the weekend in numbers

Number of:

hats knit - 4

ornaments cut out - 53

ornaments sewn - 10

ornaments still to be sewn - 43

shows done - 5

glasses of opening night champagne drunk - 2

(photo by www.ryanwardthompson.com)

windows broken - 1

bricks used - 1

hours slept - not enough!

Countdown to Opening

My play, And He Flew Over the Forest, opens in two days, and I couldn't be more excited. 

I created this map of the fantasy world for the program, and I think I missed my calling. I should have been fantasy cartographer. I was on a deadline for this map, so it's not perfect, but I can see many fantastical maps in my future. Creating each little detail was too much fun! 

If you're in the Chicago area, I would love for you to come see my show. Information here or leave a comment and I'll email you. 

Ok, regular crafty business will resume tomorrow. I've been busy with rehearsal, but I've got a few things up my sleeve, including some holiday updates!

busy weekend...

This weekend I:

Made a toadstool & his little buddies.

Began the Christmas crafting in earnest. From top to bottom: Owl ornaments, brooches, magnets & holly brooches. How gross is my ironing board cover? Time to put this tutorial to good use!

Got a new head of hair. It's for the show and it is much darker than I anticipated. Luckily, it makes my eyes look supernaturally blue, and Holly just posted this guide to keeping your very red hair very red!

What I've been up to...

Please excuse this break from your regularly scheduled (crafty) program:

Taken for a show I was in last fall - I'm on the left.

For those of you who don't know, I'm also an actor. For the past three months, I've been writing and rehearsing a completely original new show, "And He Flew Over the Forest." The show opens next Thursday, so the past week has been a bit crazy. All of this is part of my theater company, Brain Surgeon Theater (Click on that, because I also made our website! See, that counts as making something, right?). 

If you're in the Chicago area, you should come out and see me. Heck, it's for people of all ages, so you can even bring your kiddos! Comment on this post if you want more info and I'll send you an email.  

I promise it will be good - I get a sword, so c'mon, that's a recipe for success!

Ps. Shout out to MafiosaGrrl, who correctly guessed that Chris and I dressed up as the Oregon Trail! You're the best!

Sunday Night Blog

Here I am, late Sunday night blogger. This weekend really felt like the first weekend of summer. My theater company did a little staged reading on Saturday night, which went really well.

Chris and I at the after party

Then today I hit the beach with some friends. I must say, one of my favorite things about living in Chicago is the miles of beach on Lake Michigan, but I do not take advantage of it like I should. Every summer I find myself saying "I have to go to the beach more often!" Today was gorgeous, if a bit windy.

Gwen at the beach, look at that blue sky!

Now I'm finishing up the night with a Mango & Creme ice cream bar from Trader Joes (delicious!) and some sewing.

Hancock Fabrics had a huge sale this weekend, where I found this plaid linen fabric half off. It's perfect for the Parfait pattern from Colette Patterns that I've been holding onto forever. Today I cut out all the fabric and interfacing. I'm hoping to get this done by the end of the month to submit to Sew Mama, Sew's "Make It, Wear It!" contest. Mere days left, but I think I can do it!

Giveaway Winner and an Interview

Thank you, everyone who entered my giveaway! There were 90 of you, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading your comments. I think the overall winner for 'favorite book' was Pride & Prejudice, which I have never actually read. So I'll get on that.

Now on to the winner:

Annnndd number 45:

Congratulations, sy! I will be emailing you later today for your mailing address, etc.

Gwen did a little interview with me over at the Brain Surgeon Theater blog. It has a bunch of crafty stuff in it, so if you're new to my blog, head on over and read all about it!