I’ve been mulling over what kind of black robe/dress/tunic I want to make to wear to public ritual where black is the appropriate color. Samhain comes to mind.  Also, since it won’t be consecrated or blessed I want to wear it as my witch dress when I put on my coned hat and go out in public at Halloween.  What to do, what to do…

I finally settled on Simplicty #3723.

I find it ironic that the pattern is for a puritan woman who would surely have hung me. *cackle*  But I love the basic dress.  Remove the hat, apron, and neck collar.  Make the cuffs red on the inside and black on the outside so they can be up or down.And not so big, closer to the hand/wrist.  I will be making this as a dress made to last not a costume so the bodice and sleeves will be lined.  But the main change is this.  It will NOT zip up the back but will lace up the front. I am keeping the high round neckline but the lacing will stop at my cleavage and the two flaps of extra fabric will form a kind of collar of their own, also red on the inside, will be embroidered and lay back flat against the decoulettage.   Gonna be fine.  No shapeless sack for me. I’ve been putting it off as I finalize the design changes and decide finally on the fabric.  I thought about velvet and maybe one day I will make this out of velvet.  But I decided on black linen with red linen lining.  Who knows what I’ll be getting on it, candle wax, blessing oil, ashes, needs to be easily cleaned. Gotta cut it out and fit it today and get moving on this project as the lacing eyelets will be hand sewn and the embroidery will take time.

This is the last of the pouches for awhile.  What I don’t sell and want to keep I will do so, the rest will go on Etsy in a week. (If you really want one now and are truly serious post a comment and we’ll talk) I’ve got many other things I want to work on now and am glad this is done.  I have to say, that while the photo quality is inconsistent (always light issues) and some blurriness some of these pouches are my favorites ever.  EVER. I might decide that I must keep the blackberry pouch for me. Hmmmm. Yes, I think I just decided. I know I made it for me. I could just eat it up.

Oh and two new styles, wand bags!!

Enjoy!

I might not be bringing in any money right now but I’m working like crazy. What a strange dichotomy.  But it feels good to be productive so produce I do.  I’ve applied with several head hunters in the area who specialize in technical professions and find work of both permanent and temporary natures as well as part time.  One even called me this morning and I meet with her on Wednesday.

Over the weekend I finished the autumn charm necklace and made some new earrings for the fair on the 27th.

There is a little black wooden pig in the third necklace photo that, if you hold it’s belly to the light (there is a clear piece of glass embedded there) you can see a photograph of a church in England.  This is a memento from my mother’s mother, Nana. There is a raven and also many stags, bloodstones, rubies, amber, bone, jet, turquoise, blue goldstone, jasper, carnelian, lava, gold, silver, pearls, all kinds of goodies.  Many momentos and keepsakes in there…

It’s the dog days of summer and I’ve been miserable.  Staying indoors with the A/C on. It’s only one or two weeks a year and I feel a tad guilty for using it but I’ve had migraines off and on all week.  The humidity mixed with heat and the weird barometric pressure just does me in.  I feel like Hebe. Taken this morning and a bit fuzzy because it was a zoom shot through the window but you get the idea…

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