Day 3 – Music Dozen challenge report back

Voice: 1 3/4 hours. Barbershop  last night which is usually 2 hours ended a little early. I’m being honest here…
Dulcimer: 35 mins. I’m pleased that I squeezed in some dulcimer practice after dinner and before heading off for barbershop.

Day 2- Music Challenge Report Back

Voice, 1 hr, 45 mins, 30 mins exercises, 45 mins songs. Yes! As I sing in a women’s barbershop chorus, there’s lots of material to revise.

Dulcimer, 15 mins. Better than nothing.

Pennywhistle, 20 mins.

I intended to practice piano  in church choir room in the afternoon, but fell asleep. 2 days in a row caught napping! Most unlike me, but I guess I needed it.

This first week I’ll probably report daily, after that it’s likely to be less frequent.

Day 1 report back – Music Dozen

Pennywhistle – 15 mins. It’s hard to stop when that timer goes. Good thing right? I don’t know where to practice the super high notes, which are extremely shrill. I bet they bore through the walls and into neighbour’s ear drums. This may have to be an outside at lunchtime during the work week thing. How shrill are these notes? (high b, c, d). Well, the instruction book, recommends wearing ear plugs when practising them!

Dulicimer – 1 hour.

Voice – none. I was tired and had a nap in the middle of the day. Woke up and was still very lethargic for a couple of hours. Then evening chores took over, and as I did dulcimer practice in the evening, no time for singing. I should’ve gone for a walk after the nap, so the fresh air could wake me up properly.

When looking at my schedule and how to fit this in, I realize that 12 hours a week is ambitious (I knew it was, but didn’t fully understand how ambitious).  Time in the morning, as well as evening has to be used, and some lunch break time also. But the potential for major improvement is a big incentive for me.

The 1 Month Music Dozen Challenge – Part 2

What is the challenge?
To practice 12 hours a week for 1 month.

What is the point of it?
Improvement on a musical instrument requires time spent practicing. Regular practice. I am not very good at sticking to this. I would like to push myself to see if for just 1 month I can be consistent and disciplined.  Others might like to do it too, which is why I’m writing this post. Its also a way to be held at ransom  accountable for this crazy idea.

When does it start?
I am going to start this on the 1st February and as February has 28 days, that’s 4 weeks exactly. Anyone can start anytime.

I like the idea of it, but 12 hours sounds like a lot. Can I do a smaller challenge? Certainly. How about the 1 Month Music Half A Dozen Challenge – 6 hours of practice a week?  It’s more about challenging yourself to set goals, plan your time and commit to doing this for only a month, then it is about the exact number. I  like the challenge and 12 is a nice sounding number… half of 24 hours… etc.  But whatever you decide on, don’t make it too easy. After all 1 hour a week isn’t much of a challenge. You need to raise the bar a bit higher in order to see improvements.

Rules:
1) The practice must be done with purpose. Practice to improve technique, to learn a piece of music. Casual singing in the car to the radio doesn’t count. Noodling around on an instrument doesn’t count, because if you’ve got time to noodle, then you’ve got time to practice purposefully. (I have to draw the line somewhere.)

2) Performances, eg singing a solo in church doesn’t count as practice, neither does the warm up for the performance. Leaning and polishing the piece counts though. Deciding on a piece to learn, that process of playing a bit to see if you like it etc, doesn’t count.

3) The practicing is a physical thing –  it can be any instrument, voice included. It could be conducting . It doesn’t include studying music, composing, music theory lessons, etc.

4) Participation in external structured rehearsals – for singers or musicians and formal music lessons count.

5) A goal is set for the practice, so you can gauge improvement by the end of the month. Write this down to remember and refer back to. Be realistic.  It may be helpful to record yourself on day 1 and then on day 28.  

6) If you decide to practice more than one instrument, it can vary each week, both type of instrument and duration, but obviously don’t spread yourself thin.

7) If you don’t make the 12 hour quota one week, don’t try to make it up the following week – just aim to get in 12 hours that week. But analyse why you didn’t make it. Perhaps you could’ve arranged your daily routine  differently.

I will post updates on Facebook and here. Maybe another person will be inspired to give it a go?  Everything worthwhile requires effort. I want to improve and I want to see if I can stick it out. It’s part curiosity, part desire to improve, part frustration with my old behaviours.

The 1 Month Music Dozen Challenge – part 1

Who Knows Where The Time Goes?

I’d been thinking about time. How I spend it. How it disappears. How I have trouble keeping track of it. How I complain I never have enough time to do X, Y, Z. I’ve spent years hitting my head against the same brick wall for so long I’ve finally made a dent in a brick.

It’s not about the big blocks of time, you’ll never have enough of those. It’s about the little chunks of time there for the taking every day.

I love music. It makes me happy. I’m also am fascinated by various instruments, their sound, shape, history. I’ve had a lifelong envy of those who play effortlessly, those who play multiple instruments. Those who can just pick up an instrument and start making music with it. 

I would like to be able to play more than one instrument. It started with the dulcimer. Then Godspell reminded me of the soprano recorder from primary school (All Good Things has a recorder solo).  Practicing that little melody brought back memories as a child wandering around the backyard, recorder in mouth, producing  that piercing, painful squawk that comes from blowing too hard.

I started collecting instruments that were inexpensive and interesting and sounded nice.  Last year I bought a super cheap second hand Yamaha alto recorder on ebay. That’s a good brand of recorder and being plastic means it’s washable. Then I bought an Irish pennywhistle – (tuned to “D”). Between the soprano recorder and the pennywhistle that’s a lot of lot of high notes. The alto is a pleasing mellow contrast.

My voice is also an instrument – a new one – recently discovered in the last couple of years.  And lastly I have a midi keyboard. It’s usually covered in papers, but sometimes I play some scales and wince at my clumsy, stiff fingers. I’ve also noticed that the bass clef is not so easy for me to read. I’m always exposed to treble clef, but now with the bass clef I have to do the memorization trick to name the notes… (All Cows Eat Grass Best/ Good Boys Deserve Fun Always)

So I now have multiple instruments, but I don’t practice them nearly enough. Voice and dulcimer have some recognised skill but the woodwinds are awful.  I work full time. I have other hobbies. Sometimes I am sick. Sometimes I want to relax in bed with laptop and read silly celebrity gossip in the Daily Mail.  Sometimes I want to sleep.  It’s hard to find the time to practice!!

That’s how my idea of the 1 Month Music Dozen Challenge came along.

30 days of healthy eating. Sometimes you have to do it.

Starting tomorrow, a friend and I are doing this 30 day cut out some foods plan. It’s on the internet. For 30 days, that’s 2 more days than February, you know, for 30 whole days, there will be no more:

Grains
White potatoes
Corn
Legumes – peas, various dried beans, chickpeas, lentils
Peanut butter
Soy
Dried Fruit
Sweeteners, including honey and maple syrup
Highly processed foods with unpronounceable ingredients

Ok, it’s restrictive but doable… but wait, there’s more.

For 30 whole days, no more:

Alcohol
Chocolate

Chocolate
Alcohol

Did I say no more alcohol and chocolate?

This terrible thought is expressed perfectly by the Scream Sushi Quartet 

It’s not that I drink a lot of wine or guzzle chocolate every day. I’m quite restrained, but psychologically it’s the fact that I cannot have these for 30 days that is making me think about how good some red wine and dark chocolate would be right now. The sweet fruit of forbidden temptations…

But while the authors of this 30 day limited diet also say to renounce dairy, I am drawing the line in the sand there. 30 days without cheese or no milk in my coffee would be purgatory.

So I will eat dairy, vegetables, fruits, meats, eggs, nuts, good oils, even butter. Doesn’t sound so bad. Coffee and tea are still ok.

Every once in a while I need to do something completely different to force myself to adopt better eating habits. Whether it is a 10 day juice fast or this 30 day cutting out starch/sugar/processed foods thing, I need the physical and psychological kick in the pants to make me change my lazy ways. I haven’t been doing much cooking, or meal planning lately. Veggies have gone bad in the fridge. I’ve sunk lower down the food preparation chain and subsisted on grilled cheese sandwiches, pizza, fruit and an occasional glass of chocolate milk.

I’m doing this  with a friend for support. She did it last year to shift some post-baby weight and it worked very well for her. I’m hoping it will do the same for me. I need a change.

February Is Going to be a Good Month

February will be fantastic, fun, fruitful and fulfilling.

It’s going to be filled with music.

It not only has a public holiday in it, but Winterfest, a 2 day acoustic music festival with interesting workshops and the chance to catch up with the other dulcimer players I met at HCAMP. Winterfest is also where  I can get a 1 1/2 fret added to my dulcimer (extends chord/note possibilities) and buy useful dulcimer related accessories, like a light but sturdy folding chair with a triangular seat that makes you sit up straight plus a dulcimer bag with straps so you can wear it like a backpack and keep your hands free.

February has a lot of music practice and planning for the Easter concert. Traditional hymns and gospel songs, old-timey spirituals to sing and play on dulcimer.  I get to sing solo, with people, and harmony parts and play with other musicians.

February is the month where I am introduced to the ways of a new instrument – the autoharp.

February also has a Duets concert at the church as a fundraiser for children’s music camp this summer. I’m not performing in it, but I’ll be in the audience, applauding.

February also has the monthly songwriter’s meetup and I will go this month. The same organizer is also running a “Build A Song” course – 6 session, every alternate week, starting 18th ‘February. The cost is very reasonable. I’m going to do it.

February is a busy time at work but it’s good to be busy. I need to be busy and complete work to get a day off for Winterfest!

It’s going to be a month of healthy eating, more exercise and losing some weight.

It’s going to be sociable, spending time with friends. It’s the month for a good friend’s birthday and it’s good to celebrate birthdays.

February will have some sewing and knitting time. I have some projects to finish and new ones to start. I have some children’s costumes to organize  for a little production in March. Plus I intend to help out another community theatre group  and so strengthen connections and friendships.

February is when I’m going to start some chilli pepper seeds.  Last year’s crop was pitiful, although the oldest chilli pepper plant did produce – in the winter months. 

So much is going to happen, yet it’s only 28 days! Bring it on!

Invited to a Wedding

Yesterday I went to a Friend’s wedding. Evening, ceremony plus nice dinner. Very civilized. Also kept to the resolution of not buying new RTW this year – by finding this dress at the local thrift store. It was ankle grazing so I got the hem taken up at a local drycleaners. Why didn’t I do it myself? Lack of time, was sick in bed for a couple of days, no thread the right colour and  nervous of botching it up. There, a convincing list of excuses dontcha think?

I’m going get over the no posting pics of me here. Ho hum, who cares anyway? Dress is a periwinkle blue polyester crepe-like kind of fabric, lined. It looks like a 2 piece, but it’s really a dress. The top part has some beading on it which was in pretty good condition for 2nd hand. 

New shoes bought by the bride at an outlet place, so I reckon they don’t count as contradicting my resolution, as I didn’t purchase them. The shoes were a thank you for doing the table decorations which is why I had no time to take up the hem of the dress. They’re Naturalizers, comfy and well made.  I was originally thinking nude heels, but I liked these much better.

And as proof that I did indeed do the table flowers, I’m including a pic of some tables – nothing fancy,  just some fake flowers in glass vases the bride had already. For a 2-3 hour event, why go to any great expense? I even made the bouquet.  The bride was  happy and that’s the most important thing!   I got a bit teary listening to the vows, but I’m a sooky schmaltz-ball. The couple deserve every happiness and blessing coming their way.

Happy New Year: 2014

Happy New Year. I’m sending my wishes out in cyberspace, and even if no one but me reads it, my wishes are there, gently wafting about…

And the traditional resolutions: Those good intentions that slip after a few weeks?

Mine range from the quickly done to long term.

1. Clean my car!

2. Work on music and singing

3. Improve health – in 4 months time I go back to the Dr for a cholesterol check, I want to get that number lower next time. This means improved diet and more exercise. Oh and drinking more water too, I never drink enough.

4. Continue the sewing/knitting/crochet/crafty stuff.

Wishes 2 to 4 need to be further defined into steps to reach those goals. I’ll work on defining that. But I already have thought about what steps to take for #4.

It recently struck me that I really didn’t buy any new clothes in 2013 (except for a bit of underwear, and some knee-highs). Truly, I just wore what I had already (over and over and over). If anyone who knows me in person read this, they‘d nod and think: So that’s why you looked like a mess a lot of the time…

Sure I bought a few things from the thrift store – summer robe, fat jeans, slouchy pants, black cardigan,a pair of gym pants. That’s it. I just wore the same stuff.

Now I can dress ok for work and look presentable and I occasionally get a compliment from a coworker about “looking nice”,  but my casual clothes are awful. Really. At the level of sweat pants and baggy tshirts awful. And I was doing things on the weekends and evenings, doing things with other people, and so I was always aware of how frumpy I must’ve looked.

Anyway, I decided that seeing as I bought no new clothes last year by accident and neglect, that I would not buy new clothes this year either, but on purpose and with a plan. My plan is to make my clothes, or thrift them, or re-purpose. I’ll allow purchases of new bra(s), sports socks, pantyhose/knee highs and a bathing costume. I’ll learn how to sew knickers even. Fabrics are to be sourced 2nd hand or discounted. Notions – secondhand or else discounted. Patterns – free or 2nd hand. I’m hoping this will stretch my skills and creativity, and also help me figure out my style.

This no-frills DYI approach to one’s wardrobe isn’t original, others have done this and blogged about it. But I think it’s time I had a go.

It also means updating this blog on a regular basis, so Happy New Year to y’all, and lots of persistence and dedication in whatever resolution you decide to take on.

2013 in Review… sort of

Despite neglecting this blog for the year, I did do stuff.

Showed a friend how to make this:  Fig Jam. Figs were the best kind –  free from a co-worker’s tree.

For Thanksgiving I had the turkey smoked – completely new thing for me and oh boy it was delicious!! This guy across the road had a smoker business that kicked in for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Should’ve talked to him about smoking meats much much sooner.

Sewing Stuff

2013 was the year of being introduced to the perils (and fun) of community theatre. Godspell was in April – I made a costume for me out of thrift store stuff – it looked like I’d run away from the circus. (Or maybe running away to the circus).  Also made 3 pharisee hats and a fringed hippy vest for Jesus.  I liked the hats, and if I find a photo, I’ll post it.

August to November – Jane Eyre the Musical. Much grander and more complicated than Godspell. Agreeing to be costume mistress, as well as being in the show, took me down this super busy path of rehearsals and sew, sew, sew for 3 months. A lot of costumes were fortunately sourced from other theatre groups. But it was still a lot of sewing even with help. Next time? Organize even earlier, get more people to help out and delegate more.

I had a couple of parts in the show – the crazy wife, Bertha –  who screams, laughs maniacally, is an arsonist, attacks and bites people, then jumps to her death. How could you not love doing that? Costume: Christian Dior nightgown from thrift store. (You read that right – Christian Dior!) Gauze curtain veil with comb stitched to it. Pantaloons underneath to preserve modesty during all the kicking and biting.

I was also the bitter spinster schoolmistress, Miss Scatcherd in early scenes at Lowood School.  Costume: black long skirt, black thrifted jacket reshaped to be a bodice and the most whitest starchiest collar possible.

Mostly though, the costumes were put together from what we had, and finishing touches sewn from scratch to make it look “period”.

 

Eg, the Housekeeper: Lappet cap from Butterick B5663.  Black long skirt and a black long sleeved top which had cuffs added to it – shirt sleeve cuffs and some broderie anglaise lace.  Added a large white apron, and scarf with pin, and voila – Mrs Fairfax came to life. (Review of B5663 here on Pattern Review.

Some outfits only needed more trim. One of the dresses for Adele, Rochester’s little French ward, this yellow crepe outfit, only needed extra trim to take it from plain to pretty.

Jane Eyre got me using a hot glue gun for the first time ever. Yes, by nature, crafty stuff doesn’t come naturally to me. I’ve never woken up and thought: What can I hot glue today?

But some flower accessories for the party ladies were needed – hair or brooches. I made more than was needed, but as I was enjoying the process, I kept on making them.

Making these period undergarments got me doing a little hand embroidery and crochet again. Funny how the brain/muscles remember how to do the stitches. Fabric was muslin. Review of camisole here, and pantaloons here.

I’m kinda proud of this cape, it’s made from a thrifted bias skirt I’d bought ages ago because I liked the fabric. So pleased to have used something from the stash box in my closet. I made it reversible, the skirt was already lined, so I added fake fur trim along the bottom. Two of my grandmother’s vintage buttons were used. I do need to move the buttons though, and I really should have sewn something to that edge to stop it wobbling – twill tape? Well we learn from our mistakes. I bound the edges with black velvet ribbon. The top edge (neckline) was some black wool saved from a skirt I’d altered. (See? It’s good to save scraps!) This cape was worn by Jane Eyre and I kept it for myself, but I won’t wear it until I fix those issues of the button placement and the wavy bound edge.  The photo doesn’t do the colour justice, it’s a defiantly red plaid.

Perhaps someone needs to know how to make a gentleman’s necktie – a stock and bow style necktie? Make a band to fit around the neck, velcro at the back. This band (the stock) was made from either white or black fabric. Then make 2 other bands, longer and narrower and stitch them at the front of the neck band, positioned to be on either side of the neck (but still fairly towards the  front).  This replicates the stock and bow  style nicely, I think.

 

Sometimes on costumes I added details that the audience would never see, but I knew they were there, and the wearer of the costume and others on stage knew they were there. I’m detail oriented, and can’t resist them, no matter that they take extra time.

This is the cuff of the coat worn by the footman. Had to have gold buttons.

Here’s the cast photo – it’s a major accomplishment for me to think that all these people – adults and children – are dressed the way they are because of me! I had so much fun planning what the outfits should look like, then it’s a challenge to match the reality with the vision in my head and accept that somethings won’t work. But sourcing/altering/coming up with the necessary bits and pieces. – wow, the end result turned out so much better than I had hoped. Miss Scatcherd (me) is on the end, far right. The walking stick was truly needed. About 2 weeks before the performances, I pulled a calf muscle. Never knew how painful that could be! The walking stick was a good prop for the schoolteacher, good for poking and pointing at those dreadful Lowood charity school children. (This Lowood was rather progressive – it included boys as well as girls). The condition of the facility and attitudes of the teachers, though, remained unchanged.

After Jane Eyre was finished and all the costumes sorted, cleaned and returned to their rightful owners, you’d think I would want to pack away the sewing machine for a rest. But no! I wanted to make something for me, that wasn’t a costume. Pattern Review was having it’s Vintage Pattern competition. I hoped to enter this 1973 dress, but had fitting issues and missed the November 30 deadline.

I’m still finishing it – but I have fixed (as well as I can) the fitting issues.  It was all about the princess seam at the front and the side seams and the back darts. Pushed myself a bit there – never dealt with princess seams before.  Two toiles of the bodice were a no go, tissue fitting helped fix a workable muslin. Oh then I go and read that you should make the skirt muslin as well so the bodice has that weight. Whoops.  Well it was only the 2nd time I’ve made a toile.

I had grand plans for Christmas gifts to be handmade. PatternReview had a sale of its Simplicity patterns, I bought a few, including this jacket pattern: I bought some Polartec fleece on sale online and intended them to be jackets/ vests, using this pattern. I’ll get there.  Starting handmade gifts at the beginning of December is not enough time. 2014 – will be more organized.

Also in the Simplicity bundle was this pattern (2745): intended to be a gift for a friend, for her little girl. Not quite finished, I’m getting there though. It will be the darndest cutiest coat ever seen by the time I’m done with it.

I won’t mention either 3776 or 1630 bought on a whim in the same sale. Or the super cheap “Sew Easy” patterns I found at Walmart.  (A cape? Why not!)

Knitting

Knitting in 2013 was only dishcloths. To use and to give as a gift. These were actually made in time for Christmas. During the year I also bought some really nice yarn and more needles from a shop that was closing down. Plus  a few pattern/pattern books. I even bought that famous classic “Knitting Without Tears” by Elizabeth Zimmerman.  As everything was discounted heavily I went crazy and presented an overflowing handbasket to the cash register then had to put most of it back because I’d gone way, way over budget.  This shop had a casual weekly Thursday evening knitting group and I never made it to a session. Too late now, alas.

I am though knitting my first ever pair of socks  on circular needles (that will work) as part of K-Line’s Sock-A-Long. Once upon a time I attempted socks on DPNs (double point needles). This mangled thing was the outcome.  Yes I managed to turn the heel, and even changed wool colours, but the leg part is way too tight – impossible to pull on.  Clearly wrong sort of casting on, and wrong size to begin with. But, with a bit of catnip in the toe, at least it has life as a cat toy:

Crochet

Returned to the crochet hook a little this year. A mediocre dishcloth and some eyelet trim for threading through ribbon to tie the leg cuffs of Jane Eyre’s pantaloons. The foible with crochet is that I remember how to do some stitches but have no idea what they’re called, so following a pattern means looking up the stitches.

Pets

2013 was also the year for Cats. This one got sick (ugh expensive vet bills) and finally came home but had a sore on his back resulting from a reaction to the injection site. In order for the sore to be left alone and not constantly scratched/licked, I made a little sweater, self-drafted. The armbands and neckband are the ribbed tops of old socks. Grey knit came from old pj pants. If I were to do this again, I’d make the armholes a little bigger.  Kitty didn’t mind, and it did allow the sore to heal – and much better than making him wear the cone of shame.

 

In 2013 I also took in this little fellow.  How cute is that kitten? He was rescued from a drain pipe in a piece of machinery at my workplace. He was extremely hungry and yelling about it, and covered in grease. One eye was closed, completely gummed up with grease.  Who knows how long he had been stuck down this pipe, but the co-worker who heard his mews, had to reach in as far as his elbow to pull this furry scrap  out by his ears.

Craft Fail

How pretty is a real Christmas tree. I attempted some home made Christmas ornaments to add to what I already had.  The results were mixed.

This was a fail. Slices of orange are dried out in the oven then strung on the tree – positioned in front of a light, they’re not only fragrant, but have a lovely orange glow from the light behind it

As you can see, drying them in the oven led to the majority burning. A few ended up on the tree. Not much smell either. Lesson learned. Just eat the oranges next time, ok? 

 

This star is made from cinnamon and applesauce. A dough is made, rolled out and shapes cut out. Don’t forget to poke a hole in them, and bake. I then glued glitter to them. Pretty! However, these didn’t smell much once they’d cooled down.

However I’d made a lot of dough and left it sitting out for a few days. I finally got around to using it up for more shapes, and these ones smell much more strongly. Huh? Maybe the fragrance had to “develop”.  No, they’re not edible.

Surprises

A co-worker who is cleaning out his garage, asked if I’d like to take an old sewing machine off his hands. Do I really want an old sewing machine? I gave him $25 and in return got a Singer 403A with pedal and case but missing spool pins. The rubber bobbin tire and feet are also perished. But apparently it does still go. The Kenmore is a good machine for me, but its plastic bits inside. Once in a while the Kenmore has the sewing machine equivalent of a brain-fart and I have to turn it off/on again to get it to work properly. I would like to try an old mechanical machine for comparison. Something with metal inside that will last. (Although when people say that, what are they thinking – the next 100 years?)

The “can’t resist a bargain” in me is saying “yes! take it!”. The sensible side of me is saying: “where are you going to put this? It’s heavy and takes up room. Most importantly the persistent chiding inner voice says: “You’ve already got a good sewing machine that will do everything for your sewing needs – you don’t sew every day or every week. Stop being foolish.”

But it can’t hurt to look at it and play around for a bit, can it? I’ll clean it up and see how it runs…I’ve never sewn on a Singer (unbelievable, but true) so I’m curious to try it out.

Oh… one last exciting piece of news. During the costume making binge, I was loaned the use of a dress form. It was old and couldn’t be adjusted much, but still proved to be quite useful – bodices could be put on it, and so much easier to see how new trims would look. etc. I started to want one quite badly. This was compounded by the 1973 dress and all the fitting issues – how awkward it is to try and tissue fit yourself – or put on a toile and then in the mirror try and pin the excess or mark it up. Oh if only I had a dressform!

I began to research….My Christmas present to myself was a Dritz My Double Delux and fitting form pads. It was a good buy – a returned item on Amazon.  I’m looking forward to using this – even though I have worked out the fitting for the 1973 dress.

I’m excited about using the dress form, but at the same time feel very guilty for indulging myself.  I think I’ll pin this note on the corkboard that’s on a wall in the sewing corner:

To my new owner; thanks for buying me but I cost you $112 ($134 with sales tax). So, how many times have you used me this month?

And that was 2013. I wonder what’s ahead for 2014?