Is it a real challenge if I set it myself?

I have been far too lazy so far this summer. This is good in some ways, because I've gotten a fair amount of reading done, but I have Plans and Things that need to get Done. In particular, I've been sitting on a bunch of sewing projects and that sweater that Lucy fricasseed the pattern for. Experience has shown that I kind of need a challenge, preferably with prizes, to get me motivated.
All Style and All Substance was celebrating her third blog anniversary and mentioned her Seven Week Challenge, which got me thinking. And plotting. And planning, which is the same as plotting only less ominous-sounding.

Anyway, so I'm doing my own seven six week challenge. Except it's going to be a 9 in 6, because I have a few smaller projects to be squeezed in every now and then and I'd like to have one completed sewing project for every week of summer. I'm listing them here with planned deadlines so I can held accountable. Not that that's really worked before, because apparently I have very little shame and don't like being bullied. Especially by myself.

Maybe it'll work this time.

1. First up, because I need to get these finished before I start on anything else, are my Thurlow trousers. They were almost done in June before exams started, but then I ran into fitting issues and put them aside because I couldn't deal with them . Plus I had to mark stuff. Then inertia took over. Due: July 23

To Campbell House, therefore, they were to go: P&P #19

Elizabeth - Darcy: An Adaptation of Pride and Prejudice by Hallie Burt & Kate Werneburg, Toronto Fringe Festival, June 4-14

Imagine my delight when, perusing the Fringe program, I came across the following title: Elizabeth – Darcy: An Adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. To wit:

This is a love story. This is a comedy. This is two women playing all the parts. This is the Jane Austen you love with a squeeze of lemon. This is you moving through historic Campbell House with the story. This is you getting caught up, swept away, laughing out loud.

Sign me right up.



Now, Fringe plays can be a bit hit or miss, but this one delivers. Hallie Burt & Kate Werneburg completely inhabit each character with a mere addition to their costume: a feather fascinator for Caroline Bingley, a fan for Mrs. Bennet, a lace dickey for Mr. Collins. And using a flower for Jane seems to be a popular idea:

The actors use all of Campbell House quite well, going from room to room; I was afraid it would feel awkward to stand right next to an actor when they were performing, but after a while I got so caught up in the story it didn't matter. I have never been inside before, although I've always been curious, so it was a good opportunity to get a peek at it.

My one quibble is that they dropped Bingley's income down to ₤4000 for no good reason. It bugged me more than it should have. There was a lot of necessary cutting due to the time restrictions, but I didn't feel that anything major was lost, and the meat of the story came across really well. How well it works for someone not familiar with the story is another thing; maybe it will inspire them to read it.

Best parts: Burt's transformation into Lydia ("Whee!") and Werneburg as Mr. Collins; his proposal scene in particular is really funny. Also cute: Mr. Collins being a bit scandalized when the audience, instead of making up two lines across from each other to create the feeling of the Netherfield Ball, starting making a square around the room. "Must be one of those new London dances!"

The show is playing for six more performances. Go see it! Go early, because they are selling out, and wear comfortable shoes.

As for me, I have five more tickets to use. Fringe on!

Not exactly Wordless Wednesday

The Toronto Fringe Festival has begun. Last night, we went to see 2 For Tea by James & Jamesy. So hilarious. I laughed so hard I couldn't see at one point.

They still have three shows left. They have sold out each time, so catch them while you can. Bring a tea cup.

Update: They won Fringe Patrons' Pick, so there's an extra show on Sunday! Yay for them! And for you! Go, go, go!

Pancake of the Month: Hummingbird Pancakes with Cream Cheese Anglaise

So, there is an indie pattern company called Cake Patterns and I, observant lass that I am, only recently clued into the fact that most of their patterns are, in fact, named after cakes. To be fair, they only have five patterns right now, and aside from one name, it's not readily apparent. It wasn't until Steph (Hi, Steph. We have never met. Can I call you Steph?) announced her next pattern was Red Velvet that I started to wonder. Tiramisu is obvious. Then I thought that Pavlova was maybe not named after the dancer, but after the cake named after the dancer. But is there a Hummingbird cake?^*

Yes, yes, there is. Apparently it's a southern thing. And since there is a hummingbird cake, there must be hummingbird pancakes.

Hoo boy.

Looking at the recipe tells me that these are not pancakes for everyday. That's a lot of sugar. Yes, I do have quite a bit of a sweet tooth, but even I am saying wowza. The icing in the cake is replaced by Cream Cheese Anglaise which has even more sugar. My teeth were aching just thinking about it. But I persevered. You know, for Science!

The result?

Surrounded by tradition... with opposable thumbs...

Happy Canada Day!

Last night, the DC and I went to a friend's house for a BBQ (a fine tradition) where thanks to all the bananas for no good reason because bananas apparently don't attract them more than anything else I got eaten alive by mosquitos (sadly, another tradition) and we lost our hip attitudes and were completely enthralled by a family of four raccoons that were playing in the trees in the backyard (tradition with furry masks and nimble fingers).

Lock up your garbage and have a lovely holiday for those of you who celebrate it.

Pancake of the Month: Strawberry Banana Pride

Just under the wire! I have been essentially free since the marks went in over a week ago, but the heat and general laziness meant that I have not been feeling like doing anything much but laze around reading and watching The Private Life of a Masterpiece. I hadn't even made pancakes this month! However, the DC's parents gifting us with some fresh-picked strawberries yesterday, the heat ripening my bananas very quickly, it still being June, and the internet being a wonderful thing all add up to pancakes today.


I've already made strawberry pancakes this year and I wanted to make something a little bit different. Fortunately, there is no dearth of strawberry pancake recipes out there. I chose this one from Can You Stay For Dinner. Then I remembered that it is also Pride Week, and decided to go crazy with it.

The result?

Just knock three times and whisper low...

Not the right era, but whenever I think speakeasy I think of this song. Plus: Ella. 'Nuff said.

Why would I be thinking of those dens of iniquity, you ask? Bees Knees Dance hosted a 1920s rent party/Speakeasy Friday night. I got off my duff long enough to make an overdress out of some of really lovely grey-green stretchy net embroidered in dark silver from the sari store in Little India in May. The construction was very simple: I used the Sorbetto pattern as a base, eliminating the front pleat and bust darts (yay!), making it a v-neck, and lengthening it to below-the-knee length. I also made the back neckline more square-shaped. The bottom embroidery ends in some delicate scallops, which meant no hemming when I trimmed the rest of the fabric away. I had just enough leftover embroidery to trim the neckline, although I had to use different rows for the front and back. The only hemming I had to do was at the armholes, where I used my rolled hem foot more to make it look finished than anything else.

I didn't have enough time to make the underdress out of the green satin I bought at the same time (because I took a nap instead of sewing), so I wore a definitely-not-period grey dress underneath. I made a sash and head wrap out of the green fabric, and I'm fairly pleased with how the whole thing turned out. I'll get around to making the green underdress in a week or two and take some better pictures.