Hello world

I’ve been jobless for quite a while. Its tough. I need to limit my spending to what my little bank account can provide. Good thing I have my Mom and my Boyfriend to cheer me up (and provide a bit of financial support, lol). At least I can still afford to buy myself some fabric and a few other sewing materials. At least I can still pull my ass off our house and go out to see friends.

One thing I enjoy about being jobless is that I have all the time in the world to do other activities. Sewing in particular. Sewing has kept me sane for the past few weeks. It keeps me from thinking about my pending job applications to various companies. It gives me some sort of hope that with the little skill that I have, I can pull through financial constraints for a few more weeks. Right now, I’m doing some commission work for some people. I hope I’ll be able to amp up my skills and learn a few more tricks. Also, I need to sew faster.

I like working in the wee hours of the morning. By working I mean doing sewing projects, like making fabric accessories or sewing plushies. Its peaceful. Everything’s quiet, except for the occasional dog barks or rabbit thumps. I also get to use our whole dining table as a cutting table. I do sew during normal ‘working hours’, but I think I work faster when everyone’s asleep. I can cut fabric twice as fast as my normal cutting speed.

Less noise, less distraction.

Now, back to the cutting table.

Random Dreams

One thing I love about holidays is that I get to sleep more. More sleep means a less cranky me in the mornings. More sleep may also mean random dreams.

There was one night when I dreamt about getting a wig as a Christmas gift. I was so happy because I can go pursue my next cosplay plan because I already have the wig I need.

Another one was about a massive Code Geass photoshoot with friends and random cosplayers. My friends made me dress-up as CC in a school girl uniform. My hair wasn’t green, but I got tons of photos. After the shoot, my boyfriend said he wanted to go watch Wapakman with me.

One of the strangest dreams I had was about me living in a house with some guy. All of a sudden, my (real life) boyfriend’s face flashed before my eyes.  I talked to the guy I’m living with and I said “You’re not the one I’m supposed to marry.”

Huh?

Oh hello human

My name’s Lilith. How are you?   

21

So, it’s my birthday today. Tralala~ I’m 21. Yay?

Some people say you’re supposed to have some sort of a life plan at this age, which is true. I don’t want to wake up one day thinking about where I wasted my years. Though I don’t have a solid plan - yet, I do have a vague idea of what I want to do in my life. Let me share you my little list.

(in no particular order)

1. Try my hand at making clothes, a.k.a. become some sort of a fashion designer. -  I’ve always wanted to do this. Now I have the capacity to supply myself with the things I need (i.e. sewing materials), I’m starting to self-study dress making. I’ve been reading a lot of tutorials online, I got random tutorials from dressmakers (I love watching them make my costumes), and I made little detailed  trinkets, head accessories in particular. I’m planning to get myself a sewing machine by next year to start making bigger pieces. Hopefully, I can turn this hobby into a full-time job.

2. Publish a short manga (comic book). - I’ve been drawing for years, andI think its about time that I try to get myself out there. Not that I want to be some big shot in the manga industry. I just want to see what people (other than my friends) think about my drawing skills. I’m planning to join next year’s Komikon.

3. Save-up for a house. - My boyfriend and I are planning to get a house before we get married (yiiii~). That’s a major thing, but I guess we can do it in a few years. No need to rush.

4. Get my Mom (and my Grandma) a new business. - Years ago, we had this little school supplies store. It was a successful store. We had a lot of customers since our house was strategically placed on the street where most students pass by. Unfortunately, we had to close it down since my Mom started working full time and no one can maintain the store. Now that my Grandma stays at home all the time, I’m planning to get them a little business to keep themselves preoccupied (extra income for them, yay!).

5. Help my brother graduate from college. - I promised my Mom that I’ll help her get my brother through college. Good thing he enrolled himself in a state university, so we wont have problems with his tuition fees. Miscellaneous fee,  plus other school requirements is another problem.

That’s it for now. Maybe I’ll continue doing this list tomorrow. Toodles!

(PS. There are probably several grammatical errors in this post. That’s what you get when you rush a post when you’re really sleepy)

Sewing machine blahs

When I was in grade school, I had this extra large notebook that I took from our little school supplies store. My Mom wasn’t very pleased, we could’ve earned a few more pesos with that notebook. But I insisted that I need it, and she had to let the issue go.

I happily took the notebook to my grandma’s room, took out a pencil, and started sketching. This notebook had thin pages, with badly printed blue lines running across the pages.  I just went on drawing - pouring my ideas in. I tried to immitate my favorite anime character’s clothes and created a few looks inspired by those clothes. I drew strage dresses that would somehow pass as avant-garde.

A few drawings later, I decided that when I grow up, I will become a fashion designer.

I’m still far from that dream.  Well, I do stitch a few things together. I make lace headbands, cuffs and cravats - stuff that I usually use for my lolita dresses. I have several designs left untouched in a notebook I carry around all the time. I have plans on making a beret, more fascinators, more cravats, more chokers… the list goes on. Sure, I could make all of those by hand, but I would love to own a sewing machine.

We do have a sewing machine at home. A 59 year-old Singer sewing machine my grandma inherited from her aunt. Its been down for years, we tried to have it fixed but the last guy who did that stole a part of the machine. Until now, wecan’t find someone who could repair it and not steal its antique parts.

Then, Ondoy came and made that 59 year-old sewing machine swim. Its still in one piece, though its orange with rust and still not working. It’ll take a while for us to have it fixed.

Now I’m gawking over sewing machines on ebay, hoping to find something that’s within my price range. Oh wait, I don’t have that kind of money yet. Still, I can’t keep myself from Googling ’sewing machines’  and trying to figure out how to take one home.

The other night, Doms texted me about a sewing machine haven in Manila. And with a few thousand pesos, I could take one good sewing machine home. Right now, I’m devicing plans on how to fatten-up my bank account account without going dormant.

The sewing machine is just step one. Step two will be sewing classes. Step three will be the actual dress-making shiz. Step four will be making clothes for future clients (I hope there’ll be some).

Ah, possibilities.

Anniversary

Tomorrow’s our 6th Anniversary.

(photo from Mega Maquerade 2009)

I don’t know what to say. I’m just happy that we’ve been together for six years. 

Happy Anniversary B! I love you.

Status Check!

Uhm, weekend? What weekend?

This is my self-obligatory post - just to make myself a little ‘motivated’ to work on what I actually planned. 

On the armor-making project:

I’m off to a slow start. I tinkered around manila paper and rubber sheets last Saturday early morning and eventually came out with two depressing-looking pieces that are supposed to be leg armor. and those two are for one leg only. Sheesh. I also made a mistake by measuring my leg without the boots on - my cut was a little too small for the boots. I have this idea to have eyelets attached to the sheets to make it easier for me to wear and to allow me to adjust the size armor without re-cutting it. I have to finish cutting the leg and chest armorso I can bring it to the shopo on Saturday.

Also on the armor-making project: a great idea came to me this morning - instead of detailing the armor with tiny rubber sheets, why not use masking tape instead? Ideas ideas.

On the greco glue:

The shop was closed  last Sunday! I have to pass by this one of these days to get that glue. Now, I could just use rugby for my project (worked for mt Princess Emeraude chestplate). But I need something that dries fast so I can see the shape of the armor right after applying the glue. Good luck to me.
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Weekend Targets

Here’s my list for this weekend’s mission (in no particular order):

• START MAKING TEH ARMOR! HUZZAH! Note to self: start with the chest plate, the sword is easy
• Get this elusive greco glue (available at some upholstery shop in Monumento)
• Meet-up with a rabbit owner to get hay
• Take photos of shops around Monumento

On the armor thingy:

I’m cosplaying somone armored this November. And yeah, I’ve been planning it for a long time yet I only had the motivation to do it this weekend. Hello procrastination. Lucky me, I found a tutorial website online. Ah, makes my life easier.

I’m more excited to make the sword first though, its easier and I already figured out what to do with it. the only problem I have with this sword is the design. Should I go for the elaborately designed one or the simple one? Half of me wants the huge-ass/kick-ass elaborate sword. The other tells me to do the simple one. Meh.

On the greco glue:

The greco glue is related to this target. According to some forums, greco glue is the best when it comes to armor making. Fortunately, I found some tips on where to get that.

I’m kind of scared to use it though. I read its a lot stronger than your normal super glue - imagine accidentally dropping some on your skin. Someone said she had to actually peel off her skin to get rid og the glue. *shiver* I don’t want to use hotglue though (like the intructional material I found said), it doesnt turn out that well.

Meet-up! Meet-up!:

Another begginer at rabbit ownership found me online some time ago. After several chat sessions, exchanging tips and what-nots, we eventually agreed to meet-up this Saturday to go to Manila Polo Club. She managed to order a small bale hay and decided to split it between us, since a small bale is too much, even for two rabbits.

I need to get some sacks/boxes ready.

Photo-op:

I need some new material for my ukay blog. I discovered several new shops around Monumento, and hopefully I can go take pics this weekend.

That’s all for now. I’m excited about my new art project. More weekends please?

Random Rambling

Oh, hello Ortigas. You seem quiet. Oh right, today’s a holiday. Everyone’s supposed to be at home or somewhere else, enjoying their one day of freedom from work. Your roads have practically zero traffic, we can even play patintero in the middle of your usually busy road. But yeah, I’m here with you, typing away some random/relevant stuff online. At the office.

Hello hallways. Why do you seem so dark and scary. I remember the last time you’re like this - there was even a mysterious female voice singing somewhere I don’t know. You scare me, I tell you.

Hello elevators. Yes, I’m talking to all you four. For once, you’re free to accomodate us whenever we need you.  We don’t have to wait for 10 minutes just to go down to have lunch. You have that eerie feel though, especially when I had to go up to our office alone while you let your lightbulb flicker every 5 seconds.

Hello~ KFC. Oh, there’s less than 5 people waiting to order your yummy food. What a change of view.

Hello random post. What are you doing?

Mega Masquerade Tomorrow!

Now, if the weather cooperates with us creatures who wants to attend this event, I’ll be going in this outfit:

I’m too lazy to think of a carnival-worthy outfit, and I don’t want to dish out my Emeraude costume just yet (God, I’m itching to wear that costume again!) so I’ll just wear this one. I’ll be modifying some features though, maybe use a different headdress and add some accessories (that I’ll rush later tonight).

And what’s a masquerade without a mask?

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