“The fireworks show at the Space Needle must have been programmed by a woman this year. Instead of a dramatic countdown leading up to one big bang, we had seven minutes of slow buildup, punctuated by minor climaxes, leading to a long satisfying final spectacle.”
~ Misc Media
About a month ago, before I knew I was going to this party tonight, I was out thrift store shopping.
I found a black velvet dress, vintage style, homesewn, with little square black buttons each with a little rhinestone in one corner. 3/4 sleeves, fitted bodice, flared tea length skirt. The neckline is very modest and one day I will remodel it but I haven’t had time. I see a fold back collar with little cuffs on the sleeves in a white and silver brocaded satin. $10.
It is just darling and perfect for this crowd. With my platform maryjanes and my rock crystal choker, I think this is going to be cute.
Finally, all dressed up with somewhere to go. And no. The suspected chicken man hates new years, he won’t be there. Called it The Night of Great Expectations That Don’t Happen. It’s also what we sober folks call “amateur night” where people who don’t know how to drink get just stupid and cause all kinds of mayhem. I totally agree. Usually I spend New Year’s Eve with my sponsor and that crowd, blowing shit up and this year they’re having a bigger party than usual. I was invited. BUT
I had already purchased tickets to Party Like It’s 1979. Which holds me to my vow of trying to get out and do other things. Perhaps the other suspected chicken men will be there. *laugh*
An aside to those who think I’m a bit man obsessed. Perhaps I am. But I was celibate and single for 8 years and I’m ready for a partnership. I am actively looking. It’s not always like this. I’m 50. Life is short. Get over it. 😉
One of the reasons for this party is that a friend of mine, an old flame/friend, is here for the holidays and this is a reunion with his bands and some others from that time. How can I not go hang with these folks when this photo is part of my memories. He is not a suspect chicken man, just a good friend. But boy, back then? Oi.
What a night. I had this lush and visually beautiful, extremely colorful, dream right before I woke.
I’m driving into a mall near my house in a big vintage white Cadillac, fins and everything. There is a large hole, very wide and deep, in the parking lot but plenty of space for me to park between the edge and the other car. I park and when I get out of the car the edge of the hole is now 6 inches from the car and about 100 feet deep. It takes me a while to get up the nerve to tippy toe around and get away to my destination.
I go in to this bookstore and I’m perusing the witchy titles to see what’s interesting. Very cool bookstore, lots of light with very interesting stuff about. Someone comes up and says to me, “Come on, we’re gonna be late!” and takes my hand and whisks me away. We go through this door into this amazingly gorgeous room. There are plushy velvet settees set on risers like the best theatre seating ever. Dark hand carved wood walls. Lush textures everywhere. Down in front is a seating area in a circle with a low table in front, covered with books. There are people dressed in the most eye catching velvets and satins, all drapey sleeves, long skirts and tunics, and glossy hair sitting in every space. Everyone is chatting. I sit and just watch and chat for awhile.
At some point my queen’s queen takes me to the front and sits me down beside her. She starts showing me these exquisite books of shadows. (It’s really hard to write this without using the same descriptive words over and over as this was truly the prettiest dream I’ve ever had) The books are all hand written, on large parchment in leather covers. There are drawings and actual plant samples in them, seed pods and leaves, but when you close the books they lie flat. Then she shows me hers. I’ve never seen such delicate handwriting. Such beauty, such lovely artwork. I immediately decide I want to make mine that pretty. She’s telling me it’s been her life’s work. And I can tell that her knowledge is something else as we’ve been talking for a long time in dream time. I think of my own and feel ashamed of my own work. Must start over and make my own book from start to finish. She tells me her pen is from Italy.
My mind’s eye keeps seeing, even now, the lovely lavender silk velvet of the woman who was sitting next to me, the dark burgundy settees, the woods, the creamy whites and turquoise and of course black. Rich color everywhere.
I keep looking up at all the gorgeous people. And I realize that they all know me even though I don’t know them. They are paying attention to how I’m paying attention. And I see a woman who was part of the Outer Grove that lead to my initiation. I’m surprised to see her there. She seems uncomfortable and her garments aren’t as pretty and seem dull in comparison to the others. Kind of like there is this film between her and us. It makes me sad but I see how she’s brought herself to exactly where she is. As we all have.
I look back to the book and immediately decide that I need a new fountain pen that will write like that.
I was awoken from this amazing dream by the radio alarm saying “It was easier to stay in the closet.”
Well then. I’m getting the distinct impression that this year is going to be all about The Craft.
You will need to learn a lot in 2010, Cancerian. You’ll be in a phase of your long-term cycle when it will be wise to enhance your problem-solving skills and increase the knowledge you have at your disposal. So let me ask you: What can you do to gently shock yourself into prying open your mind? What is it that you don’t know but need to know? By the way, the coming year will also be a good time for you to offer yourself up as a teacher. In fact, sharing your knowledge and problem-solving skills will make you more receptive to what you need to learn.
Aw piss off. Had enough of the opening my mind and my heart and of the learning. The shock? Wasn’t GENTLE. Enough already. I plan on staying in stubborn denial the entire year. So there. Pffft.
She’s Baaaack!! Which makes me so happy. This past year I didn’t do hardly anything project wise. I complained a lot. I cried a lot. I grew a lot. And I’m glad for it in the aftermath, but dang I did very little that made me HAPPY this past year. Bring on the HAPPY!! Nothing says happy to me like textiles (and other assorted crafts).
I’ve been working on completing many projects. Some are Yule/Christmas/Birthday presents (my Dad’s bday is the 24th poor guy). Have two non-holiday projects that are winding down as well. One is a tarot pouch for my hairstylist and the other is a skirt for the jeweler friend who is fixing my ring.
The finished box is for my sponsor. I love how the varnish kind of distressed the colored pencil. Makes it look a bit vintage.
More after the cut… Continue reading
Stitch Witch Cottage 
