2015 Year in Review (or: Sorry, I’ve been busy…)

Another year gone and evidently I’ve been so busy that I’ve neglected to update my site for ages. Apologies lovely readers. I promise to try harder in 2016!

Let’s get you up to speed shall we?

August: Worked as Props and Wardrobe co-ordinator for a local independent theatre company. A Fake razorblade, tricking out a 1980s cocktail dress to be more 1950s, and lots of thrift store shopping.

Theatre Props (x-files badges and fake razor)

Theatre Props (x-files badges and fake razor)

Made 6′ gold sequin prop fans for a production of Sister Act.

Giant fans in progress.

Giant fans in progress.

Accessories for a friend’s wedding including custom bow ties, a belt for her dress, veil, hairpiece from vintage broaches, flower girl dresses, and mini bow tie and veil for the cake toppers (blog post coming soon!).

Custom Bow ties for Groomsmen and Groom by HLB

Custom Bow ties for Groomsmen and Groom by HLB

Shrunk and split an Icelandic wool sweater for the boy (my first steek!)

My first Steek. Icelandic wool sweater.

My first Steek. Icelandic wool sweater.

Bought a house with zero curb appeal that needed LOTS of work, but it’s from 1897 and close to downtown and we will make it lovely!

We bought a house!

We bought a house!

 

#nerdalert Scale drawing of the #newoldhouse

#nerdalert Scale drawing of the #newoldhouse

September: House renos, packing all the things, no sleep, crazy times.

#newoldhouse needed lots of TLC

#newoldhouse needed lots of TLC

 

#newoldhouse needed lots of TLC

#newoldhouse needed lots of TLC

October: Theatre costumes and props for a local Shakespearean theatre tour.

Carved out workspace in the #newoldhouse

Carved out workspace in the #newoldhouse

 

Elizabethan ruff for theatre by HLB.

Elizabethan ruff  by HLB.

 

Fun with props. Guest list for Romeo and Juliet.

Fun with props. Guest list for Romeo and Juliet. #nomontagues

More house renos…

Bathroom floor getting better.

Bathroom floor getting better. Walls still pretty rough.

 

Bare drywall and gross beige walls

Bare drywall and gross beige walls.

November: Wardrobe work. Alterations, body padding and spider legs. Hand painted signage for a short film.

Fitting spider legs for children's theatre show.

Fitting spider legs for children’s theatre show.

 

Hand lettered signage for a short film by HLB

Hand lettered signage for a short film by HLB

 

December: Trying to slow down and failing. A wedding dress makeover (blog post coming soon).

Original 1949 Wedding Gown back neck detail

Original 1949 Wedding Gown back neck detail

Six very large “dancing dresses” for a production of Billy Elliot (will post full pics once the show is over!).

6 massive dresses (Theatre Props) and tulle for the Wedding gown.

Dresses (Theatre Props) and tulle for the Wedding gown.

Lots of baking (making up for past years when I had even less time!)

Yule Log realness (glutenfree and delicious!) by HLB

Yule Log realness (gluten-free and delicious!) by HLB

 

Shortbread experiments 2015.

Shortbread experiments 2015.

 

Gingerbread people and 'ABC' sugar cookies. All GF and EF.

Gingerbread people and ‘ABC’ sugar cookies. All GF and EF.

Went Victorian on xmas decor:

Victorian style xmas decor.

Victorian style xmas decor. Holly and Ivy and Mistletoe.

Xmas gifts for little people.

My niece is really into Spiderman.

My niece is really into Spiderman. Circle skirt by HLB

 

Tulle skirt/petticoat by HLB

Tulle skirt/petticoat by HLB

 

Bunny tail leggings from thrifted sweaters by HLB

Bunny tail leggings from thrifted sweaters by HLB

 

Vintage Knitwear inspired sweater vest by HLB

Vintage Knitwear inspired sweater vest by HLB

My oldest nephew was disappointed in the lack of capes at Auntie Heather’s and at home.

Nephew Cape by HLB.

Nephew Cape by HLB. He is doing his Darth Vader impression.

And xmas gifts for clients to give to their relatives:

Custom bow tie and matching child's version by HLB

Custom bow tie and matching child’s version by HLB

 

Custom Advent Calendar by HLB

Custom Advent Calendar by HLB

And a themed headpiece for me!

Birthday Dance Party Snowball headgear by HLB

Dance Party Snowball headgear by HLB

Now that the house is well in hand (I’m not spending every waking minute working on it), my general goals are to stop overloading myself and try to find better balance in my life. This means taking the day or night off more often, attempting to avoid stressful work environments, and making more time to finish my own projects (and excuses to bake and cook good food). Of course I also hope to keep up with blogging and share more of my makes (and past makes) to remind myself of what I have accomplished and what I want to do more of. Let’s all have an awesome 2016!

~ Heather

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