Two Weeks to Go!

Tickety, tick, tick, TICK!!

Two weeks from today, I will be up in Kalamazoo, getting Jolis Chevaux set up, distributing the preorders I received, reuniting with some very dear friends, and hopefully finding out what my volunteer position is and how it fits into my day.

I feel tired already. 

I rarely buy anything when I go to events because I never get out of my booth. But there is one thing I really would like to have, and I think it is going to sell out before I will even have a chance to sneeze.

Paisley Yazel, one of the show's new owners, developed the logo for this year from an extant 18th century map.

Then she and Ethan commissioned mugs with that logo on it that folks can purchase at the event. I would love to get a red one but unless someone goes and gets it for me, I am out of luck. Ah, well. 

I am getting 25 new handmade pins, though! Rick is a silversmith and made these. I have three already and love them - no more arm sticks throughout the day!

Most 18th century women's clothing was pinned closed, and the net result for this 21st century woman has always been:

Me, the human pincushion, at the end of an event. It's not particularly painful, but I do worry about getting blood on my 18th century clothing.

Rick's pins are longer and don't pop out of place like 21st century sewing pins do, and that's why I bought all that he had. He's not going to make any more so they truly are the last of the last.

I've mostly wrapped up sewing, although I did make two stocks,

something I have not wanted to tackle before because of the rolled hem.

But, I got a new sewing machine last August and it has a rolled hem feature, so I gave it a try.

It was really easy and my practice piece turned out so well that I sold it to someone who needed a new stock.

The same person who wanted a stock also asked me to make him a cravat, not something I'd ever made before, either. But I do have a lot of experience pleating so I gave it a try.

I love pleating - pleats are so neat and clean.

The cravat is so long it was hard to get a good picture of it, but I am pleased with how it turned out.

Three pockets are in progress, but I need twill tape for the waist strings. Ironic, right? 

She who has ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-FOUR YARDS of twill tape, needs twill tape. (I need a different width and bleached, not unbleached.)

I also cut out a knee length cloak from green wool. A cloak is surprisingly easy to make, especially when you are using wool. (It doesn't ravel so you don't need to finish the seams.) I should be able to finish that early next week.

Believe it or not, I am already packing the car despite the fact that the event is two weeks away. There is a lot to bring downstairs, and I need to have it to Leslie's home for packing into the trailer by March 17.

This week I sorted the tubs and boxes out as I did inventory. 

Two of the apple boxes, three of the big tubs, the small grey tub, the box with the candy jars, and the wooden cash box all need to come downstairs and be put into my car.

Craig is willing to help, but his back is in worse shape than mine and he's also got some hand issues. So, I divide and conquer and take something downstairs whenever I head to the main floor of the house.

To keep my clothes clean while they travel in the trailer,

this year I bought garment bags to protect them.

I've not finished putting all the clothing into the bags, but I can get 4+ items into each bag. The only drawback is that that makes the bags fairly heavy. But, if I need to drag them downstairs instead of carry them, I can do that and not worry about the clothes getting dirty! LOL

When I did that inventory earlier this week, I'd realized that I needed to make more blackened beeswax ornaments as soon as possible.

Thursday I set up in the kitchen and got to work - it's generally a three to four hour process when I make them.

It's also very messy.

My walker hand grips get covered in cinnamon

as does the apron I wear 

and the face mask. (Cinnamon is powdery and not good if it gets into your lungs.)

My kids gave me some new molds for Christmas and I was anxious to try them out. I'll show better pictures another time - these aren't quite done.

I ran out of the string I use for the hangers, and Amazon had it for Next Day Delivery, so I ordered 3 skeins and then cleaned up and left things on the kitchen table so I could start again the next morning.

Except... they didn't come. They didn't even ship. Not the first time that Amazon has done that to me. 

I hope they arrive today so I can get more ornaments made. And if they don't, I have the green cloak to work on so my time won't be wasted.

I'll also take time to play with Pepper, too. When she brings me her favorite toy like that, I know she wants to spend some time together.

Wish me luck on that delivery from Amazon and stay 'tooned for more about Elsie Mae Breyer's foals.