The Geekend That Was, 10/21 (IHSW Edition! Finally!)

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This weekend was International Hermit and Stitch Weekend, and for once, I actually got some stitching done!

I needed to make a start on the class I'm taking (a stumpwork class through the Shining Needle Society). Even though I'm a major world-class pro at wasting time and doing nothing, I did manage to at least mount the fabric on Friday. First I had to mount the muslin, which is the backing fabric.

 

Giant tacks are giant. This is the finest muslin I've ever seen. I hope I can track more down in the future. I was supposed to use a light box to trace the design on the Dupioni silk, but I don't have one. So I just used the window. It was there, plus it gave me an added bonus of the pressure of a deadline...SUN SETTING! MUST FINISH NOW!!

Next, I mounted the Dupioni silk over top of the muslin. It was kind of tricky to stretch.

 

It's not quite straight, but it will do to be going on. I did trace the design twice so I can play around with different stitches and techniques a bit. And yes, I did use a meat tenderizer to pound in the tacks. And an oven rack puller to measure. What?

I stitched the branches, but I didn't get a final picture. Here's most of them done.

 

Unfortunately, my assignment was to finish the branches AND leaves. Oh well... Oh! And in case you can't tell, this is going to be a bird sitting on a branch. =)

I also finished the other side of the pincushion for Ye Shall Prosper.

 

Now I "just" have to do the chain stitch all the way around both pieces. *yawn!*

Sunday after church we went to a "family concert" at the Symphony Hall. Many of the orchestra members were in costume:

 

The program was "Halloween at Hogwarts," so of course we dressed like wizards...

 

...wizards who were about to go play Quidditch! =)

I have to say I probably won't go to another "family concert". The problem was not the many children in attendance! There were other problems...

• The conductor was, perhaps, the WORST public speaker I have ever heard. He should have had a writer and a teleprompter.
• The brass section had a couple solo pieces, and they were pretty sloppy. This was especially shocking to me since our symphony orchestra is excellent!
• There was dancing during some of the pieces. I could write an entire post about the "quality" of the staging, "costumes" and movement...but I will spare you.
• The final piece was the finale from "The Firebird"...and they used it as a CURTAIN CALL for the dancers (and the magician...did I mention there was a "magician", too?) The conductor was speaking over the entire thing, and the audience was clapping. Over the music. Of THE FIREBIRD.

*ahem* I'll stop there. =)

Afterwards we went to Ye Olde Trendy Burger Place (Flip Burger Boutique). Exhibit 1: Chorizo burger (spiced pork with hashbrowns, manchego, paprika, almond romesco and smoked mayonaise, topped with a fried egg). Actually, that sounds kind of disgusting all together, but it was DELICIOUS!

 

Served with ginger bacon Brussels sprouts!!

Exhibit 2: Pumpkin pie shake with caramel and graham cracker crumbs.

 

Made with liquid nitrogen. Not as a component, as a freezing agent.

While we were there I was shocked to look up and see our mayor at the next table...just with his wife, no entourage or anything. I never thought I'd be eating a French fry's throw from the mayor of Atlanta!

JiffNotes
Actual stitching!! And bacon!