A Gypsy's work is never done...

Costumes. It's all I seem to think about anymore. Obsess really is more like it. No, not like a halloween costume. Well, I guess you could use it for Halloween. I mean dancer costumes. (Get your mind out of the gutter! I don't mean THAT kind of dancer!!) I mean Ghawazee dancers, belly dancers and the like.

Tassel and coin belt, circle skirts and harem pants, Ghawazee coats and turkish vests; my Muse will not stop!! She is relentless! Since she won't let me get onto any of the other half million projects I had on the go, dance costumes it is. (She alwyas gets her way!)


These are only two of the variations I have come up with. This one ----}
is by far my favorite. The base of the Ghawazee coat is from the Al-Zahra's Coat pattern I mentioned last year in the blog. I didn't like the sleeves on it, so I invented my own! They feature a cut out portion on the upper arm and a flowing section of lined gorgeous fabric draping from above the elbow, creating visual movement when one dances. (Which sadly, I still need to learn how to do!)

The tassel belt is my own design, but the coin belt under is purchased (gasp) and not made by me. I love hand sewing, but that was a little too much even for me. The circle skirt is wide and matches the plaquard of material peeking out on the neckline, and would look awesome with a coin bra. (I'm getting to it, I promise...)

The next one is simple by comparison. Layered over the same skirt and top as the previous costume, this sleeveless variety would be much better suited to summer dancing. It's lightweight, highlights coin bras or under choli's nicely and keeps you cool in cotton. Now if only I could wear it to the grocery store...

**I didn't make the super cool belt with all the charms and coins. That I purchased last year at the local Ukerainian Festival. So very neat!

A Life Worth Living

There are so many people in this world that drive me crazy. You know the ones, the self ritious ones that think that the world revolves around them. Only they have issues, problems and hardships and the rest of us small people would never comprehend such things.

Always makes me wonder how they have it so hard or bad. They are usually healthy, employed, talented people that are surrounded by those that love them but chose to push them away, chose to spit on all they have. Nothing is or ever has been good enough. Drives me crazy.

There are people in this world, we all know them, the true fighters. The ones with illness or disease, the ones that are dying, the ones that leave the earth well before their time. They didnt even have the chance at a long life maybe, and there are those that sit here and waste there's, the beautiful life that has been gifted to them. They didnt have the choice to bitch about every little thing, and moan and complain that life has no meaning. They didnt get a chance at life at all.

What makes life worth living? What gives it all meaning? I was recently told a story of an elderly woman who had lost her husband almost ten years ago. She had a dream recently that her husband was about to give her a kiss and them awakened to discover he wasnt there. She was crushed and very sad. She would give anything for another moment with him, and yet there are those that squander every precious second of every single day. Whats it all worth? Every single breath we have thats what. Every single beat of your heart and every single day we have left.

I would love nothing better than to scream these things to the ones that can't see the beauty of the world and of the timethat is so fleeting and the light that exstinguishes all too soon, who revolve around themselves and exist only to not exist at all.

But there's life to live, and I'm off to live it.

Happy Birthday To Me!!

It's my 28th birthday today and what a great day so far! Got a nice day weather wise instead of rain, worked outside at my favorite job, Spring Bee work, and my super awesome hubby is taking me for dinner and drinks tonight. Plus I got presents at work today AND I get cake and coffee tommorow night with my family AND Friday drinks with the girls. Spoiled or what? How many days of birthdays does one really need? (Ummm...like a million?)

So off I go to start the 28th year, it's going to be a great one!

Spring has Sprung...and it's dirty!!

If you think your house is in need of some much deserved Spring cleaning, nothing will make this statement more true than a muddy Lab dog prancing through the kitchen with a smile on her face. Great. Springtime or "Mudtime" has arrived. Oh well, what can you do?

So tommorow's my B-Day, can't believe its that time of year again. Dont really feel older but I suppose what does old feel like? Does it feel like cotton? Like a cold? (Too much coffee today, I so sorry ;)

Got my Aster seedlings transplanted and the Gaillardia perenials I started in March are HUGE and taking up my window space. Should be a ton going into the garden, of course my green thumb swells with pride.

So off to work I go, the start of the Bee season upon us and lets hope its a good one.

Miserable Day? Time for online shopping!!

I love shopping online. How can it be beat? You find the perfect item, order it quickly, forget about it just as fast and then like a month later, it's like Christmas in March!! (Well actually it is like Christmas in March...stupid snow!!)

I'd been eyeing up a really cool looking pattern online for Gypsy/Belly Dancing costumes. (No, I dont dance but I would like to. One of the New Years resolutions I plan to get to sometime before the next New Year.) So of course being stuck inside on a miserable day gave me plenty excuse to order it up. Now if only I knew how to sew better...

Admittedly, I dont sew a lot, in fact barely at all. But as my mother would tell you, that has never stopped me from finding a million patterns and bringing them to her doorstep with a thousand ideas and no clue how to get there. (If you guessed that my mother did the lion's share of the work then you're right on the money! I usually make sandwiches or make myself otherwise useful. I mean I'm not lazy I just cant sew!)

Here I am again, full of ideas on a grey March day, spinning my wheels until the pattern gets here and I wont have a clue what to do when it does. (Should have paid better attention in Home Ec class!)

Maybe mom will give me some pointers...I'll bring the sandwiches...grilled cheese anyone?

Today I build an Ark...or a Pirate ship?

Well Spring is once again here and with it the inevitable flooding that it brings. Top it off with more snow on the forcast, a blocked ditch culvert and two large dogs that are cranky they cant go outside and you have the makings of a very somber Wednesday. Oh well at least the dogs have the energy to seranade me!

Well maybe I should get busy building an ark, dont think its going to dry up anytime soon. Maybe I should build a pirate ship instead...Hmmmm.....

A good garden is like a good book - you always enjoy starting it again

Another season is dawning on the horizon and I couldnt be happier. With a plethagora of garden ideas in my ever growing aresenal, I await warmer days with bated breath.

Of course with the snow melting, the bees will be waking up soon and we'll be in full swing at the honey farm. Hopefully a good year awaits for the honey business and the weather is good for a change.

I've been trying to find a reputable online course for writing, but with so many options out there I must admit I have no idea where to go. I have been writing on and off for years now, but I really need to sink my teeth into some education on the subject and polish it up. Besides, it could be fun to write a book or two. Can you imagine, getting your own fiction published?

Alas, it will be a little while yet but until then I will keep writing. Who knows maybe I'll share a tale or two on here.