Over a week this time, oh dear! But I HAVE been doing something, really, I'll show you in a moment!
I think I mentioned my 'foot-in-mouth' trick at my first guitar lesson? My teacher asked me what kind of music I liked, and my answer was "everything except Country and Western." Of course, it turned out that he loves C&W...oh dear, please excuse me while I remove my shoe from between my teeth! I meant that 50s style, very even rhythm C&W, not ALL C&W. But anyway...we were chatting today and I mentioned that I used to sing in a group that sang in Scots gaelic (it's one of those things that's great for those "10 weird facts you didn't know about me" lists) and it turns out that he was born in Glasgow (came out to Australia when he was 10, so not a trace of accent) and loves Scots Gaelic music...he even called it 'Garlic' music which is closer to the Scots pronunciation, most people here don't know that. My grand-dad was also born in Glasgow and...OK, more weird family facts...my mum and dad met because they both played in Highland Pipe Bands. So the lesson was abandoned for the last 10 minutes as we chatted about our favourite pieces of music, singers, soundtracks (both of us have the music to 'Cal' and nobody else ever seems to have heard of it), the connections between Irish fiddle music and Bluegrass, and a mutual love of bagpipes. He's promised to introduce some Irish and Scots pieces into my lessons, and I promised to bring along a CD of the group I was with. I'm looking forward to the next lesson!
As for what I've been busy with...well, I have two little people birthday's coming up, a 6th and a 9th, and as they've rather grown out of the faery outfits I made for them in the past, I promised them new ones. So a little green Forest Faery, and a Russet coloured Autumn Faery are in progress...here's some pics of the jerkins so far, with the fingerless gloves I made to match. Lots still to make, and of course, as usual, my sewing skills aren't up to my grand ideas, so there's a fair amount of cursing and un-picking happening. I must remember they're JUST dress-ups!
I think I mentioned my 'foot-in-mouth' trick at my first guitar lesson? My teacher asked me what kind of music I liked, and my answer was "everything except Country and Western." Of course, it turned out that he loves C&W...oh dear, please excuse me while I remove my shoe from between my teeth! I meant that 50s style, very even rhythm C&W, not ALL C&W. But anyway...we were chatting today and I mentioned that I used to sing in a group that sang in Scots gaelic (it's one of those things that's great for those "10 weird facts you didn't know about me" lists) and it turns out that he was born in Glasgow (came out to Australia when he was 10, so not a trace of accent) and loves Scots Gaelic music...he even called it 'Garlic' music which is closer to the Scots pronunciation, most people here don't know that. My grand-dad was also born in Glasgow and...OK, more weird family facts...my mum and dad met because they both played in Highland Pipe Bands. So the lesson was abandoned for the last 10 minutes as we chatted about our favourite pieces of music, singers, soundtracks (both of us have the music to 'Cal' and nobody else ever seems to have heard of it), the connections between Irish fiddle music and Bluegrass, and a mutual love of bagpipes. He's promised to introduce some Irish and Scots pieces into my lessons, and I promised to bring along a CD of the group I was with. I'm looking forward to the next lesson!
As for what I've been busy with...well, I have two little people birthday's coming up, a 6th and a 9th, and as they've rather grown out of the faery outfits I made for them in the past, I promised them new ones. So a little green Forest Faery, and a Russet coloured Autumn Faery are in progress...here's some pics of the jerkins so far, with the fingerless gloves I made to match. Lots still to make, and of course, as usual, my sewing skills aren't up to my grand ideas, so there's a fair amount of cursing and un-picking happening. I must remember they're JUST dress-ups!
No, I didn't make the leaves...I've been keeping them for years and decided this was a perfect opportunity to use them.
Lots still to do on this one...slightly different design, supposed to look like it's actually made out of leaves.
I'm hoping the leaf 'points' will flair out a bit.
And the same at the back.
And I'll leave you with a beautiful Gaelic song by Capercaillie, from the 'Rob Roy' soundtrack, 'Ailein Duinn'...brings back memories, we used to sing this one.
Your little ones are going to look darling in their new faery outfits. I look forward to seeing the finished results.
ReplyDeleteLittle fairies!!! Youve worked so hard and it shows in these little outfits! Lucky children x
ReplyDeleteAh, the old foot-in-mouth. It's one of my own specialities too. (Must be the Glasgow connection, my mum's from there.) Anyway, your little outfits are adorable. I want little ones to make fairy clothes for! :)
ReplyDeleteI love the vests, beautiful colours.
ReplyDeleteThose vests are going to be so cute!
ReplyDeleteAnd "Ailein Duinn" has got to be my favourite Capercaillie song...haven't listened to it for so long! I saw them when they toured around australia years ago now. They were amazing. I'd love to see them perform again, I reckon I'd appreciate it more now
Wonderful faery outfits...! And, I too have the soundtrack to Cal... (or had, no idea where it is now). Wasn't it Mark Knopfler? Sounds strange to me now, but is that so? Lovely song to end my Solstice eve...
ReplyDeleteJust in from a wonderful ritual fire. Look forward to reading your posts when you get to where you're going in the bush!!
Thanks all, it's been fun making them, and it's always a learning experience, even if there's the odd bit of cursing! Nadia, Capercaillie in concert would have been fantastic, 'Ailein Duinn' is one of the most gorgeous, heartbreaking songs...we used to sing it as a group, and it was lovely to sing as well. Valerianna, yes, it was Mark Knopfler, he also did the music to 'Local Hero' which was set in Scotland. Have you seen 'Cal'? Beautiful film with the wonderful Helen Mirren.
ReplyDeleteI love Scots and Irish gaelic music, was raised on it really as my Dad always played in Ceilidh bands, so its a thread thats run all through my childhood, and back as well through my ancestry!
ReplyDeleteI love the leafen clothes for your girls, I'd definately wear them myself never mind dressing-up! I don't sew at all - if I ever do the air is a swarming intense and violent blue!
The faery outfits are looking great, look forward to seeing more as you progress. And I did enjoy Lazy Sunday Afternoon - thanks for the memories.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful song and I imagine standing on a hill in Scotland when I listen to it! Aren't you clever making those amazing costumes? Multi-talented! xx
ReplyDeleteGreat costumes. My mum used to make me things when I was a kid, but I always wanted to be Sinbad, Robin Hood or Davy Crocket.
ReplyDeleteKaren Mattheson is another one with a voice to send you off somewhere else, especially when she sings in the Gaelic. And I thought Rob Roy a far superior film to the more celebrated Braveheart.