Wall Art and Fabric Craft

Having spent the last year doing nothing but sewing I decided it was time to spend a little time before I forget how to and actually paint. There is no point is showing the process, with oils it is a very slow one. I have however painted a set of Christmas tree decorations for my neighbour, one has a black retriever on one side and a mixed terrier on the other while  the second decoration has a husky on one side and a samoyed on the other. Not great depictions because they are painted on ceramic heart shapes and as such don't really lend themselves to the subject matter. Never mind, the human for the 4 dogs loves them.


Here is the original painting of the terrier I painted on the decoration, this one was done for Christmas before last, her name is Raina, she is a mixed breed and is now 19 years old. She spends her days with us and goes home to her mummy in the evening again.

I have also spent some time and managed to paint 2 out of 5 rabbits (my daughters), both of them deceased. Unfortunately we have also just lost another one, the eldest and she died of old age, so I have found a suitable pose and now just have to paint her. She will, however, have to wait as confirmation season is once again upon us. Last year we had a first communion, the older sister to my daughter's godchildren had her first communion, this year it is the turn of their older brother and it is his confirmation. It is being held mid week and as it it also on the same day as my daughter is in college for the morning (learning acrylic nails) it will be a very busy day. I am left to return yet again to the sewing machine to make the outfits.

This painting is of Fluffy, she died last year (and was painting using acrylics). Unfortunately the photo of the painting of Sparky - a pure white fluffy rabbit who had a habit of looking as though he had stuck his paw in a light socket - is hanging up out of the way waiting for the oils to dry enough so that it can come into contact with the airborn cat and dog hair without the painting resembling a furry blob. Not being tall enough, and because it is behind glass, I can't get a decent photo so that one will have to wait a while.

Hey ho, at least I enjoy both sewing and painting so it is more finding time to fit it all in rather than looking at a chore that needs doing.
Until next week when, hopefully, there will be photos of the clothing made, photos of the children will not be shared, not least as the parents do not believe in social media.

Uniform Trousers for the Desperate

What do you do when medication makes you blow up (OK, not literally but I reckon putting on 4 stone or 56lb in 4 weeks is fairly close) and you no longer fit your uniform trousers. Then you have a big event coming up (St. Patrick's Day Parade) coming up, they don't make trousers with a big enough waistband to fit you, you HAVE to be in uniform and you can't miss the event - due to many of the others being in multiple groups meaning they are in the parade representing other activities.
For me there is really only one simple, and quick, answer and that is to find some grey fabric, hopefully in a shade near enough to the uniform to pass muster. Luckily when I went onto www.vibesandscribes.ie they had cotton poplin in a dark grey. I know on-line photos are iffy but I thought I would take a chance and order it. (Free shipping on orders over Euro40.00 so a quick addition of some buttons and bright yellow bias binding plus some magnetic bag clips and I was away. The fabric arrived the following day - full marks to An Post for quick delivery, pity that the postman keeps putting everybodies post in the wrong letterboxes. On opening the parcel the grey is a near perfect match for my old trousers. Now all I had to do was draft out the pattern on the fabric, remembering to add all the cargo style pockets on the legs.
Luckily I'm rather good at drafting patterns - practice makes perfect and as I've just totally revamped my capsule wardrobe I've had lots of practice. The main problem that I can see is the joy of putting in the front zip, I hate doing this and, to be honest, I don't like wearing trousers that have them. But needs must, and they have to look as much like the real thing as possible. Head Office (and I shall remain silent on which group they are) is very strict on uniforms but they also can't discriminate against me on size so I have to be as accurate as I can, and this includes a front fly zip. (Rats).
The day approached, I cleared my work desk and laid out half of the fabric, folded in half down the middle lengthwise. Some careful measuring, adding of darts on the waistband, marking out for pockets, ensuring the rise is sufficient to make sitting comfortable when on duty for long periods of time (special olympics coming up) and that the waistband is loose enough that I can drink, eat and breathe, not to mention bend over, but tight enough that I can also stand up without them falling down. Holding my breath I finished and tried them on. Oh the joy of a pair of trousers that fit, especially as my husband is in the parade so can't be on duty and my daughter is out at another St. Patrick's Day event so can't help either. Now all I have to do is find the shirt, jumper, hat, tie, shoes, and first aid bag and I'm ready to go.



Edit: The parade went off great, cold and windy but not wet for once. No incidences, not even a safety pin needed like last year. Trousers turned out to be the wrong shade but no worries. I have since found what is called uniform grey twill and have purchased enough to make two, maybe three pairs. If this is the wrong colour it will be such a minute difference in tone that hopefully no-one will be able to tell the difference.

Have a happy easter everyone.