Update All the Things!

Lack of blogging is not the same as lack of doing. I've been working full time and have not had a solid internet connection for the last 2 months, hence the break. Here's an extra long run down of project statuses.

Nightstand
The nightstand is complete! Such a pretty thing, you are, too! I'm very impressed by how the veneer turned out. This is the original wood, stripped of lacquer and stained. Next step is to find a resale shop that will get us the best value on the sale.

Before - Missing a drawer side and 2 pieces of trim veneer.

Completed - Stained exterior, painted interior. 

Watchmaker's Desk
Remember this guy? We were able to date it to Circa 1930-40 by the Bakelite plugs, located inside the left leg. I've given it a good cleaning with gentle soap, and we'll be refinishing the top only, and connecting new, period correct wiring to the two outlets before we put it up for sale. For you "Antiques Road Show" junkies out there - YES it's fine to clean and/or refinish most furniture while still maintaining the value. It's only certain furniture houses, styles and periods of furniture that should be left alone. We're still taking the minimal approach, but these improvements will actually increase the value of the desk overall.  

Kitchen Remodel
Yes, we rent. Yes, we know about lead paint. Yes, we stripped and refinished all of the cabinets in our kitchen. This project is not quite done, as we still need to paint some of the doors, but it's close. I'll actually update closer to real time once we get the paint on the walls. Here's a taste:

Gross and Yellow

Clean and White

We still need to attach the catches, but the doors now close completely! Something about removing 80 years of paint layers did the trick. The lower right cabinet is an old ice box. The weatherstripping is still in tact. We plan on finding a replacement icebox closer handle for it so it can seal properly. That should keep our flour and potatoes happy.

Costume
This is a hard one for me. I had to admit that I hate sewing. To be honest, this was a big relief for me, and no particular surprise to my husband. I'm finally willing to farm out creative work that makes me hostile, and only do work that actually makes me feel happy. That was the point of this whole blog anyway, right? To figure out what I really like and what I really don't? Anyway, this project won't be done until I can afford to hire one of my friends to do the construction from my pattern. I'm still labeling it a success.

Graphic Design
Something I actually like doing and am now getting paid to do Freelance; I've been commissioned to create marketing documents for a local street fair, including poster, save the date and logo. This work I really enjoy, even if I do occasionally yell at the mouse for sticking. The poster and logo are already approved and should go to print next week. I won't post images until then, but there will be a "concept" and "client" version of each.

Other Stuff
The earrings are on hold until the kitchen is done, and my husband is going to take the lead on getting the catalog complete and new designs to the laser cutter. Bunarchy did not occur this year, it seems, so no bunny costume. As far as fitness goals, I'm doing very well, down about a size and a half from January, with a size and a half to go.

And that's about all there is to say about that.

Daily Awesome - Sleep Mask

You may recall that I purchased a paper mache mask a few weeks back. Here's how it went. I used purple quilted fabric and black satin, plus flannel bias binding for the edge and satin ribbon for the ties. This took several days of spare time, but could be done in a day if someone were so inclined.

The mask as purchased.

As it's going to be a sleep mask, I needed to close the eye holes. This is just paper mache made from newspaper and flour/water paste. 

Here I glued some quilted fabric to the interior for padding. 

I stuffed some extra fill into the cheeks to close the light leaks.

Glued and clamped the cheeks to the form.

Same image from the front.

Glued the front fabric to the front of the form and pinned the excess to the back. 

Same view from the front.

Same view, with the fabric rolled down. I next ran glue down the eyes and on the cheeks to make the fabric tight on the face.

In order to smooth the fabric over the nose, I slit the fabric down the length of the nose, then added a triangular piece to cover the hole. 

First was to sew the nose fabric to the glued on front fabric...

...then roll the excess to the back.

Here I am stitching around the edge of the form to keep the fabric rolled away from the face. The nose has a seam where I closed the hole around the nostril edge. It will be hidden later.

The finished edge.

A prettier view on my counter top. The back is still raw. 

I trimmed and tacked the fabric at the back, but the edge won't conform to the interior as the front fabric is not stretchy. I used Fray Block to keep the raw edges from getting too stringy.

 I employed some flannel bias binding to cover the raw edges and decorate the front. Bias tape conforms to curves and flannel is very soft. It was first stitched to the front, then to the back. You can also see that I added in the ties under the bias tape. This is the finished interior.

And here is the finished front, complete with adorable sleepy eye lashes. 

 I slept in the mask last night. It's a bit stiff and there is still a bit of a light leak at the bottom. I think that I'll wear a gel mask under it and see how it feels.

Progress on the Nightstand and Costumes.

Nightstand
Today, we started applying the stain and fixing the bumps in the paint on the nightstand. I'm sanding out the drips, then applying the paint one layer at a time, one side at a time. It's slow progress, but the end should be a laquer-like finish.

This is what the walnut stain looks like. It really brought out the grain of the wood. I got some of the stain on the new drawer side, but it won't be visible so I'll probably leave it.

I'd just started the staining of the bottom while waiting for the inside to dry. This was not a good idea, as stain takes a long time to dry and the white paint dust from sanding kept getting on my hands and its legs.

Costume Pattern
In between coats, I started creating the pattern for my catsuit. The 2 costumes I am making will be modifications of the basic pattern. Hopefully, I'll want to head downstairs to the workshop again tomorrow.

Sort of Awesome
Yesterday, I partitioned the hard drive on a MacBook Pro. I don't recommend trying this if you want to keep your sanity. I pulled it off eventually, but the entire project was horribly complex - not just partitioning, but downloading Windows from the school store, moving things to discs, backing things up, creating the partition and finally installing CAD. This is actually the tail-end of a months long project intended to make our lives easier. It was a total headache. I wish I could feel accomplished, but really, I just feel relieved.

Fitness
I found an app for my phone that tracks calories for the day and tells me how many I have left. It even gives me more if I exercise. It's called MyFitnessPal, and I like it so far. My goal is to have my costumes be too big by the time I wear them. We'll see if it works.

That's all for today. I'm off to eat some injera.

The Daily Awesome - The Store Exists and Contains Items

My cold seems to be almost gone.

The Store
Behold! Konkolova Etsy Store! 

Since the pricing is all done on the cardboard versions, I've posted them to the Etsy store. If you are interested in the acrylic or wood versions, they will be up as soon as we make a batch and I photograph the results. I already have the prices for these if my fair readers are interested.

Health
Jon and I signed up for "Total Toning" classes today and will start next week. Goals, we have them.

Costumes/Sewing
I sent a panel request to a local convention to force a deadline for a costume. I've wanted to make this for awhile:

I believe I could take the same pattern and make some nice work shirts, one of the goals I've made for the year. I've been looking for some inspiration that I could turn into a concept. I believe I'll try this. Pattern for this and the bunny suit to follow. 

That's all for today. 

Yesterday's Daily Awesome and a Preview of What's Coming

Yesterday's Awesome account was delayed due to my nearly taking off the end of my finger with a sushi knife. I'm fine, but word to the wise; if you are left-handed use a left-handed Japanese knife, not a right-handed one.

I used this opportunity to teach my husband how to make sushi rolls. I told him step by step what to do, and made some amazing California Rolls and miso soup!

So delicious! 

Here's a little update on some of the upcoming Awesome. 

1. I bought a mask to turn into a proper sleep mask. The store bought ones are either really flat or really spendy. I need one that warps around my nose to close off the light around my cheeks. 
2. I bought foam and chip brushes to finish off the nightstand paint and stain. 
3. The book is my guide to making a great background for the catalog. I've training in digital print making for fabrics, and forgot how to do some of the basics since the class. Glad I didn't sell this one back! 

Here's another picture of the cardboard blanks for the earring store. I've got all of the photos done like this. We want to take pictures of them in my ear with the hooks on as well. I've nearly completed the price sheet and the background for the catalog to send to stores. It's really beautiful, and will be today's awesome once I complete it.