So after a fairly unhappy and upsetting last week at home which ended with a rush trip to the vets to say goodbye to one of our beloved cats I'm now back at uni and ready...Ready for what exactly?
Well aside from the fact that my plans for editing this week fell through, its been a fairly productive and successful two days back.
Our editing slot is re-booked for Wednesday and Thursday; I got my essays handed in OK and on time (I never quite trust the posting it thing) and I got my first Documentary essay back with an extremely respectable and somewhat awesome mark of a 65. Especially awesome considering I thought I would fail it. Oh and I also had a productive trip to the job centre.
As I am planning a trip to Canada in the autumn I need to start saving my holiday fund. Today I spent some time going over my C.V. updating bits of it, adding to my personal statement and writing covering letters. I have got applications for sales assistant posts stamped and waiting to be sent off but most importantly I applied for a job with the BBC!.
I'm extremely excited about this because although it's not directly linked to the costume department it is a step in the right direction. It is a "studio opener" for the BBC Wales studio on the university campus. It would basically entail me opening up the studio, showing people around and setting up the equipment for broadcasts. Its only temporary but I don't really need anything more than that!
Boosted by the confidence of getting in that application I finally got my personal statement and C.V together enough to send off to LionTV a production company based in Glasgow and London. They are responsible for one of my favourite TV shows Victorian Farm so it would be amazing to even get contacted by them let alone work for them after graduation.
So after feeling really rubbish all weekend and then the crazy frustrating day of failed editing that was yesterday I'm finally feeling brighter and looking forward to the term ahead. Even if that does mean writing a 10,000 word dissertation.
Tuesday, 18 January 2011
Monday, 10 January 2011
A project post
So for my first project post, I decided to focus on something I've already made instead of a work in progress. So the first post is to show off my Gryffindor costume, obviously from the Harry Potter fandom.
Over christmas I finally got my hands on the patch for the robes so I was able to complete them.
To make these robes I searched for ages through Live Journal and google to find a pattern to use; unfortunately I couldn't find one I liked enough to alter but I did happen upon this site which gives a very clear step by step guide on how to alter a bought pattern to make the robes.
Instead of using a bought pattern I drew up a basic body block to fit my size using my Winifred Aldrich book and altered it using the steps on the website.
I used basic black poly-cotton for the outer and red for the lining. It is fully lined, including the hood.
As described on the website the hood is pointed and sits at the waist.
As a finish I added an internal wand pocket, which sits at my waists and is close enough to pull the wand out without too much trouble.
The robe was sewn both on an electric machine and using a hand crank machine. The pocket was hand stitched.
To make the closures, I fitted a small hook-and-eye closure to the inside of the robe, used a DIY covered button, covered with left over black fabric and black cord to make a frog.
the frog is stitched onto the robes on one side and attached at the opening of the robes. looping over the other button to give the llusion that it holds the robes together.
An example of the finished robes with the patch stiched on, sitting just below the frog.
It looks like its sitting awkwardly but it is just the way it lies on the mannaquin. :)
And a photo of the finished costume (although minus the patch)
To finish the costume I made a couple of ties. My first attempt with making a tie was in the style of the first two movies. Using an old tie from my dad's collection I took a pattern and cut it out in dark red/scarlet satin. I then stitched gold ribbon across it by machine. I then hand stitched it all back together.
Unfortunately, it did end up a bit long, because working on the bias is extremely hard, but you live and learn. My next tie was more successful. For this I went for the 3rd movie onwards tie. It took longer as I used thin ribbon with a slightly thicker one to match. Again this was fiddley especially keeping the ribbon straight and even. But I think it turned out well, it isn't as long and sits better when I'm wearing it.
To finish everything off I made a wand for myself. This is my second attempt, the first I made of willow which I whittled, then stained with ink and varnished. The handle was wrapped in leather thonging. For this one I used a piece of hazel which I whittled then varnished, the handle is wrapped in red ribbon.
Anyway I hope you guys like the costume. One of my favourite things about sewing and costuming is making the pattern up as I go along, and then it turning out successfully :) I have plans to perhaps sell robes and/or ties like this in my Etsy shop.
:)
Over christmas I finally got my hands on the patch for the robes so I was able to complete them.
To make these robes I searched for ages through Live Journal and google to find a pattern to use; unfortunately I couldn't find one I liked enough to alter but I did happen upon this site which gives a very clear step by step guide on how to alter a bought pattern to make the robes.
Instead of using a bought pattern I drew up a basic body block to fit my size using my Winifred Aldrich book and altered it using the steps on the website.
I used basic black poly-cotton for the outer and red for the lining. It is fully lined, including the hood.
As described on the website the hood is pointed and sits at the waist.
As a finish I added an internal wand pocket, which sits at my waists and is close enough to pull the wand out without too much trouble.
To make the closures, I fitted a small hook-and-eye closure to the inside of the robe, used a DIY covered button, covered with left over black fabric and black cord to make a frog.
An example of the finished robes with the patch stiched on, sitting just below the frog.
And a photo of the finished costume (although minus the patch)
To finish the costume I made a couple of ties. My first attempt with making a tie was in the style of the first two movies. Using an old tie from my dad's collection I took a pattern and cut it out in dark red/scarlet satin. I then stitched gold ribbon across it by machine. I then hand stitched it all back together.
:)
Thursday, 6 January 2011
plans and adventures
I have trouble with adventure.
For many years now I have strugggled with the idea of being spontaneous. I think it, along with many of my other issues links back to being bullied and the roots of my social anxiety. It is one of the reasons I hate airports, although I travel on my own frequently now and have travelled to Canada and back on my own I still struggle being in those situations just as when I began travelling to and from university by train I had to have a plan set out in my head of when and where I would be. All my life I have had plans and very firm ideas of what I want to do and how I'm going to get there. I have for many years lived my life by lists.
But as I was coming back from Glasgow today it occurred to be that many of my once firm plans have never come to fruition.
I had planned for many years to become a costume designer. I remember being in 3rd or 4th year in high school and attending the degree shows at the Edinburgh College of Art. Sitting on the lawns having lunch I instinctively knew that this was where I belonged. This was my future. So I made a plan: do my higher and advanced higher art; finish 6th year and head to ECA to study Performance Costume. That was to be my life for the next 5 years.
But then by the end of 5th year things had changed. I was fed up with school; I was itching for something new and challenging and by then I had begun to have doubts about ECA. I began looking at other universities, other possibilities. Then my best and favourite teacher, my art teacher in fact, left just as I was heading into my final year. This was the change point. I decided that summer tht I would leave school early, and as my parents gave me two options: Go to college or get a full-time job, I chose education, more learning.
I started Telford College in 2005 studying Theatre Costume Interpretation. This changed my life. Alot of the negative effects my experiances at school had had on me began to heal and change. My confidence grew and I finally knew that this was my path in life ( I know how ridiculously cheesy that sounds but it was true).
By Christmas of 1st year I had ideas in my head of working on Doctor Who, of leaving college and going into the industry straightaway.
But again, things changed. By Christmas of 2nd year I had found a course in Cardiff in Theatre Design I had always struggled with picking one thing I loved doing above everything else but this course seemed to be offering me it all. It was decided, even before I had visited the university the following February: I would go to university in Cardiff, but first I would take a year to do my portfolio. That was to be the next 4 years of my life.
Then Cardiff rejected me. Then I rejected (it was mutual rejection) my second choice of Rose Bruford in Kent. Then my third and final random choice rejected me. But I wasn't worried. I had my lists and I had a plan, I would spend the next year working on my portfolio to make it better, work in the industry a bit, gain some experiance and try for Cardiff the following year.
But I realised I couldn't wait another year before starting university. So I found Aberystwyth. I found that I could do Theatre Design and English Literature as a joint degree. I was sold. So new plan: head for Wales and get a joint degree in things I love to do.
2 and a half years later the plan has once again changed. I'm in the middle of my final year doing Film and Television Studies.
I guess my constant is that I still want to be costume designer but I also want to be so much more aswell.
What I am attempting to say in a long-winded way is that I spent years with solid plans, with firm ideas of where my life was headed. But now I'm standing at a crossroads (pardon the cheesy cliche) and I don't know what my plans are. I know vaguely where I want to go in terms of my career but I'm clueless on the rest. At one point it scared me. I have lots of friends graduating with me, many of whom have decided their plans for the next few years, possibly for their entire careers. But I, for once don't have a plan. I can't formulate a list.
When I travel to and from university on the train now, I am very often stress free. I know where I'm going and I know how to handle the problems that may arise. I can handle the journey like an adventure.
And finally, FINALLY I am beginning to see the rest of my life as an adventure, not a plan, not set in stone with lists and rules I must follow. I have a short term plan: open an Etsy shop and go to Canada to see my best friends. But aside from that I have no idea. I'm headed for an adventure and finally I'm excited :)
For many years now I have strugggled with the idea of being spontaneous. I think it, along with many of my other issues links back to being bullied and the roots of my social anxiety. It is one of the reasons I hate airports, although I travel on my own frequently now and have travelled to Canada and back on my own I still struggle being in those situations just as when I began travelling to and from university by train I had to have a plan set out in my head of when and where I would be. All my life I have had plans and very firm ideas of what I want to do and how I'm going to get there. I have for many years lived my life by lists.
But as I was coming back from Glasgow today it occurred to be that many of my once firm plans have never come to fruition.
I had planned for many years to become a costume designer. I remember being in 3rd or 4th year in high school and attending the degree shows at the Edinburgh College of Art. Sitting on the lawns having lunch I instinctively knew that this was where I belonged. This was my future. So I made a plan: do my higher and advanced higher art; finish 6th year and head to ECA to study Performance Costume. That was to be my life for the next 5 years.
But then by the end of 5th year things had changed. I was fed up with school; I was itching for something new and challenging and by then I had begun to have doubts about ECA. I began looking at other universities, other possibilities. Then my best and favourite teacher, my art teacher in fact, left just as I was heading into my final year. This was the change point. I decided that summer tht I would leave school early, and as my parents gave me two options: Go to college or get a full-time job, I chose education, more learning.
I started Telford College in 2005 studying Theatre Costume Interpretation. This changed my life. Alot of the negative effects my experiances at school had had on me began to heal and change. My confidence grew and I finally knew that this was my path in life ( I know how ridiculously cheesy that sounds but it was true).
By Christmas of 1st year I had ideas in my head of working on Doctor Who, of leaving college and going into the industry straightaway.
But again, things changed. By Christmas of 2nd year I had found a course in Cardiff in Theatre Design I had always struggled with picking one thing I loved doing above everything else but this course seemed to be offering me it all. It was decided, even before I had visited the university the following February: I would go to university in Cardiff, but first I would take a year to do my portfolio. That was to be the next 4 years of my life.
Then Cardiff rejected me. Then I rejected (it was mutual rejection) my second choice of Rose Bruford in Kent. Then my third and final random choice rejected me. But I wasn't worried. I had my lists and I had a plan, I would spend the next year working on my portfolio to make it better, work in the industry a bit, gain some experiance and try for Cardiff the following year.
But I realised I couldn't wait another year before starting university. So I found Aberystwyth. I found that I could do Theatre Design and English Literature as a joint degree. I was sold. So new plan: head for Wales and get a joint degree in things I love to do.
2 and a half years later the plan has once again changed. I'm in the middle of my final year doing Film and Television Studies.
I guess my constant is that I still want to be costume designer but I also want to be so much more aswell.
What I am attempting to say in a long-winded way is that I spent years with solid plans, with firm ideas of where my life was headed. But now I'm standing at a crossroads (pardon the cheesy cliche) and I don't know what my plans are. I know vaguely where I want to go in terms of my career but I'm clueless on the rest. At one point it scared me. I have lots of friends graduating with me, many of whom have decided their plans for the next few years, possibly for their entire careers. But I, for once don't have a plan. I can't formulate a list.
When I travel to and from university on the train now, I am very often stress free. I know where I'm going and I know how to handle the problems that may arise. I can handle the journey like an adventure.
And finally, FINALLY I am beginning to see the rest of my life as an adventure, not a plan, not set in stone with lists and rules I must follow. I have a short term plan: open an Etsy shop and go to Canada to see my best friends. But aside from that I have no idea. I'm headed for an adventure and finally I'm excited :)
Wednesday, 5 January 2011
2 AM ramblings
don't get me wrong, when i was going through my goth phase i wore a lot of make up. i mean really fucking heavy black eyes. but i was 13 and still experimenting. i still hated the feel of foundation and i couldn't do mascara because my lashes, mascara and my glasses don't mix well. but to be honest i have never really understood the whole make up thing. to tell you the truth it bores me. even when i was a goth, i never felt naked or unfinished if i went out without my make up on, the make up was just additional, optional even.
people talk of their five minute face, of what products they have to use in the morning even if they are running half an hour behind. i will never understand this. if i was going out and i was running late my make up was just not done, or i would do it when i got to my destination if it were particularly important for me to have make up for that particular occasion.
my five minute face is my basic face, i wash with hot water, maybe soap/cleanser from lush then cold water. most days its just water. people wonder why i have such good skin its because i don't cover it in gunk. and really concealer doesn't conceal anything it just makes people look like they have massive spots/scabs covered in cream or paint.
i don't understand make up, i certainly don't understand people's "addictions" to it. its expensive, its time consuming and personally i think all my friends look so much better WITHOUT make up; thats ALL my friends. they always look fresher, healthier and better without it.
just another thing that will always confuse me i guess :)
on another random note i want to try make gefilte fish...sounds yummy :)
people talk of their five minute face, of what products they have to use in the morning even if they are running half an hour behind. i will never understand this. if i was going out and i was running late my make up was just not done, or i would do it when i got to my destination if it were particularly important for me to have make up for that particular occasion.
my five minute face is my basic face, i wash with hot water, maybe soap/cleanser from lush then cold water. most days its just water. people wonder why i have such good skin its because i don't cover it in gunk. and really concealer doesn't conceal anything it just makes people look like they have massive spots/scabs covered in cream or paint.
i don't understand make up, i certainly don't understand people's "addictions" to it. its expensive, its time consuming and personally i think all my friends look so much better WITHOUT make up; thats ALL my friends. they always look fresher, healthier and better without it.
just another thing that will always confuse me i guess :)
on another random note i want to try make gefilte fish...sounds yummy :)
Sunday, 2 January 2011
First post in a new place.
I'm used to angsty ranting blogging on livejournal so this will be a new experiance for me. I want this blog to be tales from my life, notes on projects i'm working on, and my plans for my life after i graduate.
I'm starting this blog now because I know 2011 will be an interesting year for me so I want to document it.
i guess that's it for now, see you all soon :)
p.s because i can't get the damn widget to work here's a link to my dailybooth http://www.dailybooth.com/troglodyte_who8
I'm used to angsty ranting blogging on livejournal so this will be a new experiance for me. I want this blog to be tales from my life, notes on projects i'm working on, and my plans for my life after i graduate.
I'm starting this blog now because I know 2011 will be an interesting year for me so I want to document it.
i guess that's it for now, see you all soon :)
p.s because i can't get the damn widget to work here's a link to my dailybooth http://www.dailybooth.com/troglodyte_who8
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