cloakmaker's Journal

Please Come Visit!
Open Studio at Cloak & Dagger Creations Sunday Nov 15, 2008 - Noon to 4 pm

I hope you will all accept my apology for the short notice and find a few
minutes (or more in some cases) to stop by and say "Hi". There *will* be
chocolate...

Come and play dress-up!

- Clearance sale with extra 10% savings on all garments on the rack.
- 20% off hats & hoods!
- New cloaks, clasps, and circlets. Maybe some sneak previews.
- Special pricing on trim remnants.
- Orphan fabric box - adopt a piece and take it home!
- Free bags of scrap also available for crafts.
- Munchies!
- Supervised kids-in-tow welcome - ours will be there at least part of
the time.

We're just off 495 in Littleton,MA, about 10 miles due south of
Nashua, NH. An hour from the Maine or Connecticut borders, minutes from
Hampshire. We're also on the LRTA Bus Route 15
Address: http://www.cloakmaker.com/contact.html
Directions: http://www.cloakmaker.com/directions.html
Park in the upper lot where our sign is.
Leave a comment or drop us an email (info at cloakmaker.com)so we can
gauge how much food to prepare.

Funny how often my horoscope is right on target...
Aries
Quick -- get someone to help you handle the details. You'll need some assistance with the little things. Whether at work or at home, you're busy generating new, high-level ideas. And you won't forget to give credit where credit is due. After all, what you're putting together now will earn you major props, so someone should be more than happy to get on board.

Current Music: Flirting with Diaster

Almost End of Summer Gathering
Please forgive the late notice. Despite the forecast for inclement weather, we'll be going ahead with our planned get-together and you are most welcome to join us.

Type: Party - Barbecue
Start Time: Saturday, August 29, 2009 at 1:00pm
End Time: Sunday, August 30, 2009 at 10:00pm
Location: The Purple House on Gilson in Littleton, MA
Phone: 978- 486 - 4427
Email: cloakmakerusa AT yahoo DOT com
Description:
Please join us for Dina, Ian, and Dan's annual household party on Saturday, August 29th and Sunday, August 30th (1pm to whenever both days, but please don't *arrive* after 10pm).

For those that haven't been to our summer party before, it's the time we invite everyone from all corners of our worlds to come and play. Weather permitting it's mostly outdoors and very informal. Friends, kids, and extended families, musical instruments and anyone you would miss are welcome.

We will provide non-alcoholic beverages, munchies to get things started, a gas grill to cook on, more food, some more food and a large expanse of lawn to enjoy during the day if the weather permits.

You should bring yourself, your significant other(s), your favorite party food, alcoholic beverages if you want them, and whatever you'd miss if it weren't there. Things that make music and games are especially encouraged. Kids are great, and we have some too, but your child is your responsibility. If the weather permits, there will be a kid-size water slide.

Hope you can stop by! Email me for directions or call.

Current Music: Here for the Party

Midsummer Magick Faire
We're currently planning to vend at this faire the weekend of August 1 & 2, provided that we're not expecting a downpour. The tent just isn't up to a lot of rain and wet clothing is hard to sell.

Has anyone visited yet? I haven't seen any word of it lately - am I just missing the posts?

Current Mood: apprehensive
Current Music: One enchanted evening

I love reading my horoscope on Excite...
Aries
There's just never a dull moment when you're around, and that's exactly the way you like it. The stars have appointed you social director of this little cruise ship, and your task is to spread the fun around to as many people as you can. Fortunately, that's the kind of task that's right up your alley. So break out your phonebook and get everyone on board -- this pleasure cruise is about to set sail.

It makes my life sound like even more fun!

Current Mood: whimsical
Current Music: 59th St Bridge Song

This is what keeps me reading my horoscope...
It contains just enough vaguely relevant for me to try to use it as an inspiration point, to change what should be changed...but I've been trying to clear the task list for a while.

Costume Con was a good place to go, despite the scheduling/logistical difficulties that has to be surmounted. Today's ballet school sweatshop was also worthwhile, where I cut and finished 1 pair of sleeves, then patterned and cut 7 reversible vest of various sizes, and led 2 volunteers through setting the sleeves in and putting all 7 vests together, in about 3 hours. In both locations I was teaching, and it was received well. So I'm going to try and figure out a possible syllabus and float a lesson plan past the local community ed. Timing-wise, I might be better off on my own. First, I have to figure out the *when*

And I need to post more pictures of new designs and dyeing experiements!

Aries
New experiences are waiting for you out there in the world, but you won't have the time to start exploring them fully unless you clear off your plate! Make room for adventure today by completing all those half-finished tasks on your list. And if you have to, ask for help. At least one person owes you a big favor, so why not call it in? Your health is good, but it could be better. It's time to find a way to inject more exercise into your daily routine.

Wow, I've just had my first spam comment.
Which was really annoying, since I have it set to notify me of comments. So far, I've gotten few enough that I want to pay attention to them. But if I start getting a lot of spurious posts, I'll have to change.

Off to CostumeCon tonight and I don't have a thing to wear. I may have to slouch around the whole weekend in early Viking or hand-dyed silk...

Speak now or forever hold your piece (peace?)!
Today - Aries
If your recent dreams have been unclear, don't waste any of your brain power freaking out about it. There is no need to solve every puzzle they present, because they are not literal warnings of what is about to happen in your life! They are just pieces of your subconscious flying around in your brain, bouncing into each other. If you want to look for insight on how to handle tough issues, then turn away from dreams and toward your friends. They have advice you need to hear.

OK Friends! Mind is open, mouth is shut. Time to tell me what I need to hear whether I want hear it or not.

New England Area Costumers - time to play!
The next meeting othe the New England area chapter of the International Costumer's Guild is scheduled to be held at
the Studio of Cloak & Dagger Creations, 410 Great Road, Littleton, MA 01460. ( http://www.cloakmaker.com/directions.html

Meeting start time is set for 11am, and the Studio will be open from 9:15 am
on for breakfast munching, chatting, fabric petting, etc. Bring orphan fabric to swap or just adopt some of the unwanted scraps accumulating in the studio.

Cross post if you wish - I will try to do some later.

OMG I'm in Hell
I put the kids in the car and drove to my parents house. The warm and sunny day disappeared in cold grey fog as we crossed Route 1 headed East. My little one fell asleep just a few minutes before we got there, and she was obviously overtired and in need of a nap, so I phoned my mom to come out and drive around with me for a bit to let her sleep.

So we talk for a couple of minutes, then I remember that I needed dark brown serger thread. They just built a great big Joann's superstore on Route 1 in Saugus, so we head over there.

One side of the place looks just like a Michaels. Tall walled aisles of craft stuff on hooks. But the other side had fabric, so there was hope. The place was packed, the line for the cutting table 20 people long. I'm short and I can't see any sign of thread so stopped an employee shelving quilt prints and asked her the serger thread was.

Her response floored me. "Is that some new brand? I've never heard of it."
"Serger" I said, "Machine that sews with 2 needles and 2 loopers and uses big cones of thread"
She looked doubtful and said "Well I don't know about that, but all the thread is on the far side of the cutting table"

This is the 4th Joann's I've visited that has stopped carrying serger thread. WTF?

Current Mood: astonished
Current Music: Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

Love, American Style
Signal amplification: I'm not the sort to give out my friends' email addresses not matter how good the cause. So instead I'm posting a link because this issue is worth supporting: http://www.couragecampaign.org/page/s/divorce

Please visit.

My Horoscope Today
Aries
You have more than enough charm to get what you want right now -- unfortunately you just need a little bit more manpower. So ask for it! More often than not, people are flattered when you ask them for help, so if you are in need you should start finding out who can lend you a hand. At least one person has noticed you struggling but has been afraid they will insult you if they make an offer. They're just waiting for the word from you -- give it today.

The word is given...Any volunteers?

Current Mood: effervescent

If I had disposable income...
Project Runway Finale Plus Meet Heidi Klum Tickets Up for Auction
http://tinyurl. com/6kwoyc

I'd be in agony over what to wear!

Current Mood: amused

Another Open Studio Day - November 22, 2008 SATURDAY
A lot of folks who wanted to visit last week had conflicts with the date, so we've planned a SECOND Open Studio day.

I hope you will all accept my apology for the short notice and find a few minutes (or more in some cases) to stop by and say "Hi". There *will* be chocolate...Come and play dress-up!

Open Studio November 22, 2008 10 am to 2 pm

- Clearance sale with extra 10% savings on all garments on the rack.
- 20% off hats & hoods!
- New cloaks, clasps, and circlets.
- Special pricing on trim remnants.
- Orphan fabric box - adopt a piece and take it home! Some free bags of scrap also available for crafts.
- Munchies!
- Supervised kids-in-tow welcome - ours will be there at least part of the time.

We're just off 495 in Littleton,MA, about 10 miles due south of Nashua, NH. An hour from the Maine or Connecticut borders, minutes from New Hampshire. Address: http://www.cloakmaker.com/contact.html

Directions: http://www.cloakmaker.com/directions.html
Park in the upper lot where our sign is.
Please leave a comment or drop us an email (info at cloakmaker.com)so we can gauge how much food to prepare.

Current Mood: upeat
Current Music: coming to your city

Cost of living increases
So what is the astrological marker for unexpected expenses? We planned to replace the windows in the house this year. We did *not* plan for replacing both power door motors on my car, the brakes, and the tires. We did *not* plan for a new pump for the well, new wiring, and a new water treatment system, installed at weekend rates.

On the plus side, Dear Husband is about to register for the last course he will need for his graduate degree.

Current Mood: amused
Current Music: Money (can't buy me love)

Open Studio at Cloak & Dagger Creations Sunday Nov 16, 2008 - Noon to 4 pm
So this year, the same employee asked "So did you remember to post the Open House?" to which I replied "Arrgh! I forgot about that part! Again!"

I hope you will all accept my apology for the short notice and find a few minutes (or more in some cases) to stop by and say "Hi". There *will* be chocolate...Come and play dress-up!

- Clearance sale with extra savings on dresses, shirts, and vests on the rack.
- 20% off hats & hoods!
- New cloaks, clasps, and circlets.
- Special pricing on trim remnants.
- Orphan fabric box - adopt a piece and take it home!
- Free bags of scrap also available for crafts.
- Munchies!
- Small fry welcome - ours will be there.

We're just off 495 in Littleton,MA, about 10 miles due south of Nashua, NH. An hour from the Maine or Connecticut borders, minutes from Hampshire.
Address: http://www.cloakmaker.com/contact.html
Directions: http://www.cloakmaker.com/directions.html
Park in the upper lot where our sign is.

Due to the short notice, we've planned a "rain date" in case a lot of folks who want to visit have conflicts. The alternate date would be Saturday, Nov 22, 2008 from 10am to 2pm. Leave a comment or drop us an email (info at cloakmaker.com)so we can gauge the need for an additional day.

Current Music: Perfect by Effcee

Aggravations and peeves
Today I am going to tell an ultra picky critical customer (politely) to go to hell. It's going to cost me a lot of $$ because her project is *way* over estimate and she is going to demand all $$ back (if she does not threaten to sue, she's that type). But the sense of peace I felt when I made the decision will be worth it.

Personal Pet peeve - why do correspondents figure I can't spell my own name and correct it for me? In this day of "cindy/cyndy" and "ashlee/ashley" you'd think people would be a bit more respectful...grumble.

I just got off the phone with the person scheduled to help me at Sands Point next weekend and it's a 95% certainty that she won't be able to make it. Therefore I need booth and setup/takedown help, with the setup/takedown part being much more important than help running the booth. The booth help could consist of making sure I get food and potty breaks.

This is a paying gig, with a minimum of $50 per day plus transportation, food, and real bed in a motel. Barter for garb or garb parts is also a possibility. Ideally I'd like company while I drive down from MA on Friday and back on Sunday night, but this is rarely an ideal world.

You can contact me via the information on the Cloak & Dagger Creations web site aka cloakmaker.com

Musings on a movie...
A character in a movie just announced "if you don't kiss me I'll scream" and got kissed. I wonder how it would work in real life.

My Life without Me. Definite Tearjerker. Don't know if it was the right thing to watch - counterproductive.

Current Mood: indescribable
Current Music: Dust in the wind

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