The corset layers are all assembled. Now I just need to cannibalize the old corset for the busk and boning. There are so many things I'm doing differently this time that I really should be documenting, but I just don't have the time. Maybe while I'm on vacation this week I can start a webpage...we'll see since I should also really be working on my thesis as well. How do I let myself get so behind on this stuff?

I finally dug out my Laughing Moon corset pattern and traced out my new size. Of course, I thought I'd get a lot further than that...like actually cut something out...but, hey, at least I've made some progress. Plus, there are still a few hours left in the day, so who knows what else I'll get done.

I've been such a slacker lately. Actually, let me qualify that. I've spent most of my time lately doing things for work and school; what free time I've had has been given over entirely to my bf. Only problem with this is that Costume College is coming up in just over a month, and I have nothing to wear, literally! I've lost about twenty pounds since the last time I put any of my costumes on. I desperately need at least two great new outfits to wear this year, but it will probably mean starting from scratch. I have no idea when I'll get this done, but hopefully I'll manage to get started sometime in the near future. :)

The first task will be to make the early bustle dress, especially since I'll be able to wear it again later for the event later in August. I haven't decided on a second outfit, but it will need to be something relatively simple, since the bustle dress will be a lot of work. If I really do run out of time, I may still fit into my regency dress, which used to be a bit on the small side, induding the corset, so may still fit me.

Okay, I've decided to get back to the basics and start sewing again with a few easy period underwear projects, for a couple different reasons.

1. I think my attention span right now will only handle short, easy projects, but I still need something to keep my mind and hands busy.

2. This is something that I currently have fabric for, so no need to spend any money.

3. I don't want to start working on something fitted that won't fit by the time I finish the project! There is nothing in the world so frustrating as finishing a project only to discover that it doesn't fit, and that is pretty much guaranteed at this point. I'm dropping weight rather quickly, but I still won't reach my target weight until the end of the year, so I'm not entirely sure that I want to do a whole lot of major projects in the meantime. I'll do a few, but only those that are abosolutely necessary (like Peacock tails and Dickens).

It's actually a little frustrating. I've spent the last several years trying to build up my wardrobe only to now discover that nothing fits anymore. While I really do enjoy this hobby, the idea of starting from scratch again is a little daunting. Maybe I should look at it as an opportunity to correct past mistakes, or something like that.

In other news, I think I conned my bf into agreeing to attend costume events with me; either that or he conned me into showing a little more than just a passing interest in politics. I agreed to start paying attention to political issues if he would go to events with me. Now that I think about it, he really did get the better end of the deal; he expends no extra effort, while my work more than doubles. Hmmmm. Lesson learned: Don't make deals with lawyers, even if they love you.

Okay, I've decided that I really need to start working on another project. Things have been held up with my thesis again, and this whole degree is looking further and further away. Plus, I really need something to focus my spare time on now so that I'm not obsessing about something else...so, it's time to start planning.

I've decided to hold off on the spencer. It's really looking like I won't make it to the Regency event next month, so there is no point is trying to get something finished that soon. I'd rather start focusing on something that is a little further out and may take more time than I allot for it. So, that gives me either the very froofy Edwardian gown that I want to make for Costume College, my 1660's gown that got put on hold a while back, or the early bustle dress I'm planning for Peacock Tails event in August. I'm really excited about all of them, and partial to none, so I'm going to go ahead and open up a poll and y'all can tell me which you'd like to see actually get finished. :)

Tonight's the big night. A little anticlimactic on the costuming side, since I've already worn this one at CC23. Then, on top of that, the weather doesn't look like it's going to give us a break at all. So, my brothers and I may be cold, wet jedi tonight.

I just have too much going on right now, so I'm probably going to disappear for a little while again...at least until the end of the month or so. While there are a lot of little things going on, my main concern is for my thesis. Unfortunately, progress on that has pretty much reached a standstill and I need to get going on it again. My goal is to have it pretty much wrapped up the first week of my summer vacation. In order to reach that goal, I really need to discipline myself to write a little bit every day. So, that means pretty much no sewing for a while, and not much blogging.

Wish me luck!

Okay, I was going to write out this really detailed report and everything, and even got started on it but quickly ran out of steam. There is just too much going on right now to write something so detailed. So, all you get is this:

It was fun. The sci.fi masquerade was intimidating but the historical masquerade was very inspiring--got lots of cool ideas, half of which have already fled out of my little noggin. (That teaches me! Next time I'll have a journal with me for notes.) The workshops/panels...mmmm, definitely not the reason to go to con; while they were interesting, I didn't really learn anything new or significantly useful. Thus resulting in the major problem I have with costume con: I simply cannot justify taking two and a half days off of work to go to an event that is primarily social. If I decide to go to another con, I'll have to plan on going Friday after work and only taking Monday off for travelling home.

Okay, that's it. I know. Disappointing, isn't it? But I'm really very exhausted and have an early flight tomorrow for my friend's wedding. (For those of you keeping track, yes, this is the third weekend in a row I'll be out of town.)

The only sewing I currently have planned for this week at all is to alter my bridesmaid's dress and embroider some cotton handkerchiefs for the bride, and all of that needs to be done before I go into the city tonight!

Alrighty. Got the rest of the pictures put up this morning. Enjoy.

I've only gotten about half of them up, but you can see my Friday and Saturday pictures in the gallery. A full report will need to wait until tomorrow.