As I was headed out the door this morning, I noticed the level of chill in the air and realized my sense of time of year is still off. Locally, parts of winter felt like spring, completely throwing off my seasonally sensitive internal clock. Now that wet spring is here, the norm of chilly mornings followed by warm afternoons feels off. I even felt it driving home in the sun yesterday. To top off my timey wimey state, I found I have been a full week off in my planner. Good thing I’ve been using pencil.
With all of this time and space scattering here and there, I feel the need to put together a summary of the bits and pieces I’ve been working on lately….
New Short Videos
I recently added a TikTok account. With this, I have created a few reels. I added some to YouTube.
Book Study
A little bit ago, I started reading articles by Susan Ingalls Lewis who looks at the history of women, business, and employment in the nineteenth-century. Upon starting her book Unexceptional Women: Female Proprietors in Mid Nineteenth-Century Albany, New York, 1830-1885, I thought others would be interested in reading it as well. I started a book study group on Facebook. Currently, there isn’t much discussion in the group. I do hope that picks up as I find her research journey and work both fascinating and important to giving everyday women a voice. (Please let me know if you are interested in participating.)
Pockets
Somehow, I went from not having an April Pocket of the Month designed (because I pre-designed & scheduled several months) to creating 3 for this month. First came the embroidered Sun & Moon Pocket, a freehand design by me. I posted it to Patreon at the beginning of the month, so it would be available in time for people to make it for the Solar Eclipse. The pocket I made with the design got a little TV time, appearing in a local news story. Next, came the actual Pocket of the Month design, a Maze Pocket meant to be quilted or embroidered. This was inspired by the mazes posted in the Time Traveler’s Rabbit Hole. Then, this week, I found myself creating an Owl Pocket as a bonus pocket design. This is another freehand pocket design. It was inspired by what may have been a gag at work with owl faces coming out of the printer sporadically over a few days. I realize these most recent pocket designs have been freehand designs blending period inspiration and modern twists. I will make a point to include some purely historical pockets soon, possibly some patchwork.
Events
Now for more of the thinking ahead part (this has been muffled by projects at work and big grey area.) I think I need to break this down by month.
- May – I will be doing a program for GCVM’s Civil War Living History. I will be moving to the Dressmaker’s Shop. My hope is that I will be able to pull off a good program in the midst of Regents planning and field testing without breaking myself.
- June – June is undecided. I’ve been asked about doing a few things. I am hesitant to commit because I will likely be taking on more additional duties during exams.
- July – This month has multiple programs I am looking forward to, including Independence Day, a women’s clothing program, and a recreational clothing program.
Projects (the self accountability list)
I have several non-millinery projects in various stages, including:
- The silk globes from the Solar Spectacular. I have goals for each of the 4 that are started. I would like them to make a reappearance in October.
- I have slowly been assembling ribbons for a ribbon bag. This will be a bag inspired by an original given to me years ago.
- I keep wanting to make some patchwork cats (or just cushions.)
- I am researching local recreational clothing for a summer program. I have a good idea of what I want to make. I just need to identify which fabric(s) in my collection is the right material(s)
I think that helps for getting a better footing.
If I Had My Own Blue Box: 
I sent you an invite.
I just ordered the book you referenced, would like to participate in the FB group!
The Master must have messed with your randomizer. The White Guardian will help get you back on track. (I always enjoy a reference to The Doctor.)