Turtle Invasion!

I totally can't complain about all the commission work that I've been getting (which you can see on my portfolio website), but there are times that I really get tired of sewing for 12 hours a day and need to step away for a minute.  And I've discovered a great way to handle feeling idea-blocked - graffiti my own walls!

We recently moved into a rehab house, which, thanks to all the b.s. that slammed us right after we bought it, we haven't yet been able to fix up like we were planning.  The good news about that is, I don't feel bad about painting on the walls, floor, whatever - because it's all going to get covered up or repainted anyways! It ends up being a great satisfaction of doing exactly what my mother always told me not to do when I was a kid!

This has meant an invasion of mini-turtles...

these make me smile every time I sit down to sew

Turtles lead the path through the kitchen!

I justify these because I eventually want the kitchen to be accented in blue-greens.  I'm just color-testing, see?

Oh yes, and the dream catcher based print I developed for stenciling onto clothing.

Cyricx the Ranger

I finished Cyricx's new RenFaire outfit! We are quite happy with it.  The material is a pretty heavy-duty cotton, with several layers in key spots, so hopefully it will stand up to his intense use.  I stayed pretty true to the original design (the concept sketch is in my previous post), since Cyricx and I worked several layers of meaning and intention into the details.  We also had strict requirements for the fit of the outfit, because of the range of movement he needs for spinning.  While we both loved the last pair of pants I made for him that were based on Japanese hakama pants, we soon discovered that the wide legs were a major disadvantage when trying to spin staff, poi, puppyhammer....well, just about anything!

On the right leg: The runes Wunjo, Sowlio, Kenaz, Raidho.

On the left leg: "Tricks of the Light," the name of our performance duo.

 

 The sleeves have a pleated section to allow for extra elbow space and arm movement.  The folded-over cuff is intended to stand up to the heat from Cyricx's nunchucks. 

The sleeves zip off!  (Shhhh! No one can see the zipper.  Lace-on sleeves would be more appropriate, but have you ever tried to lace something on or off in the 30 seconds in between pieces while onstage?  Not doable!)

Oh yeah....and the hood zips off too!

I love how this picture shows off his nice hair... *happy sigh*

 And the adjustable waistband, since our weight fluctuates so much between Faire season and off-season.

I'm still hoping to add beads and shiny things, but when I say shiny I don't be mean bright - I'm imagining earthy copper and bronze.  Just enough to add that metallic glint.