Category Archives: Love My Life

Love My Life

Embroidery Think Tank

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Embroidery – not easy just to find a specific pattern when I know what I want in my head.

A slight delay early in the week got me doing shotgun and rifle covers for 'Roy's Creek Dan' and 'Highland Scottie' (thank you for looking after the house) and of course I decide that Jack and I need some fancy ones too. Slightly sidetracked but had fun and they got done.

 

Patterns found and reworked for 'Pearl Starr's next outfit. Pattern decided and confirmed for 'Flirtatious Filly'. We are under way!

Then the elusive music notes for around the top of a corset for 'Singin' Sue'. Do you know how hard it is to find music notes? Plain, simple, separate, music notes of an appropriate size? Finally found 3 and managed to turn that into a suitable design, joining and turning some. Yeah…..that should work!

 

Then there is the smiley pocket triangles for 'Lil McGill' and her newest outfit. I changed the triangle again Mum 😉 (Note to self, check size against bought ones when get home, just to make sure right)

 

A half day fiddling after finally finding a pattern I am happy with for 'Texas Flower', Diary of Desire gown. It is different but similar in layout to the original, making it unique in its own right. After studying photos again, I have 4 different setups ready to produce the embroidery detail for this gown. Duplicate, cut, split, join, check, redo, save! Happy cowgirl.

Almost there.

Oh and throw in a couple sets of arm garters for 'Hondo Tweed' as well for good measure.

 

Yep, back into it! There in, ends that week!

Kat xo

(Tripping to Guthrie this morning 28th May)

 

Back in Oklahoma

Posted on by kathousekelli70

It's been a whirlwind 4 days as we got back into Oklahoma.

 

A few days shopping, rejoining the gym, hitting Cabelas for reloading gear, Hancocks for fabric (still can't believe it's closing down! One of my resources at times) and today…..we got to shoot again with the Territorial Marshal's.

Forty three shooters turned up on a glorious day to shoot 6 cowboy stages and for a few keen beans a short 3 stage Wild Bunch Pistol match. Good to be using the 45 again and with the new “$2” front sight we will just have to see how it goes!

Not that it looks much now, it's been cut, ground etc but yes my new front sight (for now, hopefully it will stay, it has lifted slightly) is made from an Aussie $2 coin.

 

Oklahoma State Wild Bunch Champs are on in a few weeks and we have a few midweek practices as well before we head out to End Of Trail.

Catch ya

Kat xo

 

Diary of Desire Pt 5 – Putting It All Together

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Yes, it appears the 'inner 15 year old child' managed to work it out as per the books instructions. Although one instruction wasn't adhered to and had to correct the error of my ways, thankfully still at the lining stage.

Everything seems to be sitting just perfectly except for one slight alteration needed at the back neck and shoulders. Got to be happy with that!

 

Here in lies the mishap! See how the front seems high?

 

Well, refer back to said instructions and previous shown photo of drafting and as I was told to – “add 7″ to the front skirt following dart allowances etc”. As you can see I felt in my, somewhat older than 15 years, that this seemed a little ridiculous (despite having drawn it up as instructed) when the rest of the bodice was only 5″ from waist to edge and so cut it off 2″shorter. The result? A bodice that's too high in the front and doesn't look right.

 

Right, stitch that bit back on and thankfully almost nothing of the join is to be seen once sides are trimmed to suit and once facings are in place all is concealed. Shhhhh!

Then it was onto the sleeves. Now in one mind I was tempted to use a Truly Victorian sleeve pattern but I had decided this gown was to be done using the drafting machine and this would surely be cheating. The book specifically details how to draft sleeves from measurements using the square rule.

So yes! I did draft the sleeve using the detailed square. Much to my surprise and sheer delight it worked! All I really needed to see was that it looked like I knew it should be!! Bit hard to see in the pink pen.

 

Next step was to pull apart the lining and cut each piece from the fashion fabric and reconstruct. With this now comes the customising – making it look like the photograph of the original gown.

 

You will note now the front is a sensible length? Lol! Sides to be trimmed.

Next step. Let's have a look back at the original bodice. Oh yes, tabs across front gold ruched section. Hooks and eyes all down one side for the bodice to be closed, so a small gold panel is put in place.

 

So far so good me thinks!

 

Take one gold ruched panel 12″ down to 41/4″ stitched in 4 places. Pin to inside right. Excited much!

Collar appeared to be slightly curved and lined in gold so that's what we now have.

 

Facings have been stitched in ready for hand finishing and that my friends is where it has been left.

Sleeves to be completed back in Oklahoma and embroidered lace to be created.

 

Cheers

Kat xo

P.S. Internet back on and back in Oklahoma. 🙂

 

Just Breathe….

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Ahhhhhhh, jobs are done, diary and book closed for the weekend and will open up on the other side of the world as we continue our adventures.

Looking forward to more workspace and my sample board for friendly reminders of colour choices and work ahead.

 

Looking forward to more challenges, fabric hunting, satisfying clients and enjoying the variety that is.

Kat xo

 

Next Batch

Posted on by kathousekelli70

As time draws near to packing up borrowed machines, the next batch has departed for new homes.

There's been tops, more skirts of varying styles and colours, more corsets, an 1890's Eton Jacket with a twist and a couple of men's vests thrown in for good measure. Well the latter takes care of the April challenge for Historical Sew Monthly – Gender Bender and I've finished them before the end of the month! Yippee!

I even managed to throw in a couple for myself while the black was on the machine.

 

Corsets to go!

 

One for Sweet Sherry.

 

Matching vest and corset for Kat Balloo and Yukon Mort.

 

Prescott vest in wool for Frank James.

 

A complete outfit for Ta Killa Sunrise in purple, cream and teal.

 

Saloon style skirts for Rea Coyle and her Eton jacket (altered sleeves and collar) trimmed with metallic silver thread decorative stitch.

 

Next!

Kat xo

 

Saturday…What More Can I Say?

Posted on by kathousekelli70

I don't think too many of us performed at any sort of fantastic shooting ability (except for Winchester who took out first place, cogratulations) today but did well at getting up to more cheek than necessary.

With only 3 women shooting today, we got up to more no good than usual and certainly enjoyed ourselves doing so. 😉

Mostly Pearl Starr and myself giggling on the sidelines or in the background!

 

A few cheeky comments thrown in for good measure with Prairie Joy.

 

Well maybe this group was up to no good too or telling lies!

 

Jack also managed to have a short play just with pistols to check his form. He wasn't particularly happy about speed but hello! He hit all the targets AND it's still early days buddy. All in good time, all in good time.

 

Great stages again by Mad Dog Tannen, no procedural for me today, so that was a plus but still a few too many misses for my liking and 8 stuck in the rifle……ouch!!


Everyone had fun and by 4.00pm we had finished 6 stages.

Dinner, drinks and more banter ensued. Gotta love any day out on the range!

Kat xo

 

‘The Green Behind The Gold’

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Tuesday we took a short trip up to Mt Tamborine to take a casual stroll down 'Gallery Walk'. We wandered in and out of small boutique shops and stopped in at the Gallery Cafe for Devonshire tea.

 

After our coffee, scones, jam and cream we kept on up the street to the 'Fig Tree Roundabout'. As the plaque states, the fig tree marks the site of the original home of one William Henry Crawford. He planted the tree across the road from his homestead to provide shade for the many walkers who passed by.

 

Across the road we ventured into a little shop called 'Bygone Days'. I could hardly contain myself as I looked through the various laces they had. Gorgeous, beautiful stunning laces at decent widths that would lend themselves to the most gorgeous 1800's gowns. They also had the most beautifully crafted reproduction velvet flowers for hats. Prices were excellent. I will be back!

As we meandered back down the road we stopped in at Le Chile Cafe for lunch and had beautiful bruschetta. I wanted Empanadas but they had run out.

 

Onwards to the 'Castle Glen' distillery, 'Fortitude Valley' brewing company for some liquor and beer tasting. The Lazy Knight was a winner – whiskey, white chocolate and ginger. We had a tasting paddle of 5 brews at the brew house.

 

Back in the car and we headed for the Mt Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk. A 40 minute walk through tracks of trees, figs, vines, and overhead walkways through rainforest canopy. There were various trees from palms, figs to the straightest, whitest, huge and beautiful gums I have seen in a long time. There were no orchids flowering at the moment either.

 

The cantilever platform was fantastic and we could see down to the floor and trickling little creek, listening to the sounds of cicadas and other forest noises……probably frogs.

 

That's it, back into the air conditioned car and headed back for an afternoon swim.

Kat xo

http://www.tamborinemtncc.org.au

https://www.facebook.com/Castle-Glen-wines-and-Cocktails-Montville-350574531728427/

http://fortitudebrewing.com.au

 

Change of Sport

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Last week before New Year we took some time out with the “kids” and went for a round of Putt Putt golf.

 

We had lunch at the tavern first and then hit the watercourse for some fun.

Well for 4 rather competitive players it was always going to be interesting from the outset.

 

It was a race at the start between Jack and Nick, Curstin and I later regaining a little (not really for me) with a 'hole in one' each.

 

We continued along the course completing silly putting requirements….

 

…and taking silly photos.

 

Jack soon took the lead, much to our disgust, shooting a total of '6 hole in one's' for the course.

 

The final result? 1st Jack, 2nd Curstin, 3rd Nick and yes, me, last. If I can smash it I'm fine, putting has never been my strong point.

A great day out. 🙂

Kat xo

 

 

Australian Outback Spectacular

Posted on by kathousekelli70

New Years Day and we went to the Australian Outback Spectacular, High Country Legends Show.

If you live in Australia or QLD or visit, then you really should at some stage take in one of the dinner shows, as it was shall we say, “spectacular”!

 

Now having been to the Dixie Stampede in Branson, Missouri our expectations were a little high but we were pleasantly surprised. It cannot be compared to the Dixie Stampede as they are both different shows but when you look at efficiency of service, food and entertainment as a whole, then the Aussie's faired equally.

A three course meal started with Roasted Pumpkin Soup, beautiful piece of rump steak, gravy, mashed potato, carrots, beans, corn and a roll finished with apple pie, cream and salted caramel sauce. Drink choices were water, lemonade, beer, and red or white wine.

Pre entertainment as we waited in the Brumby Bar was Reg singing Australian hits from through the years and then Bluey organising people by the colour of your hat band whether you were going to barrack for (blue) Bogong High Plains or (red) Warrego Station. So off to Warrego we went.

 

The show was great. Worked around a team from Warrego Station travelling to the high country down in Southern NSW and VIC for a camp draft, it was filled with Aussie humour, singing, trick riders, and stories about Tom Kruse who ran the mail contract through to Birdsville in 1947-1963, May Wirth who at 7 was sold to a circus, Bluey and his border collie dog Boof and the legend of the stagecoach to Omeo in the Victorian Alps.

The special effects were awesome, especially as they continued what was happening in the arena onto the (wall) big screen wih beautiful film footage and back into the arena again.

 

Congratulations R M Williams and the whole Outback Spectacular team, an awesome production!

You aren't supposed to take photos apparently even though it says in one spot on the internet, without flash. I truly couldn't help myself especially with the final piece and the Australian flag.

 

Cheers from down under

Kat xo

P.S. In the camp draft events etc, Warrego Station won! Go QLD.

 

http://outbackspectacular.com.au/the-show/high-country-legends/the-stories.aspx

http://www.rmwilliams.com.au/rm-the-man/RM_TheMan.html

 

What’s in a New Year?

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Jack and I wish all our family and friends, near and far, a wonderful, happy, healthy and prosperous New Year! May 2016 bring you all the joy and blessings you deserve.

 

We spent New Year's Eve at Ripley with some of the Queensland cowboys and my little one – shooting 4 stages, enjoying dinner and drinks afterwards with a few ringing in the New Year with a black powder salute.

 

Our New Year will hold a healthier Jackaroo, more travel and living each day to the fullest. You never know what's around the corner so make each and every day count – 365 days for 365 new memories.

Use them wisely 😉

Love to you all

Kat xo