I like candles. A lot. Way too much, even. I just love the yellow of fire light, and the fire itself. I could watch it like a pyro for hours, probably. It's also ridiculously fun to watch candles melt. The tea-candles that turn into little transparent pools, and the big wide ones that carve themselves through from in inside out, and then my favorite, the novelty-shaped ones that melt all strangely, with squishy jack-o-lantern faces or whatever.
During the Great Purge, my mom found this old cup my great-gran got me when I was born, so I decided to turn it into a candle!
Course, I didn't really plan on melting candles to make another one, so I ended up with a big fat mess and several burns on my hands.
I actually did go to Niagra Falls, but I found that cup at a Seattle estate sale
On a related note, I really need a lighter. One of those cool, cigar-lighting ones that last for a long time. The only person with a working lighter in the house is my dad, and it's a pain having to hunt it down every time I want to set something on fire. Did that sound odd?
I was only going to laze around in pajamas all day, but we ran out of onion dip, and had to go get some more sour cream from the store. We don't usually have the most tasty and glorious onion dip, but my DnD group started up anew on Friday, so my mom saw fit to treat us! Since I didn't take a shower this morning, and my hair was all crazy, I wore my fuzzy blue knit hat.
Yes, I know my face is lovely.
I wish I could display the total fabulousness of this dress, but I still need to show my sister how to properly work the fancy camera, so this blurry pic will have to do.
homemade hat, thrifted dress, and hand-me-down converse
A bit boring today, yes, but I do so love this dress.
Well, two days ago I did too! Although I didn't use safety scissors, I did say to myself, whilst gazing lovingly at my face in the mirror, "Emma, you keen dame, it seems your bangs have gotten a touch too long as of late!" So I whipped out the scissors and sliced them off a la Midge.
All things considered, I'm pretty proud of my barbary skills, and I love my new bangs! When I showed my mom, she asked if my hair had been feeling a bit too normal, and I must admit, there's a grain of truth in that answer. Normal is just so boring! Normal just means doing what most people do, and after 14 years of being normal, I got real bored of it! Also, I love short bangs. Mmmmm yum.
I'm near-sighted (I think) and while my glasses are okay, they're not fabulous or retro. As such, I went on an Etsy-crawl last night in search of frames much groovier than my own. I'm not sure if my glasses place does custom lens shapes, but if they do, I'm so getting one of these next time I up my prescription! They's just so... dweeby and retro and beautiful!
I really hate sewing from patterns. Silly, I know, but I hate tracing and cutting a pattern only to have to spend hours adjusting every stitch and dart trying to get this average-sized dress to fit to my OTT-hourglass figure (Seriously, my measurements are 38-28-38).
To keep from using patterns whenever possible, I either make basic patterns which are easily customized (e.g. basic skirts) or I trace from clothes I already have. I did that for the blue dress I made this weekend, and while it does have some (many) faults, considering it's only my third or fourth dress I'm pretty proud of myself!
Figured I'd share a few progress photos. Eventually, once I have any followers, I might make a guide on how to do this, but for now I'll leave you with these crappily lighted shots.
I trace around the outside leaving about half an inch for seam allowance.
Oh circle skirt, you addictive thing you!
Gotta love a V-neckline
Also, I'm not one for romance or Christianity, but I can't get enough of this band:
First outfit post, whoopee! I got real busy this weekend with sewing, making a long skirt and an old-granny dress, so I had lots of fun clothes to wear today.
Homemade dress, hand-me-down vest, and my lovely Docs!
Yes, there is a tiny man on my head.
I found an old drawing-doll in my room and decided that I had to find a way to wear him. I hot-glued him to a head-band and he stayed up surprisingly well.
I must say, this is one of my favorite things in the world to wear, simply because of all the responses I got. Choice ones include:
"What... what are you... Why are you wearing that on your head?" This was one of my friends, and she never got over it.
Welcome to the post where I talk about weird and/or interesting music I've discovered lately. Yes, I could have made this series of posts "Friday, Friday", but there can never be too much Bangles, just the same as Pat Benetar.
Today, for our first installment of MM, I'm gonna be selling
Rasputina
Rasputina is a cello-rock (sort of) group led by Melora Creager, cellist extraordinaire and fan of historical costumes, as well as the leading voice of the band. Although the line-up's changed a lot since 1992, Melora still leads strong, and she's never stopped being awesomely, weirdly haunting. She's got a voice like a ghost and sings about everything from historical Easter-island crowning practices to black holes to meeting a boy at a county fair. History is a frequent inspiration for her, but she sings about all sorts of strange stuff.
Here's one of my favorites from them, for a taste:
You'll probably like her if you like:
- Cellos
- Music that, while not scary or depressing, can be a bit haunting
- Clever lyrics about unique topics
- Unpredictable female vocals that sound a bit... a bit... I can't really describe it. Take a listen!
If you can't tell already, I pretty much worship Melora and her group. She has 8 albums/compilations, and I've listened to nearly all of them. Her fashion aesthetic is gorgeous, and her music conjures up a bizarre and enchanting other world. I realize I'm sounding a bit love-struck, but I never thought music like this could exist! I've played her so often around the house these past few weeks since discovering her that even my family knows her as that "satanic girl" or the "Thomas Edison lady".
Basically: Give her a try! Some of her weirder songs may take a listen or two to sink in, but even her most out-there songs have found a fuzzy place in my heart over time. She's just a super freakin' musical genius.
Here's a few other of my favorites from her.
