WHAT I HAVE NOTICED

I have been thinking lately about the difference in a couple of terms I hear people use all the time; Finding time verse Making time. I think people should be aware that there is a very big difference between the two. Finding time leaves you at the mercy of a life that just keeps rolling. It is like trying to jump onto a moving roller coaster. At least that is my experience. On the other hand making time leaves you in control. This is the way I prefer. I believe it starts with trying to adjust your terminology. Start telling people you are making time for something. Positive thinking is the biggest part of the battle. I also actually put stuff like laundry onto my calender on a particular day. That way it is in the schedule and I have made time to do it. The biggest challenge for me has been making the time being that I have a family and many other obligations so I find that if it is personal or exercise time I am trying to make time for I have to make it really early or after bed times.

ON GETTING UP EARLY: I have to recommend this! Doing some serious exercise before half the world is up is amazing and gratifying! A bonus is seeing the sun come up and the mist rise from the grasses. I mean really, how often can you feel like you are in a Henry David Thoreau novel!

So the challenge for today or this week is: MAKE TIME TO DO SOMETHING FOR YOU. You will feel better and when you feel better you want to do more of the same. Its like a drug!

I NEED A CRITIQUE!!!!
Well, I thought I may be done and now I see the photographed images I am not as confident. I see some issues but I am not going to mention them because I need some objective advise. Let me know your thoughts about this piece. It could be anything. You could tell me you hate it and that would be fine but at least let me know why! I gave multiple vieiws so you could get a clearer idea of what it looks like. Okay, so done but not really done. Please send some thoughts!

CURTAIN TIME (ALMOST)I have included not only a photo of the work but also some of the environment it is in so you can see the process I am using to complete this work. Sometimes I feel as if the wooden frame the quilt is now halfway stretched on is like a dressmakers mannequin.
I am draping the curtains around the frame and will secure everything together when I have finished. In this way if I need to add or subtract anything at this point I can do it without harming the piece. The small image on the left is a bit blurry but if I use the flash it fades out the color of the fabric used in the trim. I took a detail of the trim so you can see the pleating,color and texture of the fabric. The trim has taken many hours! It was tedious but very gratifying. I love the way it is turning out. I have a few more fun details left to accomplish but will leave them a surprise. At this point I am so pleased with the way this work has come to fruition!

PLEATING AGAIN

To an outsiders view my pace may seem like it is slowing down but really it is just slow work! I am now box pleating trim. This is tedious but believe it or not I am digging it. The effect is so cool. I am not too sure how it will look once it is on the faux curtains, but I am hoping I like it considering all the work going into it. I'm sure I'll make it work somewhere.
The photos to the left show some of the stages involved with this pleating. First I iron each long piece so it is easier to make very small hems. After they are hemmed I mark out half inch marks on the back side of the fabric as guidelines for my pleats. Next I fold each pleat and iron each as I go along. You can images the scene in my house as I attempt this during the day with my young children running around and interrupting every five minutes :). Quite funny really! After all the hand pleating and ironing is done I baste to hold the pleats steady. I will fill you in on the rest as soon as it is accomplished, hopefully in this century.

So anyway, I love historical costume sites because these people really know what they are doing! So much research and all I have to do is click on their site. Can't beat that. Check this one out; for box pleating. Also, if you are cruising around and wasting a Friday night, check out this cool dress. The detail at the neck reminds me of box pleating. Heaven of Gowns has some amazing dresses and stuff.
I didn't mention on my last post the site of the Virginia Museum Studio school in case anyone wanted that link. It is; Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Just hit the link for education and it will bring you to a site where you can find out about the Studio school.