Touch Me Thursday #4: Double Bass

Day 192  Working on my orchestral piece and trying to capture the curves of an instrument.  In this case the Double Bass that is in the band.  These are the basic outlines and I plan on going back in to do the little curves that are in either side of the 'waist' (not really sure what they are called).  But I was trying to experiment with capturing the curve in stitches and I didn't really want to do the entire thing in filler stitches because I wanted outlines of each of the instruments.   This is how I like to work with a plan and a look in mind but making sure I stay organic and flexible if things 'demand' to be altered as I work.
 It will be interesting when it is finished!

Double Bass

Back tomorrow with some more Taichi adventures.  What will you create today?

The Dog Dress...

Day 126

The first big gig of the season for G2 with the band at a Chanukah Festival. We are not Jewish but found this fantastic band of musicians from around our community because her private teacher is the band director and recommended it after learning of G2's love for European, Middle Easter, Mediterranean folk music. This will be her 5th season with the band which is amazing to me (she has been playing violin for 6 years), when she first started we used to have to put a step stool in front of her chair because her feet did not touch the ground, such a little smidge back then.

G2 picked this pattern, View C, and man was it the best pattern of the 'Big 4' I have done in some time as it all went together correctly which just doesn't happen that often with these patterns. So easy to do and cute for any season really. Totally a thumbs up recommendation!

I love these vintage buttons and of course the sparkly bling around the base of the bodice that G2 picked.



G2 also chose 'The Dog' fabric from Hancock's a while back during one of their sales and it was a dream to work with as it was a little heavier than regular quilting cotton but not quite as thick as drapery fabric, very little shrinkage after washing....working with good fabric is all the difference in a pattern.


I wasn't too sure about the elastic poof at the bottom but it turned out cute

following the ingenuity of sewists before me I used a black hair tie over a button as the top closure--GENIUS I tell ya!


Can you stand those cheeks?! I just want to squish them up before puberty hits and I am only allowed to barely give hugs and kisses.

The grass is sometimes greener...

Day 74

Life is always about change. This week as all the musical activities G2 is in wrapped up she realizes she is going to have to make some changes next year because she can't do everything. Participating in 3 local musical programs at a time plus two days a week of hour long lessons and her own stuff she likes to play would result in 2 hours of practicing a day just to get it all in. For me at 9 years old it is just too much--it is her life but I don't know if having this sort of focus this young in life really allows you to live your life as a kid as well? Doing everything does come with sacrifices and are you willing to make those choices? Although she does get out and play in the mud or dress her dolls too so she does have some balance. And before you think we are crazy parents who wanted their kid to be some musical prodigy think again, we would never have put her in any music lessons were this not her choice from the time she could crawl and babble mostly because we are not a musical family and would never have thought of it. But here we are she has been playing violin for almost 6 years now. Her favorite music now?-folk music, klezmer, exotic stuff BUT playing this sort of music means playing with mostly people her parents and grandparents ages so she wanted to try the orchestra group because there are kids in it....well now she finds out that the kids don't really hang out afterwards, impart age old musical knowledge, jam, dance or go for late night eats like with the community band. The grass is always greener right? So while she might do orchestra and jazz again she will stick with the community band because it is ok that your some of your best friends are waaay older than you. It is mom that has to come to terms with driving her all over town for all her music endeavors....

Some of these kids are amazing, actually anyone who can play an instrument is amazing to me...

G1 had to make some choices recently too-the decision to change swim teams. She loved her coach BUT she had been watching another coach and his team all season at meets. She was offered a spot on this team that does not take a lot of kids. So she had to make the decision to go with a completely new team, new friends, new pool, new coach--to make that leap from a coach that she adored. I am so proud just of the fact that she made the decision to go into the unknown just to see if it is what she wanted. After a week and a half she is enjoying the workouts-which are really really tough-starting to talk to the kids and has decided to stick it out for the summer. We will see if the grass is greener for her! Me? I like the wood smell in the pool and not nearly as much mechanical noise-which was overwhelming at her old team's pool.

Speaking of green grass our backyard has the native grass seed we planted the last 2 years starting to come up like crazy. It is really soft grass to walk on surprising for a desert species that has to be really tough. This stuff is drought tolerant, poor soil tolerant and heat resistant. No snickering those of you with soil in your yards. We have amended the soil underneath leaving the sand on top to hold it down and blow around. The grass may be greener in someone else's yard but I will choose to stay in my yard for now!

Almost done with some of my projects so will show those later.....have a creative day!!

The longest week of the new year....

Day 48

We had my inlaws visiting this past week and it was just a lovely visit but as always too short. We really wished they lived closer.

My MIL has a better picture of the girls but this was all I had on my new phone...G1 looked really great, very IN for the crowd....she was there supporting G2 at a gig for the kick-off event of the Revolutions International Theatre Festival via Tricklock in Albuquerque let me tell you that G1 is one of the best big sisters EVER she really supports G2 in everything she does, sure they squabble but she would do anything for her sister including wearing a skirt with jeans under it...see compromise! And vice versa G2 would do anything for her big sister, she is her strength and rock to help her get through things, she is the one standing on the end of the swim lane cheering for her! I love my girls but I love watching them support each other more!

It was held in a beautiful old Albuquerque Hotel that had been refurbished the Andaluz I just have this thing for Spanish architecture growing up in Tampa, FL with all the Cuban influence and this made me feel like I was home again



All the beautiful people were there including Miss Albuquerque who was really a great lady all around for the few moments we talked with her.

Even with taking a nap she played as long as she could but they did not start until after 9 so about 6 songs into a 10 song set she just could not stay awake any longer--she does love playing though and the band is a great one

So in the midst of our regular schedule of things on top of the extra stuff this week I was only able to get a couple of orders done-an adorable towel wrap for a little boy's birthday

And some wet hair wrap thingies

Now the girls at G1's swim team are wanting some so I better go out and get some more towels! Anyone know where I can find a whole bunch of ORANGE towels? lol

Better get back to website work and finishing up some wall collages...got a whole bunch of fabric in this week and I am just tripping over the stacks! Keep up the creativity!

The violinist goes to Funky Chanukah

Day 37

Yesterday we were all feeling under the weather but G1 really wanted to go to her gig so we kept her resting and she felt good enough to go play both sets last night.

She had me doodad up her jeans for the gig with iron ons and pom pom trim

the rock n roll violin player on her way out

G2 got to stay home and play on her own without little sis bugging and I got to finish up a lot of my unfinished projects so the evening was a complete success!

Lotsa Jazz going on today...

Day 35

Not a lot of sewing but after I finish this post I am gonna get back to work...today was the Fall concert for a Jazz class G2 takes at the Outpost here in Albuquerque it is really a fabulous program and so inexpensive for such a good experience.

And yes I made her funky vintage fabric top!

Tis that time of year when the kids have so many fall events so enjoy them all!!

Klezmer, Cajun and New Mexican Music all in one night

Day 24

This weekend was so busy with a gig on Friday night and then the big one on Saturday night--swim meet on Saturday and Sunday AM we just could not make it to yet another band rehearsal on Sunday afternoon we were wiped out. We only have one car-always have-and it just makes for a lot of driving and just long days.

Here is the Nahalat Shalom Community Klezmer band-there are more people than this in the actual band but Saturday night this was all who could come. A lot of strings but an amazing variety of instruments for a community band. And it truly does represent the community with people from all over and you do not have to be Jewish just a desire to play with a fantastic band!



G2 got the end spot today-I convinced her to wear the top part of what I made for her Halloween costume and then I added a sparkly skirt.


She had a great night-her playing is getting better but she moved up in violin sizes this week to a 1/2 size and she is going to try playing with no tape markers (to mark where her fingers go on the neck) so it is hard but she is already doing it she just does not realize and does not really need the tape.


This is not from the gig this is G2 getting to try out some higher quality violins since she plays so much and has a fairly good ear for sound she is noticing the difference and wants a better sounding instrument. We are going to work towards this in the new year because she takes good care of her instruments and works hard with her music and practicing and really deserves the credit and reward.


Here is the whole outfit together she sure did sparkle!

More posts to catch up on soon!

It truly is a 'Good Life'.....

Day 16

And today I end the day early and very tired. Homeschooling, sewing, errands and the like have caught up to me finally so off to bed I go early to re-read the 4th book in one of my favorite fantasy series of all times 'The Wheel of Time' by Robert Jordan so glad they are continuing his work after his passing a few years ago.

So I was doubly glad to see a new song and a first ever music video by one of our favorite artists...G2 found him while browsing YouTube one day looking at violinists and she pretty much adds all his songs to her MP3 player...enjoy this we did!



And here is the song she first found of his....amazing violin playing and what made G2 want to try some of the music she does


I will take photos of everything tomorrow in some better light...now go read a good book!

A fun family day in Santa Fe--NM always an adventure awaiting...

So we went to Santa Fe on the Railrunner for the kickoff of their 400th Anniversary Celebration and man did we take a lot of pictures because it was sooo much fun!

The only thing NOT fun was being in a wall to wall people train for about 15 minutes until the drop off for a local wine festival which is where TONS of people were going although attendance at the 400th was very good and there were an amazing array of displays and art and samplings of what makes New Mexico/Santa Fe so unique!

Here the girls are on a train that was just parked from the Santa Fe Express....love the old depot in Santa Fe.

Getting ready to get onto the train.

Showing her big sister how to use the camera feature on their shared cell phone.

The weather was not bad, mid 70s and the rain held off which is good for the instruments, good for everyone

This carousel horse was made before 1890 they had a bunch of these to see so amazing..

What more is there to say from this picture everyone loves cowboys...

Here is a full picture of the outfit G2 designed and I made for her complete with awesome cheetah boots and yes per typical G2 she shed the skirt later leaving just her leggings which she says makes her look more "rocknroll" and she also removed promptly her shoes & socks she would rather play barefoot but loves shoes so it is a dilemma lol...

Just some great band pics...playing some Klezmer music on the main stage

Only in NM can you get on a public transport bus and they take you down a winding dirt road--it is beautiful though

They played 2 sets this is from the dance portion where they teach some of the dances to Klezmer

more pics from public transport adventure

Sisters...

Going over the dry arroyo lucky for us no rain...

G2 thinks it looks cool to wear her violin on her back...

the rain held off until later...

G1 and G2 looking cool or at least trying to be cool lol

More Santa Fe beauty...

G2 actually cracks a smile...

And here is the video of her solo....