Plan Q, Phase I

Oh, poor, poor neglected blog. That's what happens when you get stuck in a rut. The past few years have been mainly a matter of endurance, which typically involves a great deal of "stuckness." Things are beginning to shift, though....

One of the reasons I went to library school was to find a job I enjoyed, that would also allow me financial breathing space, and the ability to afford the things I loved to do. Four years after moving for my first professional library job, I'm in a place where I may be able to realize these goals.

I'm working full-time (since April) as an academic reference librarian. While the job has its downsides (working weekends and evenings), it has its pluses as well. The university I work for is online, which means my work environment is online. Translated, as long as I have electricity and an internet connection, I can work anywhere.

One of my loves is travel, but I've not been in a position to afford much travel for some time now. Happily, my job situation opens up the possibility of traveling while I work.

So I've decided to take a chance, make a change, and launch myself out into the wide world.

I'm leaving Butte in September. I'll be spending a couple months in Missoula, and then another couple months celebrating the holidays with family in Iowa. I'm calling this 4 month period Phase I of the larger Plan Q.

What is the rest of Plan Q? Well, it will test the portability factor of my job (while hopefully not making Callie too cranky). I'm still researching and developing Phase II, but it most definitely involves travel, and doing some of the things I've had on my list for a very, very long time.

Stay tuned for the further adventures of the traveling librarian and her grouchy cat!

Ordinary Days

August 18th, things seen here and there

(getting up, coffee with Callie, laundry, bills, PO, farmer's market, work, reading, knitting, wine, bed)

The Edwardian-ish Dress

The completed Edwardian dress, from the back. This is, without a doubt, the most ambitious sewing project I've taken on. I consider my skills to be beginning level, so the fact that I did the top without a pattern, and altered a skirt pattern... and it fits and did not fall apart... is a huge, giant win in my book! And it is blue and silvery grey - Ravenclaw for another win!

Miscellaneous things from the evening... bag (lightly beaded), dance card, gloves, necklace, (unwinning) raffle ticket

A view of the dress from the front, at the courthouse for the ball. It was a lovely evening. I think people should find excuses to dress up more. Everyone was just a little more polite, and had better posture. It's not something I'd want to have to do everyday, but several times a year I could handle.

The process - still life of hand sewing implements

Irene's lovely sewing machine which she was kind enough to let me borrow (a Brother). I love it, and want one like it.

Nearing the end - you can see more bodice detail (and the pinning of the ribbon belt)

the back, pinned in various places

Done! from the back

detail of the front skirt

Done! The front

The necklace I slightly altered - the chain was not there originally, but if you look at things from the period, many have the draped chain.

I hate to say it, but I've already been thinking about Halloween. I'm thinking Autumn, or some kind of goddess of autumn. I even thrifted a long red, stretch velvet dress. Hmmm.....