I have made very little progress on the Halloween costumes because we have been busy painting, cleaning and moving. I have managed to pull my sewing machine out of the box it has been in the last 6-8 months. However, I don't have a table to set it up on unless I put it on the dining table. I really want to avoid that, but it may come to it if I don't find a good table at a yard sale soon.
I had started resizing a boys long sleeve shirt I got at a thrift store for T's scarecrow costume but she didn't like the color and it took so much effort to get her to try it on to size it that I gave up and scraped it. Instead I will do a dress in fall colors and forget trying to make it look like on the movie. It just isn't worth the effort to make something she doesn't want to wear anyway.
I finished dying baby M's onesie and it didn't turn out as well as I had dreamed, though it was pretty close to what I expected. I'm thinking of buying pants and a long sleeve shirt anyway since it might be chilly enough. She also yanks her lions mane off at first chance so that will be fun to deal with too.
I have bought all of the material to make D and T's dresses and have started cutting out T's. I'm hoping to start sewing them in the next couple nights. I definitely need to start by the weekend. I'll probably have to put in some late nights to get it done without interruptions.
So I am a bit sad and stressed about these costumes. At least I got a couple pumpkins and some pumpkin butter at Trader Joe's this morning, so thing aren't all that bad.
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Monday, October 6, 2014
My Father, the Published Author
My father past away a decade ago. It is strange to realize it has been that long. A decade brings so many changes: a handful of adorable grandchildren, gaining new friends while losing old, and new projects around the house that he built. It makes me sad that he is not here to experience it.
He had spent time writing a book before his death. Gun collecting was a hobby of his and he became an expert on German hunting rifles over the years.
It makes me so proud that 10 years later it is finally being published. It could not have been done without dedication on my mother's part and with the computer expertise of his good friend, Bruce Hamilton. Other gun enthusiasts that knew my father, helped my mother with content editing, for which we are all grateful.
I wish it was a more accessible price. At $75, it is a bit steep for anyone who is not a gun enthusiast or family member. Since it is a small printing on a specialized subject and has lots of color photos, I suppose the price can't be helped.
From Safari Press' website:
GERMAN HUNTING GUNS OF THE GOLDEN ERA
1840-1940
by Hans Pfingsten
2014 Long Beach, 208pp, profuse color and b&w photos, illus., 8.5x11, hardcover, dj
ISBN: 978-1-57157-443-5
In this book you will find the history of break-open shotguns, rifles, drillings, and other combination guns produced in Germany during the period of 1840-1940.
German guns built before 1939 exhibit a high level of quality and finish. Collectors marvel at the subtle lines and superb craftsmanship of a Rasch or a Springer. Others find satisfaction using a beautiful Sauer shotgun made well before World War I. Many people have had the thrill of picking up a fine old gun from Germany or Austria and are in awe of the level of engraving, fit, and finish. Hunters delight in carrying a drilling in the field, for they know that they can take any game that presents itself.
In the devastation following two world wars, the records of the origins and the production of fine German sporting arms were mostly lost, so this book documents as much as possible the existing knowledge of these guns. Research material was gathered from old catalogs and ads, factory records, books, periodicals, individuals, and, of course, surviving firearms of the period covered by this book.
The book is divided into three sections: "Hunting," "Gunmakers," and "The Gun Itself." These three sections capture the essence of the topics through the use of photos and illustrations. Long, explanatory captions make the pictures understandable even to the novice. Moreover, all the famous makers of the day are included: J. P. Sauer, Brenneke, Lindner, Sempert & Krieghoff, and others. Everything to do with break-open shotguns, rifles, drillings, and combination guns is discussed: the Frank drilling, the barrel, the action, the development and history of these guns, fences, triggers, and so on.
This must-have book for the German gun enthusiast will have you marvel at the geniuses of a bygone day that invented and built such guns.
He had spent time writing a book before his death. Gun collecting was a hobby of his and he became an expert on German hunting rifles over the years.
It makes me so proud that 10 years later it is finally being published. It could not have been done without dedication on my mother's part and with the computer expertise of his good friend, Bruce Hamilton. Other gun enthusiasts that knew my father, helped my mother with content editing, for which we are all grateful.
I wish it was a more accessible price. At $75, it is a bit steep for anyone who is not a gun enthusiast or family member. Since it is a small printing on a specialized subject and has lots of color photos, I suppose the price can't be helped.
From Safari Press' website:
GERMAN HUNTING GUNS OF THE GOLDEN ERA
1840-1940
by Hans Pfingsten
2014 Long Beach, 208pp, profuse color and b&w photos, illus., 8.5x11, hardcover, dj
ISBN: 978-1-57157-443-5
In this book you will find the history of break-open shotguns, rifles, drillings, and other combination guns produced in Germany during the period of 1840-1940.
German guns built before 1939 exhibit a high level of quality and finish. Collectors marvel at the subtle lines and superb craftsmanship of a Rasch or a Springer. Others find satisfaction using a beautiful Sauer shotgun made well before World War I. Many people have had the thrill of picking up a fine old gun from Germany or Austria and are in awe of the level of engraving, fit, and finish. Hunters delight in carrying a drilling in the field, for they know that they can take any game that presents itself.
In the devastation following two world wars, the records of the origins and the production of fine German sporting arms were mostly lost, so this book documents as much as possible the existing knowledge of these guns. Research material was gathered from old catalogs and ads, factory records, books, periodicals, individuals, and, of course, surviving firearms of the period covered by this book.
The book is divided into three sections: "Hunting," "Gunmakers," and "The Gun Itself." These three sections capture the essence of the topics through the use of photos and illustrations. Long, explanatory captions make the pictures understandable even to the novice. Moreover, all the famous makers of the day are included: J. P. Sauer, Brenneke, Lindner, Sempert & Krieghoff, and others. Everything to do with break-open shotguns, rifles, drillings, and combination guns is discussed: the Frank drilling, the barrel, the action, the development and history of these guns, fences, triggers, and so on.
This must-have book for the German gun enthusiast will have you marvel at the geniuses of a bygone day that invented and built such guns.
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Costume Ideas
It amazes me how fast October got here this year. I have not had much time to craft, except for a handful of bows and Baby M's cross stitch Christmas stocking. But now it is October and that means costume time! I am currently behind schedule in that I have thought about the costumes but haven't really done anything for them yet. Today is the day though where I get cracking.
I bought yarn to knit a lion's mane for Baby M a couple weeks ago and actually got most of it knitted today. I'm just making a headband so it is a quick knit. A few more rows and a fitting tomorrow to make sure it isn't too big and it will be finished. I also need to finish dyeing her onesie. I had a spare white one around and couldn't find a yellow/tan colored one without huge logos or prints on them. So now I'm trying out some turmeric and coffee grounds to see what color I end up with. I may throw in some onion skin too depending on what color it turns out. Baby M is going to be the Cowardly Lion, in case you didn't guess.
Miss T chose to be the Scarecrow. I'll make a tutu for her so she won't be jealous of her sister's costume. Hmm . . . I will probably have to make a tutu for Baby M as well so people realize she is a girl, now that I think of it. I don't know if it is the minimal amount of hair on her head or that seeing two girls already in the family everyone expects there to be a boy, but everyone that meets her thinks she is a boy unless she is wearing a bow. For T's outfit I will have to find blues, dark grays or browns for clothes of which we have none. I will also have to make her a cute hat that can compete with Glinda's crown.
My sister's daughter, little H, will be Dorothy. Her costume will be easy if we can find the blue and white checked material, and I already have the white top to go underneath from the twins. I found a pattern for an adorable knit wig that has pigtails like Dorothy's but I don't think I'll have time to knit it, unfortunately. Plus there is a high probability that she wouldn't keep it on anyway. It would look cute though.
Her brother, big H, will be the Tinman. We are hoping to find some shiny fabric to put on a gray shirt for him and he can wear his gray shorts. If all else fails we can utilize some tin foil. He can wear a funnel on his head that is spray painted silver. And with a little heart, he should be set.
We are dressing all of them in short sleeves because of how hot Halloween usually is out here (watch it be cold this year). I plan to buy witch hats for my sister and I so we can be the wicked witches. We will trick or treat in my sister's neighborhood and maybe we'll watch The Wizard of Oz with the kiddos before we head out.
I bought yarn to knit a lion's mane for Baby M a couple weeks ago and actually got most of it knitted today. I'm just making a headband so it is a quick knit. A few more rows and a fitting tomorrow to make sure it isn't too big and it will be finished. I also need to finish dyeing her onesie. I had a spare white one around and couldn't find a yellow/tan colored one without huge logos or prints on them. So now I'm trying out some turmeric and coffee grounds to see what color I end up with. I may throw in some onion skin too depending on what color it turns out. Baby M is going to be the Cowardly Lion, in case you didn't guess.
Finished and fitted!
Miss D, lover of pink that she is, will be Glinda the good witch. From the book, she prefers the gentle good witch of the north, who I believe is named Locasta, to Glinda of the south. Since they are condensed into one role in the movie, she gets to be Glinda of the north. It is more recognizable and she also loves pink so I'm sure she won't mind the change. I have to figure out how to make the dress and crown still. I really need to go shopping to see what materials are available that will be easy to make.Miss T chose to be the Scarecrow. I'll make a tutu for her so she won't be jealous of her sister's costume. Hmm . . . I will probably have to make a tutu for Baby M as well so people realize she is a girl, now that I think of it. I don't know if it is the minimal amount of hair on her head or that seeing two girls already in the family everyone expects there to be a boy, but everyone that meets her thinks she is a boy unless she is wearing a bow. For T's outfit I will have to find blues, dark grays or browns for clothes of which we have none. I will also have to make her a cute hat that can compete with Glinda's crown.
My sister's daughter, little H, will be Dorothy. Her costume will be easy if we can find the blue and white checked material, and I already have the white top to go underneath from the twins. I found a pattern for an adorable knit wig that has pigtails like Dorothy's but I don't think I'll have time to knit it, unfortunately. Plus there is a high probability that she wouldn't keep it on anyway. It would look cute though.
Her brother, big H, will be the Tinman. We are hoping to find some shiny fabric to put on a gray shirt for him and he can wear his gray shorts. If all else fails we can utilize some tin foil. He can wear a funnel on his head that is spray painted silver. And with a little heart, he should be set.
We are dressing all of them in short sleeves because of how hot Halloween usually is out here (watch it be cold this year). I plan to buy witch hats for my sister and I so we can be the wicked witches. We will trick or treat in my sister's neighborhood and maybe we'll watch The Wizard of Oz with the kiddos before we head out.
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