shinyredthings.

Swings and Roundabouts.

Well, I’m over the rants. I’m over the urgency of this whole time-pressure explosive invention called a wedding. I’ve ticked a few boxes this week, and dealt with a few pressures, so am feeling much better.

I emailed my mum to stop her harassing me about random non-urgent things like oh, the seating order for the old people in the ten seats we’re allowed at our ceremony venue, or her dress. Its not that I don’t care, or that I don’t appreciate her help, but I’ve been madly building a letterpress machine, a dream machine for the MoDreamin’ Carnival Tour to Burning Man, and well, I was planning to make my own dress.

I’ve recently been re-thinking making that dress. I went to David’s Bridal for a very scary look at their stock, to see if anything with sleeves was remotely possible. It wasn’t. They were poufy. They were sparkly. They were everything my nightmares are made of. I ran far, and fast. They did, however, have some very nice bridesmaid dresses. On Tuesday, I went to Unbridaled, a very cute, lovely boutique. The people were very helpful, they suggested designer Stephanie James and I even tried on a dress.

IT WAS PRETTY. IT WAS ALSO $2200. ZOMG.

It had no beading, no decoration, it wasn’t silk, it was simple, it was short, and it was EXPENSIVE. Like, the most expensive thing I’ve ever worn expensive. They did, however, recommend a dressmaker - Coutures by Laura. Yesterday, I had a few hours up my sleeve, so trekked up there to talk to Laura. I took my swatches, my pattern, with an intention of getting a quote and coming home to think about it. After meeting her, however, we picked colours, fabrics and measured my sweaty body up (it was 110F, or around 42C yesterday). For $600 she’s making my dress, including fabric, petticoats and everything. YAY! I am so much less stressed. Life is good.

I also finished my letterpress - here are the instructions. Now, all I need is for Apple to process a fix so that VectorDesigner, the program our wedding invitations are saved on, will stop shitting itself SO I CAN FINISH THE BLOODY THINGS AND GET THE PLATE MADE. I have, however, received my beautiful card and envelopes from Cut Card Stock and they are GORGEOUS. Dick Blick has also shipped me my ink and brayer. Theoretically, I’m good to go. Except I don’t have a plate to print. LE SIGH.

Today’s plan is simple: do some soldering and sewing for the dream machine, then work on the invitations. Do what, you ask? I HAVE ENVELOPES! I have a white pen! I have… about a third of the addresses I need. I also may find some paper to make envelope linings today. EXCITE.

Oh, I realise this has been a pretty text heavy post. So here, to reward you for making it this far, here is a photo of my amaze-balls shoes.