Almost done...

This is the fully boned, turn-of-the-19th century transition stay I began several months ago. I've been working on it for a week now, hand-sewing at every opportunity. I think it has turned out fantastic! I am very impressed with the instructions provided by Saundra Altman (the woman who drafted the pattern based on a museum piece). This picture is a blurry representation of the inside of the corset, opened up flat. The bones are made of reed and come in a circle like a wreath and so need to be soaked and steamed after inserting them into each channel in order to flatten them. All I have left is to whip-stitch and put the binding on the top and bottom edges and sew in the breast-bone casings which will house to metal bands to prevent boob-smooshage. Heh. I'll update the pictures when I replace the batteries in my camera.

Threatened with the prospect of help from my mother-in-law, I'm pleased to report that I have actually begun to finish some of my latest (some, VERY late...) projects. I have switched bathrooms with Gavin, learned to use hot rollers in my formerly uncooperative lengths of hair, and launched fearlessly into my first hand-sewn project in earnest. I cut out the corset many months ago and have been making fearful glances at it ever since, until last week. I am so, so (sew--ha ha.. *buh-dum-dum*) glad that I did. It turns out that hand-sewing is EASY. Not only is it easy, it's EASIER than using a machine! AND you're not STUCK somewhere!

For those of you who know me, and I'm guessing you do if you're reading this blog, you're aware that I am the harrassed stay-at-home-on-the-go mom of a rapidly moving toddler, and toddlers don't care much for hanging out and watching mommy sew, or cook, compute, or anything else that disallows thier participation. But hand-sewing is different. It's small, it's uninteresting, and it's totally mobile.

More on this later, with pictures too!

So the room is re-arranged, the closet is mine, and there is blue prep paint covering about 3/4 of the window and door trim. Painting is still a ways off and I'm looking at a shirt I started making (two years ago...) and getting closer and closer to busting out the ole' sewing machine. I hand stitched a pair of pants for uly that are also unfinished, but almost done. That seems to be a major theme in my life. Almost there!

I've decided that I'm not going to plug in my sewing machine again until I finish the minor maintenance on the master bath, and after that I'm going to paint and re-arrange the office and claim the walk-in closet here for my very own. All books, diplomas and electronic gadgetry that could be useful-but-aren't will be packed up and gently placed in what will then become Gavin's walk-in closet. I've come to the understanding--at last--that part of a happy, healthy relationship with another person is to reserve some space for your very own to be as tidy or piggy as you like and not be nagged about it or constantly nagging.

This room will be mine. It will be blue. I will put shelving up to hold all my sewing supplies. It will have white curtains. My son can play in my closet with my shoes without fear of injury.

It's going to be awesome!

I'm going to veer off from my usually scribblings and talk a little about more personal stuff.

I spent some time yesterday reading Uly's blog and it was a warming reflection, unlike any of my attempts to document my goings on earlier in my life. Parenting, as exhausting, confusing, and disorienting as it has been, is also the most character-redefining experience I've ever had. I believe with all my heart that I am truly a better person--and certainly more patient--because of this experience. I may often be tired and complain-y but I am actually enjoying a consistent level of happiness like I've never had. I certainly feel more settled. Two-and-a half years we've lived in our home in Oak Ridge. This is the longest I've ever lived in any one dwelling. Still, there are many boxes unpacked and hundreds of pictures waiting to go on walls. I just can't seem to believe we're actually staying put. I'm not normally superstitious but I have some dorky fear that if I put things on the walls I will be moving shortly thereafter, so I have been reluctant to do so. I know this is lame and I ought to make a promise to myself to have one wall "pictured up" by Thanksgiving. Hmm, that's actually not a bad idea...

Parenting:

More and more I come to see the differences between my parenting style and of those of most of my community. I have little respect for arbitrary rules and I believe children--even very young--should be allowed to make a great deal of their own decisions. I will nurse my son, regardless of how difficult this is for most of our adult population to get a grip on themselves, for as long as his needs require, and I absolutely will not feed him with a blanket over his head or in a toilet. Ever. Period. I will though find the quietest, least traveled area to avoid excess interruption or undue stress. I hope Americans can learn to deal with nursing moms sooner rather than later.

Nuthin'

I've put most of my sewing projects aside for a bit. It is absolutely impossible to sew with Uly awake, and the sound of the machine wakes him when he naps. I sew a little here and there when Uly's Gramma Moe comes over and looks after him, but I've found that trying to work on a project is mostly just frustrating. Toddlers are curious creatures, and pins, needles and pretty fabric are just too interesting to keep around.

Karen wuz here