Costume College 2011 recap.
I am back into the grind of life, after Costume College that is. CoCo was a blast as usual, with chatting and meeting with various folks I know, online and/or in real life. Well, now that I've seen them it is good having faces to names. I sadly missed a few folks, but with classes and parties going on, I had to choose which way to go, and sleep became a requirement when I only had about 3 hours of it on the first night, and a roommate who gets up rather darn early (6am or so) every morning.
Lets see... I taught a couple of classes, blackwork basics, and early 16th c. ladies hoods, which I was told went well by the students. I also did a learning circle with a few ladies who shared their embroidery projects, but I had to leave that halfway through to teach my first class. I took various classes that were enjoyable, learning about sweet bags and two different stitches from eowyna (2 different classes), gothic fitted dress fitting from chargirlgenius, and even a learning circle on cutwork embroidery that myladyswardrobe offered. I took other classes as well, but am blanking on what all since there was much to enjoy, from hat blocking basics to organizing your costume wardrobe. I enjoyed talking to various folks about all sorts of topics, from embroidery to jewelry, and of course various costuming topics. Also got to know a few folks a little better during the bloggers meetup on Thursday, and at various times at the hospitality suite, and of course in the hallways of the hotel.
Monday Joanne and I went to the garment district, but little of the fabric really called to me. I thought about getting some for the kids, but I have fabrics for them already that need to be made up into stuff first. A pretty embroidered fabric wanted to be a dress for Relle, but it is not her style of dress that she would like, but something I would like to make for her. So, that stayed behind. I ended up getting some dark red silk satin (charmeuse, I think) at half off, some notions, and 10 yards of basic medium weight soft linen for shirts/smocks (I don't like using hanky weight, as the firmer fabric lasts longer and I can wear without fear of showing off private areas of the body).
We also went to Burbank Ikea on the way home, where I got some magazine holders, glass candle cups for illumination work (plan to use them for storage of the pigment pastes), and a nice back supportive office chair, without armrests, to use in my sewing room - which I need to put together soon. It was fun taking Joanne there as she had never been to Ikea before, and there is so many things to see and ideas and stuff and lunch even! Swedish meatballs was pretty decent and rather cheap, especially after a few days of expensive meals.
Such a whirlwind of activities, and I was so bone tired when all was done. I had to take Tuesday and yesterday off from the computer and just rest. Oh, also saw Harry Potter 7.2 on Sunday night so that I could take Relle to see Smurfs on Tuesday while the rest of the family watched HP.
Yeah, lots done, ideas of all sorts, and the realization that it is the people and wonderful energy of CoCo that keeps me coming back. I had been thinking of NOT going next year, but after this past weekend, I realized that would be a bad thing for me. While CoCo is exhausting in its way, it is also a wonderful energy boost for the rest of my year.
I also realized I seriously need to break out of the 16th century costuming box I've been in the past several years. I need to make something fantasy for ME (not just for the kids), and something in different time frames. I've got ideas, and had some for years... I need to work on making them more than ideas - into reality, and then share that next year at CoCo. After all, one does not need to actually eat at the Gala in order to show off one's creations down the runway. While I could have done that this year - I was too tired and was enjoying the red carpet to change into the gown I had brought.
I have photos I still need to download, and then share what I can. I also have a bored son, so that will have to wait a bit. Will post again when those are up.
Lets see... I taught a couple of classes, blackwork basics, and early 16th c. ladies hoods, which I was told went well by the students. I also did a learning circle with a few ladies who shared their embroidery projects, but I had to leave that halfway through to teach my first class. I took various classes that were enjoyable, learning about sweet bags and two different stitches from eowyna (2 different classes), gothic fitted dress fitting from chargirlgenius, and even a learning circle on cutwork embroidery that myladyswardrobe offered. I took other classes as well, but am blanking on what all since there was much to enjoy, from hat blocking basics to organizing your costume wardrobe. I enjoyed talking to various folks about all sorts of topics, from embroidery to jewelry, and of course various costuming topics. Also got to know a few folks a little better during the bloggers meetup on Thursday, and at various times at the hospitality suite, and of course in the hallways of the hotel.
Monday Joanne and I went to the garment district, but little of the fabric really called to me. I thought about getting some for the kids, but I have fabrics for them already that need to be made up into stuff first. A pretty embroidered fabric wanted to be a dress for Relle, but it is not her style of dress that she would like, but something I would like to make for her. So, that stayed behind. I ended up getting some dark red silk satin (charmeuse, I think) at half off, some notions, and 10 yards of basic medium weight soft linen for shirts/smocks (I don't like using hanky weight, as the firmer fabric lasts longer and I can wear without fear of showing off private areas of the body).
We also went to Burbank Ikea on the way home, where I got some magazine holders, glass candle cups for illumination work (plan to use them for storage of the pigment pastes), and a nice back supportive office chair, without armrests, to use in my sewing room - which I need to put together soon. It was fun taking Joanne there as she had never been to Ikea before, and there is so many things to see and ideas and stuff and lunch even! Swedish meatballs was pretty decent and rather cheap, especially after a few days of expensive meals.
Such a whirlwind of activities, and I was so bone tired when all was done. I had to take Tuesday and yesterday off from the computer and just rest. Oh, also saw Harry Potter 7.2 on Sunday night so that I could take Relle to see Smurfs on Tuesday while the rest of the family watched HP.
Yeah, lots done, ideas of all sorts, and the realization that it is the people and wonderful energy of CoCo that keeps me coming back. I had been thinking of NOT going next year, but after this past weekend, I realized that would be a bad thing for me. While CoCo is exhausting in its way, it is also a wonderful energy boost for the rest of my year.
I also realized I seriously need to break out of the 16th century costuming box I've been in the past several years. I need to make something fantasy for ME (not just for the kids), and something in different time frames. I've got ideas, and had some for years... I need to work on making them more than ideas - into reality, and then share that next year at CoCo. After all, one does not need to actually eat at the Gala in order to show off one's creations down the runway. While I could have done that this year - I was too tired and was enjoying the red carpet to change into the gown I had brought.
I have photos I still need to download, and then share what I can. I also have a bored son, so that will have to wait a bit. Will post again when those are up.