But, I have still found time for a little crafting! I have been making a few pieces of jewellery (earrings, and I have started on one necklace that I have been making and remaking for weeks!)

For my mummy.

The pair to te left was my first attempt at jointing two beads together. I had made a couple that were several beads on a single piece of wire, but they tended to seem a bit lifeless in comparison.

I sent these to my mother with another the pair below; white beads with ‘rose’ motifs on them

I also made two pairs for my self. I have been experimenting with the settings on my camera, and with computer editing.

I really love the way the light is refracted through the beads (refracted?).

The colours on the hearts are not so vivid in real life, but I was playing They are my favourite.

On Wednesday I am going to Chris’s graduation ball, and despite having a beautiful dress to wear, I have little jewellery to go with it (plus, its a perfect excuse to make things!)

Two bracelets, made from a selection of beads from the Southampton Bead Shop (also does dry cleaning). In fact the clasps and beading thread were also bought from the same place.

I also rememered at 12:30 last night when I was asleep where my thingies to make earrings with are (technical term). So hopefully I will have some hand made earrings as well!

Now all I need to do is decide whether to wear the necklace Chris bought me for my birthday (which seems appropriate as I am his guest), or make a necklace with some of the left heart shaped beads.

Finally, I have this awesome idea in my head for a ‘casual’ dress to make, but have yet to find the perfect fabric. I may have to learn how to make my own! Any tips?

I recently made/sourced costumes for a production of Sweeny Todd put on by the Southampton University Students’ Union musical theatre group.

(Left, photo by Peter Bowyer) Mrs Lovett.

This was made from a pattern (Butterick 3012 – Making History series).

Fabric was found cheap, (£1.35 p/metre) from Fabric Land, Southampton I believe it is ‘Chinese satin’ and the actual colour is slightly more burgundy than in this photograph.

(The origin of the gloves is unknown. The umberella is from the Student’s Union performing arts ‘stores’).

The general idea was to have the ‘bad’ characters in deep, darker colours, and the ‘innocent’ characters in lighter colours, but in practice this did not work.

I had also intended to make two more costumes, but due to time constraints, and the material not arriving until two days before the dress run, this did not happen.

(Right, photo by Peter Bowyer) Pirelli

For Pirelli I had intended to use bottle green fabric, but unfortunately could not find any that fitted in with the budget. The colours in the photo are fairly accurate. The pattern was from Burda, and was terrible. It was incredibly badly proof read (probably not proofed at all in fact), and only had pictures for about one third of the steps. This is not good for someone like myself, who finds it much easier to follow pictorial instructions than written words.

The buttons and bow really made the outfit. I was totally disappointed in it until I saw the production on the Saturday Mattinee, having not seen a performance, or been backstage since the Thursday.

(Right, photo by Lisa Murray) Johanna

The bodice for Johannah costume was based on the pattern for Mrs Lovett’s dress. However I altered the sleeves to be over the shoulder (rather than off the shoulder as in Mrs L’s).

The skirt was made up. I acquired a hoop from the ‘stores’ and she had several under skirts to fill out the skirt.

The actual skirt only has two layers, one of polycotton, and one of chiffon. The bodice is made from the same polycotton.

Behind can be seen Judge Turpin, and this is the scene where Turpin tells Johanna he plans to marry her. (Lighting design was done by Sam Baker).

(Left, photo by Lisa Murray)

The costume for the Beggar Woman was made by collecting several petticoats, skirts, and shawls from the ‘stores’. The actress did the distressing herself. (Hair and Make-up by Joey Summers).

(Below, photo by Ollie Woods). This is the finale scene/song and the characters in the front are (left to right) Judge Turpin, Beggar Woman (Lucy) and the Beadle. The blood was impressive.

Perhaps I should sacrifice something to the Gods of Blogging as punishment for my lack of committment.

thoughts?

Or was until I noticed this:

This is what the Double Twist section that runs up the body of the jumper (twice on the front, and twice on the back) should look like.

This is what it looks like on the back left of my jumper:

Damn.

I am finally able to blog about a project that I have completed!

It is the Central Park Hoodie from the Autumn “Fall” 06 issue of Knitscene, which I started back in March 08 (or so I have put on my Ravelry account).

I used Cascade 220 in… well… Green. I’m not sure what the “proper” name for the colour is. Probably “Highland Heather” or “A Leaf in the Summer” or something.

The pattern was very very easy to follow, but part of me, as normal wishes i had made it a size smaller. Maybe one day I will learn??

The hood is interesting. It’s construction lends to it a sharp point, which is reminiscent

of pixies. This was something that first attracted me to the pattern, which is a good thing. I have been unable to take a decent photo of the front, but I think I will leave it without a closure.

Continually updated. Suggestions welcome

I have blocked parts of The Central Park Hoodie, and now they smell of wet wool. Joys.

But I will probably never get to knit it, because it would just not suit me. I don’t think anyone could really pull it off. That’s the rubbish thing about knitting, there’s so many things that look like awesome feats of knitting, but you could only make if you had money to burn.

I have finished the Asymmetrical Cardigan from Nature Knits, and will one day get round to taking and posting pictures.  The Central Park hoodie from Knitscene (fall 06) has been started, but the 4″ rib is taking forever, I have been knitting about an hour and a half and am only 2″ in!!  (94 stitches though).