News!

Today I finally heard from school! - the answer is to wait some more. *deflating*

I am having my doubts about my choice of schools. All the research, the talking with people, and I was confident that this school would be the best fit.

But I am absolutely shocked at the lack of organization and communication I have encountered. Seriously, classes begin in 3 weeks all I have is a verbal promise of acceptance. No classes, no fees list, no schedule.

At Liberty of London - a place that fills me with as much excitement and anticipation as I have been feeling these days. 

We have done this whole process backwards: First I applied, but when I was told that I wouldn't even get an interview until the end of July, we took a chance. I gave notice to my job, and signed a lease on an apartment in a new city. That, my friends, is faith (and perhaps a bit of over confidence ;) ).

But I am convinced that all my research has not been in vain. I still think, even if the administration is a horror, that the school and education must be sound. So I am not so much worried, as terribly excited and impatient to get my course list, book list, supplies list....I do love lists! And getting school supplies. A bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils may be in order.

Waiting and Reading

Two weeks since my interview and still I wait to hear about classes, loans, next steps etc. In some ways I think most of life is waiting, preparing, itching to get a move on. And then when I finally am allowed to move on, I usually protest and grieve for "the way things were". I am very fickle.

Since coming home from our travelling adventure just 2 months ago, we have been living in the "between". Between our parents, between Victoria and Vancouver, between what was, what is, and what will be. It has been a roller coaster for my mind and spirit, all this hopping and leaping back and forth, trying to hard to keep a brave face on. The truth is I am exhausted, and very ready for what is coming next. I actually think that going to school is going to be a break.

I am blessed with the dearest mother. I think above anyone she truly empathizes with these unsettled times. She did summers that were very similar, back when she had three small children to take care of. We called it furlough, and it was a time of being in a new bed every night, eating dinner with a different acquaintance, telling the same stories, and being gracious through the whole ordeal. We are introverts, and let me assure you that it was (and is) an ordeal. Not only does she understand, she also knows exactly what I need.

A good book to loose myself in: The Shell Seekers by Rosamund Pilcher.

Interview

After weeks (umm, months) of waiting for the interview, it was over in 10 min. And since it started a few minutes early, I was back on the street by the time it was scheduled to start. 

Quick, snappy, to the point — I walked out with a verbal acceptance. Official enough for me! I feel settled, relieved, and a little dazed. How many years have I thought about going to fashion school? 

It has been a while, with many twists, turns and rabbit-trails. I wouldn't change it. Wouldn't go sooner, because I have learned and experienced so much that will only make my craft and career stronger. 

I think that each school is different, but for my interview I was asked to bring 3 illustrations of my designs, and 3 sewn garments. I asked if I could bring more, but was told only 3. I slipped in extras where I could ;). 

My illustration portfolio was almost done, when I was told to bring only 3, so I took the full thing, but marked the top 3 for quick reference if needed. My interviewees were gracious enough to look at everything I brought. 

For the sewn garments, I did settle on just 3: A pair of pants that I drafted and sewed myself (complete with a fly placket), a blazer style jacket (featuring lining, sleeves, collar, and details), and my polka-dot party dress (great style, lined, invisible zipper, and a show-stopper). 

As a bonus I tossed in my birch bark belt. 

As excited as I am, much of me feels that I should be more excited, like this is the start of something new. In reality, this is a step in the journey. A sizeable step, a monumental step, on a journey that I have been on for a long time. 

The hard work is yet to come, but I do know what has brought me to this place. 

Parksville sandcastle competition

We have left Istanbul at the brink of spring. Our last days there were full of warmth, and fresh colour. 

 In our little apartment, we had the funniest little oven. It is the bowl looking contraption in the corner. Every apartment we stay in requires that we change how we eat and cook. Not only do the ingredients change as we travel from country to country, but the tools and utensils are different in every apartment. This little oven was an adventure, and I have to say that I wasn't totally convinced it could do anything more than dry out a piece of meat. Surprisingly, our little oven-in-a-bowl made us some great meals!

 Lovely husband made these rice stuffed tomatoes, and then broiled cheese on top. What a way to use up dregs from the kitchen! I was so impressed.

 I tried banana bread - and it was delicious! (Even the third time around. It was that good).

 And it roasted vegetables, and chicken and whatever else you need! I am learning to keep cooking very simple, but that simple doesn't mean boring. Every meal seems like an adventure when you don't know the ingredients, or the tools, but we always make it work!

Inspired by Beauty - Mosaic Art

I recently decided that I wanted to serious about learning Illustrator. Lynda.com is a great resource - and worth every penny if you commit to using the videos. They are professional and teach you the important stuff.

Here is my first creation. It needs a lot of work still, but I am pretty happy with how much I have learned in such a short time. My wonderful husband pointed me in the right direction when I was stuck, and I figured out a couple of different ways of making shapes. I also learned about how the colours you see in the photo, may not be the colours that are actually there!

Inspired by the mosaic floors of the Vatican Museum.

Creating Beauty: Orange Candle

Our apartment in Tropea, Italy was cold and damp. Living in a 1721 Palazzo may sound romantic, but in January it is cold and damp.

I had read about these clementine orange candles a few months earlier, and wanted to try. There was no shortage of the most beautiful clementines in Calabria - Orange Groves interspersed with Lemon Groves and Olive Groves. And the occasional vineyard. Really very beautiful. 

But inside I needed a little cheer: I mastered the knack of making lanterns out of clementines and olive oil. A beautiful, cheery light in the bleak mid-winter. 

I have seen quite a few comments on a particular Pinterest post that this doesn't work. Here are a few tips:

• Be careful about how you peel the clementine - the wick is the little bit of fibre-spine that goes down the middle of the orange, and it needs to be intact.
• Pour in a reservoir of olive oil - not enough to submerge the wick, but enough to soak through. 
• Light the wick and give it some time. It needs to dry out a little bit. 
• Make sure you cut a whole in the top - the heat needs to escape, and you get more light. 

Apartment Therapy has a great YouTube how-to video if you want better step by step instructions: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfhvqUr0jrU