.  This will help keep the scallops very crisp looking. 

4. Pin sporadically through the scallops.  Sew the scallops using the curves drawn inside the hem earlier as your guide.  Take it slow, and stay on your line.  I like to do a little back stitch (2-3 stitches) on either side of those innermost points.  This reinforces the stitches, and adds some stability to an area that will be clipped very close to stitching.

5. Trim the allowance on top of the scallops (the edge that you folded over and ironed to decide the total length.  This is the old hem, cut it away to reveal the scallops! To avoid having to clip my scallops, I like to trim VERY close to my stitching line ( between 1/16-1/8").  Be careful, it's easy to snip the stitching! In the innermost corners, carefully clip through the centre up towards your stitching line.  Get as close as you can, but don't cut the stitching! 

6.  Turn the scallops right side out, revealing the good side of the fabric.  Carefully shape them with your fingers, checking for any holes from trimming.  Press the scallops like your life depends on it. If you notice puckering at the innermost points when your scallops are turned inside out, it's because the stitched line extends too far down. If you backstiched these points like a paranoid maniac like me, you can snip away the first stitch of thread you see in the point.  Repress.  Better.

See how badly puckered the points are? Snipping just one thread made them sit much flatter.  See below!

7. Optional: You can topstitch the edge of the scallops to encourage them to sit as flat as possible.

8. Secure the top edge of the hem.  You can use machine stitching, but this leaves a stitching line that is visible on the face of the project.  This can always be covered with trim, of course! Otherwise, sew by hand using a pick-stitch or other hidden stitch.  

**note: as scallops are a hem, always sew scallops on edges that are already perfectly sized.  You won't be able to adjust the width once the scallops are done, so double check your measurements before you get started**

There you have it, folks.  Those steps may look dense, but that's just because I've included some advice I wish I'd had the first time I sewed scallops! The images illustrate what an easy project it is to tackle.  So don't be intimidated, get sewing! 

If you make any scallop projects, please comment with a link! I'd love to see what ordinary items you spruce up with scallops, from pants to place mats!

--Erin

O.O.T.D: Plaid Shorts and Funny Faces

Here's a simple little outfit from earlier this week.  We were teching one of the last shows of the season, and hot as it can get outside, that theatre was freezing!! Knowing this, and knowing I was going to be in that icebox for about 4 hours, I figured I'd put together an outfit that I could cozy up, or cool down in.  Thus, heavier shorts, a t-shirt, and a long cardigan.  I also had a scarf in my purse, just in case it was really frigid, but luckily I didn't end up needing it.