[ scroll down for a close-up of the finished watercolor. ]
I have been slowly working a schedule out to direct my days a little better. I’m finding that since I’m not quite as tired as I have been previously, I can go most of the day before I need to just sit back and rest, but I’m finding that this “new-found” energy is leaving me in the lurch as to how to fill my days! Its not as if I lack projects, tasks or work to do, its just putting it all together into a schedule that works!Talking with Mom (who I continually look up to for such practical advice; after running a household, minding kids for over 20 years, and homeschooling to boot, she knows of what she speaks!) about the issue sparked some ideas:
♥ Set aside one day to do the majority of your computer work (for me this is primarily Monday)
♥ Set up a daily schedule that you treat as if you were in an office. Use this time to do anything business related (includes writing listings, photography, blogging, product development, and creating)
♥ Streamline your design and production processes a little more (hard, since my muse can’t be confined to a box! lol)
♥ Spend one day a week doing just artwork
♥ Try to minimize doing personal projects and distractions while “working”, but realize that life does happen!
♥ Be sure to take time to rest and relax
Maybe its because I am so young and haven’t had this much lack of structure in m life before (hello, school and work! hehe), but I found it just a wee bit discomforting to have this much free time on my hands! This weekend I’m mapping out my time a little more definitely (analyzing how I spend my time, etc.) and hopefully next week I’ll be working around a new schedule. It always makes me so happy to have a little direction and solidity to my days! lol.
I think I must be going through one of my costume drama moods; I have powered through North and South and most of The Aristocrats in just a couple days (mostly listening, not so much watching; I’m usually knitting or working on new products and just have something playing in the background). Wives and Daughters is newly checked out from the library, and I’m thinking I need to rewatch Our Mutual Friend and Sense and Sensibility. For other historic, costume drama fans out there: what are some of your favorites?
I daresay all this movie watching has something to do with the fact that I’ve been doing some casual “research” of sorts. Ever since I received the Tasha Tudor auction catalog and the beautiful Fabric of Society book (and even before that!), I’ve been dying to get my hands on a costuming project. Newer readers may not know that I did costuming seriously for several years and had to drop it due to school and work. Seeing as both those things are on hold for at least a season, and that none of my old costumes fit, I think I need a new one. Though I was contemplating doing a late 1830s/early 1840s gown, I decided that doing something in an era I’ve already tried would probably be a wise idea for my foray back into costuming. I’m still solidifying dates, but I think right now I’m particularly drawn to the years between 1812-1820 (gowns from 1815-1817 in are particularly appealing). In anticipation of my new project, I ordered some cotton lawn yesterday. Now I’m committed!!I’ll be making several garments: early 19th century corset, petticoat, and gown. More details will be forthcoming, but I won’t burden this blog with too many nitty-gritty bits; because essentially this blog is no longer a costuming blog. But I will be sure to share finished garment pictures and perhaps a few progress pictures (if anyone is interested?).
Has everyone been watching the progress of the Pay-It-Forward exchange going through blogland? I finally signed up this morning for one, and am happy to be able to post the little notice here! So without further ado:“I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.”
Please note the comment must be left on this entry; so I can contact you if you’re one of the lucky three! I can’t wait to do this; I’m already concocting up ideas of what to include in the packages. This is going to be fun!!
Now I’m off to brew myself a cup of herbal tea and spend the evening knitting. Have a lovely Saturday!!
Cheers & Creativity,
♥ Casey [ email me ]
October 26, 2007 at 6:45 pm
More BBC miniseries: the House of Eliot, two fashion designer sisters start their own design house and from the Agatha Christie Mysteries, the Tommy & Tuppence series with Francesca Annis in gorgeous clothes. Both series are based at the turn of the 20th century, ending in the 1920′s.
October 27, 2007 at 7:00 am
Oooh, am I actually one of the first three? Have I got the right blog? (I usually read your stuff on Livejournal.) That would be so cool, as I really love your stuff, and I also think it’s a great idea…
As for costume dramas, I heartily second the above recommendation for The House of Eliott.
Other favourites include – 19th century: The Buccaneers, The Age of Innocence, Edward VII (I think this is called Edward the King in the US – it’s a 70s series that is a little rickety, but has some great costumes and is amazingly informative, too!).
20th century: Gosford Park, Lilies, Love in a Cold Climate.
I’m sure there are tons more, but my brain has frozen!
Kate
October 27, 2007 at 8:27 am
I just love your new watercolor! You have sort of hidden it in the midst of quite a lot of excitement. It is very lively and pleases my sense of whimsy. Your work has a feel of delicateness to it. Hope to see more.
As I don’t have my own blog (so behind the times), don’t count me for your PIF adventure.
Cheers!
October 27, 2007 at 9:41 am
that is a wonderful painting!
I can’t think of many movies/miniseries set in those early years of the 1800′s. this version of Persuasion (Austen) has beautiful dresses/gowns : http://imdb.com/title/tt0114117/
yes, I’d love to see progress pictures.
the pay it forward looks like fun. I signed up at another blog, after following a link from the blog where I first read about it. I went to the comments section there and followed a couple of links (so many great blogs!), and found you signed up somewhere else! sometimes blogland seems like a small town. just bump into people you know all over the place.
October 28, 2007 at 7:53 pm
[...] sewing in this afternoon. Working on putting together the mock-up of my 1820’s corset for my dress I’m making. I made a similar corset several years ago, using the pattern from Period Costumes for [...]
October 29, 2007 at 2:38 pm
You’ve already named a couple of my favorites – N&S and OMF. The Kate Beckinsale version of Emma is another favorite of mine (infinitely to be prefered, in my mind, to the Paltrow adaptation). Daniel Deronda is wonderful for the costumes; Romola Garai’s wardrobe is to die for. I’m also eagerly anticipating ITV’s Northanger Abbey, due to air on PBS in the spring. Yes, I know it’s available on YouTube, but I’m restraining myself till I can watch it on a full-sized screen!
Can’t wait to see what you come up with!