New date!

I have a new date for my ballet exam - it's July 20th with a lady called Jackie Grey - Lets hope she's nicer than Drusilla the Dragon!!!

That's it for now!

Wizard of Oz

Today I made a Dorothy dress for my niece, it was based on a basic girls dress pattern, and had a few bits changed around and added. I made it for her as my mother-in-law had told me a tale about how Lucy put a penny in the wishing well, and all she wished for was a wizard of Oz dress! Oh to be that sweet and lovely!!!!!

I was planning to use the actual Dorothy pattern but it wasn't available in John Lewis, though I later found it in Fabricland. However it was hugely more expensive than the basic pattern I bought!!

The fabric in total cost £6.04, a bargain! Tomorrow I shall take a photo of Lucy in it and post it!

I am currently debating if I can be bothered to make myself a dress, or if I can be bothered to bake a bacon and egg pie for our beach breakfast that we are planning for tomorrow - providing that we all are up and out early enough!!

Onwards to my dinner!!!

Toby

Toby is being naughty this evening - he is refusing to go to sleep and is attempting to bite at any chance he has. But regardless of that he is grinning and laughing at me!

Little pickle..

In other news - I went to FDI ballet today and it was very good -  fast paced and I know what I am doing with it all - Fab!!

Ballet class

I taught my last class before the half term break today - really enjoyed it.

The girls (and boy) are starting to learn the names of the foot positions and arm positions and when we start back I am planning to start on the arm positions too. I think colouring sheets may be in order...

In other news I made Daisy a new dress from this fabric which was much cheaper per metre in John Lewis - When I get some new batteries in my camera I will send you all a lovely picture.

Right, time to scoot and have a lovely glass of wine with Mr May!! and maybe even some crusty french bread and some brie.... My waist line won't thank me, but my taste buds will!

Ballet Homework!

So this week we got homework! It is to talk through with details how to perform particular steps.

I shall start with pas de bouree, and for simplicity I shall talk through a devant.

starting en face, begin with a demi plie, then extend the front leg de cote, draw the feet together onto demi point in 5th with the extended leg remaining in front.
step the back leg to seconde on demi pointe maintaining the turnout from the hip. Join the front leg to the back and plie to finish.

Congress '09

Today I spent the day at Laban - It's a school for contemporary dance in South East London - I went for the ISTD congress '09, it's series of lectures and demonstrations and join in classes for dance teachers. It was wonderful.

The building deserves a mention - it was a fantastic space - very open and airy but a compact building... the stair cases were like being in a seashell - it was very organic in the feel of it. So cleverly designed and such a great facility!

I attended a music lecture first off with a wonderful dance pianist - he has helped me see clearly now where I was really struggling to grasp the concepts - when you work week in week out with CD's to be suddenly presented with a pianist throws you.

Next was a pre-school ballet lecture that has left me totally inspired!

Followed after lunch by the White Lodge 5th years from the Royal Ballet who were just wonderful!!!

Finally we watched the Advanced 2 boys modern which was incredible - the teacher had 3 17/18 year lads who were amazing! All in all a wonderful day which has convinced me that I am doing the right thing by heading back to dance and teaching.

Very glad I went.

The only sour note was getting back to the car and finding the window stoved in. Never mind though - there was now't in the car to be pinched so the youth who did it had wasted his time and effort!!

I have the answer!

My Mum came round this afternoon and helped me decifer the simplicity pattern - I know how to finish those sleeve/arm holes now! Hurrah! So this evening, assisted by wine and cheese, I shall finish it, and then take a photo and post it!

And then tomorrows mission will be looking for a nice chunky waist cinching belt from the charity shops to wear with it - and maybe some black leggys too. Then I can were it with my ox blood red boots!

From my desk!

Just a short rant while I should really be working!

Why are people sooooo stooopid? Example;
Me ; Hello, Pro-Dent Dental Surgery
Them ; Hello? Is that the dentis(sic),the one in Shirley?
Me ; Yes it is.
Them ; Do you do HNS?
Me ; NHS? yes we do.
Them ; I gets benefits.
Me ; Do you need to see the dentist.
Them ; I don't pay nuffin.
Me ; Do you want to see the dentist? Are you registered with us?
Them ; I need an appointment.
Me ; Ok, what's your name?
Them ; I'm register with you.
Me ; That's fine, what is your name?
Them ; Joe.
Me ; Joe what?
Them ; Joe Bloggs, I've been there before (along with 16000 others)
Me ; Ok

This carries on until they have an appointment that doesn't interfere with their dig walking/signing on/ hairdressers etc...

It culmanates with me saying cheerio! then hanging up the phone and banging my head on the desk!

Toby has a new trick

You have to watch him else he's up the stairs so quick - laughing all the way!!

He is getting big so fast now!

Grade 1 Ballet

So I am thinking of allegro for grade one.

8 changements, 8 retire sautes en arriere to a 2/4 hornpipe with 4 bars of intro (+1,+2)

2 pose ton leves, 4 petit jetes derriere to a steady, light 4/4 with 2 bars intro (1,2,3,4)

3 changements and a pause, 3 changements and a pause, 8 walks in circle to a strong march 4/4, 4 chords intro - dom,dom,dom,dom

counting as follows - 1, changement, 2, changement, 3 changement, 4 wait

  5 changement, 6 changement, 7 changement, 8 wait

12345678 walk in a circle towards back foot - lr to start on other side

Ok - Homework done now! More sewing later maybe!!

Bank Holiday Monday Creation!

Today I have had a relaxed day playing with the little ones and pottering around.

I did however have a creative hour early one - I made Daisy a light summer dress and a pair of cotton shorts to match - she looked cute in them - I made them to fit a 3 year old as she is 3 in August so they are "roomy"!! Sorry about the sideways photo - I haven't sussed out how to do that bit yet. Yet again she is demonstrating her sartorial elegance!

I used some really lightweight cotton with a floral print - it came from the mighty stash of fabric!! It's very pale blue with a darker blue print, and it has a vintage pearl button for the fastening. It took 1 1/2 from start to finish. I love it!

The top picture is my simplicity dress/tunic - it's sewn together now but the arm holes are being stupid and I think I need to take it in - it's very loose - I made the size 12 but maybe I should have gone smaller..

Last thing - this weeks homework was grade 1 allegro for boys and girls - I shall think and get back to you later! 

More arm hole peril!

Still the arm holes are causing me angst - and the tunic is much loser than I thought it was going to be too - so I guess it's going to get taken in or darted or maybe just worn with a chunky belt and jeans! I so love the fabric - it is a vintage one that I acquired!

So this morning - until I pop and see my Mum and get her to help me with the armholes - I think I might do a little more playing with the kids then make Daisy a little summer dress and shorts.

Argh!!

I am just at the arm hole stage - and I am struggling!!! I have been following the instructions but they aren't very clear....

aaaaarrrgggghhhh!!!

Hopefully I shall post the shiney new dress pictures tomorrow!!!

Sewing

This evening I am making a tunic/dress as G has gone out, Storm is away at the footy with Grandpa on the beer bus and the baba's are asleep! (famous last words).

My mum and I went to Tyrell's today to look at children's patterns and I spotted this pattern - I really like it - The lovely Lady Hagos had suggested simplicity so I thought I'd try one out - It was priced at £7.80 but when we got to the counter it was reduced to £3.60 - bargain! I am currently trying to decide if I should overlock it or not (that's serging to you Auntie 'Laine)

This makes my dress very very cheap as the fabric and cotton cost virtually nowt - only had to get some pink wine to help my creativity!!

I have cut said pattern and shall endeavour to sew it up tonight! (if I don't drink all the wine...)